KIRKCOWAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Monday 17th August 2026 at 7.30pm in Kirkcowan Hall.
1. Council Members present – Andrew Gladstone (Treasurer), Mary Harkness (Secretary), Mary Mackenzie, Jim Rae, Robert Drysdale,
Public present- David Edwards, Tony Day, Bill Harkness, Kevin Dean
Apologies for absence – Hazel Matthews
2. Conflicts of Interest – none
3. Election of New Chair –
John Drysdale sent an email resigning from the KCC due to time pressures, requiring a new Chair to be elected. Robert Drysdale put himself forward to stand until the next AGM. He was unanimously elected.
4. Minutes of Last Meeting, Approval, and matters arising –
Minutes approved. Proposed by RD and seconded by JR. MH – The AI Summary app that was used at the June meeting was a one-off trial, and a subscription fee is required for further use. Members agreed to this.
Matters arising – KD – e-scooters still being used illegally on public roads & pavements.
Grass & weeds in Rest Garden need attention – AG to arrange end of season cutting.
Smoking in bus shelters is illegal, but continues.
5. Police Matters – Nothing to report locally.
Senior Driving- a 2-year programme arranged for the benefit of older drivers who might wish to reassure themselves about fitness to drive as winter approaches. Instructors will help and advise any volunteers applying to join a session at GardenWise in Dumfries on 1st October.
6. Notified Public Concerns –
A resident emailed with a query about the KCC policy on flag-flying, and asking if the Saltire could be flown permanently, as happens in other villages & towns. A discussion followed about pros & cons, and it was agreed, for a trial period to the end of the year, to fly the Saltire between the days when the Union Flag is raised for other state occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, remembrance, etc.
7. Reports and Updates –
Treasurer’s Report (AG)
No.1 Account £274.14 No.2 Account £18,454.15
Outgoings:
Bank Service charges June and July £8.50
Hall fees May-July – 2 x KCC, 4 x Knitting £65.00
DumGal Payback – Fuel for grass strimming £82.00
£155.50
Income: – nil
KCDT Report –
A report of the 16th July Trust meeting was circulated to CC members.
The report gave details of grants awarded – Kirkcowan Hall (professional fees related to refurbishment) and Kirkcowan Bowling Club (costs of improving facilities and equipment), and 3 Education and Training grants.
Project updates included exploring installing adult gym equipment and a Changing Places Toilet in Hamilton Park.
Next quarter focus – issue Newsletter, refresh website, launch Home Energy grant, and implement findings from Community Action Plan.
Planning – Application for slurry tower, concrete apron and fence at Old Land granted conditionally.
8. Elected Members Report – No Elected Members present.
9. Footpaths –
- AG has arranged for undergrowth to be cut back on the Railway, Glebe and Dickie Wood paths.
- A tree has fallen over the Riverside path and will be pushed out of the way with a digger, and a stone seat installed nearby. A quote has been received for £876 including VAT for the digger work (£700) and seat (£30)
- The 3 footbridges in the Jenna Morra Wood will be replaced and steps built to connect the lower and upper paths at the north end – this a KCDT funded project.
10. Rest Garden –
AG met with Anne Connick of Bee Positive to discuss management of the grounds around the church with the aim of providing habitat for pollinators and wildlife by leaving some areas of long grass. Cut grass at the end of the season needs to be baled and removed to encourage wildflowers.
The issue of grass-cutting at the Hall was also raised. Community Payback strim, but don’t remove the clippings.
11. Unacceptable Behaviour guidance –
D&GC have produced a policy for Community Councils dealing with harassment/ abuse from members of the public. KCC agreed to adopt this guidance.
12. Replacement Defibrillator at Hall –
The defibrillator in the old phone box at the Hall has come to the end of its service life, and must be replaced before the end of the year, when Community Heartbeat servicing ceases. MH to co-ordinate with Wendy Baird who will source and arrange this, and continue to check and monitor the machine. WB to provide details of the costs for new defib and MH to get quote from electrician to install.
MH also to contact the firm Turtle Medical re solar/turbine powered cabinet costs and installation requirements. D&GC already agreed to build concrete base for the cabinet – MH to liaise. DE of KCDT advised that funding for the project would be looked on favourably.
13. Correspondence –
1) The River Board has published a poster highlighting the problem of invasive non-native species (INNS). The public are asked to contact the Board about any areas of problem species such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam.
2) The Community Safety Team van will be at the Hall on 25th September if anyone has any concerns to discuss.
3) Kirkcowan Resilience Team has received a Silver Award from D&GC.
4) CREPL– Grants run from June annually – report of past year’s expenditure is due. Agreed to claim for war memorial cleaning, grass cutting and new seat on riverside path.
5) KCDT contingency grant due for reporting. MH to write to ask if it can be repaid and a new lower amount requested, or if excess funds only can be returned. No amounts drawn down on this grant in 12 months.
6) Wind Farm Community Benefits – Stranoch – agreed in principle – documents to be signed and turbines still to be commissioned. Kilgallioch Extension – windfarm commissioned and operational. First community payment received. Arecleoch – benefit amount confirmed but owing to Police Scotland manpower shortages, turbine delivery delayed – commissioning expected Autumn 2027.
7) D&GC have declared the grounds around the Hall ‘surplus to requirements’. D&GC asked KCC if there were any objections to Kirkcowan Hall Board acquiring the land or if any other groups were known to exist who might wish to acquire it. No objections raised, and no other interested parties identified. MH to advise D&GC of this – this will allow the Hall Board to add the whole site to the Community Asset Transfer of the building, which has already been agreed.
14. Any Other Competent Business –
a) KD – Pizza van was parked further off the main road but still blocking sightlines at junction.
b) War Memorial cleaning and refurbishment is due to be undertaken by D. Swan at the end of August / early September in readiness for Remembrance Day.
Flag flying dates:
3/9/26 Red Ensign – Merchant Navy Day
8/9/26 Accession Day – Union flag
Meeting closed at 9.00pm
Next meeting 21st September 2026