Strachur District Community Council
Minutes of General Meeting
Held 19:55 on Wednesday 12th April 2017, Strachur Memorial Hall
Members present: Archie Reid (Convener), John Fleming, Isabel McGladdery, Ceci Alderton, Kirstie Reid, Les Earle, Iain Wilkie (Secretary).
Also in attendance: Cllr Alex McNaughton, Heather Grier (PPG) plus two members of the public.
1. Convener’s opening remarks: Archie opened the meeting immediately following the AGM.
2. Apologies and declarations of interest: None.
3. Minutes: Minutes for the meeting held on 15th March 2017 were agreed as accurate.
4. Matters arising:
a. Cllr McNaughton is in contact with Paul Farrell re the traffic survey at the school crossing and reported that A+B had returned the traffic survey equipment and software to the manufacturers. The survey was promised in March 2016.
b. The road-sign at the A815/A886 junction has been raised with officers. It now has new stainless steel legs but is hard to read – a bi-lingual sign has been promised but in the meantime a wipe with a soapy sponge would be appreciated. It turns out that “proper” cleaning would be more expensive than putting up a new sign – the latter to be expedited.
c. No money had been allocated for the repair to the church wall, Strachur, but Cllr McNaughton will continue to raise the issue with officers as the new budget comes into force.
d. The lack of pavement in the Bay area (PO side of the road). Cllr McNaughton said that there was nothing to report at present (and that no money had been allocated to this project) but he would continue to monitor the situation.
e. The long-promised (January 2013) traffic advisory board at the Bay (to warn of road closures at the Rest) was raised by Cllr McNaughton and Archie at the Transport Forum. The responsibility for the provision and updating of the board is now settled, Traffic Scotland will take charge.
f. The partial flooding of the Strathlachlan graveyard has been raised by Cllr McNaughton. It seems that the drains were not rodded in the autumn as promised but he has now been assured that the work will be undertaken “in the spring”, now?
g. Archie had earlier raised the question of traffic management at Dunoon Pier bus stand. Taxis and cars had taken to wait for ferry-passengers at the stand (particularly at 17:50) blocking the buses and causing disruption to passengers. Tempers had frayed when buses, unable to pick up passengers at their allotted slot, boxed in the interloping cars and taxis. Cllr McNaughton said that the Area Committee had decided that the area of parking was to be redesigned (formerly the loading area for the ferry) and the bus stand to be adopted as highway giving Police powers to intervene. The waiting room and toilet are to be moved.
h. Regarding the complaint of mud from the estate on the road near the Church, Council officers had been asked to investigate and reported that the situation required no formal action. The suspicion that they had waited for the rain to do the work was not voiced.
i. Les reported that following the site visit with Cllr McNaughton and the BT Area Manager on 2nd March Les had distributed leaflets to residents along the road and put an article in the newsletter to try and define the problem areas. The initial responses had been sent to BT.
j. Les had been asked to investigate the possibility of holding hustings preparatory to the local elections. This was done and the event had taken place on 11th April to the general approval of those attending, 50-60 in total. The Smiddy were thanked for providing refreshments which had raised £64 for their funds.
k. Iain continues to be in touch with Roanna Clark (A+B Youth Participation Officer) but, as yet, no progress had been made on the formal accreditation of our meetings as part of the Young Scots Rewards scheme
5. Police Report: There was no report. It was noted that there had been only two reports in the last year. Archie said that he had raised the matter and was hoping that even if the Police did not attend they might at least send a written summary.
6. Health Report: To follow.
7. Secretary’s Report: Nothing to report other than that already covered elsewhere in the agenda and in the minutes of the AGM.
8. Treasurer’s report: Nothing to add to the report to the AGM.
9. Transport update: Les drew attention to a Dunoon Observer report that the subject of parking meters on Hillfoot Street, Ferry Brae and Hanover Street had been “broached” at the last meeting. Cllr McNaughton (the Chair of the meeting) said that the report was incorrect and he would look into how it had been reported in this way. The subject had already been raised at the hustings last night to the confusion of most on the panel.
10. Public Engagement: The current position is as stated above in Matters Arising.
11. Any Other Business:
a. Archie reported that a member of the public had contacted him re unlawful camping at Jubilee Point. A group of fishermen had camped over the weekend and left the site with burnt tents, dismembered trees, litter and human waste. Their behaviour had been generally rowdy.
This possibility had been predicted when the Loch Lomond and the Trossacks National Park first introduced camping management zones, first East of Lomond, then West and Arrochar. Inevitably the policy simply moves the problem, now it will hit Loch Eck (Jubilee, Dornock) and Ardentinny. Iain is to enquire of staff at Glenbranter and the Community Partnership as what can be done to enforce “no-camping” and to tidy up areas after the event.
b. It was reported that the Post Office was now open seven days a week.
12. Date of next meeting: Archie closed the meeting with a further expression of thanks to Cllr McNaughton for his regular attendance over the years and his willingness to advocate on behalf of the CC. The next meeting will commence 19:30, Wednesday 21st June 2017 at the Pavilion.
Minutes by Les Earle.