Minutes of meeting held online April 13th 2021 at 7pm
Attendees
James Newall and Lisa Webb
Les Hoggan and Morag Walker
Mark Shields
Fiona Anderson
Nancy Luke
David and Sandra Kilby
Alan and Louise Mairs
Jinty Crawford
Stevie Urquhart
Paul and Lee Rogers
Elaine Richardson
Jennifer McEwan
Lyn Drummond
Apologies
Martin McManus
Clare Miller
Lynne Urquhart
Aileen Anderson and Tom Hindsmarch
James as Chair opened the meeting by thanking everyone for their attendance, especially those attending a Glassford Community Group meeting for the first time.
Mark Shields gave an update on appointing a building surveyor to undertake a full and independent survey of the hall. Following advice from Nigel Thomson Mark contacted Wisemans in East Kilbride and is awaiting a response. If nothing is heard this week he will move on to other options. The aim is to carry out a survey in the coming weeks to assess the condition of the hall and its feasibility for renovation as a community hub.
Les and James have both contacted architects, with James pointed out we need to assess the qualifications of all we talk to in order to ensure they are suitably qualified to enable access to funding organisations.
There was a discussion on key dates. Our community application transfer application has to be submitted by July 21st in order for it to follow all the necessary steps to an SLC committee meeting in December, when a decision on the transfer will be made, based on officer recommendations. It was pointed out that an application can be made conditional on funding being granted to support the business plan, taking account that many funders are likely to be focussing on COVID-19 funding for the remainder of 2021. It is likely to be into 2022 before they revert to normal funding practices enabling us to access the necessary funds.
Sub-Groups: It was agreed to proceed with allocating volunteers to sub-groups, with chairs already in place for each of the five. The first step will be for each sub-group to meet with Martin, our consultant, to agree the scope and extent of work and to document a remit. This will ensure no duplication of effort and also enable cross-discussions between the groups as they progress on their remits.
It was agreed that we should proceed with the local consultation as soon as possible, with the survey available for delivery to all households (one per person, not per household), to Glassford Primary School and to pupils at Strathaven Academy and Holy Cross in Hamilton. The survey will also be available for completion online on the website and social media, and will be published in Strathaven Echoes. It was also agreed that surveys will be collected from households and schools within one week to ensure households are focussed on it and to enable its findings to be documented for the business plan.
Each of the new attendees then told the meeting their areas of expertise and specialisms and all agreed to take part in the sub-groups, as have some who could not make the meeting.
James then summarised other ongoing projects, including plans for a garden of contemplation at a site identified near the graveyard. This came from an idea suggested by Jinty and it was agreed that after three quotes for the work were obtained funding applications would be made to Kype Muir Community Fund and the Renewable Energy Fund to cover the costs. A request has been made to Registers of Scotland to try to identify any owner.
James also summarised progress made with the new bench for the top of the Borlands and it was suggested that the existing bench be resited at a bend on Muirburn Road with good views across the valley. Jinty also confirmed that she has arranged for two new dog waste bins to be installed round the Borlands. These will be installed by South Lanarkshire Council and will also be added to its collection cycle.
Date of next meeting: May 18th 2021 at 7pm, online.
Meeting details
Topic: Glassford Community Group May Meeting
Time: May 18, 2021 07:00 PM London
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