1. PRESENT

David Beresford (Chairman), Guy Pounder (Vice Chairman), Brian Jones (Treasurer), Carole Ashton, Elizabeth Bardsley, Fiona Anderson (Secretary)

2. VISITORS

Mr B Maxwell, Councillor Tommy Jacques.

3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors Patsy Gilroy and Jane Maitland, PC Jim Drysdale.

4. POLICE MATTERS

PC Jim Drysdale was unable to attend. No other representative present.

5. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING – 01 DECEMBER 2009

Accepted as a true record. Proposed by Brian Jones, Seconded by Carole Ashton.

6. MATTERS ARISING

6.1. Tap in disabled toilet – J McCrae dealing with this matter.
6.2. Door Closer in Main Hall – after discussion it was decided that a handle be placed on the outside of the door in the interim. Cllr Beresford attending to this matter.
6.3. Bench – this is still ongoing. Cllr Beresford attending to this matter.12.a. CC Code of Conduct – this will be discussed at the Training on 26 January.

7. FINANCE

Amounts held in accounts are as follows:
General account £10,288.78 (Robin Rigg Money Ring-Fenced)
Heughan Fund £ 364.41
Car Care Scheme £ 220.40
It was suggested that a separate account for the fireworks / Car Care Scheme be shown on the Minutes. This was agreed by all Councillors.

8. AUCHENCAIRN INITIATIVE REPORT

a. Rascarrel Forest – meetings and search for funding continuing.

b. Field in front of Crocket Road – searching for funding at present – ongoing.

c. Heughan House Porch –Building Warrant. Now complete.

d. Bird Hide and Hugh Paton Path – some clean-up works are complete but more required – ongoing.

e. Play Park – signage (Contractors, Sport for All, etc) - ongoing.

f. Donation towards fireworks from Auchencairn Initiative –to be discussed at Initiative meeting.

g. Auchencairn Mugs - Initiative are looking for our thoughts as to perhaps: change in size, change of design or keep them the same. Please contact any member of the Initiative.

h. Auchencairn Initiative AGM on Thursday 29 January 2010 at 7.30pm.

9. COUNCIL MATTERS

1. Cllr Jacques was in attendance and gave the report as follows:
a. Rascarrel Bay Chalets - stated that the appeal had been refused.
b. Weather conditions –
a. Schools have been shut and possibly will be shut for longer. View Council website for updated information.
b. Salt and grit Supplies – salt will be placed on snow effected roads and grit on primary roads
.c. Refuse Collections – additional bagged household waste can be placed next to wheelie
bin. The use of D & G Council bags has been waived for the present.
d. Council Vehicles – a review is continually being carried out. c. Care Issues – if you are concerned about an elderly resident who you think is in need during this cold spell, please contact Cllr Jacques or D & G Council direct.

10. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Planning Applications – Church Road, Auchencairn. Renewal.
b. Stewartry Area Committee Minutes – 18 November 2009.
c. Convention of Stewartry Community Councils Minutes 17 November 2009.
d. Community and Learning and Development – Annual Report 2008-2009.
e. NHS –Your NHS, Your Future Care – Castle Douglas Parish Church Hall 25 January 2010 7 – 9 pm. PLEASE REGISTER FOR A PLACE
f. Benefit Fraud Poster – in Post Office
g. Letter of reply to Jessie Sheeler.
i. NHS Public Partnership Forum Poster and Newsletter – Post Office
j. Alasdair Morgan’s Parliamentary Report – Issue No 81 – December 2009
k. Community Councils Induction Training Tue 26 January 2010 6.30pm. Venue TBC.
l. WaSte Management - Ecodeco Waste CD-ROM. Discussion re commercial waste. Cllr Jacques stated that he expects this will be included sometime in the future.

11. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

1. Dog Waste – It has been brought to the "Council’s" attention that the verge at the Bowling Green on the Shore Road is disgusting with dog waste. There is no excuse for this as there is a dog waste bin at the foot of the village. Please be responsible dog owners and uplift your dog’s waste and dispose of it correctly.

2. Hall Property – after discussion it was decided that there will be a nominal charge for use of any property from the hall, i.e. tables, chairs, etc. Also, items will be signed out and in in the Hall Booking Diary.

3. Hall Cleaning – a proposal was put forward that a £20.00 refundable deposit be taken from all users. This money could be used for cleaning purposed if the hall has been left in an untidy and dirty state. After discussion, it was agreed in principal that this was a good idea. An objective checklist is to be produced and a meeting held with a representative of all users. This will all be carried out after the refurbishment of the hall.

4. Hall Refurbishment – a meeting has been held with a representative of Energy Community Scotland. As previously stated the heating will consist of an Air Source Heat Pump. The intention is to carry out and complete the heating system in both the main hall and the Ante- room and also insulate the roof of the main hall and all of the ante room. Tenders have been prepared and will be sent out this week.

5. Fundraising – this is to be discussed at a meeting out-with the monthly meeting due to time restrictions.

6. Auchencairn Youth Club AGM will be held on Friday 15 January at 7.30pm. at 17 Main Street, Auchencairn. .

7. Badminton Club – This will commence on Tuesday 12 January 2010 at 7pm in the Murray Hall.