Minutes for meeting - Wednesday 14 October 2009 at 7pm
Venue: Cockburnspath Village School
Present: John Hay (Chairman), Clifford Bertram (Vice Chairman), Tom Dean (Secretary), Marnie McGregor, Jean Virtue, Peter Hood, David Arnott, Councillor David Raw, PC Alan Richardson and 1 member of the community.
Apologies: Angela Brading(Treasurer), Matt Deeming, Kate Tulloch.
Previous minutes:
Minutes discussed and accepted.
Police:
There had been another quiet month in Cockburnspath with no reported
crimes, but is was brought to our attention that the theft of about six
bee-hives had occurred down at Penmanshiel. The road sign on the Pease
Bay road which was causing a visibility obstruction had now been removed.
It was mentioned that an Event was taking place at Duns, organised by the
Berwickshire Safety Forum to publicise the hazards of Bogus Callers to
the door, also it was suggested that the Community Wardens could be used
to investigate the problems arising from youths in the area. This was initiated
by raising a Tasking Request with suitable evidence to the Community Police.
In general discussion the Chairman reported that the walkway seat which
it was thought had been stolen had now been found undamaged and would soon
be replaced. Marnie also reported that the bronze discs which had been
taken from a Churchyard gravestone had been replaced but she was
not sure that they were the originals or copies and this would be checked.
Business arising:
Countryside Alliance – Awards - As Kate was absent we had no
feedback on her approach to Claire about putting her forward again.
Resident Interest in Community Council – Election – A poster
will be placed in the Village and Cove notice boards announcing the election.
The secretary will
organise this. At this point the Chairman suggested that Cllr Raw could
be excused as he had requested an early release from the meeting, the members
gave him their best wishes for his coming marriage..
Correspondence:
SBC – SBC/NHS Consultation on Disability Equality Scheme....................................................................13
November
Kate will be asked if she could respond to this.
Inclusive Democracy Event in Galashiels..............................................................................................2
October
No response to this event, which has now passed by.
OUR ZERO WASTE, Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, Saturday …...............................................................3
October
Event now passed, no attendees from the council.
Scotlands Floral Gateway Competition
We are being asked why we did not enter this competition. The Chairman
volunteered to reply.
Future of Area Committees ….................................................................................................................3
October
This Event has passed. As this information was announced at the SBCCN AGM/Seminar
we are awaiting details
since no member attended. The secretary will make enquiries to obtain it.
QUEEN'S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE.....................................................................................5
October
This deadline has passed and No nominations made.
Data Protection Scotland – Conference(not circulated)..........................
.......................................25 November
Money would have to be spent to attend this. No interest shown
SBCCN - Newsletter
Circulated – information only
Annual Seminar.....................................................................................................................................3
October
CC Funding Review
No member attended this AGM/Seminar so we are no yet briefed on the outcome
of the announcements on Area Committees and the Funding Review.
ASCC - ASCC Conference..............................................................................................................................14
November
David Arnott will attend this conference.
Association of Scottish Community Councils – Voting (date extended)....................................
12 November
Voting for election of the Council has been extended due to arising postal
problems. These papers can be emailed back if they are returned to the
secretary(Tom Dean)
Councillors – M.Cook - New Development Management Arrangements.
This is for information on the new SBC arrangements.
Message re: David Raw
This was an update regarding Cllr Raw which was superseded by him attending
the start of the meeting to announce that he was returning to duty after
an illness.
Berwickshire Civic Society – Tidy Campaign Presentation (not circulated).................................................28
October
Request for a member to attend at Gunsgreen House, Eyemouth to receive
the award. David Arnott volunteered to attend.
Berwickshire Community Safety Panel – Who`s at the door...........................................................................17
October
Poster at the Village Notice Board
Torness – Scottish Sites Meeting - CHANGE OF HAW WORKSHOP DATE - Scottish
Government Higher Activity Radioactive Waste Policy Consultation
Document Workshop …........................................... 24 November
The secretary as LLC rep. to Torness has been attending these meetings
and gave a quick run down of what has happened over the last 12 months
leading to this meeting, after which will come a consultation document.
Village Hall - Hire of Village Hall - filming for BBC documentary
The Glasgow Boys …...............................8 October
Although not strictly CC related it was thought that a mention should be
made of this filming as it could result in some positive light being shone
on the area when it comes to be broadcast on TV.
Community Windpower – Family Open day …........................................................................................................10
October
The secretary had attended at the Official Opening but not the Family Open
Day. This had been advertised widely and it was thought to have been
well attended.
Aikengall II – Letter from ELCC – This was a letter from East Lammermuir
CC looking for support for their views on the proposed Phase II extension.
We are
waiting for the official application to be submitted.
Planning Matters:
Planning Application - Merse Lodge Dunglass
No adverse observations against this application.
Planning Appeal Decision - Cove Farm Cottages – 08/01797/OUT.
The Appeal has been rejected.
Scottish Borders Local Plan – Finalised Amendment..................................................................................27
November
Cockburnspath not affected by these proposals.
Public Access - Online Planning Application User Survey........................................................................29
September
This was a survey applicable only to those who are on line. No known
responses
Modernising the Planning System (2 Items)
Letter from Scottish Government on Planning System Changes, followed
by further letter to Clare,SBC notifying errors contained and amended letter.
Any Other Business:
Chairman –
1 - Crystal Rig Windfarm Grant – 1.1 - Application from the School
for £2400 for Equipment and Transport
1.2 - Application from the Gala Committee for £1500 for Equipment
After deliberation it was decided that the full amounts would be approved.
2 - Letter from Nicky Brown - requesting mounds of soil adjacent
to the football field for mountain biking activities. Permission would
be required from SBC; David
Arnott will look into its feasibility.
3 - Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland(APRS) – the Chairman
suggested that this info be kept on record as they offer expert advice
on many
including windfarm placing.
4 - David Drysdale - He is now Top of the Scottish Golf Leader
Board and the Chairman recommends that our congratulations should minuted.
5 – Vandalism at the Village Hall – Details of the occurrences should
be published in the `LINK` magazine. Jean will try to arrange.
6 – Election Timetable – Poster in Notice Board inviting nominations
- Saturday 17th October
Closing Date for nominations -
Wednesday 4th November
Cooling off period to
Wednesday 11th November
Election Day(if required)
Wednesday 18th November
Jean – Will send a card and gift to Cllr Raw from the Council on the
event of his Wedding.
David Arnott – 1 – Screen now erected at Coastguard Cottages in compliance
with SBC requirements.
2 – Someone was trying to trace ancestors with the name Laing. Information
from members supplied to enable David to progress this search.
3 – Station House barrier replaced, Mr Hiscox will be requested to progress
other items.
4 – Treatment Plant main gate now locked.
5 – SBLocal have filled in the large hole that appeared in footpath by
Station Bridge.
Clifford - Query raised regarding the Village Doctors Surgery
and increasing frequency of the lack of Doctors. The Chairman will phone
to determine the reasons
for this.
Member of the public – Raised the question of the community view on
the proposed Neuk Wind Turbines. He was advised that any action is pending
on when the
planning application is placed.
NOTE: There will be NO meeting in November as the election will be in progress.
Therefore the NEXT MEETING will be WEDNESDAY 9th December 2009, in the Primary School