Balintore & Hilton Community Council
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday 20th February 2024, 7pm
Held at the Scout Hut, Balintore
Present: Maureen Ross (MR) Highland Councillor, Alasdair Rhind (AR) Highland Councillor,
Kevin Kirk (KK), David Smith (DS), John Friel (JF), Brian Gallagher (BG), Alastair Gill (AG), Lyndsay Watt (LW).
Apologies: None
Member of Public Present: 2
Welcome: KK welcomed all.
-Continuation from Inaugural Meeting-
KK – newly appointed chairperson put forward for nominations for Treasurer and asked if BG was prepared to continue with this position as he had held it previously. BG accepted the position and all others agreed.
KK – then put forward for nominations for Secretary. LW – said that he would rather find out how things are working before he would commit or offer to take on the position as Community Council was very new to him. There were no further offers to take the position on.
MR – suggested that the meetings be recorded, as this made it much easier to write up the minutes – but would need agreement from all at the start of each meeting. KK – said that he would take on the Secretarial duties in the meantime and would record the meetings. This was accepted by all.
KK – stated that he had someone in mind for secretary and that this would require to be discussed with the person and he would advise at the next meeting.
KK – asked if there was any other business outstanding from the previous Council.
Matters Outstanding from previous CC at time of Abeyance.
BG – stated that there were several outstanding matters, the most urgent being the accounts from last year required to be submitted to Highland Council. The accounts are required to be agreed on at the next meeting and submitted. This will then activate the £500 funding from Highland Council for the Community Council.
Finance
BG – Issues with Bank Account – Currently have an account with the Bank of Scotland with two signatories – Brian Gallagher and Jenny McCann (ex-Community Councillor). BG intimated that he had several issues with the Bank and required other signatures. BG to approach Jenny McCann and ask her to help with the current banking situation until such time as other signatories were in place. BG also stated that there are several signatories from up to 10 years that require to be removed. It was agreed that BG would deal with the above and get the account sorted. It was agreed that the main signatories would be KK chairperson and BG treasurer.
Website & Facebook
KK – asked AG for all details relating to the current Community Council (CC) website and face book pages. AG immediately referred him to Jenny McCann, stating that he does not have any passwords etc.
BG – advised that the website was currently not running and that annual/monthly fees had not been paid since CC went into Abeyance. BG said that he would get in touch with Jenny McCann and discuss it with her and report back to KK.
Defibrillators
KK – spoke about Defibs and asked for background information as he was not familiar with the procedure etc. Various came forward with information. BG explained the workings and the current situation. There is an amount of money held within CC bank account purely donated for the use of the Defib outside the Seaboard Hall. After much discussion, it was suggested that communication be made with the Manager of the Seaboard Hall and suggestion be made that the Hall take over the Defib and the funding available for maintenance. This money could be transferred directly from the CC into a separate account for the Defib once an agreement was reached. All agreed and contact will be made with the Seaboard Hall. The Defib at the Seaboard Hall was purchased through Lucky2bhere and fundraising within the community. This defib is the property of the Community Council. At the time of purchase, the Seaboard Memorial Hall allowed the Defib to be situated at the Hall and Sangster’s Electricians provided connection and permanent lighting to be installed, the running cost of the defib and light is met by the Hall. BG stated that the Defib at the Balintore Pharmacy belongs to and is covered by Kieran’s Legacy and that all costs are covered by them. These two Defibs are connected through the ‘Circuit’ which connects defibs across the UK with ambulance services to save lives after cardiac arrest. BG currently has the password to operate the Circuit.
Police Reports
KK – spoke about Police Reports and the presence of Officers at meetings. It was agreed that KK would contact the local station for information.
AOCB
1 – Advertising of Meetings
KK – advised that all CC meetings should be advertised on local notice boards, on the CC facebook page, and on the CC website (once up and running again). MR advised that only approved minutes of meetings should be put out to the Public. (Minutes are drafted and circulated through the CC for checking and amending and then the Draft Minutes are put forward for approval at the next meeting held. Once the minutes are approved, they can be put out to the public).
2 – Location of Meetings
A member of the public raised the question as to why the meeting for the Community Council was being held in the Scout Hut. Previously meetings were always held at the Seaboard Hall where there was plenty of parking and easy accessibility for young and old. Discussion was forthcoming and all agreed that the Scout Hut was not suitable during the winter months as no actual road or parking is available. It was suggested that meetings during winter be held at the Seaboard Hall and in the brighter summer days at the Scout Hut, weather permitting.
3 – Date of Next Meeting
KK next meeting was agreed for 20th March 24. LW was asked to check with the Manager at the Seaboard Hall for availability on that date and to report back to KK of availability. Unless otherwise advised the meeting would go ahead on the 20th March at the Seaboard Hall.
-Minutes approved by John Friel and seconded by Brian Gallacher, 20th March 2024-
Balintore & Hilton Community Council 