The new Community Council held its first meeting on Monday, 6th December 1999. This followed the long awaited reorganisation of Community Councils and Mrs Margaret Armstrong represented South Lanarkshire Council. The Community Council welcomed the new communities that now form part of the area as extended by South Lanarkshire Council.
The office bearers were elected at the next
meeting and were as follows:
Chairperson - Joan Highton
Secretary - Barry Rosindale
Treasurer - Ian Kerry
It has been a very busy year for the Community Council as we have had to put in place our own operating guidelines as well as to continue hold the regular events established by the previous Community Council.
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 just a week after the new Community Council was established. Everyone had an excellent meal followed by first class entertainment. The Sports Evening was good fun for the energetic and spectators alike and the 'Black Mount 2000' T-shirts already have become collectors items. The Sponsored Walk again raised funds in excess of our expectations and the afternoon tea quickly replaced all the calories expended en route. Only last night children of all ages enjoyed the Bonfire and the spectacular Fireworks display. We thank every individual for their role in making our events such a success.
The Community Council has been involved in a number of projects of public interest:
It will come as no surprise that a lot of time and effort have been put into trying to get South Lanarkshire Council to maintain our rural roads more effectively. Members of the Community Council met with representatives of Roads and Transportation Services in February to further this issue. Many subsequent contacts have been made and will continue until we are satisfied with the condition of our roads.
Links have been established with the local Community Police Officer, PC McGilvary, and Mr David Taylor agreed to co-ordinate the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Elsrickle.
Around one hundred households returned our Survey 2000 and we
are told this is a terrific response for such a venture. We will
use the information received to press for improvements in local
services.
Due to the increased area determined by the Reorganisation of
Community Councils, we now deliver over 370 Bugles. We thank Mrs
Liz Gilfoyle for her commitment and diligence in the production
of this.
In May representatives of the Community Council attended the inaugural
meeting of the Upper Clydesdale Community Alliance. This group
which represents the rural Community Councils and Groups has gone
from strength to strength during this year.
We welcomed the publication of South Lanarkshire Council's "A
guide to the planning application decision making process".
As a Statutory Consultee we have been asked about and responded
to a number of planning applications this year. In particular
the Garvald Quarry Extension by Tarmac and the Carmaben Brae Housing
Development by Muir Homes have taken much time. We thank the Planning
Sub-committee for the thorough and detailed responses 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 are pleased
that Strathclyde Passenger Transport and South Lanarkshire Council
are beginning to understand our needs and are showing some willingness
to operate bus services in our area.
Finally, 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
January 2001