MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 19 August 2002
Members Present: Mrs H Murchison, Mr R Cundiff, Mr A MacRae, Ms V Rollo
Mrs Bright, Mr F Matheson, Miss A MacKay, Mrs K MacKenzie.
Others Present: Cllr E MacKinnon, Mr A Ingram, Ms M Innes.

Cllr MacKinnon chaired the first part of the meeting and introduced Mr D Alexander and Mr R Phillips of HSCHT to the Committee and six members of the public. The purpose of this meeting was to allow Mr Alexander and Mr Phillips to explain, in full, the purpose of the HSCHT with regards to allaying concerns over the building of affordable housing at Achintraid. The main worries of the Achintraid community appeared to be the number of houses proposed on such a small site and of access. Mr Alexander explained that at this stage only outline planning had been applied for and the number, layout and style of housing could certainly be changed. The concept appeared to be acceptable but the Community had to be consulted regularly on progress. The report on the original survey is to be made public and displayed at Kishorn and Council Office in Lochcarron.
Cllr MacKinnon thanked Mr Alexander and Mr Phillips for their visit and they left the meeting at 8.30pm.
Mrs Murchison then chaired the remainder of the meeting.

Miss A MacKay and Mr A MacRae agreed the minutes of the previous meeting after an alteration.
Matters Arising:

Shinty Club: The Shinty Club received funding from the CED.

Leisure Centre: The proposed public meeting in the Village Hall on 3 September with regards to the development of the Leisure Centre will no longer take place. Dr Murray requested the Community Council to consider contributing to the cost of a postal survey to every household in the area, this being considered a better way of receiving responses from the Community as a whole. The CC suggested an initial approach be made to the CED but agreed in principle a donation of £100. Dr Murray also advised the CC that the property developer is anxious to know how proposals are going so he can move forward on his plans for building.
Youth Café: Mrs H Preston approached the CC with a request that they apply for planning permission on behalf of the Youth Café to site a portacabin, being donated by R J MacLeod, at the foot of Battery Park. This was agreed in principle.

Landscaping: Miss MacKay passed around photos of designs for the Lochcarron sign at the site opposite the East Church. The CC agreed to go ahead but the final choice of stone had to be given to the CC.

Blackwood Crossing: Still ongoing. Work is expected to start first week in September.

NSA: Mr I MacCuish had approached Mrs Murchison as he was worried about a report on a survey done by SNH on the Rassal area. It has been suggested that sheep stocks be reduced to allow native plants to regenerate. Mrs Murchison advised that the CC should keep a close watch on developments in that area. Ms Rollo reminded the CC that the final meeting of the NSA steering committee is Friday 23 August.

Battery Park: Mrs Murchison met with NOSWA and R J MacLeod on a very wet 26 July to survey sites at the Shinty Pitch, Lower Slumbay and along the Strome Road. The land slopes back towards the Shinty Pitch, which causes the water to run back. A drain will be installed at Lower Slumbay with a non-return valve. NOSWA had written to R J MacLeod asking what they intended doing to rectify the other problems but as yet no reply had been received.

Grass Cutting: Mrs Murchison advised the CC that there is only one grass cutting machine for the whole area. The original had broken down at Kishorn and a replacement is slowly moving around.

Chairwoman’s Report:
Nothing to report.

The matter raised by Mrs K MacKenzie on the question of accountability of the CED programme will be discussed at the next meeting.

Secretary’s Report and Correspondence:
Various newsletters and brochures were noted.

A letter had been received from Mr K Black, Roads Dept., advising the CC he is retiring Friday 23 August.
Royal Mail had written to advise that the new post box at the foot of the Kishorn Hill in Lochcarron would have a collection at 4.30pm.
Gairloch CC is hosting the joint Community Council meeting on either 26 or 27 September at Kinlochewe. Lochcarron prefers 27 Sept and will respond accordingly.

Planning Applications:
Two residential planning applications and one access application had been received. No objections were raised.

Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer had nothing to report.

AOCB:
Mrs P Bright asked Cllr MacKinnon to state the Highland Council policy on the recycling of glass as she was concerned by a comment made to her by a member of the public that glass was simply used for landfill sites. He confirmed that, indeed, the glass was recycled.
Mrs Bright also voiced concerns re the lack of refuse bins for general public use. Cllr MacKinnon replied that bins were being removed and the public should be encouraged to take their rubbish home.
Mr A MacRae raised three matters.
Would it be possible to install a water supply in the village for caravans and campers? Mrs K MacKenzie advised that there was one at Strathcarron Station.
What is the criteria regarding the cutting of grass for council tenants? Cllr
MacKinnon advised that all Council grass was cut under contract but no new
private contracts were being undertaken.
The number of bollards appearing on the Strome Road was increasing. There are dangerous
potholes at Bridge Villa and Mr W Mackenzie’s.

Next meet at the Howard Doris Centre 16 September at 8.00pm