CUMNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Cumnock Community Council
“CUMNOCK 500”
Join Cumnock Community Council as we celebrate Cumnock 500.
Cumnock Town Hall Sat 25th September 2010. 6 pm. for 6.30 pm.
Sit down enjoy a meal. Dance to Caledonia Blue.
Dinner/Dance to Celebrate CUMNOCK 500 years of being a Burgh. All are more than welcome to attend, tickets cost £5 each and can be obtained from any Community Council Member or by contacting Jessie Owens on 01290 422682.
Cumnock Community Council
Monthly Meeting
13th September 7.00 pm 2010 Town Hall (chambers)
Cumnock Community Council
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
11th October 2010 7.00 pm Town Hall (chambers)
Interested in what’s happening in Cumnock come along get involved.
Cumnock Community Council report from July meeting
Police Report
The Community Police were present to give a comprehensive report on the number of recorded crimes for the previous month of June, they were glad to report a vast reduction in numbers from May, also an increase of crimes being detected was also reported, as always we all have to play our part in keeping our community safe by reporting anything or anyone acting suspicious, we continue to thank Inspector Ireland. Sgt Quinn & all Cumnock Police Officers for their hard work.
Flood Retention Scheme
Stuart McCall from EAC Legal Dpt. was present to give us an update on the Town Regeneration. He confirmed that Phase One of the flood retention scheme had commenced at the Flush, hopefully this shall eradicate the problem of flooding to ASDA and the proposed new build at the bottom of the Gas Works Brae .On completion of Phase One EAC shall instruct the contractor to commence with the construction of the New Office Block, the completion date for the new office block is hopefully the end of 2011, the fit out is still being considered, & shall meet with all regulations concerning the Disabled, once complete & handed over to EAC, the new office block shall be a one stop shop placing all employees who are presently working in offices scattered around Cumnock in the one place , having the same weel kent smiling & pleasant faces at the other side of the counter shall make for a smooth transition. EAC has no immediate plans to develop the land where the burnt out cottages stood.
Stuart McCall was asked why EAC had built the DA a car park also what deals had EAC & the owners of the DA entered into. Stuart McCall explained that it was a public car park & that EAC had not entered into any deals with the owners of the DA.
Stuart McCall was asked who was responsible for choosing this site for the new office block, as it was most unsuitable due to the vast problems the brae is going to cause our elderly walking to carry out their business at the new office, also the road entrance & exit on to Glaisnock Street was going to be a nightmare for pedestrians, car users & those traders wishing to access the rear of their properties.
Town Hall to Crumble or Renovate!
There is conflicting stories concerning the restoration and the future of Cumnock Town Hall, both Douglas Reid and Elizabeth Morton was made aware in no uncertain manner that the Town Hall is dying a slow death. Both promised to look at the run down state of the Town Hall with promises of help. The Community Council have proposed a Community takeover of Cumnock Town Hall, EAC are keen to foster further co-operation and would like any like minded individual or member of an existing group who are prepared to move this further to get in touch with the Community Council.
Precinct
To completely revamp Townhead Street/ Glaisnock Street Or Not!
It appears proposals are somewhat sketchy as to what EAC are proposing with the shopping centre “Wait and See” is not an option. Phase two of the flood retention scheme can only go ahead once EAC makes up their mind what to do with the shopping centre. Meanwhile EAC tenants in the shopping centre are being considered for alternative premises in Cumnock.
Asda and the Juniors
At long last we have it confirmed that Asda did indeed offer the Juniors some cash to move from their present Council owned home. The sum of money offered was considered paltry and turned down flat by the Juniors, in this day and age moving a football club is rather costly even if that club is a Junior one. We have to remember that the Juniors are an institution in Cumnock and should remain in situ. EAC is more than happy to have the Juniors remain for the long term at Townhead Park.
Minerals Trust
There are moves within the EAC power house to control the Minerals Trust, it was considered by those present and concluded that EAC should keep their hands off and that the Status Quo remain. It was set up for destitute mining areas within Cumnock and Doon Valley.
Traffic Redirection
Traffic is being redirected to encourage local people and visitors to continue down Glaisnock Street and turn right into Townhead Street to use the shops in Cumnock, rather than shoot out Ayr Road and go elsewhere and shop. As most of our shopkeepers are sole traders every encouragement should be given to these hard working people to remain in Cumnock serving the community.
Town Centre Regeneration Meeting Mon 24TH May Town Hall (Chambers) 7.00pm
Cumnock Community Council has arranged a meeting with Cllr Douglas Reid and Elizabeth Morton along with Council Officials to give us an update on the progress of the Town Centre Regeneration. Please note there are a limited number of seats available please contact the Secretary ASAP here for further details. Thank You.
Local Planning - The future looks brilliant for our local building trades as the Community Council has been busy discussing plenty of proposed building developments;
Knockroon - Development
Town Hall Landscaping
Town Hall Car Park
Housing Development- Wylie Crescent
EAC Offices at the bottom of the Gasworks Brae
Cumnock Shopping Centre
Caponacre- Development- Nursing Home and Retirement Flats
Rigg Rd.- Development- 318 Houses
These large developments and the employment they shall bring are more than welcome in our town; we would hope EAC takes on board the seriousness of such an impact large developments such as these will be on our town's infrastructure.
Local Licensing Forum - A discussion was held and it was agreed that there is an over provision of licensed premises in Cumnock. It was also agreed during this consultation for East Ayrshire Council to look at the reduction of licensed premises which hopefully will go towards the reduction in alcohol abuse, underage drinking, domestic violence & vandalism. Although agreeing with the need to police all licensed premises we should consider the employees who might lose their jobs. We were assured that this was a consultation exercise being carried out by East Ayrshire Council and opinions were being sought at this time and further talks with all parties would be held.
Cumnock Academy - With the present Headmaster Mr. Gordon Bell retiring, Cumnock Community Council wish Mr Bell well for the future. It was agreed to invite the new Headmaster once he is in post, along to one of our meetings.
Dog Bins - The Community Council are to make representation to EAC for more bins and signs, warning dog owners not to allow their dogs to foul our pavements. Will dog owners please take note allowing your dog to foul the pavement is a criminal offence and we have been assured by the hard working Community Cops that they shall take the appropriate action against those inconsiderate dog owners. (No it is not the dog's fault) Two members expressed their total disgust at the high number of dog owners who let their dogs foul the pavements at the corner of Hearth Road and Emry's Avenue. Please note you can place your BAGGED dog dirt in any rubbish bins that are dotted around Cumnock Town.
EAC Play Park Consultation - These proposals which included a replacement play park at George McTurk Court were warmly welcomed by the Community Council. In completing the consultation questionnaire, we emphasised the need for EAC to make this play park all inclusive, which must include play equipment suitable for Disabled /Wheelchair using children. EAC does not have a good record of their Play Parks being all inclusive. The Community Council hope to persuade EAC to rectify this serious anomaly.
Dumfries Arms Hotel - There are rumours and counter rumours going around Cumnock concerning the D.A. What exactly are the plans for this hotel? Do any plans exist? If so want to let the Community Council know. Are the owners constructing their own car park or are the owners expecting to use the new car park at the Town Hall? Are EAC selling them ground along the back lane? Come on EAC tell us!
Town Centre Regeneration - We had it explained to us of the Local Councils vision for the future Town Centre, it was agreed it would be problematic with rehousing the traders elsewhere in the town, example: Using the old Co-oP as a mini dpt. Store, unfortunately this site is not going to house all the traders, also this site has parking problems. The question being asked is their enough empty premises to rehouse all the traders or are we at risk of losing some weel kent faces? The Council want to attract Major Retailers to the new Shopping Centre. It appears this is going to be rather difficult in today's economic climate. The traders are waiting to hear of the date when to vacate their premises, with March 2011 the preferred date unlikely to be achieved. EAC shall be consulting with the Traders, Community and Community Council. The members went a wee journey down memory lane reminiscing when Cumnock was enhanced with individual shops, owners of good shops employing good people. We are fortunate to have a few such people still serving our Town, these fine people must be given every assurance that they will be looked after by EAC. We as a Community must do our bit by giving our shopkeepers the support they deserve. With speculation still surrounding the Juniors Park the question now is, can Cumnock sustain two individual Super Markets?
Cumnock Town Hall is now having its car park taken away and having the ground at the front spruced up, this work shall commence this week and will continue until November, pedestrian access only to the Town Hall. As yet no decision has been taken by EAC to carry out immediate remedial works to the exterior fabric (sandstone) which would prevent further decay or the interior of the Town Hall itself although we understand there is a feasibility study soon to being carried out on the most important iconic building in Cumnock we must not lose this building. Cumnock Community Council shall be doing everything in their power to save our Town Hall.
The Townhead St. building is being dismantled with the Mauchline (Ballochmyle) Red Sandstone being put in storage by EAC. Hopefully this Ballochmyle Sandstone which is an invaluable asset to the town shall be used on the restoration to the exterior of our Cumnock Town Hall.
The Knockroon Development has brought up a few more questions concerning the local schooling. Are all the local Primary Schools here in Cumnock and Auchinleck being closed and the pupils being bussed to a new proposed Campus at Knockroon? If so what happens to the Primary School at the bottom of the Barrhill? Knock it down! Don't think so!
The Community Council are always looking for new members as you can see plenty of work lies ahead of us please give some of your time to help us to push our Town of Cumnock in to the 21st Century. We have only one chance to get this right Cumnock Town is the looser if we muck it up.
Contact Details: Jessie Owens Secretary email:
cumnockcommunitycouncil@hotmail.co.uk
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