The Community Council held its first Annual General Meeting on Monday 6th November 2000.
The office bearers were elected at the next meeting and were as follows:
Chairperson : Joan Highton
Secretary : Barry Rosindale
Treasurer : Ian Kerry
We are grateful to our Black Mount Social Group for organising
our social calendar in such an efficient and enjoyable way. The
Senior Citizen's Christmas Dinner was held in Elsrickle Hall in
December. Everyone had an excellent meal followed by superb musical
entertainment. For the first time in many years the Sport's Evening
had to be cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth situation. I know
this disappointed many of the younger members of our community.
Plans are already underway for next year's Sport's Evening. We
feared the Sponsored Walk would be similarly affected but our
resourceful Social Committee devised alternative plans for the
end of August. Again funds were raised in excess of our expectations,
with all donations being designated for future social events.
Mrs Anne Hutchison and her army of helpers provided an excellent
afternoon tea. On the 5th November, we again enjoyed the Bonfire
and the spectacular Fireworks display in Dunsyre. Again the catering
was superb and we are indebted to Mr Gary Ross for his skill in
organising the fireworks.
We thank every individual for their role in making all our events such a success.
The Community Council has been involved in a number of projects of public interest.
· We continue to press South Lanarkshire Council to maintain our roads in serviceable condition and thank the Upper Clydesdale Community Alliance for their help with this.
· Due to the increased area determined by the Reorganisation of Community Councils, we deliver over 370 Bugles. We were very saddened at the beginning of this year by the death of Mrs Liz Gilfoyle who had produced the Bugle for a number of years. We were extremely grateful when Dr Andrew Highton volunteered to take on its production. Building on the good work and contacts of Liz, Andrew has taken the Bugle forward and we are delighted by the number of compliments we have received this year. We thank Andrew for his commitment and diligence in the production of this.
· The Community Council continues to be a member of and to support UCCA in its aims and objectives. We know we gain a lot from the work of UCCA and are pleased to be hosting its next meeting later this month.
· As a Statutory Consultee, we have been asked about and responded to a number of planning applications this year. In particular the Minerals Plan and the Carmaben Brae Housing Development by Muir Homes have taken much time. We were very disappointed in both the outcome of Muir Homes application and in the way the Community Council was treated at the Planning Sub Committee. Having referred the later to the Local Government Ombudsman, we were successful in getting South Lanarkshire Council to modify some of their procedures. As always, there has been a number of planning applications which needed a response. In particular, we thank Mr. Chris Miller and all members of the Planning Sub-committee for the thorough and detailed statements they have made on our behalf.
· We have continued to press the appropriate authorities to improve the provision of public transport in our area. We were disappointed that their proposals for a more integrated service in our area did not include more of Black Mount. A petition was raised in Elsrickle to request the provision of a bus. Certainly Strathclyde Passenger Transport are now aware of our needs and, especially, of our location. As yet, we have not been informed of the outcome of their deliberations.
· Earlier this month, Scottish Power has been renewing the power lines in the Walston and Elsrickle areas. This follows extensive correspondence by the Community Council over many years. We think that we can all take heart that "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again"! We hope that at long last we have a reliable electricity supply. " The proof of the pudding will be in the eating,"
· In our survey of local people, one of the issues raised was the needs of young people. Councillor Tom McAlpine has been working hard to find resources for this and we hope that some provision will be made in the short term.
· Perhaps the highlight of the year was the Community Council's success in winning an internet connected computer from British Telecom. Black Mount Church must be thanked for the willingness to house this in their Parish Hall. Along with the donation of a photocopier by South Lanarkshire Council, this has provided the basis of the Black Mount Resource Centre.
Finally, as always, we would like to thank our Councillor, Tom McAlpine, for the support he has given us this year. He has given freely his time and advice on many subjects which we value greatly.
Joan Highton
December 2001