Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 13th September 2005 in the Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm.

Present:

J. Crowden, E. Geddes, M. Cormack, A. Swanson, D. Swanson, I. Moodie (Village Officer), A. MacDonald (H. Councillor).

Apologies:

A. Hill, I. Calder, G. Calder, W. Swanson.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 16th August 2005.

Metal Bins at Sand- End- Might be in place before next year, but will probably be removed over winter period.

Action A.M.

Removal of Putting Field fence.

Action A.M.

Salmon Nets- will be removed shortly as it is the end of the season.

Ground is privately owned. Boundary not defined.

Action A.M.

Flooding not so bad. Have been there with very high powered

pressure washers. Butcher Shop still a problem.

Action A.M.

Sign for Olrig Hill.

Action I.M, J.C.

Trees had not been cut back. Land- owner to be approached.

M.M. Miller had still not tidied up after erecting the new signs.

Car Parking, Notice Board, Footpath at West- End, Levelling of ground of West- End, all awaiting attention.

Action A.M.

Scot Rail- still running late.

3/VILLAGE OFFICER UPDATE.

Grass growing slowing down. Request for top soil to level off the Harland Road area. Complaints about the number of scramble bikes, mini motors etc. running on the Heritage Trail, Jessans’ Walk and the extra new path.

Action A.M, I.M.

Letter to be sent to the officer in Charge at Thurso Police Station that we felt there was a lack of Police presence on foot in the Village, complaining about the unlicensed bikes and asking if it would be possible for someone to attend the Community Council meetings in the absence of Officer MacLennan.

Action J.C.

4/ CASTLEHILL HARBOUR TRUST.

No further report.

Action A.M.

5/ SCOTTISH WATER. WASTE WATER TREATMENT.

Have started the work on the new Treatment Plant. Do not need electricity- gravity fed. Planning permission had been granted.

Members had visited Hoy Water Plant. When the flooding occurred on the Main Street, nobody phoned Scottish Water.

Action J.C.

6/ WIND FARMS.

Planning permission for wind turbines at Lieurary had been refused.

7/ CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters received were discussed and noted as follows:

• Planning: Modernising the System.
• Local Development Plan- 5 years- No change in between.
• Astra Turf, Leisure Equipment.
• Planning Rejection. G. Meiklejohn.
• Annual Reviews- Northern Constabulary.
• Planning Development Service- Reviews.
• Pentland Housing Association A.G.M. Friday 23rd September 2005.
• Dounreay Newsletters. UKAEA Today.
• Highland Small Communities Housing Trust. Saturday 24th September 2005 in Inverness.
• Health Board- Team Update.
• Holyrood Matters. Rob Gibson MSP.
• Rail Future.
• Highland Wellbeing Alliance.
• North Highland Forest Trust Newsletter.
• Local Channel- Web site.
• Scottish Executive- feasibility study.
• Report- Association of Community Councils. Monday 29th August 2005- Scotrail not present. Community Councillors’ election 2006. Postal election if required. Health Service Update- Dentist School a year behind. Maternity cover. Navidale nearly complete.
• Watten Community Council had drawn up details of uplifts of extra rubbish etc. to be posted in Watten Village. Thought to be a good idea for Castletown.

8/ AOCB.

Mary Legg had been in touch regarding money left over from the tree planting. Agreed cemetery should get a tidy up and shrubs planted. Approach to be made to S. Gordon.

Action A.M.

Planning Permission for erection of 5 houses at the former Seaforth Motel refused. Chief objection the height of the houses.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday 25th October 2005 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall.

The meeting closed at 21:35hrs.