Minutes of Meeting held on Wednesday 4^th September 2024 at Kilmorack Community Hall starting at 7.35pm.

Apologies: Cllr Emma Knox, Iain Stewart, Duncan Fraser

Present: Steve Byford, Andy Fraser, Mark Hedderwick, Mary Graham, Mark Hedderwick, John Graham(secretary) Cllr David Fraser      

Minutes of Meeting  3^rd June 2024: Proposed: Steve Byford, Seconded: Andy Fraser

Police Report: Written Community report received and circulated 7^th Aug 2024

Matters Arising:

• Aigas Dam Substation Planning application: A written response was considered and after discussion was passed, with two amendments, for presentation as Stakeholder’s response to the planning application. Proposed: Mary Graham Seconded: Graham Mackay
• Kilmorack Dam Substation Planning application: A written response by Andy Fraser was considered and after discussion was passed for presentation as the Stakeholder’s response to the planning application. Proposed: Steve Byford Seconded: Graham Mackay.
• Black Bridge Closure: After a great deal of concern by residents and THC failing to agree to the closure, SSEN has agreed to reconsider their options. It was pointed out by AF that no approval has been made to the Fenallen development and therefore the action of SSEN to request the bridge closure was presumptuous at best and disrespectful of the local communities.
• SSE out of hours request for Wester Balblair and the undergrounding to the proposed Kilmorack Dam substation has been rejected by KCC. We await a response.
• SSE Renewables Hydro Fund – Fund has been advertised on our notice board and on line. Anyone having a suggestion or knowing someone who could benefit should encourage an application.
• 400KV OHL. Information is scarce at the moment but concerns have been raised on some of their access plans. Ongoing
• Cemetery Rubbish Collections – Emma Knox is working hard to get the bin and collection re-instated locally. Concern was expressed that the cost saving may be the driver.
• Road surface and yard use above the Braes. There has been no improvement with 33 ton lorries bringing up product from the Fibre cable installation and taking backfill materials down to Beauly and the extended areas. This is not a licensed disposal operation and damage to the road edges and the heavy trucks on narrow roads is still an Issue. Cllr David Fraser will chase this up.
• Caulternich has presented a paper concerning fire and safety precautions but our planning consultant doubts its relevance. THC is considering the safety of all BESS applications. This one has not gone away completely.
• Field Beauly consultation: The Chairman had been to the presentation and was singularly unimpressed with the replies he got from the Field Beauly staff. This has been echoed on Social Media by the many people who attended the event.

Chairman’s Business – Steve Byford announced his resignation due to pressures of work and the fact that he will shortly be moving to the Black isle. His health had to be prioritised and the pressure from SSEN was one deciding factor. He will still be involved with the local Community Council group until the new Chair is up to speed. He expressed his enjoyment over the years of working with the Community Council and supporting the Community. This was not unexpected but he will be sorely missed. The Secretary had sounded out the other members and Andy Fraser had agreed to take over. This was proposed by Graham Mackay and seconded by Mark Hedderwick. Andy commented he had big boots to fill but would work for the benefit of the Community.

Secretary –No Report

Planning – Current Planning Applications had already been addressed at the beginning of the meeting.

Treasurer:

• The Highland Council operational grant had been received of £437.67 on 1.07.24. Cllr David Fraser commented that many Community Council had expressed concern that this was not index linked and had gone down over past years. He suggested this be brought up through the IACCF at the next meeting.
• Balance stands at £2569.80 after deduction of the last payment for grass cutting on Altyre. This leaves our cumulative surplus on the maintenance contract at this moment of £503 which is insufficient for any spring cutting until next year’s maintenance payment is received.

ANOB:

• Concern had been voiced at the pressure from Energy Consents on THC to respond to Energy applications in two months. In practical terms with the number of applications and their complexity this was not realistic. David Mudie had said that holding objections would buy time and in this case the Planning Department and the Community Councils are of one mind. However the caveat is that delays may remove the power of THC to call for a Public Inquiry. However Cllr David Fraser was concerned by a statement made by John Swinney this day that energy would be expedited is a worrying development.
• Mary Graham asked whether we will provide a wreath this year to the War Memorial and the Council agreed to match last year’s donation of £30.
• Graham Mackay expressed concern that some trees were in a parlous state and needed assessment and possibly removal. Some large oak trees had fallen recently. The Secretary asked that the area be identified and then he would pass this on to John Taylor.
• The Secretary addressed the letter from Iain Stewart stating that pressure of work in Aberdeen made him feel he must withdraw from the Community Council. This was greeted with disappointment but understanding of his situation. Reduction in numbers meant we have to consider options one of which is the co-option of one or two new members. A couple of potential candidates were discussed and Cllr DF will contact the secretary with the name of a ward manager who can advise on protocol.

The Secretary asked that a vote of thanks be given to our Chairman Steve Byford for the years of hard work he had given to the Community Council. This was endorsed by the whole Council and by Cllr David Fraser on behalf of the Highland Council.

Meeting Closed: at 21.17hrs (9.17pm)

Next Meeting: Thursday 3^rd October 2024 venue TBA starting at 7.30pm 

Signed: