BRORA
Community Council - Brora Community Council met in the Learning Centre recently.
Councillor Deirdre MacKay gave her Highland Council report:
Re the Memorial Clock Tower - Responding to local concerns about work required the matter has been raised with the Ward Manager who is seeking the most recent report on upkeep, what is required and how it can be achieved.
The issue has also been raised, at a Highland Council level, with the council leaders as there are time constraints, and a limited budget, as communities will want their memorials to be ready for the 100th anniversary in 2014 of the outbreak of the First World War.
This early notification will allow for research to ascertain the most sustainable means of both undertaking works required and upkeep into the future.
Adam Brown has offered information and ideas for the project and will support the setting up of an interest group "Friends of Brora War Memorial". This met with the full approval of members.
He has set up a facebook page to gauge public support for a Friends Group. He asked folk to "spread the word", to encourage folks to comment on what has been posted and to add their own comments at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Clyne-War-Memorial-Clock/269727039758378
Brora Community Centre - Councillor Mackay had attended a meeting with Pablo Masquerenhas, Highlife Highland; Trish Matthews, Centre Manager; and primary school head teacher Dawn Mackenzie, to look at outstanding issues and the next steps in setting up a Community Centre committee. The re-wiring, with the exception of the Assembly Hall, is completed apart from snagging.
Two days' training in roles and responsibilities has been organised for February.
The Facilities Manager is to look at useage of the community centre and prepare funding models for discussion. Cllr Mackay has had an earlier meeting with interested individuals to discuss the future running of the centre.
Dropped Kerbs - Owners of mobility buggies have reported that these are not well constructed and, in some cases, impossible to use.
John Mackay, TEC services, is aware of concerns and advises that the pavements themselves require to be levelled. This has real cost implications in a time of severely restrained finances and competing priorities. It is however on the list of works. It would be helpful if users could state their difficulties in writing.
Commission for Rural Schools - Highland Council has commented on this Scottish Government Commission, which can be viewed online. Cllr Mackay emphasised the importance of transport in relation to opportunities for young people and also the problem of smaller secondary schools having a smaller pool of staff, which has consequences for breadth of curriculum.
Beachview and other Brora facilities - Officials have now completed a desk top exercise on facilities in Brora. They will undertake an in-depth exercise on site later in the year.
Cllr Mackay suggested that she would like to have a community consultation in advance of this to determine what people would like to see happen in the village.
In addition Cllr Mackay flagged up the work currently under way with the community centre, the Learning Centre and Beachview. There are potential overlaps and duplication which she fears could compromise elements of each project and as such it is really important that there is collaboration between the projects, and an overview, which would prevent any dilution at an early stage and allow the projects to strengthen each other.
Integration of Services -From April 1st, NHS Highland and Highland Council are merging services for older adults and children. NHS will be the lead agency for adults and HC the lead agency for children. The three area Community Health Partnerships will disappear and be replaced by one pan-Highland CHP supported by nine district committees - the county of Sutherland being one.
This committee will comprise the relevant local professionals, voluntary sector, managers and elected members.
Classroom Assistants - This has been a robust piece of work looking closely at the needs of schools and the decision to retain Classroom Assistants and Learning Support has been widely welcomed. There will be two levels of Classroom support and additional training is being introduced.
One hundred and fifty people attended the Ward Forum event outlining developments at Nigg. The detailed information was well received.
At the request of the council, Cllr Mackay undertook to open renewed enquiries into the unsightly situation which exists at Edward MacKay's old yard.
Ronnie Sim who is the community council's representative Kilbraur Wind Farm Community Benefit Trustee stated that there had been no meeting of the Trustees since the last community council meeting but matters raised then were still being considered by the Trustees.
Two applications have been received for the Kilbraur Micro-grant. It was agreed to allocate £175 to the Social Amenities Group, while the Clyne Fellowship Group should seek further guidance, from Kilbraur Trustees, with regard to its request for assistance with refurbishment of Clyne Church Hall.
Other matters discussed were:
Brora Walks Booklet - There is continued contact with Matt Dent who has agreed to carry this requested project forward. There will be a continued liaison with Matt Dent and the council.
Jubilee Walks - The Chair reported that the Jubilee Walk below the Royal Marine Hotel is now open again. This walk had been temporarily closed due to fallen trees. There was further discussion coming from the Riverside Walk Group who would hugely appreciate support from more volunteers. It was agreed that Matt Dent should be invited to attend a Community Council meeting in the near future.
A9 crossings - There has been no further response from Transerv regarding suggested pedestrian crossings on the A9 at the Post Office. A further attempt at this request could also include details of the dropped kerbs requiring attention.
Brora Community Bonfire and Fireworks Sub-Group - A Letter from Jim Cunningham on behalf of the Bonfire and Fireworks Sub-Group reported on the very successful and well supported New Year's Day Event.
Lawson Community Group - Representatives Lee Bright and Catherine Sutherland attended the first Liaison Meeting and the notes from the meeting will be circulated to all members.The next liaison meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25th January at 5.30pm.
Public Discussion - Complaints have been received about the fact that the bus stop in Gows/Spice car park is located beside a public refuse bin.
It has also been suggested that there should be a bus shelter for that stop if it was possible to move the stop to a wider pavement nearby. It has to be taken into account that the car park at Gows/Spice is privately owned.
Full minutes from monthly meetings of Brora Community Council are held at the Brora Library and at Brora Service Point.
Members of the public are reminded that all meetings of the Community Council are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
HELMSDALE
Gardens and Gourmets - Gardeners in Helmsdale are looking forward to an event to brighten up the dull days of February. The Loth and Helmsdale Flower Society have joined forces with the Gardening Club and local cooks to stage an afternoon event which will spur their gardening efforts, as well as giving their culinary skills a boost.
At noon on 18th February at the Helmsdale Community Centre, a dozen or so local gardeners, many with knowledge of growing prize-winning exhibits, will talk to visitors about how to sow, grow and harvest fruit and vegetables, passing on the all-important tricks of the trade.
Teamed with each of them are members of a corps of enthusiastic gourmet cooks who offer a selection of dishes to taste prepared using the crop, ranging from piquant garlic dips to soups, vegetable dishes and tasty fruit tarts and mouth-watering ice cream made with soft fruit, with recipe leaflets to take home.
Novice flower arrangers will also be given the opportunity to try their hand at basic flower arranging, under the expert eyes of Flower Society members.
