Community Council adopts new format for meetings and Forestry criticised for no warning of military manoeuvres

Perhaps in an attempt to encourage more community participation, Ardentinny Community Council announced a more succinct approach to its meetings in the future, with any business not concluded by 21.30 being carried over to the next meeting. Also, with the introduction of prior ‘business meetings’, it was proposed that matters arising from the minutes would take a much shorter time and that other items on the agenda could be addressed more quickly. Why not come along to the next meeting and support those who work on our behalf.

The meeting of the 4th December brought to light some interesting issues:

One of two portable toilets (with cautionary notice) temporarily installed at the Baron MacInturner Forest near Ardentinny for use by the visiting armed forces. [Click to enlarge]
The MOD has promised to supply a written response to the concerns raised recently by the Community Council. A member of the Community Council also raised concern that the MOD had undertaken manoeuvres in the surrounding area during November with no forewarning to residents.

David Robertson of the Forestry Commission apologised for not having informed the community in advance but explained that it had been a last minute request for approximately forty troops in training to camp at the beach area and that it seems that they had not informed FCS of the intention to do any more than just camp for one night. He said he would get in touch with the MOD in this regard and report back at the next meeting.

The deteriorating condition of the roads and the lack of gritting and/or signage on the Larach once again predominated discussion with the Community Council promising to write immediately to the Council’s Roads department.

The subject of the proposed windfarm at Cove was raised. It was agreed that Ardentinny Community Council would circulate all residents with outline information on the proposal together with details of the next presentation to be made by the Roseneath Peninsula West Development Trust in the Queen’s Hall , Dunoon on Monday 10 December at 19.00hrs.

Finally, it was agreed to put the question of a local emergency action plan on the agenda for the next Community Council business meeting.

Proposed Cove Windfarm letter to residents from Community Council (PDF).

Community Council: Ardentinny Hotel project gets green light; Police Report; Coronation Wood; Memorial bench.

The planned renovation of Ardentinny hotel to provide a bar/restaurant, house, and holiday let accommodation has been approved by the National Park’s Planning Department. This was announced at the Community Council meeting held on 2nd October when the Convenor read aloud a letter from the owners conveying their thanks to the Community Council and the community for their support of the project.

The Convenor also welcomed new Community Councillors Roy Harrison and Marian Norris to the committee and announced that Bill Williamson had been appointed secretary.

Community Police Report
PC Donald MacKay reported that the 3 main areas of concern which had emerged from public consultation among The Shore community were: speeding; bogus callers; and drunk and disorderly behaviour and therefore these were police priorities. He also said that there would be a planned diary of bi-monthly mobile police office meetings with 2 scheduled drop-ins between meetings, so that the community can discuss issues in the interim.

Coronation Wood
A group of volunteers has begun clearing the wood and they are now awaiting a visit from a tree surgeon. The Village Hall Association and the Community Council are contributing £500 each to this project while the Community Trust will contribute through fund-raising efforts. However, when the Trust began its dissolution process prior to its recent revival, it passed its remaining funds, which were in excess of these contributions, to the Village Hall Association for the benefit of the community. The project is to include new planting, some of which will be undertaken by the local schools community.

Tim & Sheila Honeyman plaque on bench at Lairds Grave

Memorial bench
Some of you may have noticed that the Memorial bench to Tim and Sheila Honeyman has been removed from the Laird’s grave. The issue was raised by Bill Williamson as he had been approached by the late Mr. & Mrs. Honeyman’s daughter. David Robertson of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) explained that this is in line with new FCS policy not to have memorials on FCS land. He did say that a new bench will be placed at the Laird’s grave but without the memorial plaque. We can now report that the plaque is being returned to the owner who is considering having the memorial bench at Glenfinart Walled Garden.

Ardentinny Community Council Meeting – Minutes August, 2012.

Ardentinny Community Council Meeting – Minutes August, 2012.

New Community Councillors for Ardentinny

In response to the call for more volunteers to serve on Ardentinny’s Community Council, two members of the Ardentinny community came forward as candidates for the recent Argyll and Bute community council by-elections. As the positions were uncontested, Argyll and Bute Council has declared that Roy Harrison and Marian Norris remain validly nominated candidates and shall be declared to be elected Community Councillors of the Ardentinny Community Council not later than 11.00 a.m. on 27 September 2012.

Congratulations and thank you to both candidates for offering to serve the community in this way.

(Information supplied by Argyll and Bute Council)

Download Notice of Uncontested Election

Ardentinny Community Council Minutes June 2012

Ardentinny Community Council Minutes June 12, 2012.