Issue 7 „Muir Matters‟ 1 ‘Muir‘Muir Matters’Matters’ Issue 7 September 2006 50 Pence BUTBUT WHOWHO SERVESSERVES THETHE A.S.B.O.A.S.B.O. ONON HIGHLANDHIGHLAND COUNCILCOUNCIL ?? of a passer-by. No doubt the owner of this building (Mrs C. Beaton, Beauly) would think the solution to this should be to board up the windows completely, ostensibly remov- ing the risk, but this does nothing to address the other problems. Are the property owner and Highland Council aware that children have found their way into the area at the back of this building? Again if not, why not? If a child is injured, and it certainly seems that no action will be taken until that happens, who is to be held responsible? ver the last few months B) pursues a course of conduct Nowadays communities are only we‟ve been monitoring that causes or is likely to cause too conscious of HC‟s budget the continual problems alarm or distress. constraints and limitations but Oarising from that festering sore on The intention of this act is to curb Continued on page 4 the face of Muir of Ord, namely the activities of persons who “Vilmont” on the High Street. disrupt the lives of individuals, Highland Council officials families and communities. Sadly, continue to protest that they can the worst offender in our area do nothing about this shameful appears to be Highland Council. village eyesore despite the fact Are they aware that they are jeop- that there are several options open ardising the safety of folk in the to them. To say that our credulity Muir who run the risk of serious is stretched to the limit is an injury from the shards of broken understatement. glass hanging in the window The Antisocial Behaviour etc. frames?. (Scotland) Act 2004 states that If not, then why not? someone engages in antisocial One good gust of wind catching behaviour if they A) act in a the rags of curtain hanging at the manner that causes or is likely windows could effortlessly send to cause alarm and distress, or shards of flying glass into the face 2 „Muir Matters‟ Issue 7 Councillor in the Spotlight espite some of the four temporary homes that are currently in Logan D issues that face Way will also be removed and Highland Council Muir of Ord, I‟m will lease four new homes back from Albyn to delighted at the progress continue what is an essential service for many. It is groups in the community still believed by many people that Councillors can are making. I would like get houses for residents, sadly this is not the case, so to congratulate Dawn anyone in need of housing and is looking at this new MacKeddie and Ashley development should contact Albyn Housing Society MacGruer of Muir of Ltd, 98 - 100 High Street, Invergordon, Ross-shire, Ord Youth Council for IV18 0DL, Tel. 01349 852978. In addition I have the tremendous day they asked if Muir Matters, could in future editions, provided for other young include contact details of all the local Housing residents of Muir of Ord Associations in their Really Really Useful pages. and for organising and acquiring the funding for the Readers of the Ross-Shire Journal on the 25th of Youth Day they held on the 19th of August. The August may have seen an article about the Industrial Footballers changing rooms are also well underway Estates in the Muir. I asked at the Ross & Cromarty and it won‟t be too long before they are in full use. Area planning meeting that with the support of Well done to all concerned. fellow councillors that a letter be written to Many of you will have noticed that site the local enterprise company asking them to works have started on the development look into providing signage of business loca- at Logan Way. There will be 34 houses tions on the estates as a first step and to look built on this piece of land alongside the at improving the whole area with regard to railway; and this new scheme will footpaths and lighting. With approximately clean up one of the neglected areas in 30 companies on the estates they provide a Muir of Ord and compliment the excel- tremendous amount of employment for resi- lent work done at our railway station. dents of Muir of Ord and generate millions There will be road access through of pounds to the benefit of the economy. If Logan Way and a footpath tying in suitable signage is provided it might reduce with the underpass. In addition one of the large number of heavy lorries coming the conditions of planning is that the directly into the community and causing Zebra Crossing on the High Street be traffic problems at the already pressurised replaced with a Puffin Crossing junction adjacent to the Tarradale Hotel. (intelligent Pelican) before occupation When the Ross &Cromarty Planning of any of the houses takes place. The Committee receive a response to the letter I existing zebra crossing has been a will report back to the Community Council cause of concern for many residents for and „Muir Matters‟. a long time, so I‟m delighted to see that this has now been addressed. The Cllr David Chisholm MUIR OF ORD (TARRADALE) COMMUNITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF ELECTION Nominations are invited for the election of 5 Community Councillors to Muir of Ord (Tarradale) Community Council. Nominations papers are available from: MUIR OF ORD SERVICE POINT All electors in the Community Council area are eligible to stand. (see map and current electoral roll at Service Point) The nominations papers, duly proposed and seconded by eligible electors, must be received by the Returning Officer at the address below by 5pm on 28th September 2006 If more than 5 nominations are received that a postal ballot will be arranged, with a declaration of result on 31st October 2006. Returning Officer: Mrs M. Chisholm, Hadrian House, Gt North Rd, Muir of Ord, IV6 7TP Tel 01463 870033 email [email protected] Issue 7 „Muir Matters‟ 3 MSP Maureen MacMillan’S View on Muir of Ord irstly, I would like to already raised by Davie. Clearly, congratulate all those the bridge is an essential part of F involved in publishing the Muir‟s transport infrastructure „Muir Matters.‟ After only a short and must be well maintained. period of existence it has a It is good to see floral displays in growing readership and an impor- Muir of Ord village – which sadly tant role in keeping those living in contrast with the derelict house on the Muir of Ord area up to date on the High Street. I know that legis- local issues. lation does exist which empowers The village, like many other parts councils to take enforcement of the Highlands close to action to improve property and Inverness, is undergoing tremen- this has been done by local dous change. The most obvious people commuting from Muir of authorities in other parts of Scot- one is the population increase Ord to Inverness. Fortunately, the land. I will also be raising this expected over the next few years, recently enhanced Invernet pro- issue with Highland Council. with hundreds of houses being vides a good rail service and the Although many changes are built in the village. Although this local railway station has been up- occurring in the Highlands and in is good news in many ways it does graded and refurbished. Of some communities such as Muir of Ord, bring challenges. There are impli- concern is the state of the road the economy and the population cations particularly for the local bridge over the railway line in the are on the up and up. The days of school and transport links. As a village. Cllr Davie Chisholm and I declining Highland communities former teacher, I am delighted to recently inspected the bridge, are hopefully behind us and I look see school roles increasing but the which shows obvious signs of cor- forward to monitoring the Muir‟s buildings and other infrastructure rosion and I have written to the progress in „Muir Matters.‟ must be adequate. Similarly bridge owners, Highland Council, transport links are vital, with many adding my support to the concerns Maureen MacMillan MSP Contact the Elderly – Visit to Cromarty After leaving Muir of Ord with our drivers, what a delightful journey we had driving over the Black Isle and re-living memories of days gone by. On our arrival at The Old Manse in Cromarty, the Reverend and Mrs. Dupar welcomed us to their beautiful home. What a wonderful time we had walking round the walled garden and grounds in perfect sunshine and meeting new friends from the Black Isle Contact the Elderly Group After an excellent afternoon tea served in the garden, telling lots of stories and having a great deal of laughs it was time to head home to the „Muir‟ We do look forward to meeting our friends from Groups and a visiting Service for Elderly people. If Contact the Elderly – roll on the next visit. you are interested in being part of the service either as a member or a volunteer please contact the Contact the Elderly operates throughout the Development Officer on 01463-798008 for further Highlands offering Sunday outings, Friendship information. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. Quote by Benjamin Franklin 4 „Muir Matters‟ Issue 7 VILLAGE EYESORE (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) when money can be found for less but to ask “If this dangerous and pressing projects such as pretty derelict building were sited beside new signs outside our libraries the home of Highland Council‟s displaying the opening hours in Chief Executive Mr Arthur Gaelic (and yes, we do know it‟s McCourt or any of Highland from a different budget) then we Council‟s Directors, would these would be irresponsible if we didn‟t same officials proffer similar insist that they justify their excuses and responses?” priorities.