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.

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 20th May in Kilmodan School
at 1930

Jim McLuckie opened the meeting, minuted apologies from Michael Kaufmann and welcomed councillors Ron Simon and Alec McNaughton from A&BC, PC Brian McFarlane and all present.

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Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 29th January 2008 in Colintraive Village Hall

Jim McLuckie opened the meeting and welcomed Ms Spencer and Ms McIntosh from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and
PC Brian McFarlane.

Agenda:
Minutes of last meeting and AGM: minutes of the AGM were taken as read, proposed and adopted. It was considered that matters arising would be covered by the Agenda.

Police Report: PC Brian McFarlane from Tighnabruaich reported the theft of a barbecue from the Dunans area and incidents of vandalism to unoccupied property in the Colintraive area by some local young people. He suggested that any further incidents (not of a criminal nature) should be reported to the Argyll and Bute anti-social behaviour officer to make sure that this trend was nipped in the bud. Mr McLuckie thanked him for taking the time to come and report to us.

CalMac Proposals for Colintraive Harbour: Lorna Spencer, Harbour Master, and Ruth McIntosh, Civil Engineer attended the meeting on behalf of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to address the community’s concerns over their harbour proposals. Ms Spencer explained that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd had been set up in 2006 with the brief to manage, maintain, operate and define limits of jurisdiction over harbours while CalMac Ferries Ltd’s brief was to operate the ferry service. CMA Ltd has a contractual relationship with CMF Ltd to provide and maintain berthing facilities and the harbour for the next 6 years. They would have the same contractual relationship with any other ferry company if CMF Ltd were to lose the next tender. CMA Ltd may also look to maximise use of facilities by third parties but this is unlikely to be the case at Colintraive due to the frequency of the ferry crossings.CMA Ltd’s aim is now to formalise their powers and responsibilities. Addressing points raised in the Community Council’s letter of objection, Ms Spencer
(a) felt that matters had been badly handled at the start and regretted that the community had been presented with a fait accompli rather than being consulted before the Harbour Empowerment Order had been submitted;
(b) clarified that CMA Ltd has no power to restrict berthing and access other than to ensure no hindrance is caused to the ferry;
(c) assured us that CMA Ltd has no plans to restrict access to the beach nor powers to charge for access;
(d) offered to redraw the area covered by the order to exclude the beach;
(e) acknowledged the need for legal right of access to the old slipway and beach via the lane behind the ferry office and reiterated that CMA Ltd has no mechanism for charging for anything (e.g. parking) other than pier dues and marine infrastructure. Pier dues are publicly available for scrutiny. Jim McLuckie read out Paragraph 18 of the Order which seems to contradict this and Ms Spencer said she would look into the matter. She informed us that the land was owned by Bute Estates and leased by CMA Ltd and it was suggested that CMA Ltd might be willing to relinquish the lease on the land behind the Office which could be useful to the Community Develop-ment Trust. Ms Spencer agreed to let us know the terms of the lease.
Summing up Ms Spencer said she would be happy to put into writing the points agreed i.e. the redrawing of the plan to exclude the beach, the question of access to the lane behind the office, the terms of the lease, a copy of the title area and a copy of pier dues, and she would review paragraph 18 in the light of our concerns regarding car-parking and possible charges.
Mr A McNaughton felt that we should have had the opportunity to consider whether the Community Trust might run the harbour and facilities but it was thought the Trust is still too much in its infancy to consider such a large project. Ms Spencer was asked how the community would benefit. Apart from the safety of the slipway and maintenance of facilities to ensure the ferry service continues, she expressed willing-ness to look at any way in which CMA Ltd and the community could cooperate to identify opportunities and make them work by helping with access to EU funding, legal advice and business contacts. The expected timescale was two to three months to see if agreement can be reached rather than have the Order submitted with objections.

4. Scottish Water/Scottish Power proposals for water supplies :
(a): Scottish Water has now offered free connection to those on the pipeline route to Kilmodan School including inspection of internal pipework and upgrading if necessary. Scottish Water’s verbal update to Jim McLuckie was that there were enough takers (about 50%) for the scheme to go ahead and the service is being planned now. The list is now formally closed.
(b) Scottish Power’s water supply to Upper Glendaruel: at a meeting in Glendaruel Village Hall in November for the residents of the 17 homes affected, Scottish Power agreed that the current supply is unsatisfactory. Alternatives being looked at are upgrading the present system again/ bringing Scottish Water’s supply up from Kilmodan/ exploring the possibility of returning to the original supply/ spring water/ boreholes. Scotttish Power plans to report back in February. The proposal that a focus group be set up to facilitate communication was rejected. Scottish Power was reminded that a commitment had been made to supply free water for 25 years of which 20 years were still to run.
(c) Scottish Water grants: people were reminded that grants of £800 per property are now being offered to upgrade private water supplies to the required standard.

5. A&B proposals for West Glen Road: Michal Kaufmann reported that the Achanelid Bridge was to be replaced in May despite the new proposal for a middle road via the Caravan Park bridge. This will mean no through route along the West Glen for two months. Alec McNaughton agree to find out if the bridge now needs to be demolished or indeed replaced.

6. Health Matters update: Health representative Robin Creelman was not here to report to the meeting but Jim McLuckie reported that he had spoken to Dr Carle at the Tighnabruaich Surgery regarding the acceptance by NHS of his recent tender to take over out of hours cover in the Strachur area. Dr Carle explained that since the establishment of NHS24 he has had significantly fewer call-outs, making his work-load considerably lighter, hence his ability to cover Strachur out of hours. The Tighnabruaich surgery will operate as before. There is no longer an ambulance stationed at Tighnabruaich but a new service, First Responder, will be available using volunteers with a car and equipment stationed in Tighnabruaich and possibly in Colintraive. It was pointed out that the Fire Service in Colintraive already has first aid and defibrillator trained personnel. In an emergency, the call-out number is still 999 but NHS24 should be the first contact for medical advice and they will decide if a doctor call-out is necessary and will themselves call an ambulance if they deem it to be an emergency.

7. Development Trust Update: Charles Dixon-Spain reported that he had been elected Chairman of the Trust after the mandate given at the previous meeting. A further meeting will be held on 19 February and he expected the committee would spend the next few months gathering legal and financial information.

8. Any Other Business:

Michael Kaufmann reported that the owner had left the Glendaruel Hotel which is now on the market. The Glendaruel Social Club is now running the bar on a Saturday night and the community was asked to give its support to keep it running as we would be impoverished if the hotel were closed down.

Charles Dixon-Spain said that he was now involved with Fyneside Radio and there was an opportunity for the community to get involved. Anyone with an idea for or interested in making a programme should get in touch with him.

Alec McNaughton reported that the school bus problem had been resolved by a smaller bus meeting the main school bus at Stronafion and taking the relevant children home via the coastal route.

Angus Watt asked if there was any information that the Clachaig road improvements were to be extended to this side of the Dunoon road. It was suggested the work is part of strategic timber network operations rather than any intention to improve the whole road. No other matters were raised and the meeting was closed.