Present:  Jane MacRae, Ann Llyod, Christine Matheson, Steven Gillies, Donald Finlayson, Rosie MacLeod, Barbara Haigh, Rosie Greville, Gayle Morison,Colin MacKenzie, Lewis MacLeod, Shona MacLennan(Hall Trustee/Community Council)

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Apologies: Lynne MacSween, Anne Gill, Fay MacKenzie

 

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Minutes of Last Meeting/Matters Arising

 

Toilets- see note below

 

Fire Alarm- We are no further forward with this despite paying £400 to MacGregor’s. Christine has tried on numerous times to contact them. Graham’s, who have carried out the work In Aird Ferry have indicated that they would be interested in doing this. 

 

 

Business Energy Scotland-see below.

 

Council Car Park-£1,777 has been allocated to the hall from the parking charges. Ann to contact Shane Manning again about the lines needing repainted. 

 

Electricity Meters – We still don’t have a date for the changing of the meters. 

 

 

4

Toilets

 

It was decided that we need to replace the flooring in the mens toilets. Steven will speak to Steve Reynard (Dornie Shop) to see if we could use the same company that is doing the flooring there.

 

Ann read out an email from ‘Rabbies Tours’ to say we have been allocated £2000 funding from their company. They will need an invoice which Christine said has been actioned. They also suggested that they could promote our hall but it was decided at this stage we don’t need this. Could Fay let them know?

Steven suggested that Rabbies should be informed when the toilets are closed for functions as the council are not posting this on their website. Could Lynne let them know when this is happening?

 

However, it has been proposed that a large sign to be put up at the entrance to the car park when toilets are closed.  

5

Booking Secretary

 

Lynne sent an email to update us.

 

Bookings:

 

MARCH – Pickleball, yoga, singing group and Jane as usual, (playgroup – unsure what’s happening)

Badminton may finish up as numbers are down

Whist and table sale – hall committee

Party booking

Craft afternoon

 

APRIL – Regular bookings plus Shinty Fundraiser

SEALL event

Craft Fair

Lossiemouth RAF Mountain Rescue (residential weekend booking)

 

Wedding bookings for 2025 – 7 weddings.

Deposits received for 2026 – 4 weddings.

 

I have updated/simplified hall info on website (hall facilities, hall user guide, conditions of use).

A notice of weekly classes has been put up at the door.

I will print and laminate some of the kitchen notices that need renewed.

Have taken photos of hall for Lorayne McLucas from SEALL to use in the access guide she is going to prepare for hall. This info will be available for the website afterwards.

 

 

 

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Energy Scotland

 

SSE Grant-We have been awarded the full grant of £22,000. This is will be used for solar panels and the batteries. The full cost will be £26,500 and the hall will pay the difference. Lewis had asked two companies for quotes and Crubens were the preferred option. There will be 34 panels-50% facing east and 50% west. These will all be sited on the original roof and disruption should be minimal. Lewis suggested that the batteries could be charged at night as the rates are cheaper. The hall will need wifi which will be password protected. The only maintenance needed should be the cleaning of the panels. We should see the electricity bills going down especially in the summer months.

 

Shona read out the document with the conditions of the grant which we all agreed to and will now be signed and returned. The money should then be released. A completion certificate will need to be sent to them when the work has been completed. 

 

Thank you to Shona and Lewis for the quick and efficient handling of this application. 

 

Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund-Shona said that this is now open and we should consider applying. Some hall funds could be used. 

 

SME loan (grant) -Lewis talked about the SME grant which would be up to £20,000 max (75%) This would be used for new heaters, water tanks, lightning and will be the next stage of improvements. 

 

Mark Crowe-he would like to meet up with some committee members to discuss further improvements that could be made to the hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  AOB    

        

Utility Aid-Ann received an email from a Scott Gayer whose company manage energy needs in the third sector. He was keen to offer utility related support to the hall. It was decided that at this point we won’t take up the offer. Ann will reply. 

 

 

 

 

 

9

Date of Next Meeting

 

AGM- Monday 9th June’25

 

We may need another short meeting before then if we have updates about flooring.