Torridon & Kinlochewe

Minutes of meeting, December, 1999, Torridon.

Present. M. MacDonald, F. Price, K. MacKenzie, A. MacLean, D. MacDonald, I. Mitchell, E. MacKinnon. K. MacLeay. 12 members of the public.

Apologies. E. Wallace, D. Finan, R. MacIntyre.

Minutes- A. MacLean.

Matters arising.

Noticeboard - an estimate of £30 for repair. Accept.

Millenium tree for Torridon is still wanted.

Chiropody service. They have turned down our request. Liz Pritchard will pursue through the Health Council. Secretary to write again.

Roads matters in Torridon. E. MacKinnon will look at.

Letters.

Meeting with Peter Peacock - invite to our next-meeting.

Agenda.

S.N.H. Report. David Miller was ill and could not attend, but would be glad to answer any questions .

Small Communities Housing Trust. Mr. Alexander explained the work of the trust. The Trust is owned by small communities throughout the Highlands. and will act on their behalf. They will try to find housing solutions, try to get sites, in our name, so we can approach a housing association and ask them to build houses. They will look for cheap serviced sites so that people can build their own houses with help of Scottish Homes grants. They also may buy, and improve houses for rent. They fund feasibility studies on the suitability of sites. At the moment there is no right to buy the houses but this may change. Rents are comparable with Council Houses. Crofting land. A Township could make land available for plots. We agreed to investigate further for both Torridon and Kinlochewe.

Sheep in Fasaig. Sheep have been loose in the village and on the hill. damaging water pipes. and gardens. The ownership is unknown. N.T. will be fencing the shore in February, and this should help keep the sheep in. Hydro Board. When moving the line to Ploc, their contractors left a mess of bushes and poles.

Rubbish skip. A request that it move round the Torridon villages, and be left for more than one night. Agreed that it is an excellent facility.

Secretary's Honorarium. This may be increased.

A.0.C.B.

Members of the public's request for back copies of the minutes. We publish them in An Carrannach, The Gairloch Times and on the Internet. Members of the public are advised to approach their Community Councillor. There should be a charge made for copies.

Medical Practice. Concern was expressed about the appointment system. There is no longer an evening or Saturday morning time for schoolchildren and working people. If more cover is provided from Lochcarron it takes a long time to get here in an emergency. It is to be hoped that the Doctor will, as promised by the Health Board, live in Torridon.

A member of the public put forward a proposal which was not accepted as a formal motion, and the Council deferred it for further thought. It is usual to bring matters to the attention of your Councillor before a meeting.

Date of next meeting. Wednesday, 9th February, Torridon.