We have received a number of comments and messages on Facebook over the last few weeks, and would like to provide an update to our members and the community on the topics raised.
As an organisation, we want to engage with, listen to and respond to all comments from the community. We welcome all thoughts in building our programme for the community, and sincerely appreciate any input.
It’s crucial that Strathdearn residents have a voice, and that we respond transparently in our mission to deliver benefits for the community. Sometimes this may be best achieved through Facebook updates, emails to members, or open meetings.
Communication
Strathdearn Community Developments (SCD) has a largely part-time staff who, within their roles, are able to respond quickly to day-to-day queries. These include questions about the Snug, classes for the community, and bookings at The Strathdearn. During seasonal holidays, response times may be affected, but we will always reply as soon as we can.
Questions on policy, strategy and operations are passed on to SCD’s board of voluntary directors. These questions may take a little longer to answer as they are often more complex in nature, but please be assured that all questions and opinions are considered and discussed, and responses will be provided as soon as possible.
You may be asked to email queries to info@strathdearn.org – this is so we can more easily direct your query to the appropriate person, who may not be on Facebook. If corresponding with an individual staff member or director, we ask that you always CC this address so that your query can be progressed in the case of annual leave, illness, or other circumstances.
Sometimes we are asked questions that fall outside of SCD’s remit. We acknowledge that these are still hugely important topics for the community, and can help signpost residents to the appropriate body – including Strathdearn Community Trust, Strathdearn Community Council, the Highland Council, or the Scottish Government.
SCD’s core aims include:
- Sustainable development
- Provision of recreational facilities and activities
- Community development, including urban and rural regeneration
- Advancing awareness of community environment, heritage and culture
- Environmental protection.
All of our decisions are influenced and informed by these guiding aims and principles. A full breakdown of our mission is available at https://ourscd.org/about-us/.
Salary Policy
The CADISPA Report that resulted in the formation of SCD, commissioned by Strathdearn Community Council in 2011, recommended “setting up a local Development Trust that has the legal authority to employ people and to own assets in Trust on behalf of the community.”
As such, we are acutely aware of our responsibilities as directors, trustees and members of the community that salaries are appropriate.
All roles advertised are benchmarked against market rates, and are compatible with our Fair Work Policy – ensuring that all employees are paid in line with the national living wage. Where roles have specialist skills or additional organisational responsibilities, we ensure this is reflected in remuneration.
An outline of our fair work commitment is available at https://ourscd.org/about-us/.
Shop/Cafe Business Plan
You may be aware that the shop and cafe at The Strathdearn are temporarily closed. It was our understanding that 3B Catering would remain trading until Saturday, April 27 – however we learnt on April 24 that the operator did not intend to open again.
SCD and White River Trading (WRT) will continue with the plan to have a temporary, scaled-down shop open from 12 noon on Monday, April 29, within the Clune room of The Strathdearn. We apologise for the break in this vital community service, which is outwith our control.
SCD and WRT have spent significant time understanding the role of the shop and cafe within the community, and how it can be operated. This included the preparation of a business plan that could be utilised as part of a rent-setting exercise or to guide in-house operations.
While some details are commercially sensitive, and therefore the document cannot be shared in totality, we are committed to sharing our plans with the community and we aim to do this at a forthcoming EGM in May. More information on this will be released soon.
We believe that a profitable cafe and shop can exist, and that there are significant opportunities for the community in having all our operations under one roof – not least refreshing the community role that the facilities provide.
We understand that there are pros and cons to any course of action, and these have been thoroughly considered at every stage of the process. As with any venture, this will not be without its challenges – but the community’s support will ensure that the shop and cafe thrive and are able to provide for Strathdearn residents for years to come.
We are looking forward to sharing our plans with the community, and hope that the community shares our excitement.
Housing Project
The housing project continues to move forward and we are hopeful that we will achieve planning permission soon. The next stage will be to cost and tender the project, and finalise funding.
Construction costs have remained high since the previous package – consisting of cash, debt and grant funding – was arranged. The NPF4 planning policy, introduced by the Scottish Government in early 2023, has also impacted the project. This means that far less of our previously designated land is now allowed to be developed, with construction limited to only the higher ground on the site.
The current proposals will require a new funding package, and we are currently working on this. As soon as we have options and recommendations to present to the community, we will do so.
The key projects we intend to complete by the end of the 2025/26 financial year include the housing project; purchase of Hazelbank; installation of new, faster EV chargers; and sourcing of additional battery solutions to complement newly installed solar panels on the hall and hub. SCD will also facilitate and enable the community to make an informed decision on possible future use and purchase of Dalarossie Church.
Wind Farm Benefits
SCD is aware that, at times, there can be no appropriate forum in the community to discuss certain issues – and that this is particularly evident in the case of future wind farm benefits.
Strathdearn Community Council holds a statutory consultee role in planning, and wind farms are determined by various planning considerations including its input. Provision of community financial benefit is not a consideration in determining any planning applications: community benefit awards are discretionary, and separate to developer contributions.
To maintain this distinction, the Scottish Government has recommended that discussions on wind farm planning applications and community benefit proposals (including cash awards, shared ownership, and Local Electricity Discount Schemes) are held in separate forums.
Wind farm developers need a legal entity to receive or hold any benefits they may offer. That entity needs to be transparent and accountable through having a recognised structure like a limited company and/or charitable status. SCD fulfils this role in Strathdearn.
SCD is therefore not here to lead the debate, but to execute the wishes of the community following these discussions.
We are happy to play a role in either facilitating a community discussion, or to provide facilities should others wish to organise this.
We would be delighted to hear from any interested community bodies or individuals to discuss how a community forum could be provided, and to assist however we can.
