Minutes of Meeting Thursday 6th February 2025

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Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 6th February 2025 at Kilmorack Community Hall starting at 7.33pm.

Apologies:  Mary Graham, Mark Hedderwick, Cllr David Fraser

Present: Andy Fraser, Iain Stewart, Graham Mackay, Roy Templeton, John Graham(secretary) Cllr Emma Knox.    

Minutes of Meeting 5th Decemberr 2024: Proposed: Roy Templeton, Seconded: Graham Mackay

Police Report: No report.

Matters Arising:

  • Black Bridge replacement – Notification that the drill be removed on Friday 7th Feb. Information provided was complicated and we await further information.
  • Ballach Wind Farm Consultation. All Councillors present attended and felt it the worst presentation they have ever seen. Lack of basic knowledge of Energiekontor staff was unbelievable. The Secretary asked that all completed and returned the Feedback Forms.
  • Lovat BESS. All Community Councillors were frustrated that the application had been approved albeit with certain conditions regarding noise in particular. Our Councillors had made good representations but were out voted. This was not Highland Councils Planning Committees finest day.
  • Caulternich is being appealed to Energy Consents. Our presentation to THC will be forwarded and we are in communication with Ian Kelly as to whether further action is necessary.
  • Field Beauly is being presented direct to Energy Consents. As outwith our CC area we have not responded yet but we will look to address this.
  •  400KV overhead line – Meeting tomorrow at Kiltarlity and next week at Phipps Hall to define the route. Aigas Community Forest has issues with access with SSE threatening a CPO if agreement cannot be reached. We will address this again after the Consultation events when we know a bit more.
  • Roads damage and repair (including Highland Broadband). The repairs are still awaited and damage is getting worse. Noted that work at Lentran after completion by Highland Broadband was reasonable so all not yet lost. EK to contact THC to see what will be done and also address the problem of cutting blocking ditches after hedge trimming.

Chairman’s Business

  • Feedback from local Community Councils meeting with Kate Forbes was hopeful and the Chairman felt that we were being listened to.
  • Fennallen update. Meeting on the 20th with Kiltarlity and Kilmorack 9.30am Phipps Hall. Chair will attend but other Community Councillors welcome.

Secretary

  • The annual Altyre/Toll maintenance contract is up for payment on the 6th April but since staff changes we are not sure who our contact is. EK to chase and clarify.
  • Hydro Fund turned down application for Teanassie School for swimming lesson transport due to being below the minimum £10k grant limit. The Secretary is liaising with the school to see if we can increase the sum for the next tranche.
  • Kilmorack Hall Committee has expressed there thanks for our involvement in procuring a Christmas Tree and have offered us free use of the Hall for the remainder of the year. JG to respond.  

Planning – No new applications.

Treasurer:

  • No transactions this month. Balance stands at £2090.80

ANOB:  

  • Question as to markings on Altyre. EK to look into that.
  • The Chairman noted the coming meeting re Spittal Beauly OHL.
  • Place Plan training session. Any volunteers.

Meeting Closed: at 21.11hrs (9.11pm)

Next Meeting: Thursday 6th March 2025 at Kilmorack Community Hall at 7.30pm 

Signed:

Andy Fraser, Chairman