Venue:     Cockburnspath Village School

                 Presentation

                     Before the meeting began a demonstration was given Mr. Rod McIntosh of the NHS of the value of using
                     the latest version of the Modern Heart Defibrillator. It was of interest to note that very little training is required
                     in order to use this equipment which would make it a valuable asset in those areas were emergency
                     ambulance responses can be quite long.
                     Mr McIntosh was thanked by the Council for a very interesting and challenging demonstration.
 
The Council meeting then began

1. Present: John Hay (Chairman), Clifford Bertram (Vice Chairman), Tom Dean (Secretary), Angela Brading (Treasurer), Jean Virtue, Marnie McGregor, David Arnott, KateTulloch, Councillors David Raw and Jim Fullarton and  2 members of the community.
1.1. Apologies:  Peter Hood, Matt Deeming and Councillor Michael Cook.
 
 2.   Adoption of minutes from 12th December 2007:
 2.1. Minutes discussed and accepted.
 
3.  Matters Arising:
3.1. SBC – Structure Plan Alteration/ Local Plan Modifications........................................ comments by 28th Jan 2008
                   As decided last month we have no further comments.
3.2. SBC – Safer Communities Seminars ................................................................................ 7th Jan. – 12th Feb 2008
                    No volunteer to attend our local meeting at Duns.
3.3. Best Rural Retailer
A small award has been obtained and the presentation will arranged.
 
4. Correspondence:
 4.1. SBC – Holiday Waste Collection
                   Notification was received on the changes to the times of collection of waste, but various problems were still
                   reported. The Council would ask that when waste is left out for collection to please make sure that bags are
                   tied securely to prevent the contents from spilling in stormy weather.
4.2. SBC – Dog Fouling Campaign
                  The SBC is encouraging the reporting of those dog owners who do not attend to the fouling caused by their
                  dogs.
4.3. SBC – Community Council Scheme - Consultation
                  Changes to the scheme have now been approved and the Community Councils will be informed in due course
                  of how they will be affected.
4.4. SBC – Access Maintenance Grants.
                   This was a reminder from SBC that £450 was available for this but applications had to be in by the end of
                  January 2008.
4.5. NHS Borders – Independent Scrutiny  ........................................................................................................25th January 08
                   It was agreed that the public should be included in prior consultations on any changes to NHS practices. This
                   raised the question of the parking problems at the Borders General Hospital, where no public/patient consultation
                   was involved when these arrangements were decided.
4.6. BCCF – Important Meeting Re: BAC ...........................................................................................................24th January 08
                   The secretary will attend this meeting.
4.7.RAF – Low Flying
                   An invitation will be sent to Squadron Leader (Ret`d) John Gilbert to give one of his presentations at a mutually
                  agreed date. Also mention that questions would be raised regarding the Lammermuirs and Torness Power Station
 
4. Planning Matters:
               None
 
6. Any other business:
     6.1. Croft Road Lighting – Scottish Power should have repaired the fault within the next two working days, per Councillor
            Raw. Also reported, a pothole in the pavement which was a serious hazard to walkers, Cllr Fullarton would progress
            this problem.
     6.2 . A1 Slip Road/Cove Road – Cllr Raw has reported these problems to SBC but to date no work has been done, he will
           check on the current position.
     6.3. BHA – The Chairman presented a report, which indicated that housing was in short supply.
     6.4. Cove Parking Area – David Arnott reported that problems had occurred when ice covered the area recently. He
            contacted SBC,asking if a Grit Bin could be provided, he was delighted to report that one was delivered the same day
     6.5. Viridor Incinerator  - Kate reported that the IRATE anti - campaign was to be launched on Monday 14th, and hoped
            that there would be a good attendance at the meeting in Innerwick.
     6.6. Crystal Rig Funds -  Angela asked if a small separate fund could be estabished for the provision of the smaller
            miscellaneous items that are sometimes applied for, and suggested that around £400 would suffice. The Chairman
            would look into this when next in contact with the Wind Farm operators.
     6.7. Village Public Toilets – Clifford said there was a problem that required attention but he could not get SBC interested.
            Cllr Raw stated that a review is hand on these facilities and the Cockburnspaths` situation would be raised.
     6.7. Nursing Homes – Cllr Raw said that he was looking into the way that these homes were being run, as problems could
            arise which would have serious implications for the older occupants.
     6.8. Cllr Fullarton reported that the Houndwood Cemetry Application had gone to Appeal and the Fallago Rig Wind Farm
            Application was going to Public Enquiry, MOD are now against.
            SBC 2008/09 Budget, allocations still remains unclear.
     6.9. Cove Development Appeal – The Councillors were asked if there was any more information on this appeal but the
            answer was NO
 
 
 
 
                   NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 13th February 2008, in the school at 7pm