Final Minutes of Meeting of Yell Community Council

Monday 18^th February 2008 in Mid Yell School at 7.00pm

Present:                     Mr D Thompson (Chairman), Mr R Jamieson, Mr L Odie, Mr M Gray, Ms A Smiles, Mr W J Anderson and Mr I Johnson

In Attendance:            Mr R Henderson (ex-officio) and Mrs J Smiles (Clerk)

                                 Ms M Dunne, SIC Environmental Health Manager

Apologies:                  Mr L Tulloch and Mr G Nisbet

…………………………………………………………….………………

02/08/2    Visitors:  Ms M Dunne – SIC Remote Working Survey

The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming Ms Dunne and invited her to update YCC on this project.  Ms Dunne is currently compiling a report based on this survey on Remote Working and Decentralisation issues to allow SIC Staff to work from home or a local Hub Office.  This also encompasses social/economic implications, living and working conditions and environmental impact.  The main points taken this Survey to be included in the report were discussed as follows:

§WORKING FROM HOME - most people suggested they can be more productive and motivated when working from home and involved in their local community.  The biggest barrier to this appears to be SIC Dept Managers not trusting staff to work office hours from home as well as the issue of poor Broadband / ICT links.  Isolation from work colleagues and support staff could also be an issue.   Ms Dunne noted a lot of staff already work from home on finalising reports etc and generally finds that most folk are more conscientious and meet deadlines working this way.

§HUB OFFICE - 70 folk replied positively.  Working alongside other office staff helps cover the trust issue for management.  Main concerns are the need for more efficient Broadband / ICT links.  SIC aware this can be used to support other services/private hire and not just Council. During further discussions it was agreed that the I@tE NI, Remote Working Office at the Sellafirth Business Park has good access for all North Isles and Ms Dunne has put forward suggestions for similar facilities at Brae and the Westside.   SIC are looking at freeing up existing spaces in SIC properties, village halls etc rather than new builds at these areas.

§DECENTRALISATION – Ms Dunne has already looked into re-locating the main SIC Switchboard out of the Town Hall and utilising this as an information point for SIC enquiries which would bring costs down.  Another decentralisation issue being investigated is moving basic services (such as grass cutting, painting, small jobs etc) to a Community Management Model which could be combined into a post with one local person employed by SIC but directed in daily work/order of priority by Community Councils or other local bodies.  YCC agreed CC’s may not be the best way to manage a role like this but would be happy to help and encourage any new local employment opportunities in any other way.

In reply to queries regarding help for small businesses to get started in the NI using facilities already in place such at the Business Units at Sellafirth, Ms Dunne noted the SIC Economic Development Dept need to look at support and start-up grants to encourage more folk to stay within their remote communities.  There was much further discussion on this matter and YCC agreed they are keen to see better use of the remote working facilities in the NI as well as more decentralisation of services.  It was agreed the current main drawback is lack of suitable ICT/Broadband links to access large files such as SIC Intranet and this needs to be addressed in the immediate future.  Ms Dunne advised she will write to BT regarding this matter and copy letter to YCC along with minutes of the meetings from the Council meeting on 5^th March when this report will be discussed.

                 Ms Dunne left the meeting after the Chairman thanked her for attending.

                 Action: clerk forward to YCC from Ms Dunne as noted above.

02/08/3    Minutes

The minutes of Yell Community Council meeting on 28^th January 2008 were approved and seconded by Messrs Anderson and Odie.

02/08/4    Any new business for discussion with NI Councillors

Mr L Odie proposed to remove this item from the Agenda unless SIC Councillors out with Yell are visiting as local Councillors should remain for the entire meeting and address agenda items in order.  This was originally put on the agenda to allow former Councillors who lived on the mainland to leave to get ferry home before the end of meetings.  All YCC present agreed.

Action: clerk remove this item and update agenda.   

02/08/5   Outstanding Business

                 .1   FERRIES – Outstanding matters 

§         Fares – Mr R Henderson recently attended meeting in Edinburgh to discuss the issue of ferry fares including free fares for Senior Citizens on all public transport except ferries and removal of fares from toll bridges in central mainland areas.  The SIC Ferries Board meet later this week and will look at reduction of fares for regular commuters, senior citizens and students that could be done that would allow Ferries to keep within budget.   The Scottish Government Transport Forum are coming to Shetland and it is planned bring to meet with Community Council representatives in the North Isles to discuss these issues further at the end of April.

§         Boarding of Vehicles at Toft – in reply to on-going query, reply from Mr D Polson states, ‘…The circumstances on the ground must dictate how Ferry Services decides to handle each situation.  Ferry Masters have full authority to take whatever measures they deem appropriate.  I have full confidence that they take all relevant information they have to hand into account when making their decisions … We unequivocally support our Masters in their sailing and loading decision, it is a responsibility they have that helps the Service run more smoothly.’    Full reply noted.

§         Calor Community Awards - summary of these awards to be displayed on ferries agreed by YCC.  Clerk to forward to Mr D Polson to be displayed.

§         Vending Machines -  reply states these are filled by sea staff and members of staff from Sella Ness who commute on Yell Sound.  Stock control is monitored from Sella Ness but controlled by the vessels.  Maintenance is undertaken by two Lerwick based firms.

§         Gutcher Bus Connections -  Mr Polson waiting on reply from Unst CC regarding views on changing the 16:15 departure from Belmont back to 16:10 as previous to allow a shorter wait at Gutcher for passengers travelling on the bus onto Cullivoe and Gloup.  To be confirmed.

§         Festive Timetable – given the usage figures for this period 2007/08 and lack of funding, it is unlikely that Ferry Services would expand the service between Christmas and New Year to a two vessel operation as suggested by YCC.  There was much discussion on this matter and Mr I Johnson noted there should be a regular service on normal workdays between the official Christmas and New Year holiday dates.  It was noted that folk travelling on the North Link boat over this period have to leave the NI early in the day and have a long wait at Lerwick before boarding time.  YCC agreed to invite Mr Polson to the next meeting to discuss this and other matters further.

FERRIES – New Matters Arising

§         Summer Timetable 2008 – proposed changes (apply seven days)

Dep Toft:  08.45 to 09.10  /  09.10 to 09.40  /   09.40 to 10.15 – YCC agree need to consult with folk using these runs.

Dep Ulsta: 12.45 to 13.30 – YCC agree changes not suitable as would affect the goods lorries with deliveries coming into shops for early afternoon.

  YCC agreed that it is too late in the year to make changes for the summer timetable but should be discussing the winter timetable at this stage.  YCC also query the reason behind these proposed changes as travellers have now got used to this latest timetable and see no particular reason to change and noted any break in timetable will result in a backlog of traffic no matter what time it is changed to.  It was agreed this needs full discussion with Mr Polson at the next YCC meeting.

§         18:00 Sailing from Toft and connecting bus – YCC agreed this bus has only been later than scheduled under exception circumstances (severe weather) but is a regular service on the whole and see no reason to change to timetable to suit.  It was suggested driver can contact ferry Master directly to advise if going to be less than five minutes later usual.

§         Hendra docking delay and knock-on effects – noted.

§         Yell Sound Total Sailing Report 2007 – noted.

§         Community Hire Ferries –  query from Skerries CC clerk regarding YCC opinion on rulings that state community ferry runs allocations for the year have to be used and not allowed to be carried forward to next year.   YCC agree although not applicable to Yell Sound they would advise to contact other NI CC’s if needed to request runs to be given to other communities if they know they will have plenty of unbooked community hire runs for that year.   Mr Henderson noted this is an issue that can be raised at with the Scottish Government Transport Forum when they are in Shetland in April.

Action: clerk invite Mr Polson to next meeting and advise as above.  Reply to Skerries CC  

                 .2   ROADS - Outstanding Matters

§         Speeding Concerns Linkshouse, Mid Yell – traffic counters to be in place for next month (March).

§         Speed monitor for Mid Yell – waiting to be sited.  Clerk update for next meeting.

§         New Road into Mid Yell – this has now been included in the Capital Programme 2008/9.

§         Burravoe Footpaths Phase I – this will not be included in the Capital Programme 2008/9.  At meeting with local landowners and SIC in June 2006 this was agreed subject to land acquisition and still no progress to date.  YCC agree this needs to be reviewed immediately.  Mr R Henderson noted and will contact Roads Dept directly for update.

§         Gritting –when temperature reach -5 or below salt becomes totally ineffective which could have had an effect on the road conditions during the last patch of bad weather.  It was also noted that the gritters were actually blocked at points during this period and SIC driver not aware until advised by public.

§         Flooding at Greenbank Rd - this has been forwarded to Mr D Macnae, Roads Network to follow up and report for next meeting.

                        ROADS – New Matters Arising

§         Streetlights – Ms Smiles received complaints that several of the lights are not working within the MYJHS grounds and Mid Yell Leisure Centre.  Clerk contact SIC and SRT to advise as such.

§         Lighting at Mid Yell Pier – it was queried why the lights are on 24 hours at this pier.  Mr R Henderson noted this is because the lighting is linked into the power for the fuel tank and has no separate dedicated power supply.  Mr Henderson has been advised that it is more cost effective to keep the lighting on 24 hours than to provide a separate power supply.  YCC agreed this needs to be reviewed and suggest a time switch for the lighting would be the best alternative.  Clerk contact Port and Harbours for this matter.

§         Lighting at Ulsta Pier – YCC made aware that the walkway has been sliming up and a cleat has been broken for quite a while now.  It was also noted that there is still no lighting, power or water to this facility.  YCC are aware this is a grey area as still not been taken over by a private group/trust as previously hoped and does not come under SIC Ferry Services.  Clerk contact Mr Michael Craigie for further advise.

§         Soft Verges –  in reply to queries raised via ASCC, the SIC Audit and Scrutiny Committee have decided there is no reason to alter the current verges policy.

Action: clerk contact as per items noted and update for next meeting.

.3   Mid Yell School Project

Building works to be split into two contracts with initial works to start June 2008 finish 2010.  It was agreed this is the most sensible option as school and Leisure Centre will be both be closed over same time for holidays and maintenance works respectively allowing easier access for large vehicles.  Mr Henderson confirmed the building plans are still as were with none of the proposed cuts included.  It was noted the provision of a multi-court is being addressed through Scottish Sport Council funding as not included in SIC plans. 

                 .4   North Isles Working Groups (IatE NI, HIE Shetland NI, NI Action Group)

§         I@tE NI – The update for I@tE NI Development Plan and Launch of Remote Working Facility confirmed for Saturday 22^nd March.  It was noted there are now three directors for Yell.            

               .5   Bluemull Sound – STAG meetings

                 Meetings will be held over this week.

                .6  Seaside Award Scheme

                 Action: clerk update for next meeting.

                 .7   Housing Issues for Yell

                 YCC agreed this matter requires further discussion since the last meeting with Hjatland Housing Association in December last year and that CC’s should have more say in housing issues for their areas.  YCC were disappointed to hear HHA advised it is unlikely there would more than one further housing development in Yell.   Since 1950 there have been housing developments in: Burravoe x 2; Cullivoe x 3; Mid Yell x 4 and one each for North a Voe, Aywick and Ulsta.  Mr L Odie noted South Yell would therefore be a strong candidate for future housing developments.  After much discussion the following points were agreed:

§       Need to see more than one future development for Yell to encourage more folk to stay on the island

§       One housing development could be split into two smaller schemes in different communities

§       HHA and YCC could work together with local communities to provide the best options to the greater good of the whole island

§       Encourage local folk to complete application forms for HHA to register the need that is already here and highlight lack of suitable housing

§       The current SIC housing which have gone into private ownership need to be replaced

§       Find out how many applications are currently lodged with HHA and SIC for Yell

                 Action: clerk contact HHA as noted and find out figures from HHA and SIC as above.

                 .12   Planned Visits

§         March 2008 – Mr David Polson (tbc)

02/08/6    Planning Lists/Applications

§         Demolish existing Dwellinghouse to facilitate road improvement works, Lower Camb, Mid Yell by SIC Roads Dept - YCC have serious reservations on this application and agree this is not entirely the best option - if SIC demolish one house they should be responsible to rehouse owners in a suitable replacement and query how SIC value houses that come under compulsory purchase in situation such as this.  After further discussion YCC agreed to contact former owner of this house to confirm the situation.

Action:  Mr D Thompson contact owner and confirm with clerk before reply to SIC.  

02/08/7    Finance/Grants

                 Grants approved as follows: