Community Council Minutes, December 2024
MINUTE OF THE MEETING
held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 11th December 2024 in the Murray Hall Annexe
1. In Attendance & Apologies:
Present: Simon Brooke, Chair (SB); George Makins, Treasurer (GM); Adam Turnbull, Secretary (AT); Paul Jardine (PJ); Shameen Syed (SD); Jane Burton (JB); Rosie McClure (RM) and Susan Small (SS).
Apologies: Pamela Vaughan (PV)
Visitors: Anne Williams (Chair, Auchencairn Initiative); Lee Paton (ACT representative); Jade Norcross and David.
2. Approval of the Minute(s) of the Previous Meeting and Matters Arising:
The Minutes of the meetings on 30th October and 13 November 2024 which had been circulated in draft were accepted as being a true record of the meeting.
Minutes of October meeting proposed SB, seconded RM.
Minutes of November meeting proposed SB, seconded RM.
SB had spoken to ACT about grant submission without appropriate co-ordination with other village groups, without yet sending a formal letter.
SB had also met with Anne Williams about arranging a public meeting on the future of the Murray Hall and with Esme about providing soup & rolls (at a cost of £140). It was agreed that a public meeting would be held on 18th January 2025 at 11:30am; Jade would publicise it on her online News and Events portal; Esme would be asked to cater for 40 people; leaflets would be drafted and circulated in the village & local groups to be informed. AW would provide information that could assist with crowd funding.
3. Police Report
Police report circulated by email. Nothing of particular reference to Auchencairn.
4. D & G Council
As there was again no Councillor in attendance, AT would contact D&GC to see if that could be rectified. There was consequently nothing to report.
5. Planning
Nothing to report.
6. Finances
GM provided a review of the income and expenditure since the last meeting. He had completed the discretionary grant funding application from D&G COuncil, but the amount may be reduced due to ACC not being quorate for a time pending the Casual Vacancy Election.
The invoice from JDR Goodman for the new Murray Hall windows had now been paid at a cost of only £3,550.00 for the whole job, not £17,550.00 as budgeted. It had been assumed that £3,550.00 had been a unit price for each window, not the price for the whole job.
There was currently a balance of £13,363.95 in the Murray Hall Account; and £9,771.14 in the current account
The value of the Heughan Fund invested with the Lyons Trust was currently £65,926.61 (a £2,376.61 gain over 4 years). As interest rates were now much higher and there was concerns about stock market volatility, it was agreed that the Lyons Trust investment would be cashed in and placed into savings account.
7. Auchencairn Initiative
AW reported that the shop continued to do well. Sales were up on last year and the late-night shopping had been very successful. The balance sheet was currently strong and therefore there was going to be a review in January to consider increased loan repayments to ACC. Christmas dinner was arranged for Saturday. Work was scheduled to be done on the solar panels & power bank for January-March 025. RM, Lee & AP had met to formulate a protocol for inter-group co-ordination which RM had circulated by email. The Hugh Paton Path was in need of repair and currently dangerous in places. Warning signs were considered. . ACT & AI would explore funding, fir repairs. A new notice board was being erected.
8. ACT Feedback
Lee had represented ACT at the meeting with RM and AW re inter-group co-ordination. An application for grant funding (£3,500) had been made to the Nineveh Charitable Trust. An application had been made to the Robin Rigg Community Fund and a decision expected in January. If successful, it would be applied to the minibus scheme. The SCIO application being submitted in the next week or so. Dr Bike container now on site.
9. Village Matters
a. Murray Hall Rental Rates and T&C’s
SS confirmed there was currently no paid cleaner or hall keeper. Trish Bate was assisting on a volunteer basis. Arrangements would be reconsidered following the public meeting in January. The possibility of setting up a Google calendar was considered to be a good idea. SB would prepare an agenda for the public meeting in January.
RM provided an overview of the quotations which had been obtained for acoustic panels for the Murray Hall. Prices varied depending on material and colour (ResoNix £7,980 ceiling panels; Optimum Accoustic £3260 grey foam, £4266.35 white foam, Koru £6,329.45)
b. Third Sector Funding Application for Murray Hall
SB would email Hala to advise ACC that they did not support the application, due to their being insufficient certainty about the ability to deliver the project.
c. Local Place Plan
SB had circulated an email with his with work to date on the LPP. He had struggling to get a response from D&GC. RM & PJ to form sub-committee for LPP with SB. Jeanette Walker to represent church; LP for ACT & AW for AI. Jade Norcross to represent the school parent council.
10. AOCB
The Norval Rennie memorial clock had stopped working and SB wondered whether there was in details about potential repairers or instructions. It was something he could possibly attend to himself.
PJ had been in contact with the Community Safety Team who had offered to visit to give advice and it was agreed that would be welcome.
11. Date and time of next meeting
Wednesday 8th January 2025 at 7.00pm