The First 2010 Council meeting was on Tuesday, January 26. There was no meeting in December. PC Angela Muirhead was welcomed back and she was asked to pass on the Council's good wishes to Inspector Thomson for his early return to good health.

Councillor McDill was in attendance. November minutes were proposed by Reid Ross and seconded by Mike Duffy.

The following are extracts from the adopted November 2009 minutes.

Police report.
PC Reeves sated that 22 crimes had been reported in the month of October seven of which had been detected. The main crimes were housebreaking (6) and breach of the peace (4) .Three instances of vandalism were also reported undetected.

A list of correspondence was circulated.

Councillor McDill reported that the bid for funding for Town Centre Regeneration in Darvel had been unsuccessful. E.A.C. still hoped to interest a housing association in developing the old Co-op. building into 14 flats. The members present expressed disappointment.

Final decisions on the distribution of funds from Scottish Power had still to be made at yet another E.A.C. Cabinet meeting, meaning further delay. Councillor McDill stated that once the decisions are finalised, Council officers will visit Community Councils in the New Year to explain how the funds will be dispersed. A heated discussion followed with strong and angry views expressed on the lack of consultation by E.A.C. with the various local Community Councils affected by the Whitelee Windfarm. Councillor McDill concluded his report.

The Finance of Community Councils was mentioned. E.A.C. has the third worst per capita grant in the whole of Scotland. Insurance cover alone swallows most of the grant for Darvel.

Gable end work on the building adjoining the demolished Co-op building had not been completed satisfactorily and the site owner is to be contacted to remedy.

The event to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the first paper published by Sir Alexander Fleming on Penicillin had been a great success. The event was organised by local M.P. Des Browne in the Town Hall. Professor Hugh Pennington paid tribute to Fleming. The hall was filled with local school pupils and the public. Professor Hugh later re-dedicated the Fleming memorial in Hastings Square.

Thanks to Councillor McDill, Max Flemmich, Mike Duffy and Bobby Findlay the Christmas Lights had been put up in the Town. In view of their age and condition no lights had been purchased from Galston C.C.

Arrangements for traffic control on Armistice Sunday were discussed and it was agreed that the C.C. should lay a wreath at the War Memorial in future,
Mike Duffy confirmed arrangements for the Christmas Fair on Saturday December 5 in the Town Hall from 11am to 3pm.

January 2010 minutes will be reported when approved at the meeting on Tuesday, February 23.