MINUTES FOR MEETING OF 9th June 2004.

VENUE: Cockburnspath Primary School.

1. PRESENT:
1.1. Mr John Hay (Chairman), Mr Clifford Bertram (Vice Chairman), Mrs Angela Brading (Treasurer), David Munro (Secretary), Mrs Fiona Deeming (Minutes Secretary), Mrs Jane Hood, Mrs Marnie McGregor, Mrs Jean Virtue, Mr Matt Deeming, Councillor John Elliot (Duns and District North SBC). Donald Speirs (Natural Power consultants), PC Wendy Palmer (L & B Police), Ken Underwood, G Anderson, David Thorburn & Sue McGregor (Members of the community)

1.2. APOLOGIES:
Mr Paul Wheelhouse.

2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES FOR 12th ARPIL 2004.
2.1. Minutes discussed and adopted.

3. UPDATE ON CRYSTAL RIGG, DONALD SPEIRS:
3.1. Donald reported that Crystal Rig was now in full operation (all 20 turbines), and that from the 1st of August the Community fund would be available. A further 5 turbines were approved, on the 31st  May, to increase the first phase to 25. This will increase the community fund proportionately when they enter service in spring / summer next year. The community open day is planned for 22"d August, with the official opening on 24th August. In reply to questions Donald repeated that phase 2 planning application is for a further 56 turbines, there are, at present, no plans for a "phase 3".

4. POLICE BUSINESS:
4.1. There have been some teething problems with the new control centre in Edinburgh, daytime control and call centre traffic has reverted to Hawick from 9am till 11 pm, until these can be ironed out.
4,2. There being little else to report PC Palmer ask if there was any problems for her to take back.
4.3.Asked if there was any chance of a traffic speed monitor for the village PC palmer said she would pass on the request, she did however state that in other areas where speeding was a problem it appeared that the worst offenders were local people!
4.4. Road safety was mentioned, as it had been noticed that people are pushing their pushchairs up the main street in the village rather than the footpath. PC Palmer said that there is a specific road safety department in St Boswells.
4.5. A number of residents had weed killer sprayed on plants in their gardens on Saturday past (fith June), the extent had not become apparent until just prior to this meeting. PC Palmer urged people affected by this to report it at the earliest opportunity.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES:
5.1. David Thorburn commented on the problems his garage faced over vehicles being parked on garage land. He had a meeting with council representatives over the footpath. The council are prepared to re-route the pavement around the garage land but voiced that a bill for the work would be sent to the garage. David said if that were the case then the viability of the garage as a business maybe called into question.
5.2. Matt suggested that as the complaint was with access to the village from Toll View, we contact Caledonian Developments with a view to seeing if it were possible to create the footpath from Toll View to the public toilets that was on the very original plans for Dunglass Park. He felt that to loose such a valuable local asset as the garage to what appeared a vendetta would be unforgivable. He will try to contact Ian Gaul the architect for Caledonian.
5.3. Planning permission has been granted for the re-submitted application for coastguard station, despite John Elliot's strong opposition and movement against, at the planning meeting.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
6.1. Planning applications:
       6.1.1. The Birn, Extension.
       6.1.2. Schoolhouse, conversion of window to french doors.
6.2. Community Council grant received £615.
6.3. The gap in the central reservation on the dual carriageway between Cockburnspath and Grantshouse, which allows access to the bottom end of Penmanshiel Wood, is in the process of being blocked with safety barriers. It was agreed that this would actually cause more danger than it avoids. It means that anyone wishing access to/ from this popular footpath may take the risk of u-turns at either end of the dual carriageway. There has been no problem with road safety up until now
6.4. Escot Borders; notification of a local website to represent all local communities.
6.5. Hedge at Croftsacre / Doctors Brae requires cutting
6.6. It was noted that the tidiness grass in the square (a conservation area) was becoming a visual problem.
6.7. During the recent windy weather the dust from the quarry was causing a problem. A question was raised as to why the sprayers in the quarry weren't turned on, John said that the quarry owners are more than happy to turn on the sprayers when there is a problem, they are happy for individuals to contact them at any time when the dust is a problem.
6.8. Jane had attended the Viridor meeting there was a presentation by Viridor/ SEPA about illegal dumping and the consequences, of being caught, fines of up to £20,000 or 6 months imprisonment.
      6.8.1. A mention was made that East Lothian has a better recycling regime than SBC; John Elliot said this was being looked into. He also stated that at present recycling does not have a financial benefit, it actually costs, and work is ongoing to see if this can be reversed
6.9. We have received a CD-Rom containing The Local Plan. There is a consultation period until 3rd September. David said that while the use of new technology is fine, this CD-Rom makes cross referencing and navigating round the document very difficult. John Elliot said that there is a specific village plan. Sue Macgregor said if it would help she could qet a copy printed from the CD-Rom.
6.10.A consultation paper has been received about School sessions and holiday dates. Three options are offered the CCC opted for option 2 which appears to be as present.
G.11. Leaflets were distributed: Serving Your Community, Scottish Borders New Ways awards. Social Inclusion Partnership and one copy of the Outdoor diary.
6.12. Scottish Power has left bollards etc behind at various places around the village.
6.13. The Give Way markings on the road at the top end of Crofts road require repainted.
6.14. Mr G Anderson, Lady Hall Rd, informed the council that he wished to purchase land and build a house at Hoprig, and was looking for support from the council; he was told that we could only support him if he had the agreement of his potential neighbours at Hoprig. He will contact all potential neighbours.
6.15. Yet again the spectre of loosing the end of The Southern Upland Way has raised its head, but there is the possibility of securing "euro money" for facilities which may help to keep the status quo.

7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 14th JULY; in the school at 7pm.