Kirkcowan Community Council Meeting on 17th February 2025, in Kirkcowan Village Hall at 7.00pm
1. Council Members present – John Drysdale (Chair), Andrew Gladstone (Treasurer), Mary Harkness (Secretary), Robert Drysdale, Mary Mackenzie, Jim Rae, Kath Googe (Minute Secretary)
Public present – Cllr Richard Marsh, Alix Smith, David Edwards, Lynn Marshall, Charlie Marshall, Anne McGaw, Neil Skelton, Kevin Dean, Jack Harris, Fiona Harris
Apologies for absence – Hazel Matthews, Cllr Jackie McCamon
2. Minutes of last meeting – Minutes previously circulated and approved. Proposed Mary Mackenzie, seconded Jim Rae.
Matters Arising – KCC objection to Glenvernoch windfarm proposal submitted to both Energy Consents Unit Scotland and D&G Planning. Both acknowledged receipt.
3. Police Report – Report received – nil to report.
4. Notified Public Concerns – None received.
5. Reports and Updates –
Treasurers Report (AG)
Transfer of Treasurer and signing authority now complete.
No 1 Account £368.14 No 2 Account £12,841.14
| Income | |
| Foundation Scotland (Knitting) | 174.00 |
| Foundation Scotland (CREPL) | 3,566.43 |
| D&G Discretionary grant | 474.50 |
| £4,214.93 | |
| Expenses | |
| Office Supplies (MH) | 48.78 |
| Graham Ferries – footpath brashing | 326.40 |
| AD Tool Hire – footpath work | 168.00 |
| Derek Brown – mowing paths | 360.00 |
| H Matthews – selection boxes | 75.00 |
| A Gladstone – Footpath waymarkers-full cost (see Nov minutes) | 646.43 |
| A Gladstone – 50% repair costs 2 gateposts Teapot Lane (see Nov minutes) | 216.75 |
| Hall fees – Knitting Group | 55.00 |
| Hall fees – KCC Meetings | 50.00 |
| £1,946.36 |
KCDT Report (David Edwards and AG reported)
* At KCDT AGM, Charlie McNeill stood down as Chair and Martin Marsh is new Chairman.
* The future 5 year plan was discussed. KCDT will employ an external organisation to canvas all households in the village as to what people would like and what KCDT should fund in the next 5 years.
* Play Park – An official opening will be arranged later in spring when the ground has dried up.
* Jenna Morra Wood – Work along the new riverbank path will commence shortly. The deep ditches will have culverts made, instead of bridges. Steps will be constructed on the steep bank at the Johnston’s Bridge end. It has been decided not to create a car park due to poor visibility to main road.
Planning
D&G Planning have approved the Bowling Club premises application to become licensed premises. The Bowling Club will now seek a license from Licensing Board.
Footpaths
AG reported is waiting for AD Plant Hire to deliver stone to the boggy area between the railway line and the field, and also to the Oldland path entrance.
6. Elected Members Report (Cllr Richard Marsh)
* The proposed solar park at Barnkirk by Challoch would be 66 acres (27 hectares) to connect to the Grid by 2026. Containers with battery storage, underground cabling required to the existing substation. Community benefit £5,000 per annum proposed.
* The Galloway National Park consultation has now ended. D&G Council submitted an ‘Undecided’ to the proposals and would want a different arrangement to the 2 existing national parks.
* D&G Council will meet to set the Budget for 2025-2026 on 27th February. They need to find £34m over next 3 years, Council tax is likely to be increased by less than 10%.
7. Correspondence
- Blair Hill windfarm – submitted to Scottish Government – documents available to view in hard copy at Newton Stewart library from 20th Feb, or online at https://www.energyconsents.scot under reference ECU00004878. Deadline for submitting representations from public will be 2nd May. Public info session at Macmillan Hall on 25th March 3-8pm.
- Challoch Solar Farm – public consultation – Macmillan Hall, 11th March 3-7pm. This is a presentation on a 66 acre solar panel farm proposed location at Barnkirk, between Newton Stewart Cemetery and where it meets A714 Girvan road.
- Scottish Dark Sky Observatory – seeking to appoint 2 new trustees, sourced from local area – 30 mile radius of Clatteringshaws). Applications which should include reasons for interest in applying, relevant experience offered and full contact details by 31st March to info@sdso.org.uk Further information available from same email address.
- Forestry and Land Scotland – Recreation Investment Glentrool and Kirroughtree – public drop-in sessions – The Hive, Glentrool 20th Feb 1200-1900, and Vibe75, Newton Stewart 21st Feb 1200-1900. Questionnaire available online from 20th Feb via: www.research.net/r/kirroughtree-glentrool
- E Power – Shennanton Windfarm proposal – Sarah Kyle of E-Power to attend March meeting to present update to CC and answer questions put to them by CC – so any public questions need to be put in writing and submitted to KCC before then.
- Scottish Community Development Centre – hosting a number of ‘community conversations’ to gather opinions on community benefits granted through renewable energy developments. This is in tandem with formal online consultation which runs to 11 Apr 2025. Link to take part https://consult.gov.scot/offshore-wind-directorate/community-benefits-net-zero-energy-developments/
8. Resilience
After the 48-hour power cut during the recent storm members of the public want to increase the resilience to overcome difficulties for those without electric, heating, hot food, and the lack of communication. Many individuals provided hot water and meals to people without. Without phone signals many did not know about the hot food van provided at the school by Scottish Power Network.
Most of the power outages were caused by trees falling on the lines.
Concerns voiced – The generator owned by KCC is not powerful enough to make hot meals and heat the hall. It was agreed to re-form the Resilience Group, whose members have reduced in recent years. This has to be linked with the Community Council.
It was proposed that a meeting be held for everyone who was interested to attend in the Supper Room of the Village Hall on Friday 28th February at 7pm. Proposed by MM, Seconded by MH. Agreed.
John Drysdale (Chair) will publicise the meeting. Alix Smith and others will advertise it on Kirkcowan Facebook What’s Going On.
9. Any Other Competent Business –
Welcome to Kirkcowan sign – Galloway Signs submitted 3 designs with varying fonts for the replacement sign. None appealed so AG will go back and request alternatives.
Meeting Closed 20.30
Next Meeting 17th March 2025 at 7pm