Coll Community Council

Happenings in 1989.

A Subject Close to Everybody's Heart!

Surveyors and Consultants visited Coll and Tiree in connection with building of the Link Span.

It was confirmed that the building of a Link Span would take place, hopefully by the summer of 1992.

Requests for re-development of the pier store to extend the store room with waiting room, toilets and office above, would be considered at the time of the Link Span being built.

Colin Patterson, chief executive confirmed that the decision not to undertake scheduled calls by the ferry, was the responsibility of the captain of the vessel.

Freezer foods carried aboard in a proper freezer container are presently being investigated by the Consumer Council and actively pursued by the H.I.D.B.

The officers and crew of the M.V. Claymore were presented with a plaque by the people of Coll who collected around £400 in appreciation of ten years service to the island. Past and present ship's staff toasted the health of the island of Coll and in return presented a cheque for £200 to be used for the benefit of the cornmunity.

The new ferry, Lord of the Isles, launched in May at Port Glasgow, arrived a little late but was nonetheless appreciated.

Housing Action Area Improvement Grants:

An extraordinary meeting of the Isle of Coll Community Council and visiting members of the Argyll and Bute District Council Housing Action Rehabilitation Programme was held on Friday 8th. Sept.

Members present were:
Mr. Michael Gossip - chief executive, A.B.D.C.
Mr. R. Currie - Deputy chairman, housing committee.
Mr. W. Hunter - Chairman, A.B.D.C.
Mr. J. McDougall- Rehabilitation Officer.
Mr. D. Campbell - Councillor for Coll & Tiree & Housing committee member.
6 members of the Coll Community Council and 36 members of the public attended this lively debate.

Matters discussed were the abrupt end to work on Coll, the future basic grant of 75% of £12,500 with a discretionary additional amount available, restarting of the programme, hopefully in April 1990.

There was lively discussion and although not all answers were clear cut, the meeting was deemed to have cleared the air!! . . .

Public Toilets: 

After years and years of waiting, patience was finally rewarded with the opening of the New Public Toilets at the Middle Pier.

Beautifully finished, the only complaint comes from the previous secretary that his photograph was not taken with him on the throne!

School Teacher's House: 

After the disturbing news that the present school teacher's house was condemned, a new house - although not the usual Coll shape - was quickly erected at the end of last year - one minute it wasn't; the next minute it was! Mrs. Louise Oliphant is now comfortably installed.

Roads:

With Coll roads constantly needing attention, a fairly extensive re-tarmacing of the road west was undertaken by Gardeners - resulting in some of the longest traffic holdups ever known on Coll. The road was much improved although it would have been preferable to have had the whole section redone.

Old Pier:

Plans progressed for renovation of the Old Pier. Mr. K. Stewart very kindly agreed to lease the pier for a nominal sum of £1 per annum to the Coll Community Council. Solicitors have been instructed to draw up an official lease document; a quotation was received from Breachacha Builders for fundraising purposes and good possibilities from various sources in H.I.D.B. for financial assistance.

Airstrip:

Mr. D. Butler's unceremonious arrival at Ballard Airstrip under the auspices of the H.I.D.B. resulted in a report indicating that the building of an all-weather airstrip was feasible - at a cost of approximately £1 million! It was felt that such a high expenditure could not be justified and that the possibility of use of heavy duty netting could be investigated.

Cemeteries:

Continued concern was expressed at the bad state of repair of both Killionmaig and Crossapol and while work had started at Killionmaig, further writing was required to remind the council of Crossapol.

Finally:

At a meeting on 15th. December, the present Coll Community Council handed over to the newly elected members and the new chairman offered a vote of thanks to the outgoing committee for four years service and thanks to the returning officer.