The newly-formed 9CC group recently visited the Scottish Parliament to give briefing on how the group was formed and its plans going forward.

In the works since 2019, the group is comprised of the community councils of Auchinleck, Cumnock, Netherthird, New Cumnock, Dalmellington, Patna, as well as Cronberry, Logan & Lugar (CLL), Drongan, Rankinston & Stair (DRS) and Ochiltree & Skares.

Following the success of their official business introduction at Dumfries House in October, attended by more than 180 guests, the group headed to the Scottish Parliament to meet with Gillian Martin, minister for energy and the environment at Holyrood.

READ MORE: New group officially launches to benefit communities

Ms Martin welcomed the news of funding coming soon to the 9CC and was pleased to hear that local members of the community can soon apply for grant funding to improve the area, boost the economy and inspire our young people.

The group was established to join forces of all community councils within the wider area with the aim to become a dedicated single Trust for wind farm developments and future community benefits in the area, which are set to be of a major scale across coming years.

The 9CC Group aims to ensure fair distribution of wind farm community benefits funds borne out of these developments.

Cumnock Chronicle: The group at the official Dumfries House launch.The group at the official Dumfries House launch. (Image: 9CC group)

Stephen McCarron, chief executive officer of the 9CC group, said: "Informing senior members of our Scottish Government of the hard work, blood, sweat and tears that has gone into ironing out the do’s and don’ts of this first of its kind group was insightful.

"As we have now begun to establish a strategic business plan and way forward, we hope this can inspire other communities around the country looking to create a lasting legacy within their locality that this can be done.

"With our new operational model and headquarters in the Boswell Centre, Auchinleck, we are well on our way to a truly bright future.

"Significant effort and investment are currently underway to ensure that governance processes and structures are set up to ensure that funds will be properly allocated, managed and monitored.

"By bringing all of our community councils together, we are certain that we can create long-lasting local benefits in a variety of forms for every community located within the 9CC Group eligibility area across East Ayrshire."