Balintore & Hilton Community Council
Serving The Community
The BHCC has been alerted to complaints about severe structural issues with tenant’s housing.
We have raised the issue with Local Councillor Derek Louden at the last Community Council meeting, MP Jamie Stone and MSP Maree Todd.
Jamie Stone has offered to write a support letter to the Highland Council. Maree Todd is yet to respond.
There is a capital works programme that was stalled (due to Covid) however they are back to work now and working on the backlog.
Phone Highland Council on 01349 886602 to request a repair.
Phone 01349 886691. We only act where there is a serious risk to health and safety or where there is potential for serious damage to the property.
Do not ring us – phone National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 (minicom textphone number: 0800 371 787).
Phone Scottish Hydro Electric on 0800 300 999.
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/925/council_housing/229/council_house_repairs
Find your rights as a tenant on the link below.
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/925/council_housing/255/your_council_tenancy
Do you know a young person who would be interested in helping their community? There are two places available for youth representatives on the Balintore Hilton Community Council.
Each Community Council is able to appoint two youth members between the ages of 16-18.
Youth members must live within the Community Council area.
These members shall be in addition to the total membership of each Community Council but will be considered as full members of the Community Council.
They will have full voting rights, with the exception of co-option and will be appointed for a two-year term.
If you are interested in joining your Community Council and you fit the criteria above, get in touch now!
Over the last 7 days, there have been 220 new positive cases in Highland (to 5 August), a decrease from last week when 304 were reported. This means the latest rate per 100,000 has decreased from 129.1 per 100,000 last week to 93.4 per 100,000 as of 5 August. Whilst this is a continued decrease, it remains important to be careful and stick to the Scottish Government guidelines.
In terms of neighbourhood data, the map below and accompanying table highlights the positive cases per 100,000 in communities across the Highland area. The test positivity rate was 4% on 3 August, down from 5.3% on 27 July.
Scotland Moves Beyond Level Zero
From Monday (9 August), most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions in Scotland will be lifted. This includes the removal of the need to physically distance and limits to the size of social gatherings.
From 9 August, no venues will be legally required to close. However, a number of measures will remain in place, including:
Rules of self-isolation to change
Changes in schools
The Scottish Government has issued associated guidance that applies form 9 August, Staying Safe and Protecting Others, on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The key message in the guidance is that although we are moving beyond the Protection Levels, the pandemic is not over and we must continue to focus on suppressing the virus to a level consistent with alleviating its harms while we recover and rebuild for a better future. The guidance is on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-safe-and-protecting-others/
Asymptomatic Testing
It continues to be important that people test themselves even if they don’t have symptoms. Taking a rapid LFD test twice a week can help stop new variants earlier, limiting the spread of the virus.
Test kits are available at pharmacies, or to order online from www.nhsinform.scot/testing, or by calling 119.
Test kits are also available at Community testing sites. The details for where these are next week is outlined below.
Symptomatic Testing
If you do believe you have symptoms, please self-isolate and book a PCR test.
Postal PCR kits are available through NHS Inform either online here or by calling 0800 028 2816.
In addition to the local support that is available, people can get support to self isolate by calling the Council’s helpline number: 0300 303 1362. This can include access to food and supplies to self isolate and individuals may be entitled to a £500 self isolation support grant.
Community Testing 9 August – 13 August
The community testing programme offers rapid COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms. Next week mobile testing units will be in Nairn and Inverness
Monday 9 August, 11am-3.30pm
Tuesday 8 – Thursday 12 August, 9.30-3.30pm
Friday 13 August, 9.30am-1pm
Monday 9 August – Thursday 12 August, 9.30am-4pm
Friday 13 August, 9.30am-3pm
Just to emphasise that there is no specific outbreak in this communities this is to support normalising testing across the area.
No appointment is necessary, and it will be open both for asymptomatic testing and to collect LFD test kits.
Please note that these drop-in sessions for community testing are only for people without symptoms. Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test. PCR tests can be booked through NHS Inform online or by calling 0800 028 2816.
I would appreciate it if you could encourage people across your networks to attend.
Vaccination Update
The latest update from NHS on the vaccine can be accessed at the following link: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine
Meeting Agenda 3rd August 7.00 PM 2021
1. Welcome
2. Present
3. Apologies
4. Minutes 8th of June 2021
5. Report from TDDT
6. Defibrillator update
7. Twentys Plenty Signs
8. Seagulls
9. Balintore Post Office
10. Community Groups Update
11. Planning
12. Police Report
13. AOB
Covid Update
Over the last 7 days there have been 388 new positive cases in Highland (to 22 July), a decrease from last week when 477 were reported. This means the latest rate per 100,000 has decreased from 202.3 per 100,000 last week to 164.8 per 100,000 as of 20 July. Whilst there has been a decrease, the numbers of cases still remain high and it is important to be careful and stick to the Scottish Government guidelines.
Asymptomatic Testing
As cases rise, it is important to test yourself even if you don’t have symptoms. Taking a rapid LFD test twice a week can help stop new variants earlier, limiting the spread of the virus.
Test kits are available at pharmacies, or to order online fromwww.nhsinform.scot/testing, or by calling 119.
Test kits are also available at Community testing sites. The details for where these are next week is outlined below.
Symptomatic Testing
If you do believe you have symptoms, please self-isolate and book a PCR test.
Postal PCR kits are available through NHS Inform either online here or by calling 0800 028 2816.
In addition to the local support that is available, people can get support to self isolate by calling the Council’s helpline number: 0300 303 1362. This can include access to food and supplies to self isolate and individuals may be entitled to a £500 self isolation support grant.
Community Testing 26 July – 30 July
The community testing programme offers rapid COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms.
Next week the mobile testing unit Testalot will be at:
Monday 26 July 12noon-4:30pm
Tuesday 27 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Wednesday 28 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Thursday 29 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 30 July 9:30am-2pm
The mobile testing unit Moves Like Jagger will be available at:
Monday 26 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Tuesday 27 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Wednesday 28 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Thursday 29 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Friday 30 July 9:30am-4:30pm
Just to emphasise that there is no specific outbreak in this communities this is to support normalising testing across the area.
No appointment is necessary, and it will be open both for asymptomatic testing and to collect LFD test kits.
Please note that these drop-in sessions for community testing are only for people without symptoms. Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test. PCR tests can be booked through NHS Inform online or by calling 0800 028 2816.
There continues to be a significant increase in the numbers of covid cases reported across the country including within Highland. Over the last 7 days there have been 615 new positive cases in Highland (to 7 July), a further increase from last week when 565 were reported. This means the latest rate per 100,000 has increased from 239.6 per 100,000 last week to 260.8 per 100,000 as of 5 July.
In terms of neighbourhood data, the map above and accompanying table highlights the positive cases per 100,000 in communities across the Highland area. This reflects the increase in reported numbers of cases over the last week.
Symptoms and PCR Testing
The message from NHS Highland is to continue to remain vigilant for any symptoms.
The typical symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell (anosmia). However, people with COVID- 19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting.
Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test. Tests can be booked through NHS Inform online or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Asymptomatic Testing
As cases rise, it is important to test yourself even if you don’t have symptoms. Taking a rapid LFD test twice a week can help stop new variants earlier, limiting the spread of the virus.
Test kits are available at pharmacies, or to order online from www.nhsinform.scot/testing, or by calling 119.
Test kits are also available at Community testing sites. The details for where these are next week is outlined below.
Community Testing 12 July – 16 July
The community testing programme offers rapid COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms.
This week there will be two units deployed for community testing.
From Monday 28 June, anyone aged 18 and over who has not received a first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination appointment or has missed their first dose for any reason is invited to self-register for an appointment.
The portal is open until this initial vaccination programme ends in September. The online system, which was used successfully to encourage unpaid carers and 18-29 year olds to come forward, will be available to every adult in Scotland.
Book a place on the Scottish Government’s Self Registration Portal here
https://www.nhsinform.scot/vaccineregistration
Vaccination Update
The latest update from NHS on the vaccine can be accessed at the following link: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine
As you will be aware from media coverage, there continues to be a significant increase in the numbers of covid cases reported across the country including within Highland.
Over the last 7 days there have 565 new positive cases in Highland (to 1 July), an increase from the 166 reported last week. This means the latest rate per 100,000 has increased from 70.4 per 100,000 last week to 239.6 per 100,000 as of 29 June.
In terms of neighbourhood data, this map and accompanying table, highlights the positive cases per 100,000 in communities across the Highland area. The increases shown reflect the increase in reported numbers of cases over the last week.
Symptoms and PCR Testing
The message from NHS Highland is to remain vigilant.
The typical symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell (anosmia). However, people with COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting.
Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test. Tests can be booked through NHS Inform online or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Asymptomatic Testing
As cases rise, it is important to test yourself even if you don’t have symptoms. Taking a rapid LFD test twice a week can help stop new variants earlier, limiting the spread of the virus. Test kits are available at pharmacies, or to order online from www.nhsinform.scot/testing, or by calling 119.
Test kits are also available at Community testing sites. The details for where these are next week is outlined below.
Community Testing 5 July – 9 July
Next week there will be two units deployed for community testing.
Balintore & Hilton Community Council