Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday 5th June 2025 at Kilmorack Community Hall starting at 8pm.

Meeting Commenced at 20.03hrs (8.03pm)

Apologies: Cllr. David Fraser, Cllr Emma Knox, Cllr. Helen Crawford, Iain Stewart

Present: Andy Fraser, Mary Graham, Mark Hedderwick, Graham Mackay,  Roy Templeton, John Graham(secretary) (local resident – Robbie Short)

Minutes of Meeting 8thMay 2025: Proposed: Andy Fraser, Seconded: Graham Mackay

Police Report: No report

Matters Arising:

• Mark Hedderwick report on developments with SSEN regarding Aigas Community Forest and also the preparation work over Farley Hill. Subsequent meetings are planned but work in progress right now. To alleviate the heavy traffic one option is to open up a borrow bit to the North East of the forest to reduce the level of HGVs by 2000 movements along the Cannich Road. Their estimate, not ours!
• Cllr Helen Craword has arranged a Convention on the Impact of Major Energy Structure in the Highland Council Area to take place on Saturday 14^th June at the Phipps Hall, Beauly, 2.00 to 4.00pm. AF and MH hope to attend.
• Fanellan Update – AF reported on an open meeting with Beauly CC at Phipps Hall with SSEN and Beauly Council. The view was clear that BCC should object to Fanellen and the Field Beauly BESS scheme.
• Balloch Wind Farm Met Masts. It was unanimously agreed that KCC should object to the two masts proposed by Energiekontour. Those that attended the EnergieKontour Consultation in the afternoon were far from impressed with the quality of mapping and the attitude of the staff. Members are free to lodge their opinions and we will address this in detail when a planning application comes forward. Note due to the size this will be an Energy Consents Unit application thereby bypassing local democracy. It is of note that the size has been reduced to twenty turbines but of 200 to 230m to tip size. No one doubts that an extension application would be the next move should the scheme get approval. The inclusion of a BESS system where access for fire services was virtually impossible raised concerns.
• Verges – No further report and as Emma has not been well progress has slowed. AF will chase The Highland Council.
• Lovat Bridge to Beauly path and Wester Balblair path. MH reported but we await developments. BCC have been talking about this again so AF will point out our primacy on this area.
• Kilmorack Cemetery upgrade is progressing.
• Highland Energy Training for Community Councils – Roy Templeton attended online and found it very useful.
• Croyard Road Sinkhole – GM has had a response from THC and the hole is now well marked.

Chairman’s Business – Most business already addressed but 23^rd June meeting on Social Values. AF raised the question as to whether KCC should request SSEN to present to the Community as they had done at Kiltarlity and Beauly and the Consensus was to request this.

Secretary:

• 12^th June HVDC Information event at Phipps Hall – 3 – 6.30pm
• Report received regarding Wild Swimming by large group of people in the Gorge at Aigas.
• Digital Phone switchover now slated for prior to January 2027.
• Invitation to Community councillors to a meeting regarding the new Beauly School as a POD(Point of Delivery) on Tuesday 10^th June 3-6pm
• Of note BT are offering Fibre supplies to even remotely located premises FOC by 2027.
• Grants. We have been promised the Altyre/Toll management Grant by this week but are still awaiting. Likewise the Operational Grant is still awaited.

Planning – No new applications

Treasurer: – Grass cutting on the Toll at £126. As we had some funds from last year that was cleared. Balance stands at £1862.90.

ANOB:

• Due to the fatal accident at Brockies Corner it was felt that pressure should be brought to bear on THC about visibility improvements at this accident blackspot. Kiltarlity should be approached as it is in their area but we will support.
• GM referred to a pre-determination meeting of the Kilmorack substation application with THC on the 18^th June.

Meeting Closed: at 21.38hrs (9.38pm)

Next Meeting: Thursday 4^th September 2025, 7.30pm

Signed:

Andy Fraser, Chairman