COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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                          COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

                 REPORT FROM STRONSAY– AUGUST 2005

This is the fifth report submitted to the Community Planning Partnership following
engagement visits to a number of the smaller communities in Orkney during 2005/6.

Arrangements for the meeting

The meeting in Stronsay was arranged following discussion with the Community
Council Vice-Chairman and the Community Association’s hall booking clerk who
were both very helpful with arrangements, circulating posters, forms, etc. Special
care was taken to ensure that everyone who wished to contribute to the subject of
Community Planning could do so, as follows-

       We arranged the meeting in the Community Centre at the centre of the island
        which has good access
       We arranged for transport to be provided for anyone who required it by way
        of local minibus hire, however this was not needed
       We distributed forms through the shops/Post Office, and at the meeting for
        anyone who was unable to attend, or who did attend but wished to add
        further comments in writing. Forms were also available on VAO’s website.
       We offered help with completing forms, if required, but this was not
        requested.
       We ensured that the meeting was advertised widely with the help of the
        Community Council Vice-chairman who circulated posters to: the two shops
        and the Post Office. We also advertised the meeting in the Orcadian.
       A number of individuals, contacts for all the voluntary organisations, and
        listed businesses on the island were invited to attend by letter.

There was an attendance of 14 people at the meeting.

Arrangements at the Meeting

There was a presentation covering Community Planning, the Partnership, community
engagement, and how the issues raised and prioritised at the meeting would be
reported back. This was followed by a process, called Participatory Appraisal, in
which everyone is given a number of post-it notes on which to write down issues that
were important to them. These were gathered together under appropriate titles,
relating to chapters in the Community Plan, grouping together those issues that were
similar. Everyone was then asked to vote, each being given 3 votes, on the issues
that were of most importance to them or their families. The three issues with the most
votes were then discussed in more detail, each led by a member of VAO staff.

In Stronsay the three issues that came forward for discussion were:

   1. Housing

   2. Preservation of the Natural Heritage

   3. Renewable Energy
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It was emphasised that all comments made on the post-it notes would be compiled
into a more general report but that the three main issues would be reported back in
detail following further discussion on each issue.

THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR STRONSAY

   1. HOUSING

Why is Housing an issue?

Islanders felt strongly that housing was fundamental to the viability and growth of the
island’s population. There were no spare council houses in Stronsay and a severe
lack of other property for rent. Similarly there were few houses for sale. Therefore,
affordable housing for first time buyers or young families was not available.

Local builders were working to full capacity and other mainland builders were
reluctant to take on work in the Isles. This state of affairs left the islanders in an
impossible position where, even if they wanted to build or renovate, they had a long
wait, if they could get a builder at all.

Islanders knew of people who wished to move to Stronsay but were waiting for
suitable housing to become available.

What is the solution?

Islanders thought that a “Gateway House” would be useful, to allow potential new
residents a period of time to “try out” the island and look around for suitable
permanent accommodation.

The Development Trust intended to carry out a survey of housing need along with
Orkney Islands Council’s Housing Department. This would reveal the extent of need
in Stronsay. It was hoped that people would be able to register their interest in new
housing as part of this survey. Not to pre-empt the housing survey, but islanders felt
that there was a need for a mix of rented and private housing, including flats or other
accommodation for young people to rent. Some new sites for building could be
available in the near future.

Who could Stronsay look to for support?

Stronsay would expect help to come from the Development Trust, Orkney Islands
Council, the Housing Association and local landowners.
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   2. PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL HERITAGE

Why is this an issue?

Stronsay’s natural heritage, its flora and fauna, is the island’s most valuable asset
and islanders felt strongly that it must be protected. The island should not be
developed to a point which was detrimental to its environment and should retain its
peacefulness. All developments should be sympathetic to the environment and
should retain the biodiversity that existed. Coastal erosion was a problem in one or
two areas of the island.
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There was a problem with scrap and litter and some islanders felt that there had to
be a change of attitude to the dumping of scrap. One particular problem highlighted
by farmers was the difficulty of disposing of black polythene. There had been a
charity scheme, with Mr Macrae from Binscarth as the contact, but this had stopped.
Other solutions were needed.

Some islanders felt that more footpaths, especially circular ones, were needed, with
discreet notices, especially for new islanders or visitors who did not know their way
about.

How could the problem be alleviated?

The islanders wanted to see a scheme for removing scrap, old cars, big machinery,
rubble, etc. It may be that rubbish would have to be taken to one point for removal.
One idea proposed was that when road materials were being brought in by coasters,
the same boat, which normally returned empty, could return with scrap materials for
disposal /recycling on the Mainland.

Who could Stronsay look to for help?

It was felt that the Community Council could make representation to other
appropriate bodies on the subject of scrap removal, and they could also develop
footpaths as described above.

   3. RENEWABLE ENERGY

Why is this an issue?

Islanders agreed that because of rising fuel costs, principally oil, there was a need to
look to their own natural assets, using “clean” energy, and develop more renewable
energy projects that would benefit the island financially and environmentally.

What kind of renewable energy?

Islanders had a wide knowledge of potential renewable energy sources and
proposed the following list for possible development:

      Ground source heat pump
      Current wind generators at Rothiesholm were not working at full capacity due
       to fact that cables from the island had limited capacity
      Solar power, clean, efficient, especially in the summer months of long daylight
      Geothermal energy
      Hydrogen: this had potential for creating employment
      Tidal energy
      Ethanol
      Bio-fuel: from plant materials and slurry but was weather dependent
      One dedicated wind generator could provide electricity for the entire island,
       which other fuels could not.

Who can Stronsay look to for help?

The Development Trust had set up a sub-group that was looking into the question of
renewable energy. They had instigated a feasibility study, the outcome of which was
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still being studied. However, whatever action was decided upon, funding would prove
to be a problem without financial support from the statutory agencies.

How can this be progressed?

Any new-build housing in Stronsay should incorporate renewable energy sources for
its heating system.

A suggestion that any surplus electricity produced should be used to heat water for
farming Abalone sea creatures as a side line.

All islanders should be promoting Stronsay as an ideal location for the development
of a diverse range of renewable energy sources.

GENERAL REPORT

The remainder of this report contains all other comments that were made either at
the meeting or on 2 forms that were received afterwards from Stronsay residents who
either could not attend the meeting or who wished to add further comments.

Stronsay’s Heritage

      There are various archaeological sites not yet fully exploited, which could bring more
       people to Stronsay
      One islander wanted to retain Stronsay’s dark skies for stargazing.

Health and Care

      Retain the resident doctor and nurse
      No decline in dental services in the isles
      A care home and respite care for the elderly so they don’t have to leave Stronsay
      Air ambulance service retained

Business, Industry and Marketing

      Extra jobs are vital, especially for young people growing up in Stronsay, if they are
       not to leave. The development of a small industry would benefit the island.

Sport, Leisure and the Arts

      Two people wanted to have a craft workshop.
      Several people wanted to see a large indoor sports hall offering enhanced sports
       facilities.

Transport

There were several comments on the present transport services to and from Stronsay:

   Ferries:
    Orkney Ferries should charter another boat to cover re-fit times, keeping the number
       of ships to 3, and this would result in a refit timetable that would take account of
       Stronsay’s needs.
    Cheaper transport, and more people-friendly ferries
    Sailing times that would allow Stronsay folk to work in Kirkwall
    One person felt that the ferry terminal should remain at Whitehall
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   Loganiar:
    It is sometimes very difficult to get on flights and more space is needed for Stronsay
      passengers
   Hatston Ferry Terminal
    It would be helpful to have better facilities at the Hatston Terminal, including a café,
      due to the late departure of the ferry to Aberdeen/Shetland.

   Bus:
    A bus service from Whitehall to tourist sites, such as the Vat o’ Kirbister, on days
      when midday boats run.

Youth

       More work opportunities were needed for young people
       More help for young people, at the very least this should include the opening of the
        Fish Mart café till 11.00pm three nights a week.

Housing

       New housing, or re-building derelict houses, but only if it is in conjunction with extra
        jobs; otherwise the island would get people but no jobs, which would produce
        unemployment and behavioural problems.

Learning and Training

       A number of people felt that there should be increased training opportunities for
        school leavers or older secondary pupils. More evening classes for adults were
        needed in such subjects as welding, and mechanics, arts, crafts, computer courses,
        etc. or alternatively arrangements for these courses to be accessed in Kirkwall.

Pollution and Waste Control

       Mains drainage and sewerage in Whitehall and remove the sewage pipes from the
        foreshore.

Tourism

       Better tourism marketing to bring more people to Stronsay