AF Staff Report February 2010

01/03/10

Assynt Foundation Staff Report February 2010

Lodge Redevelopment Project:
Works are continuing roughly on schedule and to budget.  New windows and doors are in. Details of solar panels (for auxiliary water heating) are being finalised. Details of boiler house & fuel hopper positioning are being finalised. Modifications to deer larder rail are now designed. Kitchen layouts and designs are being agreed with suppliers. Quotes for carpets, furniture, & furnishings are underway.
Works are still due to finish late April.

Affordable Housing:
Following three unresolved objections to the Glencanisp area being zoned for housing in the Local Plan, the Scottish Government have recommended deletion of the Glencanisp housing area from the Local Plan. Highland Council will have to accept this recommendation. This is potentially a major setback; however it could still be possible to get planning permission for housing development on this site, despite the area not being zoned for housing in the Local Plan.
The Local Plan is expected to be reviewed next year, and the area could be zoned for housing in the plan then, if results of the feasibility study militate against reasons for deletion.

Rural Design are nearing the end of work on the Affordable Housing feasibility study. A meeting is to be arranged soon between Rural Design, AF and HSCHT. More community feedback to the proposals so far, especially from people potentially wanting houses, would still be greatly beneficial, as they have had very little feedback so far. Their suggested main proposal at this stage is for several turf-roofed buildings each containing a number of units. This proposal considerably reduces infrastructure costs, such as area of access roads created that might otherwise stop us affording any housing development.
Opinions can be sent to glencanisp@ruraldesign.co.uk.

Walled Garden: 
Repairs to perimeter wall are still on hold as the New Deal work placement has serious back problems. Temporary fencing is keeping the deer out at the moment.
 A work group of young MacLeods from America is to visit Assynt this July, and is looking for opportunities for volunteer work. One suggestion is the dismantling of the polytunnel at Raffin, which has been kindly offered to AF. There may be a meeting soon about this group.

Stalking/Estate Work:
Hind cull is going very well and nearing completion. [Now completed.]
We have had a draft of a proposed new Section 7 Agreement with DCS that would include neighbouring estates if it is agreed. This would assist us in our deer management efforts.
An incident occurred when stalking staff were using AF's wooden boat on Loch Assynt. A plank split during a voyage, letting water in. The boat was taken immediately to the shore. Emergency services were called out when the boat failed to arrive at the intended destination and could not be seen on the loch. No injury occurred. New safety procedures have now been implemented as a result of the incident and safety equipment overhauled and upgraded.. The boat’s builder has inspected the damage and will quote us for repairs and essential overdue maintenance.

Estate Plan:
An annual review of the estate management plan is under way. A public open day is planned to be held in Lochinver Village Hall on Tuesday 23rd February.
Suggested priorities for the coming year include:
Improving communications with the community and members.
Seeking SRDP funding for land management activities including strategic deer fence, forest planning and woodland creation, and deer management activity. (SNH land management funding will cease this year)
Taking a long-term view of land management and creating a broad vision to include crofts, livestock and environmental issues
Affordable Housing
Seeking funding to increase staffing levels

Thanks to Mandy for all the hard work on this.

Communications:
Newsletter should be ready soon.
Further regular reports in the Assynt News have been suggested. Recent development re housing project/local plan is one item to include in report in next Assynt News.

Structure of meetings:
Suggestions were received from our company secretary regarding structure of board meetings. These included suggested inclusion of declarations of interests as a standing early agenda item.

Matters arising from last meeting:
A better fence around the dismantled section of the walled garden wall is still required.
Director training still to be arranged.
Lead and support directors of subgroups still need deciding.
HC have been informed of our support of Elphin residents leasing the Elphin school building instead of AF.
Visit arranged by CES to hydro-screw energy scheme at Strathdon has been postponed to 25th February.