Kirkcowan Community Council Meeting
16/12/2024, Kirkcowan Village Hall, 7.00pm
Council Members Present John Drysdale (Chair), Mary Harkness (Secretary), Andrew Gladstone Treasurer), Robert Drysdale, Hazel Matthews, Jim Rae, Mary Mackenzie, Kath Googe (Minute Secretary)
Public Present Elizabeth McMillan, David Edwards, Lynn Marshall, Charlie Marshall, Kevin Dean, Cllr Richard Marsh.
Apologies for Absence None Received
Minutes of Last Meeting
The Minutes had been circulated previously and were approved unanimously.
Matters Arising none
Police Report
23rd November, Vehicle accident, no injuries, the driver charged with careless driving.
28th November, Fraud reported, enquiries are ongoing.
Notified Public Concerns
The village Christmas tree was trimmed and decorated with lights – committee thanked Charlie Marshall and family for this. Cllr Marsh has put the illuminated star on the Church tower.
Mr Dean asked if anything could be done about vehicles that speed through the village. JD (Chair) responded that previous enquiries of the Police Scotland came to nothing, No speed bumps would be installed and the only action to take is to note the registration number of offending vehicles and report it to Police Scotland.
Treasurer’s Report (AG)
Application made for the new treasurer to be added to online banking, waiting for confirmation.
No income or expenditure since last meeting. An application has been made to D&G for a discretionary grant.
Balance in No 1 account £368.14, No 2 account £10,582.62
KCDT Report (HM)
* Winter fuel grants are being sent out to residents of Kirkcowan.
* Work on the Play Park is complete and the play equipment is now open. Due to water logging 3 small areas remain fenced off for the time being. An opening ceremony is planned for Spring 2025.
* Future projects – Jenna Morra Wood
1 Lay sub-base and form steps up the steep bank on the path from Johnston’s bridge end.
2 Form a new path beside the River Tarff within Jenna Morra Wood.
* The KCDT AGM is planned for 20th January.
Elected Members Report (Cllr Richard Marsh)
Roads repairs are currently being done along Newton Stewart Road and Station Road over 2 days.
The Roads Dept are purchasing a new digital speed monitoring sign for Newton Stewart Road. No speed bumps are planned.
Budget – The Scottish Government propose an increase in the funding to Councils using funds allocated by Westminster. No figures yet available. The budget will be announced in the new year.
Kilgallioch and Arecleoch Extension (Windfarms) Benefit Funds
MH reported on the meeting she attended which was intended to agree on the proportions of monies to be distributed to the Primary Community Organisations (PCO’s)
The Kilgallioch Extension will be constructed between November 2024 to June 2025 and will become operational in 2026.
The Arecleoch Windfarm Extension will be constructed in summer 2025.
The turbines and blades will be shipped in via Cairnryan and brought along the A75. Strengthening work will be needed at the roundabout at Newton Stewart and at the bridge at Bargrennan.
Arecleoch has 7 beneficiary PCOs: New Luce, Barrhill, Cree Valley, Kirkcowan, Colmonell & Lendalfoot, Pinmore & Pinwherry, and Ballantrae.
Kilgallioch Extension has 4 beneficiary PCOs: New Luce, Barrhill, Cree Valley, and Kirkcowan.
Discussions were over whether to share the benefit funds equally between all the PCOs with a possible contribution to Cairnryan and Castle Kennedy as the turbines in transit will impact those villages, or to give the largest portion of the funds to the PCOs hosting the turbines. No decision was made, a majority vote will be taken at the next meeting of the Benefit Fund.
MH asked whether CC wanted her to push for the largest possible share for Kirkcowan, rather than 40% being retained by the Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company for distribution to the wider Wigtownshire and South Ayrshire community. CC agreed that she should vote for the largest possible share for Kirkcowan for both windfarms.
Correspondence
Hands off Our Hills are distributing leaflets to most households asking for support for their objections to the proposed Glenvernoch Wind Farm which will be close to GlenTrool.
After discussion it was proposed that KCC will send an objection to Scottish Government about the proposed Glenvernoch Windfarm. This was agreed unanimously. It was also recommended that individuals should also send in objections.
Any Other Competent Business
AG – The Welcome to Kirkcowan sign for Station Road. Galloway Signs have not yet responded with any quotations.
AG – Spare green Footpath sign (Kirkcowan 1 mile) KCC agreed to fund installation of this on a new pole at the Barnearnie road end.
HM has obtained sufficient Selection Boxes to distribute to the children of the village.
Kevin Dean – The Union Flag will be flown on 9th January for Princess of Wales’ birthday.
Meeting Closed 19.55
Next Meeting 17th February 2025 at 7pm (no meeting in January)