Present: Rhona Miller, Davie Newton, Corinna Calder, Aaran Watson, Reagan Carnworth, Tom Dalziel, Jane Hollowood, Angie Rupp, Richard Williams, Callum Wilson, Sara Donald, Helen Evemy, Philip Evemy, David Fleetwood
Apologies: Tom Harris, Terra Burgoyne
Declaration of Interest – Davie Newton – Hebnet
Minutes of previous meeting.
April Board meeting Minutes – Approved
Matters Arising
CC advised the committee that Kate Forbes will now be reaching out to Housing Minister re: Milburn, rather than Sara.
DN advised that the latest scrap run was full. He is also aware that he has yet to send out the minutes from the Longterm Finance Planning Meeting.
Reports
Knoydart Trading Ltd.
RM gave a very positive Trading Report with all aspects of the business increasing in trade and net profit.
Knoydart Renewables Ltd
TD gave a verbal update and, following the Renewables meeting on Tuesday 13th will be sending an updated Ops Report.
Following TD’s concerns about the long spell of dry weather which could have an impact on the Hydro Loch DN asked id there were any contingency plans, particularly as the Kilchoan gennie is still waiting to be repaired. TD advised that our only contingency was to change over to generator, coupled with planned outages. But this is worst case scenario as we would have to have no rain for around 64 days before any contingency would be necessary. RC asked if electricity prices would increase over any diesel generator use periods. TD assured her this wouldn’t impact on customer charges. CW suggested that all the community connected to the hydro should be mindful of their electricity usage during long dry periods.
DN reminded the directors that the Manitou is now fully insured and can be hired out. CC asked if all future draft minutes could be emailed to the office as well as the Chair. This was agreed.
TD asked how this indigenous tree survey report will be used. RWadvised that it will make us more aware of the areas of land with the most potential for regrowth in the future. TD asked if it would identify areas of specific species. RW agreed that there were some areas that would be capable in time of regenerating without help if allowed to do so and the survey would enable us to specify those areas. TD also wanted to know if some local estates had refused to be involved in the tree survey. RW believed this was due to the conflict of interest between protecting and increasing indigenous forests and deer population, which was a source of income for the estates. DN agreed and suggested that acknowledged comprehensive data on their estates might force them into a direction they aren’t inclined to go. RC was aware of local estates being in conflict with Trees for Life and their increasing deer populations. She also queried if the newly created woodlands were in pursuit of carbon credits. RW assured her that recreating woodlands where they once were, such as along water courses, was the main focus as simply pursuing carbon credits was a risky option. He is interested in restoring woodland rather than making money. TD asked about income stream to achieve this in the future. RW advised that there were lottery funding options which covered a number of years. DF talked in detail about the potential for corporate investment. DN suggested that the wider picture was appreciated but the board and community required more structured and detailed information from RW and Land Management to enable the community to understand how this could be achieved and what it would look like for future generations. AP RC will be a point of contact for RW and Land management as this moves forward.
AW asked if there was a cap on the number of tents allowed on Long Beach, following the excessive number earlier in May and complaints from visitors and residents. DN advised that since then the number had been capped at 50 on the booking website, which would also allow for walk ins. DN is also aware that there is a serious need for more infrastructure, showers and toilet facilities, and this had been discussed at the recent Trading meeting due to it’s impact on the Bunkhouse facilities. This is one of items already on our project list and will be addressed. TD queried the possibility of a Marine Protection Zone. DN said this was a personal interest of Costa and he is talking to interested parties in Mallaig but has no formal support from Knoydart at present and is struggling with competing interests in Mallaig. DN advised that the rangers had been very aware of locals and visitors mixed feelings about the impact of the large cruise ships. They had dealt with complaints as best they could while trying to organise and keep on good terms with the cruise ship customers and staff. They are aware that these ships are a source of income for many local businesses and the Foundation but a balance had to be struck.
Items for info/discussion
1.Finance
The Foundation is due to receive £103, 000 donation from Trading. Cash flow is the most important aspect for the Foundation, ensuring that donations are paid into the most accessible account as the Tridos (savings) Acc. has a 30 day lead in time. Therefore the current account should be at a consistent level to cover monthly costs. HIE have been informed of the Knoydart Projects list and is very supportive, describing it as ‘a key tool for your group of companies’. DN advised that it is good to have HIE on our side as regards long term planning.
2.John Muir Trust
DN expressed concern for the recent lack of external directors from JMT and the Council. He understands the Council non-attendance is due to illness, but this needs to be clarified, and there is a lack of consistency from JMT. DF told the committee that he had been with JMT for over 4 months following his work as a civil servant in government. He assured the committee that JMT is now building back and consolidating following their internal struggles and he hoped to bring consistency and experience to his role as external director on the Foundation Board.
3.Housing Maintenance
There are a number of Foundation properties that need immediate & urgent attention and plans are underway to begin these repairs.
4.Hebnet
The Fibre work should be completed by end of May, early June. There has been a minor but consistent issue with the broadband over the past few months, this is off site and there is no further information at present as to when it will be resolved.
5.Place Plan
The Place Plan has come at a time when there are a large number of other projects either under way or about to begin and there isn’t enough available people to address it. Following a meeting earlier this year it became apparent that it’s not a priority to a large proportion of the community and will therefore be addressed again in 2028.
AOB
DN informed the directors that he had recently had a confrontation with Nigel Boston regarding his persistent use of a heavy vehicle on the road from Airor into the village, which is causing damage to the road. Nigel Boston is transporting stone from his own borrow pit to the net sheds building site, despite the contractor being advised he shouldn’t be using it as the borrow pit is unlicensed and the road unsuitable for transport of such heavy loads. The dispute is still outstanding. (For further info….As I was writing these minutes up on Thursday 15th May NB drove past Tigh na Feidh with another heavy load of stone and has since returned with an empty trailer.)
The meeting came to an end.
