Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council

Draft Minutes of the Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council Meeting held on Wednesday 26th of January 2022.

Members Present:

Deirdre MacKinnon - Chair (DM)

Iain MacKnocher - Vice Chair (IM)

Helen Clay - Secretary (HC)

Jeff Dymond (JD)

Jill Wyatt (JW)

Mike Anderson (MA) 

Robert MacDonald (RM)

In Attendance:

Margaret Davidson-Councillor (MD)

Apologies:

David Fraser – Councillor (DF)

Note Taker:  Jade Marie Douglass.

1.    Previous Minutes:

The minutes were proposed by IM and seconded by HC.

2.    Matters arising:

Glenmoriston Estate: No updates.

 

Invermoriston Cemetery: MD asked what more do people want to be improved, as they have sorted out the road to allow hearses to turn a few years ago.

(JW) brought up that pedestrian access is what the issue was and would like a path to be put in place to get to the cemetery from main carpark. JW will ask the community what else they want doing in that area.

 

Sheltered Housing: DM brought up that the Telford Centre are unaware of any of the residents in the sheltered housing. It was agreed in the beginning that Telford Centre staff would visit and check up on residents in houses. MD will get in touch and try to get things sorted.

The sheltered houses also have just gone up for an award.

 

Invermoriston Toilets: Possible meeting on the 8th of February about toilets.

 

 

3.    Police Report:  Between 01/11/2021 – 25/01/2022

1 – During this period there were several road traffic collisions of a non-serious nature. Police attended these and assisted with persons. There were no injuries.

 

On the 15th of November 2021, a 61-year-old man was given a fixed penalty notice for speeding (43 in a 30mph zone) in Fort Augustus.

 

On the 29th of December 2021, a 42-year-old man was stopped by police at the A82 junction with A887 (Invermoriston) travelling in his vehicle. He was found to have no insurance and given a fixed penalty notice by police.

 

On the 17th of January 2022, a 34-year-old man was found by police to speeding (49mph in a 30mph zone) in Fort Augustus. Further checks revealed he was driving without valid insurance.  His employer was also charged with causing and permitting another to drive without insurance. A report has been submitted to the PF. The vehicle was seized by police.

 

2 – There has been no incidents of note.

 

3 – There has been no incidents of note.

 

4 – On the 29th of November 2021, police received a report of theft of diesel from a tractor at Auchterawe Farm. Unfortunately, after enquiries no one responsible was identified.

 

4.    Treasurer’s Report:

£5310.49 remaining in the account

11th January DM deposited £95 in from Ness News donations.

22nd December a cheque went out for Seonaid for Ness News.

20th December a cheque went out for £40 for minute taker.

 

5.    Community Amenity Issues:

Roads/Pavements: DM brought up the possibility of a pedestrian crossing at Markethill opposite Caledonian Court as a resident in that area is struggling to walk to the bus stop due to being deaf. IM said he could possibly add a pavement on his side of the field after his planning permission goes through for a caravan park.

Dalchreichart/Glenmoriston JW brought up that Glenmoriston Improvement Group would like a bus stop beside Torgoyle Bridge for the residents of Dalchreichart to be able to get the bus.

Also, possibly adding in a footpath so they could connect the communities together beside the road would be fine, but a few people have asked for this.

Maybe adding a layby near to Redburn Café was also brought up. Still waiting to find out about extra parking at Riverside Park.

6.    Renewable Energy Projects:

Blaraidh will be coming up to planning with Highland Council in about 2 weeks’ time

7.    Planning and Licensing:

21/05995/FUL Dundreggan farmhouse upgrading and creation of footpath

21/05668/SCRE Fort Augustus substation electric line erection.

22/00010/FUL Woodhenge Invermoriston erection of house

21/04932/FUL Creag-Nan-Eun erection of house/shed (comment will be made)

22/00200/FUL Elsan disposable unit.

 22/00164/FUL siting of 2 pods Loch Ness Cottage Fort Augustus.

21/05653/FUL installation on a dosing kiosk Glendoe Road Fort Augustus

21/05621/FUL change of land use to touring caravan site.

 

8.    Correspondence: Letter from Colin Pegrum.

 

9.    AOCB:

HC brought up the issue of Loch Ness Highland Resort and the constant building work and demolition. There’s also a lot of noise coming from all the building work. They have also added some hot tubs, which in the summertime will add to more noise when they are refilling and emptying them.

DM brought up the lighting along The Bothy side of the canal as the streetlights on that side had been out for a week which was due to a slight incident when removing the Christmas decorations, but the lights are back working.

There’s been numerous reports of large potholes along the Ardachy road.

HC brought up that some of the graves are sinking badly at the Strathoich cemetery

Opposite the Hardware Store there is another bad pothole that has come back again.

 

The next Community Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd of February 2022 via Google Teams.