The Sanquhar Common Good Fund Sub Committee met on Tuesday 26 August 2025, and agreed to a change of use for common good land to allow for the development of a transport hub. The committee also approved the final outturn statement for 2024/25, the financial plan for 2025/26, and noted updates on common good property and micro grants.

Development of a Transport Hub

The committee agreed to the proposed change of use of areas of common good land at Simpson Road, Sanquhar to allow for the construction of a multi-modal transport hub. This decision followed an 8-week statutory consultation period, as required by Section 104 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015¹, during which no representations were received.

The transport hub is part of a larger transport infrastructure project funded by the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF). The aim is to make sustainable and active travel more accessible, reduce car trips, and increase walking, cycling and bus use. The hub will include:

• A public cycle pump and repair station
• Secure cycle storage lockers
• E-bikes for hire
• Electric cycle storage lockers with internal charging points
• A car club hire car parking bay with EV charger
• EV charging points for public use

The council believes that the development of the transport hub supports several of its strategic outcomes, including:

• Investment in the region benefits communities and the local economy
• Rural communities and places are vibrant and thriving
• Enhancing the region's natural capital benefits local communities and businesses
• Roads, paths, cycling and walking networks in the region are improved
• Sustainable travel in the region contributes to net zero
• People have access to services that are modern, efficient and responsive
• Digital connectivity supports thriving rural communities
• People are active, resilient and improving their health and wellbeing

The report considered by the committee stated that:

Dumfries and Galloway Council are delivering a significant transport infrastructure project funded by the UK Government Levelling Up Fund. Part of the project will see the development of 9 multimodal transport hubs across the region. The hubs aim to make sustainable and active travel more accessible to residents and visitors by joining up everyday journeys, improving links between towns and reducing car trips while increasing bus, walking, and cycling trips, and boosting visitor numbers.

Sanquhar Common Good Fund Finances

The committee approved the final outturn statement for 2024/25, the financial plan for 2025/26, and the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet to 31 March 2025.

The Common Good Fund received £17,870.71 in income in 2024/25, mainly from interest, rents and loan fund interest. Total expenditure for the year was £2,400, including £2,000 for grants. The resulting surplus of £15,470.71 was added to the fund's cash reserves.

The financial plan for 2025/26 estimates free income of £12,962, with £2,000 allocated to The Royal Burgh of Sanquhar Community Council for micro-grants. The fund's cash balance is held by the council within its Loans Fund, with interest for 2025/26 forecast at 4.23%.

The financial objective of the fund is to maintain the financial health of the Fund to maximise and manage the level of free income available and consider future distribution by the Common Good Sub-Committee . Dumfries and Galloway Council charges a £400 administrative fee to the fund for financial and secretariat support.

Sanquhar Common Good Property

The committee noted an update on the Sanquhar Common Good property portfolio. The portfolio consists of the following properties:

• Lorimer Park, Blackaddie Road, Sanquhar
• Coopers Close, High Street, Sanquhar
• Car Park, South Lochans, High Street, Sanquhar
• Bus Turning, Castle Street, Sanquhar
• Public Toilets, Queen's Road, Sanquhar
• Land, Goosedubs, Nigel Henderson Court, Cameron Place, Sanquhar
• Sanquhar Customer Service Centre & Library, 100-102, High Street, Sanquhar

The report provided details on lease arrangements, property condition, repairs, valuation and insurance for each property.

The Sanquhar Tolbooth was not listed as a Common Good Asset because title checks in 1985, 2010 and 2019 could not establish the title to the property. The Council's Common Good and Trusts Review Group is working to determine which assets are considered Common Good, in advance of publishing an updated register.

Micro Grants

The committee noted the success of The Royal Burgh of Sanquhar Community Council in disbursing the Micro Grant Fund during the financial year 2024/25. The community council distributed £2,000 to 10 local projects and individuals.

Examples of grants awarded include:

• £200 to Sanquhar & District Cancer Support Group to cover room hire costs
• £200 to The Town of Sanquhar Facebook Page to cover website/running costs
• £200 to Aura Hand Crafted Design to buy a printer
• £200 to Tiny Tunies Toddler Group to buy toys and cover running costs
• Several £200 grants to individual applicants to contribute towards university or travel expenses