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Skye & Lochalsh Access Panel

Minutes of Meeting at Victoria Cottage, Portree

Wednesday 13 June 2007 at 10.45 am 

Present:

    Mike Taylor, Colin Hutchings, Una MacLeod, Nora Warby,

    John Holt, Liz MacLeod, Joan Turkington (Minute Secretary) 

    Guest Speaker – Donald Kennedy (HC – Core Path Project)

    Donald Kennedy was introduced, having been invited to attend our meeting. His input was in respect of the Highland Council – Core Path Plan Consultative Draft/Project covering Skye and Lochalsh.

    Donald explained that he is tasked with drawing together comments/improvements re the countryside access panel.

    He gave a resumé of his task which covers the following aspects:

    Easy opening gates for wheel chair use, ambulant use, good practices in general.

    Priorities – gates then surfaces

    Crofters, farmers and the forestry need to be involved as well as wheelchair users.

    He would be visiting the Way Forward Group to identify sites, re gates etc. (Nora Warby, etc.)

    He was shown photos of the current Community Garden in Edinbane – his comment was ‘not good – very bad’….

    A site visit to be arranged July/August TBA.

    Donald was thanked for his input and promised to get back to us.

    The closing date for comments is 13 July 2007

 

    The meeting then continued from 11.15 am with our normal agenda.

    Liz was welcomed to the meeting after her long absence due a back problem, but not fully fit yet. 

  1. Apologies:  Mike Dunworth, Julia Rudram
 
  1. Minutes:  These were approved by Mike Taylor and seconded by Joan F Turkington
 
  1. Matters Arising:
 
    1. Portree regeneration: Action: O/S - Colin still to contact Chair of Portree Regen.
    2. Hand held computer:  Action: (Nora to take info to WF Group for Julia. Julia to get a 30 day trial of HH computer/purchase by 30 June (check re money up-front or on Invoice). Pocket survey program 1st choice and HP manuf. (NB as of meeting on 25 June re web site Julia advised she would purchase the handheld computer etc.)
    3. Ardvasar Hotel:  Action: No feedback yet; Owner Richard – Una will visit and then letter him.
    4. Broadford Hotel:  action:  Still O/S
    5. Co-op/Sutherlands Garage - Action: Colin H – Possible planning action, TBA
    6. Co-op Broadford - It was noted that the correct type of lock is not installed (door can be opened from the outside - whilst toilet is occupied) Action: Julia O/S
    7. Broadford Toilets, Highland Council Action: Colin – Hamish Fraser? Responsibility – check this out. TEC – send letter Invite to mtg 18 July
    8. Edinbane community garden:  Action:  No reply as yet from Roddy Gillies
    9. Skeabost Hotel:  MT and Julia R
    10. Sconser Ferry Terminal Toilets:  Action: Highland Council/M Crow TEC, send letter Invite to mtg 18 July
    11. Website: Action: sub-committee (MT, JR, Liz MacL JFT, Martin W) to meet re design 25 June
    12. Awards for All/General Funding:  Action – Meeting arranged for 13 August at 500 pm SLCVO (MT, JFT, CH to attend)

AOB:  

  1. Audits/Visits - Marketing surveys to be decided upon – i.e. talk thru; talk thru or total report – costings to be investigated via other Access Panels – Action: O/S - Julia
  2. Broadford dropped kerbs etc (Una refers) – Original letter to Duncan MacPherson refers. Action: ‘Men were seen measuring in Broadford’ etc) Colin handed round letter from Jim Colville – Project Manager - Scotland TranServ (copy attached)
  3. Skeabost Hotel:  a) Toilet signs are not clear.  b) Gents toilet door and room are far too small as are the ladies. Limited facilities Action: O/S - Julia and Mike T
  4. Skeabost Hotel -  Also Smugglers Bar fire exit – hazard etc.  Action: O/S - Julia and Mike T
  5. Sconser Ferry Terminal:  action: CH to contact M Crow TEC
  6. Funding – Awards for All – Action: 13 August SLCVO 5pm.
  7. Funding (Lloyds TSB) - Joan has obtained details re Funders Visit  to Portree Monday 13 August (slot booked 500pm – 545pm SCVO); 3 copies available for perusal Action: ALL
  8. Web site – Meeting to be arranged for Martin, Mike T, Julia and Joan – Action – (MT, Julia, Joan) Monday 25 June Victoria Cottage, 2 pm NB Meeting held – Report update 18 July 2007
  9. Re Minutes of Meetings – Joan will email and post out current Minutes, with a note that Post ones will advise YES otherwise their name will be deleted from Mailing List. Various people have opted for email, some have asked to be deleted, others still outstanding - Action: Joan/ Ongoing/June minutes
  10. Letter from Pat Walsh – re contract for use of Secretarial Services, Hire of Room – to be agreed? Action: ALL Ongoing
  11. Finance – Insurance paid £447 – New balance £400 - Action – Noted/Review monies
  12. ‘Marketing Access Panel’ Surgeries on Skye and Kyle could be contacted re newsletter/Minutes of Meetings/leaflet drop. Una said she would check this out.
  13. Community Care Forum meeting 22 June (Colin H is our representative) – to speak to Pat W re our ‘contract’.
  14. Alternative accommodation for Panel – Joan to check out – Costs for ARMS, Resource Centre, Tig na Sgire; current cost for Vict Cott. is £6 per hour The reason for options is due to limited parking for wheelchair users, etc. – Action Joan
  15. Minutes – Access Panel – to be displayed in each Medical Centre – Action: Una, Joan and Nora
  16. Gathering Hall, Portree – Toilets are an apology – Una MacLeod
  17. Funding – John Holt suggested we try Fund Finder on the web – for capital, stationery etc. each funder gives monies for different items. Check this out.
  18. Funds – it was suggested that we contact: Housing Association, Round Table, Robertson Homes, Co-op and Jans., as possible outlets for new funds.
 

There being no further business, the meeting closed.  

Next Meeting: 

Wednesday 18 July 2007 Victoria Cottage at 10.30am

 
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