Archive - 11th January 2010
MINUTES of Dingwall Community Council Meeting held in Dingwall on Monday 11th January, 2010.
Present: P. Dicks (Secretary), M. Craig, D. Lynch, A. Mackenzie, F. Lees, E. MacRae, D. Lockett, B. Simpson, C. MacLennan, N. Greenwood (Chairman), Cllr. A. MacLean, Cllr. M. Patterson.
Apologies: G. MacIvor, Cllr. D. Chisholm, Cllr. P. Cairns. L. Cowie (Ward Manger).
1. Minutes of the Previous Meeting of 14th December, 2009: Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by B. Simpson and seconded by D. Lockett.
2. Constitutional Matters:
2.1 Status of S. Scobbie and G. Garscadden:
There has still been no answer to the Secretary’s letters to S.Scobbie and G. Garscadden.
3. Police Reports:
No police officers were present and no reports were received
4. Matters arising from the Minutes:
4.1 Dingwall High Street.
The contract for Phase II of the High Street work has been awarded to the same company as was awarded Phase I. The work will commence on February 8th 2010. The Town Hall balcony restoration will over-run by two weeks owing to delays caused by corrosion.
4.4 Ross Memorial Rheumatology Ward:
It has been stated that there is no desire to close the Rheumatology Ward. One option under consideration is to open only 5 days per week. 4 beds have, already, been taken out of service.
5. Treasurer’s Report:
5.1 The Treasurer being absent, there was no Financial Report.
6. Planning / Licensing:
6.1 There were no Planning applications.
7. Correspondence:
7.1 NHS Team Update – to Allana Dingwall.
8. AOCB:
8.1 The subject of salting and gritting on the roads, during the recent bad weather, was raised. Salt doesn’t work below -4C. In the main, it was considered that the Council have done well. The yellow bins by the roadsides are not for the use of the public. The salt and/or grit they contain is for the use of Council workers. The Tesco car park was cleared by a private contractor. From the 19th December the Council use 45,000 tons of salt. It was suggested that the reduction in manpower and resources after privatisation has hindered this sort of work. It is noted that SEPA have an issue with the use of so much salt.
8.2 The Council has announced that it is to cut £80M from its budgets in the next three years. This amounts to 5% - 6% of expenditure. Highland Council budgets will be decided at meetings to be held in February.
8.3 Conservation Area Appraisal. There will be a public meeting of the History Society on 11th March 2010 in the Lower Town Hall. Andrew Wright (architect) is the contact.
8.4 The ground in front of Oscars restaurant is to be raised. The Council will do this. 30 trees (£345.87) are to be planted (BCTV Scotland). These will be relatively mature saplings.
8.5 A Footpath Trust is to be set up. The contact is Callum MacLennan.
The meeting closed at 8:30 p.m.
Date of next meeting: Monday 15th March, 2010, 7.30 pm, Dingwall Council Chambers.
