HELMSDALE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9th August 2012 at 7.50pm in the Community Centre
Present: Stan Amey, (Chair), Paul Harrington, Councillor Deirdre Mackay Guest speakers: Fiona Mackenzie: Brown Signage, Anna Vermehren, Director and Jacquie Aitken, Archivist, Timespan Heritage Centre: Timespan Project Management 2013 1. Apologies: Edward Mackay, (Vice-Chair), Barbara Jappy, (Treasurer), Penny Kane, (Secretary), Malcolm Bromley, Alison Cowie, Gerry Wood 2. Police report: No police present 3. Fiona Mackenzie: Brown Signage: See her report sent separately 4. Anna Vermehren Director & Jacquie Aitken, Archivist, Timespan Heritage Centre: See their report sent separately 5. Approval of Minutes of July Meeting: Item 9h of AOB should have read Macleans of Alness were given the contract to re-do 2 culverts up the Strath. It was a 12 week job but they were there for 8 months and left without completing either culvert. There are now council workmen up there completing the work. Approval of the minutes was held over as there was only one elected Councillor present (quorum 4) 6. Matters arising from July Minutes: Held over (see above) 7. Councillors Report: Held over until next meeting 8. Treasurers Report: Held over until next meeting. 9. Development Officers Report: HOUSING Planning consent received. FILLING STATION We have received the costs for the 3rd option of the above ground storage tanks Awaiting civils cost adjustment prior to submitting to Lottery Fund RENEWABLES OFFSHORE The application for AXIS 4EFF funds has been submitted to carryout the Engineering study/survey and feasibility of the harbour to achieve the Developers minimum O&E requirements. This is being done in partnership with Highland Council Harbours and we have gained their permissions to lead the project on behalf of the Community The Harbours users group met the other evening and they have received an update on the harbour developments ONSHORE Balnacoil see letter received from Peter Docherty Consulting see letter for discussion OTHER: COMMUNITY MINIBUS the service level agreement has been received and the service will start 27 Aug 2012 10. A.O.B.:

a) The ambulance service is being called out several times a day by one resident, and is an abuse of their service: Held over until next meeting b) A letter has gone to Grant Application people with correct contact details for Helmsdale Community Council c) Email sent by Penny to Simon Young and Graham Phillips has elicited no response, Deirdre to contact Richard Clements. d) Application to Join VG-ES costs 10.00. Decision held over e) Community Council on-line training: held over f) Request for help generating funds for Medical Equipment Fund: Held over g) Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill: held over h) Invitation for representative to attend opening of Migdale Hospital on Wed 22nd August at 10am Penny to see if Alison would like to go. i) Balnacoil Windfarm Proposal: held over j) Cheque for 1800.00 received as wind farm grant. k) Late hours catering: Need response by 31st August 2012. Penny to contact council members. l) McColls: held over m) Issue of locums at surgery: held over n) Deirdre was asked to enquire why Sutherland households were not issued with brown refuse bins as is the case with Caithness and Ross-shire. The elderly and those without personal transport experience great difficulty in disposing of garden / other waste materials. 11. Questions from the public: Gary Macmillan, Community Minibus Association Gary outlined the valued service provided by the community minibus. He requested written support from the Community Council to support its application for the 2013 funding/subsidy. Chair asked that Penny and Deirdre draft letters of support and pass to Gary The land where the Christmas lights used to be put up is becoming untidy and needs tidying up and looking after: held over Meeting closed at 8.35pm Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 6th September 2012 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre