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​  Minutes of Meeting of Biggar Community Council
16 March 2026 Venue: Library Time 7:00pm- 8:00pm
Present:  Jimmy Ritchie (Chair), Lesley Craise (Treasurer), Roger Curtis (Secretary).  Laura Shirley, Allan Hunter, Councillor McAllan,  Councillor Allison, Neil Ingram, Lesley Campbell, Gillian Gardner, Alan Broadfoot
Apologies:   Ben Wayne, Councillor Barker,  Caz Alcorn
 
Three members of the public attended
 
  1. Welcomes and Apologies
 
  1. Notification of AOCB - 
 
  1. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting  (19/01/26)
 
  1. Approved. Proposed by  Alan Broadfoot   Seconded by Laura Shirley
 
  1. Changes of Membership
Diane Scott was accepted as a new Council member. Proposed by Leslie Craise           Seconded by Gilllian Gardner
 
  1. Matters Raised By Members of the Public
  1. Biggar Public Park – representatives of the Biggar Golf Club and Caravan Park Trustees gave an update. The asset transfer should now be completed in June
  2. Traffic Lights Update – presented by Councillor McAllan  - the project is on time.
  3.  
  1. Secretary’s Report
  1. Bus Loop Proposal   - for bus 91/93 to Pebbles -  the proposals were discussed with the feeling that it took a long time to get from Biggar to Peebles.
 
  1. Police Report   
 
As of 12 March 2026
 
“Since 1/1/26there have been 77 reported incidents within the Biggar area.
10 raod traffic matters
4 public nuisance
3 suspect persons
3 disturbances
Not all of these resulted in a crime being established.
The remaining are miscellaneous. Assisting members of the public or not relevant.”
 
  1. SLC Councillors’ Report
Rates will raise by 6.5 percent. There is going to be a data centre in Kilmarnock
 
  1. Treasurer’s Report Presented by Lesley Craise, Treasurer
 
As of 16/03/26
Business Account£ 460.94
 
Clyde Windfarm£ 2110.16
 
Incentive Account£ 467.93
 
Of which: £316.52(Incentive)

£109.81( Clyde Extension)

£41.60 (Glenkerie/Nadara)
 
  1. Windfarm Micro Grants
No applications this month.
 
  1. Planning Matters
Nothing of note

Neil explained that the Scottish Government proposed rate of community benefits from windfarms, set at £5000/MW /year some 10 years ago, would increase to at least £6000/MW/year when the next generation of windfarms come online. This rate will also apply to existing windfarms such as Clyde when they are re-equipped and retendered in the next few years. There are also proposed rates for solar farms - £700-1000/MW - and Battery Energy Storage Units (BES) - £150/MW.
 
Windfarm operators will also be encouraged to provide better support and guidance to communities affected by these developments.
 
 
  1. Other Matters   - 
  1.  Alan Hunter raise the point about slow Ambulance response times.
  2.  Jimmy Ritchie will contact Colin Reed of SLC about getting help with the High St gardens.
 
  1. AOCB - none
 
14. Date of Next Meeting  20 April 2026

 
  • Minutes of Meeting of Biggar Community Council
  • 19 January 2026 Venue: Library Time 7:00pm- 7:50
    Present:  Jimmy Ritchie (Chair), Lesley Craise (Treasurer), Roger Curtis (Secretary).  Laura Shirley, Allan Hunter, Councillor McAllan, Caz Alcorn, Councillor Allison, Neil Ingram, Lesley Campbell, Gillian Gardner, Alan Broadfoot
    Apologies:   Ben Wayne, Councillor Barker,
     
    Four members of the public attended
     
    1. Welcomes and Apologies
     
    1. Notification of AOCB -  Defibrillators
     
    1. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting  (19/12/25)
     
    1. Approved. Proposed by  Alan Hunter,   Seconded by Alan Broadfoot
     
    1. Changes of Membership
    Alan Broadfoot was voted in as a Committee member but needs to complete an application form. The secretary will ask Elizabeth Harrison to send one.
     
    1. Matters Raised By Members of the Public
    Biggar Public Park – the Golf Club Committee gave an update.
     
    Fireworks being set off at Biggar Bonfire – there were a number of complaints made to the police concerning industrial grade fireworks being set off.
     
    1. Secretary’s Report
    1. Fraser Dickson wishes to bring up the matter of defibrillators. He will try and attend the next meeting .
    2. The Secretary read out an e mail from Simona Lukosiute on Helping Your Community Save energy.
     
    1. Police Report   no report sent. The secretary will remind them
     
    1. SLC Councillors’ Report
    There was concern about the amount of rubbish left in the Biggar area.
    1. Treasurer’s Report Presented by Lesley Craise, Treasurer
    As of 19/01/26
    Business Account£ 460.94
    Clyde Windfarm£ 5378.40
    Incentive Account£ 1967.93
    Of which: £316.52(Incentive)
    £1109.80 (Clyde Extension)
    £541.60 (Glenkerie/Nadara)
     
    1. Windfarm Micro Grants
    1. Biggar and District Community Heritage awarded £1000 towards tree surgery
    2. Biggar Corn Exchange awarded £500 towards towards a new point of sale system for the bar/ café operation
    3. Starry Night Art Club awarded £500 towards more art supplies
    4. Biggar Life Well Lived was awarded £1500, £1000 from the Clyde Extension Fund and £500 from the Clyde Windfarm Fund (agreed by email prior to meeting).
     
    1. Planning Matters
    Nothing of note
     
    1. Other Matters  
     
    1. There was a discussion about a Welcome to Biggar sign. The  Men’s Shed offered to help with this.
    2. There was a wish to have a 20mph sign on the Carnworth Road. The secretary to follow up with SLC
    1. AOCB
    There was a discussion as to where the defibulators are located. It was stated that they are easy to operate.
     
    14. Date of Next Meeting  16th Feb 2026



    Minutes of Meeting of Biggar Community Council
    15 Dec 2025 Venue: Library. Time 7:00pm- 7:50
    Present:  Jimmy Ritchie (Chair), Lesley Craise (Treasurer), Roger Curtis (Secretary).  Laura Shirley, Allan Hunter, Councillor McAllan, Caz Alcorn, Councillor Allison, Neil Ingram, Lesley Campbell, Gillian Gardner
    Apologies:   Ben Wayne, Councillor Barker,
     
    Five members of the public attended
     
    1. Welcomes and Apologies
     
    1. Notification of AOCB -  concern about naked flame at Panto in Corn Exchange
     
    1. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting  (17/11/25) Approved.
              Proposed by  Lesley Craise,   Seconded by Alan Hunter   

         4.   Changes of Membership
               Alan Broadfoot was voted in as a Committee member.  CAZ is arranging for the application form to be sent to SLC 
     
    1. Matters Raised By Members of the Public
             Biggar Public Park – the Golf Club Committee gave an update.
     
    1. Secretary’s Report
    1. Treasurer has ensured that we no longer need to pay the ICO fee, as per e mail from ICO of the 2 December 2025.
         7. Police Report   no report 
     
    1. SLC Councillors’ Report
    1. There was a discussion about traffic lights being installed at the junction of Station Road and the High St 
    9. Treasurer’s Report Presented by Lesley Craise, Treasurer             
    As of 15/12/25
                  Business Account£ 460.54
                  Clyde Windfarm£ 6698.40
                   Incentive Account£ 3467.93
                         Of which: £316.52  (Incentive)
                         £2109.81( Clyde Extension)
                         £541.60 (Glenkerie/Nadara
     
    1. Windfarm Micro Grants
    Biggar High School Awarded£320for YPI workshops
    Biggar Museum Awarded£500for crockery
     
    1. Planning Matters
    1. Neil reported on development of funding for more and updating of windfarms which should bring more development funds to the area.
       12.Other Matters 
     
    1. a, the committee member who raised concerns about fire hazards at the Corn Exchange during the recent pantomime was assured that the Corn Exchange takes all safety     precautions.
    1. The bonfire is ready.
    2. Could there be a defibrillator installed further up the high street?
    3. Could there be lights between Boghill and  the Rugby club?
    4. Could there be a “Welcome to Biggar Sign?”
    5. Request had been made for clarity on who maintained the gardens. The following is the current situation:
      1. The Andrew Hope Memorial Garden-  well maintained by Zest with no charge to the community.
      2. The Poetry Garden – responsibility of Brownsbank
      3. Edinburgh Road corner with Broughton Road – The Civic Society is trying to maintain it but needs volunteers to do so.
     
    14. Date of Next Meeting  19th Jan 2026
     
    Minutes of Meeting of Biggar Community Council
    17 Nov 2025 Venue: Gillespie. Time 7:20pm- 8:00
    Present:  Jimmy Ritchie (Chair), Lesley Craise (Treasurer), Roger Curtis (Secretary).  Laura Shirley, Allan Hunter, Councillor McAllan, Caz Alcorn, Councillor Allison, Neil Ingram, Lesley Campbell, Gillian Gardner
    Apologies:   Ben Wayne, Councillor Barker, Caz Alcorn
     
    TWO members of the public attended
     
    1. Welcomes and Apologies
     
    1. Notification of AOCB -    none
     
    1. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting  (20/10/25)
     
    1. Approved. Proposed by  Lesley Craise,   Seconded by Jimmy Richie. It was noted that the previous minutes were seconded by Lesley Campbell not Lesley Craise.
     
    1. Changes of Membership
         Fionna Miskelly has resigned due to work pressure
     
    1. Matters Raised By Members of the Public
    1. Concern was expressed about street lights in the High Street - Jimmy Richie has   reported it.
    2. It was reported by the Golf Course chairperson that there has been a high level of public support submitted to SLC for the Golf Club to take over the running of the public park and caravan site. It is foreseen that 10% of caravans will be long term residents while 90% will be holiday short term stayers. There will be camping  facilities.
    3. Funding for the Biggar Bonfire is at a good level.
     
    1. Secretary’s Report
    1. Future Road closure notifications have been sent to Facebook
     
    1. Police Report  
    Community Council-Police Report
    Police update 20/10/2025 - 17/11/2025
    34 incidents were recorded for Biggar during this period. For comparison, in the same period, 135
    calls were received for Lanark, and 176 for Carluke.
    4 of these incidents resulted in crime reports being raised, which relate to 3 x crimes of dishonesty
    and 1 x fire raising.
    From my analysis of incidents and crime reports, there is nothing to indicate any specific trends that
    should cause any concerns to the local community.
    Please report any incidents to police by either phoning 101 or using the online reporting tool on the
    Police Scotland website.
    Community Police officers can also be contacted by emailing
    •  
    PC Jennifer Webster Q573
    PC Ross Allan Q646
    1. Treasurer’s  Presented by Lesley Craise, Treasurer
     
    As of the 17th of November 2025
    Business Account £496.94
    Clyde Windfarm £7098.40
    Incentive Account £3467.93
    Of which
    316.52 (Incentive)
    541.60 (Glenkerie)
    2109.81 (Clyde Extension)
     
    1. Windfarm Micro Grants
    Friends of Biggar Bonfire was awarded £400
     
    1. Planning Matters
    1. Neil reported that there is a Windfarm meeting on the 26th November.
    2. The Chip shop had applied to use part of the premises as a holiday let
     
    1. Other Matters
     
    14. Date of Next Meeting  15th Dec 2025



    Minutes of Meeting of Biggar Community Council
    20 Oct 2025 Venue: Gillespie. Time 7:00pm- 8:15
    Present:  Jimmy Ritchie (Chair), Lesley Craise (Treasurer),   Roger Curtis (Secretary).  Laura Shirley, Allan Hunter, Councillor McAllan, Caz Alcorn, Councillor Allison, Neil Ingram, Lesley Fionna Miskelly
    Apologies:   Ben Wayne, Councillor Barker, Gillian Gardner
     
    Five members of the public attended.
     
    1. Welcomes and Apologies

         2. Discussion with David McMunn of the Biggar Medical Practice – he gave a twenty minute update on the Biggar Medical Practice covering: 
    1. Expansion plans
    2. Sickness to Medical Staff
    3. Appointments system
    4. Dealing with issues raised by the Committee
     
    1. Notification of AOCB -    none
     
    1. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting  (15/09/25)
     
    1. Approved. Proposed by CAZ,   Seconded by Leslie Craise
     
    1. Changes of Membership
         None. 
     
    1. Matters Raised By Members of the Public
    1. Concern was expressed about street lights in the High Street
     
    1. Items from BCC E Mails, and Facebook Page
     
    1. Police Report  had not been received. The Secretary will follow up with the Police.
     
    1. Treasurer’s  Presented by Lesley Craise, Treasurer
    As of the 20th of October 2025
    Business Account £496.94
    Clyde Windfarm £7098.40
    Incentive Account £2967.93
    Of which
    316.52 (Incentive)
    541.60 (Glenkerie)
    2109.81 (Clyde Extension)
     
    1. Windfarm Micro Grants
    One microgrant approved of £500 (by email) from Womankind Clydesdale for their Kindness at Christmas Project
     
    1. Planning Matters
    2. (a) Neil reported that there is a teem meeting of the Clyde Way on the 30th Oct
       12. Golf Club and bid for running Caravan Site – the Chairperson of the Golf Club gave an update saying that the community asset transfer was going through, and members of the public need to write to SLC showing support.  
     
    14. Date of Next Meeting   and AGM  17th Nov 2025



            

      



      

     



     
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