Minutes
for Meeting of March 19th 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), Mr and Mrs M. Deeming
1
Apologies:
1.1.1
Lorna Wheelhouse
(Treasurer), Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North, SBC)
2
Chairman's Report
2.1
It was reported by
the Chairman that the recent planning application for consent to build a
dwelling house and integral garage adjacent to Hoprig Farm cottages, by
Roseburn developments, had been approved.
The Community Council had concluded that there were potential
difficulties in relation to safe access to the house. However, there was no record of the CC comments having been
received. PW assured the CC that an
e-mail had been sent to the development control e-mail address and that he had
received a letter, suggesting that our views had been considered. PW will follow up to establish what was the
true state of affairs, as the new e-mail system is now the official route for
CC responses.
2.2
A notice of an
application for an off-licence had been received for 6 West End, The Cove. PW
stated he believed this was to allow the owner to sell alcoholic beverages, via
her website, as a component of Scottish
food hampers. No objections were noted, but this was on the assumption that
beverages would not be for sale, on a face-to-face basis, to the general public
at the premises.
2.3
There had been a
request to establish whether waste paper collection might be possible for Cove
Village. PW agreed to follow this up
with the Rural Resource Centre and highlighted the poor hygiene/condition of
the existing waste bin, with the hope that the RRC or Environmental Health may
help with this also.
2.4
Bankhead Church yard
– still no sign of the fence being heightened at gateway, where rabbits had
been entering / damaging the graveyard.
2.5
Rubbish bags were
still being placed out many days too too early by residents of 1 Hay Terrace
and Ettrick Cottage, causing a risk to health / risk of attracting vermin. PW agreed to write to the residents
outlining their obligations and the
problem they were creating.
3
Matters Arising From the Minutes:
3.1
Correction – PC Greenshiels (not Greenshaws) was the guest
speaker
3.2
Planning application for Rose Cottage LPG tank – CB noted that
there were concerns regarding the road / concrete surface to the side / rear of
the property if used for tankers, as this has a 5 tonne weight limit.
3.3
Presentation by Rural Housing Service had been cancelled due to a death in Mr Derek Logie’s
family. It would be re-arranged at a
later date.
3.4
PW reported that
Lorna Wheelhouse had attended the
Environment Worskhop in Eyemouth on 25th Feb and had made a
number of useful contacts for environmental projects.
4
Secretary’s Report
4.1.1
Litter Pick
2003: letter received from Alastair
Hewat, the Civic Head of SBC, regarding litter wek, commencing 14th
April 2003. The Council aims to focus on prevention, but sacks, gloves and
collection services are available via SBC.
In future years, it is hoped to hold a litter poster competition in
schools to raise awareness and an annual cup for the community achieving the
best results. The sentiments expressed
were endorsed by the Community Council.
4.1.2
Elections on May 1st
2003 for the Scottish parliament and Scottish borders Council. Notification received of change of polling
station for this year, due to the ongoing building of the village hall. The village school will be the polling
station this year (see notices in Toll View and The Square)
4.1.3
Invitation received
from Wing Commander P Sutton MA RAF, Head of the Royal Air Force Presentation
Team to attend a presentation on the RAF today at the Corn Exchange,
Melrose. Nobody was available for this
event.
4.1.4
Schools Closures in
Berwickshire/Building for the Future – no further information on the progress
of this, other than reports that the Scottish Executive had sent back proposals
for further work.
4.1.5
Notification of
evaluation of the Rural Resource Centre operated by Scottish Borders Rural
Partnership- secretary (PW) may be contacted by phone as a consultee. PW invited views on the RRC performance,
which has included provision of advice on community transport, environmental
projects and provision of the Community development fieldworker post at the
EEBP in Eyemouth (Wendy Reid) who has helped guide our Village Hall committee’s
lottery bids..
4.1.6
East Berwickshire
Communities meeting is to be held on 2nd April ad Co’path have been
asked to host the meeting. CB agreed to
check if the school would be available.
(subsequently CB/JH arranged for the Chuch Hall to be made available and
JV offered to provide drinks/biscuits)
4.1.7
Torness – no serious
incidents. Regarding the next liaison
meeting, it was proving difficult to have a representative there. JH asked PW to give apologies to the station
manager for our non-attendance, and ask for copies of any minutes.
4.2
Planning Matters
4.2.1
Refurbishment /
conversion of cottage and outbuildings to rear of Cockburnspath House (former
Cockburnspath Inn). No objections
raised, but concern expressed that quality materials should be used in any such
conversion of a listed building. In
addition, concern was raised as to the applicant’s previous failure to upgrade
the roof of the Stable building adjacent / part of the same building group,
which is now in a serious state of disrepair.
5
Any Other Business
5.1
CB raised issue of a gate at Penmanshiel.
5.2
CB raised dangerous condition of the junction at Tollview
with Old A1.
5.3
JV again reminded the CC that no action had ben taken
regarding the litter bins which had been removed from the lay-bys on the A1107
5.4
The speed limit on he Old A1 need to be reviewed, as
traffic is travelling at excessive speed.
We need to ask Lothian and Borders Police for advice on monitoring speed
levels with a view to speed calming / new limits.
5.5
PW raised possibility of establishing an environmental
group, as MD had been absent at the last meeting. MD expressed an interest in furthering this.
6
Date for next meeting: Wednesday 9th April 2003