Apologies:

Apologies were received from Suzy Munro, Martin McFarlane and Charles Dixon-Spain. A letter of resignation was received from Iylene Wilson.

Minutes of last meeting:

The Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted with no matters arising.

Community Council Elections Part II:

The Chairman explained the background to the second round of community council elections set up by Argyll and Bute Council. Notification of anyone standing was due to be received by 11^th February. It was thought unlikely that there would be any nominees from the community but if there were, elections would be held, resulting in an uncomfortable mix of elected and appointed members.

Local Area Community Planning Group

The Chairman had attended a meeting of Cowal & Bute CC representatives to discuss Community Council membership of the Group. It was agreed to propose four, one each from Dunoon and Bute and two to represent the rural areas. No individuals would be nominated, but prior to the 5 meetings per annum, the area CCs would meet and decide suitable representation depending on the proposed agenda. Questions were asked as to the purpose of this representation. The consensus was that it is an opportunity for the communities to influence strategic planning.

BT Community Award Scheme:

Under this scheme BT offers a free computer and one year’s free internet connection. As the deadline was imminent, both the Development Trust and the Community Council applied, with the a laptop to be situated in each village hall. Thus the Development Trust Officer could work at both ends of the community.  If successful, we have a year take up the offer.

Glendaruel Village Hall:

The Chairman had been unable to attend an Argyll and Bute Council meeting on 2^nd February but had noted that Glendaruel Village Hall was on the agenda following a request from the Hall Committee that it be returned to the community. Cllr. Alec McNaughton informed the meeting that it had been decided to return the hall to community ownership. The Hall Committee awaits written confirmation.
Reports:

The Chairman reported that an application had been made to buy all four redundant phone boxes in the area at £2 each. There had been hopes that the Ormidale Pier kiosk be retained as the mobile phone signal there is poor but, as only one call had been made in the past year, it was unlikely BT would consent. Ideas such as using the kiosks as information points or mini art galleries have come from the community.

Bt have deferred their response as they are overwhelmed by demand.

The Treasurer reported that there was £2490 in our account of which £500 belongs to the Development Trust. Once the new signatories are authorised this will be paid.

Development Trust – Charles Dixon-Spain sent a short report saying that the Development Officer, Rhona Sutherland, had been appointed and will start on 21^st February. Thereafter she will consult with all the community. The Development Trust AGM has been postponed until 22^nd March to give Rhona time to take stock and play a full part.

Councillor: Cllr. McNaughton confirmed painful times ahead. A&B Council will make cuts across the board, especially on social and welfare budgets. The road budget would also be cut. He agreed that road patching is unsatisfactory but was not optimistic we could hope for better. The cutbacks include ditching and verge cutting to once yearly. Asked about the system of recycling tarmac in situ he said that it was cost effective and the Council will buy their own machine.

Portfolios:

Roads: Following the above, Tom Mowat commented that with these cuts, roads would deteriorate further over the next year with the many heavy vehicles. He suggested passing place signs be clearer so that vehicles use them and not go off road anywhere and damage edges and verges. Signs should be cleaned and cleared for visibility and white lines at the road edge would be helpful. Cllr McNaughton said the Council had a statutory obligation to paint white lines on two lane roads but was not sure single track roads were included. He would take these concerns to the Council.

Any Other Competent Business:

Robin Creelman of the Community Health Partnership, said there had been mis-reporting on two issues. Firstly, the Dunoon Hospice will open again shortly. It had been closed because of staff shortages due to illness and absence which required hospice staff to be deployed in the main hospital. The Local Authority has no obligation to provide a hospice and can do so only if a degree of flexibility is maintained. A hospice bed costs three times that of a hospital one.  Mr Creelman felt that the rumours about the Hospice might have damaged its future prospects. Secondly, the resignation of three Community Nurses was reported recently. Current staff did not want to be part of a NHS pilot scheme for community nursing, which fits the Argyll & Bute flexibility model. They will be replaced as soon as possible. Our Community Health Partnership is doing well and is on target to break even this year - which is quite an achievement.

Cathleen Russell said that the Maersk ships laid up in Loch Striven (for which the Clyde Port Authority receives £1 million each per annum) have a community pot from which we might benefit. The BBC is currently filming on the ships and parties of school children are invited to visit. She will look into the matter.

Next Meeting:

The next meeting was arranged for Thursday 22^nd April at 7.30 p.m. in Colintraive Village Hall.

The View down the Kyles of Bute

Following their successful applications to Leader Argyll and the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust, the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust (CGDT) is recruiting a Development Officer to work on a freelance basis for two years. The position, which is worth £24,000 plus expenses to the successful applicant, will involve preparation, implementation and follow up on a variety of projects from public consultations to project managing capital projects in a wide range of endeavours. The Development Trust has prioritised renewables schemes, and these will form the basis of the first year’s work, alongside, smaller, but no less important micro projects like getting laptops into village halls.

Colintraive and Glendaruel are two rural communities in South-west Cowal, Argyll, united by proximity, the ColGlen shinty club and long tradition, with a total adult population of just over 250, and beset by all the issues which characterise rural decline: aging population, lack of employment, poor housing stock and falling school roll. The Development Trust is tasked with revitalising the community ensuring its longterm economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability – and the Development Officer is a key figure in this.

Founded at an inaugural meeting in November 2008, the trust consists of ten board members, including local resident and MSP, Michael Russell who says of the project:

A small and fragile community like Colintraive and Glendaruel must go forward or it will inexorably decline - in population, in services and in viability. A development officer focussed on securing economic opportunities within the community, and accountable to that community, will be a vital step forward. In a very real sense this appointment could and must secure the future for all of us who live here.

Application packs, including research materials and information are available to applicants from Sybel Peters, Camusfernan, Colintraive PA22 3AR, tel: 01700 841 200

For more information on CGDT, click here

This project is funded by:

THE CRUACH MHOR WINDFARM TRUST 

and

There will be a Community Council meeting in the Colintraive Village Hall

AGM

1 Minutes of last AGM

2 Chairman’s Report

3 Treasurer’s Report

Quarterly Meeting

1 Minutes of last meeting and matters arising

2 Review of Community Councils

Argyll and Bute proposals for the election and running of CCs

3 Update Glendaruel Hotel

4 Update Development Trust

5 A&B Councillor’s report

6 AOB

With comparative examples from across Scotland, particularly communities like ours in Argyll, ForArgyll again covers the sale and future of the Glendaruel Hotel, mentioning the effect the lack of a hostelry has had on local business, the Cowal Way and ColGlen Shinty Club.

http://forargyll.com/2009/05/what-has-happened-to-the-glendaruel-hotel/