It was with mixed feelings that the Caerlaverock Community Council met for the last time last night following the recent decision by Dumfries and Galloway Council to dissolve it, along with 37 other community councils. See this link for news coverage of the dissolutions.
Many thanks were given to the commitment, generosity and hard work of all the community councillors, past and present.
A few of the achievements of the community council were listed, and it is important that this work is acknowledged:
- Supporting, or objecting to planning decisions in the area
- Taking part in roadside and shore clean ups.
- Keeping the harbour area and slipway tidy.
- Keeping play parks safe.
- Painting bridges, looking after roadsides, cutting grass, cleaning signs and war memorial.
- Painting and renovating telephone boxes purchased from BT.
- Reporting problems to D and G Council regarding roads, potholes and drainage.
- Co-operating with Police regarding rural crime.
- Gritting pavements and clearing snow within the parish.
- Helping and part financing the owner of the trawler in the harbour to be taken to another harbour where engineering and repair work would be possible.
- Helping to support and finance village halls.
- Donations to the lifeboat and the school.
- Giving food hampers to local old people at Christmas.
- Making seating and tables available in strategic points in the area for local people and visiting tourists.
- Holding bonfires, fireworks and beacon lighting for any relevant events
- Hosting a major photographic exhibition.
- Writing, editing and delivering the Community News newsletter periodically to all households.
- Setting up and maintaining Community website and Facebook page.
All previous community council members agreed that a new, unincorporated, more ‘user friendly’ association is vital to continue the valuable work of the dissolved community council.
It has been proposed that the Caerlaverock Community Association meet at least 3 times a year in the Nith Hotel, Glencaple to which all community members and interested parties are warmly invited. The proposed constitution of the new Caerlaverock Community Association aims to keep things simple and workable, and requires a chairperson, treasurer, secretary and no more than 8 voting members.
More information to follow.