DRAFT Minutes from most recent meeting

DRAFT Minutes of Meeting of Yell Community Council

Monday 26th September 2022 via Zoom Online Conferencing

Present: Mr L Odie (Chair), Mrs A Jamieson, Ms J Lyth, Mr J Nicholson, Mr S Henderson, Cllr Robert Thomson (Elected Representative), Cllr Ryan Thomson (Elected Representative),

Apologies: Ms K Hannay, Mr J Saunders, Mr R Jamieson, Cllr D Anderson (Elected Representative), Mr M Duncan (Community Council Liaison Officer, SIC)

In Attendance: K Lonsdale (Clerk), Ms F Browne (North Isles Community Involvement and Development Worker), Ms Johnina Henderson (member of the public)

L Odie welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially Ms Johnina Henderson attending as a member of the public in advance of her undertaking the role of clerk in October and, Cllr Robert Thomson attending for the first time as an elected representative.

9/22/1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Robert Thomson declared an interest in any planning applications as a member of the SIC Planning Committee.

9/22/2 MINUTES

15th August 2022- The minutes for the August meeting were approved by Ms J Lyth and Mr L Odie.

9/22/3 OUTSTANDING BUSINESS

3.1 TRANSPORT- FERRIES

Gutcher Pier Maintenance- Members note work taking place at the Gutcher pier and would like an update on what is being done to maintain the old Gutcher Pier.

Festive Timetable Consultation- A proposed festive timetable was sent to all Community Councillors prior to the meeting for review. The proposed timetable offered by Ferry Services is similar to that of recent years but with an extra crossing scheduled on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The run, which in previous years departed at 19:20, is proposed to depart at 19:30 which members note might have an impact on those travelling to Sullom Voe for night shift. Members are also pleased to note that with the additional sailing the timetable fits in better with Northlink services from Lerwick. As usual with the festive timetable services will only run where bookings have been made in advance.

Members are pleased with the additional runs offered, but felt that the consultation was very short notice as the winter timetable and festive timetable are due to be published and in effect on 4th October.

Additional ferry items- Andrew Inkster, SIC, was unable to attend the meeting due to the rescheduled date but members would like to extend an invitation for him to attend the October meeting to discuss ferry items.

Sellaness informed A Jamieson that the Yell Sound service is fully staffed now but that there have been difficulties recruiting for on Blumull Sound. Ferry services are in the process of recruiting a ‘pool crew’ to cover absences.

3.2 ROADS

New Cullivoe Road- YCC received an update from Dave Coupe, SIC, regarding the new Cullivoe Road. Surveys are being undertaken and compulsory land purchase is progressing.

Westsandwick Beach Road- Members would like the SIC to maintain the part of the road to the Westsandwick graveyard which is the responsibility of the SIC. The remainder of the road is in relatively good condition.

Footpaths- L Odie has been in conversation with Robina Barton, Active Travel, regarding the Burravoe Footpath. More survey work is needed to be done but Ms Barton seemed positive about the possibilities for finding funding for the path next year.

3.3 DOG WASTE SIGNAGE AND BIN- MID YELL

Members would like to see a bin placed at the Mid Yell Pier for dog general waste (Including dog waste). A request was made but as yet there has been no response.

3.4 FEEDBACK FROM ASCC MEETING

The ASCC met on 20th September, A Jamieson and L Odie attended on behalf of YCC. Items discussed included: Local place planning and the 20 minute neighbourhood, provision of Northlink service including the early bar closing times and the Community Council Scheme Review.

It was suggested that at the next meeting on 14th March 2023 the ASCC could discuss the provision of public toilets in Shetland and recruitment of Social Care Workers and accommodation for them.

9/22/4 NEW BUSINESS

4.1 MUCKLE HOOSE- LINKSHOUSE

A number of constituents have raised concerns about the safety of the Muckle Hoose structure. A Jamieson consulted with Alan Goudie, SIC Building Control, who viewed the property. The upkeep and safety of listed buildings is the responsibility of the owner whom the SIC are still trying to contact.

9/22/5 FINANCE/ GRANTS

5.1 REDD UP FUNDS

YCC have committed funds for groups who completed the Voar Redd Ups. Members would like information from the Shetland Amenity Trust about which groups took part and may be eligible for grant payment.

5.2 AGS (Advanced grant scheme) REVIEW

Members note the ongoing review of the Advanced Grant Scheme and have previously fed back their concerns with the current AGS system. Members would prefer not to consider Shetland wide applications from their allocated funds but for there to be a central fund for Shetland wide applications. Member’s find it difficult to allocate funds on a rolling basis without a deadline for applications. Members feel that the application process might be quite difficult and daunting for smaller, local groups to consider.

5.3 AGS (Advanced grant scheme) APPLICATIONS
Mind Your Head- J Lyth and A Jamieson proposed offering a grant of £500 for the continuation of Mind Your Head’s Wellness Programme.

Shetland Island Games Association- J Lyth and A Jamieson proposed offering £150 towards the costs associated with athletes travelling for the games.

5.4 AGS POVERTY AND WELFARE CRITERIA

Members note a correspondence informing them that the AGS will now accept reapplications from organisations seeking funding for projects relating to poverty and welfare.

F Browne joined the meeting 20.10

9/22/3 OUTSTANDING BUSINESS CONTINUED

3.5 CC ELECTION POSTERS/ LEAFLETS AND FEEDBACK FROM YELL SHOW

J Lyth and K Hannay attend the Yell show to raise awareness about Yell Community Council and the upcoming elections. J Lyth reported that at the Yell Show most people asked seemed to have a negative view of standing in the community council elections and seemed unwilling to take part but were happy for others to do so on their behalf.

Members of the public were given the opportunity to indicate what they felt were important issues for Yell, the results of which are in the table below.

3.6 COMMUNITY COUNCIL SCHEME REVIEW

Members discussed the SICs options which had also been discussed at the ASCC meeting on the 20th. The proposals were that Community Council elections could be postponed, carry on as normal or tenure period could be shortened to two years to allow the SIC to complete a review of the community council scheme to take place with experienced community councillors in post at the time.

Options were given to members to review including proceeding with the elections as normal and undertaking the review after the elections, proceeding with the elections with members elected for two years rather than the current four, or cancelling the elections with current members continuing to stand for the next four years to allow the review to take place.

Members felt that it was very short notice as the decision would need to be discussed at the next full council meeting on Wednesday 28th and did not give community councils long to form a response. It also meant that YCC had spent money and time on advertising and outreach for the elections on the advice of the ASCC which may no longer be relevant.

It was the opinion of the majority of members that the elections should go ahead. Some members were in favour of the option of a two year term while some preferred the four year term.

Cllr Ryan Thomson joined the meeting 21.00

9/22/6 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
6.1 EMERGENCY TIMETABLE

Members were asked to consider whether they are in support of an emergency timetable which gives the option for bookings or one that does not. The communication of this should be something discussed with Andrew Inkster, Executive Manager, Ferry and Airport Operations and Port Infrastructure, SIC, at next month’s meeting. Members agree that whatever the final decision is, communication with the public in the event of changes is of utmost importance.

6.2 VEHICLE LEFT BEHIND FIGURES

Members would like to request the most recent set of figures.

6.3 DATE OF OCTOBER MEETING

L Odie proposed changing the date of the October meeting of YCC to fit in better around the school holidays. The new meeting date will be 24th October.

THE MEETING ENDED AT 21.25 HRS

The next meeting of the Yell Community Council will be held on

Monday 24th October 2022, 7:30pm via Zoom Online Conferencing.