Ullaspool Board Meeting

Tuesday 13^th December 2011

Present                                Susan, Jo, Sam, Briony, Barry, Ruth

Apologies           Tony, Martin, Chris, Andy

In attendance for first agenda item         Ewan Young – Ullapool Community Trust

District Heating System

Price of heating would be fixed to a percentage below the oil price.

Compensation would be payable to Ullaspool should facility require to be closed due to lack of heating.

There would be 2 back-up oil boilers included in facility.

Profits from this scheme would be ploughed back into the community.

Main benefit to Ullaspool means no need to replace our own out-dated boilers. (Sam has asked HHM for a price for replacement of existing plant)

The board are all very conscious of the bad feeling already existing re. One of the possible sites for the project and are keen to avoid this impacting on the overwhelming support we received during our fund-raising over the past couple of years. Any negative comments to be referred to Ewan.

Matters arising from previous minutes

H&S : Jo to chase up Hughie – overheating hair-drier

Hoist now functioning. Scottish Seafarms application for funds for new hoist – should hear in January.

Primary swim funding issue has been resolved.

Manager’s report

Very good usage figures. This is expected to slow down over December closure period. Highlife subscriptions are up.

Electricity bill from Scottish Hydro for last quarter was very high. Oil usage higher due to recent lost – approximately £300 worth of oil disappeared overnight – no fault with tank was found. Looking increasingly likely to have been as result of a theft. An alarm and electronic gauge have been ordered. Community Security Officer to do a walk around to offer further advice. It was also agreed to install some sort of CCTV and security lighting. Sam to check this out.

Problem in Gents toilet is being dealt with. Pool temperature has been slightly up – HHM to deal with.

New appointment Stewart Mackay – part time from January.

Sub-aqua club will be back – not been in since 2009.

Fire Safety RA required signage – ordered - and a ramp for side pool door. Jo hopes to be able to get this from DDA monies as Ullaspool funded the one for the Hall. She will pursue this.

Staff Christmas night out – Friday 23^rd in Arch. The board will pay for a round of drinks!

Jo will speak to Colin Mackenzie , Highland Council – re. review of Insurance (due 31^st March) – would we be covered for oil loss?

Resale goods have now been restocked – good sales figures due to sale prices at opening.

Treasurers’ report

Final grant should be coming soon. Liz Whitford coming on Thursday 15^th December to see pool and bring plaque. Martha to go through final claim with Barry. Barry has a meeting scheduled with Angus to clarify some issues . Susan is to provide Barry with Sam’s employment information.

IHS have checked out problem with showers and maintain it is not on their side. Appears to be a mixing valve problem. Sam to contact HHM. We are awaiting service agreement from HIS.

Ruth to be made signatory on bank account – Jo to hand in mandates to school.

Business Manager’s Report

Opening day – taster sessions being organised and provisional details to be put out to invitees. (list to be compiled)

Ullaspool now has the Accredited Paddle Sport Provider qualification and can apply for funding for new kayaking equipment. The £300 fee for this qualification was taken from the £700 which Brian Wilson helped raise towards new equipment. Future kayaking programme will not be Highlife activity. Should earn pool money due to fact that we do not have to pay for instructor as Sam will be doing this.

There is to be a meeting of representatives of all Community Pools in Scotland in Oban on 3^rd Feb. Sam will represent Ullaspool and we will meet his expenses. A further meeting of Rural Direct to take place in Inverness area sometime soon.

Monies are all in for the Water Walkers and hope to have them in time for the Open Day.

Phase 2 for Plant Room is Sam’s next big job. A wish list of jobs needing done to be put together , including sand filters and pumps – which would be independent of whether or not District Heating System gets go ahead. School visits to be scheduled to tie in with Primary Swim lessons. Funding for sustainability of Business Manager’s post also to be investigated.

Date of next meeting (to discuss plans for Open Day) Tuesday 10^th January 2012 at 7pm in AV room at Lochbroom Leisure.