Mull newsround
▮ Who is the community champion in your neighbourhood? That is the question Mull Community Council could soon be asking islanders. The idea of encouraging people once a year to nominate their unsung heroes in recognition of those who do good work and go the extra mile came from community councillor Mary-Jean Devon, who said the initiative would also be a way of lifting the CC's profile. Her suggestion won agreement from her fellow community councillors who will now look at how to take it forward.
▮ The sum of £480,000 to sort a 'bulging' retaining wall in Tobermory's Breadalbane Street has been carried forward to the 2023/24 budget for roads and infrastructure. The funding was originally approved about two years ago but there were recent concerns it might have been lost because work was never carried out. Argyll and Bute Council will also be asked by the community council to put a movement monitor on the wall to keep a check on its safety.
▮ Community engagement is ongoing between residents of Little Colonsay, fishermen and salmon producer Bakkafrost regarding setting up a new fish farm. The community council heard there was no timeline for plans being submitted as yet. It was also noted that members had not been "awash" with letters of objection. There are talks about a possible community fund being created. A one-off offer of compensation had been offered to fishermen who would lose their fishing ground but it had not been accepted.
▮ Anyone still needing to put in short-term let applications with Argyll and Bute Council now has until Wednesday September 13 after the Scottish Government extended the deadline.
▮ Fionnphort residents who sent a petition to Argyll and Bute Council for the return of their recycling point have received good news – but with a warning. The facility was removed because it was abused with people dumping animal carcasses and bits of washing machines, the community council heard. Island councillor Willie Hume said: "The council is not responsible for dealing with that kind of stuff. They are going to reinstate the facility but if it's abused again it will get taken away again."
▮ Also discussed was collaboration between the community council, Tobermory Harbour Association and elected members of Argyll and Bute Council to help get funding together to pay for an extension of a 30mph zone as far as Aros Park Gates.
▮ Mull and Iona are still waiting for news on government funding to support a new school campus. There are 32 local authorities all vying for the pot of money, although confidence is high.
▮ A solution to Mull's firewood shortage is still being sought. The island needs about 1,000 tons to see it through the rest of winter. Mull might have to resort to shipping in wood from Morvern which would be expensive. There is a possibility of 150 tons of wood at Tioran but otherwise any other wood is either green or diseased.
▮ A "concerted and consistent" effort will be needed to make "a real change" at Mull's Co-op convenience store to get more lines of produce stocked there. The lack of floor space is an issue.
A positive meeting has been held to discuss the issues and as a result there are plans to bring in more of the supermarket's value range. The community council heard that shopworkers have been getting the blame when items run out or fridges break despite it not being their fault if stock does not appear on the shelves.
▮ Mull Rally organisers have got positive feedback so far from Forestry Land Scotland about potentially using a forestry road at Fishnish to avoid ferry queues backlogging the main Craignure road over the event weekend this year.
▮ Gaelic spelling mistakes have been made on new signs for Craignure and Pennyghael and community councillors will also be asking CalMac to add Gaelic signs on MV Loch Frisa when she goes to dry dock soon.
▮ Joe Reade from the Island Bakery and Mull & Iona Ferry Committee has been co-opted on to Mull Community Council. A vice-convener is also needed now Billy McClymont had stepped up to be convener. The role of minutes secretary needs to be filled too.