Minutes of Kirkcowan Community Council on Monday 18/11/2024 (Printable PDF)
The meeting was opened by Melinda Dolan, Returning Officer for DumGal Ward 2, who formally inducted the newly elected Community Council, overseeing the election of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
After the election of Office bearers, the CC acknowledged the Amended Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils and a copy of this was signed by John Drysdale (Chair) and Mary Harkness (Secretary). The dates, times and frequency of meetings and AGM were agreed as being 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm in Kirkcowan Village Hall, with no meeting in January or July, and the AGM to be held in May.
Ms Dolan then gave an overview in respect of CCs and advised that an annual Discretionary Budget grant was available – this being based on population. Andrew Gladstone (Treasurer) agreed to apply for the grant.
Ms Dolan then left the meeting and John Drysdale took over the proceedings. Cllr David Inglis also left at this point.
1. Council Members present – John Drysdale (Chair), Mary Harkness (Sec), Andrew Gladstone (Treasurer), Hazel Matthews, Robert Drysdale, Mary Mckenzie, Jim Rae, Kath Googe (Minute Sec)
Public present – Kevin Dean, Charlie Marshall, Lyn Marshall, Hazel McWhirter, Alan McCornick, Andrew Gaw, Neil Skelton, Cllr David Inglis
Apologies for absence – none
2. Minutes of last meeting –Minutes of last meeting (Sept) previously circulated. Minutes accepted – proposed MH, seconded RD.
Matters Arising – The Childrens Halloween Party had been successfully arranged by parents.
3. Police Report – no report received.
4. Notified Public Concerns – None reported.
5. Elections of CC representatives to Kirkcowan Community Development Trust and Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company –
John Drysdale and Hazel Matthews nominated to be KCC representatives to KCDT Board.
Mary Harkness nominated to be KCC representative to KCBC Board.
6. Reports and Updates –
Treasurers Report – (as per outgoing Treasurer H McWhirter)
No 1 Account £368.14 No 2 Account £10,582.62
Expenditure
H McWhirter – Poppy Wreath £ 36.69
Community Heartbeat Trust – annual defib service £162.00 Income None
KCDT Report –given by Andrew Gladstone
Since Machars Action has stopped trading, work has been ongoing transferring their work including forms, payment of grants and wages to Foundation Scotland. A KCDT newsletter and forms for application for Winter Fuel Payments have been distributed to every household in Kirkcowan. The work in the Playpark is almost complete. After some snagging is completed, and the final payment to the contractors, the barriers will be removed so the equipment can be used. There will be a formal opening of the Play park in the spring. Dumfries and Galloway Council have agreed to take over the maintenance of the equipment for the next 25 years, for which KCDT will make a one-off payment based on a percentage of the value of the equipment installed.
Footpaths – given by Andrew Gladstone
The railway path has had brushwood cut back from the sides of the path, and the path has been mowed. Some drainage work has been done. Signage on paths completed – Total Cost £656.43 including posts, metal post caps, green signage and labour – this paid by AG – KCC agreed to reimburse. The two broken gate posts at the junction of Teapot Lane and Dickie Wood paths have been replaced with Craichlaw Estate paying 50% of costs of installation (including removal of previous concrete bases). Total cost including labour £433.50 paid by AG with 50% to be paid by KCC = £216.75. Total due to A Gladstone £873.18 Further bills to pay by KCC -Mowing Derek Brown £360 Graham Ferries – hedge cutting £326.40 AD Plant Hire £168. Total for footpaths £1,727.58.
7. Elected Members Report – no Elected Members present.
8. Correspondence
- Proposed Galloway National Park – Presentations will take place in the Macmillan Hall on 20th and in Wigtown on 21st November.
- Shennanton Windfarm Exhibition – Only 4 hours consultation were given, afternoon only, in Kirkcowan, nearest village to the proposed development.
- Kilgallioch Windfarm Extension – Informed that blasting will commence 25/11/2024 for 2 weeks. It may be heard in the village.
- Newton Stewart Initiative have distributed a newsletter & diary of events for the next few months to every home (7000) in the area. They asked if KCC could contribute funds towards the next edition. The committee decided they are unable to contribute.
- Kirkcowan Christmas Extravaganza 14th December. The Village Hall Board invited the CC to enter a window decoration to the competition – the decoration to be on the theme of Winter Wonderland.
- MH requested reimbursement of expenses for ink and noticeboard magnets £44.95 and £3.88 respectively. This was agreed.
- Kilgallioch Extension & Areocleoch Extension Community Benefit Fund – A meeting is arranged for 25th November at Barrhill to discuss the distribution of the benefit fund to each of the stakeholder communities when the windfarm extensions are completed. MH to attend.
- Ballgreen – DumGal Non-domestic Rates have accepted that the KCC does not own the football ground and have now sent KCC a £0.0 rates bill.
- Response to Surveys – Mary Mackenzie initiated a discussion on how the KCC could reflect the views of Kirkcowan residents. Suggestions from the public present included the canvassing every resident, using social media, and a belief that the map presented by the Shennanton windfarm promoters was not accurate regarding positioning of turbines and they played down the view of them which would be seen from the village. The committee feel they do not have the time or funds to canvas every household. It was decided that the windfarm proposals would be an agenda item for the next KCC meeting and it is hope that many members of the public would attend.
9. Any Other Competent Business
- Christmas Tree Lights – KCC will put the lights on the tree at the church and will switch them on. There was discussion about the unkempt area around the Christmas tree and the flag pole. Also that the maintenance of the Rest Garden this year was not satisfactory. It was proposed that a local contractor be approached for help with trimming the Christmas tree, and tidying the area around it. Also that for next year an application be made to KCDT for funding for these things.
- Welcome to Kirkcowan Sign on Station Road – Alternatives for replacing the broken stone sign were discussed. AG to approach Galloway Signs or others for quotations for a suitable metal or plastic sign that could be bolted to the stone dyke.
- Corner Garden – It was agreed that Streetworks be asked to move the litter bin along to the end of the stone dyke at the corner garden.
- Flag flying – St Andrews Day 30th November The Union or Saltire flag will be flying for the day
Meeting closed at 20.50
Date of next meeting – 16th December 2024 at 7pm.