At the first meeting of the new Dornoch Community Council the following office bearers were elected: Chair/Provost - Yvonne Ross; Vice Chair and treasurer - Jimmy Melville; Secretary - Judi Sutherland.
The non-executive role of correspondence and minutes secretary remains with Lesley Connor.
Ruaridh Maclennan (Northern Constabulary) gave a summary of police matters in the area. Some points were raised by councillors concerning cyclists without lights, speed signs near the schools and the use of fog lights on cars.
Matters arising from the previous meeting included:
Skinner Place - Some remedial works on the back lane are to be undertaken.
Sports Hall - Has support from Scottish Government with a bid for funding submitted to Sports Scotland. The transition from Highland Council's Culture and Leisure Services to the arms-length organisation High Life Highland (HLH) has slowed progress. It was agreed that if the project is no further forward by Easter it would be time to review the leisure provision needs of the community.
1 Embo Street - Embo Trust had prepared a draft application for the purchase of the land at 1 Embo Street. Residents from Embo Street were present to discuss the application and to raise their concerns for the use of this area - increased traffic, given the condition of the road; access problems; parking in the area; on-going maintenance to the property if purchased by a committee or trust; if the area was to be used for educational/training purposes, the risk of duplicating facilities.
Residents asked for the community council's support in objecting to the purchase proposals. After discussion it was agreed that the council needed more information, would consider the proposal and respond at the next meeting.
The residents asked that their concerns be noted, and that they be consulted, kept informed and that the topic remain an open discussion.
This was agreed and Judi Sutherland agreed to liaise with the residents. Jim McGillivray, for Embo Trust, took on board the strong feelings of the residents in attendance and agreed to go back to the Embo Trust board to discuss the bid.
Roads - The winter gritting routes were discussed. It was noted that the Shore Road has been particularly bad and the Doctors' Surgery car park can be treacherous. Gritting in Macdonald Road is a problem owing to parked cars obstructing the way. It was also noted that the area of Torboll has some subsidence issues and the Fleuchary junction has cracks in the road.
SNH Signs - SNH have proposed some signage on the lower links to remind users of their responsibilities to the wildlife there.
The following groups had applied for funding from Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Fund -
Dornoch Craft Guild for Fibrefest in March, awarded £300; Embo Trust for Embo School Roof, awarded £600; Tain Pipe Band - request for funding for £1000, declined, lack of funds.
Other matters discussed were: Embo speed restrictions, grit bins, bus services; updating the town map, website development and leaflets to households detailing meetings and councillor contact details; court house closure, Cathedral wall and paths maintenance.
The council agreed to continue meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm in the Council Chambers.
Items noted for the January agenda include Year of Homecoming 2014; possible Sheriff Court closure and planters at Mercat Cross.
Birichen Party - Birichen Children's Party committee's annual Sale of Work at the West Church Hall, was yet again very successful. As well as the stalls being quickly emptied and very little being left, donations were received continually right up until Christmas, resulting in a healthy income of £2138. This enabled the committee to continue the tradition of providing a gift voucher for the senior citizens and a Christmas Party for the children of the Birichen area.
The committee thank all of the local people and businesses who supported the sale and particularly the volunteers who yet again, made it such a successful event.
