A SUM of £30,000 has been set aside for refurbishment in Maclennan Crecent. The area has seen little investment since the 1970s, and kitchens, wiring as well as maintenance of buildings themselves are all in need of some attention. At the most recent meeting of Merkinch Community Council, Councillor Peter Corbett said that his discretionary budget would be coming soon and he was currently drawing up a "wish-list", if any members had suggestions they would like to make.

• WHILE members were pleased to see an increase of activity at the shipbuilders' yard and were glad for the jobs that it would bring, it was noted that work appeared to be going on round the clock, and there would be an increase in lorry traffic. Members agreed to ask if the noise could be kept to reasonable levels, and if any noise levels had been set for the development. Councillor Corbett said he would be having a meeting with Sandy Catto, whose firm operates the yard.
• THE future of the Welfare Hall in Grant Street has once again come under the spotlight. A sub-group is being set up with various local interests being invited to be represented, and it is hoped they will meet this month. This once much-loved building, which was at one time a social centre for the whole community and is listed, has in recent years fallen into extreme disrepair.
• NEW doors, thought to cost in the region of £100 each, are being installed in Carnarc Crescent and Craigton Avenue, though no-one quite understood the basis on which some were being done and not others. One member commented that Rosehaugh Road was in a worse condition than it had been in the '60s and '70s.
• EXTRA policing is being focused in the Merkinch area, members heard. With the disbandment of the police's town centre office, there were 10 extra police officers being used to boost foot patrols and other services all around Inverness. A police presence is now based 24 hours a day in Craigton Avenue. It was commented that sometimes there were more people around between 2am and 5am than during the day! Craigton Avenue and Kessock Avenue and the playing field have all been wired for security cameras – altogether there are five cameras covering three venues. Community police member PC Norman Macleod said April had been "a very bad month" in South Kessock, but one family had left and things had been "fine since".
• A COMPLAINT about the lack of response to maintenance needs was made by Donnie Kerr once again: the 22 flats in Upper Kessock Street were obliged to share one drying whirlie - and it was not secure. Dustbins in the area often blew about and were regularly put on fire. Mr Kerr said he got no replies from the Housing department, not even an acknowledgement and now he was trying to contact them by e.mail. "It's past a joke," he remarked, adding that it might be necessary to go to the local authority ombudsman, though Councillor Corbett felt there might be more effective approaches.
• THE annual spring clean of Carnarc Point was to be organised for Saturday 27 May. Bags and gloves were to be provided to clean up the litter, most of which was fly-tipped - not just crisp bags but also larger objects including items of furniture. There would be snacks for participants and members heard that one of those wishing to come was a Dutch girl student who is studying for a degree in Environmental Awareness.
• PLANNING permission for a proposed four flats in Lochalsh Road and a further 10 at Dunabban Road was turned down, members heard.