Minutes of meeting of July 17^th 2002

 

Venue:           Cockburnspath Primary School, 7pm

 

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

 

1                      Apologies

1.1                 Miss Lorna Shand (T), Mrs Jane Hood, Mr Matt Deeming, Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North, SBC)

 

2                     Adoption of Minutes for June 12th  2002 -

2.1                 Minutes of June 12^th meeting were adopted.  

 

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

3.1                 Street Lights - re Mrs Chiles, SBC,  reply to Cllr John Elliot which did not help to establish a clear date for repair/replacement of lights, the Chairman asked the Secretary to write to Mrs Chiles direct and copy to Euan Robson MSP regarding our exasperation at the delay.

 

3.2                 Transport - Suzanne Nugent of the Rural Resource Centre to attend next months meeting but awaiting a reply to confirm availability.

 

3.3                 Daffodil planting - Secretary to contact Amey highways re use of syrplus generated by Jubilee Committee.  Will also contact them regarding removal of battered wind fencing at railway underpass.

 

4                     Secretary's report:

 

4.1                 Annual report received from Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service - agreed to pay to join the BAVS as only a small fee is involved.

 

4.2                 Formal consultation received from BAVS regarding proposal for community transport people carriers to be deployed in East Berwickshire.  Questionnaire not directly relevant, but BAVS to be contacted regarding CCC support and will raise this with Suzanne Nugent at the Transport session in August.

 

4.3                 Formal consultation received regarding the Rural Road Hierarchy adopted by SBC.

 

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

§         one minor reportable event occurred since last meeting

§         formal notification of shutdown to one reactor caused by mechanical fault in May raised at June meeting by matt Deeming - apparently there is no nuclear safety/reactor issue, just a general operating safety issue to do with a gas cooling system and automated safety system operated successfully.

 

4.5                 Response received regarding Cove Waste Water treatment plant - some issues awaiting agreement, but agreed to discreet signage, to allow gravel to return to grass if this happens and would consider tree planting to hide buildings (accepted as being obvious to the naked eye) from those properties / angles affected.

 

4.6                 Planning matters: 

§                     No word received back from SBC regarding applications from mobile phone operators to install masts in our area - one at Pathhead Farm and a second at Penmanshiel on the A1;

 

§                     No word back from SBC regarding objections /observations to application received from SportsTune Ltd to build 3 environmentally sound houses upon the former station yard at Cockburnspath. 

 

§                     New applications: application to name new house near Kinegar quarry "Kinegar House".  No objections noted.

 

§                     Revised plans for new houses at site of former Hoprig Farm Cottages - observations made as to need to prevent fencing being erected, conservatories being built or hedges planted to the rear of two end houses nearest main road.  It is feared this might reduce visibility at the corner and cause an accident.  No problems noted regarding four properties to be constructed further from the road.

 

4.7                 Cockburnspath Website. Work under way - Secretary (Paul W) invites all interested groups wishing to be included on the website to get in touch with him for more information.  The site, which is under construction will be registered under the domain name: www.cockburnspath.net.  Paul is to follow up offer made by Matt Deeming to co-ordinate the environment section of the site, as this is an area of particular interest to Matt.

 

4.8                 Reported back that Chairman and Secretary had attended the Scottish Wildlife Trust's guided walk on 27^th June at the Pease Dean Wildlife Reserve.  Numbers were disappointing, but the tour was really enjoyed by all.  Paul to attend tree weeding at Tower Dean on 21^st July to represent CCC. 

 

4.9                 Matter carried over - 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.  NOT YET DEALT WITH.

 

5                     Chairman's Report

 

5.1                 Police - 1 year past May since police had last visited the community council meetings.  Need to raise this with Berwickshire Community Council Forum and with police community liaison officers.  Suggest one meeting per quarter, unless nothing to discuss.

 

5.2                 Cove road - breaking up under the heavy vehicles using the route to develop the new water treatment works at Reed Point.  Secretary had contacted Scottish Water regarding a number of outstanding issues and the promised reply had not yet been received prior to the meeting.

 

5.3                 New Cemetery - SBC staff had undertaken repairs to fencing, though concern expressed that rabbits were still able to leap over lower sections.

 

5.4                 Vandalism - more grafitti noted in railway underpass on Southern Upland Way.  To contact parents of "Clare" and "Kaz" / contact to be made with Lothian and Borders Police. Offenders known and police to be urged to take action.

 

 

6                     Any Other Business

 

6.1                 MM asked that Mr Robert Phaup be contacted regarding trees which require cutting back at T-junction as turn right to Oldhamstocks.  It is thought these could cause a serious accident - one already noted, but thankfully without serious injury.  Chairman agreed to contact Mr Phaup.

 

6.2                 JV raised problem regarding 2 lay-bys on the Moor Road (A1107) - between Old Cambus and Headchesters - the good bench has been removed and the broken one left in error.  Same area as requires new litter bins. Secretary to contact SBC.

 

6.3                 Vomit in the Bus Shelter at Cockburnspath - evidence of teenage drinking.  Again to be raised with the local Police.

 

6.4                 CB rasied problem of overgrown bushes at Pease Bridge reducing visibility - damp conditions have caused rapid growth.

 

6.5                 PW raised problem of litter at Cove Harbour and overflowing bins - responsibility of Mr Tyndall - need to check this.  Urge people to remove rubbish to bins at the car park if bins at harbour full. Dog dirt a problem, but special bins are being well-used which is promising.

 

7                     Date for next Community Council meeting:  Wednesday 14^th August 2002, 7pm at the Primary School.