Present

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

1/ APOLOGIES

I. Moodie, G. Firth, D. Swanson.

2/ MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 21st September 2004 were read and agreed as a true record.

BTCV. Work had been carried out on the path to the Quarry face, also roundabouts in Car Park attended to. Soil to go to the West End of Village.

Scottish Water: Quality of water. Keep complaining.

BT Phone Box closures. Although no objections to closures in our area, it was felt that where mobile reception is poor, closure should be re-considered. Friday,22nd October last date for objections.

3/PROPOSED NEW BASKETBALL/ SPORTS AREA.

If this project is to go ahead, it will be without the full support of the immediate neighbours. No actual price has been obtained. Funding also an issue. Decision to be taken next month.

Action A.M

4/VILLAGE OFFICER UPDATE.

Dog fouling- suggested, warden could put in an evening appearance.
Wall had been repaired at end of Castlehill Avenue.
Moving of notice board and new opening on the waiting list.
Parking at Mace Shop still an issue.
Salmon nets over Heritage Path- no right for them to be there.
Path from Seaforth Motel to opposite Battery Road- again on a waiting list.

Action A.M, I.M.

5/CASTLEHILL HARBOUR TRUST.

Meeting on Wednesday 20th October 2004 in the Drill Hall at 7:30pm. Business- the formation of a new Castlehill Harbour Trust.

Action A.M.

6/SCOTTISH WATER: WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

Planning not yet through. Thurso Plant on our area. Wick Plant- concerns about the smell.

7/WIND FARMS

Heard nothing from D P Energy.

8/CORRESPONDENCE

Letter received were discussed and noted as follows:

• Scottish Executive. Wind Farms. Renewable Energy Developments. Guidelines.
• Maternity Services. Letter from Gary Coutts- Chairman NHS Highland. Could not make the meeting, no one else available. Invitation to meet with Vice Chairman David Alston, Sheena Craig and Iain Johnstone on Friday 29th October 2004 in the Caithness General Hospital, Wick at 2:45pm.
• Stepping Stones. Mental Health Support Group. Aims and objectives.
• Lifeline.
• Dounreay Newsletter: 8000 visitors.
• UKAEA- Dealing with the end of the Shaft, April 2006.
• NDA Stakeholders meeting in Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Thursday 21st October 2004. What is going to be left in Caithness? Accept comments.
• Air Ambulance Services. Comments by Tuesday 30th November 2004.
• Pentland Housing. David Brookfield- new Director.
• Scottish Executive- A9 Phase 2 improvements.
• Highland Health Council Newsletter.
• Highland Shellfish Management Organisation.
• Butterfly Conservation Scotland- Support for Project Proposed. Letter of support to be forwarded.
• Highland Council Agendas.
• UKAEA Annual Review.
• John Thurso re telephone boxes.
• Highland Council Invitation to Select Committee Meeting in Inverness on Wednesday 3rd November 2004.
• HSMO. Public meeting in Park Hotel, Thurso on Thursday 28th October 2004.
• Scottish Executive- Fire Control Rooms. Views of Stakeholders. 1 major control room is being proposed.
• UKAEA. Lifecycle Baselines. Dealing with Prototype Reactor Raffinate.
• Railways. Bridge over Dornoch Firth. Letter to be forwarded to John Thurso, Jamie Stone and Rob Gibson.

9/AOCB

Concern was expressed as to why the Trustees of the Traill Hall put the Hall up for sale without informing the public of their intention to do so. Apparently the Trustees, namely Sir Stephen Young, Sheriff Principal Grampian Highlands and Islands and the Reverend James Todd, minister of Olrig Church of Scotland, can make this decision. The Hall has been sitting for several years with no possible use being found for it. However at the moment there does seem to be a more positive scheme afoot the Geo Park. Also the money used to pay the insurance is nearly done. Letter of support to be sent to Hamish Pottinger- Chairman of Traill Hall Committee and to Sheriff Principal Young asking for clarification on reason for sale.

Action J.C.

Rapson's Coaches re Saturday Timetable. As Winter timetable had now begun it would have to wait until the spring for a change to be made.

Action J.C.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday 30th November 2004 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall. This will be the Annual General Meeting.

The meeting closed at 22:00hrs.