Author: Nancy Heubeck
Last saved by: Shetland
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 29 January 2007.

PRESENT:
Mr D Robertson 	Mrs E Mainland		Mr J Sinclair 		Mrs W Kay 	
Mr R Nickerson 	Mr I Garrick		PC Ian Brown

APOLOGIES
Mr J Hunter 		Mrs F Mitchell 		Mr B Robertson		Cllr W Tait 
Cllr G Mitchell		Sylvia Jamieson (Community Worker)

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs S Leslie (Clerk)	

06/56 	MINUTE

The Minute of the meeting held on 18 December 2006 was adopted on the motion of Mrs Mainland, subject to an amendment requested by Mr Nickerson which states that Mr Nickerson arrived late for the December meeting.

06/57	POLICE REPORT

PC Brown informed the members that he has requested a shift pattern change and, should this be agreed, he hopes to be in a position to attend Community Council meetings more regularly.  PC Brown gave a summary of the incidents dealt with by Northern Constabulary in the Dunrossness area recently.

06/58/1a
29 January 2007						page two of nine

06/58	MATTERS ARISING

1. Road Matters: 
a)	Levenwick Road Markings: The Clerk reported that she had contacted 
Ian Halcrow, SIC Head of Roads, regarding both the Levenwick Road Markings and Culster/Baxter Sign issues in the hope of receiving a satisfactory reply.

b)	Culster/Baxter Sign: See above.

c)  Capital Programme/Capital Rolling Programme (A970 to 
Dunrossness Primary School): A copy of the current Capital Programme/Capital Rolling Programme for the Dunrossness area had been received.  It was agreed to defer discussion on the programme until Mr Neil Robertson, SIC Roads, returns from annual leave to clarify some of the schemes detailed in the document.

d) Croft House Car Park: Mr Macnae, SIC Roads, had replied to the Community Council’s letter stating that he had noted the Community Council’s concerns and that he will instruct his staff to monitor the location during the summer season to ‘quantify the level of the problem’.   He also pointed out that any problems arising from the use of the croft house museum should be dealt with by the operators/owners of the facility, who he noted had been sent a copy of the Community Council’s letter.

2. Westvoe Car Park: Mr Nickerson reported that the preparation of the lease agreement for the area has now been passed to HIAL.  The Clerk reported that Ronnie Jamieson had contacted the preferred contractor and requested an extension to the tender expiry date to enable additional time for the lease and funding arrangements to be finalised.

3. Grutness Car Park: Mr Nickerson reported that Mr Rolph, SIC, had informed him that he had not been approached regarding the preparing of a lease agreement for the Grutness Car Park.  As the works proposed here are on such a small scale, it was suggested that the Clerk contact Nigel Flaws, Airport Manager, and enquire if a lease agreement is entirely necessary, thereby hopefully speeding up the process.

4. Levenwick Graveyard Access and Paths: There was nothing new to report.  As no satisfactory reply has been received to the Community Council’s letters to either Jim Grant or Stephen Cooper, SIC, regarding the matter, the Clerk will write to Graham Spall, SIC.

5. Museum – Tom Henderson Plaque: There was nothing new to report.

06/58/6
29 January 2007						page three of nine

06/58	MATTERS ARISING

6. Fair Isle NHS24 Cover:  There was nothing new to report.  The Clerk reported that she intends forwarding copies of the Community Council’s letter once more to NHS24, Sandra Laurenson and Anne-Marie Edge, NHS Shetland

7. Fair Isle Fire Station: There was nothing new to report.

8. St. Ninian’s Isle: Mr Nickerson had discussed with Mr Budge the possible options for upgrading the road to St. Ninian’s Isle.  The Clerk had forwarded, by letter, Mr Budge’s preferences.  However, the recent rain has caused significant damage to the road and an area of the car park.  The damage has been surveyed for SIC and the worst areas of damage on the road have now been repaired temporarily.  Mr Nickerson reported that the formal application for the Seaside Award for St. Ninian’s has now been submitted.  Keep Scotland Beautiful will announce the results officially in June.   

9. Water Issues: 
a) Scousburgh/Bigton: Milroy Lionel, Scottish Water Area Asset Planner, had replied to the Community Council’s letter regarding delays in constructing the proposed water storage tank at Scousburgh.  Mr Lionel reported that the works will be starting soon.   The land purchasing agreement and compiling of title deeds for this project at Scousburgh are almost complete.  The construction of the 85 cubic metre capacity concrete tank is scheduled to be completed by the end of this summer.  Mr Lionel also states that the existing damaged glass fibre tank at Geosetter has been made safe by lowering its water level and that, in an emergency situation such as a tank burst, treated water to customers in Bigton can be maintained from the same source by activating their existing booster stations at Rerwick and Scousburgh.

b) South Voe: Dr Jon Hargreaves, Scottish Water Chief Executive, had replied to the Community Council’s letter regarding the provision of a sewage system for South Voe.  Dr Hargreaves states that Scottish Water is ‘allocated a small pot of money to connect up areas not previously serviced by a public sewerage system.  How this funding is spent is prioritised by SEPA and the Scottish Executive’ and South Voe ‘has not been identified in the current investment programme (2006-2010) for the first time provision of services’.  Dr Hargreaves suggests that the Community Council may wish to speak to SEPA regarding the possibility of the area being prioritised for future first time funding.  ‘Residents can still connect up to the public sewerage network at this time, although they would be responsible for funding the cost of the work required’.  

06/58/9b
29 January 2007						page four of nine

06/58	MATTERS ARISING 

9. Water Issues:
b) South Voe (continued): Dr Hargreaves states that ‘this is likely to be an expensive option’, but if residents would like more information, they are asked to contact Scottish Water’s Planning and Development Services Department through the customer helpline on 0845 601 8855.  It was agreed that the Community Council will write to SEPA informing them of the South Voe residents wish to have their properties connected to a sewage system.

c) Fair Isle: Alan Blance, Scottish Water Treatment Team Leader for Shetland, had replied to the Community Council’s letter regarding low water pressure in Fair Isle and the number of fire hydrants.  Mr Blance writes that he understands the low water pressure is due simply to the high level of the properties affected.  However, Scottish Water has proposals in the capital programme for improvements at Fair Isle WTW which include: new power supply, telemetry, new disinfection system, bore hole refurbishment and a new balancing tank.  The new tank will be approximately 4 metres higher that the current one which will result in a much improved water pressure at the affected properties.
Fire Hydrants are the responsibility of Highlands & Islands Fire Brigade.

10. Scousburgh Sand Public Toilets: Mr Nickerson reported that Maggie Dunne, SIC, plans to organise a meeting soon within the Council to discuss the project.

11. ‘No Dog Fouling’ Signs (Levenwick, St. Ninian’s and Grutness): There was nothing new to report.  The Clerk will contact Jonathan Emptage, SIC, for a progress report.

12. Various Grutness Issues: David Macnae, SIC Roads Dept., had replied to the Community Council’s letter reference the Grutness residents concerns regarding traffic problems at Grutness.  Mr Macnae writes that ‘the provision of a Grutness “bypass” via the Sumburgh Farm Road is not really an option as it would only transfer the problem while incurring substantial costs in the process.  The route of the existing track at the Sumburgh Farm could not be used as this would mean diverting traffic through the farm buildings.  This route or an alternative, passing to the north of these buildings, would both require substantial earthworks due to their steep approach to the Sumburgh Head Road.  They would also require the acquisition of considerable areas of good agricultural land, the construction of approximately 150 metres of new road and the installation of cattle grids at either end’. 

06/58/12
29 January 2007						page five of nine

06/58	MATTERS ARISING 

12. Various Grutness Issues (continued): Mr Macnae thinks it may be possible to improve the situation at Grutness by widening the road at the blind corner and moving the existing kerb a further 0.5 metres from the corner of the steps.  However, for this to be beneficial, alterations would also have to be made to the road’s horizontal and vertical alignment.  This would include road markings to guide larger vehicles on their approach to the bend.  Mr Macnae has requested a survey of the area to enable him to determine whether or not the necessary alterations can be achieved in the space available.  He will inform the Community Council of his findings in due course.  It was agreed to copy the letter to the Grutness residents for their information.

13. South Mainland Bus Service: There was nothing new to report.  The Clerk reported that Mr Bruce will be attending the February Community Council meeting. 

06/59	FINANCE AND GRANT APPLICATIONS 

1. South Mainland Community Association – To assist with the annual expenditure incurred in providing playing field facilities at Boddam: It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mr Garrick, to award the requested sum of £1500.  It was also agreed that the Clerk should point out to the Association that the Community Council cannot guarantee that this level of funding will be available in future years.

06/60	PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND PLANNING MATTERS

1. Erect porch, Hayhoull, Bigton by Mrs Mary Andreas, Hayhoull, Bigton – There were no objections.

2. To construct sub-station building at Maywick Beach and lay fibre optic cable entering from Maywick Beach, travelling over Hill of Deepdale at Savers Field and following public road from south Sandwick junction, terminating at Sandwick Beach by Faroese Telecom, Torshavn – There were no objections.

06/61	FEEDBACK FROM EXTERNAL MEETINGS  

1. Shetland Transport Strategy Consultation Meeting: Mr Nickerson had attended the Shetland Transport Strategy Consultation meeting on 
16 January 2007 and had produced a briefing note for the member’s information.  
06/61/1
29 January 2007						page six of nine
	
06/61 	FEEDBACK FROM EXTERNAL MEETINGS  

1. Shetland Transport Strategy Consultation Meeting (continued):
Shetland Transport Partnership (STP) was established following the introduction of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005, following a successful campaign to be recognised as a Regional Transport Partnership in its own right.  It has a statutory responsibility to prepare a Regional Transport Strategy, in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.  The final document will be a statutory document and will be presented to the Scottish Executive’s Minister for Transport by 31 March 2007 for formal approval. 
An extensive initial consultation exercise was undertaken between October 2005 and February 2006.  The results of this exercise, supplemented by additional analysis, revealed a number of key issues which together mean that a “business as usual” approach cannot necessarily be sustained.  These issues include:
a)	Changing economic situation for Shetland
b)	Issues related to reliance on lifeline links
c)	Changing patterns of mobility within Shetland
d)	Rising fuel costs
e)	Responding to climate change
f)	Opportunities arising from New Delivery Structures
g)	Constraints on SIC and external funding

The areas of the Shetland Transport Strategy Mr Nickerson felt, and the members agreed, which Dunrossness Community Council may have a specific interest in were:
a) Air Service Stakeholders: For 10 years there was a dedicated bus from Sumburgh Airport.  This is no longer the case, although local bus services do call into the airport.  However, these buses operate to their own timetable and do not wait for a plane to arrive before leaving.
b)Tourism Sector: Transport between Sumburgh and Lerwick was seen as a problem with taxis being so expensive that a one way car hire may sometimes be more cost effective.
c) Youth Groups: It was considered that there should be late night bus services to the north mainland, more buses during the day for the Northmavine area and a late bus service to the south mainland on Saturday nights.  It was also pointed out that on some services there are so many people standing that it has reached the point of being dangerous.
d) Education: On the whole, school transport services were highly commended.  However, it was stated that if pupils were permitted to use their free bus passes on service buses, this would allow more pupils to benefit from after school clubs.  With reference to the inter-islands services, it was said that it was unfortunate that pupils from the small isles, particularly Fair Isle, who attend the Anderson High have to miss part of class on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings because of the inter-island air service timetable.  When added up, the time pupils spend out of class is considerable.  Whilst later or earlier flights would be desirable, it was recognised that there is not much that can be done to over come this. 
06/61/1e
29 January 2007						page seven of nine
	
06/61 	FEEDBACK FROM EXTERNAL MEETINGS  

1. Shetland Transport Strategy Consultation Meeting (continued):
e) Health Questionnaires - Internal Transport: Regarding the Levenwick Health Centre, it was felt that there is an insufficient amount of public transport, inconvenient bus times and a lack of a dial a ride service to the facility and parking is also difficult.  There is also a lack of suitable transport to take patients to hospital appointments.  There appeared to be a specific issue over the lack of transport to the Levenwick Health Centre from Sandwick.
f) Library Vans Questionnaire – Internal Transport: The vast majority of comments related to problems caused by snow and icy roads, such as that there is no gritter in some areas until 9 am and that the snow plough actually leads to the blocking of smaller routes.

The three key messages arising from the draft Strategy Document were:
a) It is essential that the actions arising from the strategy focus on the essential rather than desirable.
b) It is also necessary that schemes and policies are developed which are fit for purpose for Shetland.
c) Finally, it will be important to prioritise schemes on the basis of need, benefit and effectiveness.

2. NESS 2000 AGM: Mr D Robertson had attended the AGM of NESS 2000 on 15 January 2007.  Office bearers were re-elected and were unanimous in their continued support for the Ness Learning Centre.

06/62 	CORRESPONDENCE   

1. SIC letter ref. Access Development and Visitor Management: The new part-time Countryside Access Officers in the Planning Service are Emma Georgeson (Tel. 01595 744832) and Sheila Johnson (Tel. 01595 744847).  Anyone wishing to discuss any access improvements or visitor management issues, big or small, are invited to contact them as there are currently funds available to all communities throughout Shetland.

2. Viking Energy letter ref. Community Council Meetings: By early March 2007 Viking Energy will be in a position to start a public consultation exercise regarding the proposed Viking Windfarm.  Members of the Community Council are invited to attend a meeting and presentation in Islesburgh Community Centre on Saturday 31 March 2007.  The purpose of the meeting is to consider all aspects of the proposed windfarm, ask questions, and put forward suggestions as to how the proposals may be improved.  Mr Garrick expressed an interest in attending.

3. The following are available from the Clerk on request:      
•	UHI Millennium Institute Review 06
06/63/1
29 January 2007						page eight of nine

06/63	ANY OTHER BUSINESS 

1. Shetland Transport Partnership Transport Strategy – Consultation Draft: Mr Nickerson had studied the document on behalf of the Community Council and had made suggestions as to what he considered Dunrossness Community Council’s responses to each of the questions on the provided questionnaire might be.  These suggestions were considered by the other members and approved.  (See also item 06/61/1) 

2. Levenwick Access Route: A letter of apology from SIC regarding the construction of an access route through Levenwick without landowners permission has now been received by those involved.  However, at the public meeting held last year to discuss the matter, SIC representatives had informed the Levenwick landowners concerned that they would be consulted individually regarding future plans to construct an access route through their land.  No such consultation has so far taken place.  The members recalled that Cllr Tait had previously stated that the whole project may have to be reviewed before proceeding further.  Two new members of staff have also only recently been appointed to deal with Access Development.

3. Newsletter: It was agreed to produce another Community Council Newsletter for distribution by the middle of April at the latest.  Anyone with any articles or information on their groups forthcoming activities which they wish to have inserted in the Newsletter should contact the Clerk before the end of February.

4. Netherton Burn: Mr Hunter had asked Mr Nickerson to raise the issue of the Netherton Burn flooding.   The adjacent landowners have been absorbing the costs of clearing the burn regularly over the past years but one of the landowners would like a more permanent solution found to the problem.  It was considered that there is probably no ‘permanent solution’ as the problem is caused by sand being washed up from the beach by the tide.  It was therefore agreed that the best approach would be to inform Graham Spall, SIC, that there is a coastal flooding issue in the area and request that SIC investigate with a view to finding a way of relieving the situation.

29 January 2007						page nine of nine

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.10 pm.

                                                                                                Chair

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF DUNROSSNESS COMMUNITY COUNCIL 
WILL TAKE PLACE IN DUNROSSNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2007.