Minutes of Meeting Held on 12^th oCTOBER 2001

 

Venue:           Cockburnspath Primary School

 

1         Apologies:

1.1.1        Cllr John Elliot (on leave), Matt Deeming

 

2        Matters Arising:

 

2.1               Berwickshire Community Council Forum Meeting of 26^th September

 

2.1.1        Education Cuts (Eyemouth) - Agreed letter would be sent expressing concern regarding impact of education cuts on secondary provision, while expressing gratitude for recent investment at Co'path Primary.

2.1.2        Concerns over Scrutiny Committee (Cemetery at Coldingham) - discussed concerns raised by delegates from Coldingham that new management structure at SBC utilising scrutiny committee system is undemocratic / weakens accountability.

2.1.3         Fundraising for community projects - BCCF are seeking to develop a fund to alleviate problem where need to provide match funding for community projects funded by grants i.e. where initial start-up funding to be provided by the applicant.

 

2.2              Eyemouth & East Berwickshire Partnership

 

2.2.1        Training for small businesses - courses are being offered to local business in topics such as marketing, e-commerce, book-keeping, etc to be run at Houndwood and Duns.  See notice in Co'path Town Square notice board.

2.2.2        Invitation to attend a workshop on future of Coastal Villages Forum - proposal to extend the scope of this group to include all main villages in East Berwickshire (already includes Co'path, St Abbs, Burnmouth and Coldingham) to add Reston and Ayton.  Secretary agreed to attend on behalf of Co'path.  Co'path in favour of widening group, in principle.

 

2.3              Proposed Cuts in Snow Clearing / Gritting Service - Chairman has drafted a letter expressing concern at proposal to stop gritting road over Coldingham moor as a consequence of budget restrictions caused by an overspend in the gritting budget last year.

 

2.4              British Nuclear - Proposed Replacement of Torness - discussed fact that a proposed replacement for the current reactor has been widely spoken of in the press.  British Energy have also circulated their submission paper to the Energy Commission regarding their desire to replace 15 reactors due to be decommissioned by 2020 (including Torness & Hunterston B)

 

2.5              Mr Rankin of Coastguard Cottages, Cove has complained regarding change in East of Scotland Water's plans for water treatment at Cove.  Questioning the change from septic tank to waste treatment (UV treatment tanks / open air units) - he is concerned with the possibility of smells / health effects of open air treatment.  Requested meeting with EoSW.  Plans can be viewed - contact Sec'y on Co'path 773 for more information.

 

2.6              Mr T Dykes, Redheugh Farm  - has written to Education department regarding collection of pupils for school buses at the Coldingham junction. He copied letters to the Community Council.  Community council will support him by writing to department requesting they take action and honour agreement with him regarding setting down of children at Redheugh Farm.

 

2.7              Planning Matters

 

2.7.1        Kinegar Quarry - applied for an extention to the sand pit and to erect a new washing facility for the sand/gravel.  Concern raised about large quantity of sand currently being blown across houses nearest the site.  Desire expressed to see this curtailed by covering the sand stored on site and reduction in drifting.

2.7.2        Mobile telephone mast proposed for Cat's Hole Plantation - below 15m2 in height so avoids need for planning consent.  Little can be done to prevent erection of this, but will ask for strategic tree planting if possible to mask the antenna.

 

2.8              Outstanding Repairs (Update):

 

2.8.1         Pot holes in Village - have been filled.

2.8.2        Litter bin on lamppost outside 19 Crofts Road

2.8.3        Village Benches:

-        2 For Repair at the Top of Steps to Callendar Place

-        1 to be returned to the section of footpath from Croft Acre to Sparrow Castle

-        1 to be put back into ground at the top of the footpath between Croft Acre and Hoprig Park

 

2.8.4        2 picnic tables in the play area need to be secured to the ground

2.8.5        small gate missing at the corner of the play area - has been requested.

2.8.6        weeds on the side of the road outside the New Cemetery & choking tree saplings - SBC have agreed to tidy up / strim areas affected..

2.8.7        The Car Park at Cove - no funds are available for this at present due to recently imposed funding restrictions

2.8.8        A Give Way sign on Setts at North East side of Village Cross - confirmed

2.8.9        Cove Steps:  No further news received about repairs - awaiting appointment of contractor.

 

2.9              Presentations to be Made:

 

2.9.1        East of Scotland Water  (Booked for Wednesday 14^th November)

2.9.2        Perrymans Buses (provisional date 28^th November)

2.9.3        Scottish Wildlife Trust will seek attendance at December meeting.

 

3        Any Other Business

 

3.1              Dog dirt problem  - no improvement noted (although new bin erected at Cove since the meeting)

 

3.2              Two reportable events and one notifiable event were recorded at Torness Power Station since the last meeting all of which were of a minor nature (false alarms / miscalibration of equipment)

 

3.3              Pease Bridge:  Chairman has brought to the attention of Brendan O'Sullivan. (update - bushes have been cut back)

 

3.4              Rural Partnership Fund - no ideas have as yet been received for use of Rural Partnership Funds at this stage.

 

4        Date for next meeting:  Confirm :  Wednesday 14^th November 2001 at 7pm