Balloch Village

Balloch Village Trust (BVT)

Aims, objectives and constitution

Who are we?

The Balloch Village Trust was set up to look at improving the amenity facilities and accessible open spaces of Balloch. The name Balloch Village Trust (BVT) was given to this new community body at the first meeting, to reflect the overwhelming value residents place on the village feel of Balloch, its friendly atmosphere and its rural setting of fields and woodland.  This view is based on the results of the amenities public consultation undertaken during summer 2005. 

The AGM and official launch of BVT was on 18 May 2006. Membership of BVT is £1 per annum and junior membership for under 18 will be free. The Trust is led by elected Directors and office bearers.

Directors
Liz Green	Chair	Cherry Park
Donald MacNeill	Chair of Paths group	Ashburn, Viewhill
Hamish Johnston		23 Macleod Road
Fiona MacArthur		7 Cullernie Gardens
George Riddell		12 Edgemoor Park
Graham Dunbar		74 Culloden Road
Ian Williams	BCC rep	59 Culloden Road
Alex Bennett	BCC rep	4 Edgemoor Park
Rosalinda Wallace	BCC rep	16 Macleod Road
Office bearers
Gillian Spading	Secretary	Borodale, Viewhill
Ian Thomson	Treasurer	10 Edgemoor Park

 

Background to BVT

BVT work started out as the Balloch Amenity Working Group (BAWG) of the Balloch Community Council.  The group originally comprised representatives from existing amenity interests in Balloch, including Balloch Community Association (Village Hall), the School Board, Balloch Bowling and Social Club, Culloden Moor Football and Coaching Club, Balloch Play Group, Balloch Community Council and Community Learning based at Culloden Academy.

As a Community Council working group we were limited in the funds we could apply for.  We were also advised that evidence of community demand via a public consultation would be necessary for most funding applications. 

So during summer 2005 we undertook a public consultation on Balloch Amenities, gaining responses from 30% of Balloch residents.

Following the success of the survey and public meeting in November 2005, the Balloch Village Trust (BVT) was established and is now legally registered as a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status.

BVT will continue to work closely with the other community and amenity groups in Balloch. 

BVT Activities

Upgrade of existing Balloch amenity facilities and possible development of new ones lies at the heart of BVT’s proposed activities. 

Our priorities for action are based on the results of the public consultation undertaken during summer 2005 and are being developed further at our meetings. 

BVT plans to work with existing community groups to deliver the kinds of amenity facilities that Balloch residents would like. 

BVT is aiming to find ways to provide Balloch with:

1. Playpark
2. Youth facilities
3. Social Centre
4. Sporting facilities
5. Woodlands improved for amenity use
6. Landscaped recreational space
7. Safer pedestrian and cyclist access
8. Litter clean ups
9. Reduction in dog fouling
10. Local history group

Any proposals will be sensitive to resident’s wishes and open via the usual planning processes.  BVT welcomes your views.  Contact BVT < Click>

Find out more

Our general meetings are at 7pm in Balloch Village Hall, outside school holidays.  Details are posted on the village hall notice board and on the BVT website.   All Balloch residents are welcome to meetings.  Further enquiries to:

Liz Green (Chair) - tel 790684, greenmail@btinternet.com 
Denny Harvey (Vice Chair) - tel 792547

To go on the BVT mailing list contact Gillian Spalding (Secretary)

Gillian Spalding  - b.v.t@btinternet.com

How can you get involved?

We need your views and ideas on amenities in Balloch. 

Supporting the Balloch Amenities Trust is simple.  Turn up to the general meetings, tel or e-mail BVT your views. 

The more residents there are signed up in support of BVT activities, the stronger our case stands for improving Balloch amenities. 

Becoming a member does not oblige you any commitment of time, it is simply a signature of support with a £1 membership and gives you voting rights at our general meetings.  BVT meetings are open to all Balloch residents. 

Look out for events and action days to get involved.

To join please print and return this form with your £1 fee

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to download the form

Objects of Balloch Village Trust

The basic objects of the Balloch Village Trust are taken from the ‘Model’ Memorandum and Articles of Association produced by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and developed for use in forming a community body as defined by Part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland)
Act 2003.

1. To manage community land and associated assets for the benefit of the Community and the public in general as an important part of the protection and sustainable development of Scotland’s natural environment, where ‘sustainable development’ means development which meets the needs of the present without compromising their ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
2. To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Community, without distinction on grounds of race, political, religious, or other opinions, by associating with the local statutory authorities, voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education and to provide, or assist in providing, facilities for recreation and other leisure-time occupation, following principles of sustainable development and in the interests of social welfare so that their conditions of life may be improved, where ‘sustainable development’ means development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.