Nairn bypass "I am, like everyone I think, pretty cynical about when we will get the bypass but it looks as if things are still moving forward, even if it seems to be at a glacial pace." Cllr Paul Oldham

 Writes Councillor Paul Oldham in his latest weekly newsletter. More about the bypass and other topics on Paul's website here.

"A perfect storm for charities and voluntary groups" SCVO outline serious issues facing the third sector

Just before the end of 2023 the Gurn received two press releases from the SCVO, (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations). Many readers will know just how much charity and voluntary group work makes up part of the fabric of life in Nairn, and may wish to read the following:

"Finances proving biggest challenge to charities as rising costs bite

Research also found a third of organisations were dipping into reserves.

An overwhelming majority of charities in Scotland have reported financial challenges as their biggest source of concern.

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker has found 7 in 10 charities cite financial challenges as their biggest challenge, up significantly in just two years.

Data from the tracker observes the emergence of the sector from the Covid-19 pandemic through 2021, followed by the development of the cost-of-living crisis and associated organisational concerns during 2022 and 2023.

Throughout the waves of research, the frequency with which organisations have reported financial challenges has hugely increased, and in the most recent data collection (April 2023), these were the most frequently reported challenges (71%), compared to just less than half of respondents (47%) just two years ago.

It is concerning that a third of organisations reported having made use of their financial reserves in the 3 months leading into April 2023, an increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Almost half (44%) of the organisations using their financial reserves believed that this situation is unsustainable.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said:

“Charities, community groups and social enterprises can be financially fragile at the best of times, and the Tracker research clearly demonstrates that we are currently far from the best of times. We are seeing that voluntary organisations are experiencing more financial challenges now than they did during the pandemic due to rising costs, particularly of energy and wages.

“Voluntary organisations make an invaluable contribution to Scotland’s social and economic fabric and the people, communities and causes they support are experiencing more pressures than ever before. Public giving of money and time have been hit by the cost-of-living crisis and we are seeing many organisations having to dip into their reserves just to keep going. Reserves are there as a safety net and are not meant to prop up business as usual. It’s akin to households having to buy their groceries on a credit card, simply storing up more problems for the future and threatening their medium to long-term viability.

“Everyone can play a part in supporting the sector, whether it is government and councils ensuring there is fair and sustainable funding in place, philanthropic funders investing their money wisely and the public giving when they can. A good start would be Scottish Government passing on the money that the UK Government allocated for energy bills relief to see charities through the winter months.”

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker is a growing research community made up of representatives from third sector organisations based across the whole of Scotland, who are willing to share their experiences, views and concerns as the sector faces both new and ongoing challenges.

The Tracker is run by an independent research company called DJS Research on behalf of SCVO, the Scottish Government, the William Grant Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Those involved in the running of a third sector organisation operating in Scotland are invited to represent their organisation as a member of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker.

Charities face staff and volunteer crisis

A third of organisations reported this as one of their top challenges.

Third Sector organisations in Scotland are increasingly facing shortages of staff and volunteers, a new report has warned.

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker has found that issues relating to staffing and volunteers are one of the top challenges for a third of voluntary sector organisations.

Data from the tracker observes the emergence of the sector from the Covid-19 pandemic through 2021, followed by the development of the cost-of-living crisis and associated organisational concerns during 2022 and 2023.

In August 2021, 35% of organisations reported a significant concern about staff and volunteer numbers. Just two years on, that figure has now risen to 65%, with only finances currently proving a bigger challenge for the sector.

While staff and volunteer support remain a growing concern, third sector groups report an ongoing increase in demand for their core services and activities over the six waves of the tracker. In Wave 1 (Aug 2021), 56% of organisations reported an increased demand, rising to 63% by Wave 6 (Apr 2023).

These factors, on top of growing financial pressures due to the rising costs crisis and public sector funding cuts, are leading to a perfect storm for charities and voluntary groups, with strain put on already stretched teams.

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “The Scottish voluntary sector is a significant employer, providing jobs for 5% of the Scottish workforce. At a time where many organisations are facing recruitment challenges, the funding environment means that many voluntary organisations are struggling to keep pace with salary increases needed to attract and retain staff.

“Existing staff and volunteers have been working flat out since Covid, helping organisations and communities to weather the cost-of-living crisis. We can no longer afford to rely on their goodwill to go the extra mile. The invaluable services and supports provided by Scotland’s voluntary sector need sustainable investment to ensure their survival.”

Volunteer Scotland are also concerned by the staff and volunteer crisis facing the sector, highlighted by the Third Sector Tracker. The recent release of the 2022 Scottish Household survey results reinforces the volunteer crisis, with formal volunteer participation rates falling by 4 percentage points since 2019 to 22% - this equates to less than one million Scottish adults volunteering.

In light of the current crisis, the actions that can be undertaken by volunteer involving organisations include ensuring that volunteer expense policies are clear and considering how roles can be made more flexible to fit with the decreased time volunteers have available.

Alan Stevenson, CEO of Volunteer Scotland said: “The many impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on volunteering has meant that we can no longer take for granted the contribution of our volunteers. While recruitment and retention issues are being felt more acutely by some, the first step for all must be the focus on good volunteering practice, appropriately supported.”

The Scottish Third Sector Tracker is a growing research community made up of representatives from third sector organisations based across the whole of Scotland, who are willing to share their experiences, views and concerns as the sector faces both new and ongoing challenges.

The Tracker is run by an independent research company called DJS Research on behalf of SCVO, the Scottish Government, the William Grant Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Those involved in the running of a third sector organisation operating in Scotland are invited to represent their organisation as a member of the Scottish Third Sector Tracker."

"Nairn West & Suburban Community Council in Abeyance - Seeks Additional Members in Upcoming Nominations Process"

 "NWSCC fell into abeyance in October 2023 for failing to meet the minimum number of six nominations to form a council.  The former members are presently meeting as an in formal 'community group' until a second opportuntiy is provided by Highland Council to form a council in January 2024.

Between 15-30 January 2024, Highland Council will be seeking online nominations from residents in the catchment area to form the Community Council."

Want to get involved? More information here.

Turkey Trot 2023 - A Nairn tradition enjoys a bit of winter sunshine

Video! Getting in the sea! @NairnCounty go for a Christams dook in aid of @Mikeysline1 and @teamhamishnairn

 

Getting in the sea! @NairnCounty go for a Christams dook in aid of @Mikeysline1 and @teamhamishnairn

Well done County players and fans that took part. Over on the Links there was still a good covering of snow. Great to see the team and club spirit on display despite the weather. Looking forward to the rest of the season and some more cracking football. If you can, get yourself along to Station Park in 2024 - fixture list here.

 

Stunning Solstice colour in the early evening skies today as nacreuos clouds show up inbetween the heavy showers - videos

Mrs Gurnmeister was having a wander around Facebook this afternoon and was reading an article on the hugely popular Highlands and Islands Weather pages urging their readers to keep an eye out for nacreous clouds. She happened to glance out of the window and saw that it was happening right here in Nairn. I get ordered to get a couple of camera cards sorted etc and to follow her down the garden. Here's the results. Still images to follow. What a super display for the Winter Solstice.

 

 

2,004,709 free bus journeys by young people in the Highlands

 Mr and Mrs Gurnmeister live the bus pass dream too, being over sixty and quite often go somewhere for a coffee and a bit of shopping. Has the time come to go the whole way and make all bus journies free in Scotland - if we want to get people out of their cars the would this be a good thing to do? 

Anyway, here's a press release from the Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess

"Free bus travel for everyone under 22 will have a huge impact for young people travelling in the Highlands over Christmas, says Ariane Burgess, the Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands.

Since the scheme was launched in January 2022, young people in The Highlands have taken 2,004,709 free journeys, using their free bus pass which allows them to travel anywhere in Scotland.

Scotland is the only country in the UK to offer free bus travel for all young people, which was introduced following negotiations between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government.

An incredible 700,000 young people across Scotland have been able to take over 100 million free bus journeys in total.

Ariane Burgess, the Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands said: “This can be an expensive time of year for young people and their families, making free bus travel even more vital. 

“It will allow young people to visit their family and friends, and is opening up our community and our country. It’s a big boost for our environment, and will be cutting our emissions and reducing the numbers of cars on the road.

“Every free bus journey means more money in people’s pockets, which will be hugely welcome for families who are being hit with bigger bills and extra costs over winter. But free bus travel is not just for Christmas, it is supporting families across the Highlands all year round.

“It is one of the proudest and most positive achievements of devolution, and I am delighted that it has been delivered with Scottish Greens in government.

“I want every young person to have the same fantastic benefits and opportunities. I am delighted that so many young people have already signed up and encourage all of those who have yet to do so to visit Freebus.scot and register for their card today.”

New Nairn Academy planning application lodged

 Highland Council Press Release:

A planning application has been submitted for the erection of a replacement secondary school, car parking, sports pitches and demolition of the existing Nairn Academy.

Balfour Beatty has been appointed as the design and build contractor and Reiach And Hall Architects are the Council’s agents working in conjunction with the Council's in-house Property teams to deliver the project.

A replacement school building for Nairn Academy was included in Phase 2 of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme announced in December 2020, and funding for the project is included in the reprofiled capital programme approved by Council in January 2021.

The planning application for the replacement Nairn Academy can be viewed on the Council’s online eplanning website at: https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ (external link) by putting 23/05756/FUL in the search where public comment can be made.

More information about the project can be found on the Council’s website at this link (external link).

The new building is programmed to be operational from August 2026 with the demolition of the existing building and external works to follow.

A roundabout for the entrance to Ardersier Port (the old McDermotts yard) on the B9092 Nairn to Ardersier

Councillor Paul Oldham in his latest newsletter brings us a wealth of information about what the Highland Council have been up to; "£108 million of cuts to come over three years," for instance. You can read his latest news letter here. 

Via a couple of paragraphs and a couple of links he shows us what is planned for the top of the road on the B9092 and for Ardersier Port in general if all goes well. 

Mnay readers will remember the days of the shifts clocking on and off at McDermotts and the large volumes of traffic that generated. It will be interesting to see how many jobs are created at the port but if we see similar volumes of traffic coming and going in the future it is hard to see how the A96 as it is presently constituted  could cope without further long delays. Paul does say: "They also want to build a roundabout on the A96 at junction with the road down to the port but that will come later." 

Of course in an ideal world there would be access to an all singing and dancing Nairn Bypass where the later roundabout might go making access to the Port a lot simpler. We do seem to be back in the realms of people suggesting that a by-pass will never be seen in their lifetime however. Last week in Holyrood Fergus Ewing asked the Deputy First Minister: "By what year will the contstruction of the Nairn by-pass be completed? He got a long answer talking about commintments etc but he didn't get a definite year date in response. 

We live in interesting times and if you walk alongside the A96 on some of these still frosty days you get a good whiff of exhaust fumes in the air. A by-pass would be a really good thing to have.