Held on Thursday 23rd October 2003 in Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm.

Present

J. Crowden, E. Geddes, M. Cormack, W. Stark, A. Hill, D. Swanson, I. Moodie (Village Officer), A. MacDonald (H. C. Councillor), G. Calder (Press).

Apologies.

A. Swanson, W. Reid, W. Swanson, G. Firth, I. Calder.

LAST MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM.

The last minutes of the 18th September 2003 were read and agreed as a true record.

Clean Coast Scotland Campaign- no further forward.

Action A.M.

Village Officer Funding- no response from CASE.

Action A.M.

Maternity Unit- Caithness General Hospital. Letters have been sent to Richard Carey, Highland NHS Trust, North MSPs and MP John Thurso re. down grading of above. Professor Andrew Calder will be visiting the Hospital an December 16 & 17 to carry out an independent risk assessment.

Action J.C.

Developing the Long Term Strategy for Managing Dounreay’s Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste.

Questionnaire discussed and completed.

Action J.C.

3/PROPOSED NEW BASKETBALL/ SPORTS AREA.

Size of area to be determined. Further letter to Norfrost enclosing diagram and details of proposed development.

Action A.M, J.C, D.S.

4/VILLAGE OFFICER UPDATE.

Rubbish cleared from Churchill Road. Complaints from residents regarding roller skating at Car Park. Coping Stones being removed and used as ramps. Notice Board will not be repaired until Springtime. Request for more earth for the top of village and to be rolled. Daffodil bulbs have been planted.

Action A.M, I.M.

5/PUTTING GREEN.

No further forward.

Action A.M.

6/PARKING AT MACE SHOP AND POST OFFICE.

No further forward.

Action A.M, J.C.

7/WEBSITE.

Progressing.

Action D.S.

8/HIGHLAND WELLBEING ALLIANCE WORKSHOP.

Wednesday 1st October 2003. Key Topics: Quality of Life, Housing, Health, Employment. What life could be like in 2020.

9/ELECTION OF COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS.

8 elected councillors plus 4 from Community groups. List of groups was drawn up.

Wendy Stark does not wish to be re- elected. Mrs. Stark, a former secretary, was thanked for her many years’ service to the Community.

10/CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters received were discussed and noted as follows.

Dismantling of Nuclear Submarines at Nigg and storing of parts at Vulcan in Caithness.

Scottish Water- Waste water Treatment Plant is due to be completed in 2006, 2 years behind time.

North Highland Forest Trust.

Sepa- Dunnet, excellent results.

Friends of Far North Line- AGM in Beauly on 15th November 2003.

Railway Development Society.

Dunnet Head Educational Trust. Closes end October until April 2004.

NHS Community Health Partnership.

CHESS. Children in the Highlands Educational Support Service Surgery on 29th October in Wick.

NHS Highland’s Annual Reports.

UKAEA- Dounreay Newsletters.

Highland Council Agendas.

RSPB.

Community Enterprise Loan Fund.

H&I.D.Board.

Crofters Commission.

11/AOCB.

Lack of Land for housing in Castletown.

Fireworks being let off indiscriminately frightening animals and old ladies.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Thursday 11th December 2003 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall. This will be the Annual General Meeting.

The meeting closed at 21:30hrs.