Minutes of Meeting, 5th November 2015

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Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 5th November 2015 at the ‘The Kilmorack Hall’ at 7.30pm

Present:  Steve Byford (Chair), John Stewart (Vice-Chair) Duncan Fraser(Treasurer),  Mary Graham(Secretary), John Graham, Mark Hedderwick, Cllr. D. Jean Davis

Guests: PC Billy Macdonald (8.24pm)

Apologies: Cllr. Margaret Davidson, Cllr. Helen Carmichael, Cllr. Hamish Wood

Meeting commenced:  7.44pm.

Minutes of the previous meeting Thurs 1st October 2015 were taken as read and accepted as a true and accurate record.  Proposed by Duncan Fraser, seconded by John Graham – Approved.

Police Scotland, Beauly Area Report: PC Billy Macdonald – No recorded crime in the area. Be aware of Eastern European organised gangs targeting the Highlands.

Matters arising:

  1. Community Council Elections: KCC status quo remains. Inaugural meeting of next term 3rd December 2015 which will be chaired by Cllr. Helen Carmichael.
  2. Altyre/Toll Path update on maintenance. SSE have provided THC with a ‘planting plan’ for the zig-zag path which highlights a maintenance responsibility for that section for the following 3 years. This includes litter pick up of the site, general inspection of the planting, maintenance of the planting and review of the existing trees to be undertaken each year. There will be a three year maintenance program and a grant to fund ongoing maintenance of £55,650. Presently they are snagging the scheme prior to handover. Alasdair Brown to meet with John Stewart to indentify areas of concern.
  3. SSE roads assessment in the Braes – awaiting update.
  4. Verges and Hedges – ongoing discussions (MH)
  5. Loch nam Bonnach access – Stewart Eastaugh (Access Rights Officer, THC) held talks with Hatfield Farms(Farley estate) which were very positive. Stewart is preparing a report for the estate which will identify works necessary and any support available. The Estate has expressed their wish for a positive relationship with the Community.
  6. Beauly-Blackhillock Upgrade – SSE has planned consultation for Kilmorack, Kiltarlity and Beauly. To be held in the Kilmorack Hall, 25/11/15 between 2.00pm and 7.30pm
  7. Bus Shelters – Repairs are somewhere down the list of priorities unless damaged. KCC to discuss with THC the practicalities of KCC replacing the panels and painting (THC to supply materials?)
  8. Toll War Memorial – SB to lay Community Wreath. Paths and grass have been cleared of leaves but will be re-done on the morning of the Service.
  9. Community Broadband Update – JG attended a meeting with HIE (Community Broadband Scotland) on Monday 2nd A proposal was tabled for a large scheme encompassing South Loch Ness side and north as far as Scatwell and Strathconon. We were advised of further BT rollouts mostly based around Loch Ness and the promise(?) that we will all be advised by Christmas which areas will not receive updated fibre broadband. Next step, go it alone or a large scheme will be a survey to identify need and desire for a Community Broadband (David Garvie of Aigas Community Forest is organising this). There is funding from CBS for this exercise.
  10. Refugees – MG and JG attended a Refugee Crisis Third Sector Interface Meeting at Smithton. One hundred refugees, encompassing approximately twenty five families, are expected to be relocated to the Highland Region. Requests for residents to offer accommodation and rental property was discussed and we will hear appeals for that through THC. There were a wide range of concerns in an area with a massive housing shortage already.

Chairman’s Business:

  • The Chairman reported on a visit by Mary Scanlon MSP who met Steve Byford and John Stewart to hear first hand the issues of the substation and noise complaints. The subsequent press coverage suggests that she was quite disturbed by the situation.

 Vice Chairman’s Report:  

  • JS reported on the Liaison meeting with Breedon at the Quarry. Discussions covered the re-instatement of the old quarry to a natural state. Also work on the continuation of the link paths. SSE have agreed to pay for the work with Breedon supplying materials.

Secretary’s Business and Correspondence:

  • Next year’s proposed meeting dates were circulated and agreed.

Finance:

  • Balance now stands at £2403.45

Planning Matters:  No applications this month

AOCB:  .

  • The electric connection to the defib is not yet in place although the Perspex in the porch at the Hall has been replaced. JG will raise it at the Hall AGM
  • MH will be cutting firewood in Aigas forest for distribution to those in the community in need of support. The Council was asked to help identify suitable recipients.

 

Next meeting:   3rd December 2015 at the Kilmorack Hall. Inaugural meeting of the re-elected Councillors at 7.30pm followed by normal meeting at 7.45pm 

Meeting Closed: 9.45pm    

 Signed:

 SB-Small                         

 Steve Byford