Minutes of meeting of February 9^th 2002

 

Venue:           Cockburnspath Primary School, 7pm

 

Present:        Mr John Hay, Mr Paul Wheelhouse, Ms Lorna Shand, Mr Clifford Bertram, Mrs Jane Hood, Mrs Marnie Magregor, Mrs Jean Virtue, Mr Matt Deeming

 

1         Apologies

 

1.1           Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North, SBC)

 

2        Budget Cuts - Motion of No Confidence in Administration of Scottish Borders Council

2.1         Letter drafted by Chairman, in support of the townsfolk of Eyemouth, and elsewhere, was unanimously endorsed by the Community Council.  The letter highlighted that the Community no longer had confidence in the administration of Scottish Borders Council / the leader of the administration specifically (Cllr Drew Tulley (Gala Netherdale)).  It addressed our concerns regarding cuts in Eyemouth and elsewhere and that, notwithstanding the recent upgrade to the School, as far as SBC is concerned Co'path is in "No Mans Land" when it comes to provision of other services.  It argued that the people of the Borders should not suffer as a consequence of any mismanagement of public funds by elected representatives/officials that is identified.

3        Adoption of Minutes for January 9^th 2002 -

3.1          Adopted by members

 

4        Matters Arising from the Minutes of January 9^th 2002:

4.1          Outstanding Repairs (Update):

 

4.1.1       Concrete Street Lights removed from Square - John Hay reported that street lights may be repaired this summer (June approximately)as funds had been identified.  Letter shown to members submitted to the Berwickshire News regarding the streetlights by Mr Frederick Hunt, The Square.  CC expressed gratitude to Mr Hunt for his excellent contribution..

 

4.1.2        Cove - repairs completed to access road land slip - burst field drain which is thought to have caused the problem appears to have been repaired.  Tree saplings planted in Fairbairn Copse to replace the specimens lost during repairs.

 Cove - construction of waste water treatment plant under way. No problems reported to date (except for damage to wall at Coastguard cottages by truck)

 

4.2          East Berwickshire Communities  - Lorna Shand & Paul Wheelhouse reported on progress to establish the EBC as a replacement to Coastal Villages Forum.  EBC members have agreed to ask their Communities to provide £25 each to provide start-up funds for administration and postage costs etc.  This payment was agreed by the CC members.  Paul Wheelhouse to represent Co'path on the Community Grant Assessment Panel, a body set up to appraise projects applying for funding from Eyemouth East Berwickshire Partnership. Next meeting of full EBC group on April 3^rd at Reston Primary School.  Details of the grant scheme will be placed in the notice boards as soon as criteria finalised.

 

4.3         Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations - Jean Virtue reported that something, probably fairly modest in scale, would be undertaken to celebrate the Jubilee.  Plans under development.

 

4.4          Power Cuts - Meeting arranged by Chairman for 25^th February at the Village Hall.  Lorna Shand agreed to arrange for notice to be prepared and Chairman would ask the minister to announce the meeting in advance of the Sunday service to generate as much interest as possible. E-mail sent thanking E.Robson MSP for his help in dealing with Scottish Power / power cut issues.

 

4.5         Perrymans Buses - Mrs Magregor has had no reply.  Resolved that may have to write to ask him to attend and, if this is not possible, proceed to investigate alternative options.

 

5        Other Correspondence Received:

 

5.1          Proposed development of 3 houses at Station yard - letter received from owner of site (Sports Tune) at the former railway yard requesting support for proposed development of three environmentally friendly properties on the site.  The Community Council discussed the merits of the scheme and decided that, notwithstanding the CC position in objecting to housing on the site in the first place,  the proposed design was unacceptable in its current form, which appears very much unsympathetic to the surrounding area and house styles.  CC concerned about access and potential risk of accidents on what would then be a blind corner.  It was decided that the plans and letter would be displayed in the notice board in the Square. Secretary to write thanking Sports Tune for consulting the community but pointing out that the design in its current form would not be acceptable and raising concerns mentioned at the meeting.

 

5.2          Community Safety Forum:  4 copies of the Scottish Borders Community Safety Strategy were received along with reporting forms for any issues which might need addressed within the area, which might result in making Co'path area a safer place to live, work or visit.  Chairman agreed to read over the documents and fill in forms as required.

 

5.3          Future Presentations to be Made:

 

5.3.1        Perrymans Buses (see above)

 

5.3.2        Scottish Power  (see above)

 

5.3.3        Planning Department - Mr Jevan Fraser of SBC is to attend extra meeting of the Community Council on Wednesday 27^th February to discuss issues relating to the Local Plan.  Mr Fraser is part of the consultative team for the Berwickshire Area Local Plan (whereas Alisdair Maclean is responsible for development control issues within Berwickshire).

6        Any Other Business

6.1.1       Correspondence has been sent by Secretary to Julian Warman regarding the confirming School Headmaster keen to have the pupils involved in activities in association with SWT at Pease Dean Reserve. 

6.1.2        Continued concern raised about the bus service & lack of adequate street lights from local residents.

6.1.3        Dog dirt still a major problem in the area despite bins.

6.1.4        Litter bin still needed for 19 Crofts Road.

6.1.5       Notification had been received of a military exercise in the area which would require additional low flying activity during latter part of February.

 

7    Date for next full Community Council meeting:  Confirmed as Wednesday 13^th March 2002, 7pm at the Primary School

 

Extraordinary Matter Dealt with after Special Meeting of 27th February 2002 to discuss the Local Plan

(Present:  John Hay, Lorna Shand, Marnie Magregor, Jean Virtue, Jane Hood, Matt Deeming, Clifford Bertram, Paul Wheelhouse)

Letter from Christine Watson, SBC, requesting urgent help in choosing an address for the redeveloped buildings at the entrance to the Square (i.e. the former premises of George Hay & Sons).  Initial choice by Mr Rennie (developer) of Nos. 1-4 The Square was not viable, as these conflict with existing addresses.  Mr Rennie subsequently suggested 1-4 Newmarket, however this was not felt to be appropriate.  Community Council (Chairman abstained) decided to suggest Nos. 1-4 Hay Terrace to reflect / retain the historical links with the Hay family and the previous use of the buildings.  This address has subsequently been adopted by SBC using emergency powers, to facilitate installation of utilities to No. 1 Hay Terrace.