Here are the minutes of the CCA regular and AGM meetings held recently:

 

Minutes of Caerlaverock Community Association meeting held 24 November 2021 in the Barbour Hall

Present:              David Gilbert (Chair), Chris Jackson (Treasurer), Ian Brown (Committee Member), John Campbell (Nith Councillor), Chris Woodness (Nith Ward Officer), Mark Fogden (Savill’s), Lady Clare Kerr (Caerlaverock Estate) and 17 Caerlaverock residents.

Apologies:         Malcolm Laurie, Jane Baxter, Gerry Donnelly, Rona & John Carson, Natalie Parker (Nith Inshore Rescue) Gordon Tennant (Caerlaverock School), Rob Wells, Shirley Little.

  1. Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held 25 August 2021 were accepted.

  1. Financial Position

Income since the 25 Aug meeting: £3,588.

Expenditure since the 25 Aug meeting: £1,939 (£320 to replace defibrillator batteries was a notable cost as was annual IT expenditure).

Balance at 23 Nov 2021:  £16,392.  A more detailed financial statement is on the CCA website.  Allotments income and expenditure is not included in these figures.

  1. General Reports
  • D&G Council

Even though the Kelton Bank speed sign was not working for a time, it was still recording vehicles’ speeds.  Southbound (ie away from Dumfries) the mean speed was 37 mph with 85% of vehicles doing 44 mph or less.  Northbound the mean speed was 35 mph with 85% of vehicles doing 42 mph or less.  The drain in that same area has been repaired.

  • NatureScot

Avian Flu is the big issue, with large numbers of Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese and swans found dead on the National Nature Reserve (NNR).  Do not touch dead birds and report to Defra.  The situation is fluid so check the CaerlaverockNNR facebook page for the latest advice. Disinfectant mats are in place, as is signage from NatureScot and D&G Council.

  • Caerlaverock Estate

Mark Fogden reported that today the Estate signed off the plans for the new Estate Office at Bowhouse and the planning application will go in soon.  The new ecolodge on the Kelsick is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday 1 December.

  • Caerlaverock School

Lyndsay Henderson reported on Christmas preparations.  1) There may be carol singing outside (to be confirmed).  2) To win a hamper, put £1 in a sealed envelope with your name and phone number on the front.  Place the envelope in the school’s letter box outside the school gates.  Deadline Fri 10 Dec.  Place any donations of items to go in the hampers in the black-lidded boxes next to the letter box.  Deadline for donations is also Friday 10 Dec.

  • Barbour Hall

No report received.

  • Allotments

Sue Greig reported another productive season.  The weekly sale of surplus vegetables and flowers made £288 and the recipe book continues to sell well.  There is a vacant half-plot for next year; please contact caerlaverockcommunity@gmail.com if you’d like to take it on.  You must live in the parish or have close ties to it.

  • Community Police

No report received.

  • Nith Inshore Rescue (NIR)

Natalie Parker reported that, with the slight relaxation in national Covid rules, the crew are once again training together rather then being split into smaller groups.  NIR’s 40th anniversary was celebrated with an event at Easterbrook Hall; Covid permitting, a 40th anniversary Open Day is planned for 2022.  Ninefold Distillery have produced a limited-edition rum (100 bottles), profits from each sale going to NIR.  Vice Chair Laurie Irving taught a public first aid evening for the local community, focusing on defibrillator use; look out for more dates in the coming months.

  • Caerlaverock Kirk

The Kirk is open again, though still with some inevitable restrictions.  There will be a carol service on 19 December at the normal time.

  • Hutton Hall

The hall is open and being used for children’s birthday parties.  The Ladies’ Club will restart in February.  The seniors’ Christmas lunch cannot take place this year for reasons of Covid safety.  David Gilbert asked for names of any senior citizens living on their own.  ACTION Kelly Green to please pass any names to Sue Gilbert.

  • Motorhomes

Nothing to add.

  1. Any Other Business
  • Play Park

Lauren Turner, David Gilbert and D&G Council (DGC) have been collaborating on this.  £33,000 will come from DGC as the developer’s contribution, with CCA contributing £10,000.  Chris Woodness commented that the next stage is for the community to choose what equipment will be needed,  ACTION: Chris Woodness to progress.  Kelly G. volunteered to be involved.

  • Grass-cutting and Community Projects

Thanks to DGC for sorting the problem of the grass at Kelton not being cut. DGHP are responsible and it has been cut.

  • War Memorial cleaning

It is hoped the Memorial will be cleaned by Christmas.  The gravel at the front has already been replaced.

  • Speed Limits and Roads

The Kelton Bank drain has been repaired, as has the non-functioning speed sign.  We still await action on a 20 mph speed limit for the school.  ACTION: Cllr John Campbell to find out the reason for the delay.  He feels the council will look at the whole area, not just the school, as much of Glencaple had no pavement. His attention was drawn to all teh hazards identified in eh “Twenty is Plenty” publication.

  • Fibre Connections

Billy Little noted that most Caerlaverock residents have by now been upgraded to fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband, or in a few cases direct fibre.  Openreach have a forthcoming project to extend the fibre network to Caerlaverock’s remaining areas, which are sparsely populated and geographically large.  The three routes concerned are 1) Glencaple to Lantonside; 2) West of Glenhowan to Caerlaverock Church; and 3) Woodlands Cottage to WWT at Eastpark.  The existing armoured copper cable is buried in the road verges but Billy is concerned that, if we don’t make our views known, Openreach may opt to erect telephone poles along the three routes for the fibre optic cables.  As we are in an area renowned for its natural beauty (National Scenic Area) and popular with visitors and tourists, replacement of the copper cable needs to be on a like-for-like basis, buried under the road verges.  He has contacted David Mundell MP and asked him to approach Openreach to this effect, and asked if CCA would write to Olive Mundell MSP, Colin Smyth MSP and Emma Harper MSP.  ACTION: DG to take the matter up with BT and report next meeting.

  • Other Matters
    • Ronnie Clark asked why there was, once again, no Community Police Constable present. ACTION: DG to find out why as it would benefit both sides if he could attend.
    • Terry Harrop expressed disappointment that the table tennis table he donated to the Barbour Hall has never been used. ACTION DG and Terry H to take it up with the Barbour Hall committee.
    • Terry Harrop commented that there are no New Year celebrations here, and suggested a firework display at the Quay End. Other speakers mentioned health and safety reasons, and the fact that there is a nature reserve opposite with roosting birds.  DG said he had no objection if someone wanted to look into it
    • Helen Clark asked why there was no food waste collection in Caerlaverock. Cllr John Campbell explained that we lie outwith the urban area of Dumfries.
    • Ward Office Chris Woodness invited anyone present to contact him if they ever feel he can help with anything. He can advise on, and has access to, funds, for example.
    • David Gilbert commented that the surface at the end of the Quay End is in a poor state. ACTION: Cllr John Campbell to make enquiries to see whether road scalping can be provided for the community to carry out repairs.
  • Date of next meeting: Wednesday 23 February 2022 venue to be advised.

 

Minutes of Caerlaverock Community Association AGM held 24 November 2021, 1930, Barbour Hall

Present:              David Gilbert (Chair), Chris Jackson (Treasurer), Ian Brown (Committee Member), John Campbell (Nith Councillor), Chris Woodness (Nith Ward Officer), Mark Fogden (Savill’s), Lady Clare Kerr (Caerlaverock Estate) and 17 Caerlaverock residents.

Apologies:         Malcolm Laurie, Jane Baxter, Gerry Donnelly, Rona & John Carson, Natalie Parker (Nith Inshore Rescue) Gordon Tennant (Caerlaverock School), Rob Wells, Shirley Little.

Welcome:          David Gilbert welcomed everyone, especially anyone new to Caerlaverock.  He thanked everyone who helped keep things going (website etc) during the Covid pandemic.

  1. Minutes of last meeting

Minutes of the previous AGM were accepted.

  1. Chairperson’s Report

Motorhomes: comments written on the new honesty box donation envelopes have been nearly all positive.  Many have said we set a good example to other areas in the UK.

Allotments: another successful year.  Excess produce was sold at a weekly stall.

Nith Inshore Rescue celebrated their 40th anniversary.  They are such an asset to the community.  NIR trainers ran a free defibrillator refresher evening for local residents.  DG is meeting NIR next week to discuss First Aid training for youngsters, postponed due to Covid.

Play Park: DG and Lauren Turner have been working on a much-need upgrade of this facility.

The Kirk is open again.  Thanks go to the Reverend Douglas Irving for online services and overall support during lockdown.

Remembrance Day events held at the Kirk, the War Memorial and the Quay End were all well attended.

Games Evenings (cards, board games) have been held at The Hutton Hall with appropriate Covid Safety precautions and great fun was had by all.

2021 Senior Citizens’ Christmas Meal will again not be held for Covid safety reasons.  However, flowers will be sent to any elderly resident living alone: nominations to Sue Gilbert please.

  1. Treasurer’s Report

Income since the 2020 AGM: £10,869.

Expenditure: £3,524 which was £1,750 below our budget.

Balance at last AGM: £9,047

Balance at this AGM: £16,392

 

Draft 2021-22 budget

Biggest items:

  • IT-related (website, facebook, phone: Malc and Jane do not charge for their time and this is greatly appreciated).
  • Cleaning the War Memorial (scheduled to take place before Christmas).  ACTION: David Gilbert  to see if external funding is still available towards this.
  • Bankend Mower is on its last legs and will need replaced.
  • Play Park £10,000 from CCA, £33,000 developer’s contribution from D&G Council

The draft budget was approved.

  1. Amendments to Constitution: a minor amendment had to be made the CCA constitution to enable us to receive the £949 Isolation Support Group funding from D&G Council during lockdown.

 

  1. Officers and Committee Members for 2021/22

Chair: David Gilbert

Vice-chair: Malcolm Laurie

Treasurer: Chris Jackson

Bankend rep: Kelly Green

Blackshaw rep: Ian Brown

Glencaple rep: Rob Wells

Kelton Rep: Rona Carson

 

  1. Any Other Business

There being no other business, the AGM was closed.