Community Council Minutes, November 2024
MINUTE OF THE MEETING
held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 13th November 2024 in the Murray Hall Annexe
1. In Attendance & Apologies
Present: Simon Brooke, Chair (SB); George Makins, Treasurer (GM); Paul Jardine (PJ); James Higgs (JH); Shameen Syed (SD); Jane Burton (JB); Rosie McClure (RM) and Pamela Vaughan (PV).
Apologies: Susan Small (SS)
Visitors: Anne Williams (Chair, Auchencairn Initiative); Lee Paton (ACT representative); Beverley Norcross; Jade Norcross; Alison Parker; James Tollan and Helen.
2. Approval of the Minute of the Previous Meeting and Matters Arising
AT had yet to circulate the Minute of the previous meeting.
3. Police Report
The police report had been circulated by email prior to the meeting. There was nothing therein specific to Auchencairn.
4. D&G Council Matters
Nothing to Report.
5. Planning
No new applications relevant to ACC had been submitted. ACT were in the process of finalising the lease of the bike workshop site with the Gilroy family.
6. Finances
GM provided a review of income and expenditure since the last meeting. There was currently £13,238.05 in the Murray Hall account and £9,651.10 in the current account. The outstanding balance of the loan to the AI for the shop was £3,100.00. The JDR Goodman invoice amounting to £17,750 for the replacement of the Murray Hall windows was due to be paid (from the Heughan reserves).
7. Auchencairn Initiative
AW reported that the shop had been very busy. A leaflet with the Christmas programme of events would be circulated, along with intimation of the AI AGM which was taking place on 23/11. AW and Dorothy Anderson had agreed to stay on until March 2025 to facilitate the transition to the incoming Directors/Trustees.
8. ACT Feedback
Denis and Hala had submitted an application on behalf of ACT to the Robin Rigg Community Fund for funding to extend the mini-bus scheme. The decision to do so had been made just before the deadline, so there had not been time to consult with others. SB would write to ACT to express regret at the submission of the application without consultation (it having previously agreed that all village groups would consult and co-ordinate with each other before submitting funding applications). AW, LP and RM would meet to try and formulate a plan to improve inter-group co-ordination.
9. Village Matters
(i) Murray Hall rental rates and terms and conditions
The application of the previously agreed rental rates (£10/hour for the Murray Hall; £5/hour for the Annexe; £15/hour for both) was considered, with particular focus on whether those charges should be applied for all rentals, or whether they should be discounted for certain groups or purposes. GM advised that the Murray Hall expenses for the year to date amounted to £4,748.28, whereas the income was only £2,156.97. Whilst losses could be met from the reserves in the short term, it was not sustainable in the medium to long term. It was agreed that a public meeting to publicise the need for fund raising would be scheduled. Alternative income (to supplement rental income) would be explored, such as regular monthly or annual contributions from those who were able to do so. It was agreed that events that were for all children within the community would not be subject to a fixed rent, with a donation being made instead.
(ii) Local Place Plan
SB would familiarise himself with the work that had been done to date in connection with the Local Place Plan with the intention of taking that forward.
8. AOCB
None.