Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 12th May 2005

in the Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm.

Present:

J.Crowden, E.Geddes, M.Cormack, D.Swanson, A.Hill, A.Swanson,

I.Moodie (Village Officer), A.MacDonald (H.C.Councillor), G.Calder (Press).

Apologies:

I.Calder, W.Swanson.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 14th April 2005 were read and agreed as a true record.

Wheelie bin at Sand End has been burnt again.6 bins have been burnt over the past 3 months. Not to be replaced at the moment. Fire proof bin may be the answer, but the cost would be an issue.

Action A.M.

First Scotrail: Wrote in January, not satisfied with answer given. Write to First Scot rail’s managing director Mary Dickson, who will be attending a meeting of the Rail Passengers’ Committee in Dingwall on 23rd and 24th May 2005, New timetable will add 23 minutes to the journey from Inverness to Thurso. Ms Dickson in a reply to Thurso Community Council, Pointed out that First ScotRail is spending £7million improving the Scottish Network and will be taking on board the concerns of the general public.

Action J.C.

Car Park at Inverness Airport: An extra 100 car- parking spaces are being created, which will reduce but not solve the parking problems.

3/ VILLAGE OFFICERS UPDATE.

Lack of a visible police presence in the village, a possible explanation for the burning of the wheelie bins at the Sand End and Heritage Trail. Council grass cutting a mess. Mowing down of newly planted shrubs. Request for a bridge of some sort to be installed at the Burn-a-Mid sand at Dunnet Beach. Grass cutting, painting, general tidying up being attended to. Shed at Putting Field to be removed, fence poles are to be left. Recycling bin for paper asked for.

Action I.M, A.M.

4/ CASTLEHILL HARBOUR TRUST.

Difficulty in obtaining public liability insurance. Vacancies on the Trust have been filled and a management committee has been formed. Meeting to be held in a fortnight.

Action A.M.

5/ SCOTTISH WATER : WASTE WATER TREATMENT.

No further word.

6/ WIND FARMS.

No further word.

7/ CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters received were discussed and noted as follows:

• Planning Applications- Pilot House- tourist related development.
• 11 Play Areas in Wick and Thurso are under threat and have equipment removed because it is regarded as dangerous. Council has only £160,000 to spend in the Highlands on all play areas. Budget for Caithness £16,000. Round about and chute removed from Castletown play area will be returned if it can be repaired, but if it is considered dangerous it may not be replaced.
• Association of Scottish Community Councils- Membership due for 2 years. £30. Agreed to pay.
• NHS Highland- Public Partnership Forum.
• Trafalgar Weekend: 21- 23 October 2005.
• Calor Gas: Scottish Community of the year award.
• Dounreay Newsletters. UKAEA Today.
• Water Customer Panels.
• Caithness Community Learning Development Plan.
• Rail Future: Far North Line.
• Scottish Water.
• Wildlife in the Community
• Association of Community Councils Meeting- 9th May 2005.
• Garry Coutts NHS Chairman was present at the above meeting. NHS Highland budget is £340 Million a year. Budget deficit of £3million short fall explained with an assurance that it would not affect the services. Points discussed included: Out of hours service. NHS 24 very poor, lots of problems. 2 extra salaried dentists in hospitals. Dental school to open in August. Ophthalmic consultant- 13 months wait. Dialysis- upping beds. Cataract Surgery. Audiology. Chronic disease management.
• Radioactive Waste Management- Meeting, Thurso College. 24th May 2005 at 7pm.

8/ AOCB.

Path at West End- Seaforth Motel to Battery Road, being attended to.

Car Park- Post Office- not on the list at the moment.

Parking etc. at Mace Shop- awaiting attention.

Safer routes to School- awaiting attention.

Action A.M.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Thursday 23rd June 2005 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall.

The meeting closed at 21:30hrs.