Author: Nancy Heubeck
Last saved by: Euan Robertson
Company: Dunrossness Community Council

DUNROSSNESS COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Chairman			 		    	Clerk
Mr Donald Robertson					Mrs Shirley Leslie
7 Toabsgeo			Ringesta
Virkie			Quendale
Shetland  ZE3 9JJ					Shetland  ZE2 9JD
Tel:  01950 460300					Tel: 01950 460868
							Fax: 01950 460922
                                                                           E-mail:dunrossness.cc@zetnet.co.uk
					           www.dunrossnesscc.shetland.gov.uk

Minute of Meeting of Dunrossness Community Council held in Dunrossness Primary School on Monday 28 May 2001

PRESENT:
Mr D Robertson (Chairman)	Mrs E Mainland		Ms S Fowlie	Mrs A Sinclair
Mr R Nickerson 		Mrs A Nicol		Mr J Ridland	Mrs J Morton
Mr J Sinclair 			Mr I Garrick 		P.C. Gilmore

APOLOGIES
Mr L Malcolmson	Mrs M Pickbourne	Cllr G Mitchell	Cllr W Tait

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs S Leslie (Clerk)	Mr J Emptage (SIC)	Mr M Clifton (Shetland Amenity Trust)			

01/12	 MINUTE
 	The Minute of the meeting held on 30 April 2001 was adopted on the motion 
of Ms Fowlie.
	
01/13	 MATTERS ARISING
1. Scousburgh Sands Access: The Clerk reported that she had received a letter 
from Victor Hawthorne, SIC informing the Community Council that he had prepared 
a report regarding the tarring of the Scousburgh Sand Road to be presented to the 
Development Committee on 6^th June 2001 seeking approval to fund the project via 
the ‘Area Regeneration Budget’.  Mr Hawthorne had also been in contact regarding 
ownership of the road and when informed that there was no individual owner he  
requested that the Community Council obtain the signatures of the owners and 
tenants of the land directly adjacent to the road stating that they had no objections 
to the proposed upgrading.  The Clerk had prepared the letter and Mrs Mainland 
had approached the relevant parties and obtained their signatures.
2. Levenwick Phone Kiosk: There was nothing new to report.  The Clerk agreed 
to contact BT again regarding the lack of a light in the phone box.

01/13/3
28 May 2001  					 	 	  page two of seven

01/13	 MATTERS ARISING (Continued)
3. Road Matters: The Clerk reported that she had spoken to Mr Richard Hayward, SIC regarding the periodic flooding at Spiggie and the state of the road outside Midway Stores in Levenwick.  Mr Hayward stated that there is a ‘French’ Drain at the bottom of the Spiggie Brae but that it will only relieve the problem with flooding in the area when the water is at a certain level.  He also informed the Clerk that the only road works scheduled to take place in Levenwick at present are the reinstatement of the verges which were damaged by the snow plough during the winter.  As regards the upgrading of the ‘Levenwick Loop’ it is on the ‘wish list’ which means it will probably be approximately 5 years before any work commences.  PC Gilmore reported that the north Clumlie sign was missing and had been for some time.  Mrs Sinclair requested if it would be possible for Dunrossness Community Council to contact SIC and enquire when they plan to install the Cattle Grid at the entrance to the South Light and if anything can be done about the dangerous bend in the road north of the hill sheep pens.  The Clerk agreed to write to SIC regarding the above three points.
4. Spiggie Toilets: Mr Emptage reported that at the meeting in May between Shetland Amenity Trust and SIC, Shetland Amenity Trust had agreed in principal to the proposal that they build up to 17 public toilets throughout Shetland over the next 5 years.  A report is being compiled for presentation at a SIC meeting next month and, if agreed, Shetland Amenity Trust will then be able to approach the Charitable Trust for funding for the project.  Mrs Nicol enquired how high up the list Scousburgh Beach is.  Mr Emptage stated that Shetland Amenity Trust and the Charitable Trust would agree on the order of priority but that Scousburgh Beach was in the high priority group. 
5. South Mainland Fish Farms: There was nothing new to report.  Although not relevant to the South Mainland at present, Mr Robertson had received a letter from Shetland Salmon Farmers’ Association regarding the colour of Salmon Farm Feed Barges.  The letter was noted.  Mr Nickerson stated that Dunrossness Community Council had only learned of the proposals for Levenwick at such an early stage by mistake and suggested that Dunrossness Community Council should write to SIC enquiring if in future Community Council’s could be consulted on the possible locating of Fish Farms in their area prior to ‘scoping’. 
7. Bigton Car Park: The Clerk reported that she had still not received a reply to her letter but that she would contact SIC again.  
8. Hospital Patient Travel: The Clerk reported that she had still not received a reply from HIAL but agreed to contact them again regarding the provision of an area within Wilsness Terminal for use by patients travelling to hospital in Aberdeen. 
9. Administration Issues: The Clerk reported that S.T.A.R.T. in Skerries had quoted a maximum price of 10p per sheet, depending on quantity, to scan archive documents onto CD.  It was suggested that all the Community Councils might be interested in having this done and therefore the cost for each area would be reduced.  The Clerk therefore agreed to contact the ASCC to have the point brought up at their next meeting in October.  

01/13/9
28 May 2001      						page three of seven

01/13	 MATTERS ARISING (Continued)
9. Administration Issues (continued): The Clerk reported that the most competitive quotation which Mr Robertson had received for the supply and installation of a new printer and CD ReWriter was from ‘DaShop’.  It was agreed to accept the quotation.

01/14	FINANCE AND GRANT APPLICATIONS
	The Clerk reported that Dunrossness Community Council had now received 
their budget, amounting to £17,888, for the year 2001/2002 from Shetland Islands Council		
1.  Ness Out of School Club – To assist with ‘start up costs’ ie. advertising, hall hire for meetings and insurance and affiliation: It was agreed on the motion of Mrs Sinclair, seconded by Mr Nickerson to award the requested sum of £600. 
2.  Levenwick Mission Hall – To assist with cost of carrying out urgent repairs to gable wall of building: It was agreed on the motion of Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mrs Sinclair to award the requested sum of £1000. 
3.  Shetland Junior Folkdance – To assist with costs of trip to ‘Barnlek’ Festival in Reykjavik, Iceland: It was agreed that Dunrossness Community Council are unable to award a grant in this case as the group does not benefit the Dunrossness area specifically or have a strong link with the area.

01/15	PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND PLANNING MATTERS
 	Members noted the ‘weekly lists’ of planning applications.  
 	1. To extract sand, Sand Quarry, East Park, Quendale by A Jarmson, 
Arlanda Buildings, Lerwick: Following discussion, it was agreed that the 
Clerk return the plans stating that Dunrossness Community Council had ‘no 
comments’.
2. To erect dwellinghouse, Brecks, Fair Isle by Mr David Royle, Brakenclose Burdens, Heath Bucklebury, Reading: There was no objection.
3. To erect Fire Station (in outline), adjacent to community hall, Fair 
Isle by Clerk to the Fire Board: Mrs Sinclair stated that the residents of 
Fair Isle had not seen the proposed plans and it was therefore agreed that 
Mrs Sinclair should take the plans back to Fair Isle with her and return them 
to the Clerk at a later date with any comments.
4.To erect private domestic garage, Parkview, Dunrossness by 
Mr John A Anderson, Parkview, Dunrossness: There was not objection.

01/16	SHETLAND AMENITY TRUST & MR J EMPTAGE, SIC 
	Mr Robertson welcomed Mike Clifton, Shetland Amenity Trust and Jonathan 
Emptage, SIC to the meeting.  
a) Voar Redd Up - Mr Clifton reported that the annual Voar Redd Up had 
taken place last weekend and, as always, had been very successful in 
Dunrossness.  Shetland Amenity Trust also support community groups and 
individuals who wish to carry out ‘mini redd ups, by providing gloves, sacks 
etc.  
01/16/b
28 May 2001      						page four of seven

01/16	SHETLAND AMENITY TRUST & MR J EMPTAGE, SIC (Continued)
b) ‘Adopt a Beach’ - The ‘adopt a beach’ scheme is being launched this 
year and Ireland Beach is one of the six areas being targeted in the initial 
year.  
c) Litter - A litter education service has just been launched for schools and 
a high profile education service in the form of posters regarding roadside 
litter is to be launched in the next couple of months targeting the adult 
population.  Mr Nickerson stated that a large quantity of the roadside litter 
consisted of construction industry materials lost from unsafe loads.  
PC Gilmore confirmed that it is a criminal offence to drop litter but that most 
people picked up the litter when asked to rather than be prosecuted.   Mr 
Emptage reported that during November 2000, SIC and the local Police 
Force had carried out a litter awareness exercise in Lerwick which had been 
quite successful at the time.  A ‘Shetland Litter Plan’ is currently being 
written.
d) Agricultural Black Plastic - The first year of the scheme for the 
recycling of Agricultural Large Bale Black Plastic had resulted in 
approximately 40/50 tonnes being collected for recycling in Aberdeen from 
120+ crofters throughout Shetland.  Every crofter in Fair Isle had taken part.  
The service is to be repeated next year.
e) Litter Bins - Mr Emptage enquired if there was any area in Dunrossness 
which the Community Council felt would benefit from a litter bin being 
provided.  Mrs Nicol reported that during the Voar Redd Up at Levenwick 
Beach, the majority of the litter which was collected was from around the 
litter bin.  Mr Emptage stated that the bin should be emptied every week by 
the ‘essy kert’ and he would check that this was being done.  Mrs Mainland 
stated that the Spiggie residents had requested to have the litter bin which 
was previously situated at the Scousburgh Beach removed because of the 
mess of litter around the bin.  When the bin was removed, the visitors took 
their litter home with them.  The Clerk stated that Mrs Pickbourne was keen 
to have a litter bin sited at the end of the Scousburgh Beach road for the 
benefit of visitors to the area and so that the ‘essy kert’ could empty it every 
week on its way past.  It was therefore agreed that a large litter bin be 
positioned in the area for a trial period.
f) Skips – Mrs Sinclair stated that the people of Fair Isle greatly appreciate
 their allocation of skips but requested that, when full, they be removed 
promptly as they obstruct the pier.  Dunrossness Community Council 
have a quota of 98 skips, which does not include Fair Isles allocation, for 
community use per year.  In the year to March 2001, 135 skips had been 
used which was in line with numbers used in previous years.  Any skips 
used over the quota will be charged at £40 per skip this financial year.  
Mr Nickerson stated that perhaps not only head of population in an area 
should be taken into consideration when deciding on each areas quota but 
also geographical size.  Mr Garrick stated that, although he had no 
objection, a large proportion of the waste in the Dunrossness skips was 
agricultural.  Mr Robertson stated that this may be the case but the 
Dunrossness area is now a lot tidier than it used to be.  

01/16/f
28 May 2001      						page five of seven

01/16	SHETLAND AMENITY TRUST & MR J EMPTAGE, SIC (Continued)
f) Skips (continued) – Mr Clifton informed the members that, regarding 
agricultural waste, the ‘Bruck Squad’ can collect old vehicles, fencing wire 
and redundant agricultural machinery.       
g) Batteries - Mrs Mainland reported that there were a number of vehicle
 batteries at the Baxter Skip site.  Mr Emptage agreed to have them 
removed.  Mr Emptage also informed the members that vehicle batteries 
can be taken to Rova Head for free disposal and that household batteries 
can be left at Midway Stores, Levenwick & Mainland’s, Dunrossness for 
disposal in Aberdeen.  

01/17	NESS 2000 
There was nothing new to report. 

01/18	BEST VALUE SERVICE REVIEW OF THE EDUCATION SERVICE
	It was agreed that Dunrossness Community Council had no comments to 
make at this early stage but that they look forward to meeting with the 
persons involved in the review at a later date, as suggested.  The Clerk was 
also asked to state that it would be appreciated if any further relevant 
information could be forwarded to the Community Council as soon as 
possible to enable the members to study it prior to any meeting.

01/19	CORRESPONDENCE
1. ITC letter ref. Grampian Television Reception: As the Grampian 
television reception is still very poor in the area, it was agreed that the Clerk 
should contact Iain Macdonald of Grampian TV as suggested in the letter 
from the ITC.
2. Letter from Willie Shannon, Coastal Zone Manager, SIC: Mr 
Shannon’s letter was noted.  According to Mr Shannon, the Council’s works 
licence policy is to be reviewed and community council’s are to be 
consulted.  It was therefore agreed to postpone inviting Mr Shannon once 
more to a meeting until more information has been received regarding the 
above proposal.
3. Hanson Aggregates’ letter ref. Government’s proposed tax on aggregates: Mr Nickerson stated that the new tax was intended to promote the use of aggregates, such as demolished houses etc., which at present are discarded in landfill sites.  The letter was noted and Mr Emptage offered to obtain further information regarding the proposed tax for discussion at a future meeting.
4. LAMBDA Research & Consultancy Ltd letter ref. Website for Rural Services: The letter was noted.  The Clerk was requested to reply and suggest that the website should contain links to other websites such as Dunrossness Community Council’s and Fair Isle’s.
5. Shetland Rent Deposit Scheme: The letter was noted.
6. Scottish Executive letter ref. Review of Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme in Scotland: The letter was noted.

01/19/7
28 May 2001      						page six of seven

01/19	CORRESPONDENCE (Continued)
7. Scottish Executive letter ref. Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive Consultation Paper: The letter was noted.
8. SIC letter ref. Community Learning Conference: Mr Robertson agreed 
to attend the conference scheduled for Saturday 16^th June 2001 if possible.
10. The following are available from the Clerk on request:                                                          
-	SEPA View, Spring 2001   
-	An introduction to: green spaces and sustainable communities
-	Shetland Amenity Trust’s ‘quarterly news burst’
-	Shetland Council of Social Service Annual Review 2000/2001

01/20	ANY OTHER BUSINESS
	1. Shetland Voluntary Care Forum: Mrs Pickbourne had attended a meeting on
2^nd  May and provided a report on the issues discussed:-
a) Patient Travel to and from Hospital in Aberdeen: Talks are ongoing between Shetland Health Board and Aberdeen hospitals to try and ‘iron out’ some of the problems which occur at present.  Consultants are being requested not to send patients home to Shetland on the last flight as that is when the majority of problems arise.
b) Tor-Na-Dee Hospital – No decision has yet been made regarding the possible closure of Tor-Na-Dee Hospital.  Tor-Na-Dee is considered to be too far from the main hospitals resulting in long journeys to receive treatment, ambulances being tied up for hours transporting patients between hospitals and expensive machinery ‘lying idle’ when patients are delayed by traffic or weather etc.  If the hospital is closed a new building could be erected at Cornhill. 
c) Care Services Delivered at Home – This service covers a large range of peoples needs following discharge from hospital.  Under the Scottish Executive National Scheme, all care will be free for the first four weeks.  Further information is expected in the autumn.
d) Carers In the Home – The Scottish Executive provides some funding to local authorities for carers in the home.  This is available to carers to enable them to set up a group so that they can meet socially.  The funding can cover the cost of hiring premises, mileage and the cost of providing a temporary carer etc.
Further details are available from Margaret Pickbourne on (01950) 460462.
2. NESS Foy: Mr Robertson reported that the ‘Ness Foy’ is to take place at the 
Dunrossness Central Public Hall and Playing Fields on 5^th  August 2001.  Anyone 
wishing to be involved in the event should contact Nancy Heubeck at Mansefield, 
Skelberry on (01950) 460304.  The next meeting is scheduled for 31^st May 2001 at 
8pm in Dunrossness Central Public Hall.
3. Passing Place at Virkie Cottages, Eastshore: Ms Fowlie reported that the new 
‘passing place’ at Virkie Cottages, Eastshore was being used as a parking 
area by some birdwatchers.  PC Gilmore requested that he be contacted if/when 
this occurs again and he will deal with it.

01/20/4
28 May 2001      					           page seven of seven

01/20	ANY OTHER BUSINESS (Continued)
4. ‘Incidents’ in Dunrossness: PC Gilmore stated that he believed ‘incidents’ in 
Dunrossness may be going unreported as when members of the public call the 
local Police Station and are transferred to Lerwick when he is off duty they do not 
leave a message.  PC Gilmore urged members of the public to either leave a 
message or even drop a note through the Dunrossness Police Station door 
for his attention.
5. Proposed Alcohol By-Law in Lerwick: Although the introduction of an alcohol 
by-law in parts of Lerwick has recently met with opposition, PC Gilmore was of the 
opinion that the issue would be raised again at a later date.  PC Gilmore reported 
that such a by-law operates very successfully in Inverness and that, within six 
months of the by-law coming into force, members of the public no longer attempted 
to consume alcohol in the restricted areas.  PC Gilmore stated that most people did 
not want to have a criminal record for such an offence and therefore were quite 
co-operative.  He felt that the introduction of such a by-law would alleviate 
both the litter and safety issues faced at the moment.  At present there is no law 
against consuming alcohol on Commercial Street or taking glasses or bottles out of 
the bars.  Mr Nickerson stated that he was of the opinion that the Licensing Board 
could take a stronger stand by introducing regulations relating to the selling of 
‘carry outs’.  Mr Nickerson also enquired what would happen during a ‘special 
event’ which would be exempt from the by-law.  PC Gilmore stated that such 
events are usually more heavily policed.
6. Marine Special Areas Meeting: Mr Ridland reported that there had been a 
meeting on 8^th August 2001 but that he had been unable to attend.  However, 
according to the documentation received following the meeting, there was nothing 
new to report.
7. Caravans at Scousburgh Beach: Further to a request by Mrs Mainland, the 
Clerk had contacted SIC regarding the rules relating to the parking of caravans at 
Scousburgh Beach.  Mr Sineath had informed the Clerk that 3 caravans were 
allowed per croft from April to September without planning permission.  He agreed 
to investigate the regulations regarding the parking of caravans in the turning circle 
and contact the Community Council in due course.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.20pm.

                                                                                                 Chair

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF DUNROSSNESS COMMUNITY COUNCIL 
WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE DUNROSSNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY 25 JUNE 2001