Action Note Cromarty Firth (Ward 7)- 28 August 2008
held on 28th August 2008
Forum members and speakers attending
Cllr Mike Finlayson (Chair)
Cllr Martin Rattray
Cllr Carolyn Wilson
Mary MacDonald, Alness Community Council
Graham Imrie, Alness Community Council
John Edmondson, Ardross Community Council
Bill Robins, Ardross Community Council
Jaki Gardner, Invergordon Community Council
Fiona Dendy, Kiltearn Community Council
Alpin Macdonald, Kiltearn Community Council
Helen Williamson, Saltburn & Westwood Community Council
Norma Young, Saltburn &Westwood Community Council
Inspector Matthew Reiss, Northern Constabulary (part of meeting)
Fiona Hampton, Highland Council (part of meeting)
Brid McKibben, West Alness Save & Value Energy Project
Eddie Boyd, Highland Council
Jon Priddy, Community Energy Scotland
Helen Ross, Ward Manager Cromarty Firth Ward
Members of the Public – 8
1. Welcome and Introductions
Cllr Finlayson opened the meeting and welcomed everybody.
A minutes silence was held in memory of Drew Brown of Kiltearn Community Council
2. Apologies:
Cllr Maxine Smith
Joan Ross, Alness Community Association
Sally Cartwright, Alness Initiative
3. Feedback from the Ward Forum held on 24th April 2008
Feedback on actions raised at June 2008 at the previous Ward Forum had been circulated prior to the meeting and copies were available at the meeting. The feedback was noted.
4. Highland Legacy 2007 Fund
Fiona Hampton attended for this item. Fiona outlined the background to the fund and the criteria for it. Key points noted were:
This is an ongoing funding scheme
- The closing date for the next tranche of funding is 6th February 2009
1st point of contact to discuss potential applications is Adrian Clark, the Cultural officer for the Area who is based at the Alness Community Education centre at Bridgend School Alness. Further information, including application forms and guidance is available at www.highland2007.com
5. Discretionary Budget
Ward 7 Discretionary Budget spend to August 2008 had been circulated prior to the meeting and copies were available at the meeting. The information was noted
6. Community Safety
Inspector Matthew Reiss gave an update from Northern Constabulary. Key points were:
- Serious crime has decreased by a significant proportion over recent years.
- Recent issues have included theft of scrap metal, central heating oil, diesel and catalytic convertors
- A traffic warden who will cover the area has been appointed and will start shortly
- Information received from the public re drugs is very much valued and can be key
- Several warrants have been served since last forum meeting in relation to drugs and drugs seized
- Sgt Yvonne Brechin has just moved from Invergordon to Inverness. The vacancy will be advertised in the force bulletin week commencing 1st September
- 2 new cadets have been appointed – Erin Robson who will be based in Dingwall and Imogen Nicolson who will be based in Alness
- PC George Ewing will be starting in Evanton in approx 4 – 6 weeks time
- Angie Grant will be leaving the area, but due to other vacancies this will be delayed for a number of months
7. Renewable Energy and Energy Saving
3 presentations were given, all followed by a questions and answer session.
Eddie Boyd gave a presentation which outlined the role of the Highland Energy Advice Centre and looked at types of renewable energy systems such as solar panels; air and ground source heat pumps. During the presentation and question session the following key points were noted:
- from 1st October it will be possible to request a visit from a rep of the Energy Saving Trust when seeking advice on renewables
- Although not all local authorities require a planning application for boreholes, the Highland Council does
- Some areas in the UK are designated ‘warm zones’ in which case people may be eligible for extra forms of assistance. Eddie Boyd agreed to supply additional information on ‘Warm Zones’
- Noted that whilst it is not mandatory to include renewable energy systems in new build properties, this is the easiest and best time to install these measures
Jon Priddy gave a short talk outlining the history of the Community Energy Scotland (CES known until very recently as the Highland and Islands Community Energy Company or HICEC). He noted that they are able to assist in projects such as energy systems for village halls but can also assist in bigger projects in areas where there are specific socio economic issues, e.g. areas of deprivation, or with a very high rate of non returners. It was noted that:
- CES are now fitting meters with all systems assisted so that they are building up data about actual usage
- CES will visit buildings on request and look at usage and best way forward – which in some cases may be around better energy management rather than new systems
- Where a bigger income generating project is being considered CES can fund a feasibility study and if that is positive can assist to get the project to the ‘planning ready’ stage. The expectation is however that such a bigger projects will, if viable, be a bankable project rather than one needing more assistance once it is planning ready
- CES will also attend or hold events and do workshops, surgeries etc to promote knowledge and awareness.
Brid McKibbon of WASP (West Alness Energy Saving Project) outlined the history of the project and the work she has been doing. She noted that a key element of the work had been visiting people in the project area to advise on:
- Their bills – e.g. what tariff for electricity they were on. There are some ‘social tariffs’ which can provide discounts for eligible customers. Some but not all are means tested
- Insulation and how to get help to improve it
- How to use the appliances they have most effectively
8. AOCB
WASP - Jennifer Macleod Chair of the West Alness Residents Association, also involved with WASP noted that some of those involved in the project were aware of interest that had been expressed in the project across Alness and in Invergordon & Evanton. She therefore asked those present to let her know if there was interest in considering an expansion of the project across Alness or the Ward after the pilot period, subject to funding being found for this. Anyone interested to contact Jennifer at the West End hall, Alness tel 884896 or to let Helen Ross, Ward Manager know
Winter Maintenance - in response to a question it was confirmed that there was no change to the winter maintenance plan or capacity for the coming winter.
Next Ward Forum - the next Ward Forum is to be held on 9th October. Venue to be confirmed. The Fire Service is due to attend and it was agreed the Coast Guards should also be asked to attend. Post Meeting Note – the meeting on 9th October will be held in the Invergordon Arts Centre, Invergordon. The next meeting again will be held on 11th December, it was agreed TEC Services should be invited to attend.