November 2014

Minutes of Board Meeting held at Blairmore Hall 4 November 2014

 

Directors in Attendance:

 

Dinah McDonald               Chair

Pearl Brown                     Treasurer

David McKenzie                 Secretary     

David Eaglesham

Catherine Rae

Victor Sandall

 

Members in Attendance:

 

Cllr Bruce Marshall

 

 

Minutes of Meeting 26 August 2014

 

The draft minutes of the Trust Board meeting of 26 August 2014 were reviewed. The minutes were proposed by Dinah, seconded by David M and adopted.

 

Matters Arising

 

None

 

Business of the Trust

 

Secretary’s Report

 

Annual Accounts for year ended 31 December 2013 have been successfully registered with Companies House

 

Annual Report to OSCR has been registered and accepted.

 

Trust was represented at the Community Partnership Annual Gathering in 3 Villages Hall on 1 November. Attendance from Cowal was disappointing.

 

Update on membership

 

Nothing to report

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

Pearl reported that the bank balances were as follows:

 

Business Account:        £1498.79
Savings Account:         £4173.14

         

 

The annual National Park audit was completed successfully

 

 

Community Action Plan - 2012 

 

Action Status:

 

Theme 1:

 

Priority 1 – Invasive Species:

 

Trained volunteers had treated Eachaig and Ardentinny. Kilmun was not completed this year, but will be treated again next year.

 

Theme 2:

 

Priority 1 – Blairmore Village Green

 

This project is now moving towards the detailed design phase.

 

Priority 5 - Village Appearance

 

Public Seating – At Graham’s Point, the intention is to have a work party in the spring to carry out improvements and treat woodwork and seats with preservative.

 

Theme 3:

 

Priority 2 – Business Development

 

Nothing to report on Dalinlongart
Community Market Garden – check any interest with Blairmore Village Trust

 

Priority 3 – Development of potential sites.

 

4 sites had now been identified as having potential for community involvement:

 

Tyneshandon, Strone – as previously advised, work continues to register our interest in this site with the Community Right To Buy organisation.  
Woodside, Blairmore – indications have been received that the owners are putting this site on the market 
Site on High Road, Stone – H22 on latest Local Development Plan
Highgate Hall, Strone

 

A recent visit by Claire Munro from Scottish Land Fund (SLF) had resulted in an agreement that we would prepare a brief that would enable the Trust to apply for funds for a feasibility study to assess the above sites. David M to draft brief and to distribute for comments. SLF may be able to provide a pro-forma.

 

Theme 4:

 

Priority 1: Sewage facilities upgrade

 

David M plans to raise at the Rural Parliament to be held in Oban from 6 to 8 November

 

Priority 2 – Broadband Provision

 

Broadband provision in rural areas is also confirmed to be on the Rural Parliament agenda.
Suggestion have been made by local BT employees that a fibre optic cable may be laid in Shore Road shortly 

 

Priority 3 – Renewable Energy

 

Nothing to report

 

Liaison

 

Forestry

 

Removal of timber from Kilmun Hill via the new access road in Strone has commenced

 

Villages in Bloom

 

Bruce reported that he is in the process of replacing bulbs in planters

 

Graham’s Point Community Park

 

4 volunteer rangers from the National Park, Mike McDonald and Pearl carried out a day’s maintenance on the Willow Tunnel. The Trust wishes to record our thanks for this.

 

Further work is needed on maintenance – a follow-up visit by NP volunteers should be arranged, with 3 months’ notice of the date if possible.

 

The annual Soon, Seen, Successful grant application from the National Park should be completed by end November. It was agreed to apply for funds for a refresh to the Graham’s Point equipment / facilities. This could include:

 

New nets for the goals
Preservative for wooden features
A new swing for children
Re-paint / renovate bus shelter

 

Dinah will complete necessary forms

 

Working Groups / Projects

 

Paths and Access

 

Pathway marking funded by the Trust on Strone Hill has been installed

 

Western Ferries declined to offer a grant for new path development

 

Additional 10 people have joined the Walking Group

 

Historic Kilmun / Argyll Mausoleum Ltd (AML)

 

Work on the Mausoleum is now complete and scaffolding has been removed. The 15th century effigies are expected to be returned shortly.

 

The proposed forum / conference on tourist footfall involving the National Park and Visit Scotland has moved forward; a visit to the site by the Regional Director of Visit Scotland is planned.   

 

B&K CDT holds a Corporate Directorship on AML; Dinah has been the nominated representative since AML was formed. Dinah now wishes to step down and therefore B&K CDT will need to nominate a new representative. Dinah is still seeking a possible candidate.  

 

AOCB

 

Bruce advised that a Trust had been set up to receive community benefit funds from the proposed Bachan Burn wind farm if it is implemented. B&K CDT will be eligible to apply for funds from this Trust.

 

David M advised that Catherine had been duly registered a Director of the Trust with Companies House.

 

Date of next meeting

 

The next meeting of the Trust will be held at 19:30 on Monday 1 December. Venue – Pier Hotel. Dinah will arrange venue.