A new secretary has been appointed at the Merkinch Community Council. Anne McCreadie has taken over from Alan Hopkins, who resigned back in April due to work commitments.

At the recent Community Council meeting held at the Community Centre - 7 July - the following matters were discussed:

• Councillor Corbett is to contact Railtrack asking them to clean up the railway banks especially at Wyvis Place and Thornbush Road
• Alan Hopkins attended the SIP’s Executive Committee meeting held on June 23, which was held primarily to prioritise and comment on projects that had been proposed as part of the Merkinch SIPS programme
• Councillor Corbett gave an update on the traffic calming - Thornbush Road not quite finalised, Anderson Street is being monitored. The turning circle at Kessock Point is to be totally resurfaced - forming a roundabout.

Councillor Cummings pointed out that Angus MacInnes has a budget of only £28,000 for the whole of the Inverness area. Each Councillor has a discretionary budget of £4,300, and this could be set against match funding.

Councillor Corbett pointed out that Merkinch Community Council had not responded to Chris Claridge’s correspondence relating to the Consumption of Alcohol in public places. The secretary will write reaffirming our position on this subject. Following a discussion on the run down parts of the area it was agreed that Councillor Corbett and Anne would get together to arrange a meeting between Superintendent Ramsaay McGhee, Murray Cochrane and Social Work to discuss the problems.

The bulldozers have been in and flattened the site at Carnarc Point for the wild flower meadow. Weed killer and seeds have been purchased and holes dug for the seat poles. Volunteers will be needed later in the year to help with the planting.

The Community Council’s application for the Calor Gas Community of the Year has been acknowledged, and they are confident of being short listed.

The grant from Highland Council to the Community Council has increased by 2.5%

It was also acknowledged at the meeting how appreciative the Community Council was of Ali MacLean for all his support and work in the Ward as Merkinch Councillor.

The Community Council meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month, either at the Community Centre or the Merkinch Primary School, starting at 7pm. All residents of the Merkinch ward are invited to attend. See the notice board in Grant Street for further details.