Minutes of the meeting on 13th November 2024
Dalmally Community Centre
1. Present: Sue Rawcliffe, Ishbel Livingstone, Sybil Macpherson, Suzy Anderson, Cllr Kieron Green, Luna Martin and 10 members of the public.
2. Apologies: Gareth Young, Paul Greaves
3. Declaration of interest: Money for a ‘happy bench’ to be placed in Carradale, next to the hall.
4. Minutes of the last CC meeting: (11.09.24) accepted. Proposed IL; Seconded SA
5. Matters arising:
- SSEN pylon line: This has been formally approved, but with 24 conditions applied. These conditions will go to the planning authority and the Scottish Government, with the strategies having to be agreed by A&B Council and the Scottish Government. Caitlin Quinn has asked if we want to participate in the accompanying community engagement. [ACTION: CC agreed that we do want to engage with this]
- Loch Awe water levels: It was acknowledged that the levels of water have been lower of late with less instances of flooding. A stakeholder meeting is scheduled on Teams for 27 January 2025.
- ILI Balliemeanoch PSH response: The CC submitted a response, but no acknowledgement has been received on our objections to date. Keiron confirmed that A&B Council have no stance on this, either in support or objection.
- Bridge of Orchy water supply: No update has been received, further to the letter sent out mentioning scoping activity in October. There is an application in for a pressure release valve, which will be decided in 2025.
6. Finance
- Grant applications: A grant has been approved for a bench to sit outside Dalmally Community Centre at a cost of £400.
- G&ICC contribution to CAP implementation: It was acknowledged that not as much has been raised this year so contributions may need to be taken from the Dalmally Community Fund.
7. Police Report
The last report received was from August and contained little useful information for the community. A Police Scotland representative is invited to all CC meetings but it hasn’t been possible for them to attend. [ACTION: CC to feed back to Police Scotland that we request a more specific and detailed report for our area]
8. Renewables Update
- Corr Chnoc windfarm: Local communities have been offered an opportunity to take a financial stake in the wind farm development.
- ALIenergy / community buy in: Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) has signed an agreement that will pursue opportunities to give local communities the chance to take a financial stake in Corr Chnoc windfarm.
- Eredine windfarm: A £2,000 community wealth fund has been approved for the Eradine development.
9. Planning Applications
The planning applications presented were for an outdated period and therefore stakeholders were directed to https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-applications/weekly-list-valid-planning-applications for the latest. The most recent applications will be shared at the next CC meeting in January.
10. Any other business
- Visitor Levy: Concerns were raised around the impact of the planned visitor levy. Much discussion was had around next steps and the consultation process, to ensure that this is fair to the community and that all views are fully considered. The Scottish Government’s visitor levy legislation allows a charge to be introduced on overnight stays in hotels and other short-term accommodations, to raise funds to support and sustain local services and infrastructure for the visitor economy and residents. It would be paid by people using hotels and other short-term accommodation. [ACTION: CC to draft an email to the lead councillor setting out our objections] Once views are submitted in December, analysis will be done in March / April with a decision expected by April / May. Update: December 2024. A&B Council have decided to hold a consultation on the planned visitor levy. This will take place in the new year before any final decisions are reached.
- Forestry Land Scotland: An opportunity has been created for an environment ranger position in Glenorchy. This role is currently live on the FLS recruitment site. Discussion was had around the CC subcontracting the ranger and potentially splitting the cost with FLS.
- Volume of forestry trucks: Concern was raised around the volume of forestry trucks currently crossing the bridge at Bridge of Orchy and the impact of this on the structure of the bridge. [ACTION: Keiron to check when the bridge was last inspected]
- Speed of forestry trucks: Concerns around the speed of these trucks was also raised. This has been mentioned to FLS directly but no response has been received. [ACTION: CC to write a letter to FLS asking them to address this issue with all relevant sub-contractors]
- Police House: Concerns were raised around plans for the closed / vacant police house in Dalmally, and the wider region. These are falling into disrepair and are becoming dangerous for local communities. [ACTION: CC to write to PS to find out what their plans are for this and other sites]
- Road closures: These are planned between Dalmally and Loch Awe from 24 December to 2 January.
- School closures: Further to the closure of Ardchonnel School some time ago, this property is still vacant and has fallen into disrepair. [ACTION: Luna to check the maintenance schedule and confirm next steps]
- Street lighting issues: Ongoing issues around poor lighting on the mail road, running through Dalmally, continue to cause frustration in the community. This is particularly dangerous when coming from Dalmally Railway Station to Glenview. However, as there are no houses on this stretch of road it is not considered viable by the relevant authorities. This is something that the CC will continue to push to get recognition and action for.
