New Forres Community Council hits the ground running

THE FIRST public meeting of the new Forres Community Council was well attended by the public last Thursday evening.

New group members present were chairman John Bremner, vice chair Stewart Noble, secretary Laurie Piper, treasurer Steve Ferris, Eleanor Hayward, Jim McDowell, Heather Shaw, Graham Murdoch, Michael Walker and James ‘Flicker’ Duncan.

Moray councillors George Alexander, Anne Skene and Lorna Creswell were also in attendance.

Much of the discussion at the meeting in the Tolbooth was taken up by explanation for new members of the mechanics and functions of the group.

A police report kicked off proceedings, followed by a public session that included lively debate over Moray Council’s handling of the Common Good Fund and advertising on Forres roundabouts. There were also updates on Anderson’s Primary school weather vane, Sanquhar Pond, local bus stop timetables and the fountains at the Sunken Gardens.

The Community Council criticized Moray Council for not directly involving them in discussion over the ‘Ten Year Plan’ being formed by the local authority regarding the budget for the area.

Flicker Duncan called for the support of his fellow members for permanent transferred ownership of the Tolbooth from Moray Council to Forres Heritage Trust.

Transport to the new Forres health centre and the closure of the respiratory rehab facility at Leanchoil Hospital were also covered by Eleanor Hayward and Jim McDowell.

Councillor Alexander spoke of his repeated requests to Redco Milne for an update on their proposed Bogton Retail Park venture. Councillor Skene gave the group an update on the ongoing educational review for Moray while Councillor Creswell spoke of her admiration for a community-owned former school at Boyndie that she had visited.

The meeting ended following a lengthy final debate on Moray Council’s ten year plan and spending cuts.

Read the full report of proceedings in next week’s ‘Gazette’.