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Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 16^th May 2001 in Castletown Drill Hall at 7.30pm

Present
W.Swanson(Late), J.Crowden, A.Hill, A.Swanson, I.Banks (NOSWA), A.Macdonald (HC Councillor), G.Calder (Press) M.Cormack, E.Geddes, Colin Sturrock (NOSWA). W.Stark

Apologies

I.Calder, G.Firth

1/ VISIT TO AND TALK ON IMPROVEMNTS TO CASTLETOWN SEWAGE WORKS

I.Banks and C.Sturrock of NOSWA gave us a visit to the sewage treatment facilityat Castletown Sand End where they explained how the new machine works. Back in the Hall they talked more about the new machine and also about progress on the new combined Thurso / Castletown treatment facility. It will start on the ground in 2002/03 and cost in the region of £9 million to build. It should be operating by 2004/05. Final design not yet complete as consultants and designers still weighing up the options of how best to treat the sewage.

We were also told about a new clean water treatment plant that will be starting shortly and will supply ALL Caithness and North Sutherland up to Tongue.

More farmers were switching to water meters due to the increase in charges as they are free to non domestic customers.

Comment was made that the new treatment facility at Castletown beach had greatly improved the situation with regard to sewage litter on the beach and NOSWA were thanked for the works they have carried out.

Action J.C.

 2/ CHANGES TO BUS SERVICES TO CASTLETOWN

A letter had been received from David Summers of Highland Council on the subject of the re-tendering of bus services in Caithness prior to the issue of new contracts to start in Jan 2002. He wished us to make comment on the proposed timetables for the new services and add any comments or improvements as we thought were fit. Also came news that Rapsons were removing all but 2 services to Wick through Castletown and all but 2 from Wick to Castletown. All other buses to Wick would be by Citylink. Comment was made that the morning workers service arriving in Wick at 0835 was not mentioned and that no buses were available around 1300 to 1330 back to Castletown. It was agreed that J.Crowden would enquire about these services as the implementation date was 28-05-01. The revised services at night time would be commented on at the next meeting with ALL members getting feedback on what people thought.

Action J.C.

 3/ COMMUNITY GROUPS TO SIT ON COUNCIL

The latest situation is that of the groups nominated to be contacted none had replied yet to the council to indicate an interest in sending a member to sit on the community council

 4/ LAST MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THEM

The last minutes were read and agreed as a true record.

Items on the agenda covered all items mentioned

 5/ AOCB

A new footpath grant scheme looked to be launched later in the year and it was agreed to look out for it to try and get some of our paths in the plan completed.

Weydale post office was looking for a new subpost master.

M.Thomson was the new Hallkeeper

It was agreed to invite P.Welsh to the next meeting to talk about Dounreay

Being no business for AOCB the date of the next meeting was set for Thursday 14^th June at 7.30pm in the Castletown Drill Hall.

Being no further business the meeting closed at 21.00hrs