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    Minutes of Meeting

    held at Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree

Tuesday, 17 June 2008 at 12:30 pm 

    1. Present:

      Colin Hutchings, Nicola Rust & Nora Warby, (Way Forward Group); Julia Rudram, Mike Taylor, Mike Dunworth, John Holt, and Joan Turkington (Minute Secretary).

    1. Apologies Una MacLeod [Transport], Liz Macleod [Holiday]; Mark Crowe [TECS – Business in Ft William]’ Jan Laing [Council business]
    2. Welcome      - Colin welcomed all present to the meeting.
    3. Approval of Minutes (20 May 2008) Minutes were proposed by Mike Dunworth and seconded by Nora Warby; unanimously approved.
    4. MATTERS ARISING
    1.  Portree Regeneration (PAAC) – Jan said she would inform the panel of the names of the new committee. Action: Joan emailed Lisa Stephens
    1.  Ardvasar Hotel –Problem step is still an issue. Action Una
    2.  Broadford Co-op. The project for the refurbished Broadford Co-op has started. And is due for completion 2 July 2008 Action CH
    3.  Broadford Toilets/Highland Council –customer relations – TECS management system Invite Mark Crowe to next meeting.  JFT. Priority 2008/9 MC. 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: Mark Crowe unable to attend the meeting today-keep him informed.
    4.  Sconser Ferry Terminal toilets – Colin has written to the Director of TECS (10 June 2008) no reply to date. Action: Colin NB Matter being raised with Jan Laing/Mark Crowe
    5.  Discretionary Grants - Nicola passed a copy of her notes to Joan. (copy attached). Action: Nicola Rust
    6.  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– The committee were advised that Smugglers Bar is open. Review!
    7.  General Funding –Nora and Nicola produced a note of their progress to date. (written note). Action - NR/NW
    8.  Pig walk (near Skye Shrubs, Viewfield Road) Nicola advised that progress is taking place on various projects on this site. CH to contact Vicki Samuels . Colin did not contact Vicki. Action: Colin re updates to SLAP
    9.   Public liability insurance. Insurance documents handed over to Joan (via Colin and Mike T) Joan to review by phone via her Broker/NFU for alternative  quotes. Ins cover-P. Liability No; No-contents; accident Ins – Yes; Action: Joan
    10.  Surveys - Marketing surveys to be decided upon – i.e. talk thru; walk thru or total report – Costings to be investigated via other Access Panels. Julia to check this out with other access panels when attending Alliance meeting at Strathpeffer on 24 June 2008 Action: JR
    11.  Old Swimming Pool, Portree – Now closed [within New Portree High School]
    12.  Druim na Pairc, Portree – Colin to write to Trust Housing – re matter raised on behalf of Willie Campbell. Action - Colin
    13.  ‘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
    14.  Kyle Court, Inverness – Colin advised that Kyle Court is being refurbished; but gave no details given regarding completion. Action – COLIN only to deal with this matter.
    15.  Sleat Medical Centre –Action – Colin said he would speak to NHS Estates – John Swatman
    16.  Portree Medical Centre – Action – Colin said he would speak to NHS Estates – John Swatman
    17.  Portree Hospital Action – Colin said he would speak to Chris McSorley
    18.  Radar Keys – Colin purchased 10 radar keys (using Panel monies of £41.10) to be kept at Resource Centre. Gordon Wight Manager of CAB to be advised by Colin of availability of radar keys for purchase. Best practice by Key Holder.  Suggestion-deposit and a huge key fob!! Action: Colin to Gordon CAB
    19.  Colin – viewed service point at Kyle and library impressed Highland council OK. But parking facilities outstanding. Action – Colin to send letter/ TECS.
    20.  Nicola Rust – traffic lights at entrance to New Portree High School – It was indicated by Colin that Colin/Nicola and Julia would visit the High school and speak to the architect (Adam Loughlin) and Ken Allen Project Manager on Wednesday at 1030 am. re this matter. Jan L asked if the access panel had had any input on this project. The only issues raised were parking/toilets at the swimming pool/library/lift into library) Traffic lights – Jan Laing – outstanding TECS. No dropped kerb on barrier side – school crossing OK dropped kerb OK etc. Julia to issue a report to Ken Allen Project Manager.
 
    1. Julia Rudram noted that a meeting was scheduled for Strathpeffer (Alliance) on Tuesday 24 June. Julia has been given permission from Highland Council to attend – she will be accompanied by Nicola Rust.
 
    1. Una said that she had met up with Alex. Salmond (First Minister) at Sleat SMO and lo and behold after having spoken with him the Mallaig waiting room is now open. Also access to the ferry is now OK too.- Two miracles!! Action This matter will be reviewed by Una.
    2.  Nora Warby said that a subsidised taxi service is operating in Aberdeen why does HC not do this also. Jan Laing said she would check this out.
    3.  ‘Out of pocket expenses’ after some discussion it was decided to accept the status quo. ie  no change.
 
    1. TREASURER’S REPORT

         The current balance is £1839.73 less out of pocket expenses for 17 June 2008.

    1. TRAINING - Training Courses – Successful training session (by Julia) on Tuesday 17 June 2008 [10 am – 12 noon] the topic was ‘Reading Plans’ & ‘recommended measurements’ Separate report by Julia for July meeting.  usual monthly meeting at 1230 pm.] Revised venue for future training sessions to be confirmed. NB Next training session in about 3 months’ time Action: Julia R
 
    1. NEW BUSINESS
 
    1. Colin asked about the current list of distributing Panel Minutes.
 

Joan advised that there had been several changes of personnel leaving Skye and others not requiring direct mailing via our Secretary. It was suggested by Joan [and agreed by everyone present]that an email message should be sent to all on the list advising them that Minutes would be available for viewing from our web site. A reply should indicate to Joan whether they wished to be kept informed. Postal distribution should also have this message advised – if they did not reply stating their preference then they would be deleted from our mailing list. We will continue to email the Minutes etc to all Committee members as usual.

      Action – Joan

  1. Joan asked about reimbursement for ink cartridges. This was approved.
  2. Training could be held at Am Fasgadh as an alternative venue.
  1.  Mike D suggested for presentation purposes a digital frame for use with our digital camera. This idea could be fed into our funding applications.
  2.  The Constitution could be revised to incorporate ‘ people who face barriers or represent someone who does.[face barriers] Next AGM 2009
 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2.00 pm with Thanks to the Chair. 

      Next Meeting: 

      Tuesday 29 July 2008

      Venue Tigh Na Drochaid, Portree )

      At 12:30pm 

NB Change of date to 29 July 2008 

Approval of Minutes

Date: 29 July 2008

Proposed by:  Mike Dunworth

Seconded by:  John Holt


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