Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council

Draft Minutes of the Community Council Meeting held at Glenmoriston Millennium Hall on 28th February 2023

 

Members Present:

Deirdre MacKinnon – Chair (DM)

Helen Clay – Secretary (HC)

Mike Anderson – Treasurer (MA)

Jeff Dymond (JD)

Claire Pegrum (CP)

Hilary Wilson (HW)

Cllr David Fraser (DF)

 

Apologies:

 

Iain MacKnocher – Vice Chair (IM)

Robert MacDonald (RM)

Cllr Chris Ballance (CB)

 

Presentation

The meeting begun with a short presentation by Jennifer Peltier and Sarah Kyle from E-Power who are proposing the Tomchrasky Windfarm in Glenmoriston. The planning application has been submitted to the Highland Council for 14 turbines up to 185 m in height (84MW) plus up to 50MW battery storage. Various community benefits are also proposed. Tomchraskyinfo.co.uk

 

1.     Previous Minutes

 

The Minutes from Wednesday, 25th January 2023 were agreed to be an accurate and a true reflection. Proposed by CP and seconded by DM.

 

2.     Matters Arising

New road markings: DM to speak to Shane Manning (HC) about enforcement of the double yellow lines as the police can only ask motorists to move and cannot enforce it.

 

Glenmoriston Estate: The case is in the hands of solicitors, ongoing.

Scottish Canals: HC to email Ailsa Andrews regarding the garden at Caledonian House. Dog dirt on canalside, parking for Canal Centre AirB&B and loose/cracked steps on canal banks.

 

Lower Bunoich Road: parking issue ongoing.

 

Minute Taker: The CC are still seeking a Minute Taker which is a paid position.

 

3.     Police Report: HC has not been sent this month’s Community Beats report although we have all agreed that these reports have nothing to do with our area. We have also not been informed that we are now down to two police officers in our area. DF said that all community councils are saying the same about Community Beats and it will be reported back to Judy Hill, the area commander.

 

4.     Treasurer’s Report:

The current balance is £4751.32.

 

5.     Community Amenity Issues:

·        A82 signage and marking – ongoing

·        Christmas Lights – DM sill waiting for Neil Fraser from Highland Council to get back in touch.

·        Streetlights – same as above; 3-4 lights not working up the canalside towards Bruce’s Buildings since October and a fault on one light on the Bruach Dubh near Knockburnie.

·        Bus Shelter – The Abertarff Place bus shelter replacement and a panel replacement at the Invermoriston bus shelter are still ongoing. DF said that both shelters are on the list to do.

·        Achnaconeran Road – ongoing issues.

·        Abertarff Green – the green was fenced off some years ago for a safe place for children to play but people are using it for their dogs. DM has asked for No Dogs signs and DF suggested emailing Debbie Sutton or Peter Kelly at the Highland Council.

·        Kilchuimen Academy – Fencing has been erected around the school with padlocked gates meaning that all Safe Routes to School that we fought for have been blocked. The field is no longer able to be used by the village after being a vital amenity for over 50 years and there is no local, safe green space in Fort Augustus. The Junior Shinty Team has had to use the green at Abertarff which is not suitable or big enough.

·        Top Car Park bridge – ongoing; still blocked off by the Highland Council. This cuts off access to the playpark and tennis courts as well as access to the village hall where locals have to walk on the road to get to the hall which is dangerous.

·        Potholes – ongoing. DM has emailed the Roads Dept many times.

·        St. Columba’s Well – ongoing; work still to be done and fence to be repaired. DM and DF to contact BEAR again.

 

6.     Planning & Licensing

 

23/00259/S37 Section 37 – Installation of an electric line above ground with a voltage of 132kv between the proposed windfarm substation and the Fort Augustus substation within Auchterawe. Location of works, land 365M SE of Beith Mhor, 1, Dundreggan Bungalows, Glenmoriston. Applicant – SSE.

The CC commented.

 

23/00563/FUL – Erection of house, 80M N of Tigh Na Bruach, Invermoriston. Applicant – Mr Ian Thomson.

The CC had no comment.

 

22/05899/PIP – Erection of house, 2, Torgoyle Crescent, Dalchreichart, Glenmoriston. Applicant – Mr Andrew Gilchrist.

The CC had no comment.

 

7.     Correspondence

 

Scottish Water email about free water refill pump in Fort Augustus.

 

8.     AOCB

 

Invermoriston Community Shop – BEAR to be contacted as the crossing area has been put in the wrong place so could be dangerous. Also, the water flows straight across the road from the Achnaconeran road as the drainage is not working properly. DF is aware and will speak with BEAR.

 

Achnaconeran Road – A sign has appeared stating the road is not suitable for unauthorised vehicles. It is not a Highland Council sign and DF will speak to John Taylor (Roads Dept).

 

Caledonian Court – CP said that the street lights come on early afternoon whilst it is still daylight and goes off early.

 

Bunoich Brae - HC has been told that a fencing company has been contacted.

 

Dropped Kerb – The kerb at the traffic lights at the top of The Riggs path does not have a dropped kerb so it is not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams to cross the road. DM made BEAR aware of this years ago when the surgery was at the Scots Kitchen. HC to contact BEAR.

 

Canalside Layby – HC has been asked if the layby in front of The Bothy could be used solely for unloading as the road frequently gets blocked by delivery lorries. DM to contact Shane Manning at the Highland Council.

 

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 28th March 2023 at the Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus at 7.30 pm.