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STOP PRESS - Nigg Ferry to run from April!

MANY THANKS TO THE PORT OF NIGG, HIGHLAND FERRIES AND THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN

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'BEDAZZLING' LIGHTS IN CHURCH STREET

At the start of the month, a number of complaints where received regarding the brightness of new lighting in Church Street. This was referred to the Higland Council's Lighting and Communications Department.

On 5th March, we received the following response -

We have had a response back from the manufacturer with a possible solution to the issue with the new lighting. If we can get the locations and numbers of a couple of the lights giving problems we can try making the adjustment to those and see what the thoughts of the residents are before we go changing the rest. If this is a suitable adjustment we will make the necessary changes to the remaining lanterns before they are installed.

On 5th March, we responded as follows -

Overnight a member of the C&DCC did a double check on the complaints received and we have established that four lights in Church Street need adjustment as a priority. 
Column designations as follows:
AV8 - opposite the Retreat
AV7 - outside St Anne’s
AV6 - opposite Wellington House
9KH - on Paye House
Thanks again for responding to this. 

After a delay and no response we have now, on 18th March, received the following -

Apologies for not getting anything done before now but we have been short staffed due to illness.

Today a team has been out and adjusted AV7 and AV8 to see if this change is a suitable improvement. AV6 and 9KH have not been adjusted as they are different control gear and have been in place for over two years.

I will have a look on site myself over the next couple of nights to ensure the installation still meets the requirements of the British Standard for street lighting and also see how they look glare wise.

The C&DCC will also inspect what difference has occured and report back to THC Lighting and Communications.

UPDATES WILL APPEAR HERE AS THEY HAPPEN

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In October, the Cromarty Youth Café will be 20 years old. Our aspiration, and ambition, is to revamp the Youth Café and have a community celebration
We were successful in receiving part funding from – Scottish Government Children and Young People Mental Health & Well-being Fund. We will continue to look at other funders for support of the project as we are potentially £10K short of total project costs, but we can start!
Over the next few months, we will be:
Removing all photos from the walls and creating new storyboard walls with these photos for reflection. Some of the people in the photos are no longer with us, and it’s so important to retain these precious memories.
After creation of a schedule of works, obtaining acceptable quotes and necessary permissions, all walls would be repaired/painted, and the flooring replaced. (it’s in a bad state of disrepair).
In October we will relaunch and open our Snug – a safe space for young people and families. A room with subdued lighting, suitable for partnership work in sensitive times and a subtle quiet place for our neuro diverse young people.
There’s lots to do before October!
Any suggestions for funding or sources of support gratefully received

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CROMARTY & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS UPDATE

CHANGE OF EMAIL

The C&DCC has had to change its email address. The new address is cromartydcc@cromartylive.co.uk which is linked to our Cromarty Live’s website domain and is more secure. Please use this address when contacting the C&DCC.

WINTER RESILIENCE & VOLUNTEERS

As Spring approaches, the Gritters will go away for the summer. This also means that from 1st April the Hall will be provididing free storage to the Care Project Trikes.

But resilience work is still ongoing with the need for litter picking and alike. More volunteers are needed and welcomed (introductory training provided), so please just contact us on cromartydcc@cromartylive.co.uk and join the Team. 

But that is not the only type of volunteer we need!

MINUTES SECRETARY

As reported previously, we are having to start the process of finding a replacement for Claire Fraser, our Minute Secretary. We hope that a successor has been found! More news after our next meeting on 31st March 2025.

C&DCC 50th ANNIVERSARY

In 2027, the C&DCC will be celebrating its 50th Birthday! The intention is to hold a major gala/event(s), and we have commenced the planning already. In addition to our 50th, it is also the same anniversary for all the other Black Isle Community Councils, to whom we have already reached out on this subject. You can appreciate we are envisaging a major Black Isle Community celebration during 2027 and we welcome any volunteers from within our community to join an C&DCC Anniversary Events sub-committee. It may seem like a long time away but the planning needs to start, and already has, now. If you want to volunteer, or simply learn more, please contact us on cromartydcc@cromartylive.co.uk.

The C&DCC is always available to the whole community as we continue to represent your interests and concerns of living and working in Cromarty. Please continue to contact us about anything on cromartydcc@cromartylive.co.uk, if we haven’t got the answer then we’ll find one and will always respond.

Thank you  C&DCC

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THE CROMARTY PLAYGROUP NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

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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.

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.

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.

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FUTURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CROMARTY & THE INNER MORAY FIRTH DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IMFDP)

The new IMFDP was adopted by the Highland Council on 24^th 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.

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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.

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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.

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