HELMSDALE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5th September 2013 at 7pm in the Community Centre Present: Stan Amey (Chairman), Edward Mackay, (Vice Chairman), Barbara Jappy, (Treasurer), Penny Kane (Secretary), Malcolm Bromley, Alison Cowie, Paul Harrington. Speakers: Angus Elder and Alex Fowlie from Muirden Energy. 1. Apologies: Gerry Wood, Councillor Deirdre Mackay 2. Police report: No police present 3. Approval of Minutes of August meeting: Proposed by Alison, seconded by Malcolm 4. Muirden Energy: Angus and Alex gave an outline of plans for the erection of 22 wind turbines at West Garty. (Please see attached documents for full over view). Muirden Energy based in Aberdeenshire, started by Fred Duncan a farmer who built 3 wind turbines on his farm which became operational in 2009. He now wishes to expand into the Highlands hence the purchase of West Garty Estate. Muirden employs 8 WTE and wishes to expand the team. Gartymore was selected because of the wind, ability to screen turbines by the hills to the west. A feasibility study has been done and viability study in progress. Plan is for 22 turbines 100 metres tall producing 2.3 mega watts. If planning consent refused they would go to appeal. 3rd party ecologists examining the site in view of RSPB response last time planning applied for. Employment and maintenance contracts some local people may be employed. Area being mapped for archaeology/ geology and peat. Community Benefit: Different ways of doing this. Needs to be agreed locally and to be transparent 5. Matters Arising: Matt Dent has replied to the letter sent re the path to St Johns Well. Matt has removed the offending pipe and therefore the trip hazard. There is no significant undergrowth blocking the path. Alison reported that shortly before the meeting she had received a complaint about the state of that path (and another leading from Ali Grants house down to the river). PK to go and have a look at the path. Councillors suggested it would need a French drain on the bank side of the footpath, linked to an outlet pipe to be laid beneath the surface level of the footpath. This will achieve a satisfactory land drain solution. (Post meeting note: PK has had a look at the path from Bridge car park to the well. The path is currently bone dry except directly in front of the well where it is a bit soggy. No undergrowth. Bedrock exposed for a few feet and a ridged black pipe and an iron pipe partially exposed. The bedrock area of about 6 feet would benefit from some gravel to smooth it over. A wooden bench was in a dangerous state and PK took it apart. The

path from the corner to the well needs undergrowth cutting back. Dog fouling noted-PK to contact Matt Dent. The footpath from the sports club to the statue is of poor quality. Edging not put along the length of the path because it was water sodden. Apparently when the grass edges grow in, coupled with the camber will encourage rain to run off. Paul pointed out the poor workmanship to the gate from Coupers Park into War Memorial area. To be held over until Deirdre at meeting. Ward Forum on 26th August at 7.30pm in the Scout and Guide hall Brora. PK attended: a) Ward discretionary budget: agreed to give money to the rowing club for another skiff b) BEAR Scotland: A9 route. They are responsible for removing road kill, verges, footpaths through villages, and winter maintenance. They have made huge investment in plant, personnel and communication. There is a state of the art control room, and they hope to engage with local contractors to get work done. c) Snow clearing/salting etc: now do pre treatment at 2 hours (was previously 7 hours) d) Grass cutting:- now up to speed on the A9. Edge cutting up to Transport Scotland specs e) Road works start at KIrkton in Oct. It is hoped Portgower will end in Oct. Lothmore should be started Mon 2nd Sept for 2 weeks f) Road kill- not being removed and they are trying to improve this. g) Strategic Safety Unit looking at speeds in Golspie especially on the bridge and Helmsdale, Helmsdale being top priority The toilets have been painted by volunteers but still need to have new loo seats and better cisterns. PK has written to Phil Snow clearing: Phil assures us that if someone falls and is injured whether on paths we have or have not cleared, this is an accident and blame cannot be apportioned. Alison to speak to Deirdre re work on this for Garry Mcleod 6. Councillors Report: Councillor not present due to overrun of Highland Council meeting 7. Treasurers report: In bank: 1496.29 minus a couple of outstanding cheques. The Windfarm payment of 1800 is on its way. We have received an application from the Christmas Lights Committee for 250 for lights, entertainment at opening night etc. Agreed unanimously 8. Development Officers Report: HOUSING We are having a little trouble from SSE over the power supply, cost is the major problem, with the overhead power line and its proximity to the plots. ROB Gibson MSP is challenging SSE over this on our behalf. FILLING STATION NO UPDATE Still awaiting feedback from BLF RENEWABLES Balnacoil The Developers have submitted their full planning application as of Friday 30 Aug. A copy of the full EIA is available in the Community Centre/Library HARBOUR Feasibility and Engineering study completed and report is being processed, will be made available in the very near future. COMMUNITY BROADBAND

Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) & HIE have indicated that parts of the Helmsdale & District (outlying areas), are unlikely to receive improved broadband speeds, through the Governments Next Generation Broadband Scheme, until at least 2020. Therefore CBS & HIE have agreed that we can now move forward with evidencing those areas with poor speeds, so that a Technical Assessment can be undertaken to identify, equipment, reception areas, mesh network and costs. A Community Survey has been sent out to 145 residential units and to date only 28 have been returned. If there is insufficient numbers, it will not be cost effective to fulfil the project and bring broadband to the outlying areas. RAILWAY STATION BUILDING The project started several weeks ago and is planned to finish week commencing 21 October 2013. They are progressing well; Mike Wood is the Local Projects Manager on behalf of the community. HELMSDALE ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENTS Work for the second phase of the works Bridge Car Park, are planned to commence on Monday 23rd September. A pre-start meeting for the project will be held in the community centre on Thursday 12th September. Time and who going not known at present, will find out and let you know 9. A.O.B.: Request received from Margaret Cairns: Billy Jack has asked to put a stone seat at the top of Crescent Brae or Bridge car park. Either agreed in principle. Edward to get exact location and inform Paul (Post meeting note: Billy Jack has strong preference for the bench to be included in the Bridge End Car Park works- Claire Bell aware) Highland Council/NHS Highland meeting at 3pm on 4th October at Drummuie offices. PK brought up the 1 1/2 hours a villager had to lie on the side of the street with a fractured hip while awaiting an ambulance. PK to add to their agenda Highland Road Safety Seminar: 22nd November 12.30-4.45 Inverness. No delegate came forward SSE re microgrants: They are changing the structure but not the process. There will be no need to apply for finds every year. Once they have received the summary report at the end of the year. This was agreed and Stan signed the form. (PK to post) PK read out letter from Graham Thomson of VG-ES re the Saltire award for youth volunteers. As we have no youth club/scouts here this to be left. The Youth Development Officer is trying to restart the Youth Club here so we may be able to do something then. PK to contact Graham

Stan congratulated Timespan for the excellent programme of events commemorating the Kildonan Clearances Alison had received complaints re footpaths as outlined in matters arising Some people have complained about the new bin situation at the harbour and want them returned to Bridge square. Most people however prefer them where they are as being much easier to access. New dentist has started Wooden seat at harbour exactly at the bottom of the brae has fallen apart and needs removal. BJ to sort There was discussion around proxy voting if no quorum. PK to ask Deirdre Questions from the Public:

10.

Meeting closed at 8.15pm Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 3rd October 2013 at 7pm If giving apologies please contact Penny so that we will know if we have a quorum
(NB Stan has given apologies for October. Edward please chair) Police report sent to sec 10th Sept 13
I have completed a search of the Helmsdale beat area for all calls going back to 01/08/13. There were a total of 72 recorded calls, with the below being of some interest 1 Person reported for Drink Driving. 1 Theft of one item of machinery from the roadwork's at Portgower (To be confirmed as it may not be a theft). 4 Road safety/road hazard calls. 3 999 Assistance calls (Assistance given by Police to the public for medical or similar reasons). 1 report of suspicious persons. 2 Licensing enquiries. The area has again been relatively crime free, which is great for everyone. Of note, there have been a number of calls Force wide in relation to Bogus workmen going door to door offering services such as roofing repairs, driveway tarring, etc. We strongly advise against people engaging in these services as the work done can often be to a very poor standard and at a greatly over inflated price. There is also a speeding campaign ongoing on the A9 and near local schools. Finally a reminder to all that if trying to contact the Police for non emergency calls, then the 101 tel no should be used, unless an emergency, then 999 should still be used. Information on any crimes or incidents of note can also be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. This is a free and confidential service, where callers do not have to provide their details and it is completely independent of the Police.

I hope the above helps and feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of further assistance. Thank you. Peter.