(in association with, and funded by, The Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust)
In March 2011, an Application was made to the Trust for emergency snowclearing funding. In answer to the question ‘How will this project benefit the community?’ it was stated on the application that:
- The community will benefit from efforts (supplementing statutory snow clearing work by the Highland Council) made to keep open public routes and other locations of community importance. These additional efforts will aid the movement of people and essential goods and services around Strathdearn, helping to minimise disruption.
- Snow clearing help around their homes (access to fuel supplies etc) will also be made available to vulnerable members of the community during times of extreme snow fall.
- Safeguarding elderly or ill people from trips and falls for example could prevent additional pressure on medical and social services and assist with people’s quality of life.
The Community Council (CC) appointed Michael McKay (T: 07831895394) as the snow clearing Coordinator on the understanding that he would make a judgement based on need and observation as to the extent and quality of additional snow clearing required. A local person with extensive experience of snow clearing work, contacts with other local contractors and an excellent working knowledge of the local area e.g. local place names, routes and locations prone to drifting etc, it was agreed that the Michael would contact local contractors as required to carry out a pre – arranged package of clearing work.
The CC unanimously agreed in February 2015 that Michael was doing a very good job as Co-ordinator, and that he had the Community Council’s support to make any judgments regarding snowclearing he felt necessary, including the clearing of junctions.
The CC has agreed a simple 10 point protocol for ongoing management of the snow clearing scheme::
- Snow clearing in Strathdearn is not an exact science and this scheme is intended to be applied when conditions extend beyond what is considered ‘normal’. The CC has agreed the scheme will have to rely on the trust and judgement of the Coordinator and local contractors.
- The CC will support the coordinator’s judgement as to how, when and what standard priorities are met and the best form of action.
- Snow clearing under the CC scheme is ADDITIONAL to that provided by Highland Council who will still be encouraged, along with BEAR Scotland on the A9, to provide the best service they possibly can and to which tax payers are entitled.
- Community members will have to understand, in the event of a deep covering of snow, it will take a day or two to get the CC snow clearing scheme under way.
- All individuals in the community will NOT have an automatic right to snow clearing help as the scheme is intended to target locations which benefit the majority (junctions, bus stops etc) and thereafter less physically able or vulnerable members of the community (elderly, infirm or ill etc) who may need help clearing a safe access to their fuel supply, outside shed, garage, drive way etc. The CC has agreed with the Coordinator a provisional pre – arranged list of locations and has identified some of the more vulnerable members of the community who would benefit from the scheme. This list can be altered as required, should new or amended deserving situations come to light and vulnerable persons requiring help can phone Michael direct on 07831 895 394. (5a) On 10th February 2015 the CC further agreed that when a wedding or funeral is held at Dalarossie Church in wintry conditions, the clearing of the field and paths to the Church be added to the CC Snowclearing Scheme.
- Emergency help (access for ambulances etc) would be given priority as required.
- The able bodied in the community will be expected to help themselves and others to a reasonable extent. However…
- Once these priorities have been satisfied additional help (plough, digger etc) may be made more available to individuals with reasonable requests. The Coordinator would consider such applications and some charges may be applied. In the interests of transparency, pre agreed hourly rates for snow clearing by machine, snow clearing by hand and gritting or salt spreading will be made publically available as will contractor hours. (Currently daily rates for clearing at £25/hour for machine plus driver and £14/hour for hand work if required have been agreed.)
- Funding for the Coordinator and snow clearing contracting work will be provided by the Strathdearn Charitable Trust up to a pre agreed limit. The Coordinator and contractors will bill the SCCT Administrator at the end of the month in which the work was undertaken.
- Until further notice contractors will supply their own Public Liability Insurance and use their own machinery and equipment.
(Updated 8 February 2019)
