Official Launch of The 9CC Group at Dumfries House

Names (Left to Right):

Front: Chloe Findlay, 9CCG; Alan Brown MP; Stephen McCarron, 9CCG; Alex Baird, 9CCG; Tony Esquierdo, 9CCG; and Georgette Fulton, 9CCG

Middle: Councillor Drew Filson, East Ayrshire Council; Neil McGhee, 9CCG; Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire Council; David McDowell, East Ayrshire Council; and David Mitchell, East Ayrshire Council

Back: Jamie Campbell, 9CCG; Alex McPhee, 9CCG; John Clark, 9CCG; Ian Allen, 9CCG; and Michael Crosby, 9CCG.

The 9CC Group officially launched at Dumfries House on 27 October 2023, with an amazing turn out of over 150 guests from the 9 communities.

The newly established 9CC Group hosted their official business introduction at Dumfries House on Friday 27 October. The event, attended by over 180 guests saw the much anticipated launch of the Group, which has been in the works since 2019.

The Group, comprised of the community councils of Auchinleck, Cumnock, Netherthird, Cronberry - Logan & Lugar (CLL), New Cumncok, Dalmellington, Patna, Drongan - Rankinston & Stair (DRS) and Ochiltree & Skares. 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 share distribution model of wind farm community benefits funds borne out of these developments.

 Stephen McCarron, Chief Operating Officer of the 9CC Group said;

‘First established in late 2019, much blood, sweat and tears have gone into ironing out the do’s and don’ts of this first of its kind group and we have now begun to establish a strategic business plan and way forward. 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.’

 Alex Baird, Chairman of the 9CC Group said;

‘We need more local people to get involved in delivering this vision for the 9CC communities. If you would like to find out more about all the potential projects or how to get involved, I believe everyone has a pamphlet with our newly launched website and contact details on their seats. As I have said, we are available to talk and we want to listen, applications are now open for funding and we encourage all local stakeholders to get involved. ‘