Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 5^th October 2023 at Beauly Bowls Club starting at 7.30pm.

Present: Steve Byford(Chair), John Stewart(Vice Chair),  Mary Graham, Graham Mackay, Mark Hedderwick, John Graham(Secretary)

Apologies: Cllr. Chris Balance, Cllr.Emma Knox, Cllr. David Fraser, Duncan Fraser.

Meeting Commenced at 19.30hrs (7.30pm)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Minutes of Meeting 7th September 2023: Proposed: Mark Hedderwick, Seconded: Graham Mackay.

Police Report: No report. Concern was expressed that contact details were out of date, recently Fort Augustus telephone number went unanswered and existing emails were not recognised. 101 is routinely not answered and it was voiced that inability to contact the Police over minor offences keeps crime figures down. 

Matters Arising:                         

• Community Council elections: Nominations are now complete and contrary to THC’s website Kilmorack is a non contested Council. The present CC will step down at midnight on the 10thOctober and the new CC will take over on the 11^th at 00.01hrs. First meeting will be the 2^nd November when officers will be appointed and new Councillors welcomed.
• Fairburn Wind Farm Public Consultation: Most Councillors had visited the Public Consultation at Kilmorack Hall and were singularly unimpressed with the quality and size of maps and documentation provided. There were many concerns on a new development which by distance is not an extension, height, visual impact, proximity to Golden Eagle reserve(Eagles don’t recognise boundaries drawn on maps), access roads, connection to the grid(undisclosed) to name but a few. The Secretary to draft a letter to SSE Renewables expressing our concerns.
• Lovat Estates BESS: Most Community Councillors had visited the presentation in Beauly and expressed some concerns. The proposal left much to be desired. Noise levels are a concern with the Transmission Hub already at the limit and information from THC leading us to believe that any cumulative increase would re-trigger the noise abatement order. A question on enforcement was raised. With up to one hundred air conditioning units operating it is considered that keeping within the cumulative noise levels would be impossible. Concerns on fire safety, a known problem with BESS, was high on the concerns with the reliance on suppression systems unimpressive. With lithium fires virtually un-controllable, suppression systems may allow staff to escape but do little to control a major conflagration. The proximity to the SVC was noted as any major fire may well knock out the transmission hub for quite a time. Toxic emissions from a major fire were also a serious concern. Letter to Lovat Estates highlighting the concerns of the Community Council to be drafted. It was considered that BESS would be more appropriate sited on wind farms away from residential properties.
• Beauly Village Trust: It was noted that a trust had been formed and an inaugural meeting held. Although there had been some very limited communication from the Trust no meeting had taken place as the Chair was on holiday at the time. This will be pursued. From the information to hand it would seem that the Trust boundaries are presently defined as the catchment area for Beauly Primary School.
• Scottish Forum of Community Councils: We have been invited to join this national forum but the Council had no enthusiasm to join another Central Belt driven quango. We have more immediate local issues.
• Digital Phone Switchover: It was brought to the CCs notice that BT intend to switch off analogue phone systems by 31^st December 2024. Concerns were expressed that in a power outage as the new Digital system(VOIP) uses the Broadband connections reliant on routers powered by mains electricity, there will be no landline phones for emergencies. For those with mobiles that is less an issue but some mobile masts only have battery backup power for one hour although Aigas mast has a generator backup. The Chair, who has already had to move to digital has found it poor and has had to invest in a starlink satellite system due to bandwidth issues with BT Digital. Something probably too expensive for most private users. This is an ongoing issue and we will see where it goes.
• Flooding: Due to the heavy rains on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning there had been considerable flooding. Heavy flooding from Wester Balblair quarry added to the problem but areas by the Cemetery were also badly affected. The Secretary has been in touch with John Taylor who is arranging for the drains to be inspected. Some of these issues are a recurring problem which needs a solution. The Secretary also asked John Taylor if the white lines between the Gallery and the Crask could be re-done as they are all but obliterated. JS to contact Breedons about the runoff and about some support to resurface parts of the Cemetery entrance. MH to assist.   

Chairman:

• The Chair thanked John Allan(Lighting THC) for his prompt response to the lighting issue in Wester Balblair.

Vice Chairman:

• The Vice Chair had received communication via the Secretary to see if we wished a final cut of the Altyre whilst Kevin had the cutter on his tractor. There was some discussion on the path but the CC authorised a final cut and the Secretary emailed confirmation to Kevin at Robertsons.

Secretary:

• Winter Resilience. The secretary has contacted THC to see if the scheme will be extended to this year. Awaiting a response.
• Inverness Area Community Council Forum. Now reformed and concerns expressed at an Inverness City Centric attitude. Now addressed by Cllr David Fraser. We will look at Agendas and attempt to send a representative when appropriate.
• National Park Proposal – Attadale to Glen Affric. Broadly welcomed but competition will be strong from other areas. Unlikely to succeed.

Treasurer:

• Balance stands at £3,485.50. John Stewart to be removed from bank mandate and John Graham to replace him= approved

Planning: Nothing to report other than that already discussed.

ANOB:

• MH raised the possibility of paths and access in the area around Wester Balblair. He will contact Stuart Eastaugh (about funding)  and Lovat for their feedback and will present maps at a future meeting.

Meeting Closed: at 21.55hrs (9.55pm)

Next Meeting: Thursday 2^nd November 2023 at Beauly Bowls Club starting at 7.30pm

Signed: