Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 7^th December 2023 at Beauly Bowls Club starting at 7.30pm.

Inauguration of new Community Council

Present: Steve Byford(Chair), Duncan Fraser,  Mary Graham, Graham Mackay, Andy Fraser, John Graham, Cllr David Fraser, Cllr Emma Knox.

Apologies: Cllr Helen Crawford, Iain Stewart. Mark Hedderwick

Meeting commenced at 19.33hrs (7.33pm)

Chair: Cllr David Fraser.

Election of Officers:

Mary Graham Proposed Stephen Byford as Chairman, seconded by Duncan Fraser. Unanimously approved.

Vice Chairman: There being no immediate takers this was differed for the time being.

Treasurer: Duncan Fraser – proposed by Steve Byford, Seconded by Graham Mackay -elected

Secretary: John Graham – Proposed by Steve Byford, seconded by Duncan Fraser – elected

The Constitution and standing Orders were then adopted. Proposed by Steve Byford, seconded by Graham Mackay

Steve Byford takes the Chair and thanks Cllr David Fraser for opening the session.            

Minutes of Meeting 2^nd November 2023: Proposed: Duncan Fraser, Seconded: Graham Mackay.

Police Report: No report for this meeting but the IACCF meeting was presented with a detailed and all encompassing report which has been circulated. Funding and cutbacks in Police Scotland will mean that we will not get a Police visit in future unless there is something that justifies their attendance. The minutes of the IACCF were read appertaining to the Police Report. There was some concern that future Police response and resources may not meet our expectations.

Matters Arising:                         

• Teanassie School approached the Community Council for further financial support for transport to their swimming lessons. Whilst they had been told last year this could not be a recurring expense the need is there and the Secretary was able to attract support from the WDF, on the understanding that alternative funding will be sort in future years, supported by all our Ward Councillors this coming year. An application was made, approved and funds were received of £805 which have been passed to Teanassie School. Further to that the School has approached the CC for support for an ASN or sensory room for students with issues. Discussions with ACF and Steve Byford(Ffordes) suggested support would be both appropriate and possible. Cllrs David Fraser and Emma Knox suggested a further WDF application would be feasible. The Secretary will ask for more detail from the School and liaise with the other potential donors.
• Beauly Trust: Steve Byford and the Secretary met with three members of the Trust to discuss collaboration with KCC. The meeting was positive and the Chair expressed the view that the greater area should be encompassed to both generate funds and support local needs. There is a view, reiterated by DF from a previous Trust Meeting by Beauly residents that the Trust should be restricted to Beauly only. The Chair suggested that a letter be sent asking that the Trust should be referred to as Beauly and Kilmorack.  The Community Council await their response.
• Ofgem Meeting: The Chair and Graham Mackay attended a meeting with Ofgem chaired by MSP Kate Forbes regarding the electricity upgrades planned for the Highlands. Whilst the discussion was instructive to the two representatives from Ofgem the general view was not one of a meeting of minds.
• Strathglass National Park: The Secretary has received notification of a second application for a National Park encompassing the areas of Muir of Ord, Beauly, Drumnadrochit, out to the West Coast and Glen Affric. This is different to the Affric Attadale application. This encompasses a number of popular Tourist areas and whilst any National Park comes with concerns on such as planning the CC supported the proposal. Caveat is that ScotGov seems more interested in a Central Belt application but the logic of one in this area is beyond dispute.
• Kilmorack Community Hall AGM – 22^nd November 2023. Steve Byford and the Secretary attended the AGM. The Chair of the Hall was standing down but will still remain a member of the Committee. There was not a volunteer to take over the Chair so that remains to be filled. The main upgrades have at this time been attained. The Chair of the Hall thanked Steve for the CCs support in attending the meeting.
• 20mph Zones Consultation: Cllr David Fraser clarified that the Beauly 20mph zone predated the blanket 20mph trials presently under consultation and we had none of them in our area.
• IACCF: Due to technical issues the Secretary was unable to attend the meeting by Teams but has already reported on the Police Report. The other issues were winter resilience where some concern was expressed at the removal of insurance cover for volunteers and Ward Discretionary Fund applications which we are already au fait with.
• THC Budget Consultation: A lively debate ensued but effectively with full disclosure it was felt impractical to respond especially considering the £60m shortfall inn funds. The Secretary suggested that individually members should respond stating their own priorities.
• New Bins: Concerns were expressed concerning confusion on the use of the new bins(which bin is for what), costs(apparently supported by ScotGov) and practicalities in rural areas.

Chairman’ Business:

• CLG: The Chair was unable to attend the CLG but those Councillors that did reported on the event. The discussion was wide ranging and not very impressed with SSEN and their presentation. The veil of secrecy imposed by SSEN was inappropriate and non sensical as the majority of information was already in the public domain. The Chair questioned the validity of the CLG as a consultation body or just a tick box exercise.

Secretary: No report as all relevant information has been passed to members.

Treasurer:

• Balance stands at £3,087.17. WDF for Teanassie £805.00 received and forwarded, THC Grant of £437.67 has been received. Only outstanding bill will be for the Bowling Club room rental.

Planning: Nothing to report.

ANOB:

• Mary Graham reported the Defib had been accessed but not used and we had been notified by the Circuit. Now checked and back in operational mode.
• Graham Mackay and Andy Fraser mentioned two grit bins had been damaged. Will notify the secretary with what three words location which will be forwarded to John Taylor.

Meeting Closed: at 21.24hrs (9.24pm)

Next Meeting: Thursday 1st February 2024 at Beauly Bowls Club starting at 7.30pm 

Signed: