Kirkcowan Community Council Meeting, 16th September 2024, in Kirkcowan Village Hall, at 7.30pm
1. Council Members present – Hazel Matthews (Chair), John Drysdale, Mary Harkness (Secretary), Hazel McWhirter (Treasurer), Robert Drysdale, Kevin Dean, Mary Mackenzie, Kath Googe (Minute Secretary) Public present – Linda Upton, Jim Rae, Neil Skelton, Mandi Emslie
Apologies for absence – Andrew Gladstone, Police Scotland
2. Minutes of last meeting – Minutes previously circulated. Amendment needed to show grass at Rest Garden raised. Approval proposed KD, seconded RD.
Matters Arising – MH has written to the D&G Council regarding the uncut grass in the rest garden, asking for clarification of grass-cutting schedule.
3. Police Report – Police report received – no concerns raised.
4. Notified Public Concerns – None reported.
5. Reports and Updates:
Treasurers Report – No 1 Account £569.83 No 2 Account £10,582.62
Expenditure:
Fees due to Kirkcowan Hall £15.00
Income None
KCDT Report – KCDT still putting things in place with Foundation Scotland, replacing forms, finance arrangements etc. after closure of Machars Action. The website is not yet fully updated. The Playpark should be completed within 2 weeks.
6. Elected Members Report – no Elected Members present.
7. Correspondence –
Routine emails regarding roadworks and planning progress.
Reminders to complete surveys for Cottage Hospitals and Change to School Hours.
Community Council Election – The election was uncontested, with the new Council effective from 8am on 4th October. The members will be: Hazel Matthews, John Drysdale, Robert Drysdale, Mary Harkness, Mary Mackenzie, Andrew Gladstone and Jim Rae and the first meeting will be on 21st October 2024. Hazel McWhirter and Kevin Dean did not stand for re-election.
8. Any Other Competent Business –
Mandi Emslie presented her concerns about the Bowling Club appearing to be selling alcohol and she heard rumours about applying for a liquour licence. KCC informed they have no jurisdiction over this however if an application for a full licence is made, they would then be consulted by D&G Licensing.
Neil Skelton introduced himself, representing ‘Hands off Our Hills’. He hoped that the speaker representing the proposed Shennanton windfarm had been present, (he had sent apologies). His group would like to canvas public opinion in Kirkcowan about the proposal. MH informed that the scoping report has not been completed as yet. There will be more public consultation when that is received.
Halloween. KCC members feel unable to arrange the Halloween Party for children this year. Volunteers are needed to arrange it, with some support from the committee. MH will put up posters appealing for volunteers to come forward.
Flying of Union Flag. KD will raise the flag from 4th -15th November (King’s Birthday and Remembrance Day).
Linda Upton enquired if the KCDT scheme to fund driving tests for village people was still in place. She had been unable to discover since July where to take the application form since the closure of Machars Action. HM will scan and email her son’s application to Foundation Scotland.
Vote of Thanks. Proposed by HM to Hazel McWhirter and Kevin Dean for their services to KCC. Kevin explained he had wished to continue on the KCC but had found it impossible to send in the application due to IT difficulties.
Meeting closed at 20.05.
Date of next meeting – 21st October 2024 at 7.30pm