On Monday 18th April 2005

Members Present: Craig Glenwright, Ian Sikorski, John Robertson, Shirley Taylor and Mike Taylor.

Also present: Donald Kennedy - Skye & Lochalsh Access Officer.

Apologies: Nuala McKay, Caroline Clouston.

Minutes of meeting on 7th March 2005: Proposed by Mr Sikorski, seconded by Mr Robertson, and carried.

Mr Kennedy gave the meeting a presentation on the work the Highland Council are doing to uphold "Access Rights" and develop a 'Core Paths' plan, there are also plans to set up a Local Access Forum and give a public presentation in Kyleakin Hall. Mr Sikorski suggested the old road running alongside the A87 could be a good walk if the vegetation was cut back and the path alongside the Obbe was also mentioned.

1. Matters Arising From Previous Meetings

1.1 The Secretary wrote to John Farquar Munro and invited him to come and see the extent of the storm damage; he replied that he had written in support of our application for assistance and would try and get along to see the damage for himself.

1.2 We have heard no more on the "Rural Watch" scheme that PC Glen Tucker in Broadford is currently working on.

1.3 Mr Glenwright said he had received a letter from Scottish Water saying that they would be starting on the new sewage treatment plant in May. Scottish Water has booked the Village Hall on the 26th April for a public presentation on the project.

1.4 The solicitor acting on our behalf on the sale of the Old Calmac has not yet received a reply from the Highland Council.

1.5 The Secretary was asked to write to Marshall Gillespie reminding him he has not yet fitted the other two cages to the War Memorial and also the lamp posts down the pier need painting. .

1.6 Bill Fulton said he had met with the Scottish Executive to discuss his plans for the roundabout at the top of the village and was hopeful that they would be approved, if so he hoped to include a new village sign.

1.7 The Secretary has written to the Youth Group (Voice of Kyleakin) asking for an assurance that the proposed Skate board area would be kept tidy and that all Health & Safety aspects would be observed a copy of their constitution showing what happens to the assets if the organisation is dissolved was also requested. We have not received a reply

1.8 Calum Macaskill has quoted £875 + VAT for replacing the roof of the fire station behind the Old School and £1095 + VAT for replacing the remaining 4 windows on the east side of the School. We are still awaiting a quotation from Roddie Morrison. We agreed to ask Calum to do the work and also fit a lock to the door of the old fire station.
1.9 Mr Tim Stott will visit us on May 10th to discuss the "New Local Plan".

1.10 Richard Blain has replied saying he is looking into obtaining three concrete flower tubs for us, we are also going to obtain a price from Touchwood for three of their wooden ones.

1.11 We discussed a letter from the Highland Council regarding possible amendments to the Skye Bridge bus service and made the following comments:

The H/C have proposed using a mixture of operators in their new time table and we pointed out that all buses are not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs and this will severely inconvenience disabled people and young mothers who are most likely to use the bus service now that tolls have been removed.

The H/C must provide a proper timetable when an agreed service is provided and ensure that it is well publicised as even some of the drivers of the local buses cannot understand the current one, also a lot of people would not think of stopping a Citylink bus for a trip over the bridge.

We also suggested extra infill buses and an improved evening and weekend service.

2. Correspondence

2.1 We have been informed that the Planning Committee Hearing for the conversion of the Old Calmac Building will take place on 25th April we have been invited to send a representative.

3. A.O.C.B.

3.1 We discussed whether the Community Council should place an advert, at a cost of £250, to promote Kyleakin in a leaflet which Ewen Campbell is producing to distribute at Eilean Donan Castle. After a discussion it was decided that it would not be cost effective.

3.2 We discussed the problem of speeding cars and the two cars that had been dumped on the gravel area by the pier. The Secretary was asked to write to the Police asking for their assistance in the matter.

Next Meeting: Monday 20th June 2005 at 19.30.