March 2016
Minutes of Board Meeting held at Pier Hotel 30 March 2016
Directors in Attendance
Dinah McDonald Chair
David McKenzie Secretary
Jim Connor
Gordon Macdonald
Catherine Rae
Victor Sandall
Apologies
Pearl Brown
Members in Attendance
Cllr Bruce Marshall
Minutes of Meeting 24 February 2016
The draft minutes of the Trust Board meeting of 24 February 2016 were reviewed. The minutes were proposed by Catherine, seconded by Gordon and adopted.
Matters Arising
Nomination of Historic Kilmun for a Civic Trust award; following a recent inspection by the Scottish Civic Trust, Historic Kilmun received a commended award from the Civic Trust. Sue McKillop, a volunteer and Visitor Centre manager, also received Highly Commended as a civic champion
Business of the Trust
Secretary’s Report
The new constitution, which was approved at the EGM held on 9 December 2015, has now been registered with Companies House and OSCR.
Update on membership
NTR
Treasurer’s Report
Due to absence of Pearl, no treasurer report was available.
Dinah advised that the application that had been submitted to the National Park for an admin grant was successful.
Community Action Plan 2013 - 2017
Action Status:
Theme 1:
Priority 1 – Invasive Species:
Japanese Knotweed – NTR
Tick borne diseases – this is a growing problem. It was agreed that David M would bring up at the next meeting of the local Patients Committee at the Surgery.
Theme 2:
Priority 1 – Blairmore Village Green
The Village Trust is planning a summer event / picnic now scheduled for 2 July
Theme 3:
Priority 3 – Development of potential sites.
The visit from an SLF representative had been postponed and was now expected in early April.
After the SLF meeting, David M will update the draft feasibility study brief and circulate to the committee for comment.
Theme 4:
Priority 1: Sewage facilities upgrade
The lead on this matter is now with Kilmun CC. They are planning to hold a public meeting with Scottish Water / SEPA to review plans.
Priority 2 – Broadband Provision
Improved broadband continues to be rolled out to shore communities.
Priority 3 – Renewable Energy
NTR
Liaison
Forestry
NTR
Villages in Bloom
NTR
Graham’s Point Community Park
All issues on the bus shelter are now resolved and it is expected that Argyll & Bute Council will complete the work by April 6. Bruce will follow up to ensure deadlines are met.
Jim Connor, with assistance from Bruce et al, will reduce the height of the damaged fence and re-instate.
Maintenance of the Willow Tunnel – Dinah will check if NP volunteers could do this in the spring.
Dog fouling notices – after discussion, it was agreed to order 2 notices and Jim agreed to install. A community police officer can be contacted to report problems.
Working Groups / Projects
Paths and Access
The program for the next 6 months is being developed
Historic Kilmun / Argyll Mausoleum Ltd (AML)
Gordon briefed the committee on the recent financial challenges that had been encountered and the decision by some Directors to resign. David M was the new Chair for the time being.
A new business plan had been prepared, which will allow the Visitor Centre to operate through the upcoming season. A part-time Visitor Centre manager has been appointed who will re-engage with the community to develop a new rota of volunteers.
The Board of Argyll Mausoleum Ltd has received a donation of £1,000 towards on-going costs and had formally requested the Board of Benmore & Kilmun CDT to contribute a matching donation of £1,000. After discussion, this was agreed and Dinah will work with Pearl to transfer the funds.
AOCB
On 12 April from 10:00 to 16:00, together with Growing Together Scotland, the Community Partnership are offering a free full day’s programme of practical training for community gardens aimed to support community growing organisations and individuals to be more enterprising.
Cowal Youth Arts Club will be holding a ceilidh on 1 April
Next Area Network and BBQ will be at Lochgoilhead on 18 May
Date of next meeting
The next Board meeting will be on Monday 6 June at 19:30 in the Pier Hotel.