At the West and Suburban CC meeting in the Community Centre tonight it became clear that the proposed bonfire night including fireworks will not take place on the 4th of next month. Lorraine Mallison said that the application for the event had to be in three months before the date and she said that she held up her hands and admitted that it hadn't happened. She cited the level of work involved in organising the event and personal circumstances meaning she hadn't been available.
It appears ongoing
discussions are going ahead with the relevant department of Highland
Council with a view to moving the event to Burns Night (January 25th 2018). The event would take place at the same venue.
Cllr Tom Heggie
suggested that the Community Council seek appropriate legal
advice as they may be vulnerable to challenge as they were changing
the original purpose for which they had been raising funds.
Lorraine said that she
had been doing that. She said it came from the community and it was
their decision and they wanted the event to go ahead and we are just
trying to fulfil that as best as we can but.
Laurie Fraser said that
if you wanted to go ahead then your papers had to be in by Wednesday,
he went on: “you will get no sympathy I think from the Council
officials if they are not 100% correct. This has been going on for
nearly two years now, my advice to you is leave it for one more year
and have it next year.”
Laurie also suggested
talking to the BID as they were looking to put on events and it could
be that if you give them all the cash and the paperwork and they will do
it all for you.
