Approved Minutes of the Meeting of

ESKDALEMUIR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Thursday, 11th June 2015, 7:30 p.m., The Hub, Eskdalemuir.

Attending: Nick Jennings (Chair), John Furlonger (Vice-Chair), May Reid, Bernard Provost, Beatrice Furlonger, and Lorna Curtis (Secretary).

Apologies: Cllr Craig Peacock and Cllr Denis Male sent their apologies.

  1. Minutes of last meeting approved – by May Reid and Bernard Provost
  2. Resignation - Sue Campany contacted Nick Jennings to hand in her resignation as a member of the Community Council, due to other commitments. The Community Council thanks Sue for her contribution.
  3. Bus Shelter update – Nick Jennings confirmed that funding of £1500 had been approved to build 3 bus shelters; one at the bottom of the Garwald Track, one at Craighaugh and one at the Church. Planning permission to build a bus stop outside Craighaugh has been granted by Bernard Provost who owns the land. Lorna Curtis to write to Lillianne Pool at SWestrans to enquire as to whether planning permission for the building of a bus stop at the end of the Garwald Track and outside the Church have been granted. Nick Jennings suggested that the building of the bus stops be put out to tender to local trades people to get a competitive quote. There was also discussion surrounding the style of bus stop to be built at the Church and outside Craighaugh. It was agreed that wooden shelters would be used until more robust shelters are available and that the design of the temporary wooden bus stops would be taken into consideration in the planning stages.
  4. Windfarm Grant Criteria - Nick Jennings read through the draft criteria for distributing Windfarm funds created by the sub-group. Members of the Community Council agreed to use these as a means of distributing funds. Bernard Provost confirmed that the Community Council had £5976.86 to distribute this year; £4000 from Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Fund and £1975.86 from Minska. 5 proposals were put forward for consideration from:
  1. The ESMP Hall to replace the external doors (£1100 towards the total cost)
  2. Affordable Homes for Eskdalemuir Land Purchase Fund (£2750 towards a total cost £27,500)
  3. Community-led Care Programme (£2120 towards a total cost £31,120)
  4. Day of the Region (£500 towards a total cost £1000)
  5. Les Harrisson (former Esk Valley First Responders Team) for installation and one year running costs of a defibrillator in Eskdalemuir (£425.00)

All 5 proposals met the agreed criteria for Windfarm funds, but as the total cost of all 5 proposals was more than the money the Community Council had to distribute, discussion continued over the potential benefit and impact for the community of each proposal. Members of the Community Council individually prioritised the 5 bids and then discussed these as a group. Nick Jennings abstained in the decision making process, due to his position in the UEDG. Members all prioritised the Affordable Homes for Eskdalemuir Land Purchase Fund and the Community-led Care Programme. Members then discussed the benefit of the other 3 proposals and voted in support of the Community-owned defibrillator and the Day of the Region. If the UEDG are unable to find match-funding for Affordable Homes for Eskdalemuir Land Purchase Fund or the Community-led Care Programme, the money will return to the Community Council to be redistributed. John Furlonger to write to Phil Hughes and Les Harrisson regarding their applications.

  1. Crossdykeswindfarm - Nick Jennings informed the Community Council that Muirhall Energy has submitted an application for consent to build a wind farm at Crossdykes, 11km North-West of Langholm, and 13km North-East of Lockerbie. John Furlonger and Bernard Provost approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding to confirm that the Community Council wanted to received Community Benefit. Nick Jennings also informed the Council that under a new model, the development at Crossdykes wind farm would bring a unique opportunity for the local community to own up to 10% of the Windfarm. Eskdalemuir and 8 other communities are investigating this option. The Planning Application submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council May 2015 and Copies of the Environmental Statement for Crossdykes Windfarm are available to view in the Hub from next week. Lorna Curtis to add this to the Community Council facebook page and website.
  2. Correspondence – Lorna Curtis informed the Community Council that membership subscription of £10 was due to Annandale and Eskdale Federation of Community Councils. Bernard Provost to write a cheque on behalf of the Community Council. Lorna Curtis to arrange posting.
  3. AOB
  1. Community Council Elections – Nick Jennings informed the Community Council that Dumfries and Galloway had brought forward Community Council Elections to Thursday 22nd October 2015. Lorna Curtis to contact Alison Fergusson to inform her of the Returning Officers details and to ask for promotional materials relating to the election. Members also discussed holding a social evening on Friday 14th August at 7pm at The Hub to attract new members to join the Community Council. Lorna Curtis to advertise this on the website, the facebook page and in the local paper.
  2. Discretionary Grant – Nick Jennings informed the Community Council that the application for the discretionary grant had been moved forward to 24th June. Bernard Provost, Lorna Curtis and Nick Jennings to complete paperwork.

Date of next meeting – set for Thursday 17th September 2015.