| General Meeting Minutes 28-9-06 |
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A General Meeting was held in the Youth Room of the Library in the Badenoch Centre on Spey Street at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday 28 Sept 2006. 1. Present
2. ApologiesApologies were received from Bobby Nield, Malcolm Thain, Sheena Slimon, Pippa Hadley, Mike Munro, Ewan Sinclair, Rachel and Fiona Hunt.3. WelcomeChair of the meeting, Donnie Grant, welcomed the members of K.C.D.C. to the meeting and thanked them for their assistance in bringing the company to this stage. K.C.D.C. now has 144 full members and 16 associate members. He told how the company had required 50 members and how it has far exceeded expectations. He also thanked to the committee for their work.DG invited questions from the floor regarding the steering group report. Bob Stirling said that he was impressed with the work of the steering group. He mentioned the success of other hydro projects in Scotland, then asked how far the consultants would take K.C.D.C. DG confirmed that the consultants, Renewable Devices (RD), will take K.C.D.C. through 5 stages up to and including commissioning of the Project When asked about the selection of the consultants, DG told the meeting that 6 companies were invited to tender. 3 responded and RD were by far the best. They visited Kingussie and gave a presentation to K.C.D.C. and the H.I.E. Community Energy Company, who are providing the funds for this stage of the project. Gwynneth Wright asked if the steering group had spoken with the new owners of Pitmain Estate. DG stated that the group had not yet met the new owners, but that the turbine does not affect their land, hence does not require their permission. The managers of the land at Dochfour Estates have been consulted because the turbine would affect their land, and they are sympathetic to the project. It was asked what the proposed time span of the project is, DG stated that RD expect to complete the project within 12-18 months In answer to the question of where the turbines would come from, DG answered that the consultants at RD will give K.C.D.C. the opportunity to look at a number of different manufacturers, possibly from the U.S.A. and Europe. The question of the capacity of the turbine was raised. DG answered that it would have the capacity of between 30 and 50 KW. RD will look at a number of factors including rainfall and river flow records to predict the capacity of the turbine. Tom Wade asked about the implications of Loch Gynack being the feeder for the river. Involvement from Pitmain Estate (which includes the loch) would increase the potential of the new turbine, and the new owners will be approached to discuss this. Alex Bennett asked how flash flooding of the river will be controlled and specifically the rubble that moves downstream in these instances. DG answered that steel grids will protect the inlet of the pipe at the top of the turbine, preventing the movement of rocks. He also mentioned that the Spey Fisheries Board will inform K.C.D.C. when they introduce smoults to the river and a finer mesh will have to be added at that time of year to prevent fish entering the turbine. Alan Hunt added that the new dam should prevent stones coming down the river and building up under the railway bridge and causing flooding by the town. BS enquired about the possibility of jobs being created in the maintenance of the hydro scheme. DG and Andy Dunn have attended conferences and found that most similar schemes carry out maintenance using volunteers. Employment attached to the operation of the turbine is not foreseen at the moment. The possibility of noise disturbing local residents was raised. DG stated that Ian Ross at Strathlynn was the nearest resident, and that he has no objections. He added that modern turbines are very quiet and that it will be part of the consultants’ job to check noise levels. GW asked if K.C.D.C. could cover the consultants’ fees and DG assured the meeting that the Community Energy Company is funding this stage of the project. K.C.D.C. will fund the construction of the turbine and we are looking into funding possibilities, including the Big Lottery Fund, for which we have already passed the first stage. Renewable energy and community projects are very positively seen by funders. A question was asked about whether the steering group has a vision of how to take things further. AH spoke about community woodland and described the community right to buy in the event of local land changing ownership. This would only be done with the approval of the membership of K.C.D.C. It was asked how revenue from projects will be distributed. Money made will be distributed in the community, when local organisations apply to K.C.D.C. for funding. The question of money for maintenance of the hydro scheme was raised. DG stated that the consultants from Renewable Devices should advise us on what to set aside for this purpose. BS asked if K.C.D.C. intended to accrue funds for future projects, such as a second hydro project or perhaps a biomass scheme. AD stated that a sub-group would have to be formed to look at further possibilities which may require greater resources. While at a conference on Harris DG and AD met with representatives of other community projects and discovered that they have all encountered problems, but that there were huge positive aspects in the increased sense of community and the increase in control over local matters for the community. 4. Resolutionsa) The adoption of the steering group report was nominated by Len Brazier and seconded by Jean Munro.b) The appointment of Peter Munro and Company, certified chartered accountants, as auditors was nominated by Bob Stirling and seconded by Gwynneth Wright. c) Nomination forms for directors had been sent out with the Steering Group report and six were returned. The election of directors to the board of K.C.D.C. was approved by a show of hands and the following six people were appointed:
For the first year these will be the seven directors of the company. Further advisors may be co-opted to the board. It is hoped to appoint a Treasurer in the near future, who may or may not be a member of the board of directors. d) The fixing of an annual subscription was discussed. It was decided to make the first year free. However the board expressed a wish to hear views on the matter. Derek Campbell asked how future members would join following this meeting, and it was agreed that members could join throughout the year. BS suggested that unless funds are required that subscription should continue to be free to keep numbers up. Jan Grant enquired, if we did ask a fee, what would it be used for. DG answered that it would go towards the day to day running of the company. K.C.D.C. is still running on the initial £1K start-up grant from the C.E.C. Expenses are kept to a minimum because all members of the board work on a voluntary basis. It was suggested that members could make a donation on joining, if they so wished. Jean Munro spoke of problems she had experienced in applying for grants when the organisation which sought the grants had not asked for subscription fees from members. DG said that we would check the implications and possible decide on a minimal sum, but that we would aim to keep it free as long as possible. 5. Any other businessGwynneth Wright stated her agreement with Jean Munro that a subscription fee makes clear a member’s commitment to the company. Alex Bennett asked why we couldn’t use the river when it is low. DG explained that a V shape in the weir would allow water to flow in such a way that water is only diverted to the turbine when above a certain level. A fish ladder is also required by the Fisheries Board. Len Brazier offered to be Treasurer if no-one else came forward. DG stated that the Memorandum and Articles of K.C.D.C. are available for inspection in the library and that they should soon be available on the website at kcdc.org.uk, which we aim to develop over the coming months. DG expressed thanks on behalf of K.C.D.C. to the following people and groups:
Alan Hunt thanked Donnie Grant on behalf of the community for all his work on the project. 8.20 p.m. Meeting closed. |
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