Venue: Cockburnspath Village Hall
1. Present: John Hay (Chairman), Clifford Bertram(Vice Chairman),
Tom Dean (Secretary) Jean Virtue, David Arnott,
KateTulloch, Councillors David Raw and Michael Cook and 1 member
of the community.
1.1. Apologies: Marnie McGregor, Angela Brading (Treasurer), Peter Hood,
Matt Deeming
2. Adoption of minutes from 14th November 2007:
2.1. Minutes discussed and accepted.
3. Matters Arising:
3.1. NHS – Public
Engagement Paper – Draft Food, Nutrition & Health Strategy ............................................28th
Dec.
The Paper covers all areas adequately and there were no comments required
from the Council.
3.2 SBC – Scrutiny
Panel Work for 2008 ....................................................................
responses to comments raised.
Brian Emmerson took prompt action on our comments resulting in replies
from two of the concerned departments at SBC. The Council were pleased
with this response, but Councillor Raw stated that there may not be a quick
response to our local planning problems as there is a backlog of work being
handled by the recently appointed Enforcement Officer so he offered to
look into the problem.
Grass cutting is under review and a paper on this up for `Scrutiny` review
at a meeting on 20th Dec.
3.2. SBC
– Structure Plan Alteration/ Local Plan Modifications...........................................
comments by 28th Jan 2008
As decided last month we have no further comments to add and there were
no volunteers to attend the Seminars.
Councillor Raw did suggest the Duns Office would be pleased to answer any
queries if any member wished to
make an appointment .
4. Correspondence:
4.1. SG
– Letter from John Lamont MSP.
Email reply sent acknowledging that he had paid us a visit earlier this
year but he was welcome at any future
meetings. Also his invitation to act as guide around the Parliament Building
would be taken up on some future
date.
4.2. SBC/BAVS
– Digital Switch Over ...................................................................................
question session 4th Dec.
Councillor Raw mentioned that if anybody was aware of people having problems
with the supply/use of new
equipment for the switchover then report it to `Trading Standards` or himself.
4.3. SBC
– Cast your vote...........................................................................................................................26th/27th
Nov.
The information was useful as three Berwickshire communities benefited
from the money on offer
4.4. SBC
– White Ribbon Campaign...................................................................................................26th
Nov –10th Dec.
The content of the email was noted and Councillor Raw added that any incidents
of abuse could be reported
through the website.
4.5. SBC
– Warning from Crime prevention Office
This was to alert communities of a postal scam which could cost individuals
£15 on a phone call. The Local post
office had been alerted and there were no reports of any incidents so far.
4.6. SBC
– Safer Communities Seminar ........................................................................
7th Jan. 2008 – 12th Feb. 2008.
These Seminars being held in all areas, the nearest to us will be Duns
in February. Reminders will be issued
nearer the time.
4.7. Jim Clark Rally.
No comments on this letter as the village is not affected
4.8. Postwatch – Winter Review.
Latest issue is either on the web to read or the hard copy received is
on circulation to those without
computers. No comments on the content.
5. Planning Matters:
5.1.Three Applications for Developments at Townhead Farm, Old Cambus
There were no comments raised against these applications
6. Any other business:
6.1. Anti Social Behaviour Seminar – Report
Kate Tulloch had attended this seminar and her report had been circulated
to all members, the main points of which
she summarized.
6.2. Oxwellmains Incinerator Campaign (IRATE)
– Latest
Kate is attending a local campaigning group which making a case against
the proposed plant by VIRIDOR. Her report
on the recent meeting of this group has also been circulated. The pros
and cons were considered at length and the
local view seems to be against the proposal.
6.3. NHS – Latest local developments and implications
Kate is a seconded member of the Council, specializing in NHS matters and
had raised awareness of a consultation
taking place on the proposed closure of the Yetholm and Morebattle surgeries.In
this proposal the power lies very
firmly with the GPs, who are able to decide to whom they offer services.
Due to the shortage of GPs nationally, it
creates some frightening precedents if this goes ahead, in terms of access
to GPs for rural Communities. Because of
the implications of these proposals the Council decided that it would submit
comments to this consultation.
6.4. Best Rural Retailer.
Claire was runner up in the competition and the Council thought her efforts
were worthy of a special award from the
village community. This will be arranged.
6.5. Michael Cook - SBC Councillor
The Council had been notified of Councillor Cooks` intention to attend
a meeting and were pleased to see that he had
managed to get to this one.
6.6. SG – John Lamont – Broadband in the Borders
If anybody is experiencing any problems obtaining or using a broadband
connection then he would like to know about
it.
6.7. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Presentation
The Chairman, John Hay wanted to thank Susan Black for giving an interesting
and informative presentation at the
last meeting on `Alcohol and Drug Abuse`. All members present agreed.
6.8. Bankhead Cemetery
The Chairman has been approached once again about the presentation, housekeeping
and other matters relating to
the cemetery. Councillor Raw said that he had been promised action on some
of these matters if they still persisted to
let him know and he would progress them.
6.9. Road to Dunglass Mill
This is now a no through road as the access over the old bridge has been
blocked off by bolders, placed there by the
Dunglass Estate
6.10.Christmas Tree
Thanks are once again due to the members of the community who have put
in place, the Christmas Tree and Lights.
6.11. Village War Memorial – Historical Momento
An original copy of the Memorial dedication ceremony was placed before
the Council by the Chairman. He is looking
for suggestions for an appropriate place to keep it.
6.12. The new path, recently put in place
to Dunglass Estate
The Vice Chairman thought that some maintenance work is now required on
this path.
6.13. Community Defibrillator
Jean Virtue raised this issue, after prolonged discussion Jean was actioned
to provide a NHS representative to give
a presentation on its use early in the new year
6.14. Crystal Rigg Money for the Church.
Jean Virtue asked if there would be money available for a replacement vacuum
cleaner for the Church.The
Chairman said there was, but not until April 2008. Jean would purchase
one in the meantime and then be
re-imbursed at that time.
6.15. Cove Road
David Arnott said that the road continues to deteriorate with use by the
Water Board lorries.
6.16. Cove - Proposed Development
Appeal.
David Arnott asked if the this appeal had gone forward yet and was told
that to date the answer was No.
6.17. Dog Fouling
Councillor Cook raised the issue of Dog Fouling, as from 3rd December increased
resources are to be in place in an
effort to further reduce this problem.
6.18. 125 Memorial Trail
Councillor Cook mentioned that further efforts are required to raise the
remainder of the funding for the completion
of the Trail Bronzes which is approx. £58000.
6.19. SBC Budget for 2008
Both Councillors discussed the implications for the Budget of the recently
agreed freeze on Council Tax announced
by SBC. Although Tax payers do benefit, other areas where money is spent
will come under increased pressure for
funding.
7. NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 9th January 2008, in the school at 7pm