Laid, Polla and Port-Na-Con
laid_residents@europe.com
Present: E. Meyer, Jean Morrison, A. Walker,
J. Blanco, A. Marsham
In attendance: I. Wilson,
F. Keith
1. Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting, 29th
November, 2002
Minutes not circulated - they will be available at next meeting.
2. Letters
a) Letters out - none.
b) Letters in - S. Marshall: invitation to party declined
- J. Whitelaw: invitation to party declined
- J. Thurso: re. relations in Laid
- Hugh Maclellan - payment of fees - Member on Grazings Committee
- Dept.Media/Culture/Sport - cannot deal with Bratach
3. Christmas
Party
Christmas Party – a loss due to very few donations towards the cost.
only £55 in total was donated on the night of the party
£129 paid out
4. Membership
fees for 2003
Letters sent out.
5 payments received.
5. Proposed
Buyout by Laid Community Group
Letter from Hugh Maclellan.
Company set up. Have to appoint Directors.
Solicitors recommend 4 Directors - 2 from Laid Residents Association, 2 Laid Grazings Committee, Independent Chair.
CADISPA meeting - 18/12
Meeting with Eddie Meyer. - 19/12
Heritage Trail - proposed (£100,000)
Hugh Maclellan requests support for it.
No objections by Eddie Meyer. Laid Grazings Committee should proceed to raise money.
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Laid, Polla and Port-Na-Con
laid_residents@europe.com
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All residents should be consulted since the project is so costly
Eddie Meyer recommended Laid Residents Association not get involved since it is a project initiated by Laid Grazings Committee and it should stay that way since it would be done on Laid Common Grazing
CADISPA say project has to have whole community behind it
A. Marsham said it would need project manager
Garden development. - At meeting with CADISPA 2 women from Boat & Garden - community garden.
Decision made that it is up to Laid Grazings Committee to raise money and do it.
6. Durness Estate Offer
Fax from Ian Wilson saying Laid Residents Association was not happy with Laid Community Group taking charge.
Retired people should not be hassled.
Discussion between Ian Wilson, Eddie Meyer and Alfred Walker about another route that made financial sense.
Offer made before Land Fund established.
Now Land Fund formed - money is available.
Ian Wilson not in favour of Land Fund money to owner - should be working capital. £3,000 a year is the cost to run the estate at present (for approximately 3 years). By that time other income to be found. If no income after 3 years, the situation should be reviewed.
Majority of directors/ownership by Community. Community Trust should be set up,identical to Laid Community Group company but separate from it.
Project has to conform to Land Bill.
Income-generating aspects - there are not many about. Status quo not an option.
If we do not do it, Laid Community Group will buy land. Association should negotiate with C. Marsham/Durness Grazings Community about using harbour.
Land Bill to be enacted by the end of January.
He does not know when it becomes law - we should know next week.
Comments from individual members of Executive Committee:
- Project has to have the whole of Laid on board.
- If Laid Grazings Committee buys land, life for those opposed could be made a misery.
- Francis Keith: aim is to encourage people to buy crofts, to have their own independence.
- Eddie Meyer: Proposal by Ian Wilson to be made known immediately - letter to be sent out to all residents
- Durness Grazings Committee should be informed
- C. Marsham should be informed
- Extraordinary Annual General Meeting to be convened
- Ian Wilson basically agrees
- Francis Keith - port could be developed
- Offer made years ago to Laid Grazings Committee
Agreement IN PRINCIPLE by all Executive Committee members
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Laid, Polla and Port-Na-Con
laid_residents@europe.com
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Eddie Meyer to inform Durness Community Council, C. Marsham and all residents.
Extraordinary Meeting - could it be in February or March depending on Ian Wilson’s availability
Query: Can C. and L. Smith vote? They have been suspended from Association
7. HMS Sutherland visit/HMS Hood Memorial Trophy in February
2003
Francis Keith: nothing new about visit 13th - 15th February
Shoot - possibly on 14th? Clay pigeon shoot
Eddie Meyer - procedure would be the same as last year
Query about prices? £3 entry fee? This year shoot to take place on board ship.
8. Update on Royal Bank of Scotland account by Treasurer
Alfred Walker reported: Royal Bank of Scotland charges have ceased.
£288 left in the kitty.
£65 to pay in.
£60 fees to be paid in.
9. Any other business
Query made about removal of material from top side of road opposite 91 Laid.
Ian Wilson asked to be given the name of the contractors; he was informed that they are Ian and James Campbell.
10. Next Meeting
Next meeting set for Tuesday 11th February 2003 at 7:00 pm.
Extraordinary Annual General Meeting needs 10 days' notice. Date to be decided at next meeting.
There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 8:30 pm.