Minutes of Meeting Held on 12th September
2001
Venue:
Cockburnspath Primary
School
Present:
Mr John Hay, Mr Clifford Bertram, Mrs Jane Hood, Mrs
Marnie Magregor, Mrs Jean Virtue, Ms. Lorna Shand, Mr Paul Wheelhouse,
Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North, SBC), Mr C. Stewart (Station
Cottage), Wendy Reid (Scottish
Borders Council), Lena Hutton (SBC Transport Co-ordinator).
1
Apologies:
Mr M.
Deeming (Member)
2
Rural Transport Issues Presentation
2.1 Approx. 40% response rate to rural transport survey from Co'path area; one of the highest of all areas participating in the survey. This is of particular relevance following
the loss of First Bus service at Co'path.
2.2
Concerns raised that elderly/infirm passengers face
difficulty using the bus service for shopping due to having to carry shopping
up from the bus stop. Secretary to invite Perrymans Buses representative to
attend a public meeting to discuss: options for either extending the service to
provide other services, such as a weekly shopper service; altering the route of
existing service to include the Square; or introduction of services to connect
with GNER services from Dunbar station, if there is demand. Possibility of use of SBC minibus to run a
trial service to ascertain potential passenger numbers and establish viability
of any such supplementary services.
2.3
Concerns raised that any additional service would require
additional cost for Perrymans in altering terms of licence with the Transport
Commissioner (and timetables to be reprinted), to allow a change of route. Therefore clear evidence of support for a
change would be needed prior to any change.
2.4
Plus points: Current Perrymans service allows more time
in Dunbar before return to Co'path than was possible under the First Bus timetable.
3
Election of Office Bearers:
3.1
Chairman: Mr John Hay
Nominated by Mrs M Magregor,
Seconded by Mrs J Virtue
3.2
Vice Chairman: Mr
Clifford Bertram
Nominated by Mrs J Hood,
Seconded by Mrs J Virtue
3.3
Secretary:
Mr Paul Wheelhouse
Nominated by Mrs J Virtue,
Seconded by Mrs M Magregor
3.4
Treasurer: Ms. Lorna Shand
Nominated by Mrs M Magregor,
Seconded by Mrs J Hood
Ms Lorna Shand was co-opted to the Community Council to
fill the vacancy. Ms Shand was
nominated by Mrs J Virtue and seconded by Mrs J Hood.
4
In
Memoriam.
4.1
The
Chairman and members of the Community Council paid tribute to Mr. Allastir Forsyth, who recently
passed away. Allastair was a former
councillor on Borders Regional Council and Scottish Borders Council, a doughty
Chairman of the Community Council, a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and
tireless campaigner for improvements to the A1 and local causes. Our deepest
sympathy goes to all his friends and family at this time.
5
Matters Arising:
5.1
Outstanding Repairs: A list of issues, which had been raised with
SBC, but for which no progress had been made by 12 September, was supplied to
Cllr. Elliot for his attention.
5.1.1
Pot holes in Village.
They seem to have been marked for some time, but not repaired.
5.1.2
Litter bin on lamppost outside 19 Crofts Road needs to be
replaced.
5.1.3
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
5.1.4
2 picnic tables in the play area need to be secured to
the ground. In addition there is a
small gate missing at the corner of the play park nearest the hall, which means
that children can wander away if left unattended.
5.1.5
Weeds on the side of the road outside the New Cemetery
require clearing away. Tree saplings
have been planted but there are almost hidden from the eye. Brendan O'Sullivan of Technical Services
Dept, SBC, has been spoken to about this in the last 12 months during a site
visit, but no action has been taken.
5.1.6
The Car Park at Cove has not had parking lines marked on
it. Prior to resurfacing there were
parking spaces marked out, but these have not been re-painted. Haphazard parking is commonplace and
visitors as a direct consequence had caused some damage to residents' vehicles.
5.1.7
A Give Way sign on Setts at North East side of Village
Cross is essential. Cars parked on this
area block access to the main road and create a significant safety problem.
5.2
Euan
Robson, MSP for Roxburgh & Berwickshire has written to confirm
he is following up issues on behalf of the community, i.e.:
5.2.1
Springwood - update on water and sewerage issues.
5.2.2
Representations to Scottish Power regarding the
unsatisfactory number and frequency of power
cuts across the Borders and Berwickshire in particular. (by way of example
Cockburnspath suffered at least 2 power cuts on Wednesday 7th
September and 1 during weekend of 8/9th September). The Community Council noted the recent
survey form sent by Mr Robson and welcomed the fact that the local MSP now
appears to be taking the power cut issue seriously and will await developments
in the run up to the Winter.
5.3 Scottish
Wildlife Trust - written to inform the Council of plans to extend the
Pease Dean nature reserve up to Tower Dean and beyond the A1.
5.4
Cove
Steps: The repairs
contract is out to tender and SBC will contact the Community Council as soon as
a contractor is appointed.
5.5
Eyemouth
Parking:
Received
a response from SBC stating that written comments from the Community Council
regarding parking near essential services have been noted and will be taken
into consideration during review of parking charging in Eyemouth.
5.6 Waste
Water Treatment -
the new pumping station at Co'path is now up and
running. Concerns about details of
development at Cove: East of Scotland
Water will come at a future date to answer questions regarding the development
of a treatment facility at Cove and expand upon their indicative plans, working
arrangements.
5.7
Station
Cottage: Mr Charlie
Stewart updated the Council on continuing problems arising from Railtrack
subcontractors accessing the railway line via his property.
6
Any Other Business
6.1 Viridon - Mrs
J Hood attended a liaison meeting with the operators of the land-fill site on
behalf of the Community Council.
6.2
Dog
dirt: plastic bags containing dog dirt are being left on the
path up to the bench on the 'Bait Hole' (part of the Southern Upland way)and
dog dirt also appears to be a significant problem at Hoprig Park and Cove also,
representing a health hazard as well as a nuisance. Need to investigate positioning of bins for dog dirt and/or
enforcement of fines for owners of dogs for irresponsible behaviour if this
does not improve.
6.3
Planning
Application : Derelict buildings at Tower Farm.
Comments were invited by SBC Planning department of
proposed redevelopment of the derelict steading buildings at Tower Farm to
forma new house with detached garage.
No objections were noted and the Community Council expressed support for
work conducted By Mr Drysdale to-date on the farm buildings.
6.4 One reportable event was recorded at Torness Power Station since the last meeting
6.5 Pease
Bridge: Problem of
pothole in road at East end of Pease Bridge and vegetation blocking view of
road ahead / traffic on other side while on approach to the Bridge.
6.6
Rural
Partnership Fund - Wendy Reid of SBC has left details of grants
available under this fund has funding is available for up to a maximum of 90%
of total costs for worthwhile community projects, with awards of up to a
maximum value of £5,000. Match funding
can come from any source. The Council
would welcome ideas on potential projects to which it might apply.
6.7 Continued disruption
to Community Council meetings caused by local boys. Police to be contacted if problem persists.
Next meeting: Wednesday 10th October 2001 at
7:00pm at the Village School