Merkinch has recently been the subject of a number of clean up and environmental improvements thanks to a one off community programme by the Alness based training organisation ILM Highland.

It is one of the many projects that former Merkinch Councillor, Ali Maclean, instigated while serving the people of Merkinch. The project is part of the Welfare to Work initiative, a concept that Ali feels can have huge benefits for a community with a staggering amount of unemployment, by not only giving work to the young unemployed but also helping with essential skills and training to enable them, at the end of their 6 month contract, to go out into the employment market better equipped.

The money to fund the environmental project came from a number of different sources, however, it is unlikely to have ever got off the ground if it wasn’t for the initial start-up cash contributed by Councillor MacLean. Every Councillor in the Highlands has a discretionary budget allocated to them to spend in their ward. Mr MacLean decided that his budget would be used on one large project instead of putting in small amounts here and there.

Mr MacLean explains, "I put all my discretionary budget, which was just under the £5000 mark, towards the scheme - the reason for this was to attract more money for the project. Inverness and Nairn Enterprise match funded it as did the European Social Fund and the Housing Department, as well as a number of other agencies." A gamble that obviously paid off.

The ILM squad have just completed work in the Benula Road area, where they were responsible for the installation of new play park equipment and fencing work around the area. They have also, after local residents complaints to the Highland Council, lifted and relaid all the dangerous paving stones that were causing residents some concern. With work finished in the Benula Road area the squad have now moved on to the banks at the River Ness, where they are uprooting weeds and other vegetation that is unsightly and overgrown.

If anyone is interested in helping their local environment and at the same time acquiring new skills, all you have to do is contact your local job centre for further details.