Strachur Community Council
Minutes of Ordinary Meeting
Held 19:30 on Wednesday 15th December 2021
Strachur Memorial Hall
Members present: Archie Reid (Convener), Isabel McGladdery (Treasurer), Iain Wilkie (Secretary), Kirstie Reid.
Also in attendance: Cllr Alan Reid, Gordon McDonald (Chair of Hall Committee) and three members of the public.
1. Convener’s opening remarks:
Archie welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies and declarations of interest:
Cllr Yvonne McNeilly, Drew Stewart, Bill Dickson and Bob Darracott apologised for non-attendance. There were no declarations of interest.
3. Minutes.
Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting held on 13th October 2021 were agreed as accurate.
4. Matters arising.
a. White lining.
Cllr Reid had been informed that all work on recently resurfaced roads should have been completed. Archie pointed out that there was still a section needing done on the A815 at Cambusdhu, Loch Eck.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
b. Grass spreading over A815 pavement.
Although Cllr Reid had been told that works were underway, nothing had been done yet. The situation was worst from the A886 junction northwards, but the pavement was also narrowed from near the Strachur House entrance to the start of the Clachan Beag houses.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
c. School Crossing Patroller.
The job had been advertised again (closing date 17th December). Iain had advertised the vacancy on the CC noticeboards.
d. Electric Vehicle Charging Point.
Cllr Reid said that there would be a consultation on locations in the New Year. The Memorial Hall car park is on the draft long list. If the community prefers Heron Park, then the consultation will provide the opportunity to make the case for that location.
e. Blocked drains adjacent to parking area in front of ‘Ashbank’ etc.
Cllr Reid had received a response from Roads & Infrastructure on 8th December: “We attended and jetted the lines, but were only able to get 1 of the 3 gullies working. A works order has been issued for further works which should be carried out before the Christmas break.” Iain had received a message from the Council on 14th December claiming that the works had been completed, but the drain at ‘Ashbank’ was still blocked.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
f. Flooding in Forest View
Roads & Infrastructure had told Cllr Reid on 2nd December that “Unfortunately we have not yet been able to carry out this work and it is unlikely we will have the resources to do so before the end of the year, as the Roads Operations team are concentrating on completion of the carriageway capital works programme”. Cllr Reid will pursue this.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
g. Housing development near the Post Office.
Cllr Reid reported that the Council proposes to call the new street “Birlinn Brae” and asked for the CC’s views on this. All Community Councillors and residents who were present thought the name was inappropriate mainly because it had no associations specific to the Strachur area. It was decided that the CC would ask residents for their views on the proposed name and for alternative suggestions.
[Cllr Reid subsequently established that we had until 13th January to submit views to the Council.]
ACTION: Iain
h. CCTV at Recycling Site.
Iain had received advice from Argyll & Bute Council and from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). In order to install CCTV at the Recycling Site, we would have to:
(1) Obtain the landowner's permission to install CCTV.
(2) Find a source of funding to buy the equipment and signage (see 4 below).
(3) Register with the ICO as a CCTV operator.
(4) Conduct a Privacy Impact Assessment, which would have to be published, along with the name of a Community Councillor whom people could contact should they have questions or complaints about the CCTV system.
(5) Buy and mount signs which clearly stated that CCTV surveillance was in operation.
(6) Ensure relevant Community Councillors were aware of their responsibilities and of the policies and procedures regarding CCTV surveillance.
(7) Have a system for keeping saved footage secure, but no longer than necessary (31 days is standard).
(8) Continuously check that the date and time are set correctly, in case any footage is needed by the police or used as evidence in court.
(9) Find out from Argyll & Bute Council any implications regarding insurance.
(10) Conduct a consultation to ensure that the proposal was supported by the community, as CCTV would invade the privacy of those residents who use the facility entirely properly.
As the work involved would be completely disproportionate to the seriousness of the problems experienced so far at the Recycling Site, it was agreed that we would take no further action regarding the installation of CCTV, though we would keep a watching brief on the situation.
i. Response to consultation on remote and hybrid meetings.
Iain had submitted a response to Melissa Stewart, Argyll & Bute Council on 24th October.
j. Case for reducing A886 speed limit.
Iain went through the relevant information (attached as ‘Appendix’). This indicated that, on the basis only of the Council’s ‘Road Speed Limit Policy Framework’, January 2017, there was no case for reducing the speed limit to 30 mph. However, other factors that should be taken into consideration were the presence of a single track section of road and the fact that seven side-roads opened onto the A886 in the area of densest housing. It was suggested that one way forward might be to invite Chief Inspector Emma Grimason to a CC meeting to seek her views on the A815 and A886 speed limit issue. Iain agreed to do this.
ACTION: Iain
k. Expression of support for Kilmun CC’s Holy Loch project.
Iain had sent a supportive e-mail to Brian Tester, Kilmun CC on 20th October.
l. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Iain had contacted the Chair and Secretary of the Hall Committee. They would provide a considered response at a future date.
m. Flashing lights at school crossing on all the time.
Iain had originally reported this to the Council on 9th September. It had still not been rectified. Cllr Reid offered to investigate.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
n. Blocked drains, A815 Filling Station to Creggans area.
These had been cleared on 1st November.
o. Friendship bench.
This had still to be installed at the Medical Practice.
ACTION: Kirstie
p. Excessive numbers of vehicles parking at Jubilee Point etc., Loch Eck.
Bob Darracott reported (by e-mail):
“I have spoken to Forestry & Land Scotland about the increase in overnight and inappropriate parking at Jubilee Point and other locations along Loch Eck. I will do so again, ahead of next season. They claim to have wardens patrolling the area, but clearly, not often enough. I’ve also raised the matter on a few occasions with the NP. In essence, Loch Eck and also Ardentinny beach need to be given a higher priority by both organisations when allocating ranger/warden activities. Despite an increase in warden and volunteer numbers this year it’s clear that their focus is very much upon the major hotspots/problem areas such as Luss, Balloch and Balmaha. This is understandable, given the volumes involved but I will continue to seek some enhanced service activity in this area. I’ll continue to make this case as the Park and its partners plan ahead for 2022 [see item 10 below].”
5. Police Report (received from PS Elaine Heffron by e-mail).
There were 22 calls relating to the Strachur Community Council area between the dates of 8/11/21 and 10/12/21. Incidents of note included road traffic (3), road crash (1), concern for person (1), vehicle on fire (1), theft (1) and dog (1).
Two crime reports were recorded, which related to an assault and a theft.
Fraud prevention – call blockers.
Funding has been provided by Argyll and Bute Council to purchase Call Blockers. These devices plug into your landline telephone and screen your calls for you. You can still receive calls from friends, family or anyone else looking to genuinely contact you, but it will deter around 97% of cold callers and stop your telephone ringing with the many, many scam calls that are doing the rounds. The devices are free for you or your family and can be installed by a local police officer or posted out for you to install yourself or for a family member. As the funding is limited, the police are seeking to identify anyone who may be vulnerable for these devices. This could be due to older age, or perhaps a disability such as dementia. If you would like a call blocker device, please contact PC Laura Evans at Dunoon Police Station either by email (laura.evans@scotland.pnn.police.uk) or by telephone Monday to Friday 8am-4pm on 07966 733 642. You can read more about the call blockers on this link https://www.truecall.co.uk/category-s/117.htm.
6. Health Report.
Kirstie has been appointed to the Integration Joint Board, along with two other public members - Kenny Matheson (Dunoon) and John Stevens (Oban). Kirstie informed the meeting that the HSPC staff running the COVID Vaccine Clinics in the Memorial Hall had been impressed with the turn-out.
It was also reported by a member of the public that GP practices in Argyll & Bute had been asked to help with COVID booster vaccinations.
7. Secretary’s Report.
Articles for Newsletter and Facebook.
Since the last meeting 13 articles had been submitted. These were on: Remembrance Sunday (two articles); Argyll Rally 2022 (two articles); Consultation on CC Remote and Hybrid Meetings; School Crossing Patroller Vacancy (two articles); Payphones; Consultation on UK Constituencies; Supporting Communities Fund; Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; New Dunoon Ferry Vessel; Call Blockers.
Correspondence.
The main correspondence (in addition to any mentioned elsewhere) had been with:
a. Argyll & Bute Council regarding Strachur School Crossing Patroller vacancy.
b. Resident regarding speed limit on A886 and A815 (additional to previous correspondence).
c. Strachur Medical Practice and Primary Care, Argyll & Bute HSCP regarding complaint about closure of SMP for IT upgrading.
d. Hall Committee regarding Emergency Plan, EV Charging point and Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Surveys and consultations.
Responses were submitted to the following surveys and consultations:
Remote and hybrid Community Council meetings.
Pre-application Consultation on Crarae Substation.
Pre-application Consultation on An Suidhe Substation.
Other activities.
a. Updated Emergency Plan.
b. Attended three Argyll Rally 2022 Zoom meetings.
c. Attended Zoom webinar on Pre-application Consultations on Crarae and An Suidhe Substations and the proposed Sheirdrim Wind Farm connection project.
8. Treasurer’s report.
The bank balance stood at £2,129.01.
9. Transport update.
Archie gave another example of the lack of notice given regarding changes in the bus timetable. The West Coast Motors No. 484, which previously left Dunoon Ferry terminal at 3.55 p.m., now left at 3.37 p.m. As the arrival time of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry was 3.45 p.m., this made it impossible for Strachur residents to attend afternoon appointments in Inverclyde Hospital using public transport.
10. National Park Update.
Bob Darracott submitted the following report by e-mail:
“At the National Park Board meeting on Monday 13th Dec, amongst other items, a full report on Visitor Management activity through 2021 was presented. This is a very ‘readable’ document which is available on the web site and will in due course be issued to all Community Councils/Development Trusts etc. The document covers 3 areas of activity undertaken by the Park and other partners, police, Forestry & Land Scotland, local authorities etc. These being: information and engagement, services and infrastructure, and regulation and enforcement. Despite some of the local difficulties experienced, the report does highlight a huge range of activity against a backdrop of the highest number of visitors ever experienced. Towards the end of the paper, there is a section on, ‘Looking Ahead’ which explains the planning that is being undertaken ahead of season 2022. This work will be subject of further community based consultation. It’ll be through this process that groups such as the Community Council can directly raise issues (with the NP and others) about visitor management at Loch Eck etc.
Following on from the COP26 it is evident that the National Park is expected to play an even greater role in helping achieve National Climate Change targets over the next 10-20 years. We are also committed to enhancing biodiversity and reducing nature’s decline locally. To this particular end, the Park will be consulting with local communities about its ‘Future Nature’ plans. Clearly a major piece of work which will influence all our activities and also planning policy in the Park in coming years. I’ve had the opportunity recently, to see a presentation on this work and I understand there will be an opportunity for Community Councils the receive this, over the coming months.”
11. Collective Leadership Model.
Iain explained that this referred to a consultation on the proposal from Argyll & Bute Council (ABC) to group schools into collectives, each one run by an Executive Head Teacher. On 29th November ABC sent CCs an e-mail implying that CCs should hold meetings at which Community Councillors would present the proposals to the community and collect feedback. An online guide, slide presentation and video presentation were included. This was unprecedented, since previously with regard to new proposals or initiatives affecting communities - from wind farm applications to HSCP reorganisation – representatives from the organisations making the proposals took on the responsibility of presenting them to communities. Community Councillors were not qualified to answer questions on specialised educational matters, especially regarding such a contentious issue as school leadership. This had been discussed by the Bute & Cowal Area Committee on 7th December, where the prevailing view was that CCs should not lead on this. There was general agreement at the CC meeting that CCs were not competent to present the new proposals and that this was the responsibility of ABC. It had been suggested that a single meeting for the whole of Cowal might be organised in Dunoon, where educational professionals could present the proposals to the public. It was agreed that, if this did not materialise, Strachur CC would invite an ABC representative to present the proposals at a special CC meeting. In the meantime, Iain would publicise the consultation, which was now open to the general public, via the Newsletter and Facebook.
ACTION: Iain
12. AOB
a. A886 drains.
It was reported that some of the drains between the building site and the single-track section were blocked. Cllr Reid offered to follow this up.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
b. Baycroft – problems in freezing weather.
The meeting was also informed that the land-drain at the eastern end of the raised pavement beside the A886 spills over the pavement and causes a hazard to pedestrians in freezing weather. Similarly, the Baycroft road is hazardous in freezing conditions and is not treated by Council gritters. Cllr Reid explained that the Council prioritises main roads [see https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/gritting-routes] but that they should keep the grit bin filled. He would take these issues up with the Council.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
c. Clachan Brae street lights.
Another member of the public reported that some of the street lights on Clachan Brae were not working. Cllr Reid offered to pursue this.
ACTION: Cllrs Blair/McNeilly/Reid
d. An Càrr Dubh windfarm.
A member of the public asked if Strachur would receive any financial benefit from this development. Cllr Reid stated that there would be negotiations to that effect once the proposal had progressed beyond the pre-application stage.
e. Emergency Plan.
A member of the public asked, as the Memorial Hall might be of central importance in the local response to a serious emergency, what would happen if this was accompanied by a power cut? It was pointed out that, as is explained in the Emergency Plan, the Hall has the facility to take power from a SSE generator that would have adequate output capacity.
f. Consultation on payphones.
Iain reminded the meeting that Ofcom was consulting on the procedure for decommissioning payphones. It was proposed that payphones would be removed only where:
i/ all four UK-wide mobile network operators have coverage of the site;
ii/ the site isn't an accident or suicide hotspot;
iii/ fewer than 52 calls were made in the past 12 months;
iv/ there are no exceptional circumstances favouring retention of the payphone.
Attending Community Councillors agreed these criteria were acceptable. Iain would complete the consultation questionnaire on behalf of the CC.
ACTION: Iain
g. Letter from Sandbank resident.
Iain found a letter, dated 21.9.21 and addressed to “Strachur Community Council”, pinned to the Hall CC noticeboard on 2nd November. The author’s concerns appeared to be outwith the CC’s remit. Iain had e-mailed Sandbank CC and had been advised to contact one of their members for further information.
ACTION: Iain
h. Letter from Hall Committee Treasurer.
This was sent to Iain by e-mail on 13th December. The gist of it was that certain members of the Hall Committee did not want their phone numbers included in the Emergency Plan, which is available on the Strachur & District Community website. In response Iain had removed the phone numbers of all Hall Committee members from the relevant page of the plan and this version had been uploaded onto the website.
It was hoped that the Hall Committee could suggest a mechanism by which they could be contacted in the event of a local emergency that required the use of the hall and its facilities.
i. Strachur Gardens Scheme.
Iain had been informed that the effects of a recently deceased resident had included a trophy awarded under the Strachur Gardens Scheme, which was now in the possession of the CC. This competition ran from 1988 to 1991 and was discontinued “as there was so little support for it” (according to the CC minutes for April 1992). There had been first and second prize trophies, both provided by the United States Navy. Iain had been asked if this scheme could be resurrected. After discussion, it was agreed that the CC was not in a position to take this on but that the Flower Show Committee should be approached to find out if they might be interested.
ACTION: Iain
j. Strachur Community Council records.
These had previously been stored by the Historical Society together with other local archives. As the Historical Society had no storage space at the moment, Iain would keep them until such time as storage space became available. They consisted of minutes and other documents for the period 1981 to 2001. It was hoped that the equivalent documents for 1975 (when Community Councils were introduced) to 1981 and for 2001 to 2010 could be traced and added to the archive, as Argyll & Bute Council retained CC minutes for a maximum of 8 years.
k. Argyll Rally 2022 update.
Archie reported that the respective owners of Inver Restaurant and The Whistlefield Inn had informed him that they were unhappy about the conduct of the 2021 rally and as a consequence were very negative about next year’s event. Iain had received an e-mail from Motorsport UK (which awards permits for rally events) asking for the CC’s views on the proposals for Argyll Rally 2022. This would provide an opportunity for us to draw attention to the problems arising from this year’s event in the hope these could be avoided or minimised next year.
ACTION: Iain
12. Date and location of next meeting.
The next meeting would be at 19:30, Wednesday 12th January 2022 in Strachur Memorial Hall.
Iain Wilkie
Secretary, Strachur Community Council
APPENDIX
SPEED LIMIT ON A886 THROUGH STRACHUR
According to Argyll & Bute Council's document 'Road Speed Limit Policy Framework' January 2017 (page 7), "30 mph speed limit should be the norm in villages".
"Village" is defined as: 20 or more houses,
a minimum density of 3 houses per 100 m, and
a minimum length of 600 m.
A public amenity building (e.g. post office) is equal to 4 houses.
"Density applies only to those properties taking access from the road." (Stuart Watson, Argyll & Bute Council, Traffic and Development Manager, in e-mail 11.12.18)
1. A815 junction to Letters Way
Length 1.5 km
30 houses take access from A886 (including Post Office as 4 houses)
Density 2 houses per 100 m
2. 'Kishorn' to 'Strone' (stretch with densest housing)
Length 0.82 km
20 houses take access from A886
Density 2.4 houses per 100 m
Other factors to take into consideration:
Single track section of A886.
Seven side roads open onto A886 from 'Kishorn' to 'Strone'.