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Minutes of the Helmsdale and District Community Council

Held in the Community Centre
Thursday 3rd June 2010

Present

Evelyn MacKenzie (Chairman)

Edward MacKay (Vice Chairman)
Elizabeth Fraser (Vice Chairman)
Garry MacMillan (Treasurer)
Ann Houghton (Secretary)
Stan Amey
Margaret Cairns
Annie Cowie
Rosemary Findlay
Roz Shorrock
Lorna Smith
Christine Sutherland
Barbara Jappy (Library

Apologies

Cllr Deirdre MacKay

AGM

The AGM was chaired by Edward Mackay

The meeting opened for nominations

Chairman - Evelyn Mackenzie – proposed by Garry MacMillan and seconded by

Margaret Cairns.

Vice Chairman – Edward MacKay – proposed by Evelyn MacKenzie and seconded

by Annie Cowie.

Vice Chairman – Elizabeth Fraser – proposed by Garry MacMillan and seconded by

Christine Sutherland.

Treasurer – Garry MacMillan – proposed by Elizabeth Fraser and seconded by

Annie Cowie – the vote was unanimous if favour of Garry MacMillan.

Ann Houghton agreed to continue as secretary.

As there was no other business the meeting closed at 7.36pm

The AGM was followed by the June Meeting

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Helmsdale and District Community Council meeting 3rd June 2010

Approval of the Minutes

The Minutes of the last meeting were approved as a true record. They were proposed
by Annie Cowie and seconded by Garry MacMillan.

Cllrs Report

Deirdre Mackay reported that:-

Police Presence in village: I can confirm that, following discussions, Northern

Constabulary intend to hold regular surgeries in the community centre. The detail is
being finalised but I expect the surgeries to commence within the next 4 weeks. This
is very positive and is yet another important service operating from the Community
Centre.

Deer Warning Sign on A9: this is in operation.

Goals: I spoke with TECS about this and the goals were scheduled to have been
erected last Monday 31st. TECS were subsequently advised that the pitch requires to
be realigned as it is off the straight and the problem is due to be remedied later in the
season. As such it was requested that the goals be erected at the conclusion of the
work.

Railway station: queries passed to ward manager for action

Couper’s Yard: As requested I checked the position with TECS who advise that this
is a planning issue. Suggest the secretary writes to Mr Todd detailing issue.

Kinbrace cemetery –gate hinges: this has been referred to Mr Henry Flett for action.

Ward Forum 9 June: I have spoken with Evelyn, as Chairperson, and also Timespan
about the possibility of representatives of the 3 Helmsdale Groups having a short
meeting with some of the officials prior to the start of the Ward Forum. This would
allow them to present the very positive Helmsdale case. Given the timings for the
evening, time is short, so it would be important to make the most of the time available
– poss 10 minutes. As such I suggest that the reps meet Monday or Tuesday to
discuss. As I will be away until Sunday Jean Sargent will be in touch re time/venue.
At time of writing I am trying to contact Lucy Fraser in her role as Chair of the new
CAM. I would suggest 2 people from each organisation to be manageable but open to
suggestions.

It was agreed was agreed that Evelyn and Garry would attend a meeting on Monday
evening as representative of the CC. Stan – The Community Centre should be
promoted as a one stop shop in which the Library and Service Point are an integral
part
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Matter arising from the Minutes

Appointment system – It was agreed by all present that the secretary should write to
Ms Coull the Practice Manager for clarification on some matters.

Roz – are concerns over requesting an ambulance, that could be used in emergencies,
being requested to attend a child who is too ill to be taken to the surgery.

The CC could understand about children being taken to the surgery if possible so that
they can be examined properly but sometimes this is not possible. What if the child is
infectious with German Measles (pregnant women must not be in contact in the early
stages) or other contagious diseases?
Stan – cannot the First Responder be called?

Evelyn – no this is only used on Blue Light Ambulance calls.

The members present would like clarification on whether there are appointments
available for High School children after school, and, for workers?

It was noted that at Brora there is a Saturday morning surgery. Could this be at
Helmsdale on alternate weekends or at least once a month? Could the Helmsdale
Practice open late one evening in the week to accommodate workers who cannot take
time off work to attend during the day?

The secretary would write a letter detailing these concerns.

Elizabeth – the new government is to revamp the 2004 medical agreement.

Timespan – the secretary reported that a letter of support had been sent in support of
Timespan as an independent museum.

Elizabeth – There were still some complaints from the community and visitors about
the lack of the Historical side in the Museum it tends to favour the arts. Although
there is a good system for Genealogy it concentrates on the lineage without the local
reference to where people lived. Perhaps Timespan could charge for research to
improve funds.
Stan – there is pressure to go towards arts to get funding
Elizabeth – the museum cannot just be tied funds there have been complaints that
school children are not enjoying the trips to Timespan as they once did.
Edward – At the beginning all the work was done voluntarily now most get paid with
just some volunteers. Timespan should be sticking to some of the original ideas.
Garry – there should be more local history and Lorna agreed this is what is wanted
and needed.
Rosemary – would bring these points up at one of the Timespan’s meetings.
Barbara – Timespan need to know what people think perhaps this will evolve through
the Development Group.
Margaret – what has happened to all the artefacts?
Rosemary – a lot have been labelled and stored there is not enough room to display
everything at one go.
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As the discussion proceeded it was clear that Timespan needed to know how the
public felt but was it was agreed it was not a thing that should be advertised as had
been done by the Northern Times as a witch hunt The general feeling is that
Timespan devotes more of it space to Arts than History and a way should be found to
balance this more.

Elizabeth – Finally something has been done about the water coursing across the road,
which she had been mentioning since 2005, thanks to Barbara reporting to the
Highland Council Office through the Service Point.

Dog Fouling – still a problem in the village – Barbara to contact the Dog Warden by
email.
Evelyn – there are Baggies available from Baggies.com. These are small plastic balls
on a key ring which will hold several plastic bags. Easy to keep in the pocket for
when a bag is needed.

Evelyn – up date on transport at Kinbrace for the school children to attend Farr High
School It seems the Education Authority have formed the opinion that it is no ones
business but theirs certainly no other bodies Highland Council or Community
Councils included.
The Community Council members agreed that in this day and age of reason and cost
cutting the Education Authority should be more forthcoming.
Roz- could the CC contact the press.
Evelyn – did not think it would do any good as the Scottish press has not picked up on
the Northern Times coverage as is usual in a case of interest.

Treasurer’s Report

Christmas Light account £2080.41

Community Council account £396.67

Elizabeth gave Garry a donation envelope from McColls for the Christmas Lights

A.O.B.

Edward – Lobster Ponds (The Old Distillery Site) – still no further forward in this
matter is being passed from pillar to post and getting nowhere. Had contacted John
Gunn several months ago but still waiting on the Highland Council for a response.

Once again the CC agreed that there is nothing done and never find out who is
accountable for things. William Sutherland is to be invited back to the August
Council Meeting to progress some issues. The CC members are to compile a list for
the July meeting which will then be passed to him for his comments and suggestions.

A notice is to be displayed in the Community Centre window advertising transport, on

the community bus, to the Ward Forum on 9th June informing them that there is a list
for places on the bus leaving the Community Centre at 6.45pm prompt.
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Stan – has had complaints about youths riding motor bikes, on Battery park, without
silencers. This is very annoying to local residents. Saturdays and Sundays are the
worst. The secretary will email Brora police asking for them to attend and warn the
youngsters that they are causing this problem.
Lorna – perhaps they may be able to suggest a better site away from the houses.
Margaret – asked on behalf of the Helmsdale in Bloom Committee for a donation. As
funds are low at the moment it was agreed that a donation of £100 be given with a
further amount when the CC account improves. She also had received complaints
about the dog fouling on the lane between 12 and 13 Simpson Crescent to the car
park. Barbara will flag up to the Dog Warden.

Elizabeth – had asked again for an update on when Helmsdale will be depicted on the
road signs.

Barbara- As one of the members of the Helmsdale and District Development Group
reported that there is potential funding for Core Paths in the Helmsdale area. The CC
members had received a copy of the Core Path plan and Barbara was asking if the CC
would apply for funding? If the funding is made available the Development Officer
will be able to help and guide.

It was agreed in principle but it had to be made more clear on what would happen
later when the funding ran out and maintenance had to be carried out on the paths.

Stan – was concerned that in this day and age of cut backs and shortage of money
surely we should be careful not to take on something that we may not be able to
maintain later.

In the general discussion which followed it was agreed that the Core Paths were
important and some of them have already been cleared. It was important that the
village did not lose proper paths and it was agreed that more information should be
obtained.

Barbara also informed the CC that there would be an open day held at the end of June,
by the Development Group, where all the options that the Community has suggested
will be displayed. They will invite the whole Community to visit the displays and ask
people to mark the options that they think are the most important for the development
of the area. This will then be incorporated into the final version of the Development
Plan.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05pm

The next meeting will be on 1st July 2010 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.

Mail
Helmsdale and District Development Group
Surf
NHS
Consumer Focus Scotland
Highland Council
Scottish Natural Heritage
ILM Highland
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Margaret Coull
NHS Team update