Glencairn Community Council

Updated 6/9/11

 

Glencairn Community Council

Draft Minutes

5th September 2011


Attending:  Robert Hall (Chair), Sue Grant (Acting Sec), Scott McMillan, Duncan Saunderson,  Val McNeil,  Richard Cave, Rab Neill,  John Wilson.

In attendance: Cllr Andew Woods, PC Scott McDowall, Nick Taylor (EON),  John Kilgour, Fiona McMillan.

Apologies:  Robin McIver,  Cllr Dykes.

Minutes: of August approved by Sue Grant  and seconded Val McNeil.

Police matters: PC McDowall had little to report bar two minot incidents of ASB within parish. The police then left the meeting.

PRESENTATION: Nick Taylor of EON Climate and Renewables gave a short talk on the proposed windfarm of up to 90mw to be located around Quantans Hills near Carsphairn. This windfarm would not be visible from moniaive not would constuction traffic impose on us. The proposed windfarm would comprise of up to 30 turbines, masts and access to road network together with a grid connection that would involve the construction of a sub station on site. Mr Taylor had already consulted with Carsphairn CC. A roadshow is planned in Moniaive in October 6th or 7th for the community to view proposals. Questions were then answered and Mr Taylor agreed to check with company as to wether or not they had signed up to the D&G Windfarm fund proposals or merely agreed in principal. Thanked for attending meeting and then left.

Accounts: Val McNeil gave a report on the CC’s finances and Windfarm fund finances.

Matters arising:
    Winter resilience: Email asking for a roads representaive to attend the next CC meeting to be cahsed up by secretary and Cllr Woods. Noted that Robin McIver and Duncan Saunerson had gone round parish locating possible sites for further salt bins. These were marked on maps for CC to discuss. Discussion led to two further sites being added and one moved. Agreed to get this sent off asap to relevant authority.
    Roads: Water still collecting at Crawfordton road end from installed hydro electric scheme utilising the existing culvert. Sue Grant reported that Mr Gourlay had had meeting with Council and seemingly the problem part stems from old wooden sleepers used within culvert. Mr Gourlay and Council in discussion as to who is liable to rectify this, in the meantime Mr Gourlay agreed to clear culvert as it got blocked. CC asked Cllr Woods will take this further stressing  whether permission had been granted to use existing culvert for hydro electric scheme.
    Street lighting:  Nothing to report.
    Bus shelter for North Street - Cllr Dykes called to say this was still in hand and she would follow up.
    Repairs to footpath: High Street at bus shelter – Cllr Dykes as above.
    Potholes: Cllr Dykes to be asked to chase up Scottish Water to further repair their handiwork as many potholes unfilled.
    Moniaive in Flower & Car Park:  Nithsdale in Bloom judges concerned at scorched tree in Bottom Park. Tree planted in memory of Mr & Mrs Rae but sadly planted to close to designated bonfire site. Moniaive Gala Cttee saddned tree damaged by community bonfire and agreed suggestion from CC that tree be cut down and replaced by another tree elsewhere in Bottom Park. John Kilgour pointed out that some picnic benches within picnic area in car park were rotten. Duncan Saunderson had previously repaired one bench and agreed to look at others and report back.
    Wind turbines within Glencairn: Correspondence received from local resident and concerns raised by CC as to amended application for a turbine at Upper Ingleston Farm with an increased size to 46 metres to tip. Sue Grant reported on behalf of Mr Gourlay who was unable to attend meeting. Mr Gourlay asked to CC to note ‘that turbine was for use by the eco house being built on site. All cabling would be underground. There were no plans for further turbines on this site as grid capacity would be filled by the proposed turbine.’ Discussion followed and finally a vote on the proposal that an objection be sent by the CC to planning on the grounds “Glencairn CC object to proposed turbine application on the grounds of increased visual impact of this larger turbine on the community of Moniaive.” Vote 4 in favour, 1 against and 3 abstentions. Motion carried.
    Remembrance Celebrations: Robin McIver and British Legion in contact and being sorted.
    Blackcraig windfarm meeting: Meeting attended by Robin McIver, Duncan Saunderson and Sue Grant from GCC along with developers and members of 5 other CCs. Productive meeting where revealed Blackcraig despite having secured planning permission would not be started for at least five years. Developers had not signed up to D&G windfarm fund proposals and were willing to negotiate dirctly with CCs involved. Meeting agreed that CCs affected should meet up to plan a strategy for negotiations nearer the time.
    Day of Region: This European initiative started this year in the Stewartry and Glenkens region. Nithsdale has been asked to participate next October (2012). Sue Grant and Duncan Saunderson had meeting with DotR rep and plan to talk to all groups and businesses within the village with a view to putting on an event next october. Funding for the DotR will be confirmed this December after reviewing the success/failureof the first event.

Business: None

Correspondence: Planning, Nothing else of note.

AOCB: 
• John Wilson reported tarmac uneven and lifting on new safer routes to school footpath. This path was adopted by D&G council and Cllr Woods asked to look into possibility of repairs and strimming of path sides.
• Request from resident for a 30mph ‘flashing’ sign at entrance to village as felt vehicles speeding down Dunreggan. This issue has been reviewed by the CC on previous occasions where the police have been asked to run speed checks on this stretch of road. Police have consistently reported back that they have found no evidence of this. D(&G Council to be approached to find out what steps would need to be taken were the CC to agree a flashing sign is desirable.
• Complaint about bird scarer at Crawfordton received. Bird scarers are allowed to operate during daylight hours and unless operating during darkness no further action will be taken.
• Noted telegraph pole at Craigdarroch appears to have suffered damage and this to be reported to council.

DATES:
Date for pre-allocation meeting for windfarm applications set for  Monday 19th September; 7:30pm; Institute (private GCCWF meeting)

Windfarm Allocation meeting: Monday 26th September; 7:30pm; Institute ALL WELCOME.

Meeting ended 9.30pm.

Next meeting:
Monday 3rd October 2011 7.30pm, Memorial Institute where a presentation by Pete White on local housing proposals (and hopefully attendance by Roads Dept representative) will be followed by usual monthly meeting, Memorial Institute.

All Welcome.

Members

The new community councillors are: