Kirkcowan Community Council Meeting
19th May 2025 in Village Hall 7pm
1. Welcome and Apologies
Council Members present – John Drysdale (Chair), Mary Harkness (Sec), Andrew Gladstone (Treasurer), Mary Mackenzie, Robert Drysdale, Hazel Matthews, Jim Rae, Kath Googe (Minute Sec)
Public present – Charlie Marshall, Lynne Marshall, Liz McMillan, Dave Edwards, William Harkness, Kevin Dean
Apologies for absence – Cllr Richard Marsh
2. Minutes of the last meeting. Previously circulated – unanimously approved.
Matters Arising
The part for the generator has been ordered and is expected to be delivered before the School Fair. If the part is delayed the organisers will need to find an alternative.
‘Welcome to Kirkcowan’ sign. The replacement has been ordered from Galloway Granite. Funding has been arranged through KCDT.
Rest Garden grass. AG has obtained a quote for cutting the grass 4 times a year at £70 per cut starting in June. Expenditure approved.
Speed sign on Newton Stewart Road is still waiting to be fixed. MH to chase.
Insurance cover for the generator is due 21st June. AG to chase quote from NFU.
The start time for KCC meetings is to return to 7.30pm as some members having difficulty arriving for the earlier 7pm start. MH to advise D&GC.
3. Notified Public Concerns – None received
4. Reports and Updates
Police Matters – Report received – no incidents to report.
Treasurer’s Report
No 1 Account: £321.14 No 2 account: £13,432.03
Income:
Kirkcowan CC – grant Foundation Scotland £500.00
Knitting Group – grant Foundation Scotland £500.00
Expenses:
Keegan & Pennykidd – operating insurance £31.61
Bank Service Charge £4.25
Kirkcowan Hall – Hall hire KCC meetings £20.00
The bank charges were questioned as a new charge for this account – AG to check with bank for exemption and seek advice from Hazel Kerr at D&G Community Councils.
KCDT Report
The official opening of the Hamilton Park playpark is planned for the same day as the Gala Committee Fun in the Park event.
The bare earth at the entrance by the double gates was discussed. Options for tarmac will be explored, as this would give a firm surface, benefitting vehicles accessing the park.
Zip wire – D&GC to tighten the wire, and carry out work on the runways.
AG to remove metal box sections and leftover BT plastic ducting from park grounds.
A Community Consultation Plan is being arranged to get community views on what they wish to see developed in the village.
Footpaths
AG has engaged Derek Brown to mow the footpaths 3 times this year at a cost of £130 a cut, the same as last year.
5. Elected Members Report – None received.
6. Correspondence
Wigtown to Newton Stewart Active Travel
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/412bed9311ab4871930180e8ec095ec8
D&G Litter Strategy survey
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9h0uvVqNZ0imR0h8KnQC3qWY97E8XkhBqltrnPzajpdUREFIVU1GSFZSVk82WjRaREVIUzFFVzk2OS4u&route=shorturl
Knock of Luce Land Management plan
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/planning/consultations/knock-of-luce-land-management-plan
20th May, 10.30am to 3pm, McMillan Hall, Newton Stewart – Cash Access UK presentation and information on new Banking Hub in Newton Stewart.
27th May, 11.15am to 12noon, the Community Engagement Team will be in Kirkcowan Car Park to offer advice and assistance on neighbourhood issues.
19th -24th May Overnight road closures on A75 near Shennanton crossroads to Benfield, diversion in place via Port William.
26th June, 10am to 1pm, Artfield Windfarm- Statkraft public exhibition in Kirkcowan Hall to show updated plans and information regarding the proposed increase in height of turbines to 200m from 180m.
7. Accounts and Budgets
MH proposed that KCC request a grant from KCDT for budget expenses for the entire year (e.g £10000) for use for community council outgoings with expenditure reported to the Trust annually, instead of multiple applications for each and every item. This would allow urgent expenses to be met – e.g generator part, sign repair without the wait time for application, granting and funding. It was agreed that AG will work out a proposed budget based on last year’s expenses for the KCC Directors to present at the next KCDT meeting in June.
CREPL grant – MH advised that the CC has been reminded by Foundation Scotland that this grant is also for supporting groups and events in the community. There was discussion on how to contact local groups to enable them to apply for microgrants – no decisions made.
Accountants – KCC currently uses Montpelier but owing to the backlog and waiting time for Accounts to be produced by them, the CC are open to suggestions for alternative relatively local accountants who may be able to offer a better service. AG to make enquiries.
8. Any Other Competent Business
a) Sam’s Bird (the topiary hawthorn up Wellhouse Rd) needs a new person to take on clipping it 3 times year. On the field side it is too high to reach comfortably and needs a platform to clip it. HM will research possible local people who could do this.
b) The Christmas Tree in the rest Garden is in need of a trim – this is in hand.
c) Union Flag Flying 14th June – King’s Birthday
Meeting Closed at 20.25.
Next Meeting 16th June at 7.30pm.