What's been happening? Community Ownership

Progress Update March 22

• The GD CORe - the community's land.  We have made the former staff building safe and are putting some additional security measures in place soon.  We have an obligation to erect a boundary fence on the hotel side of the boundary and are currently working to achieve this.  Ross-shire Tree Surgery will be removing some of the damaged trees and will also remove the hedge to allow space for vehicle access for hall renovations.  A brief went out to 4 community consultancy organisations detailing the need for independent community consultation and full business planning process which will be required to apply for funding to develop the land in line with the community's wishes.  An application for funding to support this process has now been submitted and next steps will be reported to the community early April 2022.
• Garve Public Hall – on behalf of Garve Public Hall, the Development Company have been successful in their application to the Regeneration Captal Grant Fund and we await an offer letter confirming the sum of £210,000 towards rennovation costs.  The Building Warrant is now complete and trustees are working with their Architect and Quantity Surveyor to move the project to the tender stage.  Trustees have been clearing the site around the hall in readiness for building contractors.
• Achnasheen Village Hall – As reported in the Achnasheen Amenity Group Minutes dated 12 January 2022, "The Achnasheen and Achanalt community decided that it does not want to purchase the hall under a community buyout."  However, it is committed to managing the hall until the end of the current lease term which has been extended until Autumn 2022.  The group has been approached by a community organisation who may be interested in the hall moving forward - discussions are on-going.
• Garve War Memorial – the On ya Bike group have been successful in their application to look at the feasibility of two paths in our area, one being Garve to Gorstan via the War Memorial - work begins towards the end of April 2022.
• Community Defibrillators – regular checks of the units take place alongside replacement of batteries and pads as required.
• Community Hand Sanitisers - are still in use and refilled as required.
• Electrostatic Cleaning System - two hand held sanitisers are being used at Garve and Achnasheen halls and are available to our community to rent.
• Wyvis Natural Playpark – the playpark group are always responsive to community comments and feedback, have worked hard in partnership with the Garve Litter Busters Group, to keep the park and surrounding area litter free.