A SUCCESSFUL community consultation took place in New Cumnock Town Hall on Thursday, August 17.

As well as attracting a good attendance of residents, a legal expert was also on hand to advise on community benefits from windfarm developments.

Adrian Bell, of Edinburgh law firm Morton Fraser, spoke on the best way to manage such funds while community councillors also made suggestions on the matter.

Community Council Secretary, Jerry Mulders, gave an illuminating talk on recent developments in New Cumnock and the exciting future that awaits the village should the funds, which may top £500,000, per year for the next 25 years all materialise and get spent wisely.

Mr. Mulders was able to show that if New Cumnock could devise and develop a ‘world class’ attraction then it would not only improve the facilities of the village but provide much needed jobs in the area.

Community councillors were keen to emphasise that and profits generated by the hoped for developments would remain in the village and not drift into the pockets of large companies who had no loyalty to the area.

Mr Bell went off with lots to think about but was very impressed by the professional manner in which the exercise was being conducted.

He returned to Edinburgh to consider what he had learnt and will report to the next meeting of the community council on Wednesday, August 30, at 7pm in the town hall. All residents of New Cumnock are entitled to attend this meeting.

Community Council chairwoman, Marie Walker, said: “After hearing Mr Bell at the meeting on August 17, our members would be expected to go away and consult the community at large, prior to the community council making its decision on the appropriate way forward during September.”

For more information please contact Eric Bennett, Treasurer, New Cumnock Community Council, 2, Mansfield Court, New Cumnock.