Minutes of meeting of JUNE 12^th 2002

 

Venue:           Cockburnspath Primary School, 7pm

 

Present:     Mr John Hay (C), Mr Clifford Bertram (VC), Mr Paul Wheelhouse (S), Mrs Jean Virtue, Mr Matt Deeming, Mrs Marnie McGregor.

 

1       Apologies

1.1          Miss Lorna Shand (business commitments) (T), Mrs Jane Hood (absent through illness), Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North, SBC - on leave)

 

2        Adoption of Minutes for April 10th  2002 -

2.1          Minutes of April 10^th meeting were adopted, following one amendment.  The minutes should have shown that Mrs Nisbet (not Mrs Hood) was in attendance at the meeting to answer any questions on the proposed plans for the steadings at Cove Farm.  

 

3       Matters Arising from the Minutes of April 10th 2002:

3.1          Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations - Chairman offered our thanks to Jean Virtue and all those who helped to organise the Jubilee celebrations which were a tremendous success and enjoyed by a large proportion of the community.

 

3.2          Transport - Chairman asked if there was any progress regarding Perrymans. Secretary said he had not heard from them and would ask Suzanne Nugent of the Rural Resource Centre to attend as soon as possible, without perrymans being present.

 

3.3              Outstanding Repairs (Update):

 

3.3.1       Discussion of when Concrete Street Lights removed from Square - no word back from Mrs Chiles of SBC as to likely replacement date.

 

4       Secretary's report:

 

4.1          Have received SBC acknowledgement of submission to Local Plan Issues consultation process.  Chairman asked for a minute to be taken of the CC's thanks to the Secretary for his efforts in preparing the paper which will be of help in taking Co'path forward;

 

4.2           SBC have informed us of some modifications which have been made to the structure plan, most of which are of a technical nature  Copy passed to Chairman;

 

4.3          SBC publication received for Vibrant Communities Awards 2002 - very helpful document setting out good practice for a range of successful projects undertaken by Community Councils and other community groups / clubs across the Borders;

 

4.4          Similarly, we received a copy of the first Eyemeouth and East Berwickshire Partnership newsletter, which sets out a number of initiatives in the area and serves as further help on best practice;

 

4.5          Newsletter from the national lottery New Opportunities Fund - again gives examples of successful projects;

 

4.6          SBC development control focus groups are being held, but no one from the area was available to attend at short notice;

 

4.7         Scottish Borders Community Council Network Steering Group - Constitution and Standing Orders received

 

4.8        British Energy @ Torness - notification received that since the last meeting:

-   one reportable event occurred between 25^th March and 8^th April

-   one event occurred between 8^th and 22^nd of April

-   no events had been recorded between 22^nd April and 6^th May

 

4.9         Waverley link - Questionnaire received from an MSc student at Napier University requesting feedback about restoration of a rail service to the Central Borders

 

4.10          Planning matters: 

 

Since the last meeting we had received two applications from mobile phone operators to install masts in our area - one at Pathhead Farm and a second at Penmanshiel on the A1.  An e-mail had been sent to SBC (Alasdair Maclean highlighting our arguments against excessive numbers of masts in our submission to the local plan review process); and

 

An application has been received from SportsTune Ltd  to build 3 environmentally sound houses upon the former station yard at Cockburnspath.  In the same e-mail to SBC, our previous objection to the plan was re-iterated.

 

4.11          Clean Coast Scotland: Suzanne Roberts has asked to attend a meeting of the Community Council to discuss the initiative.  Agreed to invite Suzanne to attend.

 

4.12          Calor - Scottish Community of the Year Awards information received.  A total of £5,000 of prize money is up for grabs and it is hoped that Co'path might submit a website for assessment, assuming that material can be put together.  Secretary (Paul W) invites all interested groups wishing to be included on the website to get in touch with him for more information.  Consensus was that this would be a worthwhile project and one for which Community Council funds should be used to cover expenses incurred (e.g. hosting charges with an ISP and domain name registration).  The site, which is under construction will be registered under the domain name: www.cockburnspath.net.  Matt Deeming offered to co-ordinate the environment section of the site, as this is an area of particular interest to him.

 

4.13          Free Business Skills Seminars - poster supplied by EEBP to be put up in the village notice board.  It is hoped that people consider using these, as if they are not used, we will lose this service.

 

4.14          Notification of Friends of the Earth Climate Change conference to beheld in Glasgow on 24^th June.

 

4.15        SBC Housing Website has been launched offering a single point of information on rented properties in the area - contacts, units available for rent, etc. http://housing.scottishborders.gov.uk/

 

4.16        Village Hall:  Notification received from Miles Swanston of the Village Hall Committee that the last date for use of the hall will be 31^st August, when a party will be held prior to demolition in September. 

 

4.17        Southern Upland Partnership - notification received of the AGM, which clashed with the meeting.  Apologies had been sent and received. Copy of our submission to the local plan has been sent to SUP.

 

4.18         SBC - Rural Resource Centre has made contact to establish that they can help with a range of environmental projects.  meeting will be arranged with RRC personnel.

 

4.19        Scottish Wildlife Trust - information received regarding the protection of endangered bat species.  In particular concern expressed regarding conversion of derelict properties which may shelter small populations of bats.  Leaflets provided on bat boxes and other measures which can be taken to encourage / safeguard bat roosting in areas where these are under threat.  Will be copied to applicants for Cove Farm Steading conversion.

 

4.20         Confirmation received from Julian Warman that he will be holding a guided walk on 27^th June at the Pease Dean Wildlife Reserve (posters to be put up in Village noticeboards). 

 

4.21        (Addendum - Tree Weeding Session will be held on 21^st July for interested parties - meet at the Car Park at Pease Bay Caravan Park.  julian advises anyone interested to wear suitable clothing - old clothes/ ones you don't mind getting dirty.! Waterproofs in case of rain. Boots are a good idea, or at least something stout. A packed lunch + drink would be advisable- although julian will be there until 4 pm, any time would be gratefully received - anything from an hour or so to the whole day. If people have gardening type gloves that would be useful protection.)

 

4.22         EEBP Skateparks workshop being held at Norham

 

4.23        SSPCA - consultation received on use of fireworks.  Questionnaire filled in at the meeting.  While no major problems locally were noted, it was the consensus that greater control is needed over their sale and use, with the period of available/legal sale being too lengthy, causing continued disruption to the peace of the community and distress to animals and livestock.

 

4.24         Scottish Water has taken over from ESW as of April 1^st 2002.

 

5       Chairman's Report

 

5.1          NHS Borders Consultation :  regarding creation of one organisation from Borders General Hospital Trust, PCT, and BHB.  Information to passed to Mrs Hood, given her professional background and knowledge of the context, for comments.

 

5.2          New church yard - damage to fence where a tree being taken down has struck it. Considerable distress to relatives visiting graves who have seen flowers left subsequently eaten by rabbits getting through the fence.

 

5.3           Co'path bowling Club - application for licence renewal for 11pm - 1am.

 

5.4          Cove road - breaking up under the heavy vehicles using the route to develop the new water treatment works at Reed Point.  Secretary to contact Scottish Water regarding re-instatement of the surface.

 

6       Any Other Business

 

6.1           Satellite Dish has appeared on 1 Hay Terrace - need to investigate whether the appropriate permits where received.  Suspect not.  Given that it is a conservation area this should not be ignored.

 

6.2          Question raised as to liability for injury if using the Southern Upland way and you are injured by a bull or other livestock, as almost happened with a group of children recently. Chairman's understanding is that you are liable for your own safety when in a farmers field.

 

7        Date for next Community Council meeting:  Wednesday 10^th July 2002, 7pm at the Primary School.