The new Community Council have been super busy with several different activities since coming together for the first time in April. As in every organisation undergoing a transition, most of these tasks have been linked to governance, policies and procedures.
My main tasks have been making sure that all our governing paperwork and admin is up to date, I have had a lot of documents to read through, check and questions to ask to confirm my understanding. That has been a steep learning curve!
The new Vice-Chair has taken over the role of reviewing all planning applications and seeking responses from all the community councillors to provide responses to Scottish Borders Council.
The new Secretary has set up a new Facebook page and been investigating costs of getting a new website set up, as well as receiving all the road closure notifications that she has posted on the Facebook page.
Our Treasurer, who has continued in the role from the previous community council, has been getting the banking arrangements updated.
But not all our focus has been on admin, and several issues have already cropped up, which we are working to resolve with other organisations in the town.
Flower planters – the annual addition of the multi-tier flower planters in the town centre will no longer be funded through pay parking monies. Future management of the planters is being discussed with BID for Galashiels.
Christmas lights – historically the responsibility of Galashiels Chamber of Trade, the lights were taken over by the Community Council as an emergency measure in 2018/2019. Future responsibility for funding and managing the Christmas lights – and their electricity bill – needs to be reconsidered and is being clarified with BID for Galashiels.
Christmas tree provision – Scottish Borders Council have just advised all community councils that they are no longer providing Christmas Trees. This has already caused some debate and will be discussed at our next meeting on 3 June.
I’ve also been part of the Town of Culture working group, led by BID for Galashiels and attended the information session about the Tour-de-France coming to the Borders, and through Galashiels, in July 2027. Discussions are starting now about how we can, as a town, plan to enjoy and make the most of any opportunities linked to this huge event – the biggest annual sporting event in the world and the eyes of the world are going to be on us!
If you would like more information about what we are doing as your Community Council, or if you have an issue you think that we might be able to help with, please get in touch by emailing galacommunitycouncil@gmail.com
Angela Crow
