There was a very good turnout of over 30 Caerlaverock residents and friends at the Inaugural Caerlaverock Community Association (CCA) meeting at the Nith Hotel on 29th June 2016.
Douglas Anderson chaired the meeting, and announced the details leading up the the dissolution of the Caerlaverock Community Council by D&G Council, along with 37 other community councils.
He mentioned that a lot of the other community councils have re-elected and reformed, mainly because of the funding opportunities such as wind farm payments, which would be closed to them if they did not do so.
The CCA does not receive such funding, so rather than sign up to a 68 page constitution (which none of the members wanted to do), it was decided that the Community Council would not reform.
Douglas stated that if anybody present wished to start a new Community Council, that was an option, but nobody was forthcoming.
Prior to the Community Council’s bank assets being frozen by D&G, payments were made to help the community:
£1,000 to Barbour Hall, Hutton Hall and the Nith Inshore Rescue, each.
£1,500 was spent on a new solar powered speed sign at Bankend, as well as the purchase of a new lawnmower.
£600 is also to be spent on a Bus Shelter at Kelton.
The late Ian Hamilton left some money to the Community Council, and this was spent on a new bench at Glencaple Quay.
Finally, £1,200 was spent to help the owners of the trawler at the Quay to move to a new berth in Maryport, where repairs could be more easily effected.
Douglas then went on to list the benefits and activities that the old Community Council provided, including:
- Grass cutting
- Tree maintenance
- Providing seats
- Painting Bridges
- Bought and repaired 2 phone boxes
- Reporting faults
- Liaising with D&G Council
- Help and advice on Planning
- Funding celebrations including a massive bonfire, and fireworks
- Hampers for the elderly at Christmas
- Helping with winter resilience
- Looking after the wellbeing of the area in general
- Funding the newsletters.
In particular, thanks were given to Hilary for her great contribution on producing the newsletters.
The new Association (CCA) then, would be set up to continue to do these activities as much as possible, and help making the Parish a better place to live, visit and work.
Following this introduction, there were discussions about a couple of outstanding items. The Bankend Bridge has developed a crack, and investigations are ongoing.
There were also discussions on the housing development at the current hospital site in Dumfries, approved depending on the successful widening of the Glencaple road to ease traffic in the area.
Architect’s plans were shown regarding further proposed developments to the Quay End at Glencaple, including removing the toilet block, creating designated parking places with disabled spaces, and a new “community education facility”, but it was generally noted that these plans didn’t look likely to go ahead. It had been suggested that people in need, could use the shop toilets, but the shop management did not want that to happen.
Regarding the new Association’s constitution, Douglas presented a simple one page document (in comparison to the 68 page one from D&G) and suggested that the new Association be formed as a legal unincorporated association to do whatever the members wish, and no formal minutes would need to be submitted to D&G Council.
There would likely be 3/4 meetings a year, with a small 7/8 person committee, and these would be held in the Nith Hotel, with permission. Police and local councillors would be welcome to come along and offer news and ask questions.
The Honesty Box at the end of the Quay, which collects donations from campervans and motorhome visitors, is the main funding source for the CCA. Since the CCC was dissolved, £800 has been collected from this box.
This would help pay for the continued production of the newsletter and other sundries as required, for example expenses for fuel for grass cutting.
The new CCA would forge links with D&G council to help with fault reporting (though it was noted that the website has a link to personally report faults, which should ease future complaints) and liaising with Nith Inshore Rescue, Nith Harbour Authority, and Caerlaverock Primary School. It will also continue to help with winter resilience, hampers at Christmas, and a wreath for the war memorial.
All in all, CCA will operate similarly to how the CCC was run, but on a much simpler basis, benefitting the running of it, especially considering everybody on the Association is a volunteer offering their free time.
At this time, there was a request for volunteers.
This resulted in the Association including the following amongst the new members:
- Douglas Anderson 770111
- Ian Brown 770235
- Helen Clark 770282
- Ronnie Clark 770282
- Kelly Green 770202
- Jonathan Grieve 770489
- Karen Grieve 770489
- Dave Smith 770334
- Rob Wells 770348
- Malcolm Laurie 07920 796565 (Website & Facebook)
Other people were willing to help and lend a hand where needed, such as Tom Brown and Doug Morton. Malcolm Laurie and friends expressed willingness to continue running the website and Facebook page.
Douglas said he had also sent an email to Thomas Florry at Savills if he would help represent the Estate, but has yet to confirm.
On the subject of insurance, Douglas made everyone aware that the old CCC previously had insurance through approved suppliers, but this insurance ONLY covered actual meetings.
This of course would be of no help if there any situations outwith meetings, with members helping in the community – so new insurance is being sought, similar to employer’s liability.
Kelly Green then talked about the school’s involvement with the Association, where it was felt that as a group, we should do all we can to help promote our local school, with the activities and facilities available. Also helpful would be to encourage local families to send their children here, instead of schools in Dumfries. If we dont promote the school, then numbers will drop, which in turn could see it becoming a one teacher school. Kelly is starting up a childcare enterprise, which is hoped will help parents send their children to our school. It was also noted that some families moving into the area did not even know there was a local school, what can be done to spread the word?
Councillor Jack was asked about the Whitesands barrier project, and confirmed this was going ahead, and plans were available at any time in the Dumfries Ewart Library for anyone to peruse.
It was also suggested that a lifebelt and defibrillator be provided near the Glencaple Quay, and these are being considered. It was noted that lifebelts were prone to be stolen or thrown in the river, which is a problem that would need addressed.
A nurse present at a previous meeting mentioned that there is a defibrillator at the hospital in Dumfries, which would be close enough. However with the hospital moving in the future, this could be considered again.
There will now be a meeting of the new members in a few weeks to thrash out the details of the constitution. Further public meetings will be announced on the website and on Facebook when decided.
Finally thanks were given to all who attended and for supporting the new CAERLAVEROCK COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.