Several local organisations work to support community life in Strathdearn. They each have different roles, responsibilities, and legal powers. Some represent local opinion, some manage funding, and others run projects and community facilities.
This guide explains, in straightforward language, what each organisation does and how they differ from one another.
For the purposes of these organisations, “Strathdearn” generally means the IV13 postcode area and the communities within it.
A brief summary :
Strathdearn Community Council (SCC) — represents community views and speaks on behalf of local residents on community matters.
Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust (SCCT) — manages and distributes community benefit funding from several wind farms.
Strathdearn Community Developments Ltd (SCD) — runs and develops community projects, facilities, and long-term development initiatives.
White River Trading Ltd (WRT) — carries out trading and commercial activities that support community projects and facilities.
What each organisation does
Strathdearn Community Council (SCC)
What it does
The Community Council is the community’s official voice.
It gathers local opinion and speaks up to Highland Council, government bodies, developers, and other organisations on behalf of people in Strathdearn.
- SCC meets In the Hub on the 2nd Tuesday of most months, and holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- The agenda is published in the news section of this website and shared on the local Facebook page.
- The minutes of every meeting are published on this website (Document Library>Strathdearn Community Council>Minutes)
It comments on issues such as:
- planning applications
- roads and transport
- local services
- wind farms
- licensing matters
- other community concerns
What it owns
Nothing. Community Councils are not allowed to own assets.
How decisions are made
Community Councillors discuss local issues and agree responses or recommendations on behalf of the area.
They may also make recommendations to other local organisations such as SCCT and SCD.
Who it speaks for
The Community Council exists to represent the views and concerns of everyone living in the Strathdearn area. It is the official body recognised by Highland Council for expressing local opinion on community matters.
Who runs it
Usually 4–8 elected Community Councillors.
How people join
Elections are normally held every four years.
If vacancies arise, additional members can sometimes be co-opted between elections.
Legal status
A statutory body established under Scottish local government legislation.
Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust (SCCT)
What it does
SCCT manages community benefit funding from several wind farms.
Its role is to distribute money to projects and activities that benefit the local community.
What it can do
As a charity, SCCT can:
- hold funds
- employ staff
- hire contractors
- support projects financially
What it owns
It does not currently operate major community facilities or assets.
How decisions are made
Trustees consider applications and decide how funding should be allocated.
All decisions must follow:
- charity law
- the Trust Deed
- the charity’s stated purposes
Who it serves
SCCT exists to benefit the whole Strathdearn community by distributing community benefit funding from several wind farms in our area.
It does not operate as a membership organisation representing individual residents in the way a Community Council does.
Who runs it
Up to 10 Trustees.
How people join
New Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees.
Legal status
A registered charity governed by a Trust Deed.
Strathdearn Community Developments Ltd (SCD)
What it does
SCD focuses on long-term community development and regeneration.
- The Board meets 10 times per year, plus AGM and occasional EGMs
- Agenda is posted on noticeboards
- The minutes of every meeting are published on this website.(Document Library>Strathdearn Development Board>Minutes)
- SCD provide a report to every SCC meeting
- SCD publish a report in the quarterly Strathdearn Newsletter which is hand delivered to every household, available on subscription and archived on this website. (Document Library>Newsletters)
- Every quarterly report is separately archived on this website. (Document Library>Strathdearn Development Board>Quarterly reports)
- SCD staff are available in the office in the hub most days
Its aim is to improve facilities, services, housing, recreation, and opportunities within Strathdearn.
Projects have included:
- The Strathdearn Hub
- the café and shop
- sports and play facilities
- community housing
- woodland and recreation projects
What it owns
SCD owns and manages:
- The Strathdearn building
- the café and shop
- surrounding grounds
- sports areas
- the playground
How decisions are made
The organisation is run by a Board of Directors.
Major decisions may also be voted on by community members.
All decisions must comply with:
- company law
- charity law
- the organisation’s charitable purposes
Who can take part
Anyone living in Strathdearn can become a member of SCD for a nominal £1 membership fee.
Members can:
- vote at AGMs
- help shape the direction of community projects
- stand for election to the Board
SCD therefore combines community ownership with elected management.
Who runs it
A Board of up to 10 Directors:
- 6 elected Directors
- 2 nominated Directors
- up to 2 co-opted Directors
How people join
Directors are elected by members at annual elections.
Some Directors are nominated by SCC and SCCT.
Additional people with useful skills may be co-opted.
Legal status
A charitable company limited by guarantee.
White River Trading Ltd (WRT)
What it does
WRT is the trading company associated with SCD.
Its role is to carry out commercial or income-generating activities connected with community projects and facilities.
Who it supports
WRT exists to support the work and long-term financial sustainability of SCD and its community projects.
It is not a public representative body or membership organisation.
Legal status
A trading company associated with SCD.
It is not itself a charity.
A Simple Way to Think About It
- SCC = the community’s voice
- SCCT = the community’s funding charity
- SCD = the organisation that runs and develops community projects
- WRT = the trading arm supporting those projects
The above information in a table
| NAME | Strathdearn Community Council (SCC) | Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust (SCCT) | Strathdearn Community Developments Ltd (SCD) White River Trading Ltd (WRT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is their role? | To act as a voice for Strathdearn by gathering and expressing community views to Highland Council and other bodies and to take action in the interest of the community | To administer community benefit funds from several wind farms on behalf of the community. Can hold assets and employ and/or contract staff and contractors | To achieve sustainable regeneration through overseeing delivery of Strathdearn Community Development Plan. Can hold assets and employ and/or contract staff and contractors |
| Set up date? | 1973 | 2006 | 2013 |
| What do they own? | CCs cannot own assets | None | The Strathdearn/Café/Shop plus contents and grounds (including Sports Area and playground) |
| How are decisions made? | Makes representations on planning and other matters. Makes recommendations to SCCT and SCD | Receives recommendations from SCC – decisions made by Trustees have to be compliant with Trust Deed and charitable purposes | Board decisions must be compliant with Company law and charitable purposes. Important decisions are voted on by company members as Special Resolutions |
| What is their legal structure? | CCs set up under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. CCs are Statutory Consultee on planning applications and drinks licence | Trust Deed | Company Limited by Guarantee with memorandum and articles – owned and managed by the community. Incorporated under the Companies Act 2006. WR Trading company |
| Charitable status? | No | Yes | Yes SCD (2005 Act) No WRT |
| How am I represented? | Representative of everyone within Strathdearn (defined by post code area) | No members but acting on behalf of community in Strathdearn | Company membership nominal £1 subscription and open to everyone resident in Strathdearn |
| Councillors, Directors & Trustees | 4-8 councillors | Up top 10 Trustees | Board of up to 10 comprising 6 elected Directors, 2 nominated Directors and up to 2 Co-opted Directors |
| What are their duties? Can only serve on 2 of 3 | Defined by CC Code of Conduct and constitution | Charity Trustee duties Open liability | Charity Trustee duties and Company Director duties. Limited liability |
| How are people appointed as Councillors Directors & Trustees? | Election- every 4 years. People with right skills can be co-opted | Appointed by other Trustees | Annual elections from members. One appointment each by SCC and SCCT. People with right skills can be co-opted |
| Do they have any staff? | Secretary (Honorary) | Administrator (p/t) | Dev. Officer f/t, Company Secretary, Administrators, Shop staff |
| AGM? | Yes – public | Yes – not public | Yes – public |
| Meetings? | Monthly – open to public | Closed meetings | Mostly monthly – open to members and public |
| How do I/we get financial support? | Applications for support submitted to SCC – need to meet charitable purpose and be for | Trustees give final approval – generally based on SCC recommendation | Funding from 3 wind farms for major charitable projects like new paths, hall and healthcare – |