The Annual General Meeting of Strathaven and Glassford Community Council was held on Tuesday October 31st 2023. Below is the Chair’s Report and a summary of the last year’s activities.



KYPEMUIR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FUND. 
Yet again i am pleased to advise the Group is working well and since the last AGM in May we have a new Chair and I regain the Vice Chair role.
Since Nov 22 to date we have made awards of £48,630 to 7 local groups with 4  applicants pending.  It is even more apparent, as time goes one, that our pot allocation does not reflect the area we cover.  

Margot and I recently met with Robin Winstanley to discuss a possible way forward to ensure fairness of distribution for further applications.  This will be discussed at our next meeting on 13 Nov.

One positive step forward is the introduction of a Pot 2 which all CC’s will be able to bid into for bigger projects.  We are awaiting details of when this will be available.

Over the last two years, Strathaven CARS has funded and sponsored the annual photograpy competition for Strathaven Academy, resulting in hundreds of high quality entries. Banks Renewables has agreed to fund the Strathaven Academy Photography competition next year (2024).

Monies have been discuss re funds to update our CAP, again we have raised the issue that we should receive an appropriate sum which would reflect our bigger area.

We met with representatives from Wilson Renewables who were interested in how KMCF operated.  Its scheme is approximately 5 years away .

MICRO GRANTS
.The previous years Grant of £5000 was fully allocated and  in May this year after the audit process we have since  received a further fund of £5000 . Applications received since May have shown that news of the funding available is now reaching more of the Groups in the area and applications are forthcoming quicker than in previous years.

STRATHAVEN CASTLE. This year has seen a lot of progress with the castle, with a contract finally awarded to a contractor to take forward construction of a permanent fence, repairs to the boardwalk and repairs to burn level stonework.  Work has also continued on surveys into the present condition of the castle structure and to inform a decision on immediate repairs required.  This will lead to a discussion within SLC on funding options. SGCC has been working closely with Friends of Strathaven Castle, which will undertake a wider community consultation in conjunction with SGCC into potential future projects around the castle grounds which SGCC will then consult with SGCC.

CLYDESDALE TOURISM GROUP. 
There has been little progress this year on the Clydesdale Tourism Group although it is expected to pick up in 2024.

PLANNING. 
It is very important that as a Group we are able to keep abreast of Planning Applications but there has been very little in the past year that as a CC we have required  to formally respond to

STRATHAVEN CARS. The programme concluded in March 2022 but work on The Weavers continued after this time, completing late in 2022.  All funding has now been completed with all projects closed off.  The final funded photography competition at Strathaven Academy took place with prizes being awarded in September 2023.  Funding has been secured for the future of the competition which has a heritage and community theme through Banks Renewables.

TRANSPORT SUB-GROUP. 
The transport sub-group met several times with SLC Roads representatives over the last year.  The priority has been to develop plans for the one way system involving Bridge Street, Common Green and Wellbrae, and working on improvements at the Bridge Street/Castle Street junction to prevent drivers pulling out onto Castle Street in front of other vehicles. This has been out to consultation and SLC is dealing with an objection that came in from a Kirk Street resident. 

Update – the proposal resulted in one objection that meant it required a hearing by the Reporter.  This was held in Oct in Strathaven.  The objector did not appear, another objector did but was out with the timeline for objections.  Unfortunately we received no irate invitation so we were unable to appear.  Outcome expected in Dec 202

WORKING TOGETHER FOR AVONDALE. WTFA continued to provide community support over the last year, taking into account the economic crisis.  Further funding for peer support groups was secured, resulting in three twelve week sessions operating out of the Outreach Commuity Church (on an entirely secular basis) and one out of Creative Strathaven  supporting over 50 people.  In addition, the group continued to support both Strathaven Foodbank and Loaves and Fishes through provision of food vouchers and support for energy costs, as well as supporting the Empty Shelves mean Empty Stomachs initiative run as a successful campaign by the Rotary Club of Strathaven.

Aileen McMann (Chair)
30 October 2023