A MORAY COMMUNITY finally has a “true and recognisable” community voice following the first meeting of the newly elected Community Council.
Finderne – which takes in an area south east of Forres that includes Rafford, Dunphail, Logie and Blairs – established its community council following an election earlier this month.
Prior attempts to establish one if the area had failed when insufficient volunteers came forward – however, the minimum requirement of four did so following a petition signed by 21 residents.
Now the first meeting of the new community body has been held, with Brian Higgs elected as Chairman and supported by Chris Piper, Carlo Miele and Mike Crutch.
Mr Higgs said: “This is great news for our area which has been in need of a true and recognisable community voice for some years.”
The new councillors are aiming to add to their number through recruitment of associate members, with key posts of Secretary and Treasurer needing to be filled.
Mr Higgs said: “We also really need expertise on various key issues such as environment and education, so volunteers to bolster the associate membership of the council would be idea.
“We have an opportunity between now and the next community council elections in October 2017 to build an effective council for everyone in the Finderne catchment and start addressing ongoing issues, such as the A96 dualling, as well as position ourselves to be proactive for changes and betterment that our residents can bring to our attention.”
Details of community council meetings, which will be open to all Finderne residents, will be published in due course but anyone wishing to contact the community council can do so by emailing findernecc@gmail.com.