Author: strathavenandglassfordcommunitycouncil

We’re pleased to let you know that the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is reopening for small grant applications on Monday, the 24^th of November. 

Key Information:

• You can apply for up to £10,000
• Funding must be spent within 18 months
• Applications open Monday 24th November
• Deadline: Thursday 19th December at 12 noon
• You can apply more than once, if appropriate

Please ensure your application clearly aligns with the fund’s priorities, particularly around:

• Non – Clinical Mental Health Supports
• Early intervention
• Prevention

Please note: these elements can only be used for adults. Additionally, we cannot fund any projects involving individuals under the age of 16 – please ensure your proposal is strictly for ages 16+.

To support you with the application process, we’ll be holding a webinar on Thursday, 27th at 10am and again at 2pm. These sessions will be recorded and can be seen on our website. Sign up here: 

27th November 10am – Select tickets – Reopening of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Celebration Event – Microsoft Teams

27th November 2pm –  Select tickets – Reopening of the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Celebration Event – Microsoft Teams

The micro grant scheme remains open for 2025/26. Applications are welcomed from eligible groups. For more information go to Community Council Micro Grants.

What is involved

All you need is a project and a bank account. Check the webpage for project criteria.

Strathaven and Glassford Community Council (S&GCC, or CC) and Friends of Strathaven Castle (FoSC) have agreed to work collaboratively to ensure the long term future of Strathaven Castle.

Following a very successful meeting, which also included Historic Environment Scotland (HES), South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) and Mairi McAllan (MSP), the two parties agreed to support each other in defining the issues with the castle, identifying reasonable costs to correct these needs, raising funds from various sources and, with the support of SLC, implementing projects to address these issues.

This current phase of work relates to stabilising the structure and making it safe for public access. Strathaven and Glassford Community Council will be fully supportive of Friends of Strathaven Castle as it applies for funding and the two organisations will work closely together in defining projects and liaising with SLC on taking those forward and tendering for the required work. The two organisations will also liaise with SLC on any required survey work and engineering plans to support the required repair work

Any subsequent projects after the castle is made safe will be subject to community consultation.

Look out for details of a joint open event to provide a further update on plans and ideas early in 2026.

Strathaven and Glassford Community Council is seeking new members. As a statutory body we liaise with South Lanarkshire Council on a number of matters and we adminster local grant funding.

As an example of the types of thing we get involved with, we have been working with South Lanarkshire Council for a number of years to try to bring improvements to Strathaven Castle. We have been working to try to get surveys done and funding in place to repair the castle infrastructure to enable access by the public. Recently we were at a round table meeting with MSP Màiri McAllan, along with representatives from Friends of Strathaven Castle, Historic Environment Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council to agree a way forward to complete the restoration work and to enable a public consultation on the future of the castle.

If these types of project interest you, or you have an interest in your community and would like to help, and you have skills and experience that you think would be beneficial to the community council, please email us on strathavencommcouncil@gmail.com

September 10 2024

Over the past four months, Strathaven and Glassford Community Council, with the assistance of independent consultants Community Enterprise, has been finding out what local residents think about the future of their community. The research and engagement element of this work has now been completed, and a report has been created which is available here.

The next step is to develop a Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan in line with the recommendations in the report.

If you have any comments, suggestions or additions, or would like to know more about the process, please contact Claire Martin (claire@communityenterprise.co.uk and 07471 000427) who will be happy to discuss them with you. If you plan to do so can you please contact Claire before the end of October 2024.

Strathaven and Glassford Community Council is calling on local residents to give their views on the future of their community.

Moves are underway to create a Plan which sets out what local people think should be happening in their community over the next five years.

The exercise, led by the Community Council, will be carried out over the next few months. Residents, voluntary groups, young people, and businesses are being encouraged to share their ideas about what projects and initiatives will make a difference to the local area.

The Community Council will be co-ordinating activities and events to get feedback from local residents, and have commissioned independent consultants Community Enterprise to support this work. 

Aileen McMann, Chair of the Community Council, said,

“We know that Strathaven and Glassford are great places to live. But we think they could be even better.  We are working on a new Plan, which will help to shape the future of our community.

This is an important opportunity for people living in Strathaven and Glassford to influence the development of the area. We want to make sure the Plan represents the concerns and aspirations of people who live locally, so the more people we hear from, the better.

The issues, ideas and aspirations generated through the process will be put together into a Plan identifying projects and initiatives, as well as details of how people can work together to make them happen.”

Residents are being encouraged to spread the word and get involved. There will be a range of in person Community Conversations over the summer, so that people can share their views, and these will be advertised locally.

A community survey has been launched today, which can be completed online here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StrathGlassSurvey

Paper copies will be available from a range of locations in the area, and can be returned to Climate Action Strathaven, 5 Green St, Strathaven ML10 6LT.

The Spring Open Day for the Kype Muir Community Partnership is taking place on Saturday March 23rd from 10am until 2pm at the Hope Hub, 183a Carlisle Road, Blackwood, ML119AT.

Everyone is welcome to go along and find out more about the partnership and what support your organisation may be entitled to.

Strathaven and Glassford Community council has been working with South Lanarkshire Council for a few years now on plans to carry out repair work to the structure to make it safe for reinstating access to the castle grounds.

There have been delays caused by the pandemic and also by the need to retender for the initial phase of work due to invalid submissions. However a contractor is now in place and work is progressing.

The boundary wall repointing is now complete and the timber walkway repairs are ongoing. The walkway surface has been reinstated and we await the delivery of the handrail sections from the timber merchant to complete these works. These timbers are currently being milled to match the existing handrail profile and will thereafter get treated before delivery to site. We have been told this should hopefully be for next week and works should take 2-3 days to complete thereafter.

Fencing panels have arrived at the contractor’s yard and we are currently still on programme to commence the fencing works on 13^th November.

The specialist survey of the castle has been completed and the conservation structural engineer is finalising the specification of the necessary remedial stabilisation works based on this information. They are planning to have this issued to us before the end of November to allow tender documentation and budget costs to be prepared.

We are working with the SLC architect to agree the preferred locations for the signage foundations. This will mean we can introduce two new information boards.

We do need to remind the local community that the castle environs are currently classed as a construction site and will not be safe for public access until all works are complete and handed over. There has been evidence of unauthorised access being made and for Health & Safety reasons (eg. no handrail on walkway over river),  this should be actively discouraged. 

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

Minutes of meeting March 28th 2023

Avondale Community Wing

1. Sederunt: Aileen McMann (Chairperson); Gordon McAllan (Vice Chair); Les Hoggan (Secretary); John Graham (Minute Secretary); Morag Arnot; Linda Brown; Margot McDonald; Douglas Scott and Aileen Stewart. Visitors: Robert Murray.

2. Apologies: Dr. Lisa Cameron MP; Councillor M. Cooper; Councillor E. Frame; Councillor S. Kerr; Jacqui Laing; Mairi McAllan MSP and Sheila Munro Tulloch. 

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting (28/02/2023). The Minutes were Approved without change. Proposed: L. Hoggan. Seconded: D. Scott. 

4. Police Report. (a) No Report was received. (b) The fact that two teenagers had been hit by cars in separate incidents was noted and Police Scotland to be contacted regarding these incidents. (c) It was reported that the 20mph signs were not flashing on some roads in the town. L. Hoggan to send an E-Mail to SLC regarding this. 

5. Standing Items.

(a) Strathaven Castle: The Tenders have gone out for the work which has to be carried out. It is expected that the work will begin in May, 2023.

(b) Clydesdale Tourism Group: Nothing to report.

(c) Transport Sub-Group: There has been no meeting of the Group but nothing has been done about previous complaints from the CC.

(d) The new Post Office will open on 4th April, 2023 at the Gulf Petrol Station on Hamilton Road. The CC feel that this is not a satisfactory solution and will continue to work with all parties concerned to see if a different outcome can be achieved. It was suggested that the Community Bus could schedule in times when it could transport people to the site on Hamilton Road. L. Hoggan to find out if this would be possible. Lisa Cameron MP is continuing to challenge the move with the issue to be raised in Westminster. L. Hoggan to E-Mail SLC on behalf of the CC regarding confirmation of the need for a change of use given the increase in traffic on Hamilton Road and to check whether the original application made mention of a Post Office.

6. Planning Applications. There were no concerns regarding the March Applications. 

7. Funding Opportunities. Social Inclusion and Isolation Fund: Maximum that can be applied for is £72,000 over three years, starting from August, 2023. Expressions of Interest to be submitted  this week and L. Hoggan to put together this, based on discussions at the Meeting, and submit it on behalf of the CC. Discussions have taken place with Connect2Renewables with a view to joint working and it is also an option to apply for Community Funding for laptops and tablets to support the initiative meaning it could start earlier than August, 2023. 

8. Working Together for Avondale (WTA).

(a) The third Peer Support Group is now under way. Anyone over 16 can attend the Sessions and people can self-refer to join the Group. A fourth Peer Support Group will start in the spring through Creative Strathaven.

(b) The Strathaven Hotel has donated duvets to WTA and the Strathaven Food Bank. The Food Bank works closely with Loaves and Fishes and the duvets will be transported to a warehouse in East Kilbride for onward distribution to families in need.

(c) Avondale Radio has been working with ‘Roasted’ and Loaves and Fishes to produce a set of videos promoting effective use of food parcels. 

9. Strathaven CARS.

(a) This Project has now finished and a final audit will be produced soon. This item will now be removed from the CC Agenda.

(b) Discussions have taken place with Strathaven Academy regarding the 2nd Heritage Photography Competition. 

10. Kype Muir Fund.

(a) The Bridge Club applied for £3,000 for a Card Dealing Machine. The Application has been referred to allow other local CCs to assist with funding this.

(b) The local Beekeeping Group would also like funding and this may also involve other local Community Councils. 

11. Micro Grants Report.

(a) The full Report was circulated to CC Members prior to the Meeting.

(b) As agreed at the CC Meeting on 28th February, 2023, payments have been made to the new Applications and all funds for 2022/23 have been allocated at this time. Thirteen Grants were awarded in this Financial Year.

(c) During the past month five further Micro Grants have been signed off. All Projects over six months old have been contacted to request the follow up paperwork. 

12. Secretary’s Report. Nothing to report not covered on the Agenda. 

13. Treasurer’s Report.

(a) The full Report was circulated to CC Members prior to the Meeting.

(b) As agreed at the CC Meeting on 28th February, 2023, the following payments have been made during the month – £144 to 360 Graphics for CC Banners to be used at events.

(c) Due to a coding error by SLC the CC received a payment of £53,710 in error. After investigation this sum has been returned to SLC.

(d) COVID Fund – Current figures are as follows:- Value of COVID Fund £61,892.00 Total Spend to Date £53,298.39 Committed/Estimated Spend £ 3,388.00 Total Estimated Spend £56,686.39 Balance Uncommitted £ 5,205.61 

14. Reports from CC Members.

(a) Balloon Festival planning is going well. Buses and Parking sites have been identified for the Event on the 26th and 27th August, 2023. However, some sponsorship is still required. (L. Hoggan).

(b) There is still a problem with fly-tipping not being cleared up by SLC in spite of the exact locations being notified to them. (G. McAllan). (c) The Strathaven John Hastie Museum Trust (SJHMT) Exhibition is now open and has got off to a good start. The Display is well organised and laid out. Thanks were expressed to Russell Preservation for giving their time, free of charge, to help renovate the Museum building. (G. McAllan).

(d) The SJHMT are to hold a Quiz Night on the 21st April, 2023 at the Golf Club. (M. McDonald).

(e) The new flats on Kirk Street have been offered to prospective tenants. The flats are due to be occupied sometime in August, 2023.

(f) Berebriggs Road has now re-opened. (A. Stewart).

(g) South Lanarkshire is to become an Age Friendly Community. (J. Graham).

(h) It was asked if it was known when Boots, the Chemist on Green Street would re-open. This is not known at present. It was suggested that, should it not do so, an independent Pharmacist could be required for the town. Securing this would be difficult due to NHS rules. (L. Brown).

15. Reports from SLC Councillors. No Councillors attended the Meeting. 

16. AOCB. A. McMann to attend the East Kilbride Health and Social Care Forum on behalf of the CC. 

17. Date of Next Meeting. Tuesday 25th April, 2023 at 7.00pm in the Avondale Wing. 

Members of the Public are most welcome to all our Meetings. All correspondence to:- strathavencommcouncil@gmail.com