Present: Catriona Johnson, June Alexander, Kenneth Cox, Brian MacGregor, Craig Ewan, Neil Hornsby,.
Councillors : Cllr. Crawford
Police and Residents: PC Kinnaird plus five residents
Apologies: Cllr. Holden

1. Announcements: the Chair: informed the meeting that, sadly, Samantha Behan had resigned from the committee; thanked Bob Chalmers and Rab Inglis, the Council’s outgoing Chair and Secretary respectively, for their contributions to the Community; and advised that the Council would endeavour to post agendas for future meetings on local notice boards.

2. Minutes of meeting held on3 December: these were accepted.
Acceptance of minutes: proposed by Craig Ewan, seconded by Brian MacGregor.

3. Matters arising
• Maxwell Park: the Chair read out a letter from Mrs Maxwell, which advised the Council that one provision of her and her husband’s gift of the park to the Highland Council (HC) was that no building should be allowed to be constructed on it. Cllr. Crawford reported that the HC’s TEC services had advised that the cost of draining the park would be considerable, exceeding the funds available in the discretionary budget. ACTION POINT: He undertook to ascertain the actual estimate. 
• Proposed Baptist Church (Caufield Road):The Secretary reported that he had received a letter from HC confirming that the planning application had been refused. The secretary also reported that the playpark would be sited at the top end of the park.
• Dog bins: a letter had been received from HC explaining that general waste bins could (also) be used as dog bins, and that bio-degradeable bags were available. ACTION POINT: residents were invited to advise the Secretary of suitable sites for waste bins.
• Notice Boards and Postboxes: no apparent difficulties were perceived in siting a noticeboard near to the Spar shop. ACTION POINT: Secretary and Minutes Secretary to contact the Royal Mail about providing a post box, also near the Spar shop.
• Tea Urn: the meeting expressed its thanks to the Secretary for arranging the provision of a tea urn for community use.

4. Community Police report: PC Kinnaird reported that, in recent weeks: there had been one serious assault incident; some complaints about late-night noise; and some occasions when officers had relieved youngsters of alcohol. He also reported that three additional community police officers were due to join the Culloden station soon. In response to a question about road accidents, he said that many were due to the low light levels at this time of year or inattentive driving.

5. Planning: 
• Community facilities at Milton of Leys: discussion to be held at Inshes Church at 7pm on 29 Jan.
• Care Home (Cradlehall Farm): The Secretary said he had not yet heard whether this application was intended to replace the earlier one for a restaurant on the site. ACTION POINT: the Secretary to respond (to the current application): expressing the Council’s concerns about the potential for increased traffic volumes in an already congested area (during peak hours); requesting that, if the HC is minded to grant planning permission, the design should include maximum use of renewable energy technologies, both to minimise heating and lighting costs as well as the Home’s carbon footprint; and to seek clarification of the development plans for the area
• Balvonie Housing fair. The Secretary reported that, despite his request, the exhibition/meeting had gone ahead on 11 Jan. as it had been advertised for that date. The formal closing date for comments on the planning application was 21 Jan.
• Residential development at Woodside of Culloden: the HC planning committee would be making a site visit on 5 Feb.
• Hotfood catering shop at Westhill: the Secretary had asked why the Council had not been consulted. Cllr. Crawford reported that the application had been refused, under delegated powers.
• Bogbain: The Council noted Mr McGregor’s report about developments. ACTION POINT: The Secretary to express to HC the Council’s concern about the lack of clarification in the application.
• ‘Action for Planning Transparency’ (APT): The APT’s next meeting was scheduled for 7.30 on 27 Feb. at Bogbain Farm.
ACTION POINT: Mr McGregor to circulate details about APT.
• A96 Corridor plan: a copy of the most recent publication was available from the Secretary

6. Treasurer’s report: the Council noted that £37.50 had been spent since the last meeting, and that the balance now stood at £3,940.10, of which £1,100 was earmarked for garden projects. Cllr Crawford that work on Cradlehall primary school’s entrance was due to commence before the end of the financial year.

7. Mission and Challenge, and Gala Day: the Chair suggested that, (particularly) given the small size of the Council, members might make a priority of communicating information about its activities to the local community, including holding a gala day and resurrecting the newsletter. These proposals were welcomed and endorsed. ACTION POINTS: the Council to prepare and organise distribution of a newsletter; commence arrangements for a gala day, probably for September; invite local groups to participate in the gala day; and invite local schools to design a logo for the WCC.

8. Correspondence: the Chair reported: receipt of correspondence, originally sent to Bob Chalmers (in his capacity as the previous Council Chair), but now time-expired; receipt of an invitation to comment on H&I Airports’ intention to move to twenty-four hour opening and flying at Dalcross airport (although permission to do so was not required); that Inshes PO was to remain open for business, but that Kingsmills PO was due to close; and that HC were hosting a training day for Community Councils at 10.00 on 23 Feb. in the main Council chamber. ACTION POINT: Council members to advise the Secretary if they were interested in attending. NB Post-meeting note: the training day has now been postponed; no new date has yet been set.

9. AOCB
• Nairnside buses: Cllr. Crawford reported that he was still waiting to receive a timetable for bus routes taking in Nairnside
• Cradlehall bus shelter: ACTION POINT: Secretary to contact the bus company about moving the bus shelter to where it can be more easily seen by drivers.
• Guide projects: The Chair invited ideas for suitable projects for local Guides. Gardening, plus help with the newsletter and the gala day were suggested.
• Donation: The Chair undertook to progress the donation to Mr Mackay, who had served on the Council for many years.
• Cradlehall School handrail (see minutes of 18 June 2007): ACTION POINT: Secretary to contact Cllr Holden about progress

10. Date and time of next meeting: to be held at 7.45pm, on 18 Feb.

The meeting closed at 9.45pm