KIRKCOWAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of Ordinary meeting following AGM – Monday 18th May 2026 at 7.30pm
KCC Present: John Drysdale (Chair), Mary Harkness (Secretary), Andrew Gladstone (Treasurer), Hazel Matthews, Robert Drysdale, Jim Rae, Mary Mackenzie (Minutes),
Public: D. Edwards, C. Paterson, H. McWhirter, Tony Day, Lynn Marshall, Charlie Marshall, K. Dean, Cllr. Richard Marsh, Cllr. David Inglis
1. Apologies: None
2. Conflicts of Interest: None
3. Minutes of last meeting: 20/04/26 – Approved, proposed JR, seconded HM.
Matters arising: None
4. Police Matters/Report: No crime locally. Zoom meetings are more efficient, but only 2 Community Councillors attended. Next Zoom meeting on 25th May.
5. Notified Public Concerns: None
6. Reports and Updates:
KCDT:
A report from meeting on 23rd April 2026 has not yet been received from Foundation Scotland. JD will chase this up. Discussions about implementing CAP.
Next KCDT meeting on 4th June.
Treasurer: (AG)
No.1 Ac. – £274.14 | No.2 Ac. – £19,394.13
Expenses: Landscape Solutions (Christmas tree) £200.00
Bank Charge £4.25
Income: None
Planning: None
7. Elected Members’ Report:
Cllr. D. Inglis suggested investigating an AI programme which makes a summary of CC meetings as a solution to finding a new Minutes taker. Approx. £60-70/annum.
Cllr. R. Marsh – D&GC business has been quiet recently due to the elections on 7th May.
– Wigtownshire Area Committee meeting on 6th May, a £300 grant is available for a community event.
– Regarding the safety of local bridges when large lorries are diverted, warning signs must in place if a bridge has failed the weight test. 150 bridges in the region are currently waiting to be tested. As no weight restriction signs are displayed on the Kirkcowan to Wigtown road, it is assumed to be suitable as a diversion route.
– Potholes still awaiting repairs at corner of the Hall and at Johnsons Bridge. These have already been reported to ‘FixMyStreet’ so no further referrals will be accepted.
– A date has yet to be set for a public meeting with D&GC officials.
– No by-election needed following Cllr Katie Hagmann’s election to Scottish Parliament. She will continue as a councillor until next year’s local elections but has resigned as Convenor.
8. Correspondence:
a) KCDT has asked for, and been sent, a copy of the deeds for Balgreen football grounds in order to register an interest in purchasing the land for the community.
b) Notification that Machars Action has been struck off the Companies House register.
A letter from MA was received outlining the achievements made over the years. The property in Wigtown has been transferred to the Wigtown Book Festival.
c) Notification from Hall Board that the Asset Transfer has been agreed, but due to an unexpected oversight, is only for the Hall building. The associated site, including the car park and grassed area, will have to be applied for/bought separately, which will lead to some delay. An architect has been commissioned in the meantime and preliminary surveys will take place shortly.
9.KCC public liability insurance: This is due for renewal on 1st June, to cover litter picks or other KCC events. Agreed not to renew current policy.
The generator is covered by separate insurance through NFU.
The Service Agreement with D&GC re generator is unresolved as proposed terms are unworkable. Online meeting between JD, RD & D&GC Resilience Officer was suggested.
10. Funds for Planter plants:
These funds will come from the grant received from Balmurrie/Airies, not from the CREPL fund as stated in the agenda. £756 remains available for plants for the 16 new planters, as well as the bed at the Balgreen road end & the raised bed on NS road. D&GC no longer supply bedding plants.
11. Any Other Competent Business:
a) AG – Not happy to receive a sub-standard conifer, so ordered a replacement. It will be sited near to where the previous Xmas tree was.
b) KD – Union Flag will be flown on: 13th June for the King’s birthday; 21st June for Prince of Wales birthday; 27th June for Armed Forces Day.
c) HMcW – Is anything being done to fix the boggy area on the path by the river in the Jenna Morra wood? AG – More stone to be moved. Quotes from 2 companies, plus additional work to extend the lower path to join upper path near the farm road entrance. Choice between bigger culverts or new bridges, KCDT agreed to bridges, which will provide more of a feature.
Meeting closed at 8.45pm
Date of next meeting – 15/6/2026