Minutes of Meeting in Kyleakin Day Centre

On Monday 13th September 2004

Members Present: Nuala McKay (Chairman), Caroline Clouston, Craig Glenwright, John Robertson, Ian Sikorski and Mike Taylor.

Also Present: Graham Finney, Jonathan McKinnon, Stephen Morrison (all part time).

Apologies: Ian MacLean, Shirley Taylor.

Graham Finnie said he planned to hold two motor cycle trials on Forestry Commission land on Skye in June and October 2005. He said he would expect up to 100 riders to participate the majority from outside Skye. He said the last trial was a great success and he was looking for a reference from the Community Council and also to use the area next to the Hall as a parking area for cars, he would repair any damage to the field. It was agreed to provide him with a reference and give him permission to use the field as a parking area.

Jonathan McKinnon and Stephen Morrison asked if the Community Council could provide storage space for a set of musical instruments, including a drum kit, that they had been given. We pointed out we had no available space and after a discussion they agreed to see if the instruments could be accommodated in the Community Hall.

Minutes of meeting on 19th July 2004: Proposed by Mr Robertson, seconded by Mr Sikorski, and carried.

1.      Matters Arising From Previous Meetings

The Secretary wrote to the Northern Constabulary Area Commander, David O’Connell who is based at Dingwall, requesting that extra officers are based in the area he replied saying he had no plans at this time to increase the number of officers in the area although the matter will be kept under review.

Secretary wrote to John Macdonald suggesting the possibility of a joint project with Scottish Water when they install a new pipe along the foreshore and also to North British Trust, the owners of the Kings Arms Hotel, but neither have replied. Ms McKay said she would speak to Mr Macdonald.

We have received a quotation from Roddie Morrison of £2095 + VAT for replacing the six windows of the Old School. The Secretary wrote to Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise asking if a grant was available they replied they do not support repairs and maintenance, he also spoke to “Awards for All” who also turned us down they said that they only fund projects which involve people in their community. Calum MacAskill has given a quotation of £1700 + VAT for replacing the windows and also check the roof and see if there are any missing slates etc. We agreed to ask Calum to carry out the work.

The secretary had written on 7th July to Alistair Thomson regarding the smell originating from the burn opposite the entrance to Kyle House and requesting to have a sample of the water tested but had received no reply. He was asked to write again.

Marshall Gillespie has provided two cages to enable us to size the platform and arranged for the electricity to be turned of, and we have constructed the bases. Mr Sikorski will contact Mr Gillespie to let him know.

The Secretary has written to Tony Usher, Marine Superintendentasking for the rusty vessel moored in front of the shop to be removed. Bill Fulton has also written to Bill Ross on the same subject.

The Secretary had spoken to George Speed regarding white lining and landscaping of the car park, he apologised for the delay and said the white lining was imminent.

The saga of the sale of the old “Calmac” Building continues. A solicitor acting on our behalf has now written two letters to the Highland Council with no result.  

Bill Ross has written saying that the total value of Village officer funding available in Skye & Lochalsh is £15000 and with 23 Community Councils in the area not all CC’s can be accommodated in any one year. Councillor Fulton said that a decision would be made in August on the sum to be awarded to each CC.

The Secretary wrote to ask Bill Ross regarding the battered “Kyleakin” sign pointing down to the village at the roundabout. He was unable to fund a replacement however he had copied the letter to the Planning and Development Service as they have been able to assist with ‘gateway’ type signs in the past. The Secretary had written to Geoff Robson.

The Secretary has written to Bill Ross regarding the damaged bus shelter opposite the Castle Moil Restaurant and a works order for the repair has been raised.

Ms McKay had spoken to the manager of the King’s Arms Hotel regarding the large yellow bush on the corner obstructing the vision of anyone turning from King Street onto the main road. He had agreed to cut it back.

2.       Correspondence

The Depute Head Teacher of Portree High School wrote to Ms McKay suggesting two young persons living in Kyleakin as potential co-opted members of the Council, after a discussion the Secretary was asked to write to Alasdair Nisbett and invite him to join the Council. 

David Lamont of Scottish Water sent us plans of the Proposed Sewage Treatment Facility. The Secretary was asked to contact him and get an assurance that there was sufficient capacity in the facility for any future expansion of the village.

3.      A.O.C.B.

Ms Clouston said that some of the village youths had constructed a substantial camp on Kyleakin Feus land without asking permission. Ms McKay said she would speak to Caroline Langlands and point out that if the youngsters in the village were going to be seeking help from the Community Council they would have to start acting more responsibly.

The Secretary was asked to write to Donnie Macrae asking him to move the vehicle which had been towed from behind the Kings Arms to the gravel area on the pier and left on blocks. Bill Fulton has written to Bill Ross requesting the area be fenced off, only allowing track for house access to the area not under Council control.

Ms McKay said the surrounds of the play area in Olaf Road were very dirty and a lot of the problem was in the area between the two fences that surrounded it. She said that she could see no advantage in a double fence and the Secretary was asked to write to the Highland Council and ask if one of the fences could be removed.

We have received a complaint about a large amount of oil on the road out side Bellevue, the Secretary was asked to report it to the Highland Council.

 Mr Glenwright said that very few of our requests to the Highland Council appeared to be resolved and wondered if this was the same in other Community Councils. The Secretary was asked to write to all the Community Council’s on Skye and ascertain if they had the same problem.

Next Meeting: Monday 1st November 2004 at 19.30