Temporary reprieve for Kirn Post Office
Six other Argyll branches to go
FOLLOWING the end of the six-week consultation period on proposed post office branch closures, Post Office Ltd’s Network Change team announced its final decision on Argyll offices on Wednesday.
Seven branches had been proposed for closure in October last year - East Princes Street in Helensburgh; Gallowgate in Rothesay; Campbeltown’s High Street and Ralston Road; Combie Street in Oban; and in the Dunoon area, Hillfoot Street and Kirn.
Wednesday’s statement confirmed that Post Office Ltd had decided to proceed with closure of the first six Argyll offices. However, Kirn Post Office has been given a reprieve of up to three months, although it does feature on the “confirmed closures” list.
The official decision document stated: “During the local public consultation period, the main comments received in respect of Kirn branch related to vulnerable customer groups and the effect the closure would have on the local community.
“In representations from a local community group, EnviroKirn, it was suggested that they may wish to submit proposals to operate a locally funded Post Office branch in Kirn.
“Having considered this and all other relevant factors, Post Office Ltd has decided to confirm the closure of this branch but to delay the implementation of the closure by three months to 9 April 2008.
“During this period, Post Office Ltd will consider any proposals put forward by the local community for the establishment of a locally funded branch. Both Post Office Ltd and Postwatch look forward to supporting the community in the preparation of their proposals.”
With regards to the Hillfoot Street branch, Post Office Ltd said: “During the local public consultation period the main concerns raised related to the impact of closure on vulnerable customer groups and the distance they would have to travel to the alternative branches.
“People also expressed concern that the alternative branches would not be able to cope with additional customers and some believed the closure would have a negative effect on local businesses.”
The document did not respond specifically to the concerns over the potential adverse effect on surrounding businesses or vulnerable customer groups, purely addressing the issue of distance to an alternative office.
The report states that for the two Campbeltown offices, Mossfield in Oban and Gallowgate in Rothesay, a “relatively small” amount of feedback was received from the public, and focusing mostly on the distance to


another facility and the ability of the alternative office to cope with increased capacity. In each case, Post Office Ltd responded that these issues had been reviewed fully when it first made its decision on which branches would be most suited for closure.
East Princes Street in Helensburgh received more feedback, especially relating to parking at alternative offices and highlighting the high standard of service. However, Post Office Ltd again confirmed that this had been fully considered prior to the closure proposals.
With regards to the actual date of closure, Post Office Ltd has advised that further details will be provided shortly, but that this will be not less than four weeks from the date of announcement. It expects to complete the changes to the Argyll and Bute network by Spring 2008.
Brian Chennell of Envirokirn told the Observer: “We will be meeting with Post Office Ltd later this month to discuss the situation further.
“We also need to consult with the local community. There is a lot to be done, and we need to fully investigate what running a community-based venture will involve.”
MP Alan Reid and MSP Jim Mather confirmed that they would back Envirokirn’s efforts, while expressing their discontent with the decision to proceed with the other closures.
Dunoon Community Council stated: “We are very unhappy regarding the decision to close Hillfoot Street Post Office. We feel that this decision was taken without adequate consideration for the local population.
“We note that the decision to close Kirn Post Office has been delayed by three months to consider the local community’s proposal to establish a locally funded branch.”
Post Office Ltd also advised that following the public consultation, four Glasgow offices previously earmarked for closure would be saved. However, it stated that it must still meet the government requirement of closure of up to 2,500 branches, and that four other branches would be closed instead, including Helensburgh’s Clynder branch in Victoria Buildings. There will now be a six week public consultation in relation to these latest closure proposals.


‘Lazy’ dog owners spoil beauty of Cowal
“Fantastic scenery, friendly people...we just love it here.”
The words of one couple who moved to Dunoon just three months ago from the Scottish Borders.
So strong are their feelings on the issue that they felt it necessary to visit the offices of the Dunoon Observer to make their point - and make it they did, saying: “We love walking, and the promenade along Alexandra Parade was one of our favourite places from which to enjoy the wonderful views.
“Now, we can’t look at the scenery for watching our feet. The dog mess in Dunoon and Kirn is filthy, and it’s everywhere.”
The Dunoon Observer has highlighted this issue a number of times in recent months and years, and despite the work of Argyll and Bute Council in combating the problem, this needless filth on our streets continues to blight the lives of residents and visitors alike.
Now, it is time that the the gloves were taken off (journalistically speaking, that is), and some plain facts were explained to the guilty owners of these innocent pooches.
Health Hazard
Dog faeces are an acknowledged public health hazard.
All faeces contain bacteria that can cause stomach upsets if ingested. However, the greatest risk to public health from dog faeces is toxocariasis.
Toxocariasis is an infection of the roundworm Toxocara canis. It is a zoonotic disease (transferrable between animals and humans), and one of the prime sources of infection is spread via dog faeces.
Young children are at particular risk due to their weaker immune systems and because they are more likely to expose themselves by ingesting the eggs. A puppy can pass as many as 15,000 eggs per gramme of faeces, and they are a major source of environmental contamination.
After two to three weeks of warm weather the eggs develop into an embryo state, containing larvae - this is when they become infective to dogs and people.
The larvae can reach the liver, causing inflammation and symptoms such as abdominal pain and pyrexia.
In a rare variation on the infection, some larval types can reach the eye. This can cause a granuloma to form on the retina. This may cause blindness.
Illegal
Aside from all the above common-sense reasons for lifting your dog’s mess, it is also an offence to allow your dog to defecate in public places without removing and disposing of it correctly.
The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it an offence for a person in charge of a dog to fail to clear away and dispose of the excrement appropriately. It applies to all public places.The evidence of just a single witness is sufficient to justify action under the legislation.
The Act also authorises local authority officers and police constables with the power to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone letting their dog foul public spaces.
Reduce The Risk
There are a few simple ways in which dog owners can help reduce this problem.
• Poop scoop every time your dog makes a mess. Keep a packet of bags next to the dog’s lead as a reminder to take them with you.
• Dogs should be wormed regularly - every three to six months. Use a prescription wormer from a veterinary surgeon.
• Exercise dogs in dedicated ‘dog areas’ of parks if available.
• Do not take dogs into parks that have children’s playgrounds.
• Contact the council and ask for a poop bin to be put in place.
Bag It And Bin It
The ‘poop scoop’ is a very simple plastic claw device that is used in conjunction with ‘poop bags’.
A poop bag is very similar to a nappy sack. It is a small plastic bag with two handles at the top. A knot can be tied in the handles to seal them closed.
The filled bag should be carried home for safe disposal via the refuse bin or preferably a dedicated ‘poop bin’. If it is not possible to dispose of the bag at home, then it must be double-wrapped before being placed in a public litter bin.
Pregnant women and individuals with impaired immunity should take extra precautions when cleaning up the faeces by wearing disposable gloves available from chemists.
Commercial poop bags are sold at supermarkets, veterinary clinics, pet stores and even large garden centres. Argyll and Bute Council now provides poop scoops and bags. Just call your local Area Office (Cowal: 01369 708600 or Mid Argyll: 01546 604666) for more details.
The last word on the subject, for the moment, should go to our recently-arrived Dunoon residents: “Your lovely area is spoiled by a few, and it probably is a small minority, of lazy, irresponsible dog owners, and they should think about others before they let their dogs mess public footpaths.”
Their last point is telling: “We’ve lived all over Scotland, and never seen anything like it before. It is disgusting.”
See Safety Valve (page 9) ‘Foul Cowal’ for this week’s correspondence on the subject of dog fouling.


Your chance to help save the Burgh Hall
“Burgh Hall - do you really care?” “Burgh Hall challenge - it’s down to Dunoon!” “Public commitment needed for Burgh Hall.” “Burgh Hall deadline.” “Burgh Hall - who cares?”
The above are a selection of the headlines which have appeared in the Observer over the last few years, relating to the ongoing and sorry saga of Dunoon’s Burgh Hall.
They may suggest that no-one cares. This would be untrue. The efforts - and disappointments - of groups of people who have, over the years, tried very hard to implement proposals for use of the town centre landmark, have been well documented.
Searching the archives of the Dunoon Observer from 50 and 100 years ago, the paper is chock-full of references to functions held in the hall - dances, theatre, political meetings, art exhibitions - the list is endless.
Talking to people in the street this week, and despite the fact that many of the town’s younger residents have never been inside the building, it is clear that there is still strong feeling that the building should be retained, with the almost universal opinion that it should be turned into a facility for all the community, and only a few voices speaking in favour of commercial or residential development. There is a virtually unanimous view that the building’s external facade should be preserved.
The Burgh Hall had a prominent place in Dunoon’s past. At present, it is neglected. What does its future hold?
The building’s owner, Fyne Homes, has announced this week that it will hold a public meeting to present the results of the options appraisal carried out to determine a possible use for the hall, saying: “The local community is key to this project so we look forward to a good turn out at the public meeting.”
The meeting will be held in the Holyrood Suite of the Queen’s Hall on Wednesday January 16, starting at 7pm.
A few weeks ago the Observer reported on the findings of the options appraisal team following its presentation to Bute and Cowal Area Committee. The team’s report warned of the limited lifespan of the building if nothing is done - stating that due to dry rot, it had two or three years left at the most if the building remained in its current neglected state.
It seems clear that there are strong local opinions. One local woman, when asked about her views, said that sometimes individuals may feel that their lone voices, in isolation, are not enough. However if everyone unites and speaks together, then there is a chance for action. Don’t miss this opportunity to consider the future of the Burgh Hall - come along to next week’s public meeting.
It would be awful to have to write - and read - the headline: “Burgh Hall demolished.”


Open meeting arranged to discuss out of hours service in Strachur
NHS Highland recently informed the local community in Strachur that the provision of out of hours services in the area would change because of the decision by the Strachur Health Centre to opt out of providing this service.
An initial public event was held in November to inform the local community of this decision and the fact that NHS Highland would be responsible for providing the service via NHS 24.
Following the outcome of this meeting and further discussions with members of the local community it was decided that a future meeting would prove very useful and a drop-in event has therefore been arranged in Strachur Memorial Hall between 3pm-7pm on Wednesday January 16.
Viv Smith, Locality Manager for Cowal and Bute, said: “Following on from the public event held recently by NHS Highland in Strachur Memorial Hall there was a general consensus that a further event would prove very useful for the local communities involved.
“We have therefore held discussions with a number of community representatives and have organised an event from 3pm-7pm on Wednesday 16th January in Strachur Memorial Hall.
“This event will be an informal drop-in session to give as many members of the public as possible an opportunity to come along and find out more about the provision of out of hours services in their area.
“There will also be demonstrations from NHS24, information on the Scottish Ambulance Service First Responder Scheme, more information about our plans for Dunoon Hospital’s new Community Casualty Department and a description of the service that we plan to provide.
“We are very keen to discuss these issues with the local community and I hope that as many people as possible will come along on the day.”