Minutes for Meeting of February 12th
2003
Venue: Cockburnspath
Primary School
Present: : Mr John Hay (Chairman), Mr Clifford Bertram (Vice
Chairman), Mrs Jane Hood, Mrs Marnie Magregor, Mrs Jean Virtue, Mr Paul
Wheelhouse (Secretary), Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North, SBC),
Guest Speakers (Wendy Reid, EEBP; PC Greenshaws, L&B Police; Joanna Ley,
Dry Dock Co-ordinator, Eyemouth, Paul Sinclair, Hawthorne Cottage)
1
Apologies:
1.1.1
Lorna Shand, Matt Deeming
2
Guest Speakers
Paul Sinclair, of Hawthorne Cottage, outlined proposals for a community broadband initiative, which would require a minimum of 7 users, to
overcome BT’s reluctance to upgrade rural exchanges such as Cockburnspath. The plan would envisage a centrally located
satellite dish to receive/transmit information from/to the Internet, with users
accessing the dish through a wireless network (using ariels on roof of users
houses to receive and send signals via the dish). This project would allow local users to access the internet with
high speeds of transmission, with no need for an extra phone line. Contracts would be best administered by a
community organisation on a not-for-profit basis, which could also ensure the
equipment would be maintained, as well as administering billing (best done by
direct debit or standing order). It was
agreed that this was a very interesting idea and posters would be put in the
village noticeboard and a public meeting would be arranged at an early opportunity
to sound out demand.
PC Greenshaws
from Eyemouth Station outlined that
since the beginning of November a small number of offences had been recorded in
the area, for example taxi frauds.
Across East Berwickshire activity had been quiet, with many
of those offences which had occurred having
been carried out by persons from NE England, with only limited activity
by criminals from Edinburgh area.
Drink driving offences have gone up, with a number of locals
having been caught offending in this way, which has been disappointing.
Operation Gladiator is targeting vandalism in the region and they look to the community to help identify problem areas.
Drugs courts could be trialled soon in the Borders (less
visible problem in the region, but is still a serious concern).
Wendy Reid, Community Development Fieldworker
Wendy outlined that EEBP would be working with the Community
to prioritise areas for action and develop live projects. Key priorities emerging were Environment
(possibility of forming a working group to pursue ideas such as a Community
Woodland or street signage projects), and to get other projects going in areas
such as Community Transport and creation of youth facilities.
Joanna Ley, the ‘Dry Dock’
co-ordinator, Eyemouth - Skate-parks & Consultation with Young people in Co’path (youth
facilities)
In response to residents interest in a skate park in particular and youth facilities more generally (such as bus shelter style meeting areas), Joanna outline the work of the Dry Dock in Eyemouth and explained how they may be able to help Co’path to identify possible facilities for the younger members of the community. Joanna outlined the need to ask the potential users of any facilities what it is that they want, rather than supply a project without their inputs. This would have the advantage of engendering ownership over any future facility and the greater likelihood of it being used, maintained and developed further.
3
Chairman's Report
3.1
It was reported that
rubbish bags were being placed out many days too too early by residents of Hay
Terrace/Ettrick Cottage, causing a risk to health / risk of attracting vermin
3.2
Chairman asked Cllr
Elliot to arrange for A give way sign on the village square. SBC have not followed up earlier requests
for this to be done and it was causing major problems in the village square
with illegal parking
4
Matters Arising From the Minutes:
4.1
Street lights –
Lisa Chiles had been contacted re the Mount
4.2
Strimming Invoices – SBC contacted
4.3
Dunglass Parish Newsletter - dog dirt article prepared by JV/MM
4.4
Presentations to be arranged: Rural Housing Service (March 12th 2003) (since cancelled)
5
Secretary’s Report
5.1.1
Bulb planting - Amey Highways (not possible due to lateness
of opprtunity)
5.1.2
Village Hall – about 15 days behind schedule, but hopeful of
making up the time
5.1.3
Schools Closures in Berwickshire. Cllr Elliot revealed that Copath is being surveyed to identify
scope for expansion of the school to a new site, with a site identified either
behind the war memorial (raised concerns regarding the speed / volume of
traffic on the old A1) or , as suggested by MM/JV/JH, the fields to the rear of
Callander Place may be better suited.
5.1.4
East Berwickshire Communities AGM Wednesday 19th February
@Grantshouse
5.1.5
East Berwickshire Strategy Meeting – March 5th
March @ Grantshouse
5.1.6
Environment Workshop being held at Eyemouth, by SBC, on 25th
February.
5.1.7
Torness Reports – no serious incidents.
5.1.8
Waste Water Treatment plant – no sign of hedge planting as
yet. PW to folow up.
5.1.9
First Steps Trust – organisation set-up to facilitate
disposal of garden cuttings, etc.
5.1.10 Local Plan – Settlement Plan (overdue for action by SBC, but
PW reminded the group that this was due soon)
5.1.11 Possible increase in Community Council budgets
5.2
Planning Matters
5.2.1
Rose Cottage – erection of LPG tank for central heating fuel
supply (in garden). Approved.
6
Any Other Business
Wreath
to be removed from War Memorial (JH agreed to remove it).
7
Date for next meeting: Wednesday 12th March 2003 proposed (later
switched to 19th as clash with Church AGM)