PRESENT:

Marilyn MacDonald (MMD) – NLCC/NLVH

Marie MacLachlan (MML) – NLCC / NLVH

Kathleen Cameron (KC) – NLCC / NLVH

Elizabeth MacLellan (EM) – NLCC 

In Attendance: 

Councillor Andrew Baxter, Highland Council

Public Attendance: 

Carol Rasmussen, Liz Ross, Hamish Corbett. 

Prior to the meeting commencing Members noted that letters of resignation had been received from Karl Speirling, Chairman and Lisa Glaze, Treasurer. MML advised the meeting however that she had checked with the Highland Council to make sure that the Community Council could still operate with the four remaining members and Jane Young had confirmed that this was the case and in fact NLCC could co-opt one more member onto the Committee. Copies of both resignation letters were available to view at the Meeting.

It was noted the first order of business would therefore be the election of new Office Bearers for the posts of Chairman and Treasurer.

• Election of Chairman and Treasurer 

It was proposed by Marilyn MacDonald, seconded by Kathleen Cameron and agreed that Marie MacLachlan be elected Treasurer.

It was proposed by Marie MacLachlan, seconded by Kathleen Cameron and agreed that Marilyn MacDonald be elected Chairman. 

• Apologies 

Apologies were received from PC Stephen Cooper and PC Roddy Sandeman. 

• Minutes of Meeting held 4^th March 2025 

The Minutes of the NLCC meeting held on 4^th March 2025 were proposed by KC and seconded by MMD.

• Matters Arising from Minutes 

• Item 9 - Noted MMD requested a breakdown of the CC balance and agreed that this would be available in the annual accounts submitted to the AGM.

• Item 9 – Glen Righ Hydro Scheme Community Payout – Members agreed that donations to the three undernoted Groups should be as follows:-
• Kate Ward’s Afternoon Club - £100
• Innis Na Birlinn Cemetery - £50
• Children’s Christmas Party - £100 

• Police Report 

The Committee noted that although PC Cooper was unable to attend the Meeting he had advised by e-mail that Glencoe Police were now in possession of a new speed gun and this would be in operation once the necessary calibration requirements were carried out. He also asked to be advised if the Committee were aware of any sites where there was a real issue with speeding.

Following discussion the Committee agreed that the undernoted three stretches of road were hot spots for speeding and MML agreed to forward these to PC Cooper.

• St Brides School
• Inchree Road End
• Onich Filling Station

In addition Councillor Baxter agreed to contact Kristen MacLeod of HC Roads Department regarding possible further safety measures on the stretch of road at St Brides School. 

• Action Points 

• Traffic Lights at Allt Nan Ros – Noted MML had spoken with Ross O’Brian and that the current temporary works should be completed and traffic management removed on Thursday 3^rd Noted a permanent repair is required however as a significant stretch had been identified as unstable. Mr O’Brian will be in touch when details are available.
• Notice Board –Perspex Door – ongoing.
• Defibrillators – The Committee noted that the cost of a Defibrillator was approx £2,000 and MMD gave details of the BHF Community Defibrillator Funding Programme which unfortunately was closed to applications at the moment. MMD was advised however that this should open up again in the summer and MMD agreed to follow this up. Noted MMD was also waiting to hear back from the local Ambulance Service.
• NLCC Bank Account Signatories / Possible Change of NLCC Bank – Agreed (i) that MMD and MML would be the two signatories on the NLCC Bank Account and (ii) not to change the NLCC Bank at this point.

• Glen Righ Hydro Scheme Community Payout – Funding of Local Projects

Members agreed at the previous meeting to consider further the list of projects put forward for funding. For ease of reference a list detailing the projects submitted by the NLCA and other suggestions put forward by the Committee is attached as (Appendix 1).

The Committee noted the list of projects put forward for funding and agreed that apart from the £250 allocated in total to the three projects listed in Item 4 above, to defer any further decision on how the money is spent until more funding information is available re the defibrillators.

• Office Bearer Reports 

Due to the resignation of the Treasurer no report was available however it was noted the audited accounts would be available for the AGM to be held on Monday12th May. 

• Planning Matters 

Note: Councillor Baxter took no part in any discussion or decision in relation to the following four planning applications. 

• Planning Application: 24/05246/FUL

Erection of distillery building with shop and cafe, erection of warehouses, store and formation of car park

Land 60M North of Cottage of Ardea, Ballachulish

Noted the deadline had passed for commenting on this application. Noted for future reference however that HC may still accept Community Council comments after the deadline due to Community Council meetings only being held monthly.

• Planning Application: 25/00216/FUL

Erection of Stretch Tent Marquee

Roam West, Righ Crescent, Onich, PH33 6SE 

The Committee noted details of the application and plans submitted and members of the public present expressed concerns regarding the access road, parking and right of way through the area concerned.

The Committee agreed that whilst not objecting to this Application to pass on the concerns of those present. 

• Planning Application: 25/00260/FUL

Change of use of land for siting of caravan for use as staff accommodation

Land 25M NE of Roam West, Righ Crescent, Onich 

The Committee noted details of the application and plans submitted and agreed there were no objections. 

• Planning Application: 25/00902/FUL

Change of use from Stone Barn and erection of extension to form community base hub cafe

Land 20M SW of Vertical Descents, Righ Crescent, Onich 

The Committee noted details of the application and plans submitted and members of the public present expressed concerns regarding congestion of traffic through Inchree, parking, inadequate passing places, no pavement, large timber haulage lorries on this road and also that the A82 Inchree junction poses safety risks.

The Committee agreed that whilst not objecting to this Application to pass on the concerns of those present. 

• Updates from NLCA and Village Hall Committee 

NLCA

Noted the Minutes of the NLCA meeting held on 3^rd March received from Lisa Glaze, Minute Secretary on 31^st March.

NLVH

Noted (i) all the paperwork in respect of the transfer of the Village Hall was now with the Solicitors, and (ii) the next meeting of the Village Hall Committee was to be held on Tuesday 8^th April at 7.30 in the Nether Lochaber Church Hall. 

• AOCB 

Re the transfer of the Village Hall – MML will phone McIntyre & Co with details of the new Office Bearers / Trustees. 

• Date of Next Meeting 

Noted the next Meeting of the NLCC would be the AGM on Monday 12^th May 2025 at 7.30pm in the Nether Lochaber Church Hall.

 

APPENDIX 1 – Minutes of NLCC Meeting 01/04/2025

 

Item 7 above refers. 

List of projects submitted by the NLCA and other suggestions put forward by the Committee: 

List submitted by NLCA:-

• Signs for each site managed by the Community 9 x £41.21 – Total £370.89
• Resurfacing of the Picnic Area
• 5 new fruit trees to replace those damaged by the Council strimmers @ Total £200.
• 2 more village benches @ £300 each – Total £600
• Paint to repaint benches – Total £80
• Squirrel feeders x 4 @ £25 each – Total £100

Other suggestions from Committee Members were as follows:-

• Purchase a Defibrillator
• Communications cost
• Supporting Community Groups
• Defibrillator training
• Donations for funding local causes / banners
• Donations to Kate Ward’s Afternoon Club – agreed 4/3/25
• Innis Na Birlinn Cemetery – agreed 4/3/25
• Donations to Children’s Christmas Party – agreed 4/3/25
• A Nether Lochaber Flower Competition of some kind (whilst we are unable to host the Annual Flow and Produce Show at present).