Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council

Draft Minutes of the Community Council Meeting

held at Fort Augustus Memorial Hall on 28th March 2023

Members Present:

Deirdre MacKinnon – Chair (DM)

Helen Clay – Secretary (HC)

Jeff Dymond (JD)

Claire Pegrum (CP)

Apologies:

Iain MacKnocher – Vice-chair (IM)

Mike Anderson – Treasurer (MA)

Robert MacDonald (RM)

Hilary Wilson (HW)

Cllr David Fraser (DF)

Cllr Chris Ballance (CB)

1. Previous Minutes:

February minutes were approved.

2. Matters Arising:

Achnaconeran Road - Ongoing. DM has been in touch with Alan Johnstone and John Taylor again as a local resident had contacted the newspapers and this needs to be escalated. The sign stating that the road was not suitable for vehicles is to be removed as it was not a Highland Council sign.

Top Car Park Footbridge - The village caretakers repaired the bridge and will invoice the Highland Council. They have done a fantastic job but the Community Company should have notified the Community Council as this was a council issue.

Abertarff Green - DM to email Debbie Sutton about dogs on the green which is a child play area and there is the possible risk of dog fouling.

School Fencing - Ongoing

Potholes – Ongoing

St Columba’s Well – Ongoing

Road Crossing – The crossing beside the Spar shop has no dropped kerb so unsuitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and prams.

Yellow Hatching – a request was made to Transport Scotland regarding yellow hatching outside the medical centre,

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

3. Police Report:

We are no longer receiving any kind of police report at all. Cllr Chris Balance had contacted Area Commander Judy Hill who passed it on to Sgt Brian Bissett who is in charge of Community Beats. We are no further forward in finding out what is happening in our local area although we still have three police officers. We will be informed who to contact in an emergency or a non-emergency. No police officers will attend future community council meetings.

4. Treasurer’s Report:

The current balance is £4677.32 after a cheque for £74 was cashed for wreaths from the British Legion.

5. Community Amenity Issues:

· Lighting - Street lighting around Arizona?Bruce’s Buldings area has been temporarily fixed.

· Christmas Lights – Glen has moved the Christmas lights out of the way and wrapped them up.

· Bus Shelters – Ongoing.

6. Planning & Licensing:

22/04791/FUL Erection of short- term letting unit (retrospective), Dunard, Fort Augustus. Applicant Mr Ian Hay

The CC had no comment.

23/00555/FUL Conversion of 2 outbuildings to short-term rent apartments, Ardachy House, Fort Augustus. Applicant Mr Nigel Smith

The CC had no comment.

23/00657/PNO Upgrade and extension to private way, land NE of Borlum Farm, Fort Augustus. Applicant Ms Emma van Hof

The CC had no comment.

23/00980/PNO Erection of polytunnel, Azania, Fort Augustus. Applicant Mr Calum Findlay

The CC had no comment.

7. Renewable Energy:

· SSEN Melgarve emailed thanking everybody for coming to the consultation open day and giving feedback

· Auchterawe Liaison Group (CLG) – the route for the powerline to join the substation has been decided although local consensus is that it would be better going in at a different point. SSE to send a newsletter out to locals to keep everybody informed.

· Dundreggan Substation – CP attended the consultation where it has been decided to extend the existing substation.

· Fred Olsen (Culachy) – DM to meet up with representatives on 3^rd April.

8. Correspondence:

· Emma van Hof sent through a map of the paths for Glendoe Bike Tracks. JD commented that there seems to be only one access point through the deer fencing. CP was concerned about SatNav sending visitors through the Ardachy road and HC was concerned about light pollution after dark.

· Email from Etape with proposed road closures during event.

· Email from Fiona Chalmers about nature woodland at Ceannacroc.

· Email from Gavin Steel from Scottish Water with apologies for the 4-way traffic lights being on at the weekend at the A82/B862 junction but they were needed for access. He also asked about where the top up tap should be situated and it was decided the best place was outside the Canal Centre.

· Email from David Haas about Inverness Community Council Forum Teams meeting tomorrow night if anybody can make it.

9. AOCB:

· HC has been in touch with SEPA concerning a leak from a pipe into the burn at the bottom of Bunoich Brae coming from Ar Dachaidh property which they think it is bacterial.

· Caledonian Court lighting – Ongoing.

· Trees for Life – Open Day this Saturday.

· Waste being burned by the River Tarff and on Community Company land. Has been reported to SEPA along with photographic evidence.

· Torr Dhuin – Ryan Davidson (SSE) is looking into the state of the track which has been churned up by vehicles.

· Fort Augustus Public Toilets – HC has asked the Community Company about taking over the toilets from the Highland Council; Ian leaver to contact Debbie Sutton about the running costs etc.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 26^th May 2023 at the Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus.