Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 17th March 2005

In Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm.

Present:

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

Apologies:

M.Cormack, I.Calder.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 17th February 2005 were read and agreed as a true record.

3/VILLAGE OFFICER UPDATE.

Wheelie bins set alight. Twice at Sand-End and once at Car Park near Heritage Trail. General tidying up being carried out, also painting. Skip required for harbour area. New bins should be in place for Tourist Season. Flooding still causing a problem in MacKay Street and in front of Butcher Shop. State of some Council house gardens also a concern.

Members were in agreement that the recycling bins should be re-positioned further back in the Car Park. Plans for parking restrictions in front of the Mace Shop are in hand also the erecting of a safety barrier in front of the shop.

Action A.M, I.M, J.C.

4/CASTLEHILL HARBOUR TRUST.

Meeting to consider the future of the Harbour to be held on Tuesday 22nd March 2005 in the Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm. A good attendance is required.

Action A.M.

5/SCOTTISH WATER: WASTE WATER TREATMENT.

No further forward.

Action J.C.

6/WIND FARMS.

All members in agreement that wind farms are obstructive as too many can be seen. Something should be done to limit the number of schemes proposed for Caithness. More information to be sought.

Action J.C.

7/CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters received were discussed and noted as follows:

• SNH Grant of £1154 received. Volunteers to meet at Pentland Place on Sunday 3rd April 2005 at 10am when the planting of 30 trees and 40 shrubs will take place. Mary Legg to oversee the project.
• Post Watch Scotland: questionnaire completed.
• Casper Club re. Traill Hall Proposals: big undertaking for a small group.
• Caithness and Sutherland Walking Festival: 14-22 May 2005.
• Dounreay Newsletters. UKAEA Today.
• Scottish Coop.
• Highland Archaeology Newsletter. Archaeology week 8-16 October 2005.
• Scottish Water – new charges.
• Highland Health Council, ends March, becomes Scottish Health Council.
• Scotrail Newsletter –performance better.
• Hi Trans – means of linking transport systems together.
• Low Level Waste Consultation Report.
• Solid Low Level Waste Long Term Strategy Development . Best Practical Environmental Option Study.
• Community Learning and Development Plan.
• Highland Council – no more agenda copies being sent out.
• Standing Up to antisocial behaviour Awards Scheme 2005. –Sponsored by Coop.
  Highland Wellbeing Alliance.
• Scottish Parliament. How it works.
• Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Jamie Stone MSP re Dental School. Final year dental students will be based in Wick between August and April and will treat adults and children.

8/NEW COUNCIL BOUNDARIES.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Thursday 14th April 2005 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall.

The meeting closed at 21:30hrs.