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COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS
At our October meeting we covered a lot of business.
PLACE & ACTION PLANS
Some of which was commenting on, and agreeing, the latest Black Isle Community Councils’ work on the Black Isle Place Plan (BILPP). This is now approaching its final stages with the creation of a Governance Body to drive forward the BILPP. There will be future updates so keep checking the Cromarty Live website.
As promised previously, your C&DCC will now move on to consulting with our Cromarty community over creating a more localised Community Action Plan, to supplement the BILPP. It is planned that we will start organising sessions in the New Year, bringing together not only all community groups, with specific interests, but also everyone who lives here. So start giving it some thought as to how you want Cromarty & District to develop in the future. Everything can be ‘on the table’ for discussion, because it will be YOUR Plan. Again, look out for updates on the Cromarty Live website.
VOLUNTEERS
We continue to prepare for winter weather, even if there are a few sunny days left!
The C&DCC Winter Resilience team have started their preparations getting all the machinery and supplies ready for action. But we need volunteers!
If you are already a regular or previous volunteer to the gritting team, we hope you are willing and able again to keep the community safe, but we are always looking for ‘fresh blood’. More volunteers are needed and welcomed (introductory training provided), so please just email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com and join the Team. But that is not the only type of volunteer we need!
WE NEED YOUR HELP
To keep the C&DCC maintaining its transparency and accountability to the community.
Sadly, due to personal family commitments (nice ones!), we are having to start the process of finding a replacement for Claire Fraser, our Minute Secretary. It is only at times like this that you realise just how much one person is doing for this community. The reality is that finding a replacement like Claire is impossible. The C&DCC and Cromarty owe Claire a lot for her dedication and professionalism. A hard act to follow. But we need to find somebody (or bodies) to take over this very important role of keeping Cromarty informed and making sure the C&DCC Members behave themselves!
If you are interested, in whatever small capacity, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com for more information. Lots of training and support will be available and it has been said that we are a ‘fun’ team to work with! Keen to help your community, then please get in touch.
Thank you
C&DCC
THE CROMARTY PLAYGROUP NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
** SEE BELOW FOR LATEST BLACK ISLE PLACE PLAN UPDATES **
BLACK ISLE LOCAL PLACE PLAN (BILPP) 23rd SEPTEMBER 2024
As mentioned below, there was a further meeting held on 23rd September and the notes/minutes can be viewed here
BLACK ISLE LOCAL PLACE PLAN (BILPP) SEPTEMBER 2024
Following the Black Isle Community Councils (BICC), in cooperation with the Highland Council and the authors of the BILPP, confirming BICC Terms of Reference (for a Governance body to manage and drive the BILPP) at our August meeting, we again met on 3rd September, and successfully started the process of selecting the first members of the BILPP Governance Body.
There will now be a further BICC meeting, on 23rd September 2024, which hopefully will confirm the initial five ‘Community Councillor’ Directors of the BILPP Governance Body, agree a recruitment process (including timescale) for the selection of five Black Isle community members and agree the process for the appointment of an independent Chair of the Governance Body.
For many this will seem a complicated process and difficult to understand its relevance to everyday life on the Black Isle. But it is important and to clarify –
Although the BILPP does not have ‘legal status’, its adoption by Black Isle and Easter Ross Area Committee (BIER) means they have agreed to using it as a tool to inform and support decision making about the Black Isle.
The BILPP is both a Local Place Plan, in line with national Planning Legislation and an Area Place Plan in line with Highland’s Place Based Framework.
The BILPP will be used in preparation of the Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP) as guided by the Planning (Scotland) Act2019.
Once the Governing body has been established, they will begin the work of keeping the BILPP at the forefront of the Public Sector bodies' minds, when they are making decisions that affect the Black Isle. Community Councils and Community groups will be encouraged to refer to the BILPP when they are considering projects for their local area. There are lots of established groups on the Black Isle that will be capable of delivering aspects of the BILPP.
Once the BILPP is registered the HC Planning team will also use it in the same way.
Further updates will appear, as they are known, in future Newsletters and on our website. So ‘watch this space’.
If you have a question or comments, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
FUTURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CROMARTY UPDATE
C&DCC, and a CCDT director, met with Albyn representatives who confirmed that they are now in position to push forward with proposals to build Affordable Housing on the ‘Jock’s Field’/Townlands Barn site (CM01). It was confirmed that the Victoria Park is a ‘protected greenspace’ under the new IMFDP and only the strip of land between Kirkie Brae and the goalposts/tennis court would be considered for access to the CM01 site.
Although details are at a very early stage, any development is likely to be a mixture of rented dwellings (at both affordable social and mid-market rents) and shared ownership. The density is likely to be around 25 dwellings to make it financially viable.
The current thinking is that any building is unlikely to commence before 2026, and there are plenty of issues still to agree before any timetable is a reality.
When we have any further news or updates, they will appear here on our Cromarty Live website. So ‘watch this space’.
If you have a question or comments, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
FAREWELL AND THANKS..
..to Dominic Scott-Lodge who has completed his 2 year tenure as a C&DCC Youth Member. Dom has been a great asset to the team, adding a more youthful vision on Cromarty life and, in particular, doing challenging and important work in helping to improve the Academy School transport service to and from the Town. Dom, good luck with your future plans and please know your thoughts and advice will always be welcomed by the Community Council. But….
WELCOME…
..to Allan Munro who has joined as the latest Youth Member on the C&DCC. Allan is already very active in providing invaluable knowledge, and time, keeping the pavements of Cromarty safe in the winter. His contributions to the Resilience services provided by the Community Council will only grow and we are certain Allan with be yet another successful Youth Member appointment. Welcome Allan.
If you are between 16 & 18 years old and interested in joining the Team, we have a vacancy for another Youth Member, so for more information about how you can make a difference to the Community, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
WORKING TOGETHER ON COMMUNITY NEEDS
For those reading the Community Council’s minutes, you may have noticed that the Cromarty Community Development Trust had asked that we produce guidance to the community showing the differences between us. We have now agreed the following –
Cromarty & District Community Council (CDCC) and Cromarty Community Development Trust (CCDT): What’s the difference?
The CDCC has been asked to provide the community with a more detailed analysis of any differences and if there are any.
The CCDT is often asked what the difference is between these two important community bodies. Suffice to say, we have far more in common than difference, as both groups work hard to improve the lives of people living in Cromarty. But we are different things, so here are the main differences.
In Scotland, development trusts and community councils serve distinct purposes in supporting local communities, but they differ in their structures, roles, and functions. However, Development Trusts are not meant to replace Community Councils, who remain as the democratically accountable body representing their communities.
Development Trust (CCDT)
Definition and Purpose
- A development trust needs to be a community-led organization focused on the regeneration and sustainable development of a specific area. CCDT aims to improve the economic, social, and environmental well-being of Cromarty.
Structure
- CCDT is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. We operate independently of local government and are governed by our articles of association and are only accountable to Companies House and their ‘members’.
Functions
- CCDT undertakes a variety of projects (developing the campsite, looking after the slipway, ownership of Sandilands House, developing the East Church Hall). CCDT’s activities are aimed at creating jobs, fostering community cohesion, and generating income that is reinvested into the community.
Funding
- CCDT can generate income through trading activities, grants, and donations. We also manage assets - the campsite, the slipway and Sandilands House.
Community Council (CDCC)
Definition and Purpose
- The community council is a voluntary organisation that is the democratically accountable body representing the local community to the Scottish Government, the Highland Council and other bodies. We act as a liaison between the community and government.
Structure
- Community councils are statutory bodies established by local authorities under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, then amended by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1994 which adopted the ‘Scheme’ for the Establishment of Community Councils (last updated in September 2019. We are composed of elected community members who serve on a voluntary basis and are governed by their Constitution, Standing Orders and Member’s Code of Conduct as legally established by the ‘Scheme’.
Functions
- CDCC’s primary role is to act as a voice for their local area. This will involve them articulating the views and concerns of local people in their area on a wide range of issues of public concern and making representations to The Highland Council, other public sector bodies and private agencies with specific statutory responsibilities regarding all Planning and Liquor applications in their area. We undertake small-scale projects and initiatives to benefit the local area. We also manage assets and services to the community. These include the Cromarty Victoria Hall, the Cromarty Youth Café, Cromarty Resilience (incl Emergency Action Plan) and Defibrillator administration.
Funding
- CDCC receives a small amount of funding (based on the size of the electorate they represent) from the Highland Council to cover administrative expenses. Unlike development trusts, they do not typically engage in significant income-generating activities although they do raise income through various activities which are 100% reinvested in the Community it represents. In addition, they receive grants and donations from various funders to finance community projects and services.
Summary of Key Differences
| Community Council | Development Trust | |
| Purpose and Scope | Community councils focus on representing and being accountable to community views and acting as the consultative body to the Highland Council as per their legal remit, as well as providing services to our community. | Development trusts focus on broader economic, social, and environmental development projects, often involving asset management and income generation. |
| Structure | Community councils are statutory bodies, representing their community, with a formal role defined by local government legislation. | Development trusts are independent organisations, in our case registered as a limited company and accountable to Companies House and their members |
| Funding and Income | CDCC receive limited revenue funding from Highland Council and although we do not generally engage in substantial income-generating activities, we receive funding to provide community projects and services. |
Development trusts generate income through various activities and manage assets.
|
| Activities | Community councils primarily focus on advocacy, consultation, and representing community interests, although we also provide small scale projects, community services and manage community assets. | Development trusts undertake diverse projects, including economic development, property management, and community services |
In summary, while both the development trust and community council play crucial roles in the Cromarty community, and work very closely together, our objectives, structures, and functions are quite distinct, with development trusts focusing on larger scale community development and community councils acting as the representatives of local residents and providing various services to the community. To help residents know what the CDCC does please click here for our latest list of portfolio responsibilities.
FUTURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CROMARTY & THE INNER MORAY FIRTH DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IMFDP)
The new IMFDP was adopted by the Highland Council on 24th June.
Apart from designating Protected Green Spaces in Cromarty, it also confirmed that the only area designated for Affordable Housing development is the ‘Jock’s Field’/Townlands Barn site (CM01) bordered by High Street & Church Street houses and the Kirkie Brae. This has been owned by Albyn Housing Society for over 15 years, during which time there have been many reasons for little or no action. It is now hoped to see some movement.
The C&DCC will continue to take the lead in representing the Community’s interests but given that the Cromarty Community Development Trust owns Townlands Barn, which could be an important solution in providing site access, we are working together closely to drive progress on this subject. Albyn is saying that they are now in position to discuss proposals so hopefully a meeting in the near future is planned. *Meeting scheduled for the end of August*
When we have any further news or updates, they will appear, as they are known. So ‘watch this space’.
If you have a question or comments, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU!
We know everybody in Cromarty has less space in their bins for non-recyclable waste, but this behaviour does NOT help the Community. The person responsible was seen and should consider retrieval because this does not help us getting the Town bins uplifted by THC, please don't do it again. The Town bins are not meant for excess residential waste. The C&DCC is making representations to remedy our problem of reduced non-recyclable waste bins, but with the tourist season and threatened bin strikes upon us, this behaviour does NOT help!
Any helpful comments welcome. Please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
BLACK ISLE LOCAL PLACE PLAN (BIPP) FURTHER UPDATE
Last month we reported that the Black Isle Community Councils (BICC), in cooperation with the Highland Council and the authors of the BIPP, were creating Terms of Reference (ToR) for the BICC to create a Governance body to manage and drive the BIPP. The first draft of these ToR was considered at the BICC meeting on Tuesday 30th July 2024. It was agreed that the Governance body would be an unconstituted body with ToR and initially be made up of the Black Isle Highland Councillors and 5 Community Councillors (CCs) selected from all the existing BICC elected councillors. A 'job' specification for this role will be drafted and agreed by the BICC at a meeting on Tuesday 3rd September 2024. Once agreed, the BICC will choose those CCs to be on the Governance body, who will then invite Black Isle residents to apply for 5 further places on the Governance body. These residents will not be CCs or have conflicts that stop them from having 'pan Black Isle' interests. At this point, the Governance body will appoint an independent Chair, who will not have been involved with the selection of Governance body members.
Further updates will appear, as they are known. So ‘watch this space’.
If you have a question or comments, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
BLACK ISLE LOCAL PLACE PLAN UPDATE
Your Cromarty & District Community Council (C&DCC) has been in detailed discussions with the other Black Isle Community Councils (BICC) over agreeing a Governance section for the Black Isle Place Plan (BIPP), that has already been registered with the Local Place Plan (LPP) department of the Highland Council (HC), following lengthy consultations with communities across the Black Isle.
In order to create a Governing Body to carry the BIPP forward, that is democratic, accountable and transparent, the BICC is working closely with HC, the Plan authors and well-respected independent experts. To achieve this, draft Terms of Reference for the BICC will be completed by early July, and this will enable the BICC to appoint an independent Chair in a proposed Governance section to be added to the already LPP registered BIPP. This is being fully supported by HC Officers who are keen for this BIPP structure to lead the way across the Highlands in establishing a democratic, accountable and transparent Plan that others can follow.
Once the full details have been agreed and registered, the C&DCC will start a process of identifying how Cromarty’s needs are met by consulting with everyone in town to develop a Cromarty Community Action Plan that works in partnership with the BIPP to achieve the best results for our Town. Further updates will appear, as they are known, in future Newsletters and on this website. So ‘watch this space’.
If you have a question or comments, please email us on cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com. Thank you.
USE OF THE LINKS FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS
As we continue to think positively about being able to organise more community events, we thought it a good idea to remind folk that the C&DCC runs a booking system for the use of the Links.
To avoid planning issues, on behalf of the landowner Cromarty Estate, we are allowed to open the Links for a limited number of occasions each year, to facilitate community events. However not any events that include commercial gain.
The booking calendar is managed by our Secretary, Claire Fraser, who can be contacted either directly or on the C&DCC email cromartydistrictcc@gmail.com, with any proposal to hold such an event.
GREEN AND FOOD WASTE BINS IN CROMARTY (or LACK OF THEM!)
FURTHER UPDATE COMING SOON
At the April C&DCC meeting we asked the Highland Councillor present to find out why Cromarty residents are not included in the THC uplifts of Green waste (brown bins) and Food waste that seem to be available for all of the Black Isle but NOT Cromarty and Resolis, despite the fact that we all have to pay the same Council Tax bills!
The following answer was received and is obviously very disappointing! Its contents will be discussed further at our 27th May meeting.
All monies for bins comes from the Scottish Government, and not the Highland Council, and these funds are limited and cannot be used to create all waste services for all Highland Council communities. Therefore THC have to decide how far this funding reaches. The Black Isle is included unless you live in Cromarty or Resolis.
Food Waste (Cromarty)
"Part of the recycling improvement funds provides an opportunity to double the number of households that currently have access food waste, this includes around 15,000 properties in Ross and Cromarty, Alness, Avoch, Conon Bridge, Culbokie, Evanton, Dingwall, Fortrose, Invergordon, Maryburgh, Muir of Ord, Munlochy, North Kessock, Rosemarkie and Strathpeffer. I don’t anticipate a position where we will be able to extend food waste collection further. at least in the short to medium term."
Garden Waste
"Unfortunately Cromarty falls out with the brown bin collection area, we will always make every effort support one-off community clean-ups but a solution which addresses routine collections of garden waste from householders is more challenging. Composting organic waste at home or within the community does offer an opportunity to manage household garden waste efficiently, and when used it will provide the most environmental benefits, I concede it will not be for everyone, but it should be considered as best practice. It is likely many Cromarty residents will have a range of ways to manage garden waste which already avoids garden waste entering the residual waste stream."
This only adds to problems residents are experiencing following recent THC recycling and bin changes which are proving to be challenging. Further updates to follow.