CLACHAN SEIL STAKEHOLDER GROUP MEETING
6th June 2016
SEIL ISLAND COMMUNITY HALL 10.30 – 12.00
WELCOME
The agenda was distributed at the start of the meeting
Michael Russell (Chair) in opening the meeting mentioned that he had previous experience as a government minister of the problem of the Seafield, Edinburgh where there had been a complete breakdown in confidence between Scottish Water (SW) and the local community.
This meeting was to hear about the proposals and how they might be influenced. It was not about revisiting the past as he had been given the assurance a few months ago that SW were starting with a clean slate. It was important that the process be transparent. Having read the Oban Times article he recognised that there might be an issue of the appointment of the independent expert.
INTRODUCTIONS.
The CEO of SW Douglas Millican was honouring a commitment to attend the inaugural meeting of the stakeholder group. Alan Thomson would take the lead for SW at future meetings.
Alan Thomson SW Head of Corporate Relations. Dual role of liaising with MSPs councillors etc. and trouble shooting. Recognised the twin challenges facing SW and has been aware of them for two years. He recognised that given past experience there was no reason for the public to trust SW
Robert Stewart SW General Manager Waste Water Strategy – only been in post a few months.
Mark Williams SW Head of Regulation and Environment
Jim Frame representing SEPA – Present to listen and highlight concerns – as regulator would not take part in the discussion
Four Community Representatives, provided their occupations or former occupations and brief reason for being on the group.
Councillors Elaine Robertson and Julie Mackenzie introduced themselves. I was noted that newly elected councillor Kieron Green was receiving his induction training on this day.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PROCESS –Douglas Millican
He had been with SW for 14 years and in that time there had been thousands of projects and most go well. The Balvicar project did not go well and he had put this on public record in the Scottish Parliament. He also uses images of Clachan Bridge and Seil Sound in his speeches of how not to deliver a project. In view of the past the final decision on the bestsolution will be by the Board of Directors. Normally the directors only see the detail of large projects. He madea plea to the community to work with SW to address the twin problems.
REVIEW OF TERMS OF REFERENCE –Alan Thompson
The community representatives explained that it might not always be possible to have the same people, especially if meetings were held during the day. It was agreed that alternates would be allowed. Only four would attend the meetings. [Was there a limit to the number of alternates?]
The third agenda item to be amended to read “Evidence based transparent decision making will be key to deciding upon the most appropriate end solution”
SEPA’s role would be to highlight concerns but not to take part.
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXPERT- Robert Stewart
SW had trawled within the water industry for someone with suitable expertise and to rule out anyone with a past on Seil or involved in current SW projects. Clifforde seemed to be suitable and available and did not live in Scotland. David Ainsley said that it would be important to have knowledge of European Law. Mike Russell was obviously concerned about his recent employment by Black and Veatch and that company’s involvement with SW. Black and Veatch staff had been on site during the drilling operations at Seaview. He thought it would be useful for him to meet the community first. There should be no decision until after the drop in meeting. John Gordon, while agreeing that Clifforde had an impressive CV, pointed out that it was mostly related to Combined Sewage Overflows (CSO’s). This problem at Balvicar is not disputed. What was needed was an expert on septic tanks and whether there could be appropriate treatment with such a high freshwater infiltration.
The CEO intervened and explained the three different alliances charged with delivering SW’s 2015 – 2020 programme. The one involved on Seil would be led by Amey/Black and Veatch.
The chair questioned "is this the right way to appoint someone?” Can we consider another option of having an independent expert to advise the local community, possibly in addition to SW expert?'
The CEO reiterated that they were not necessarily looking at a single solution. Mike Russell agreed that there was no solution on the table in line with the assurance he had been given in 2015.
HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF OPTIONS BEING EAXAMINED – ROBERT STEWART
See handout
Options 1 and 2 involved the purchase of land and Bell Ingram were investigating ownership.
Option 3 – both the route and site for septic tank had been subject to site investigations.
The SEPA participant was asked if a reed bed could be replaced by an appropriate soak away. When he replied in the affirmative the suggestion that a soakaway alongside the fairways of the golf course might be a possibility. Elaine Robertson thought that community benefit would be a strong point.
PLANS FOR WIDER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – Alan Thomson
See handout.
Community event 21 June, 15.00 – 19.00 in the Hall. Every householder would be notified by postcard.
Mike Russell stressed the need to encourage new views from the community, rather than simply looking at the existing SW options.
It was explained that the CC only met in public bimonthly and the only effective way of imparting information to every household was the Seilachan distributed in first or second week of the month following the public meeting. Those present would consult their diaries for a suitable date for an evening meeting in 2nd or 3rd week of August.
NEXT STEPS AND TIMELINE Mark Williams
See handout
Mark Williams said that the bathymetric surveys and marine dispersal modelling at Seaview were still work in progress and also that in the interests of transparency everything would be shared.
GROUP FEEDBACK, AOB Michael Russell
There was a comment that there was an apparent change from a sustainable solution (lesser whole life cost) to a viable solution. The CEO stated that cost was not a consideration.
There was comment on climate change with anticipated increased rainfall and more frequent storms. This ought to be factored into any solution.
The CEO stated that he would not attend future meetings of the Group but would maintain an interest.He would also let the Group see and comment on the final paper to the SW Board before it takes a decision.
The meeting closed
APPENDED DOCUMENTS
Pdf sent to Community Council after the meeting
Clifforde CV
[No agenda was available before the meeting. Three of the community representatives had prepared papers in anticipation of being invited to make a presentation to the meeting. As there was no provision for this at the meeting copies of these statements were distributed to the participants after the meeting]
Agreed minute by the four community representatives: Davis Ainsley. John Gordon, George Mackenzie and Anne Marie Robin.