Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 30th November 2004

In Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm.

Present:

J.Crowden, E.Geddes, M.Cormack, A.Swanson, D.Swanson, W.Swanson, A.Hill, I.Calder, A.MacDonald (H.C.Councillor), G.MacLennan (Northern Constabulary), G.Calder (Press), S.Young.

Apologies:

I.Moodie.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 19th October 2004 were read and agreed as a true record.

3/PROPOSED NEW BASKETBALL/ SPORTS AREA.

Decision on whether to proceed with this project to be taken at the January meeting.

4/VILLAGE OFFICER UPDATE.

Parking at the Mace Shop – report had been submitted by Police to Council, also regarding the Castletown sign at Battery Road. Path from Seaforth Motel to opposite Battery Road could be tied in with the safer routes to School campaign.

5/CASTLEHILL HARBOUR TRUST.

Meeting held on 20th October 2004 was very poorly attended. Another meeting to be held in the New Year.

6/SCOTTISH WATER: WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

Work had started at Thurso. No word of Castletown. A representative from Sepa to be invited to talk to us at our next meeting.

7/WIND FARMS.

No further word.

At this point Stuart Young from Dunnet spoke of the cumulative effect of proposed Wind Farms in Caithness. Mr. Young said that any applications for wind farms of over 50 mega watts are forwarded to the Scottish Executive approval, leaving us with little chance of making our views known. We saw projected images of the proposed wind farms at Durran, Spittal Hill, and Scoolary, near Lochend. He urged us to contact our MP, MSP, MEP and Highland Councillors.

8/TRAILL HALL

Members were pleased to hear that the open meeting held to discuss the Traill Hall and its’ future had been well attended, with a vote to support the Casper Club being carried by the majority.

9/CORRESPONDENCE

Letters received were discussed and noted as follows:

• Highland Council Agendas
• Dounreay Newsletters.. UKAEA Today.
• NHS Highland – Working together for the future.
• Caithness Voluntary Group. AGM Friday 3rd December 2004.
• Maureen MacMillan MSP – Trains, Delays etc. Far North Line Services.
• Rob Gibson. Newsletter.
• Highland Council – Safety in Cemeteries – Memorials at risk.
• NHS Highland – Garry Coutts – Building nearly completed for letting as Dental School.
• Highland before Pylons
• John Thurso re Pay Phones. Meeting in local areas.
• Fire Brigade – Consultation Summary.
• Mary Scanlon MSP – Strategic Rail Authority.
• John Thurso – Network Rail.
• Radio Active Waste Management Committee Meeting – Friday 3rd December 2004 in Park Hotel.
• Sepa News letter.
• Scottish Health Council.
• Solicitors re sale of Traill Hall.

11/AOCB.

Putting Field fence in a dangerous condition. It was agreed to remove it.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday 18th January 2005 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall.

The meeting closed at 21:45hrs.