Present: Alan Livingstone (AL) / Peter McCracken (PMcC)/ Tom Mclellan (TMcL) / Cathy Reid (CR) /

Morag Griffiths (MG) / Ann Dalgaty (AD) / Allan Macaskill (AMaca) / Elaine Robertson (ER)

Apologies: None.

Public: 13 members of the public were present.

AL (Chairman) introduced the committee to the members of the public.

The committee approved the minutes of the meeting held on 26th October 2005, together with the Constitution and Standing Orders.

Issues arising from the minutes of the meeting held by the Taynuilt Community Council (TCC) on

24^th August 2005 and which were not on the agenda, were reviewed:-

Fish Farm on Loch Etive — a letter of response had been received from Bidwells in relation to the problem of debris and responsibility for removal. Bidwells confirmed that the lease arrangements require leaseholders to maintain the sites in a tidy condition and prevent debris arising. They confirmed that the "Grab Trust" (Group for Recycling in Argyll&Bute) would be organising a clean up operation in Spring 2006. Bidwells offered to meet the committee and TMcL proposed to write accepting (date to be agreed) and to make contact with Karen Judd of the Grab Trust. AMaca said that Argyll & Bute Council (A&B) would take over the control of fish farm developments from the Crown Estates in 2006.

Bruachrue Development — a copy letter had been received from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) with comments on this development. SNH did not object to the development, but they urged A&B to consider their recommendations in order that the development minimized any adverse landscape and visual impacts.

Local Plan — AMaca stated that he was misquoted in a letter from George Lyon MSP and that he had not indicated that A&B was considering withdrawing the Proposed Development Areas (PDA’s) from the Taynuilt Local Plan. AMaca confirmed the position as being " A&B will consider representation on the Local Plan" and that the council has to consider these matters on a case-by-case basis.

Monument Path — CR thought that the work should have been completed by now. It was considered that the path needed to be sorted and completed. AL understood that there was an issue about waiting for more money. A member of the public asked if the path could be connected to the school brae. AL did not think this would be possible, but agreed that infrastructure improvement was required on the school brae. It was recognised that access for disabled people in wheel chairs was difficult and that this was unlikely to be improved. AL suggested that contact was made with John MaCalman for an update.

Roads — A meeting was to be held with the Mr Andrew Law (Director of Operational Services) and Neil Brown of the Roads Department, A&B on Thursday 17^th November at 2.00pm. All committee members were invited to attend.

It was proposed that the following issues would be considered, with inspections carried out on the ground:-

• The exit onto the A85(T) at Ichrachan.
• Access to and from the Achnafearna II development.
• The narrowing of the public road at Achnafearna and the blind corner on the Chapel Brae.
• Access for pedestrians and cars over the Nant Bridge.
• Pavement configuration and the lack of, from Achnafearna to the village centre.
• Pedestrian and vehicular traffic up and down the Hall Brae.
• Car parking in the village centre.
• The School Brae and lack of pavements, school sign posts, parking and congestion at drop off / pickup times.

There was discussion regarding priorities, viz. children walking to school, Nant bridge, car parking etc.

There was discussion on the relationship of these infrastructure improvements to PDA’s and who pays for these improvements. A member of the public suggested that developers should pay towards infrastructure improvements. AMaca. said that A&B had lost cases where they had asked the developer to meet these costs.

AMaca agreed that there are some problems, but A&B have to balance priorities and demands from elsewhere on it’s Capital & Revenue budgets. It was not clear which budgets could be used for the infrastructure improvements in the village — Capital or Revenue, or both. Council Tax was Revenue. The Capital budget was decided by the Council on the 15^th November 2005 for the next 4 years. The revenue budget was decided by the Area Committees of A&B and AMaca suggested that it was probably best that money for infrastructure improvements came via the Area Committee, who will decide allocation in January / February 2006. Infrastructure issues are one of the top five priorities for the Area Committee. The Roads Department is required to come forward with specific projects, which are prioritised by them.

A member of the public suggested that it might be worth looking at access to the school via the graveyard and parking adjacent to the school. A parking area here would also be useful for funeral services. It was agreed that this option should be considered. It was also agreed that AL should contact Network Rail regarding the possibility of leasing an area of ground adjacent to the siding.

AMaca agreed to write a letter of support to Neil Brown in terms of concern at the issues relating to road infrastructure in Taynuilt, with particular reference to the pavements and lack of suitable car parking.

A copy of the agenda for the meeting with the A&B on the 17^th November, together with notes from the meeting, is appended.

Action — Allan Macaskill & Alan Livingstone

Scottish Water — TMcL indicated that he had been asked by the committee earlier in the year, to contact Scottish Water in relation to the potable (drinking) water supply to the village and the foul (sewerage) water system. This had been in abeyance while the new committee had been formed and he now looked for approval to arrange a meeting with the community council.

Approval was given and a date of Wednesday 25^th January 2006 has now been arranged.

PDA’s — AL said that A&B planners wished to retain the proposed PDA at the Deer Park at Ichrachan because of the potential gain for an improved access onto the A85(T), but were willing to consider withdrawing all the other PDAs. AMaca said that the community council should negotiate with A&B planners to ensure that the current draft plan is put in place as soon as possible and then to develop a strategic plan for Taynuilt thereafter.

AL agreed that a strategic plan was necessary, but that without significant movement on immediate infrastructure improvements, objection should be maintained to all PDAs and if this meant that the issue went before the Reporter, so be it. TMcL said that the fact that the level of awareness was significantly greater today than previously, the issue of the future development of Taynuilt could not be dodged any further. Development by "creep" was no longer an option and the number of large-scale developments had raised the profile. AMaca acknowledged that Taynuilt was an expanding "dormitory" village for the Oban & Lorne area, the implication being that this should be acknowledged in the level of resources given to improve the infrastructure.

Planning Applications — MG gave an overview of recent planning applications:-

Duntanachan, Barguillean — extension. The committee had no particular comment.

Brolas, Taynuilt — compile letter from the committee to A&B planning re. concerns regarding the road access for application No.05/02107/DET (also discussed under AOB with Mr Ian Thomson).

Coillie Braigh, Ichrachan — some concern that approval may lead to further sporadic development through this area of woodland. Check Local Plan to see what it says in relation to development in this area.

Discussion postponed until next meeting, but press reports indicate that current 30mph restriction to be extended to include the 40mph-restricted zone. TMcL to follow up with BEAR.

Discussion postponed until next meeting, but in the meantime ER to enquire and confirm availability / procedure in order to secure funding as a result of Bonawe Quarry.

A list of the October 2005 disbursements will be put in the village notice board a copy of which is appended. A total of £2,905 was approved for payment. This leaves a balance of £1,095 on the current annual amount of £4,000 allocated for payment (circa. 50% of the original annual income).

The annual income from the windfarm development in October 2005 was £9,317.

Concern was expressed about the current restriction to one annual payout in October. It was agreed that there should also be an opportunity for interim awards being made throughout the year. There was also concerns about the grant application form, the standard of the applications and that all groups / organisations that were likely to be in a position to benefit from assistance with windfarm money were fully aware of the existence of the fund and how to make an application. A case in point, was the fact that the bowling club currently requires assistance with the purchase of equipment and their season is just about to begin.

It was proposed that PMcCr reviews the application form, the parameters that should apply and how local organisations might be better informed.

CR reported the current financial position:-

Trust Account 1 — a credit balance of £10,088.90

Trust Account 2 — a credit balance of £ 3,174.73

Halifax Bond - a credit balance of £ 14,000.00

Bank of Scotland account — credit of £ 222.98

Total £27,486.61

A further £180 is due to be received from A&B as a contribution to the Senior Citizens Party.

CR proposed that a review should be carried out of the best investment strategy for the council funds and it was agreed that she and PMcCr should arrange a meeting with the council’s bank manager.

TMcL reported:-

• The Nadair Trust was holding an "Enterprising Communities Event" on 22/23^rd November in Oban. He indicated that if time permitted he may attend, but it was not clear what value would be gained at the present time.
• There was notification of an "IntegratedCoastal Zone Management of Loch Etive" meeting, which came in too late to allow attendance. TMcL would see if he could get minutes of the meeting.
• Notification of the "Oban Lorn & Isles Locality Health Forum" meeting, again too late to attend. Contact has been made and TMcL should now get prior notification of future meetings.
• Notification of the dissolution of the Argyll & Clyde Health Board — no action proposed.
• Notification of military exercises in the area between 21/10/05 — 12/11/05.
• Notification of A&B meeting
• Receipt of a discussion paper from the Scottish Executive titled, "WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP COMMUNITY COUNCILS FULFIL THEIR ROLES". AL / TMcL to review and circulate as appropriate.

The committee agreed that they should facilitate this event in 2006, but that as a result of the recent changes in the committee membership, that the party should be postponed until a date in January / February 2006.

As noted under Planning, Mr Ian Thomson raised the issue of a planning application to Brolas, Airds Bay. He felt that any approval of this application should ensure that there is no connection to the public road at Airds Bay due to the likelihood that additional traffic will then use the Public Road back onto the A85(T), exacerbating the problems and risk of an accident at this bad junction. He requested that the community council write a letter noting their concerns to this effect. It was agreed that the community council would write accordingly.

Wednesday, 14^th December 2005 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.