Oban Community Council Minutes of meeting held on Monday 29th ...

<strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong> Members present:
<strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>
<strong>Minutes</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>meeting</strong>
<strong>held</strong> on Monday 29 th October 2012, 7.00 pm
at Lorn House, Albany Street.
Kenny MacIntyre, Marri Malloy, Mandy Peden, Duncan Martin, Jessie MacFarlane, Kate Winton, Sean
MacIntyre, Sandra Russell, Billy Martin, Andy Harper,
In attendance: Argyll and Bute <strong>Council</strong>lors - Duncan MacIntyre, Elaine Robertson .
Police: Chief Inspector Brian Auld
<strong>Oban</strong> Times: Faith Orr, Pamela Paterson
Members <strong>of</strong> Public – C Black, E MacKinnon
Apologies: Nicola Welsh, June Anfield, Stewart MacIver, Lorna Elliot
Meeting Chaired by: Marri Malloy
<strong>Minutes</strong> prepared by: Mandy Peden
Item Subject Action
1 Police Report:
See Appendix for Police Report.
In addition it was reported that the police have been involved in joint patrols with the dog
warden in relation to dog fouling. JM commented that with the dark nights the situation was
getting worse. BA said that he would speak to Peter MacLucky further.
BA reported that a ‘Getting ready for winter’ initiative was underway. This was aimed at
educating the public about ensuring that tyres were legal/inflated etc and that warm clothing etc
was carried in the car. MP noted that winter tyres made a significant difference to traction
during the winter months and asked if people were being advised about this. BA said it was not a
legal requirement and that it was expensive.
MM commented on the problem <strong>of</strong> Soroba Road parking near Mill Park. BA said that this was
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB

not prohibited.
The police had recently <strong>held</strong> a public <strong>meeting</strong> to hear peoples concerns but this had been
attended by only 4 people.
2. <strong>Minutes</strong> <strong>of</strong> Last Meeting
Accuracy: KM wished it to be noted that contrary to the minutes (Item 3/2)no pennants had
been ordered as there were plenty in stock. Otherwise the minutes were considered to be an
accurate representation <strong>of</strong> the last OCC <strong>meeting</strong>. Proposed by KW, Seconded by KM.
Matters arising:
1. As there was no report on the existence <strong>of</strong> a street sweeper SMacI asked that this be put on
the next agenda.
3. Hydro
DM had revised the letter to Maureen Liddell (one <strong>of</strong> the owners <strong>of</strong> the Hydro) following the
comments at the last OCC <strong>meeting</strong>. The response from Maureen Liddell is attached to these
minutes as is the e-mail reply from DM.
BM ask why we would want to take on ownership <strong>of</strong> the Hydro as in his view the existing parks in
<strong>Oban</strong> are not looked after properly. MP commented that existing ‘parks' such as Dungallan Park
were open space used by people did not have to be gardens and park benches. DM commented
that ‘gentrification’ was not the aim and that enhancement <strong>of</strong> the wild area to make it more
accessible was more in line with his thinking.
DM’s letters are more exploratory that committing: as part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Plan the
OCC has taken on the ‘action’ <strong>of</strong> exploring the landownership and potential for community buy
out. There is no existing community group at present with any plan to progress this. DM is
currently awaiting a response to his e-mail.
4. Planning
Main planning proposal <strong>of</strong> significance at the moment is Tesco Click and Collect which is in
progress and involves various works and structures in the Tesco Car Park.
5. CHORD
The CHORD Board <strong>meeting</strong> is at 11.00 tomorrow (Tuesday 30 th October). DM handed out the
papers relating to the <strong>meeting</strong>. The proposals relating to the Bay are currently confidential to
the Board. The proposals outlined in the paper for approval at the Board Meeting relate to
making the Stafford street triangle into a paved pedestrian area, altering the traffic flow in the
Miller Road/Sinclair Drive area and making some adjustments to the layout <strong>of</strong> Argyll Square.
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB
DM

6. Cruise Liners
MM commented that there had been no further <strong>meeting</strong>s involving the OCC over the last
month. Following the Yes vote for BIDS, BIDS development proposals have been produced. MM
expressed concern these did not mention any ideas in relation to the Cruise Liner issue. She was
also concerned that the OCC that had been closely involved in putting together ideas should be
included in any discussions.
<strong>Council</strong>lor Elaine Robertson said that things were currently on hold pending the Launch <strong>of</strong> BIDS
on Tuesday 6 th November at 5.30 at the Royal Hotel. MM was invited to this and will be
attending.
7. Bye Elections
The deadline for nominations for the OCC is Monday 5 th November at 4.00pm.
8. <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> Plan
Laura MacDonald circulated the penultimate draft <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Community</strong> Plan. This action strategy
was agreed by the OCC.
9. AOCB
1. KM has received a request from the <strong>Oban</strong> Pipe Band for funding from <strong>Oban</strong> 200. However, the
<strong>Oban</strong> 200 accounts have not yet been finalised and can therefore not be <strong>of</strong>ficially handed over to
OCC for dispersal. There is about £2840 available. KM to organise a <strong>meeting</strong> <strong>of</strong> the committee
to wind up the group and agree the arrangements for the outstanding balance.
2. JM asked who should be contacted about streetlights being out and trees needing cut down.
<strong>Council</strong>lor MacIntyre suggested that she contact the <strong>Council</strong> Offices on Albany Street and
depending on responsibilities perhaps WHHA. It was also reported that the path from Mill Park
to Lochavullin was becoming very overgrown.
3. SMacI commented that toilets were needed at MacCaigs Tower.
4. There was a lengthy discussion on the Health Services provision <strong>of</strong> Renal Dialysis. This is
currently not available in <strong>Oban</strong> with patients travelling to Fort William. The <strong>Community</strong> Health
Partnership is in the process <strong>of</strong> producing a paper analysing the issues and the related costs. DM
to invite Derek Leslie (Director <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Community</strong> Health Partnership) to talk to OCC at the next
<strong>meeting</strong> about the results <strong>of</strong> the analysis as well as the general situation relating to our hospital.
5. Elena MacKinnon informed the OCC that the Winter Festival would take place between the
16 th and 25 th November and there were 60 events scheduled.
Date <strong>of</strong> next <strong>meeting</strong>
Monday 26 th November, 2012, 7.00pm. Lorn House, Albany Street.
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB
DM

20 September – 29 October 2012
Crime Reports
Crime September
Reported
Violence
OBAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
September
Detected
October
Reported
October
Detected
Serious Assault 0 0 3 3
Common Assault 8 6 7 6
Police Assault 1 1 3 3
Dishonesty
Theft by SL 3 2 6 5
Theft 4 1 6 3
Disorder / ASB
Breach <strong>of</strong> the Peace 1 1 10 10
Vandalism 2 0 4 3
Weapons 0 0 0 0
Drugs
Possession 2 2 8 8
Supply 1 1 1 0
Produce / Cultivate 0 0 0 0
Parking Enforcement
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB

2011 2012
September 4 138
October 5 44 (Fire & Rescue Obstruction Initiative)
Notable Arrests / Incidents
26.09.12 38 year old male charged with driving whilst drunk in George Street, <strong>Oban</strong>.
25.09.12 Theft from insecure care in Cruachan Crescent, <strong>Oban</strong>
25-26.09.12 Theft from insecure car and insecure garden shed in Rowan Road, <strong>Oban</strong>
25-26.09.12 Theft from insecure car in Longsdale Crescent, <strong>Oban</strong>.
26.09.2012 Dealer quantity <strong>of</strong> heroin recovered within unoccupied car then parked in Cr<strong>of</strong>t
Road, <strong>Oban</strong>.
28.09.2012 23 year old male charged with reckless driving in Argyll Square, George Street
and Corran Esplande whereby he did drive at excessive speed and on wrong side
<strong>of</strong> carriageway.
30.09.12 35 year old male charged with driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs in
George Street, <strong>Oban</strong>.
03.10.12 24 year old female charged with breach <strong>of</strong> curfew in Kilchurn Place, <strong>Oban</strong>.
03.10.12 30 year old male charged with theft from insecure garage in Ganaven Road,
<strong>Oban</strong>
03.10.12 30 year old male charged with theft from insecure garage and insecure car in
Cranniag A Mhinister, <strong>Oban</strong>
7-8.10.12 2 cars vandalised in Shuna Terrace, <strong>Oban</strong> (undetected).
14.10.12 50 year old male charged with drunk driving on A85.
18.10.12 35 year old male charged with driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs in
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB

Soroba Road, <strong>Oban</strong>.
19.10.12 22 year old male charged with seriously assaulting a 48 year old male and 43
year old female in McKelvie Road, <strong>Oban</strong>.
20.10.12 22 year old male charged with seriously assaulting a 27 year old male in Station
Road, <strong>Oban</strong>.
23.10.12 Theft by shoplifting <strong>of</strong> property in excess <strong>of</strong> £1000 (undetected).
Initiatives
Recent
<strong>Oban</strong> Metered Parking Enforcement
Mull Rally
Tiree Wave Classic
Forthcoming
Getting Ready for Winter – Road Safety
Remembrance Parade
Winter Festival
Festive Season
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB

Thank you very much for your quick response, which I will take back to the <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>.
The package <strong>of</strong> documents I took from the Register Office lists all the parcels <strong>of</strong> land which your
father had disposed <strong>of</strong>, although it didn't include maps.
My personal response (and I am not a lawyer) to the points you raise would be:
I appreciate your concern over the legal status <strong>of</strong> 'in perpetuity', and this would have to be
established. Certainly if a <strong>Community</strong> Company were to take over the land on the basis that it
was all Open Space, and then decide that some part <strong>of</strong> it was not essential to this, then there
would have to be some clause to allow you at least a share <strong>of</strong> the gain; for example if a some
land at the S end near the Water Tank was deemed to be surplus.
I would certainly not be looking to 'gentrify' the area, whose wildness is part <strong>of</strong> its attraction.
Apart from improving access to the core <strong>of</strong> the site, the only improvements which had been
suggested were some protection against the occasional, but serious, injuries when people fall <strong>of</strong>f
the crags. Sadly. I feel the some protection to the remains <strong>of</strong> the hydro might be insisted upon.
The <strong>Community</strong> Right to buy always requires the establishment <strong>of</strong> community support for the
project, and the establishment <strong>of</strong> a an appropriate body with suitable expertise. <strong>Oban</strong> has, in
Atlantis Leisure, one <strong>of</strong> the first substantial <strong>Community</strong> Enterprises, and I am sure that we would
be able to create an excellent one for this purpose as well. If you have visited <strong>Oban</strong> recently, you
will realise that it has grown significantly in recent years, and there is eagerness to create the
future <strong>Oban</strong>, within which the Hydro will always be a central feature.
Thank you again for responding so promptly.
On 03/10/2012 12:32, moliddell@aol.com wrote:
Dear Mr Martin
Thank you for your letter. For information my brother Ian now lives in Lochgilphead so
has not received your letter, but has asked me to communicate with you on behalf <strong>of</strong>
both <strong>of</strong> us. I have copied him in on this email.
Our father disposed <strong>of</strong> some parts <strong>of</strong> the old Ardchonnel Estate (including Ardchonnel
House) over many years so the exact boundaries <strong>of</strong> our retained ownership <strong>of</strong> the
land around this area can be quite complex in parts. When work commitments permit
I will access the relevant deeds, but in the meantime it would be helpful if you could
please clarify the exact area <strong>of</strong> land in which you are interested and for which you
have received documentation from the Register <strong>of</strong> Sasines?
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB

We would be open to hearing from you with more detailed proposals for improving
paths etc on any land in our ownership for the benefit <strong>of</strong> the local community.
However I am sure you will also realise that any decision one way or the other in
terms <strong>of</strong> the actual sale <strong>of</strong> any land would require considerably more information and
deliberation.
You say that a suitable community body might acquire the land 'with the express
commitment to dedicate it in perpetuity as a public open space'. I have recent first
hand experience in the Edinburgh area <strong>of</strong> seeing land which was green belt being
rezoned for housing and also land in the city centre which was designated for the
common good and used as a park, supposedly in perpetuity, being suddenly redesignated
and sold for development by the council to house-builders. I am therefore
somewhat sceptical <strong>of</strong> the ability <strong>of</strong> any body to make such guarantees.
As a child and when I still visit <strong>Oban</strong> I have always liked to enjoy the relatively wild
nature <strong>of</strong> the Hydro area as a whole and I am sure that many residents also find that
this is part <strong>of</strong> its appeal. It would be interesting to know what level <strong>of</strong> consultation has
been, or will be, undertaken with local people to ascertain their views on the
proposed 'gentrification' <strong>of</strong> the Hydro?
We look forward to hearing from you. It is probably easiest to communicate with us by
email.
Address for correspondence: <strong>Oban</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, 13 Dungallan Terrace OBAN PA34 4PB