Killearnan Community Council

KILLEARNAN COMMvUNITY COUNCIL UPDATES.

Tore Hall Redevelopment Plans

The Tore Hall trustees are moving to achieve the community’s desire of a hall fit for the 21st century. They appointed a design and feasibility team in October to explore options for redeveloping the hall and the team have been working on the study since then. Now that design options have been developed the trustees would like the community to give their views on the way ahead. Principal architect Robert Fraser and Community Development Consultant Duncan MacPherson will be present in the hall for a drop-in event on Wednesday 28th February from 4-7pm. All community members and other interested parties are invited to come along to see the design options and learn how they could provide the community facilities and services identified following the 2022 consultation exercise.

KillearnanCC

Newsletter

February 2024

Points of Interest:

Killearnan Public Hall

A832 Roundabout to Garage

Black Isle Place Plan

Contact Secretary on 01463811336 or email: killearnanccouncil2@gmail.com

Killearnan Public Hall (Tore). Open Meeting: Wednesday 28th February 4 – 7 pm

Duncan Macpherson’s Consultancy Team will hold an open meeting in Tore Hall on Wednesday 28th February to reveal their architectural drawings, plans and findings regarding the extension of Tore Hall as a modern amenity for Killearnan residents and the wider community. Do please try to come along to have your say!

The lighting and heaters in the existing hall have been upgraded by MKM Electrical Contractors to reduce the hall’s “carbon footprint”.

Tore Roundabout & A832 towards the Filling Station: Hazards

Transport Scotland, Highland Council, SSEN and MSP Kate Forbes have been informed of the increasing safety hazards to traffic leaving and accessing the A9 Tore roundabout from the A832 east where the road narrows to a bottleneck and electric and lamp posts are situated close to the road. The CC has registered an objection with the Planning Department on the grounds that, if granted, Bannerman’s application for planning permission to install EV charging points at the Filling Station and use the area beside the garage for parking will exacerbate the hazards. A positive response has been received from Ms Forbes stating an intention to pursue the matter with Transport Scotland and Highland Council.

The Black Isle Place Plan

The authors of the Plan are holding a meeting on Tuesday evening (February 27th) in Fortrose Academy Library to discuss the nature of the governance of the plan to ensure that it is carried forward and implemented effectively. Some of the present suggestions/proposals re governance have caused some controversy amongst members of the CCs and local councillors. Residents of the Black Isle are encouraged to attend.

Drovers Road

Additional evidence of its usage has been sent to Mr Waite (Highland Council)

Milton of Redcastle Telephone Kiosk. The residents of the village are now the owners of the kiosk, the CC having agreed the contract with BT on their behalf.

Staying in touch with Killearnan Residents. The CC has applied to Ward 9 Discretionary Budget for funding to keep producing the Newsletter. A list of residents’ email addresses would be useful in enabling the CC to keep residents up to date on issues and be able to respond more directly to individual concerns. If you are willing to be included in such a mailing list please send details to killearnanccouncil2@gmail.com

Next CC Meeting: February 29th , 7.00pm, Tore Hall

Minutes of the Meeting held in Killearnan Public Hall, Tore on November 30th from

7.00pm to 8.30pm.

Present

K Mackenzie, A Cameron, A Mackay, F Hastie, A.C. Mackay

Cllr. L Johnstone (Ward 9); Residents. G Patience; C Mackay (Youth Rep).

Apologies: Cllrs Maclean & Paterson (Ward 8); A Brown (Bereavement)

Minutes Adopted: A Cameron; A Mackay

The CC welcomes its new member Ms Fiona Hastie who was not able to attend the first meeting of the new CC, owing to her Coastguard duty to respond to an emergency call out.

AGENDA

CC Finance.

Members discussed a circulated paper setting out the CC’s current financial status. Finances 2023

In Total 12-Jul-23 Highland Council Grant £439.46 In account£774.49

17-Nov-23 Poppy Factory £38.40 £736.09

10-Nov-23 Minister Farewell Gift £4.00 £732.09

21-Nov-23 Newsletters School £15.00 £717.09

Further costs to pay - up to June 2024

Newsletter Distribution £20 (December)

Zurich Insurance £109+ (April)

Rent for Hall – 6 meetings 1-2 hrs at £10 per hour = £60 -£80. New expense as Highland Council no longer allows Tore Primary School for our meetings.

It Expenses -£120 (Broadband/Texts/Emails/Mobile Calls/Lap-top Documents/Webinars)

This year’s annual grant: £439.46 minus £329.09 overall costs leaves a sum of £110 (No printer/mailing/travelling costs included in the £329.09). The £110 left from this session’s annual grant will have to cover printer and other expenses for meetings plus secretary’s honorarium. (Usual honorarium £300)

The total sum in the account in November - £717.09 includes the 2023 £439.46 annual grant and a further sum of £277.63 which is made up from £150 transferred from FRCC to Killearnan CC for BICC meetings and minutes. We held 2 meetings this session plus an extra meeting at the request of BI Plan Authors – secretary made no claim for arranging the meetings, writing and circulating them inutes – the irst venue was given free by Kilcoy Kindergarten. The remaining sum of £127 is largely from a one-off Wind-farm grant during the construction of the installation at Maryborough.

According to HC information, the annual grant includes the cost of the Zurich Insurance which means that Killearnan’s actual grant for other running costs is in fact £330.46 The population of Killearnan in 2023 is given as 697. which means that the CC is allocated less than 50p per head for each resident.

The elected volunteer members of a Community Council have a statutory duty, according to the duties and responsibilities set out in the relevant Acts of Parliament to represent their residents’ interests by liaising with the appropriate authorities. It is the basic structure of our democracy. These include;

the local authority and its departments such as Planning; Licensing; Roads, Education and Ward Managers (Wards 8 & 9 in Killearnan’s case); Councillors – 7 elected members; 2 local area committees.

Other bodies include: The Scottish Government(i.e. Forbes A9 Review) ; Transport Scotland; Scottish Water; Sepa; the Black Isle Place Plan Team; SSE; Green Free Port; Police … Liaison involves being well informed on current issues, statutes, infrastructures; paying for and updating broadband access; keeping in touch with local organisations, businesses and neighbouring communities; IT Skills (including maintaining a CC website); correspondence mainly by email, sometimes by telephone; participation in meetings both virtual and actual.

Killearnan CC has striven over the past 3-4 years on a reduced grant (cut by 50% in 2018/19) to carry out its statutory duties. No member of our CC has claimed travel expenses. We no longer have the resources to cover all the running costs.

Statement from Highland Council in 2018-19

“Ward Discretionary Budgets have been halved still allowing money for local initiatives and comunity council grants have been cut by around 50%. A number of CCs have access to other sources of income and some also have considerable reserves. Funding has been reduced for Christmas lights.”

The rationale given here (other sources of funding etc) does not apply to this Community Council or many others. One of the reasons that 2 of the 7 Black Isle CCs are now in abeyance?

It is a long time since this CC could support community celebrations by, for instance, lighting up a christmas tree in the grounds of the Kilcoy Arms or distributing packets of tea bags to OAPs or contributing to Tore Primary School’s events.

During the discussion, Cllr Johnstone referred to the Highland Council’s increasing deficit and need to reduce the annual budget still further. She asked whether the CC had responded to the Chief Executive’s survey seeking the views of residents re: their budget priorities. The secretary had circulated the email. A response had been made emphasising the importance of maintaining all educational services at an appropriately high level .

Cllr Johnstone suggested that the CC reduce its number of CC meetings to cut down costs. However, since the CCs constitution, as set out by the Highland Council, states a minimum number of meetings to be held to qualify for an annual grant, this was not a feasible solution.

Cllr Johnstone further suggested that members apply to both Ward 8 & Ward 9 Discretionary Budgets for funding to allow the CC to meet its running cost. It was agreed that a sum of £500 be applied for from each budget to help make up the shortfall. The maximum sum allowed being no more than £1000 from each DB owing to the current financial crisis.

Suggestions offered by members, regarding reducing Highland Council’s deficit, included applying greater diligence in selecting and employing consultants and executives to avoid wastage of resources and more careful scrutiny by councillors of departments’ productivity and the efficacy of their policies before voting them through. Examples were given.

Road Safety

A9. Transport Scotland has informed the CC by email that they intend to reduce the speed limit on roads approaching the roundabout and the roundabout itself to 40mph.

The CCs requests to the HC Roads Department to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph on the hazardous, narrow stretch of the A832 between the Tore A9 Roundabout and the HGV Filling Station have, as yet, received no reply.

SSE has responded to the CCs warning that electric poles on the verges of the narrow stretch of road ( A832 ) between the roundabout and filling station have already caused minor damage to vehicles and there could be more serious accidents. SSE has identified the locations and agreed to investigate solutions.

The secretary forwarded complaints from residents of Milton of Redcastle concerning the deteriorating road surface on the single track road from North Kessock which joins the A832 near Fettes. The road is increasingly being used as a ‘rat run’ when traffic is held up on the A9 due to bridge closures. We await a response.

Recycling Bins at Tore Hall – poor condition of the pavement beside the bins – deep mud-filled potholes. The Waste Manager has made contact hy email and telephone to say that he is well aware of the situation and is discussing with his superiors the best way of improving the site. The CC expresses its thanks to Cllr Maclean (Ward 8) and Julie Wileman, temporary Ward 9 Manager, for facilitating this contact.

Drovers Road Update

A resident has emailed a response to requests published in our recent Newsletter for evidence of continued use of the path by walkers. Her email, along with further maps and written accounts, have been forwarded to Mr Phil Waites (HC) who has not yet replied.

AOCB

a) Adoption of Telephone Kiosk at Milton of Redcastle.

In response to the BT contact (Edinburgh) the CC secretary has posted a 90 day notice inside the kiosk and sent photographic evidence of the notice and the location to the contact. If there are no objections the folk of Milton can call the kiosk their own.

b) It seems that TEClan (late Kilcoy Arms) has applied for a licence and planning permission for a tattooing, piercing and foot massage salon. The CC has not been officially informed as yet by either HC Department.

Tore Hall Consultancy Request
As part of our tender we said that we would conduct an online survey to better understand any potential demand from within the community for desk space within an extended hall building. The survey is now accessible via this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BM6D5GF

It is quite short and can be completed quite quickly. The information it provides will help inform the feasibility study and help you as a group to decide whether or not it is an option you may wish to pursue in a final business plan. Can you share the link through relevant channels to ensure wide access to it please? I will report on any initial findings in the draft options appraisal and feasibility report, but we can leave the survey open in order to catch later responses following a community consultation event on the different options available for development of the hall.

Regards,

Duncan

Newsletter October 2023

Tore roundabout & A832

Transport Scotland have indicated that they plan to implement a 40mph speed limit at the roundabout and on roads approaching the roundabout.

Transport Scotland and Highland Council have been informed of the increasing safety hazards to traffic leaving and accessing the roundabout from the A832 east at Tore where the road narrows to a bottleneck.

A 20mph limit through the village has been requested.

Killearnan Public Hall (Tore). Updates

The Entertainment Licence has been re-issued and groups have already begun to use the hall. The Trustees have been awarded a grant of £24,000 from the Community Regeneration Fund for consultancy work in planning a new free-standing timber net-zero extension in the garden of the Hall. Duncan Macpherson’s Team have been been given the contract and discussions begin by Zoom on Thursday 2nd November.

Remembrance Sunday

The Remembrance Service is at 9.30 am on Sunday 12th November at the Fettes Memorial.

Mr George Bethune has agreed to lay the wreath on behalf of the community. The service at the War Memorial and later at Killearnan Church will be the Rev Susan Cord's last services in the parish.

Drovers road – from beside Tore School over to Ferintosh. Heritage Route Members are keen to re-open the old right of way to residents and other walkers. Councillors and Mr P Waite (HC) have been approached. Mr Waite has written to say more individual witness evidence of use is needed to support the route as marked on several old maps. Can you help? If so, send an email to the address above,

Community Council Inaugural Meeting. Following this year’s CC elections your Killearnan CC is up and running again, joined by a new member Ms Fiona Hastie of the Coastguard. Officer Bearers are as follows: Chair- Kenne Mackenzie; Vice-chair. Vacant; Secretary – Anne Mackay;Treasurer – Andrew Mackay. All meetings are open to the public. Next meeting – November 30th.

Green Free Port. Notes recorded at GFP Teams meeting. Overall impression that the project still remained more of a statement of aspirations than a detailed plan.Councillors’ impressions similar.

Points made: Project closely linked with off-shore windfarm proposals. Production of green hydrogen.Most transport by sea. Installations on brown field sites -Ardesier; Nigg; Invergordon & port area of Inverness.Housing – need for improved infrastructure if more construction. Cllr Johnston commented that HC Councilhouse Debt Relief had been and was still retained by the Westminster Government which hampered the ability of HC to build more affordable housing.

KillearnanCC

Newsletter

June 2023

Points of Interest:

Tore Roundabout & Crossing

Killearnan Public Hall

Contact Secretary on 01463811336 or email: killearnanccouncil2@gmail.com

Tore Roundabout & Crossing: Letter from Transport Scotland 14 June 2023

“Thank you for your email of 6 June on behalf of Killearnan Community Council to my colleague Richard Perry regarding the A9 Tore Roundabout.

The speed limit review for the A9 and A835 at Tore roundabout has been completed and recommended a reduction in speed limit to 40mph on the approaches to the roundabout, as well as the roundabout itself. This is proposed to include the existing uncontrolled crossing point on the A9 dual carriageway to the south of Tore Roundabout, it is understood that Highland Council will promote a similar speed limit on the A832 approaches where they are the Road Authority.

The statutory process to progress the draft speed limit order is expected to commence shortly, as this requires public consultation and is subject to the possibility of objections, this can delay or terminate the process. Whilst every effort will be made to resolve any objections, there is no guarantee at this point the speed limit proposal can be introduced in a defined timeframe.

As part of recent resurfacing works on the A9 carriageway, yellow bar markings to encourage drivers to adapt their speed on the dual carriageway approach to the Tore Roundabout were installed, in addition, extra lane destination markers were installed to assist drivers with selecting the correct lane. A feasibility study was carried out by our Operating Company BEAR Scotland in July 2022 which reviewed road safety and Non-Motorised User (NMU) provisions at the A9 Tore Roundabout. Additional improvement options, such as the introduction of traffic signals and controlled pedestrian crossings at, or near, Tore Roundabout, along with relocation of bus stops are programmed for further investigation in the current financial year. Due to the volume of traffic, locations of existing bus stops and the nature of likely routes of pedestrian demand, this assessment is complex and requires the development and testing of a traffic model. The purpose of this model is to identify the most feasible solution that best balances the needs of those walking, wheeling and cycling alongside the strategic function of the A9 and A835 trunk roads. Consultation with local stakeholders and road safety partners will be carried out at the appropriate stage as part of the assessment of potential options. In the shorter term, we have requested BEAR Scotland to review the visibility sightlines and ensure these are free from vegetation.”

Killearnan Public Hall (Tore). Updates

Repairs and upgrading of the electrics and plumbing have been completed. A new Fire Alarm system has been installed. The works were made possible by grants from Highland Council, Island and Rural Communities & the Lottery Small Awards. Trustees are applying for a renewal of the Entertainment Licence. We have asked the Wards Discretionary Budget for finance for help with improvments such as re-painting. If you can help in smartening up the hall email: torehall22@gmail.com.

The next step: to further modernise our Community Centre, the trustees are applying to a range of funding sources in order to build a free-standing, net-zero timber extension in the Hall’s garden. The building is planned to have 2 meeting rooms, WIFI, disabled access toilets, baby changing facilities, kitchen and treatment area. The hall is the hub of the official Killearnan Emergency Plan.

Milton of Redcastle Red Telephone Kiosk Adoption.

The CC is supporting the residents in applying to adopt the treasured kiosk for £1. H.C. has also been asked to support the adoption.

For further news and details. please visit the Killearnan Community Council Website.

Draft Minutes of the Killearnan Community Council Ordinary Meeting

Held in Tore Hall on May 30th 2023

Present: K. Mackenzie; A. P. Mackay; A Cameron; A Brown; A.C.Mackay;

Cllr M MacCallum (Ward 9). Apologies: Cllr A Maclean (Ward 8)

AGENDA

1 .Road Matters

a) A9 Tore. Pedestrian Crossing safety issues; neglected state of bus shelters. BEAR, Transport Scotland, MSP & MP to conntacted.

b) A 9161? Road from Tore to Glaikmore: Extended closure for Water Main Upgrade (i) Residents experiencing difficulty of access; (ii) Poor road surface at Teclan junction. Cllr MacMacallum to make enquiries.

2. Drovers Road. Cllr Maclean plans to meet with P Waite. Some evidence of usage has been gathered. Members still keen to restore path.

3. Hall Upgrade

A Existing building. Extensive repairs and some upgrading carried out to electricals, fire alarm system and plumbing. The treasurer is applying for renewal of the Entertainment and Performance Licences. Applications are to be made to both Ward 8 and Ward 9 Discretionary Fund for £5000 from each to complete upgrading of lighting and heating appliances; to repair flooring in hall, kitchen, toilets; to repaint damaged and shabby areas of the building; to replace or insulate external doors.

B. New build. In the grounds of Hall. Provisional floor plan of a fully insulated timber building 30.4ft x 26ft with 2 meeting rooms; a kitchen and treatment area; disabled toilet, toilets, wash-basins and baby changing. The porch area can also be accesses via a ramp. Tree felling and ground preparation will be required. Existing septic tank should be adequate. Application to Community Regeneration Fund: £80,000. Mr Mackenzie read a letter to members from Ms Tanner regarding last years application where she includes a copy of an email which stated that members were willing to award 100% of costs The email failed to reach the Charity Trustees and the CC members.

Energy sources and electrical appliances in the new building will be in keeping with ‘Net-Zero’ policies. Local Energy Scotland Fund (Cares) application for £50,000 for this purpose.

4 Position of Community Councils.

Several points were aired during the discussion. Among these were the following:-

5. The road directly in front of the Recycling Bins in Tore Hall Car Park needs repairing.

In wet weather mud fills the area, making it difficult to access the bins. The bins are HC’s responsibility. Unsightly refuse is scattered behind the bins.

Draft Minutes of the Killearnan Community Council Ordinary Meeting

Held in Tore Hall on May 30th 2023

Present: K. Mackenzie; A. P. Mackay; A Cameron; A Brown; A.C.Mackay;

Cllr M MacCallum (Ward 9). Apologies: Cllr A Maclean (Ward 8)

AGENDA

1 .Road Matters

a) A9 Tore. Pedestrian Crossing safety issues; neglected state of bus shelters. BEAR, Transport Scotland, MSP & MP to conntacted.

2. Drovers Road. Cllr Maclean plans to meet with P Waite. Some evidence of usage has been gathered. Members still keen to restore path.

3. Hall Upgrade

Energy sources and electrical appliances in the new building will be in keeping with ‘Net-Zero’ policies. Local Energy Scotland Fund (Cares) application for £50,000 for this purpose.

4 Position of Community Councils.

Several points were aired during the discussion. Among these were the following:-

With a reduced grant of less than £450 per annum, the work of this committee is having to be subsidised by the voluntary members, as is often the case for any CC where no additional finance such as Wind Farm Funding is available. The imbalance is resulting in a growing inequality in the service a CC can offer its community Many voluntary bodies now complain of a dearth of volunteers. However, unlike most non CC committees, a Community Council Council is part of the democratic process and consists of publicly elected members plus optional co-opted members. Each Local Authority is responsible for maintaining the effectiveness of the CCs in its area. The increase in demands on time and resources is becoming a problem. This CC is no longer able, for instance, to support cultural activities such as fetes, galas, a christmas tree & lights, grants to local groups - as it did in the past. We have even lost our accustomed meeting place as Tore Primary School has been removed from the list of venues for hire.
l
Killearnan Public Hall (Tore). Open Meeting: Wednesday 28th February 4.00 – .700pm
Duncan Macpherson’s Consultancy Team will hold an open meeting in Tore Hall on Wednesday 28th
February to reveal their architectural drawings, plans and findings regarding the extension of Tore
Hall as a modern amenity for Killearnan residents and the wider community. Do please try to come
along to have your say!
The lighting and heaters in the existing hall have been upgraded by MKM Electrical Contractors to reduce the
hall’s “carbon footprint”.
Tore Roundabout & A832 towards the Filling Station: Hazards
Transport Scotland, Highland Council, SSEN and MSP Kate Forbes have been informed of the increasing
safety hazards to traffic leaving and accessing the A9 Tore roundabout from the A832 east where the road
narrows to a bottleneck and electric and lamp posts are situated close to the road. The CC has registered an
objection with the Planning Department on the grounds that, if granted, Bannerman’s application for planning
permission to install EV charging points at the Filling Station and use the area beside the garage for parking
will exacerbate the hazards. A positive response has been received from Ms Forbes stating an intention to
pursue the matter with Transport Scotland and Highland Council.
The Black Isle Place Plan
The authors of the Plan are holding a meeting on Tuesday evening (February 27th) in Fortrose Academy
Library to discuss the nature of the governance of the plan to ensure that it is carried forward and implemented
effectively. Some of the present suggestions/proposals re governance have caused some controversy amongst
members of the CCs and local councillors. Residents of the Black Isle are encouraged to attend.
Drovers Road
Additional evidence of its usage has been sent to Mr Waite (Highland Council)
Milton of Redcastle Telephone Kiosk. The residents of the village are now the owners of the kiosk, the CC
having agreed the contract with BT on their behalf.
Staying in touch with Killearnan Residents. The CC has applied to Ward 9 Discretionary Budget for
funding to keep producing the Newsletter. A list of residents’ email addresses would be useful in enabling the
CC to keep residents up to date on issues and be able to respond more directly to individual concerns. If you
are willing to be included in such a mailing list please send details to killearnanccouncil2@gmail.com
Next CC Meeting: February 29th , 7.00pm, Tore Hall
KillearnanCC
Newsletter
February 2024
Points of Interest:
Killearnan Public Hall
A832 Roundabout to Garage
Black Isle Place Plan
Contact Secretary on 01463811336 or email:
killearnanccouncil2@gmail.com

5. The road directly in front of the Recycling Bins in Tore Hall Car Park needs repairing.

In wet weather mud fills the area, making it difficult to access the bins. The bins are HC’s responsibility. Unsightly refuse is scattered behind the bins.

Draft Minutes of the Killearnan CC TEAMS Meeting, May 1st “2023

Attending: K Mackenzie, A P Mackay, A.C Mackay, F Hastie, Cllr A Maclean, Cllr M McCallum

Apologies: A Cameron; A Brown; S Glenn.

The specific purpose of the meeting was to seek members’ approval of a draft letter seeking clear and agreed guidelines on the relationship between Highland Council and CCs. The letter concentrates on a way forward rather than the past and on working together with HC to reach a more mutually beneficial partnership. The letter would be sent to the Highland Council on behalf of the BICCs following the other CCs comments and endorsement.

Members & co-opted members approving the letter: K Mackenzie; A P Mackay; A.C Mackay; F Hastie; A Cameron; A Brown; S Glenn (by email); S Hudson (by Telephone)

Clllr Maclean suggested that the Mid-Ross Planning Partnership be included. Mr R Mair had steered a Commission on Highland Democracy for HC set up in 2014

Members suggested that a firm deadline for finalising the guidelines be sought.

Letter to be affixed once agreed by CCs.

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE KILLEARNAN CC MEETING March 30 th, 2023

Held at Cnoc eile -beg, Tore – 7.00pm – 9.30pm

Present: Mr K Mackenzie, Mr A Mackay, Mr A Cameron, Mrs A C Mackay, Ms F Hastie , Cllr A Maclean; Ms C Mackay (Youth Representative). Residents: Mrs I Rose.

Apologies: Cllr G Mackenzie, Cllr Paterson

The use of a domestic venue was necessitated because of the unavailability of Killearnan Public Hall (Electrical Repairs) and Highland Council’s removal of Tore Primary School from the hiral list. Attendees agreed to the arrangement.

Minutes Adopted: Mr K Mackenzie and Mr A Mackay.

Matters Arising - covered by agenda.

Correspondence: emails- Fiona Rural re Drovers Road; Cllr Aitkin-Waste Disposal (See AOCB).

AGENDA

1 Date, Venue and suggested Agenda for next BICC meeting.

a) 7.00pm, April 19th;. Kilcoy Kindergarten to be asked to lend premises, again. Possible alternative – Killearnan Church Hall (Rev Cord agrees).

b) Agenda Items (i) Place Plan update; (ii) Free Port; (iii) A 9 Closures; (iv) Coastal Erosion; (v) Future of Highland Council and Community Councils.

Members agreed to invite Mr R Mair and representatives of Muir of Ord CC to the meeting.

2 Planning Matters

Place Plan and Free Port Webinar (March 24)

Webinar points: increase in job opportunities; need to ensure above basic pay levels; local benefits; increase in affordable housing; education – encouragement of STEM subjects from Primary level – UHS; Customs and Tax changes – discussions with UK Government towards Act of Parliament; improvements in roads and connectivity generally. Long term plan -25 years – early stages of project.

Public Meeting, Killearnan Church Hall, Wednesday 29th March. Managers of the Place Plan (Mr Wright and Ms Richmond) in attendance. Display boards presented the project’s main aims and approaches. Residents were encouraged to leave comments on post-it slips. Further public meetings and consultations to follow. To help advertise the meeting, CC had sent out a Newsletter, included the notice on the CC Webpage and by private email.

3 Tore Hall Update Electrical system upgrade. Electrician planned to begin work towards end of March. Main tasks – replacement of obsolete control panel and updating fire alarm system. Once electrician gives the all-clear, Trustees will make a re-application for Entertainment Licence. Cllr Maclean advises to read form carefully and to tick a wide range of uses. Application cannot be expedited. Burst pipe. Plumber hopes to carry out repair during Easter holidays.

The Way Forward for the 21st Century (A Modern Extension) - Survey of similar schemes to modernise public halls and amenities as suggested by Ms S. Glenn. The secretary has received photographs of the extension built at Inverness Bowling Club and an invitation to visit the club for advice from the official who organised and oversaw the club’s project which was supported by Lottery Funding.

Extra funding will be needed for Tore. Having unfortunately been missed out from the last tranche of Regeneration funding, members are keen to learn when the next round will open. Cllr Maclean said HC has not yet heard. Mr Cameron mentioned the apparent lack of parity in the distribution of Windfarm monies where some communities were helped with generous contributions and others in nearby vicinities received nothing.

Youth Representative Suggestion – Tore Pupils Involvement.

Members welcomed Ms C. Mackay as our new Youth Representative. Remembering all the exciting activities she enjoyed in the hall as part of Tore Primary School Curriculum, Ms Mackay suggests a pupil project where the children indicate in words and pictures what activities they would like to happen for them in the hall. This would help to highlight how important the venue is to the school and the well-being of the pupils, physically, mentally and culturally. Members approved the idea. Rev Cord offered to discuss the initiative with the head teacher as she was meeting him the following day in Munlochy.

Other points:- the prospect of a new modern school building to house Tore and Munlochy Primary Schools is not likely in the near future owing to severe financial constraints. Excellent new educational facilities have been provided in Alness and parts of Inverness but rural areas tend to be overlooked. Both Munlochy and Tore schools need to use their local public halls for essential aspects of the Curriculum for Excellence but, whereas Munlochy Hall is available, Tore Hall still remains closed.

4 A9 Road Issues - Problems associated with the A9 and adjoining roads.

Ms F Hastie – Discussions continue with relevant agencies on the panel set up to examine how best to address these complex issues. Public safety is a chief priority and access of emergency vehicles is assured.

Single Track road from Milton of Redcastle to A832 There has been an increase volume of traffic heading for the A832 via this route, in order to avoid hold-ups on the A9. The road surface is now seriously damaged by deep and numerous pot holes. HC has already been alerted but CC will follow up by a further request for urgent repairs.

5 Coronation: Having, at present, no suitable public venue for a Killearnan celebration, the CC offers to help Tore Primary School staff with any plans they may have to celebrate the event.

6 Monadh Muir Drovers Road.

Representatives have met with Mr Phil Waite to discuss the issue. Ordnance Survey maps indicate the route. Testimonies are needed from residents who have used the path. Mrs Rose attended the meeting to re-iterate her opposition to reopening the path and to complain that Mr Waite has not replied to her. Cllr Maclean offered to contact him and arrange a meeting. Cllrs Maclean and Mackenzie had attended the CC meeting in November when the re-opening of the path was discussed along with Mrs Mackenzie’s history of its use but were not at the January meeting when Mrs Rose made her objection. A wide ranging discussion took place which covered such points as: a) initial move to re-open the path originated in Ferintosh area; b) FSL were now in support; c) Mrs Rose gave privacy as her reason for opposing the path but would not answer on how far her house was from the route; whether the access to the path was being blocked in any way and whether she would try to prevent individuals from making use of it; d) citing the Peffery Way initiative, which Ward 8 councillors supported, Cllr Maclean pointed out that rights of way and pathways were of great benefit to the well-being of the community.

CC had received a request by email from “Fiona Rural” asking for copies of the route history and relevant maps. These had been supplied.

7 AOCB: a) A meeting with stakeholders and Dingwall Medical Practice has taken place. b) Ross Memoria Hospital. Mr Kenny Rodgers, NHS Area Manage has stated that no new building will take place and asks for communities to write in support of maintaining the vital medical centre. (Cllr Maclean). c) Waste Disposal Arrangements: In order to improve domestic recycling habits, the following changes are proposed. Green bin (general waste) to be halved in size and original bin to be cleansed and used in conjuction with blue bin for recyclable materials. A new food disposal container will be supplied. There is still some lackof clarity in the proposal.

Gss and Electric Meters Rebates - Unclaimed

Good morning,

I am emailing on behalf of Advice Direct Scotland (ADS) to bring to your attention that around one in five households with prepayment gas and electricity meters have not redeemed their energy rebate vouchers. ADS would appreciate it if you can highlight this entitlement to any of your constituents who may be affected to make sure they’re not missing out on the vouchers.

Advice Direct Scotland wants to make sure that households do not miss out and has urged Scots to:

Check unopened mail, in case the vouchers have been missed.
Check with energy suppliers, using contact details found on bills, statements, and official websites.
Contact energyadvice.scot if there are any difficulties getting through to suppliers or resolving issues. The team can be contacted on 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or through www.energyadvice.scot.

Below you will find a press release that was sent out on Tuesday morning.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Conor Forbes on conor.forbes@advice.scot if you have any questions regarding Energy Vouchers or would like any further information about the wider work of Advice Direct Scotland.

Kind regards,

Matthew

--------------------------------------------------------

NEWS FROM ADVICE DIRECT SCOTLAND

EMBARGO: IMMEDIATE

Comment on thousands of energy vouchers not redeemed

Around one in five households with prepayment gas and electricity meters have not redeemed their energy rebate vouchers. PayPoint sent out hundreds of thousands of vouchers in November under the UK Government’s support scheme.
But the prepayment vouchers are only valid for 90 days – meaning those issued in November have now expired. Almost one in five households in Scotland use prepayment meters for their gas or electricity.
Most households will have £400 automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments, or will have the money added to their accounts. However, those on traditional prepayment meters need the vouchers to get the discount. PayPoint said that 79 per cent of customers have so far redeemed their December vouchers, which have a deadline of March 8.
Customers who have not yet redeemed their January vouchers have until April 9.

Advice Direct Scotland wants to make sure that households do not miss out and has urged Scots to:

Conor Forbes, policy director with Advice Direct Scotland, said:
“With energy prices still incredibly high, and the cold winter weather continuing, it’s vital that households get all the support they’re entitled to.
“We would urge any households in Scotland who have a prepayment meter to check whether you have been sent a voucher and use it before it expires.
“It’s concerning that so many people have not redeemed their November vouchers and we don’t want to see a similar situation when December’s vouchers expire next month.
“If haven’t received your vouchers, you should immediately get in touch with your energy supplier or Advice Direct Scotland’s expert advisers.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Advice Direct Scotland is a charity which runs the national advice service advice.scot. Advice is available to everyone in Scotland, at no cost, regardless of personal circumstance.

energyadvice.scot is available at www.energyadvice.scot and on freephone 0808 196 8660, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The website also includes an online knowledge centre for Scots, with information on:

Billing and meters
Complaints and disputes
Grants and assistance
Scams and fraud
Loss of energy supply
Switching suppliers.
The Scottish House Condition Survey in 2018 found that 18 per cent of Scottish households had a prepayment meter.

Matthew Running

Account Executive

Quantum Communications

Webp.net-resizeimage (6)

Tel: 07593 888 442

www.quantumcommunications.co.uk

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE KILLEARNAN CC MEETING January 26th, 2023

Held in the Tore Public Hall – 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Present: Mr K Mackenzie, Mr A Mackay, Mr A Cameron, Mr A Brown, Mrs A C Mackay, Mr S Hudson, Cllr M MacCallum. Ms Helena Macleod.

Residents: Mrs M Mackenzie; Mrs I Rose..

Apologies: Ms F Hastie, Ms S Glenn, (Work Commitments) Cllr A Maclean, Cllr G Mackenzie, Cllr Paterson

Minutes

Mr Cameron pointed out that the name of a re-submitted planning application should read ‘Heights of Kilcoy’ not ‘Wellhouse’.

Minutes Adopted: Mr A Mackay; Mr A Cameron

Matters Arising - covered by agenda.

Correspondence: Letter from Ian Blackford MP with attached TS response (A9); Forestry Email re:culling trees in Mullans Wood.

CC reply re Mullans Wood in favour of culling for safety reasons.

Agenda

Ross Memoria Hospital – plan is for a new build for after care following surgery. Mr Kenny Rodgers, NHS Area Manage has apologised that he was now unable to come to the meeting.

Place Plan and Joint CC Meeting - to be hosted byKillearnan CC on Wednesday 15th February at 7.00pm.

Members agreed that the following items be on the agenda:

1 Place plan; 2 Police Matters; 3 A9 and connecting roads. CCs to be asked for further suggestions

.Richard Ross,Inspector, Dingwall Police, Scotland-Highland & Islands Division will attend.

Mr Nick Wright and Rebecca Richmand will also join us. See email from Rebecca below.

“Happy New Year and apologies for the delay in replying. We're switching
over emails. Please note the new email above.

Nick and I have the 15th in our diaries. The only thing I need is a
time. I'm assuming Tore Hall is the venue.

I'm now in the process of booking venues for the public consultations.
We will be holding on in each community council area and they will run
over an afternoon/evening. Subject to venues being available, these
will be held over the last 3 weeks in March - preferably 3 consultations
a week. We will be inviting CC's to send a couple of councillors to the
consultation that takes place in their area.

At the BICC meeting we will go over the timetable of how and when things
will happen. Perhaps the important thing to note, is that once the plan
is complete it will be sent to the CC's and the three councillors for a
28 day consultation. This is a statutory requirement and will give CC's
the opportunity to consult with their own residents and feed back.
Following the 28 days, the Plan will then be presented to The Highland
Council.

I've had a flurry of meetings and things to prepare recently, however, I
will be calling a meeting of the Steering group in the next couple of
weeks. Please let me know if you need anything clarifying before the CC
meeting. All the best, Becky “

CC welcomes the Muir of Ord CC members’ approach suggesting closer co-operation between neighbouring CCs.

A9 Review Etc

Ian Blackford has mailed Transport Scotland’s reply to the CC. TS state that a 40pm restriction will be established around the Tore Roundabout within the present financial year. Measures for improving NMU safety will also be implemented after consultation.

There followed a discussion of the problems associated with the A9 and adjoining roads.

a) Increasing accidents and incidents of closure of the Kessock Bridge with the resulting gridlock in the city and on connecting roads, in particular A9 north, A 832 and A835. There appeared to be a lack of strategic planning to cope with the knock-on effects. Cllr MacCallum informed members that a steering group had been set up to examine the issues. Cllr Lyndsey Johnston was a member.

b) The condition of the road surface was below standard on stretches of the A9 north towards Tore and between Alness and Invergordon.

c) The closure of the right turn north at the Munlochy Junction had increased safety at the junction but had moved the potential hazard further north to the Artepeelie/Allangrange junction nearer the Tore roundabout.This eventuality had been identified in the Forbes A9 review.

d) Removal of the central barrier would necessitate a 55-60 mph limit on a longer section of the dual carriage way.

e) Freeport in the Cromarty Firth. A major overhaul of the region’s road system must be an element of the development.

Planning Matters

1) CC should re-send the objection regarding the re-vamped planning application for a tourist amenity at Heights of Kilcoy.

2) a) Springfield Application – no update

FSL/ HC Monadh Muir Drovers Road.

Mrs Maclennan and Mrs Rose attended the meeting to discuss the issue. Mrs Rose disputes the course of the path. The line is clearly shown on successive maps. Cllr Maclean is consulting with the HC official responsible for making a decision regarding restoration. FSL are in support.

Extract from Cllr Maclean’s email “I have chased Phil Waite and have tried to contact him in the office but he is not back now until 30th January”.

We await conclusions.

Tore Hall Upgrade Project.

Ms Helena Macleod, who has been assisting the Muir of Ord Community in their projects for upgrading their public hall and town square, was invited to attend the meeting to advise the CC members and the Hall trustees in their effort to upgrade Tore Hall. She has great experience in both fund-raising and steering projects. She was a chief organiser in the Paths for All Walks which took place as part of the Black Isle Festival (recovering from the Covid shut downs!)

Ms Macleod suggested several sources of funding and agreed to assist further.

The Trustees have been successful in raising £14,500 so far in new funding. Mr Ben Williams (Community Enterprise) has completed the project statements/documents and will email them to the CC and Committee.

A detailed new survey of the condition of the electrical installations has now been received. It is hoped that repair work can begin as soon as possible.

The need for a ‘disability access’ to the Hall toilets was raised.

AOCB

1 The condition of Black Isle school buildings was discussed with particular reference to Fortrose Academy . While substantial improvements had been made to the facilities in the Gym/Technical wing and the new Tulloch Extension was a welcome addition to the campus, structural problems remain. The lack of 21st century facilities in certain primary schools was a matter of concern with regard to equality in education. Tore Primary School’s lack of a gym/social/cultural teaching space is a case in question.

2. Re: Resolis CCs’ request for advice on distributing Covid hardship funds (?) to residents. According to the weekly Zoom meetings held under the chairmanship of Cllr Adam, during the pandemic restrictions , the Black Isle Partnership was the body selected to handle distribution, along with the arrangements made by HC, Dingwall. Because a CC does not have (and should not have) access to residents’ private, personal details, it could not target aid. Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations, such as Black Isle Cares, do have information regarding vulnerable residents. School Managements also hold sensitive details. Where possible CCs set up food banks and Knockbain CC included Killearnan residents as those entitled to use their resource. Being a rural area with no larger village or town and no SCIO, Killearnan was unable to have its own food bank. To date, the CC has received no details from BIP about the extent or range of financial assistance allocated to our area. CC will reply to Resolis with an accompanying copy of the official Covid Fund mission statement written by BIP.

3 Manuela Flueckiger (Dingwall Medical Group – a suitable date for a meeting has not yet been agreed. The CC will be informed when a date has been decided.

Meeting ended 9.00pm

Avoch and Killen CC has issued posters with advice about how to help stranded sea animals.

The next Killearnan CC meeting is on January 26th at 7.00 pm in Tore Hall. We will be joined by Mr Kenny Rodgers, NHS Area Manager, to discuss the future of the Ross Memorial.

Other items on the agenda include update on the Place Plan; items for the joint Black Isle CC meeting on February 15th; updates on Tore Hall and the Modadh Mhor Drovers Road.

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE KILLEARNAN CC MEETING NOVEMBER 24th, 2202

Held in the Tore Public Hall – 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Present: Mr K Mackenzie, Mr A Mackay, Mr A Cameron, Mr A Brown, Mrs A C Mackay, Mr S Hudson, Ms F Hastie, Ms S Glenn.

Cllr A Maclean, Cllr G Mackenzie.

Residents: Mrs M Mackenzie; Mr D Maclennan.

Apologies: Cllr M MacCallum. (Illness)

Minutes Adopted: Mr A Mackay; Mr A Cameron

Matters Arising - covered by agenda.

Correspondence: email from neighbouring CCs re Developers Contributions.Letter from Mr I Blackford MP re A9; email from SSEN. email from Eelco de Long (Planning Forester) re Revision of the Black Isle Management Plan.

Agenda

Joint CC Meeting (Fortrose Wed 16). Attended by Mrs A Mackay & Mr A Mackay

Issues discussed

I) Place Plan. Cllr S Atkin spoke at the joint meeting to persuade CCs of the benefits in joining in the discussions with the organiser, Rebecca Richmond - despite reservations concerning BIP involvement.

b) Concern over continuous low level sound and vibration emissions from Neptune Project activity off Cromarty

c) Large scale Springfield development project at Tore re Black Residents as a whole. CCs asked for planning details to be sent to them and agreed to circulate the information to residents. The need to be involved in planning concerns which affect whole areas was stated.

Place Plan - Killearnan Involvement

Ms S Glenn (Killearnan representative) was introduced to members present. She explained the basic nature of the Place plan. Government advice was still quite vague but basically the emphasis was on land usage and a community’s priorities in this respect. Quotes from Government Documents:-

“14 Text Box 1 sets out which organisations are defined by the legislation to be Community Bodies for the purpose of local place planning. Broadly speaking, the definition covers established community councils, and bodies[4] which must have a written constitution, but may not necessarily be incorporated

.Proposal as to the development or use of land

18. Sometimes new buildings, changes to the use and appearance of existing buildings, and other changes in the way land is used are needed. These activities are called 'development'. The planning system makes decisions about future development and the use of land in our towns, cities and countryside. It decides where development should happen, where it should not and how development affects its surroundings.

19. Though not an exhaustive list, examples of what could be considered as development or use of land which might feature in a Local Place Plan could include things like:

sites which support climate change adaptation, such as renewable energy or flood mitigation;

local initiatives for the promotion of active travel and community food growing;

sites for housing, including for affordable housing, new or retained local employment or new tourism/community facilities;

retaining, improving, and expanding quality open space and green/blue infrastructure and play facilities;

conservation of the natural/built environment;

improvements in the town/neighbourhood centre; support for a national development, as featured in the National Planning Framework.”

Ms Glenn confirmed that the drafting of the plan would be undertaken by Mr Nick Wright who has an excellent record in the field. It was agreed that Ms Rebecca Richmond and Mr Wright be invited to address members at the next joint CC meeting in February 2023.

The upgrading of Tore Hall both as an essential community centre and an emergency hub has been included in the list of priorities. Other ideas were also being considered. For instance, Ms Glenn advises keeping lines of communication open with Springfield Inc regarding their plans for development of the farm land which they have recently purchased in the Tore area.

A9 Review

Ian Blackford has written to Transport Scotland and Highland Council for reports and will get back to us when he receives a reply.

The 40pm restriction will be established around the Tore Roundabout (possibly within the perimeter indicated by the Tore roadsigns.)

There was a reference to Highland Council’s bid for a Freeport in the Cromarty Firth. A Uk Government decision was awaited. If a Freeport was established a major overhaul of the region’s road system would be an element of the development.

Planning Matters

1) The CC has been informed of a new appeal regarding a planning application for a tourist amenity at Wellhouse.

2) a) Springfield Application

Objections have been submitted regarding Springfield’s application for planning permission in principle for a retail/commercial park at Tore, including an hotel, drive-through and park and ride.

a)The area is not zoned for development in the present IMFLD Plan

b) Muir of Ord CC has expressed concerns about the consequences for all traffic on the A832, affecting Muir of Ord commuters.

c) Traffic Scotland has asked for an extension of the planning consultation period.

d) The present infrastructure could not support a development on such a scale: lack of sewer; inadequacy of Tore Roundabout, MunlochyJunction as set out in the WSP report; A832 towardsTore and through Tore village; present power and water supplies.

e Residents travelling to and from all the communities in the Black Isle would be impacted.

f) Ward 8 Elected Members do not support the project.

FSL and existing Monadh Muir path.

Email from Eelco de Long (Planning Forester) concerns the revision of the Black Isle Managment Plan, a long term project. The email and poster also ask for residents’ views about the value of the forest walk. A consultation meeting will take place in Munlochy Hall, December Ist at 7.00 pm. Killearnan CC plans to send a representative.

Police Reports The CC had not had a report for a considerable time. Cllr Mackenzie pointed out that the practice of having a police representative attend meetings was no longer feasible but reports should be received by Ccs. He would follow up. The increase in drug crime in the area (County Lines etc) was referenced.

Drover’s Road. Ms Margaret Mackenzie submitted a paper (attached ) which traces the history of the ROW as a right of way. .One resident’s more recent building and storage of machinery is obstructing a small section of the right of way. A wide ranging discussion of the plan took place.

Points raise: a) Essential to have evidence of use of claimed right of way in cases where landowners have intruded on an established right of way. (Cllr Mackenzie) The Form is obtainable from Highland Council).b) Residents in Ferintosh are interested in re-opening the path; c) Most of the path is accessible; d) Mr Philip Waite of FSL supports the plan and has written to the land owner. FSl willing to assist in removal of vegetation etc where necessary. e) an earlier request to re-open the right of way was not followed up by FC (A Cameron)

SSEN and Emergency Power Outages. (Notes from Teams Meeting attached)

The political situation affecting European gas supplies which help to power UK power stations has resulted in emergency plans being drawn up, involving managed rolling outages.

Essentially SSEN has 800,000 users in Highland, divided into 18 zones. Rural areas inevitably will have less support.Answer to a question asked by Killearnan Secretary is in the email below:-

“Hi there,

It was great to meet you today on the event – thank you for joining and for you question.

I’m conscious you’re meeting tonight, so wanted to pop across some advice for winter readiness.

We’ve recently updated our advice at Preparing for a power cut - SSEN which provides advice on how to prepare for a power cut. Although these things are more focused on what individuals can do to prepare, they’re very helpful and take a lot of stress out of the situation.

Regarding the support we would offer, specifically during an adverse weather event like we saw last winter. Our Priority Services team have a welfare framework they work to which involves identifying areas that need support during a power cut. Although it can’t be guaranteed, we do have a large fleet and support network of welfare units that we dispatch during these large events. These provide hot food and drinks, and charging facilities for mobile phones too.

My biggest piece of advice would be to join the Priority Services Register at Priority services - SSEN – being on the register has lots of benefits, but also means we keep in touch a little more too. These customers can also receive things like welfare packs (which have helpful resources like hand warmers if needed).

I’m interested in your application for funding from us and more on why it was rejected. When you get a moment, could you send over you application or information you received from us so I can track it all down. I want to look at if there’s something we can do to support your community specifically.

Furthermore, I’ll get in touch with your local relationship manager and pass your details along. She’ll likely want to help too and could perhaps attend one of your community council meetings to talk more.

If you have any further questions that I wasn’t able to answer, feel free to send them back to me.

Take care and many thanks,

Troy Fisher Customer Experience Manager Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
Walton Park, Walton Road, Portsmouth, PO6 1UJ

Cllr Maclean confirmed that Highland Council has copies of the SSEN Home Advice Document. She brought a copy to the meeting.

Cllr MacCallum. Members wish her a speedy recovery.

Newsletter October

A9 Roundabout and Crossing.

Public concern is growing because there has been no sign that the safety recommendations of the WSP/Forbes Review will be implemented. The volume of traffic continues to increase and there have been several incidents this year: vehicles crashing onto the roundabout; near misses; long tail-backs onto the A835 & A832. Vehicles are still travelling at high speeds and overtaking to the endangerment of anyone using the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. The CC has sent letters to our elected representatives (MPs & MSP) raising the matter.

Killearnan Community (Tore) Hall. Update

There have been several meetings between the Trustees, Community Enterprise and other authorities for the purpose of raising funding to overhaul the electric wiring and upgrade the Hall’s electric installations to be more economic and carbon neutral. Several funding sources have been approached. SSEN’s delayed response to the Hall’s application for funding held up the start of work on improving the wiring for several months. Unfortunately, after our wait, SSEN failed to provide funding.

Highland Council and our councillors are being kept informed of developments.

The Tore Primary Parent Council has prepared a statement expressing the importance of the venue to the wellbeing of the pupils. See statement overleaf.

Community Enterprise is extending the deadline for its survey of residents’ views. Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ToreHallDevelopment

A posse of local ladies has offered to undertake spring-cleaning once the repairs to the wiring have been completed. If you can help in any way towards the re-opening of our Hall for the community it will be much appreciated. Just get in touch either by Email: killearnanccouncil2@gmail.com or torehall22@gmail.com

Joint Black Isle CC Meetings.

Scottish Government Place Planning/Funding Initiative.

KCC has joined the other CCs in preparing a list of priorities for the Black Isle. These include: 1 Infrastructure and Development - Amount of development has added pressure on amenities:schools, road infrastructure etc. Group approach– CCs to be involved in planning before decisions are taken. 2 Roads Physical condition – danger to local drivers and visiting tourists. Rural Area – lack of adequate public transport means residents must rely on own vehicles. Adds to isolation.Transport provision. Must plan to allow safe access to services. Generally support green energy agenda but the rural inhabitants have been increasingly denied access to essential services such as medical centres; banks, post offices, leisure facilities. 3 Education Infrastructure Old stock, crumbling buildings. 4 Housing –Pressure, locally, enormous – increase in people moving into the area. Locals priced out of accommodation both homeowning and rental. Young people having to leave area. AirB&B adding to problem. Need review of how housing is delivered. 5. Social Care.Large population of people who have moved into the area on retirement – then develop health problems associated with age over-whelming care provision in BI. 6 Tourism. Highly sought after location ( dolphins, caravan parks etc) Common factors with other issues. Lack of adequate facilities. N500 adding to the pressure. Ms Shona Gunn is representing this CC on the Black Isle Place Planning Group. SEE FULL MINUTES on the Killearnan CC Website.

Drones

There are increased reports of drones invading the privacy of residents in the area by carrying out aerial surveys. Are you being buzzed?

Tore Primary School Parent Council Statement

To whom it may concern,

The Tore Village Hall is an incredibly valuable asset to the local community, not least the Local Primary school, that we represent as a Parent Council. Sitting at the centre of the small village, it serves as a hub for multiple community events run by both the school and the Parent Council, and without the ability to use it, both have suffered hardship in a multitude of ways – lack of sports education, community fundraising events, social gatherings and so on. As parents, we are keen for our small school to be able to provide a varied and diverse education to our children, but unfortunately, without the hall, they are restricted in doing this. Staff have no indoor physical exercise space that is useable, and with the continued decline in weather over the winter months, this is a serious concern for all involved. Pupils also have no space with which to perform and present to parents; a exercise that is greatly missed both from a production and receiving point of view. Funding would greatly help the community rebuild the outdated sections of the interior and ensure that prolonged and efficient use of the premises can continue for many years to come.

DRAFT MINUTES OF KILLEARNAN CC MEETING SEPTEMBER 6th 2022

Present: K Mackenzie, A C Mackay, A Cameron, A Brown, A P Mackay, S Hudson, T. McMorran, F Hastie (text to say delayed), Cllr M MacCallum.

Apologies: Ben Williams; S Gunn; Cllrs. S Aitkin, S Kennedy, G Mackenzie, M Paterson.

Minutes: Adopted. A Cameron; A.P. Mackay

Matters Arising – on agenda;

Correspondence: Highland Council Planning Application: Broadlands 14 Houses; Re Place Based Funding/Planning Ward8 & Ward 9 & BIP;Tore Primary School Let

Agenda

1 Broadlands 14 Houses. Permission granted. Issues regarding A835 access, sewage disposal and safety of primary school pupils remain unresolved.

2 Tore Hall Update

Ms T McMorran: Our application to SSEN was unsuccessful. We are now applying to the ward discretionary fund for half of the amount required and the rest will come out of the hall’s bank account.

We have asked the electrician to let us know when he can make a start. Costs in the region of £9000.

The problem that caused the leak has been fixed but the taps in the toilets have seized and will need replacing.

Alfie a local plumber has done the work and will replace the taps in due course. There maybe a small bill for the work.

Mairie has found a group to donate the children’s resources to and will be moving their stuff out soon.

We have had an energy expert in to discuss environmentally friendly ways to hear the hall but they did not come up with any good suggestions so we will be continuing to seek advice

Ben Williams has put an application in for some funding to help the hall move forward

He has also produced a survey so we can collect opinions and a press release so we can let as many people know as possible where we are with the hall and what the plans may be for the future.

Next step will be to get the electrician in to start the repairs. Get the performance license and start letting the hall again.

The books are due to go to the accountants at the end of August. There is £14,216.60 in the account. Electrician has not been paid for the initial inspection £400

Email from Mr B Williams: “Please see my update to the meeting for this evening - I have pulled together a list of potential funders for the Hall, which may be worth consideration, some of which you were aware of already. Attached for information.

I can also update that the survey has now had 35 responses and is continuing to rise - please can we continue to push and share this as much as possible? I have shared this again on Social Media Today. The majority are in support and 3 people would like to join or help your committee... I will analyse the full results once we have closed the survey, but here is a flavour:”

A Cameron: some problem with entering options on Survey webpage.

Cllr McCallum is to contact other electrical firms for estimates etc

A group of volunteers is being assembled to clean up the hall and garden once the electrical work has been completed.

Update to be included in the Newsletter.

3 Place Based Funding/Planning Ward 8 & Ward 9 & BIP

Appointment of Ms S Gunn as Killearnan CC representative on BIP Group is confirmed – Proposed: A Cameron; Seconded A Brown

Report from Ms S Gunn of meeting with Becky Richmond and BIP on Monday 5th Septermber.

“ As you know the Black Isle Partnership has been awarded funding by the Highland Council to coordinate the delivery of a Place Plan for the Black Isle.

Once agreed the Place Plan will become part of the formal planning hierarchy, which means the Highland Council will need to have regard to it when making planning decisions for the area. Ensuring the priorities of Black Isle residents are well represented is therefore a good way of making sure community priorities are properly reflected in local decisions.

The BIP have appointed a project manager (Becky) to manage the process, who has set up a steering group to help her and provide oversight of the process.

The intention is for the group to appoint consultants to undertake a community consultation exercise, which will then be used as the basis for delivering the plan.

The focus of this evening's meeting was to start fleshing out the detail of the brief for the consultants. The intention is to finalise this over the next week or so before issuing it to a short list of potential consultants. We expect it will take around a month to get a consultant appointed. The community consultation exercise will then be delivered between October and December with the final plan to be completed by the end of February.

So far Killearnan is one of three community councils represented on the group. One other CC has indicated a desire to be involved but the other four have so far decided not to participate. The group agreed that it would be preferable to have input from all the community councils if possible so Becky is going to continue to keep them updated throughout the process with the hope that they may decide to get involved at a later date. Any encouragement we can provide in this respect would be welcomed.

I think that's the main points to report for now but will continue to keep you posted on progress.”

Joint Black Isle CCs Meeting -List of Priorities

1 Infrastructure and Development

Amount of development has added pressure on amenities:schools, road infrastructure etc. Group approach– CCs to be involved in planning before decisions are taken.

2 Roads Physical condition – danger to local drivers and visiting tourists.

Rural Area – lack of adequate public transport means residents must rely on own vehicles. Adds to

isolation.Transport provision. Must plan to allow safe access to services. Generally support green

energy agenda but the rural inhabitants have been increasingly denied access to essential services such as medical centres; banks, post offices, leisure facilities.

3 Education Infrastructure

Old stock, crumbling buildings acro. Plan for next ten (?) years to provide new school buildings.

Recognise scale of challenge.

4 Housing –Pressure, locally, enormous – increase in people moving into the area. Locals priced out of accommodation both homeowning and rental. Young people having to leave area. AirB&B adding to problem. Need review of how housing is delivered.

5. Social Care.

Large population of people who have moved into the area on retirement – then develop health problems associated with age over-whelming care provision in BI.

6 Tourism. Highly sought after location ( dolphins, caravan parks etc) Common factors with other issues. Lack of adequate facilities. N500 adding to the pressure without bringing much benefit to the area.

3 Dovers Road Update

Group has met with FLS representative. FLS supportive. Area surveyed. Most of path accessible. Problem regarding section of encroachment by a local landowner. Philip Waite, HC Outdoor Access,Long Distance Route Manager, has been involved in consultations. FLS should have details of route listed on Land Holding Register. Residents keen to re-establish the path.

AOCB

a) Tore Primary School Let

School is no longer available for our CC meetings! We were offered Kessock Hall (in Knockbain)!

Councillors looking into the situation.

b) Forbes A9 Survey. No sign of introduction of new speed limits or further improvements. The closures, tailbacks and build up of traffic caused by recent incidents affirm the importance of the A9 stretch between the Kessock Bridge and the Tore Roundabout to the Highland economy. MPs, MSPs and HC to be urged (again) to take action.

c) Members share the national concern over unaffordable rises in fuel costs. Effect on schools, libraries and other council buildings highlighted. As SSE (part of OVO) has a monopoly in the Highlands, residents of Killearnan have no other option for their electrical supply.

Meeting closed at 8.45 pm

Tore Hall Update

Community Enterprise Ltd, a community development specialist, has been appointed to work alongside the group and work is now underway.

"The new hall committee is making every effort to restore to the residents of Killearnan and the wider community their much valued public gathering place which has served so many aspects of community life for well over 80 years. Please help us in our endeavour, if you can"

The new Tore Hall Committee is conducting consultations with the community to ensure that the project meets the needs of residents and other user groups. The group are looking to capture views on the changes that will make the ‘Tore Hall’ into the best possible asset it can be for the whole community. An open online survey is available at:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ToreHallDevelopment

Draft Minutes of the Killearnan Community Council Ordinary Meeting June 2nd 2022. Held in Killearnan Public Hall at 7.30pm.

Present

Mr K Mackenzie (Chair)

Mr A.P. Mackay (Treasurer)

Mrs A.C.Mackay (Secretary)

Mr A. Cameron

Mr A Brown

Ms F Hastie

Ben Williams (Community Enterprise)

Rev Susan Cord

Mrs T McMorran

Ms S Glenn

Mr S Glenn

Miss S Bain

Cllr M Paterson

Cllr S Kennedy

Cllr M McCallum

Cllr L Johnston

Apologies

Cllr G. Mackenzie

Cllr A Maclean

Cllr S Atkin

Mr S Hudson (With Scout Team lighting Platinum Jubilee Beacon at Knockfarrell.)

AGENDA

Mr Mackenzie welcomed the new counsellors and Ms S Glenn. Introductions all round.

Ms S Glenn agreed to join the CC as a co-opted member.

Minutes of the Last Meeting: Adopted: A Brown. A Mackay

Correspondence:

The following items were circulated: Letter from Kate Forbes office re: Tore Roundabout and Pedestrian Crossing; Why a Public Hall is Essential (Wanda Mackay Hi-Life Highland); Draft Killearnan Emergency Plan (prepared by A Mackay and F Hastie. Mr Hudson is to send minor additions by email); minutes of the recent BICC meeting hosted by Ferintosh CC.

1 Reopening Tore Hall

A Mackay introduced the discussion by describing the many community events held in the Hall over its 80 years existence.

Mr Ben Williams referred to the Zoom meeting with Rev Susan Cord and Anne Mackay and described the ways in which Community Enterprise could assist the committee and CC: applying for funding; action planning; publicity.

Mrs T McMorran gave an update regarding repairs to the basic electric installation, estimate of costs and the funding already sought from SSEN. The Investment in Communities Scot Gov Fund had just opened and an application is in progress. Closing date June 28th. The committee will apply to the IC fund to finance the modernising of the Hall’s lighting, heating systems in eco-friendly ways as well as fitting the now required type of fire alarms and connecting to the NET . Councillors expressed their support. Thanks to Fortrose Academy for photo-copying and digitising the Hall’s original Charter document.

A Mackay stressed how essential the use of the Hall is to Tore Primary School and the function it will serve as an emergency hub – an amenity Killearnan lacked during the pandemic. OSCR had been informed of the changes to the Trustees. Mr A Brown would now be the main contact with OSCR. The Hall charity was now a member of SCVO.

Other sources of funding suggested: Community Ownership Fund. Ms S Glenn and Cllr Johnston encouraged members to ‘think big’ when considering improvements for the Hall and applying for funding. Cllr Johnston suggested offering a ‘rent a desk’ facility’ for people working from home. Carrying out a survey of residents’ ideas for hall use was suggested using free platforms such as Survey Monkey. The CC Newsletter had included a brief survey seeking residents views and several people had replied, indicating their support and listing a range of uses,

A9 Kessock Bridge to Tore Roundabout

A letter received from Mr Perry (TS) re:A9 Tore Roundabout and pedestrian crossing indicates an intention to install an improved speed limit on roads leading to the roundabout as well as to ensure safety on pedestrian and cycling routes as recommended in the WSP/TS Final report. The email from Kate Forbes’ office in reply to the CC’s concerns, reflects similar recommendations. Yet, none of these improvements have been put in place.

The Tore area urgently needs a reduction in the speed limit round the roundabout and a controlled crossing so that pedestrians can access public transport in safety.

Residents described their various experiences of encountering danger on the crossing when trying to access public transport. It was for this reason that residents tend to opt for personal rather than public transport, thus, inevitably, adding to global warming. Not only pedestrians face hazards but cyclists also have to cross the A9 on the official cycle route. The south bound carriageway was most commented on by residents because two lanes of heavy traffic accelerate away from the roundabout (50 years away) at speed. Pupils exiting the school bus during the rush hour are particularly at risk. Cllr McCallum suggested that this risk might be reduced, as it had been during her school days, by having the bus omit the Tore bus-stop and, after continuing on to North Kessock, return to Tore by the north bound carriage. This adds 20 minutes to the pupils’ journey but would reduce the risk of accident. Cllr McCallum offered to approach the school authority.

The volume of traffic has increased significantly over the last 20 years during which planning permission has been granted to numerous housing developments from which residents inevitably use cars to access work and amenities. Ms S Glenn mentioned the ‘developers contribution’ monies intended to improve the areas in which the developments are sited. There was little evidence that such finance had been directed at improving the road infrastructure. The A9 is a trunk road and therefore the responsibility of the Scottish Government. A flourishing tourist industry has added to the increase in traffic as has the much advertised N500. Tourist drivers are often unfamiliar with the hazards at the Munlochy Junction, Crossing and Roundabout and do not know to take the extra precautions residents employ.

Transport Scotland officers are aware that all traffic issuing from north of Inverness converges on a roundabout which has 5 main roads radiating from it. The traffic then surges across the pedestrian crossing and on to the complex Artefallie/Munlochy Junction where fatalities have already occurred.

It was cynically observed that the Road authority appears to wait for deaths before taking any action, evidenced by the struggle to get an underpass to North Kessock village.

Kate Forbes independent review has been welcomed as a thorough examination of the lack of safety on the stretch of the A9 between the bridge and the roundabout. However so far only street lighting has been installed at the junction. Residents point out that the benefit of lighting is limited in that most accidents have taken place in daylight, including those involving deaths. The design of the junction is still the fundamental problem. The part played by winter/spring low sunlight impeding drivers’vision on parts of the carriageway was also raised as a further reason for reducing the speed limit from the bridge to the roundabout.

The most recent MFLDP appears to have taken into consideration the necessity to improve infrastructures before more housing developments can be sanctioned. Councillors recognise the issues and support the need for improvement.

BICC Meeting in Culbokie.

Mr Rory Mair attended the meeting. Members found his advice for Community Councils extremely useful. He pointed out the benefit of taking a united approach to issues which affect the whole of the Black Isle and suggested that a list of five or so main concerns should be agreed. Road infrastructure/ condition was an agreed priority in the light of the amount of new housing in the Black Isle.

Mr Mair advised that concerns be expressed as desired outcomes rather than making repeated suggestions as to how the outcome might be achieved. Financing and successfully delivering an outcome was the responsibility and main purpose of the paid Local Authority officials and elected representatives. The process should be a collaborative effort.

At the present meeting, Cllr L Johnston also stressed the need for CCs to express proposals as ‘outcomes’ and this was echoed by Ms Glenn’s advice.

Emergency Plan.

F Hastie’s experience as a coastguard officer has been especially beneficial in drafting the plan: identifying possible sources of emergency and detailing methods of coping. The plan is in draft form.

Monadh Mhor Drovers Road.

The path has been surveyed. Only a small stretch requires attention. FLS have no objections to the road’s restoration but could not fund maintenance. Residents of Ferintosh are interested in restoring the road. A Brown agreed to join the sub-committee as the drover road is in the vicinity of his residence.

The AGM is planned for June 2nd in Tore Hall at 7.00. All welcome

Come and meet the new councillors and make your concerns known! Items on the agenda include: the dangerous A9 Tore Pedestrian Crossing; re-opening Tore Hall for the community; drafting an Emergency Plan for the Area; a report of the latest joint Black Isle Councils meeting and further items residents wish to air in person.

TORE PUBLIC HALL UPDATE

The Hall is a Registered Charity - Number SC001459

The new committee members - Andy Brown, Tracy McMorran, Anne Mackay, Ben Sharp (Acting Primary Head), Rev Susan Cord and associate,Louise Marshall aim:-

1 to return the use of the Hall to Killearnan Residents, the Local Primary School and the wider community after a closure of more than two years.

2 to upgrade the amenity to meet the needs of a modern community.

The Hall trustees hold the charter by which the land was granted to the community of Killearnan by the Fraser-Mackenzie family in 1936. In part, the establishment of the hall was as a memorial to local lives lost in the First World War. The official opening took place in 1937 and in the early years the building was in much use as a drill hall. Over the decades, it has been used as a venue for church services, christenings, Sunday schools, parties, toddler groups, dances, concerts, protest meetings, as a polling station, as a practice room for local musicians and highland dance groups, as a place to meet for martial arts and badminton enthusiasts, the WRI, Gardening and Archaeological Societies, Art Classes, Whist Drives, Fund Raising events, Galas….

For Tore Primary School, it has provided an essential space for PE and cultural activities.

Unfortunately, an in-depth electrical inspection has shown that the Hall needs extensive re-wiring and advises that the out-dated, uneconomic heaters be replaced.

To finance the work, the committee will apply to the Scottish Government’s Investing in Communities Fund. Highland Council will support the application.

We also need the support of the local community and ask you to show this by responding to the following 2 questions, via our email:

1 Do you think the village hall is an asset to the local community?

2 What benefits does it provide for our residents and the wider community?

The email address is: torehall22@gmail.com

Killearnan owes a debt of gratitude to the retiring committee - John Dalgetty, Andrina Gammie and Isobel Maclennan - who ran the hall for over 20 years.

Please see below two links relating to ‘Homes for Ukraine’ sponsorship scheme.

www.highland.gov.uk/info/917/housing/996/homes_for_ukraine_sponsorship_scheme

www.highland.gov.uk/info/917/housing/996/homes_for_ukraine_sponsorship_scheme/2.

TORE PUBLIC HALL

A new committee is in place to facilitate the re-opening of the Hall. Members: Andy Brown, racy McMorran, Anne Mackay, Ben Sharp (ToreSchool), Rev Cord.

email: torehall22@gmail.com

HOMES FOR UKRAINIANS

COVID Increase U pdate for key stakeholders. 18 March 2022

Covid figures

We had 5,811 new cases in the seven days to 13 March. The infection rate is 1,816/100,000 across the NHS Highland area: 1,601/100,000 in Argyll and Bute and 1,887/100,000 in North Highland.

We have 50 patients in hospital with COVID-19, including 2 in ITU. ITU capacity is 9 beds, of which 2 are occupied with COVID patients, 5 with other patients and 2 are available.

There have been 308 recorded deaths of people with COVID in the NHS Highland area since the start of the pandemic: 196 in Highland and 112 in Argyll and Bute. This represents an increase of 15 in the last 7 days. This refers to the total number of people who died within 28 days of their first laboratory confirmed report of COVID-19 infection and whose death was registered with National Records of Scotland.

Vaccination

Covid-19 vaccinations as at 15 March 2022

NHS Highland

Scotland

% of population (18+) received 1 dose

96.6

93.7

% of population (18+) received 2 doses

93.2

90.0

% of population (18+) received third dose or booster

81.8

77.7

Current situation

Case numbers are continuing to rise across the NHS Highland area. Our care at home teams are able to deliver essential care only and staffing levels in community hospitals, care homes and care at home are critical.

Outbreak updates: NHS Highland Care Homes

All Infection Protection and Control measures are in place as appropriate at our care homes, plus regular resident and staff testing.

Ach an Eas

Remains closed.

Bayview

Closed.

Caladh Sona

Remains closed.

Dial Mhor

Closed: small number of positive staff members.

Grant House

Closed.

Home Farm

Remains closed.

Invernevis

Remains closed.

Loch Broom

Remains closed.

Melvich

Moved from closed to under surveillance.

Pulteney House

Remains under surveillance.

Seaforth House Golspie

Remains closed.

Wade Centre
Under surveillance.

Outbreak updates: Hospitals

All Infection Protection and Control measures are in place as appropriate at our hospitals, plus regular patient and staff testing.

2 bays are closed in non-covid wards in Raigmore and there are also positive cases being managed within:

Raigmore Ward 10

Raigmore children’s ward

Belford CAU

L&I Hospital Ward 1

Mid Argyll Hospital Glenaray Ward

Ward 3C Raigmore

Remains closed.

Belford Ward 1

Remains closed.

Caithness
Bignold Ward closed.

RNI Ward 2

Remains closed.

Feedback

If you have comments or queries please contact nhshighland.feedback@nhs.scot

Ukraine Appeal Ukraine Aid

Killearnan CC has received the email below urging residents to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Te-aM 6 Grant Street
Inverness
IV3 8BL
Thomas@te-am.co.uk
07849 479 161
Dear Friends, Colleagues, Business Owners, Managers, Fellow Citizens!
Many of us have families and friends across the world, and many of them live in Ukraine.
We need to be ambassadors of human lives, democracy and freedom!
We need to help those who have lost it all, who have lost their health, their homes, their communities, who
have lost their beloved ones, who have lost hope!
I ask you to unite and help the Ukraine! We can help people survive and recover. We can help them live.
Following my recent contact with the Polish Red Cross (PCK) in Lublin, supporting both Ukrainian refugees as
well as those still in their country, there are a number of items that would make a massive difference to those
in need. These items are as follows:
TOILETRIES AND HOUSEHOLD
Shower gels, shampoos, soap, tooth brushes and toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products,
nappies, washing up liquid, washing powder/liquid...
1ST AID ITEMS
Dressings, sterile gauze, sterile bandages, compression bandages, tubular bandages, thermal blankets, saline
ampules, disinfectants, disposable gloves, sterile dressings, tourniquets, scissors, plasters...
MEDICINE
Paracetamol, children's paracetamol, ibuprofen, cream for burns, antiseptic cream
NEW BLANKETS AND NEW SLEEPING BAGS
DISPOSABLE TABLEWARE.
Disposable knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons, plates bowls, cups.
I called the Polish Red Cross again today for the latest information. The greatest demand this afternoon is for
dressings and medicine, as well as blankets, sleeping bags and disposable tableware.
Together, I believe we can pool our strength and organise as much as possible in a short time. Time is life. I am
asking you to help me gather the necessary items, so we can send them to the front line support networks.
TIME
MATTERS!
EVERY LIFE
MATTERS!
UKRAINE
MATTERS!
Over the next couple of days I will be working on the logistics and transportation of the goods so that we can
have them delivered to the Polish Red Cross in Lublin and help the PCK save lives.
Please support me in this journey by donating the above items in wholesale quantities, by helping to finance
the transport and all the additional needs.
I am available on my mobile 07849479161 and email thomas@te-am.co.uk so please do phone, text, email
me and let’s get the ball rolling.
Thank you!
Thomas
Thomas Machnik

Donations can be made at Inverness Cathedral.

Calling All Residents of Killearnan.

The CC is trying to re-open our Community Hall in Tore which has been closed for nearly three years. This vital amenity should be restored to the community.

A meeting has been arranged between the retired committee and a temporary committee to get the process started. Meeting to be held in the hallat 7.00pm on February 8th. Please show up to support the endeavour.

January CC Meeting Minutes

Teams Meeting of Killearnan CC 20th January 2022: Draft Minutes.

Present: K Mackenzie, A C Mackay, A Mackay, A Cameron A Brown, F Hastie; Cllrs G.Adam, A. Maclean, M. Paterson. Guest H.Macleod.

The start of the meeting was delayed on account of an unexpected glitch on Microsoft Teams which allowed particpants to join but prevented the host from communicating with participants. The problem was partially resolved by emailing Microsoft and receiving a new code.

Correspondence : Di Agnew emails (Covid updates, funding opportunities); emails: Forum meetings -Jan 24 & Jan 31.

Minutes of the previous meeting adopted: A Cameron, A Mackay

Agenda

1. Re-opening Killearnan (Tore) Hall. The Hall committee had resigned the year before the Pandemic. The Pandemic had also necessitated the closure of the Hall. The CC is making it a priority to restore this most valuable asset to the community. Mrs T Mcmorran (Kilcoy Nursery) has offered her assistance; Mrs A Gammie (Secretary of the previous committee) has agree to supply the necessary documents and information. The CC plans to apply for funding to facilitate the re-opening. It is hoped that the Hall can be open for the community well in time for the coming Platinum Jubilee celebrations. An emergency committee is to be convened. A Brown has agreed to act as Chair, A.C Mackay as temporary secretary and, possibly, T Macmorran as Treasurer (subject to her agreement).

The councillors expressed their full support.

2. Restoration of the Drover Road between Monadh Mhor and Moss End.

The old path is already being used and residents in both Killearnan and Ferintosh have expressed a willingness to help to reopen the road for the public. FLS has responded favourably to the CCs’ approach regarding the re-opening. Ms H Macleod gave the meeting valuable information about similar projects in the Highland Area and offered her support in advancing Killearnan’s plan and securing the necessary funding. Mr A Cameron and other CC members will liaise further. Mrs A Mackay will contact the various sources of funding.The councillors expressed their support for the project.

3. MFLDP & Springfield PLC’s Plan

Cllr Adam pointed out that HC Planners had not included the development in the current MFLDP as a major development was unviable owing to the problems associated with the lack of adequate infrastructure in the area.

There was a clash between the Black Isle Joint CC Forum scheduled for February 3rd and Springfield’s further consultation planned for the same evening. CC had already agreed to join the BICC forum before receiving the notification from the developers. It was agreed to ask the developers to arrange a meeting at a later date and preferably to hold an actual public meeting in Killearnan. Mrs Mackay was asked to inform the Springfield Team and Cllr A Maclean will also contact them.

4. BICC Forum. The virtual meeting will be hosted by Ferintosh CC. A substantial part of the meeting will be devoted to a talk by Mr D Jones (Head of Planning) who will explain HC Planning’s current approaches in order to assist CC in their constitutional responsibilities in responding to planning matters.

AOCB

a)A 9 Review. Lighting is being installed at the Munlochy Junction and new speed restrictions are expected at the Roundabout.

b) Lighting is needed at Tore Hall. Cats eyes and Tore sign are missing.

c) Finance Update

Mrs Mackay sent a Christmas thankyou of chocolates and oranges to Tore Pupils for their

resilience during the Pandemic. Part of cost to CC - £5. £20 expenses in Newsletter distribution.

d) Summer Festival at Tore Hall? To reunite the Community?

Meeting finished at 8.32pm.

December Updates

The latest Inner Moray Firth Development Plan information...

In North Kessock, officers are recommending a limited development on land to the west of the village. Because it lies at the northern gateway to the City of Inverness, North Kessock could also play a strategic role in managing travel and visitor impacts by accommodating a Park and Ride facility and a campervan servicing site. Land at Bellfield Farm (East) benefits from a previous development allocation and is unlikely to be feasible for business/commercial development in connection with a golf course. It may still support commercial or community use together with limited housing development. Land adjoining the A9 junction is the optimum location for an interceptor park and choose/ride site to encourage changes to more sustainable travel modes. Similarly, the existing A9 northbound car park and adjoining land is underutilised and could better manage the impacts of campervan visitor demand. Further development allocations are not justified in infrastructure, facility and environmental capacity terms. Woodland and other site-specific constraints to the allocated sites can be mitigated by implementation of defined developer requirements for each site.

6.16 It is proposed to only promote very limited infill development at Tore because of the Plan's spatial strategy of directing significant development to sustainable and viable locations. Land at Woodneuk benefits from a recent planning permission, would infill a cluster of existing development and is close to the primary school. Tore is a competitive location for industrial and storage uses, and existing enterprises may require to be expanded. Treed land north of the grain mill has potential to absorb expansion of existing operations including larger scale buildings into the local landscape. There is no quantitative requirement for the scale of expansion proposed by Springfield and the necessary upgrading of infrastructure and community facility capacities is very likely to be unviable

Community Resilience Group Weekly Briefing - 46

10 December 2021

Covid Update

Over the last 7 days there have been 608 new positive cases in Highland (to 09 December). This means the latest 7-day rate per 100,000 shows an increase from 237 per 100,000 as of 02 December to 258.2 per 100,000 as of 09 December.

What is noted this week, however, is that across Scotland there is an increase in the number of cases of the new variant Omicron. Extra caution is advised, as is sticking to the Scottish Government guidelines. Further advice in relation to this is found later in the briefing under the Scottish Government update and from Public Health Scotland.

In terms of neighbourhood data, the map below and accompanying table, highlights the positive cases per 100,000 in communities across the Highland area. The test positivity rate on was 6.8% on 07 December, the same rate as reported on 30 November.

Scotland has Moved Beyond Level Zero

From 9 August 2021 the whole of Scotland moved to beyond Level 0. You can find Scottish Government guidance for everyone on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 here.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/

Scottish Government messages this week

The First Minister gave statements to the Scottish Parliament on Covid-10 on Tuesday 7 December 2021 and 10 December 2021.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-7-december-2021/

Key messages on 7 December included:

The First Minister announced that the new Covid Omicron variant is a "really concerning development” and urged people to take extra caution. She confirmed that current restrictions will remain in place, however it is vital at this stage to strengthen compliance with existing protections; the need for additional protections be reviewed on a daily basis due to the risk posed by the new variant.

After a period of falling case numbers, Scotland saw an increase in cases in the under 60 age groups last week. More positively, the number of people in hospital with Covid, and the number in intensive care, has fallen further in the last week, however this should not give rise to complacency.

The emergence of the Omicron variant is now an additional - and indeed very significant - cause for concern. In the days ahead, we expect to see a continued and potentially rapid rise in cases for Omicron to account for a rising share of overall cases. Health protection teams are working hard through contact tracing, testing and isolation to slow the spread of Omicron cases.

The Scottish Government will strive to get the right balance between acting proportionately and acting preventatively to do what is necessary to keep the country as safe as possible.

In line with the other UK nations, travel rules have been tightened. Anyone 12 years or over now required to take a COVID test before travelling to the UK from (outside the common travel area) in addition to the day 2 testing currently in place. Nigeria is added to the red list, making 11 countries on the red list.

The Cabinet agreed to keep in force all existing protections, but also agreed that it is vital to strengthen compliance with these protections. It is time for all of us to go back to basics and ensure that we are taking all of the steps required to minimise the risk of getting or spreading this virus.

Everyone is being asked to make an extra effort to heighten compliance with current protections now through into January:

LFD Test regularly, on any occasion before socialising, or mixing with people from other households.

Wear face coverings on public transport, in shops, and when moving about in hospitality settings.

Keep windows open when you’re meeting people indoors.

Follow all advice on hygiene.

Working from home where at all possible. Employers are asked to enable employees to do so.

Vaccination remains vitally important:

Additional vaccinators are being identified and trained. We have added the equivalent of 300 additional full-time staff to the vaccination workforce so far.

We are also working to further increase vaccination capacity through increased use of drop-in centres and mobile vaccination units.

We are also working to increase demand by encouraging even more people to take up the offer of vaccine.

Anyone over 40 who has had their second vaccination 12 or more weeks ago is being encouraged to get a booster jag.

Testing and isolation:

If you have symptoms of Covid, please get a PCR test and self- isolate until you get the result.

If your result is negative, you can end isolation at that point if you are double vaccinated. If positive, you must isolate for the full ten days.

Household contacts of close contacts suspected of Omicron variant will be asked to isolate and seek a PCR test. If positive, isolate for 10 days (as of 11 December this has been revised to apply to contacts of any Covid variant).

Everyone is asked to do a LFD test before mixing with other households, including visiting others, going to social places such as pubs and restaurants and shopping.

Regular testing helps early detection of the virus, remembering that we could be carriers of the virus without having symptoms.

By slowing the spread of the virus in general and Omicron in particular, we give ourselves the best possible chance of enjoying a Christmas that is more normal, but also safe - and of avoiding a new year hangover of spiralling cases.

Update 10 December 2021

In a briefing today, the First Minister outlined new rules around self-isolating.

As Omicron is becoming dominant, The First Minister has today announced a national policy change to isolation advice that will set out that:

all positive cases must isolate for 10 days

all fully vaccinated adults and under 18 non-household close contacts are required to isolate until they receive a negative PCR test – partially or unvaccinated adults should isolate for 10 days;

all household close contacts are required to isolate for 10 days with no exemptions for age, vaccination status or a negative PCR test.

This third point is a departure from pre-Omicron isolation policy and will come into place from Saturday 11 December. This national guidance change will supersede any Omicron specific advice that has been in place.

Public Health Scotland issues a request for the public to defer Christmas parties – separate advice from Public Health Scotland is attached with the briefing.

Covid-19 Testing

The chart below provides a helpful overview of the types of tests available.

Symptomatic Testing (with symptoms)

If you do believe you have symptoms, please self-isolate and book a PCR test.

Postal PCR kits are available through NHS Inform either by calling 0800 028 2816 or online https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-do-a-pcr-test-at-home.

In addition to the local support that is available, people can get support to self-isolate by calling the Council’s helpline number: 0300 303 1362. This can include access to food and supplies to self-isolate and individuals may be entitled to a £500 self-isolation support grant.

Asymptomatic Testing (without symptoms)

It continues to be important that people test themselves even if they don’t have symptoms. Taking a rapid LFD test twice a week can help stop new variants earlier, limiting the spread of the virus.

Test kits are available at pharmacies, or to order online from www.nhsinform.scot/testing, or by calling 119. Test kits are also available at Community testing sites.

Community Testing - Assistive Outreach: a new approach to Community Testing for those without symptoms (Asymptomatic)
An additional strand to support the asymptomatic community testing programme has been introduced. To date, three Council mobile units have been used in communities across Highland to support the testing programme. Over time we have seen the number of people coming forward for testing decline, but the number of people asking to take away test kits for use at home has increased.

In a change of approach, the Scottish Government has asked NHS and their partners to introduce Assertive Outreach – a more direct approach to engaging with communities in areas of enduring transmission, areas where testing may be low, and having a presence in public spaces such as shopping centres and railway and bus stations. We will be offering free lateral flow test kits and testing advice. During Week commencing 13 December there will be a presence in the following public spaces:

Next week, our schedule for Assistive Outreach will be in the following public spaces, 13 to 17 December:

DATE

OUTREACH TIMES

AREA

13/12/2021

Dingwall High Street

13/12/2021

Nairn High Street

14/12/2021

Dingwall High Street

14/12/2021

Nairn High Street

15/12/2021

Inverness Town Centre

15/12/2021

Inverness Railway Station

16/12/2021

Inverness Town Centre

16/12/2021

Inverness Victorian Market

17/12/2021

AM/PM

Inverness Town Centre/Victorian Market

17/12/2021

AM/PM

Inverness Railway Station

17/12/2021

AM/PM

Inverness Bus Station

Covid-19 Vaccination Update

The latest update from NHS on the vaccine can be accessed at the following link: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine.

For details of vaccination access for flu and Covid-19 and information about drop-in clinics that are operating in Highland please check the following link:

https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/COVID19/Pages/Vaccination.aspx

From 30 November those aged 16 and 17 in Scotland are to be offered a second dose of the vaccine.

Vaccination Scams
Scammers are using mobile phone numbers to offer Covid-19 tests using a 'vaccinationpass' website which then demands payment.

If you receive a message, call, or link like this, do not respond. Instead, notify www.scamwatch.scot or call 0808 164 6000.

For information on vaccination scams and other Covid-19 related scams, visit the Trading Standards Scotland website https://www.tsscot.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-scams/.

Winter Readiness

A separate briefing has been prepared and is attached with key information and contacts that may be of interest to resilience groups. It includes a quick guide with contact numbers – also attached separately for handy reference.

For anyone in need of urgent Covid-19 related support over the festive period, such as emergency food supplies or prescription collection or other emergency support arising from the need to self-isolate, the Council’s free helpline for Covid-19 will remain open over the festive period:
Tel. 0300 303 1362.
This helpline is available Monday – Friday 9-5pm. It is available for emergency calls out with this time and this includes the Christmas period and bank holidays.

SSEN Distribution to provide enhanced support to customers and communities affected by Storm Arwen (Press Release attached)

SSEN to voluntarily increase statutory compensation payments by 20%, recognising the exceptional impact of the once-in-a generation event. Customers will receive up to an additional £210 depending on how long they were without power.
An additional £500,000 will be added to the 2022 SSEN Resilient Communities Fund, supporting more community resilience projects across the north of Scotland.

Met Office Weather Warning for 11-13 December
Very strong winds are expected to affect northwestern Scotland for a short time on Sunday night and early Monday morning. Weather warnings have been issued for medium impact Yellow Warnings of Wind for the Western Isles, coastal parts of Highland, Orkney and Shetland for this period:

A Yellow Warning of Wind for Western Isles, Tiree, Coll, Skye, and coastal areas of the northwestern mainland. Valid 21:00 Sunday to 0600 Monday, assessed as low likelihood of medium impacts

A Yellow Warning of Wind for the coastal parts of Caithness and Sutherland, Orkney and Shetland. Valid 00:00 to 12:00 Monday

The picture currently is currently described as very uncertain with low forecaster confidence, This confidence will improve over successive days, please see the Met Office website for full details.

Food Support for Groups

We know that a number of you continue to provide support to the most vulnerable in your communities and that most of you already have well defined routes for accessing food to provide this support or are supporting individuals to access their shopping or community fridges/food tables.

If you are struggling to access food to continue support to vulnerable people locally, please do contact us through the policy mailbox and we can look at ways that we can support your group going forward.

Contact: policy6@highland.gov.uk

Helpful Links

Welfare Support Team - www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/102970/benefit_advice

Self Isolation Support Grant - www.highland.gov.uk/info/20016/coronavirus/940/self-isolation_support_grant

Energy Advice

energyadvisors@hi.homeenergyscotland.org

AbiltyNet - IT advice or support AbilityNet

Helpline 0800 048 7642.â€¯â€¯â€¯

Covid Resilience Grant Support - www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/1422811/supporting_community_resilience/category/155/grants_for_community_groups

HTSI Community Group Helpline

Telephone Number 01349 808022

Notice of Meeting

October 26th at 7.00pm

You're invited to join a Microsoft Teams meeting

Title: Andrew Macka7's Teams Meeting
Time: 26 October 2021 19:00:00 British Summer Time

Join the meeting on your computer or mobile app
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZTk3ZjQ2YzUtZWZlNi00YzU2LWEzY2MtNTk1YWNkMDgwYWYw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2228dd0d51-f7a8-499e-b376-57a4282a6853%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223c40802c-f775-423c-ac0e-48a65341c36e%22%7d

Remembrance Sunday 14th November

9.30 am at the Killearnan Cenotaph.

Rev Susan Cord will conduct the remembrance. Mr George Bethune will place the wreath on behalf of the community

A9 Kessock Bridge to Tore Roundabout. Latest news

Richard.Perry@transport.gov.scotFri, Oct 15, 4:50 PM (2 days ago)

Good afternoon

Firstly, we would like to thank you, as a stakeholder, for your ongoing support of the A9 North Kessock to Tore study.

Our public consultation on the options being considered at the current stage (Preliminary Appraisal) concluded on 27 August. Since this date, Transport Scotland and our consultants, WSP, have been analysing the results and considering these alongside the emerging outcomes from the appraisal. A total of 756 responses were received, 753 via our online consultation platform.

We are pleased to confirm that the formal report of the outcomes of the consultation is now available to access on Transport Scotland’s website. This summarises the responses and the additional comments made by many respondents. Where respondents have agreed for their response to be published, these can be reviewed individually on our consultation platform.

The feedback has been vital in helping us understand the views, opinions and priorities of those using the A9 regularly. This feedback is primarily used to understand the acceptability of various options. It is also useful to understand any issues that could be raised as part of a statutory consultation for options involving legal prohibition of movements or restriction of speeds.

WSP is progressing with the Preliminary Appraisal and we expect this will be published by late November 2021.

In recognition of the desire amongst the public and stakeholders to see some improvements carried out in the short term, we can confirm that the following options are being progressed by our Operating Company, BEAR Scotland:

Installation of street lighting around the B9161 Munlochy junction;

A review of the speed limit on Tore roundabout, its approaches, and the A835 to the Tore Primary School junction; and

A review of active travel facilities around Tore roundabout to undertake measures to improve visibility for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers

Progression of these three interventions does not affect the progress or the outcomes of the study and we remain committed to completing this in order to identify further opportunities to improve the route.

I hope you find this update useful.

Head Safety Manager, Operations, Roads Directorate

From Avoch Killen CC

Tue, Sep 14, 2:01 PM (8 days ago)

Hi all, Wondering if you would be able to share publicity on social media and on noticeboards for a volunteer marine mammal medic course running in Cromarty on 10th October? We are always in need of more local medics, particularly after the mass stranding last month. I'm attaching the info poster but can print and drop off if easier.

Thanks for any help.

All the best,

Sarah M-T

BDMLR training in Cromarty 10th October

Learn How to Save Whales, Dolphins and Seals

Train as a BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic. Marine Terrace, Cromarty.

Book Your Place at www.bdmlr.org.uk

Avoch Killen CC

Tue, Sep 14, 2:01 PM (8 days ago)

SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF KILLEARNAN CC NEWSLETTER

The present Members of the CC are: Kenne Mackenzie, Chair; Andrew Mackay, Treasurer; Anne Mackay, Secretary; Alasdair Cameron; Andy Brown; Steven Hudson.

CYBERCRIME

Notes on the Teams Meeting (Sept 6) with PC N0675 Kevin Taylor, Preventions and Interventions officer, Police Scotland - Highlands and Islands Division.

PC Taylor listed the scams current in the area: HMRC (bogus money claims); phishing emails (fraudulent Investment Schemes; advertisements; parcel delivery requests for delivery payments); Romance/Sexploitation(Dating Sites).

He has sent the following list of websites where people can report scams and also get advice.

www.ncsc.gov.uk. www.getsafeonline.org www.sbrcentre.co.uk www.cpni.gov.uk/my-digitalfootprint www.haveibeenpwned.com

www.howsecureismypassword.net www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

He gave the following advice on passwords:-

Always change the default pass-word on a new device; make pass-word 25 characters long; use 3 random words not family pets or names; include a mixture of letters, figures and symbols.

Stained Glass Window in Tore Primary School showing aspects of Killesarnan life past and present		Our heritage