AS THERE were less than 16 nominations for Merkinch Community Council an election was not required. One nomination paper was declared void because the person nominating was not on the current electoral register, members heard at their meeting on 27th November.

It was unanimously agreed to co-opt Brian Cain on to the Council. There are still four vacancies on the Community Council, so anyone who lives in Merkinch is on the electoral roll and is interested in joining should contact the secretary on 238218.

• Office bearers were elected as follows: Chairman – Alexander MacLean; Vice Chair – Clair Pieraccini; Secretary – Anne McCreadie; Treasurer – Brian Cain; Minutes Secretary – Alexander Macleod.
• Members expressed their regret at the news of the untimely death of Hugh Nimbley who served as a member of the Community Council until his recent illness. Members agreed to make a donation of £25 if there is to be a collection for a charity at his service – funeral arrangements were not yet known.
• Donnie Kerr brought up the subject of a planning application in Dunabban Road. The local councillor and several residents have objected to the proposed block of flats because of insufficient parking spaces. Anne to write to George Boyd stating that the Community Council supports the decision already taken by the Area Planning Committee and no further action should be taken on planning application no. PL190/00
• Members to represent the Council on the following bodies are: Inverness CC Forum, Brian Cain; Merkinch Centre Management, Amanda Allan; Social Inclusion Partnership, Hugh MacDonald
• Stay levers still have not been fixed to the notice board although they were included in the original price. Hugh agreed to contact the joiners.
• Alex voiced concern that Maclennan Crescent is in a worse state than it was when consultation with tenants started 18 months ago. Money already allocated for the area has been lost. The matter is to be discussed more fully at the next meeting.
• C.C.T.V. Clair is concerned that the camera sited at MP33 is not covering the area originally intended. He has already spoken to Eric Milne, Chris Claridge and Peter Corbett and is to visit the operations room to see for himself. If Clair is not satisfied a letter of complaint will go to the relevant authority.
• Meetings will be on the second Wednesday of the month, alternating between Merkinch Community Centre and Merkinch Primary School, the next one being 10th January in the school.