Balintore & Hilton Community Council
Minutes of Meeting – Tuesday 23d July 2024, 7pm
Held at the Seaboard Memorial Hall, Balintore
Present: Kevin Kirk, Chairman (KK), Brian Gallagher (BG), Treasurer, Norma Balfour (NB), Secretary, David Smith (DS), John Friel (JF)
Apologies: None
Invited: Cllr. Maureen Ross, Cllr. Derek Louden, Cllr. Laura Dundas, Tim Kirk Watch Commander, Balintore Fire Station.
Agenda: Approved – Chair
Declaration of Interest: No Declaration of Interest
(If any of the items of business to be considered and you are aware that you have a personal interest in the matter which does not amount to a DPI, you must make a verbal declaration of the existence and nature of that interest at or before the consideration of the item of business or as soon as………)
Welcome: KK, Chairperson, introduced himself and welcomed all to the meeting. KK advised that the meeting was being recorded and asked if anyone objected – No objections documented.
Police Report: Report for 21/05/24 – 22/07/24 is attached (No 1. )
No Police present – Officer Boyd could not be in attendance tonight. Officer Boyd has confirmed that he is available to be contacted if required. KK has his contact details should this be required.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
KK requested approval for the minutes of the previous meeting.
Action – Minutes approved by BG and seconded by JF.
Co-option of Secretary
KK requested that they wished to propose Norma Balfour be elected to the Community Council as Secretary this motion was seconded by John Friel? and carried. Norma accepted the post.
Matters Arising from Previous Meeting
Correspondence – Letter received from Seaboard Hall re Public Toilets
Seaboard Memorial Hall – Balintore Harbour Toilets – Lynda Durrand Manageress Seaboard Memorial Hall advised that they joined forces with the Balintore District Residents Group who had applied for funding through the North Highland Initiative and were awarded £2K for the use of the toilets. This finance will be transferred to the Seaboard Hall for the Public Toilets. Coral Allan and Lynda interviewed 4 applicants for the position of ‘toilet’ cleaner, 2 appointments were made – this allows for the cleaning to be covered on a shift basis in the hope that there will always be a cleaner available 7 days per week. Lynda has drawn up a monthly rota which is now in place and seems to be working well. Letters have been sent out to local groups requesting help financially.
Donations towards the upkeep of the Public Toilets have been received from – Harbour Users, Mother and Toddler, Seaboard Social Club, Seaboard Polytunnel, Balintore and Hilton C.C., plus a private donation, to date £590 has been received. Additionally, a QR code has been set up in the toilets where individuals can make donations, to date this has taken in £11. Things are going well and hopefully, donations will continue to come forward. Any shortfall will be met by the Seaboard Hall.
Mr Hugh Skinner asked Lynda if a donation had been received from the Historical Trust – Lynda advised that nothing had been forthcoming as of that date.
Contact with Jamie Stone MP
KK advised that contact had been made with Jamie Stone and that he and other community councillors were having a meeting with Jamie that week. Chair will report back as to how that goes.
Tennis Courts
Lynda Durrand updated that the Tennis Court netting had been erected and completed. A centre net had been sourced through the Tain Tennis Club, but this was not fit for purpose and a new one has been purchased. It was also noted that several months ago there had been great interest in the Tennis Court and various members of the public had stated a desire to form a Tennis Club. The Tennis Court is now open and available, and any members of the Public should approach either Lynda Durrand (Manager) or any of the Directors of the Seaboard Hall to discuss a way forward.
The Play Area has been updated with equipment. Seaboard Hall along with the Seaboard Toddler Group managed to acquire funding. Many thanks to all who gave up their time and skills. This area has been greatly improved and is highly used by locals and visitors.
Defibrillators
The Chair announced that the defibrillator at the Seaboard Memorial Hall has now been formally transferred from the Community Council.
Fire Service
Mr Tim Kirk was present, and the Chair asked for an update re the flawed decisions regarding the Balintore Fire Station downgrading etc. Tim advised that there was no further update.
Finance
Previous discussion had taken place re the BHCC donating toward the public toilets – Approval was given to donate £100.
Update given by Treasurer – since last period – no outlays
Unrestricted funds available for the BHCC is £1,653.
Planning Applications – None
Councillors Report
Cllr. Ross advised that after the last meeting, a strong email had been sent to Highland Council, highlighting issues in the Balintore Housing Scheme. She also attached the report completed a year ago by the BDRG; nothing has been done from that survey, and the situation is now worse. Cllr Ross stated that she had spoken to the Chief Officer and asked him if he had received her email—yes! he had—and was shocked, as that survey had never reached his desk. He has now called a meeting for the 28th July to discuss with the various departments involved with the Balintore housing scheme and the discussion will be around, abandoned cars, boats, and antisocial behaviour. Cllr Ross stated that many of these tasks are now being dealt with. A meeting was held at the Scout Hut in connection with the housing scheme retrofitting. The aim is to put in place a maintenance plan for the scheme. No maintenance has been evident in the scheme for several years. Tenants showing neglect of Council property have been contacted regarding their gardens, and regular visits can be expected. Contact was made with those causing antisocial behaviour. The main road into and running through the Balintore scheme is atrocious, and it is impossible not to go into a pothole. This requires to be allocated higher up on the Roads program.
The Councillors and Community Council members will continue to complain to Highland Council, and members of the public should place individual complaints on the Highland Council website and to all local Councillors.
Cllr. Ross advised that the Hilton Jetty is 3 feet deep in stones—same with disabled access at Shandwick Bay. Cllr Ross is trying to source funding to get a machine in to clear this. The steps going down into Shandwick Bay require fixing; it is estimated that this will possibly cost a few thousand pounds. They were taped for safety, but that was removed by persons unknown. Kevin Kirk stated that the steps should be condemned.
Hugh Skinner – Raised attention to the 3 villages and the condition of the pavements – neighbours have been out with weed killer. Task Force – one man strimmer show – can we get the council to keep the shore pathway clear – Brian Blackstock cares for a lot of the seafront, but not in Hilton. Community Regeneration Fund – Community Council can apply to get funding to employ a person to carry out some of this work. Cllr Ross will follow up on strimming etc.,
Bio Digester
The following subject proved to be extensive as regards the discussion that took place, as such only the salient points are covered here. This was passed to Brian Gallagher (BG) for an update on the current position.
- Current status – in early March, the reporter directed Acorn to produce an EIA for this development. In June Acorn submitted an EIA screening report. The status is that the EIA report has been submitted to the statutory consultees. BG and other members of the public pointed out that further submissions and comments could be forwarded to Claire Sidell, Case officer for the Reporter. Before the 6th August.
- Kevin Kirk (KK) expressed encouragement at the fact that HSE is now involved and felt that the lack of safety inclusions in the report should now be addressed. He passed the floor to Tim Kirk SFRS (TK) (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service) Balintore.
- TK commented that at present the risk regarding the Bio Digester is not known in full but the site falls under COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) regs. There are 2 upper tier sites on the peninsula, one at Nigg and one for Glenmorangie Whisky storage sheds. Acorn cannot decide which tier they fall under – as this would fall under the remit of HSE (Health and Safety) to decide.
Charlotte Sneddon, a member of the public who has legal representation regarding the Bio Digester, commented that she was happy to share all relevant information she has. Conclusion – We await comments from the Reporter on the EIA scoping report submitted by Acorn Energy.
AOCB
Members of the public raised concerns about the current situation regarding antisocial behaviour within the Balintore housing scheme, affecting both themselves and other members of the community. Throughout the meeting, there were numerous discussions revolving around this matter, indicating its significance within the community. Brian Gallagher emphasized the importance of having Police representation at the next meeting, highlighting the urgency of the situation. It was unanimously agreed that the current situation had become untenable and required urgent resolution.
Date of Next Meeting
To be arranged – please check the website and Facebook pages.
-Minutes approved by David Smith and seconded by Brian Gallacher, 20th September 2024-
Balintore & Hilton Community Council 