Kyleakin & Kylerhea Community Company

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Winter 2007

It was announced in mid-2007 that the Youth Hostel in Kyleakin was earmarked for closure as part of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association’s review of its current properties.

Following two Public Meetings of the residents of Kyleakin Village, a Steering Group was set up to form a Community Company with an initial remit to purchase or lease the Youth Hostel, to safeguard a vital community asset for the future.  Ten members of the community were tasked to form the Steering Group.

At the Inaugural Meeting of the Steering Group, the Committee was formed as follows:

 With the following Members:

Tam Henderson, Campbell Patterson, Geoff Kirk, Michael Russell,  Mairi MacKenzie and Flora Strachan

Following this, Meetings were held on an almost weekly basis to forge ahead with creating a Community Company.

Fruitful talks were held with Gail Rogerson (Community Land Adviser), Rob Anderson (Royal Bank of Scotland), Robert Muir and David Pringle (HIE), Keith Legge (Chief Executive, SYHA), DM Bell Ltd, Lachie MacDonald (S & L Housing Assoc), The Highland Council and the local Kyleakin & Kylerhea Community Council.

A Bank Account was opened with the Royal Bank of Scotland and the local Community Council donated £500 towards stationery etc.

It was decided early on to see if Kylerhea would be interested in joining our ranks, as this would have long-term benefits for both communities.

As we near the end of 2007 it is pleasing to see so much has been achieved in such a short space of time and everyone on the Committee has contributed so much to help safeguard the future of our community.

Alasdair Munro

Secretary

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