On 10 November, Lochcarron Regeneration attended the monthly meeting of Lochcarron Community Council to present our plans for upgrading the playpark facilities at Battery Park and to explore how the council may be able to support the project.
Who Attended
- Helen Murchison – Chair
- Rodger Cundiff – Treasurer
- Liz Howard & Michelle Teago – Secretaries (job share)
- Cllr Biz Campbell (via MS Teams)
- Martin Rabbitts – Lochcarron Regeneration
Presenting the Project
At the meeting, we outlined the formation of a parent collective, now formally known as Lochcarron Regeneration, and our ambition to improve the existing playpark facilities.
It was noted in the official minutes (published in An Carrannach magazine) that:
“The playparks down at the bottom of Battery Park are getting tired and a parent collective is being formed with parents and the wider community.”
Our main objective is to upgrade the playparks so they better serve children of all ages and abilities, creating a more inclusive, safe and engaging space for families.
Partnership Working
We shared updates on progress so far, including:
- An upcoming meeting with Highland Council to explore partnership working and responsibilities
- Initial engagement with the Lochcarron Community Development Company (LCDC), with a meeting to be scheduled
- Ongoing discussions around funding opportunities
Councillor Biz Campbell also made helpful suggestions about potential organisations and routes for funding support.
Funding Guidance
The Community Council explained that their Community Fund is available to local groups but should ideally be used as the:
“Last brick in the wall rather than the first.”
This reinforces the need for Lochcarron Regeneration to pursue external grants and fundraising first, before seeking local contributions.
Support from the Community Council
We were delighted to receive full support from the Community Council, who stated:
“We fully support the initiative and look forward to hearing about progress in the future.”
This backing is a significant boost for the project and demonstrates strong local confidence in the plans.
Community Fund Update
The Treasurer reported that the Lochcarron Community Fund currently stands at:
£42,878.18
This provides reassurance that future local support may be possible once other funding avenues are explored.
Next Steps
Following this meeting, Lochcarron Regeneration will:
- Meet with Highland Council to discuss next steps
- Arrange a meeting with LCDC
- Begin wider community engagement
- Start developing a structured fundraising plan
We would like to thank Lochcarron Community Council for their time, advice and encouragement. We look forward to keeping the community updated as the project progresses.
