Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 4^th March 2021 by Zoom at 8.00pm

Present: Steve Byford(Chair), John Stewart(Vice Chair), Duncan Fraser(Treasurer), Mary Graham, Mark Hedderwick, Graeme Mackay, Cllr. Margaret Davidson, Cllr. Emma Knox, John Graham(Secretary)

Apologies: Cllr. Helen Carmichael.  It was further noted that Anna McInnes had resigned from the Community Council on the 6^th October 2020 after moving out of the area.

Meeting Commenced at 20.00hrs (8.00pm)

Minutes of Previous Meeting 13^th February 2020 (Circulated 23/2/21): Proposed JS, Seconded GM. Passed.

Police Scotland: We have a new contact PC Rebecca Priestly. We are advised that there were no incidents in Kilmorack.

Matters Arising:

• Altyre Path improvement. Kris Bremner at Breedons has offered materials  to lift the area of the path prone to flooding and MH has agreed to make it good. MH to contact Breedons to arrange materials. There was discussion about widening part of path and SB and JS to meet MH on site to discuss. Quarry path has become very overgrown with broom which the snow has brought down. JS has spoken to Breedon and SSE regarding a contribution to this work. Both have agreed to fund the work. JS will liaise with Simon Dakin to get the work done as per his quote.
• Concern was expressed about the large boulder at the corner of the Lovat access road and also parking on the grass. Cllr MD to contact John Taylor to extend bollards. SB to to contact Ian Shepherd about removal of the boulder. There is also an issue of access at the Black Bridge with the way by the gate potentially unsafe for elderly pedestrians. MH has contacted Stewart Easthaugh who has offered a choice of gates FOC. SE to contact Ian Shepherd to see if Lovat Estates would be happy to fit them.
• Access track issues. A track up at Ruisaurie has been blocked by a resident who is concerned about the pandemic. This is causing issues particularly with horse riders with a potential danger that they or their horses may be injured by some of the iron obstructions on the path. MH has spoken with Stewart Easthaugh who feels that action should not be delayed too much. However the Covid situation on this instance complicates things and it was felt that to wait until we have some easing of restrictions may be preferable.
• Bus Services to the Braes. MH wished it to be noted that the new Stagecoach service over the Braes has proved successful with residents finding the service on time with a regular driver who was very pleasant and accommodating. MH felt credit should be given where due!
• An SSE meeting(virtual) in October to discuss the extension to Wester Balblair to support the Lochluichart Wind farm extension was basically a farce. At a more recent meeting three weeks ago information on a 400 KVA extension from Wester Balblair to Blackhillock and on to Peterhead gave cause for concern. SB to contact  Rob MacDonald, Head of Transmissions, to ask for clarity on their five, ten and even twenty year plans. Concerns as to fencing upgrades were discussed and Cllr. MD suggested the CC contacts David Mudie refarding visual impact of new high fencing topped with razor wire. Cllr. MD also advised the CC that the Western isles was back on the Agenda but concerns remain on where that will now be sited.
• SVC Upgrade. Another run of acoustic barriers have been installed and noise monitoring equipment has been put in place. However JS confirmed that the noise is still there.
• Breedon Virtual Meeting. SB attended a meeting with Kris Bremner with JS joining later after technical issues. Work will start on some restitution of the quarry in the next two weeks and will take three phases ending in 2026. SSE have applied for a Deed of Servitude to grant access to the outside of their site for maintenance purposes long term.
• Caulternich Battery Storage proposal. SB reported on a virtual consultation that recently took place. There was an issue that many close to the site had not received notification of the event. The blame for that was laid at the door of outside postal contractors. Information was sparse with a lack of clarity on whether it would be twenty five or fifty containers. Confirmation was given that they would be air conditioned. No agreement has yet been made with SSE to connect to Wester Balblair although they are in preliminary discussions. It was noted that the Community Council has received a large number of emails, letter and personal representations from concerned local residents. Although objections to planning are not accepted on site, the CC was advised that concerns should be expressed to David Mudie at an early stage rather than waiting for planning.
• Pandemic Response – Essentially behind the scenes the Community Council has been operating normally with planning, Community Resilience and roads all circulated to Community Councillor by email. Virtual Meetings with THC, SSE and Breedon attended by Officers and such work as required taken in hand. Some wood fuel has been delivered to those in isolation. Most residents in the area have proved pretty resilient with support from neighbours and family members. Where applicable many Community Councillors have kept in touch with locals by phone.
• AGM – As this Zoom meeting worked it was anticipated that the April AGM could go ahead encompassing both the relayed 2020 and 2021.

Chairman’s Business: Nothing extra

Vice Chairman: No report

Secretary’s Business and Correspondence: All correspondence previously circulated. Nothing current.

Treasurer: Duncan Fraser reported a balance of c. £4000 in the bank with a couple of payments due. One is our insurance at £75.

Planning Applications: All current applications circulated. No responses received.

ANOB:

• Request from Tomich residents to object to a met mast application in support of objections from Strathglass Community Council and Glenurquart Community Council. MH objected on the basis of potential Community Benefit from renewables that many get but we don’t. With the proposal outwith our area the conclusion was that we should not support the objection at this time.
• Graeme Mackay made the Community Council aware of a dog fouling issue at Loch nam  Bonnach. As this is on Hatfield Estates land there is limited action the Community Council can take. An approach to Hatfield Estates could be made. The Community Council can put up a sign and Cllr. MD suggested that the dog warden could make a couple of visits and advise owners of their duties. A perennial problem probably made worse by the pandemic and more people out walking.

Next Meeting: Thursday 8^th April 2021 – AGM and Meeting

Meeting Closed at: 21.30hrs

Signed

Steven Byford Chairman