Glenfinnan Community Council meeting
Glenfinnan Community Council held its September meeting in Glenfinnan House Hotel.
Among the items discussed were:
Marine Harvest community hut: Plans for the upgrade of the existing building are being drawn up. An application for a change of use is to be completed shortly. The steering group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm, Glenfinnan House Hotel. It will continue to update the community council of any progress.
Roads: Various issues remained outstanding from the last meeting, particularly drainage, deterioration of road surfaces and signs. Councillor Henderson is to contact Pauline Donaldson regarding the current situation.
Tourist parking: On July 10, a snapshot of the current situation was carried out with 20 per cent of the village population turning up to help. This led to significant press coverage in Scotland, the UK and as far afield as New Zealand. Transport Scotland recently installed cameras and strips along the stretch of A830 from National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and further correspondence from it is awaited once the data has been gathered and analysed. A planning and funding application has been made for a car park and footbridge on the private land next to NTS – now approved.
Litter: The issue of litter was raised at the annual general meeting, particularly near Callop walkway. A tidy-up day was proposed towards the end of the tourist season, the date of which will be set at the next meeting.
Correspondence: A letter had been received from the fire and rescue service asking for further volunteers with personal skills or vehicles that could be used in an emergency to come forward
and join the community asset register.
Police update: Sergeant Keith Almond told the community council that since the last meeting there had been 22 incidents reported. Six were related to parking and 10 were road traffic accidents.
Skunk cabbage and ragwort infestation: Alistair Gibson has treated all skunk cabbage that had been identified within the village. Duncan Gibson proposed a village walk round in the springtime to raise further awareness.
The Post Office has been temporarily suspended because of upcoming works at Glenfinnan House Hotel. The Post Office is looking at an alternative site. The possibility of moving the post box from National Trust car park to a more convenient location was discussed.
Glenfinnan House Hotel will be closed from the end of October for kitchen refurbishment. A planning application has been drawn up for an eight-bed extension and staff accommodation. Community council meetings will still be accommodated each month.
Public entertainment licence: The games committee approached the community council regarding a donation towards the cost of renewal of the licence. The community council agreed to pay £100 as a gesture of goodwill for use of the grounds on bonfire night.
The community council acknowledged the sad passing of Donald John Robertson, a well-regarded and popular member of the community.
Events – Saturday October 27: Hallowe’en party from 7pm for children, 9pm for adults, at Glenfinnan House Hotel.
Date of next meeting: Monday October 15, 8pm, Glenfinnan House Hotel. Everyone welcome.