CELTIC1CALEY3

Dom Thomas still injured. Should be quite meaty in midfield today. Thought Sean had had 6 league bookings this season but SFA disciplinary records online are a few weeks behind.

Presumably the decision yesterday about the Green Freeport benefits will not benefit the Club? We are presumably also not too involved with 'The newly formed Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport company includes Port of Cromarty Firth, Port of Nigg (Global Energy Group), Port of Inverness, Highland Deephaven and Port of Ardesier (Haventus). The Highland Council alongside over thirty regional and national businesses, public sector organisations and academic bodies have collaborated to support what is the most transformative project in the Highlands for decades.'

There is the possibility that Sean Welsh may be suspended for next week. He did not play many league games for us this season but from what I can see was only booked in his final game away to Ayr. The official Queens Park record shows he has been booked 6 times for them in the league but one of those resulted in a sending off. Am sure Queens will check this!!! 6 bookings in one competition equals a suspension.

Spare a thought tonight for Remi Savage who took a significant boot in the face. Hope he is well. Alex Samuel was superb today in a very good team performance. With Luis Longstaff back today we had a slightly stronger bench. Under no circumstances do we want to lose next week.

Good news. Not often John Beaton gets decisions wrong. Proved costly for us.

No news on the proposed Cammy Kerr appeal (nor the second red which was the first appeal).

Austin seems to have played his last game for the club. I have to say this is the worst year ever for player loyalty. Once Ferguson came in it was 'my way, or the highway' which has not helped results. Patterson would have motivated existing players to perform for the club. The core of the club has been ditched. Our survival is heavily predicated on the loan players. To be fair most have given their all but for our signed players watching their colleagues being moved on or blanked has not helped. We can but hope there is motivation this Saturday.

Given the apparent financial predicament of the club, has there been any discussion about the size of last year's Scottish Cup bonus? On the face of it the sum being talked about was well over £1m and if that was the case that should have given some stability for a year.

Yellow cards for simulation can be appealed - for Kerr's first booking how evident was the simulation? Was the ref unsighted?

If we manage to avoid the bottom spot but cling onto the relegation play off spot, there are realistically only four potential opponents in the play off: Hamilton, Alloa, Montrose and Cove.

Forget Dundee United and Partick away - we need to watch every possible video showing Arbroath, someone should take in their next two games, because we have to stay above them. We desperately need as many defenders fit as possible to try and spend the whole game against them trying not to lose. There is no point having attackers in our team. It seems forbidden.

The same South Planning Chairperson used his casting vote to close Everlast. Expect this to have a detrimental effect on Council and Health Board services. ICT FC lose their gym and pool rehab base. Councillors are not really accountable for decisions but that is how our democracy has evolved.

Today's topical subject 'giant batteries will help power Scotland' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd180263w7no

Here is the conclusion that members were presented with at the South Planning Committee before approving it; CONCLUSION 5.1 Following the submission of additional information both the Council’s Environmental Health Officer and Ecology Officer have removed their respective objection and subsequently reasons for refusal 2 and 3 are no longer relevant. 5.2 Nevertheless, it is not considered that the submission has adequately justified the loss of designated open space as a result of industrial development and therefore the proposal’s impact on designated open space remains as assessed in the Report considered by the South Planning Applications Committee at its meeting on 22 November 2023. The recommendation is to refuse the application on the grounds of the impact on the open space. 6. IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Resource: Not applicable 6.2 Legal: Not applicable 6.3 Community (Equality, Poverty and Rural): Not applicable 6.4 Climate Change/Carbon Clever: Not applicable 6.5 Risk: Not applicable 6.6 Gaelic: Not applicable 7. RECOMMENDATION Action required before decision issued Notification to Scottish Ministers N Conclusion of Section 75 Obligation N 44 Revocation of previous permission N Subject to the above actions, it is recommended to REFUSE the application for the following reason: 1. The proposal is contrary to National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policy 20 a), and Highland-wide Local Development Plan Policy 75 by virtue that it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the Open Space is not fit for purpose, nor has substitute provision has been offered to meet the needs of the local area, nor is it considered that the proposal for the development of the Open Space would significantly contribute to the spatial strategy for the area, which aims to: ‘concentrate development on existing settlements, create sustainable new communities, provide the infrastructure and transport network required to support these communities whilst ensuring the area’s most valuable built and natural assets are protected.’ Consequently it is not considered that the threshold of maintaining the overall integrity of the Open Space network is achieved. The Notice of Amendment being considered by the full Council this Thursday is to review the decision. That would suggest the issue is solely about 'the integrity of the Open Space network' . If members were misinformed, there was a mistake in law, or new material information has come to light could justify a review. On the basis that the review is purely about the integrity of the Open Space - the Council's agenda does not clarify this - then I would expect all Councillors able to address the review are taken for a site visit prior to the meeting, as were the Planning Committee members. The current decision of the Committee in the draft minute is as follows: Amendment: Mrs I MacKenzie, seconded by Mr R Jones to approve the application because, while it was acknowledged that the development would result in a loss of open space, the development would encourage, 44 promote, and facilitate renewable energy storage and so would comply with policy 11 of NPF4. It was considered that the benefits gained under policy 11 of NPF4 outweighed the loss of open space and therefore the application should be granted, with powers delegated to officers in consultation with the Chair and members who had participated in the decision to develop the appropriate conditions. https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4950/highland_council/attachment/83016

He will be highly motivated to get time here. He might find his dad would be harsh on him to avoid accusations of favouritism. At his height he would offer an alternative to existing strike options especially as Big Harry is probably unlikely to play again this season.

It certainly looks like the Club as a Company is in a high risk situation should the Council on 14th March, 2024 reverse its South Planning Committee's decision.

David Carson a player with drive and determination. Sean Welch a player with drive and determination. Where are they when we need them? Well we achieved the clean sheet Duncan sought and whilst we have injuries so too do Dunfermline.

I would imagine this is the source of the opposition: 14.Notices of Amendment (Planning) Should a Member of a Planning Applications Committee wish to have a decision on a planning matter re-considered by the full Council, they must submit (to the Head of Legal and Governance) a Notice of Amendment (Planning) not more than 3 working days after (but excluding) the date of the Committee meeting at which the resolution or decision was passed and no later than 5pm on the final day. For the avoidance of doubt, individual emails and/or individual written signatures will be accepted from Members who wish to submit and/or support Notices of Amendment (Planning). ~ 9 ~ Notices of Amendment (Planning) must be in writing, signed by 19 Members of the Council (including at least one third of the membership of the relevant Planning Application Committee) and will be submitted to the next scheduled meeting of the full Council.

One point of view. Another is that Highland Council is once again complaining about budget pressures and service cuts. From a cost benefit point of view the battery farm is a win for the Council and definitely for the club.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC732789 Two Directors - Chairman and David Cameron.

Yesterday was an historic day for the Club. Today brings back great memories of the convoy under police escort out of Paradise. Hibs appeared to be very unlucky last night so are they coming to the Boyle under General Montgomery or can our new squad produce? Duncan just cannot motivate or coach the team to win at home. The odds are against us.

It started with: Ross County Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of new manager, Derek Adams. CEO Steven Ferguson added - “We are delighted to welcome Derek Adams back to Ross County Football Club. But, after a few weeks .....The County manager - who started his third stint as Staggies boss a few months ago - will leave immediately after the club accepted his resignation. Derek said, ‘After much consideration in recent weeks, I have made the decision to resign from my position as First Team Manager. Over my Twelve League games in charge, we moved 6 points clear of the team directly below and have been extremely close to gaining more victories and draws. Those with a keen eye will spot that he did not mention losing at home to Partick 3-0 in the Scottish Cup.

Given the comments of the Chairman on Saturday it does not look that simple. Lose this Saturday and stay near the bottom of the league does not generate lots of revenue. We currently do not know the true operating position of the Club and most of us listen more to the Chairman, than the CE.

Motherwell 5 Ross County 0 He was not seething last night but says he will talk to Uncle Roy today. Looks like his motivational record is not working as he admitted the County were basically 'Sh.....' He has basically brought in a stack of poor recruits in the transfer window. Hope we do not feel this way. Ross County manager Derek Adams: "The scoreline doesn't flatter Motherwell in any way. It is not good enough, the players are trying but the quality they had has not been good enough and that is why the scoreline was what it was. "We are in the same position now as when I took over and it is really difficult. From my point of view we have had opportunities to win games but we have not had enough quality to see it over the line."