The minutes were proposed as a true reflection by CB and seconded by FM.

·         repair the existing main gate to the cemetery

·         install a new vehicular gate between the old and new parts of the cemetery

·         cut back the overgrown vegetation

·         7 – Road Traffic Offences / Speeding / Mobile Phone Offences

·         1 – Person charged with Possession of Drugs

·         2 – Fixed Penalty’s for Anti-Social Behaviour / Drinking in Public

·         6 – Assistant and Advice Calls

·         Officers dealt with non-criminal complaints also

Thank you to the Community Council for awarding a grant of £250 to Tarradale Primary School garden project.  On Monday 6^th and Tuesday 7^th March Tesco Community volunteers along with Emma cleared up the school garden, which included general site clearance, weeding, preparation of beds and growing areas and they also brightened up the garden by painting the hut, raised beds and timber frames with vibrant primary colours.  The garden is now in a state suitable for the children to work in and learn.  Emma plans to continue to work closely with school in developing their garden.

Emma has approached the Hall and Facilities Company with a proposal to house a community fridge in the Muir Hub for retail businesses, restaurants and individuals to share perfectly good food that is edible but would otherwise go to waste.  For example, someone is going on holiday and they have milk, bread, fruit etc. leftover, so rather than bin it all they would put it in the community fridge for someone else to use.  Or another example, someone has a glut of fruit or veg that they have grown and don’t want it to be wasted, so this gives them an opportunity to share. MOO Food will secure funding (funding in principle has already been identified) to purchase and maintain the fridge and will commit to cleaning it once a week.  We would also arrange and pay for necessary insurances and take responsibility for obtaining all relevant certifications in terms of food health and safety.  This facility will be available for the whole community of Muir of Ord, anyone can give and equally any one can take.  Although this initiative will help address food waste, it will also provide social benefits; another reason to go to the Hub and meet people and it recognises the increased use of foodbanks.   The idea came from an initiative started by Jamie Oliver in the south east of England, which has proven to be hugely popular and successful with all participating communities.   This will item will be discussed at the next Hall and Facilities Company meeting. 

Emma has contacted the Highland Council to seek permission to plant fruit trees (including apple, pear, plum and cherry) at School Loch park.  This site is owned by the Highland Council Community Services department and initial enquiries have been made to seek an agreement.  Emma has engaged Ward Manager Di Agnew in this request.  Funding in principle has been identified to purchase and maintain trees.  The idea behind this proposal is that the trees planted would be a community wide asset/resource and everyone in the village would be encouraged to enjoy.

Emma is due to present at the Hall and Facilities AGM next week (16^th March).  The main purpose of this presentation will be to formally seek community approval to sub lease a 3 acre site at Carnaclasair Recreational Ground from the Community Association to create a community food garden. 

Later Update:  I have an update to info I sent yesterday. The Hall and Facilities Company have advised the Muir Hub cannot house community fridge as there is no space. I will have to think of plan B now.

The meeting finished at 8.30pm