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 26 May 2008.

PRESENT:
Mr D Robertson 	Mrs E Mainland  	Mr J Sinclair 		Mr I Garrick 
Mrs W Kay		Mrs F Mitchell  		Mrs S Malcolmson	

APOLOGIES
Mr R Nickerson		Mr B Robertson		Ms C Laignel 		Cllr J Budge 	
Cllr A Duncan		PC Ian Brown		Pat Christie (Community Worker)

IN ATTENDANCE:
Mrs S Leslie (Clerk)	David Polson (SIC Ferries)	

08/10	MINUTE

The Minute of the meeting held on 28 April 2008 was adopted on the motion of 
Mrs Malcolmson

08/11	POLICE REPORT
	
PC Brown was unable to attend the meeting. 

08/12/1a
26 May 2008							page two of eight

08/12	MATTERS ARISING

1. Road Matters: 

     a)  Exnaboe Road: There was nothing new to report

     b)  Sumburgh Lighthouse Road: There was nothing new to report.

c)  Roadside Verge Grass Cutting: As promised at the Joint South   Mainland Community Council meeting which he attended in March, Dave Coupe, SIC Roads, had forwarded a map of the Dunrossness area for the Community Council to highlight any additional roadside verges they feel should be considered for additional safety grass cutting.  The accompanying letter states that ‘these areas will be considered in line with Council policy and if there is sufficient benefit they could be added to  the Safety Cut’.  The members decided to highlight the following roads and to stress the importance of cutting the grass at both sides of junctions, around sign posts and at blind summits and bends:

•	west side of the straight mile, Bigton
•	east side of the Levenwick loop
•	south side of the Netherton road
•	south side of the Exnaboe road
•	south side of the Clivvy, East Shore
•	east side of the road around the Spiggie Loch, Scousburgh
•	east side of the road from Brake to Ireland, Bigton
•	either side of the road past John Leask & Son, Exnaboe

     d)  Scatness 30 mph Speed Limit: The draft version of the Scatness 
     30 mph Speed Limit Order 2008 and its notice of proposal were enclosed   
     for the Community Council’s information.  Any comments regarding the 
     Order must be made in writing to SIC Roads by 13 June 2008.

e)  Levenwick Verges: Mr Garrick reported that it had been brought to his attention that sections of the verge on the Levenwick loop road, particularly in the centre of the village, are subsiding and falling into the ditch.  It was agreed to write to SIC Roads regarding the matter.

2.  Westvoe Car Park: There was nothing new to report.

3.  Grutness Car Park: There was nothing new to report.

4.  Levenwick Graveyard Access and Paths: There was nothing new to report.

5.  Museum – Tom Henderson Plaque: There was nothing new to report.  
08/12/6
26 May 2008							page three of eight

08/12	MATTERS ARISING (Continued)

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

7.  Water Issues: 
     a) Scousburgh/Bigton: There was nothing new to report.

     b) Scatness: There was nothing new to report

8. Scousburgh Sand Public Toilets: There was nothing new to report.

9. Sumburgh Aircraft Boarding Cards: Ms Laignel had reported that it appears that the type of Boarding Cards issued at Sumburgh will not be updated until Flybe commences operations in conjunction with Loganair later in the year.

10. Dunrossness Industrial Estate: There was nothing new to report.

08/13	INTER-ISLAND FERRIES
	
The Chairman welcomed Mr David Polson, SIC Ferries, to the meeting.  

Ferry Service Contingency Plans – The Community Council had received a letter informing them that Ferry Services are currently devising a set of service provision contingency plans to use as a guide and ready-reckoner when unexpected disruptions affect any part of the network.  Mr Polson reported, however, that it had now been realised that ‘so many things can go wrong’ that the proposed contingency plan has now become a list of contact numbers for use when a problem arises.

Good Shepherd Dry Docking – Mr Polson stated that the dry docking of the Good Shepherd this year ‘went far from plan’ resulting in the vessel being out of service for much longer than anticipated.  Mr Polson enquired what Fair Isle’s requirements are during dry docking periods for the future.  Mrs Mitchell replied that this year had been far from satisfactory with no boat to or from Fair Isle for three weeks.  One plane trip a week had been provided for freight but this is not adequate when the boat is off for such a long period of time due to the weight restrictions.  Therefore, in such circumstances Fair Isle would be looking to have a boat trip into the Isle.  Mrs Mitchell stated that, in the past, the Snolda has been available to make a trip to the Isle on a Wednesday.  However, if this slot was missed for some reason, the Snolda was not available for another week.  Mrs Mitchell stressed that the dry docking is a real problem for the residents of Fair Isle and the matter needs to be addressed before next Spring.  The other isles are provided with a replacement ferry but Fair Isle is not.  Mr Polson agreed that this years experience must not be repeated.

08/13
26 May 2008							page four of eight

08/13	INTER-ISLAND FERRIES (Continued)

Proposed Good Shepherd Crew Reduction – Mrs Mitchell enquired about the possible proposed reduction in Good Shepherd crew numbers which she considered entirely unacceptable for both practical and safety reasons.   Mr Polson replied that he believes Michael Craigie, ZetTrans, is dealing with this issue and that there are ‘high level discussions going on within the Council’ regarding the matter.

Community Ferry Hires, 2008/09 Allocations – Mr Polson reported that the level of funding received by SIC Ferries for the provision of Community Hires is down by 5% this year from £54K to £51K and, as everyone knows, the price of fuel is up.  
Mr Polson stated that it is estimated that this will mean a reduction of one Community Hire for each of the Isles around Shetland.  Mrs Mitchell enquired if this meant that the decision had already been taken to reduce Fair Isle’s Community Hires, without any form of consultation, as this was not what he had indicated in his letter dated 6 May to the Community Council.  Mr Polson replied ‘yes’ but that ‘nothing is set in stone’.   Mrs Mitchell stressed that this was totally unacceptable and that the service is already at its minimum.  Mr Polson stated that he had considered the department could not ‘waste time on a consultation at this time’ as it was necessary to allocate the annual Community Hires on time and it was ‘not his place to carry out a consultation’.  She enquired how a reduction of one Community Hire equates when this is 1/3 of Fair Isles allocation and the same reduction is only 1/8 of some of the other isles allocation.  Mrs Mitchell stressed that she considered this a ‘total erosion of service’ and was unacceptable.  It then became apparent that it had not been made clear to either Fair Isle or the Community Council how the number of Community Hires available to each Isle is calculated.  Mr Polson informed the members that each Isle is awarded a ‘pot’ of money for Community Hires and SIC Ferries then use the worst case financial scenario (ie. crew being paid overtime, whether the Snolda or Good Shepherd is used etc.) to calculate the number of hires that this sum can provide.  However, if each trip does not cost the maximum sum estimated, this means the Isle can get more Community Hires as they will be provided until the ‘pot’ of money is used or the end of the financial year, which ever is first.  Mr Polson stressed that the Isles should use their Community Hires where ever possible as the money comes from the Government and if it is not used it is lost.  Mrs Mitchell stated that, whether or not Fair Isle used all their Community Hires, the Community are reassured by the fact that they are available and can be called upon if required.  Mr Polson enquired if the Fair Isle community therefore hang back on using all their community hires in case of an emergency.  Mrs Mitchell replied ‘yes’.  Mr Polson stressed that this was unnecessary as SIC Ferries would provide whatever service was required should something unexpected happen, even if all their Community Hires had been used.  Mr Garrick stated that SIC Ferries need to make it clear how their budget is managed, something which obviously hasn’t been happening in the past.  

08/13
26 May 2008							page five of eight

08/13	INTER-ISLAND FERRIES 

Community Ferry Hires, 2008/09 Allocations (continued) - Mrs Mitchell agreed and requested that Mr Polson put in writing precise details how Community Hires are allocated etc. as this is not clear at present.  Mr Polson agreed that he would do this.  Mrs Mitchell concluded by stressing how important it is that, in future, Fair Isle are consulted on any possible changes to their ferry service.  Mr Polson agreed.

08/14	FINANCE AND GRANT APPLICATIONS 

1.  Shetland Riding Club – To assist with the costs of adapting a redundant building to an indoor riding venue: Mr Garrick proposed that a grant of £50 be awarded.  This was seconded by Mr Robertson.  
Mr Sinclair raised a counter motion that £200 be awarded.  There were no seconders for this motion and the original motion was therefore carried.

2. South Mainland Community Association Senior Citizens Group – To assist with the costs of providing monthly meetings for senior citizens in the area: It was agreed on the motion of Mr Garrick, seconded by         Mr Robertson, to award the requested sum of £675. 

3. Cunningsburgh & Districts Agricultural Society – To assist with the costs of extending and carrying out surfacing works to the car parking area at the south of the showfield and improving the entrance to the car park and showfield: Mrs Mainland declared an interest.  Mr Garrick suggested awarding a grant of £500.  This was seconded by Mrs Malcolmson.  Mr Sinclair stated that the Cunningsburgh Show is the only thing of its kind in this area and therefore raised a counter motion that they be awarded a grant of £1000, as requested.  Mr Garrick stated that he agreed with everything that Mr Sinclair had said regarding the show but that he was concerned awarding such a level of grant was taking up a large percentage of the Community Council’s total budget.  Mr Roberson suggested that a grant of £500 be awarded, as proposed by Mr Garrick, and the position reviewed in February 2009.  This was unanimously agreed.  

08/15	PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND PLANNING MATTERS

1.	To erect dwellinghouse (in outline), Longhill, Bigton by Mr James F 
Davidson - There were no objections.

2.  To erect agricultural storage building, South Punds, Levenwick by Mr George Irvine, 14 Staney Hill, Lerwick - There were no objections.

3.  To erect private domestic shed/workshop, Trollhoo, Rerwick, Bigton by Diane Meyer, Trollhoo, Rerwick - There were no objections.
08/05/1
26 May 2008							page six of eight

08/15	PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND PLANNING MATTERS (Continued)

4.  To install new 1000 gallon septic tank, soakaway and new sewer pipe connection, Braeside, Dunrossness by Mr Thomas Harris, Braeside, Dunrossness - There were no objections. 

08/16	FEEDBACK FROM EXTERNAL MEETINGS  

1.  Sumburgh Airport Consultative Committee Meeting: Mr Robertson had attended a meeting of the SACC on 7^th May 2008 at which the following points had been discussed: 

i)	Appointment of New Chairman: Mr Jimmy Smith was appointed as the new Chairman.
ii)	Gateway Project: HIAL are still waiting for some imagery.  Shetland Forwirds will be supplying Shetland phrases for the project.  It is also planned to redecorate arrivals during the summer.
iii)	Meeting Invite: The Chairman will invite Inglis Lyon, HIAL Managing Director, to attend a SACC meeting.  It is also planned to invite a tourism representative to join to represent tourism businesses.
iv)	Next Meeting: The next SACC meeting will be held in September 2008.

2.  Parent Council Meeting: Mrs Malcolmson reported that the Parent Council plan to hold Sunday teas in the Bigton Hall on 29^th June to raise funds.  They are also looking for volunteers to join a rota to tend the school poly-tunnel during the summer.

08/17 	CORRESPONDENCE   

1. SIC letter ref. Interim Planning Policy and Guidance (Draft) – Reducing Carbon Emissions in New Development: The Draft Policy and Guidance Note has been produced to comply with the requirements of SPP6: Scottish Planning Policy: Renewable Energy (2007).  The SPP provides guidance on issues for energy efficiency and in particular sets the thresholds which the Scottish Government intend to require Local Planning Authorities to implement to deliver low and zero carbon developments.
In March 2008, the Scottish Government issued PAN 84 (Reducing Carbon Emissions in New Development) which provides the guidance and procedures in order to implement this national target for energy efficiency.  All new developments where the cumulative total floor space exceeds 500 sq metres requires to incorporate on-site zero and/or low carbon equipment or methods contributing at least an extra 15% reduction in CO2 emissions beyond the 2007 Building Regulations Carbon Dioxide Emissions Standard.  

08/17/1
26 May 2008							page seven of eight

08/17 	CORRESPONDENCE   

1. SIC letter ref. Interim Planning Policy and Guidance (Draft) – Reducing Carbon Emissions in New Development (continued): It is intended that the SIC policy, once approved and adopted, will form part of the Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance and suite of guidance notes and policies.  
Public consultation of the draft planning policy is now being undertaken and copies are available for inspection on the Council website, at the Lerwick Library and Community Work Offices and at the Grantfield Office Reception.  Any comments should be made by 4^th July 2008.  The document was noted.

2.  Post Office Ltd Area Plan Decision Booklet: According to the document, all responses received during the local public consultation have been considered and a review of the proposal to close the Levenwick branch has been carried out.  Post Office Ltd states that, having taken into account all relevant factors, including the needs of their vulnerable customers, they have decided to proceed with the closure of the Post Office at Levenwick.  The document was noted.

3. ‘Thank you’ letter from South Mainland Community History Group for grant received: The letter was noted.

4.  The Scottish Government document entitled ‘Consultation on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 – Amendment Bill 2008’: Mrs Malcolmson offered to study the document.

5. Scottish Gas letter ref. The Scottish Government Central Heating Programme: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well-being, Nicola Sturgeon issued a statement to the Scottish Parliament on 22 May 2008.  In her statement, the Cabinet Secretary said that the Central Heating Programme needs to be overhauled to put the fuel poor at the heart of the Programme.  She outlined that the Scottish Fuel Poverty Forum will be reconvened and will be asked to examine the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes and return in autumn 2008 with proposals for their reform.  To make it possible to take these proposals forward next financial year, applications for the remainder of this year will be prioritised to give central heating to those most at risk of fuel poverty.  From 22 May 2008, the Central Heating Programme will give priority to those pensioners who:

	a) do not have a central heating system;
b) have a central heating system that is broken down and the  
     applicant or partner is over 80 year of age; or
c) have a central heating system that is broken down and the 
    applicant or partner is in receipt of the guaranteed element of 
    Pension Credit.

	The letter was noted.
08/17/6
26 May 2008							page eight of eight

08/17 	CORRESPONDENCE (Continued) 

6. The following are available from the Clerk on request:      
•	RSPB Shetland Newsletter, Spring 2008
•	APRS, Rural Scotland Newsletter, Spring 2008

08/18	UNADOPTED ROADS  

1.	Supplier: It was agreed to employ M K Leslie, Lerwick, to supply the 
materials in order to obtain the best value for money.
  
2. Provision of materials: Members considered and allocated materials to   
twelve applicants.  

08/19	ANY OTHER BUSINESS 

1.  Airport Café: The issue of the lack of cleanliness in the airport café area was raised.  It was agreed to write to the operator of the café, on behalf of the travelling public, regarding the matter.

2.  Luggage Handling Service at Edinburgh Airport: At the recent SACC Meeting, Mr Nickerson had raised the point of the poor luggage handing service provided by Service Air at Edinburgh.  Mr Garrick stated that he had experienced a lot of problems with his luggage when travelling through Edinburgh and, by their own emission, Service Air are currently experiencing difficulties getting luggage from other handlers in time to connect with the next leg of its journey.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50 pm.

                                                                                                        Chair

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF DUNROSSNESS COMMUNITY COUNCIL 
WILL TAKE PLACE IN DUNROSSNESS PRIMARY SCHOOL AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY 30 JUNE 2008.