annual report for year ended 31st March 2005

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Composition of the Community Council

Throughout the year, the Community Council operated with its full complement of 16 members - 13 by direct election and 3 by co-option. Five of these members are from the Muirtown Ward and the remainder from Merkinch. One directly elected member is presently expelled sine die by constitutional disciplinary process.

Frequency of Meetings

Under the conditions of its funding by Highland Council, six meetings annually are obligatory. The Community Council met on nine occasions for ordinary business. Additionally, an Annual General Meeting was held together with a Special General Meeting.

The average attendance of members is 11 with a quorum being present at all times. This number is augmented by the ex-officio members, Highland Councillors Christina M Cumming and Peter Corbett who set an excellent example by their near perfect attendance, unstinting support, and full involvement in the work of the Community Council. The same commendation applies to the local Police Constables Ali MacRae and Pat Underwood. The Community Council continue to set a high premium on the work of the reporter for the local newsletter, Mrs E McArdle, for her consistent and balanced accounts of its proceedings.

It is considered proper to make particular mention of the attendance throughout the year of Brian MacLeod, Merkinch Project Officer, under the auspices of Merkinch Enterprise. Mr MacLeod's efficiency as instrumental in the renewed interest in regeneration of our community evokes approbation and his enthusiastic reports to the Community Council are always of a high standard.

Agenda for Meetings

The business at meetings is usually routine. The Treasurer submits a regular update of income & expenditure. Together with grant income from Highland Council, the local councillors contribute as they see fit from their discretionary budgets and the Community Council in turn make donations to such local causes as are considered worthy of support.

Councillors Cumming and Corbett, while majoring on such issues as bear on the Merkinch, keep members abreast of the wider work of Highland Council. Similarly, the Police Officers in their reporting of the local situation, discourage insularity and lead us to view our locality as by no means the most troublesome beat in the Northern Constabulary area.

Local Groups such as SKRA and SKEP supply regular reports of their activities.

Matters of Particular Interest

The above report is not intended to convey the impression that involvement with the Community Council signifies monotonous drudgery. Such is far removed from fact.

1. The Capel Inch area has undergone a remarkable transformation, with more still to come. The loathsome Maclennan Crescent is now unrecognisable. The retained properties have been upgraded by Highland Council to a standard of which they can justly be proud while the demolished homes are being replaced by Albyn Housing. Planning Permission has been granted to Gael Force Marine for a high quality residential development and the former Bon Accord factory is to be demolished to make way for a similar development. A block of flats on Anderson Street has been renewed to provide a Women's Refuge and the vacated Women's Refuge is to be converted into 3 three-bedroomed flats. The same emphasis on residential development appears in Muirtown Ward. The hitherto unsightly junction at Huntly Place/Dunabban Road/Abbey Court has given way to a highly presentable flatted development built around a quadrangle. All of these developments are warmly approved of by the Community Council.

 

2. One of the most significant matters during the year under review was the change of designation for our area from Social Inclusion to Community Regeneration. An initiative financed by the Community Economic Development Fund managed by Inverness & Nairn Enterprise and Highland Council had led to a highly successful Development Conference in November. To date, the impetus established on that day has not only been maintained but enhanced. The decision has been taken to develop and expand the SKEP Centre so that the South Kessock Project is no longer under the aegis of the Community Council. A business plan has been drafted together with a new legal structure leading to the formation of a South Kessock Community Development Company. The Community Council fully recognise the helpful intervention and expertise of all the professional agencies involved in the belief that this will give access to avenues of funding not available hitherto. The role of the Merkinch Project Officer, Brian MacLeod, as co-ordinator has been invaluable.

 

3. Internally, the Community Council adopted a revised Constitution and agreed amendments to its Standing Orders. The Community Council link to the Merkinch Community Website has been updated.

Conclusion

The Community Council are of the opinion that the past year has not been altogether unsuccessful. As is perfectly proper in any responsibly conducted democratic forum, differing views are vocalised but these are, as well they ought, expressed in an atmosphere of mutual respect between parties, and the Community Council has made no secret of its rigid resolve to enforce due order in the conduct of its business. Defiance and personal abuse will be met with forthright and condign sanctions.

Finally, it is particularly encouraging to note the fundamental and underlying co-operation between the Community Council, the democratically elected Highland Councillors, the Police, and all other agencies with whom we have contact. These are principles which ought to be jealously safeguarded and, provided we act responsibly in the discharge of our duties in relation to these privileges, we as a Community Council can face the challenges of the future with a healthy amalgam of humility on the one hand and quiet confidence on the other.

To all who have helped in any way, the Community Council record due appreciation.

AJM MacLeod
Secretary
25 April 2005

This project is being part-financed by the European Union under the Inverness and Nairn CED programme.