Minutes of Meeting at Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree

Tuesday, 15 April 2008 at 12:30 pm 

1. Present:

Colin Hutchings, Nicola Rust, Nora Warby, (Way Forward Group); Julia Rudram, Cllr Ian Renwick, Una MacLeod, John Holt, and Joan Turkington (Minute Secretary).

2. Apologies – Mike Taylor (Health reasons), Liz Macleod (Hospital) Mike Dunworth (Childrens Panel) Paddy Heath- TAD Manager(Business);
3. Welcome      - Colin welcomed all present to the meeting..
4. Approval of Minutes (15 April 2008) Minutes were proposed by Nora Warby and seconded by Joan F Turkington; unanimously approved.

AGM Postponed till 20 May 2008 due to absence of Mike Taylor- Treasurer (Family Bereavement/ Health reasons).  

MATTERS ARISING

5. Portree Regeneration (PAAC) – Colin informed the meeting that a Board of 11 persons had been formed. (Names as yet not known). Colin will invite the New Ward Manager Jan Laing to our next meeting on 20 May 2008 to discuss all outstanding HC items relating to the Access Panel. Action CH
6. Ardvasar Hotel – There have been various issues needing attention for 20 years or so,(The AP has now been alerted to a problem concerning a step). Action Una
7. Broadford Co-op. Julia Rudram and Colin H met up with Operations Manager (Stuart Miller) and Mary Macpherson on 10 April 2008. It was established that a unisex toilet (for customers use) only is planned for the refurbished Broadford Co-op.; The toilet would be a combined gents/ladies/disabled facility (one cubicle). Open during the hours of 10 am – 6 pm; the toilet would be closed outwith these hours. The toilet facility would be sited within the Co-op building. Contractors would take 5/6 weeks to complete. Starting on 19 May and completing 2 July 2008 Action CH
8. Broadford Toilets/Highland Council –This item back again on the agenda. There is no soap, no water, the hand dryer is not working; and in the disabled toilet the seat is broken such that a disabled person has to sit down very carefully! Action: Colin to contact New Ward Manager – Jan Laing
9. Sconser Ferry Terminal toilets – Colin wrote to John Laing on 1st April (14 days ago) but to date has not received a reply. Ian Renwick Action: Colin to contact New Ward Manager – Jan Laing
10. Gathering hall toilets Since toilets not up to standard - Joan sent letter to R Hillary – email received from him that Gathering Hall has been re-let to S Booth (Book Shop) and that he is responsible for cleanliness of the toilets
11. Portree Toilets (The Green) Renovation now complete. Joan to advise TECS etc of comments received of improved facilities and thank all concerned. Action: Joan .
12. The Green pedestrian crossing (at Toilets) – It would appear that there is no way round the problem of re-siting the pedestrian crossing. Action: Ian Renwick/Ward Manager(Jan Laing) This will be further pursued. Cllr Renwick to check on this at next council meeting 28 April (Glendale at 2 pm)
13. Skeabost Hotel - Skeabost Hotel:  a) Toilet signs are not clear.  b) Gents toilet door and room are far too small as are the ladies. Limited facilities;  c) Smugglers Bar fire exit – hazard etc.  Action: Mike Dunworth to arrange date and time suitable to Julia R and himself for visit to new owners (Kyle Hotels) to discuss Skeabost Hotel/Smugglers Bar and Kyle Hotel itself– NB The nominated persons to visit Kyle Hotels are – Nicola, Julia and Colin
14. Lifebeat SLCVO 1000 words profile for Lifebeat article -WHFP Action: Colin advises to remove this item
15. Highland Council Funding- SLA cheque received for £1250 and banked in Portree by Joan. Receipt to Mike Taylor - Joan
16. General Funding – it was suggested that we contact: Round Table, Robertson Homes, Co-op ,Jans, and various others as possible outlets for new funds. LTSB, Awards for All, etc. So far Cheque received from NHS for £200 – handed over to John Holt for M Taylor. The application to the Co-op for £450.is still under consideration.(submitted on 17/3/08) Action: Colin nominated Nicola Rust and Nora Warby to be responsible for future funding enquiries.
17. Highland Council – Polling stations –Joan contacted HC and he said he was following up various stations that were not up to standard for disabled access. Action: Joan /email
18. Radar keys – Keys given to Way Forward Group OK. Action: Complete
19. Pig walk (near Skye Shrubs, Viewfield Road) Nicola advised that progress is taking place on various projects on this site. Advise Vicki Samuels of new date for AGM.
20. Public liability insurance. NFU advised Joan that we should contact our current Insurer for details. After some discussion it was decided by Julia that we should get advice from Keith Robertson of  SDEF regarding our future insurance. Mike D to be advised of our actions. Action: Joan/ SDEF
21. Training Courses – by Julia has re-arranged the date to be Tuesday 17 June 2008 and the topic will be ‘Reading Plans’ & ‘recommended measurements’since the original one of 20th May would clash with the re-arranged AGM and visit by Jan Laing (Ward Manager). Julia to arrange with Paddy H of room booking. Action: Julia R
22. Surveys - Marketing surveys to be decided upon – i.e. talk thru; walk thru or total report – Costings to be investigated via other Access Panels. If surveys are carried out then possible donation for services rendered. –Keith Robertson to be contacted to determine what other Panels charge for their Surveys. Action: Joan
23. Druim na Pairc, Portree - smoothing yet to be done. Signs/Notice NO PARKING. Colin wrote to Trust Housing on 1/3/08 and received a reply on 17/3/08 giving contact details on this matter. (copy attached).
24. ‘Marketing Access Panel’ Surgeries on Skye and Kyle could be contacted re newsletter/Minutes of Meetings/leaflet drop. Minutes –to be displayed in each Medical Centre Colin said that when we have sufficient funds we will carry this through. –Action: On hold by Colin
25. Kyle Court, Inverness – Joan was given a verbal by Colin about being contacted regarding this matter. Joan did not contact Natalie; she emailed Joan. Colin will only deal with this matter. Natalie was TOLD by Colin NOT to communicate any further with Joan. Next NHS Board meeting May 2008 for action. Action – COLIN says only he to deal with this matter.
26. Sleat Medical Centre – access doors Suggest installation of a bell to alert staff. Action: Joan emailing with this via Practice Manager.
27. Portree Medical Centre – access doors, also cars parked in front of Medical Centre. Suggest installation of a bell to alert staff. Being dealt with via email – Practice Manager. Action - Joan
28. Portree Hospital – Being actioned by Natalie Morell (NHS). ACTION COLIN
29. Edinbane Community Garden – A Danter, R Gillies, J MacPhee, Moira Macdonald and Calum MacPhee have all been involved in this matter. Joan spoke to Calum MacPhee (local resident) and he advised that due to there being no funds available, only volunteers could be used to see this project through with regard to any work being done. Matter now closed
30. Portree Co-op. Renew signs and drains Complete..

NEW BUSINESS

1. Radar Keys – Gordon Wight Manager of CAB asked Joan to see if a radar key could be made available for Clients of the CAB who are disabled. It was decided by Colin that CAB could purchase a key for £3.00. Action:  Colin to see Gordon about this matter.
2. Colin – viewed service point at Kyle and library impressed Highland council OK. But parking facilities outstanding. TECS Action – Colin to send letter.
3. John Holt distributed expense forms for out of pocket travel expenses. He also gave out Balance Sheet (Financial statement ) from Mike Taylor (Hold over till next meeting).
4. Nicola Rust – traffic lights at entrance to New Portree High School – she had discussions with Morrison Construction/HC - TECS/TRANSERVE on behalf of Access Panel. A copy of plans were distributed. It would appear that there has been ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ between these departments and a resolution is in sight. The main problem is that the current pavement (where the new traffic lights are situated) is too narrow to accommodate the pole AND allow pedestrians and baby buggies/wheelchairs to travel along the pavement without going onto the roadway. ..

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2.15 pm with Thanks to the Chair. 

Next Meeting:  also A.G.M.

Tuesday 20 May 2008

(Venue Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree )

At 12:30pm 

Approval of Minutes

Date    20 May 2008

Proposed by   Nora Warby

Seconded by:  Joan F Turkington