News Listing
Limepark Garden Project, Broadford, Isle of Skye.
This is the statement from Broadford and Strath Community Council in response to the article in the West Highland Free Press on Friday 9th September 2011- a full copy of this statement was provided to the West Highland Free Press on 12th September 2011.
Broadford & Strath Community Council welcomes the media interest in the Limepark Garden Project and would like an opportunity to clarify areas of misinformation contained within the West Highland Free Press article of 9th September 2011.
The Limepark Garden Project was initiated by the previous Broadford and Strath Community Council. The current Community Council received no official handover from the previous Community Council and few of their minutes appear to exist. Of these, the only mention of the project is:
"The proposed garden below Limepark is to create a path, seating area and to plant more trees and bushes. The work has been undertaken by Eoin MacLeod." Broadford and Strath Community Council Minute of 7th January 2008.
At a meeting on 2nd February 2009, Fiona Mandeville, of the previous Community Council, along with the contractor Mr Eoin MacLeod, informed the current Community Council of the existence of the £5,500 project (of which Highland Council was responsible for £5,000 and the Community Council £500) and produced the previously approved design plan for the project. In his original estimate, dated 6th March 2007, Mr MacLeod confirmed estimated costs of £5,500 "as previously drawn and notated stonework and planting". The design plan had 15 standing stones (varying in height from nil to 2 metres), two stone tables and three stone benches. At the meeting on 2nd February 2009 this same design plan was produced and the budget of £5,500 confirmed again. At this meeting the Community Council requested a revised estimate that might more accurately reflect the passage of time - no revised estimate was received. Neither Fiona Mandeville nor Eoin MacLeod made any suggestion at that meeting that it was their understanding that the design plan would be added to or that additional monies had been promised.
More than a year elapsed until, in July 2010, Mr MacLeod submitted an un-itemised interim invoice for £6,500 to the current Community Council. Concern was expressed by the Community Council that far in excess of the number of standing stones on the design plan had been installed by the contractor. (There are now 27 standing stones in place, some of which are in excess of the proposed maximum height of 2 metres.) Up to this point, no deviation from the design plan or additional costs had been discussed or agreed with the contractor. A meeting was held with the contractor on 3rd August 2010 at which Mr MacLeod was informed that such an increase was unexpected and unacceptable. Mr MacLeod suggested that agreement had been reached with members of the previous Community Council to purchase additional materials however no records of such an agreement appear to exist. In a letter dated 25th August 2010 Mr MacLeod then stated "my original ‘estimate' was based on the former community councils own budget not my personal estimate" something he appears until then to have omitted to inform the current Community Council.
At the meeting in August 2010 when Mr MacLeod stated his intention to buy even more stone for the project he was advised against this by the Community Council. The Community Council stated that they could not be held responsible for any additional work undertaken or purchases made. They also informed him that there was no likelihood of additional funding becoming available for the project. The Community Council suggested that a creative compromise be found in order to complete the project within an acceptable timescale and budget. Mr MacLeod was asked to produce an itemised bill that reflected the estimate quoted at the 2nd February 2009 (£5,500), included a reference to the receipted amount of £1,874.12 paid by Highland Council for stone in 2007, and which reflected additional agreed costs for materials since 2009 (i.e. that should only contain the cost of additional stone for a litter bin), and contain copies of acceptable, realistic, and verifiable cost receipts. It was asked that this bill be sent to the Treasurer for discussion at the next Community Council meeting in September 2010. The Community Council has never received all of this information. The Community Council tried to arrange another meeting with Mr MacLeod but this was not achieved until a meeting took place on 4th July 2011, when he admitted that no work had taken place on the project since July 2010. However, since July 2010 the Community Council has received three estimates from Mr MacLeod, one in July 2010 for £6,500, one in August 2010 for £9,734 (neither of which took cognisance of the fact that £1,874.12 of the agreed £5,500 for the project had already been paid by Highland Council in 2009 for the stone), and another invoice in July 2011 for £11,000.00. At the meeting on 4th July 2011, alternative ways of finishing the project were discussed. Mr MacLeod was asked to provide a clear written statement of how he could bring this project to a conclusion within the constraints of available funding. He has failed to provide this.
Fiona Mandeville, who was present at the 4th July 2011 meeting, suggested as a trustee of Urras na Drochaid (the Skye Bridge Trust), that the Community Council should make an application to the trust for money towards the project. The Community Council followed this advice and received an email from Fiona Mandeville on 16th August 2011 stating that the trust would offer a grant of "up to £3,000" conditional on a number of things. However, the Community Council has received no official notification of a definite amount offered from the trust.
At the last Community Council meeting on 26th August 2011, a protracted and exhaustive discussion about this project took place with representatives of Highland Council. Councillor Hamish Fraser stated that there was never any assurance given by the previous Community Council that they would raise additional funds for this project. He agreed that there may have been a suggestion that once the original design plan for the project had been completed then there may be ways of finding additional funding elsewhere in the future in order to extend the garden further but, of this it was made clear there was no guarantee. The current Community Council has insisted to the contractor at every meeting that a maximum of £5,500 was available for the original design plan for this project, which still remains unfinished. Discussion about possible funding from the Highland Council Discretionary Fund highlighted that as Highland Council had already agreed to fund £5,000 towards this project originally, no further funding would be likely from Highland Council via the Discretionary Fund. Councillor Fraser stated that he would not support an application to the Discretionary Fund for this project. (Last week the Community Council was informed by Jan Laing, the Eilean a' Cheo Ward Manager that there was no more money available in the Discretionary Fund.) The Community Council has discussed finding other sources of funding but the project, having been ongoing for over four years, has failed to meet the requirements of application to any of these possible sources. An application to Urras na Drochaid (the Skye Bridge Trust) was conditionally approved however the Community Council felt they could not meet the conditions stipulated in the offer.
Whilst it is appreciated that the original design plan could have added considerably to Broadford, the project has been ongoing for some four and a half years and there is no apparent prospect of the contractor completing the project to the original design plan within anything close to the agreed budget available. The contractor is now looking for double the agreed amount to complete the project without informing the Community Council in writing, as requested, what further work is required to achieve this. Neither has the contractor informed the Community Council as to how he can alter the original plan in order to complete the project closer to the budget of £5,500, despite being asked to do this. The Community Council, having sought and received legal advice on this matter, unanimously decided that in order to pursue their duty of care to the community and minimise the commitment of further resources, the project should regrettably cease.
Following this decision, the Community Council wrote to Mr MacLeod on 29th August 2011, informing him of this. They are unaware of any attempt by Mr MacLeod to contact any Community Council member regarding this matter. The Community Council also wrote to Urras na Drochaid, on the same day, explaining why they could not take up the offer of a grant of "up to £3,000".
Broadford and Strath Community Council stands by the decision made on 26th August 2011. Our approved minutes are available to read on the community website http://www.broadfordandstrath.org/ where a copy of this statement is also available.
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The New Health Centre in Broadford - Update 1
The turf cutting ceremony for the new Broadford Health Centre took place on 27th July 2011.
Closure of Broadford Police Station
As of 1st April 2011 Broadford Police Station is closed. All enquiries relating to lost/found property, firearms enquiries and production of driving documents can be carried out at Broadford Service Point. Various Police related forms are available at this location.
All other enquiries should be directed to either Kyle Police Station (01599) 534222 or Portree Police Station (01478) 612888.
Broadford Medical Practice Patient Participation Group
Broadford Medical Practice is looking to start a Patient Participation Group (PPG) to ensure that patients have a say in how services are delivered in the practice. The group will consist of a number of patients who will meet regularly, at least 4 times a year, with the Practice Manager and other members of staff as required. The purpose of these meetings is to communicate changes that may be happening in how services are delivered and to seek the opinion of those most affected - the patients who are registered and who use the services.
The group will always be looking for new members to join so if you would like to have a say on practice matters then please consider joining. The meetings will be informal and normally last no more than an hour and a half.
The first meeting is planned for the beginning of May 2011 at the surgery (date and time to be confirmed to anyone who has registered an interest).
If you are interested then please contact Liz Dobson, Practice Manager, on 01471 822460 or write to her at Broadford Medical Practice, High Road, Broadford, IV49 9AA as soon as possible.
Minute of Well North Project Meeting 13th July 2010
Well North South Skye and Lochalsh
Well North - Steering Group
Minutes of the above meeting held on Tuesday 13th July 2010 in the Broadford Hotel, Broadford
In Attendance:
Sarah Bowyer Well North Project Lead
Mhairi Matheson Well North Community Development Officer
Carole Inglis Skye and Lochalsh Food Link,
Dede MacGillivray Skye and Lochalsh Food Link and Camuscross and Duisdale Inititiative
Anne Sikorski Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations
Ian Brown Skye and Lochalsh Horticulture CIC
Donald Beaton Skye and Lochalsh Council on Alcohol and Skye and Lochalsh Drug and Alcohol Forum
Jill MacRae Dieititian NHS Highland
Cindie Reiter Rag Tag n Textile
Flora Strachan Rag Tag n Textile, Kyleakin Environmental Group
Apologies:
Tina Barrows Public Health Practitioner, NHS Highland
Caroline Gould Broadford and Strath Community Council
Charlie Macrae Plockton Community Council
Jackie Maclennan Family First
Michael Francis Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust
Fiona Begg Kyle Community Café
Mary Hyslop Health Visitor, NHS Highland
Mary Macbeth Stromeferry and Achmore Community Council
Anne Hulme Lochalsh Leisure
Chair: Sarah Bowyer
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•1. | Welcome and apologies Sarah welcomed everyone to this first Steering group meeting. Apologies noted
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•2. | Introductions Sarah Bowyer and Mhairi Matheson introduced themselves as employees of NHS Highland to deliver the Well North Project. All in attendance (as above) introduced themselves and their group or organisation they were representing.
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•3. | Well North Project in Skye and Lochalsh update A brief description of the Well North Project was given as a reminder. This is a two year anticipatory care project focusing on food access and activity to help people manage wellbeing and physical health particularly healthy weight. Healthy Weight Well North aims to take a whole GP practice and community development approach to adult weight management, by both the promotion of wellbeing and prevention of problems. Sustainable actions need to be designed and facilitated throughout the duration of the project. Limited money is available through the project funding but can be used for sustainable actions such as training and increasing or improving skills of local individuals or groups. The first six months of the project have involved
Sarah described work on clinical side with Medical practices where she is to pilot the use of a care pathway. She is supporting clinical weight management methods, which includes the delivery of the Counterweight programme. Mhairi described her work looking at Food access. She has completed a shopping basket survey using a tool developed by the Food Standards Agency Scotland. She is in the process of writing a report from the survey. This led to a general discussion about food supply and about ‘active' transport on foot and by bike.
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3 ii | Food Supply A general discussion took place regarding food access in the area. Topics/ideas raised were;
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3iii | Physical activity A discussion arose regarding paths - particularly around safety and accessibility Mhairi has made valuable contacts to discuss footpaths. Flora provided an example of a local champion that demonstrates the aim of well North - an individual with a bad back who previously was a keen hill walker and volunteered in environmental/conservation work clearing litter from mountain sides - on their doctor's suggestion began walking but needed more of a purpose so started to pick litter up as he walked. A number of years later this individual is recognised in their local community and has enlightened others as well as managing their own body weight through increased activity. Sarah remarked that use of such local champions and peer support could be a way of sustaining the project. Flora also updated the group on progress with developing a Cycle track - Kyleakin to Broadford - community company survey of Kyleakin (? Date) revealed much interest in cycle track - progress has been made - issues with land ownership if using the shore side road but forestry commission and the estate owned by Ian Nobel are happy for a bike trail to be sited on their land. A feasibility study is required to assess which route is most appropriate - applications have been submitted for funding to undertake the feasibility study. Contacts made with Sustrans. Looking at a long term timescale - any decisions are ‘years away' rather than ‘months away' Organised group walks will require ‘walk leaders'. Cindie reminded us of the Wild Walks. - suggested action to find out who was previously trained for the wild walks and potentially update their training. Cindie to provide details of the contact person. Idea raised by Sarah that walks linked to community food initiatives such as cafés e.g. Nice Café in Kyleakin Connections building on Wednesdays and the Lighthouse centre Kyle on Fridays, could therefore link positive activity with food. |
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3iv | Training Courses Suggestions for increasing local skills base (and supporting sustainable actions) through training potentially funded by Well North First Aid Courses- suggested to enquire at 1.Learning centres, 2.Red Cross, 3.‘Fast Aid' - Anne Sikorski to provide contact details Walk Leader training - Sarah in contact with Fiona McInally at Paths For All Food Hygiene Training - enquire at learning centres |
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•4. | Community actions - proposals from the results of the Community Consultation and networking discussions Kyle - Young adults cookery sessions We were approached by Fiona Begg from Kyle Community Café to assist with the setting up of a cookery course. Dede and Carole have experience of a cookery project run through Plockton High school. Kyleakin - Mother and Toddler group - Pram push. Glenelg - Community transport to Kyle of Lochalsh swimming pool for a group of women. For financial viability one option is a set period of commitment but the issue was raised that some people do not have cash in advance to ‘book ahead'. Sleat - Community gardens Suggestion of service users from mental health groups or drug and alcohol support groups to attend gardening sessions for mutual benefit - reminded that if this was the case there would need to be adequate and appropriate support for individuals. Broadford - safe and accessible paths for walking and cycling considering access to those with mobility problems. The steering group approved the above projects and therefore work will continue to progress these actions.
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•5. | The Vision of Success The Well North needs a vision statement - an initial phrase was discussed- conclusion came to; ‘To strengthen a community that supports healthy weight through environmental, community and service engagement, especially with those at risk of health inequalities'. Definition of Health Inequalities ; those individuals at a higher risk of developing diseases attributed to negative lifestyle factors relating to food and exercise e.g. Coronary vascular disease, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, overweight, certain cancers It was also suggested that we use a quick ‘Strap line' A suggestion was ‘' keeping well through good food and keeping active'' Ideas welcome - to decide on final statements next meeting. |
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•6. | Communication Suggestion from the group for the writing of an article in the free press, similar to a past section ‘Life Beat' - Jill Macrae had input into this - SLCVO currently liaises with Free Press - Sarah to liaise with Anne and Chrisanne at SLCVO and discuss how Well North best approaches Free Press. Sarah has suggested notice boards in medical centres to two GPs - this was met with positive comments.
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•7. | Steering group - details and commitments Sarah proposed
Those present at the meeting agreed with all 4 points. Agenda and minutes from previous meetings to be circulated before meeting. All members present agreed to receive group email where everyone's address is visible as it was felt this would assist contact. Anyone wanting their address to be kept outwith a group email to contact Sarah please and request this. Transport expenses can be reimbursed - Sarah supplied NHS Highland forms - returned forms to be returned to Sarah for processing.
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•8. | AOB No issues were raised.
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•9. | Date of Next Meeting To be arranged through doodle mail Topic discussion - safe and accessible footpaths and cycleways - invitation to be sent to the council footpaths officer to speak.
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