Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston Community Council

Draft Minutes of meeting held at the Memorial Hall,

Fort Augustus on the 24th April 2024

Present:

Deirdre MacKinnon - Chair (DM)

Helen Clay - Vice Chair (HC)

Mike Anderson - Treasurer (MA)

Claire Pegrum - Secretary (CP)

Clare Levings (CL)

Jenny Findlay (JF)

Daniel Clark (DC)

Leanne Findlay (LF)

Rachel Hayes (RH)

Cllr. David Fraser

Apologies:

Cllr. Chris Ballance

Minute Taker: Barty Jones

Highland Broadband: A representative of Highland Broadband notified the CC about the work that they will be starting in the coming month bringing full fibre broadband to the area, everyone in the area should receive a welcome pack notifying them what to expect. The work is expected to be finished by the end of September with the first customers around November.

Previous Minutes:

Proposed by MA seconded by JF

Matters Arising:

Redburn Traffic - Ongoing

Janitor’s House - Highland Council are prepared to undertake a community asset transfer with the Community Company if they are interested. HC to speak with the Community Company - Ongoing

Glenmoriston Estates - Ongoing

A82 - Tree opposite Dalreoch will be removed next week.

Oich Road - Ongoing

Fort Augustus Public Toilets - Community Company have refused to take on the public toilets. The income is down from £33,000 to £4,000, but that is due to there being an honesty box and not a charge - ongoing

DM to contact Phil Waite, Outdoor Access Manager to see if the Viewcatcher has been assessed. DM also to contact Loch Ness Ranger Tim Francis regarding the issue.

Achnaconeran Road - Ongoing

Invermoriston Toilets - Ongoing

Battery Storage - Trying to find suitable contractors - Ongoing

Dog Fouling - If anyone sees any dog fouling, they are to get in touch with the Highland Council Dog Warden.

Police Report:

CC has received a police report containing a link regarding police activity in the area.

Treasurer’s Report:

The account balance is currently £5,930.15

Renewable Energy Projects:

Tomchrasky - a Consultation meeting was held at Dalcreichart. However, it was held at an inconvenient time for many people to attend it. Tomchrasky project comes to HC south planning on Tuesday and they have made their report and are recommending approval. DF notified the CC that if anyone has anything they want to bring to his attention the sooner the better. DM brought up that Kirsty O’Brien has emailed notifying that they’re wanting the CC to give a letter of agreement/support of receiving the full CBF funds. DM has discovered that the amount that they were agreeing on was 10 years old and so CC discussed whether they should be asking for more.

Coire Glas - JF will be attending the next Liaison Group Meeting on Monday.

Millennium East - Want another 8 new wind turbines and are having another consultation in September.

Bunloinn Wind Farm - has recently been granted planning permission. DM to check up on it.

The CC has proposed hiring some professional help to negotiate payment amounts with the energy projects happening in the area.

Planning and Licensing Applications:

Planning Applications Validated 29/02/24 – 23/04/24

Ref: 24/01331/FUL

Location: Appin Guest House, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DH

Proposal: Alterations and extension to form visitor (bed and breakfast) accommodation

Applicant: Mr Alasdair MacLellan

Notes: Extension to rear and side and additional storey across whole building to create five additional letting rooms, self-contained staff accommodation and laundry room.

Ride Ness - have submitted the planning application for the Ride Ness development to Highland Council yesterday. They are waiting for the application to be validated, then they will send the planning reference number for CC’s information in order that they can view the application on the planning portal. CP to write a letter to Ride Ness asking if they’d like to come to the next meeting.

Community Amenity Issues:

Inchnacardoch Bay - A meeting took place last Monday with the Community Company where the latter had a meeting the following night where they came to a unanimous agreement that the Community Company will take on Inchnacardoch Bay. The Community Council are in the process of obtaining the deeds to go forward. MA notified that Inch Bay is currently uninsured and due to concerns over the safety of the area and neglected boats. The CC decided that they would temporarily close the area, writing to boat owners informing them of the changes which are being made. CP to write letter to boat owners and DM to arrange another meeting with Community Company to further discuss.

AOCB:

CC discussed the idea of giving Welcome Packs to newcomers to the area, notifying them of what’s going on in the community and what the community council and company does.

HC to email Scottish Canals regarding the state of the canal. HC raised concern over the state of the pontoon, which she will include in her email.

Concerns over ducks walking on roads, CC discussed getting signs asking people not to feed the ducks as they are getting further into the village.

Concern over the difficulty of turning at the Caledonian Canal Centre junction onto the A82, especially when the village becomes busier. CC discussed asking coach drivers to tell passengers refrain from walking in big groups and maybe getting a mirror put on the Mill Shop side to potentially aid manoeuvring.

CC discussed as a result of any future diversions or accidents, if bus drivers could drop in to Invermoriston Car Park to pick up any passengers that may be waiting for the bus. DF to send an email to David Summers and coach companies.

The Community Council Annual General Meeting will be on Wednesday, 29th May 2024 at 7pm at the Memorial Hall, followed by the ordinary meeting at 7.30pm.