Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 21st February 2006 in the Castletown Drill Hall at 7:30pm.

Present:

E.Geddes, A.Swanson, D.Swanson, W.Swanson, I.Moodie (Village Officer), G.Calder (Press).

1/ Apologies:

M.Cormack, I.Calder, A.Hill, J.Crowden, A.MacDonald, Sergeant J.Crawford.

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

The minutes of the last meeting held on 17th January 2006 were read and agreed as a true record.

Cemetery – Mary Legg and John Crowden have visited the cemetery and come up with the following plan: 4 climbing roses to be planted beside the bench at the new cemetery car park. Weeping willows to be planted in each corner of the triangular bed at the gate from the middle cemetery to the old cemetery, also removing the grass and replacing with low growing plants. Gaps to be filled in the hedge at car park fence. Outline cost £200.

Action J.C, M.L.

Castlehill Harbour Road – appears to be finished.

Bathing Water Review – we have one last chance to request that Dunnet beach stays as designated bathing water, tested every summer for bacteria and publicised as bathing water. Letter to be written setting out how the beach is used and facilities available at both ends.

Action J.C.

3/ VILLAGE OFFICER UPDATES.

Cutting of grass on the Harbour Road is going to be difficult. New Notice Board at car park, railing and parking at Spar shop, tiding at West End all outstanding. Recycling bins area a lot tidier. Request for a bigger litter bin at Chip Shop and Chinese Takeaway.

Letter to be written to Council regarding the funding for Village Officer.

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

4/CASTLEHILL HARBOUR TRUST.

Nothing to report.

Action A.M.

5/SCOTTISH WATER: WASTE WATER TREATMENT.

Nothing to report.

Action J.C.

6/WIND FARMS.

Nothing to report.

Action J.C.

7/CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters received were discussed and noted as follows:

• NHS Staff Award Scheme.
• NHS Team Updates.
• Highland Health Voices Network.
• Dounreay Bulletin. UKAEA Today.
• Sepa View.
• Highland Council - Ready to Respond.
• Scottish Health Council Newsletter.
• CORWM Annual Report.
• Rail Future Scotland. Dornoch Firth Rail Bridge.
• Recycling Centre. Household waste.
• Traill Hall – Update on Progress.
• Postwatch Scotland.
• House sites info – shows sites granted permission – houses completed and possible sites from the local plan. Most out with the village and surrounding area. Only five houses have been built in Castletown in the past five years.
• Highland Council – consultation with the public before renewal of bus service contracts in January 2007. Comments made were, Saturday service Castletown to Thurso poor, request for buses from John o’ Groats to Thurso to go via the school car park.

Action J.C.

• Northern Constabulary. Report of incidents, general complaints etc. Members are concerned about the future of the local policeman in the village. Letter to be written to Northern Constabulary to find out what is happening.

Action J.C.

8/AOCB.

Tests are to be carried out at the former refuse tip to establish if there is a build up of methane gas. Highland Council have written to residents within a 250 metre radius of the site informing them that the work will begin mid March. The members were not concerned and were pleased that the investigations were to be carried out.

Annual General Meeting of the Drill Hall Committee had been poorly attended and had failed to elect a chairman. An E.G.M. to be held on 13th March when it is hoped the position will be filled.

“What’s On” event had attracted 16 organisations and 2 apologies. Two organisations recruited new members.

Being no further business the date for the next meeting was set for Tuesday 21st March 2006 at 7:30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall.

The meeting closed at 20:45hrs