Venue:     Cockburnspath Village School

Presentation

During the meeting a talk was given by the Head of the Primary School, Hugh McAleese about the Scottish Borders Council Consultation on the School Year and School Week.
Three options are under consideration;  1 – No change to current arrangements
                                                         2 – A four term year
                                                         3 – The Asymmetric Week (Friday, a half day for the children)
These options were discussed and a vote taken by the council resulted in a YES to Option 2 and NO to Option 3.
The Chairman thanked Mr McAleese for attending the meeting.
 
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,  Matt Deeming,  KateTulloch, Councillor David Raw, Councillor Fullarton arrived later in the meeting, PC Dishington  and  4 members of the community.
1.1. Apologies: Peter Hood
 
2. Adoption of minutes from 13th February 2008:
2.1. Minutes discussed and accepted.
 
3. Police
3.1. PC Dishington went through the village incident reports which were mainly assorted numbers of youths causing disturbance, nuisance and noise. Some members present had approached the youths, making appeals to reduce these disturbances also saying that their actions would not help any case that might be made to improve the facilities available to them.
On this point Councillor Raw said that one of the local youths had sent an email to PC James McLauchlan making an appeal for lights to be installed at the football field and it had been circulated to interested parties at SBC and Community Council. He was willing to progress this but was looking for the community view on the proposal.
An extended debate took place which included the facilities (i.e. The Meadows) that will come along when the new development at Toll View begins later in the year. It was decided that small working group should be set up, including the youths (if possible) to determine a likely solution. Council members Matt, John and Kate indicated their interest in joining the group and would be contacts for Councillor Raw.
Fly tipping problems were also raised by the Chairman who could get no satisfaction from either Council or Police, Councillor Raw would look into the problem.
 
4.Matters Arising:
4.1 SBC – Consultation on the School Year and School Week ..................................................................... 14th April 2008
This covered under the Presentation above.
4.2 - Tower Farm Planning Application – slip road problems
BEAR SE Scotland manager contacted regarding the current problems and those arising if this application goes ahead.
4.3 - Cockburnspath Roundabout and road queries.
BEAR also informed of the traffic and overgrowth problems with this structure
 
5. Correspondence:
 
SG – Planning Modernisation .................................................................completion dates from 21st March to 9th May 2008
         This was a reminder that significant changes were being proposed on many fronts and of the dates by which all input
         should be submitted. Hard copies of the draft proposals will be limited to one free and all others charged for, they will
        of course be available to view and download free as part of their e-communication strategy.
 SG - Survey of ASCC`s .................................................................................................................................. 4th April 2008
         All CCs` and Council members invited to submit comments on this survey.
 ASCC – Feb Newsletter
         Copies of this newsletter distributed at the meeting.
 Cllr Michael Cook – email re: lights at football pitch
          These emails already covered in some detail by Councillor David Raw during the Police reporting session.
  SBC – Awards 2008 .......................................................................................................................closing date 6th June 08
           Nominations required by the closing Date.
  SEPA – Thermal Treatment Criteria Seminar .................................................................................................... 1st April 08
            No nomination for this Seminar.
  BCCF – SBC Community Grant Scheme.
            A reminder of the grant money that was available.
  BCCF – Jim Clark Rally Meeting 28th Jan 08 minutes
  SUP –  ................................................................................................................................................membership renewal
            Renewal agreed.
  SHC – Newsletter – Winter 2008
  Nationwide – Community and Heritage Awards ...........................................................................closing date 28th April 08
           Nomination required.
  Torness LAC -  Meeting .........................................................................................................................  9th April 08
            The Secretary or Matt Deeming will attend

6. Planning Matters:

7. Any other business:
 
Secretary-
Torness – info leaflet - 100 leaflet batch made available for distribution.
 Cllr Nicholas Watson – New Planning Enforcement Charter for the Borders.
 Viridor Incinerator – response to SEPA permit application and anticipated planning application. Kate said that in the
 light of recent decisions on Incineration, these 2 items are to be held in abeyance, awaiting further response from Viridor.
 It was also mentioned that if anyone saw any Waste carrying vehicle shedding its contents as it made is its way to the
  Viridor facility, it should be reported to East Lothian Council for removing.
  Website – family history enquiry from Australia - Any information on this would be most welcome via the village website;  www.cockburnspathandcove.co.uk
The Chairman - A query was raised on the new house build behind Hay Terrace saying that changes had taken place since the original submission, without notification. Cllr Raw and Fullarton will investigate.
Marnie -  reported that blowing sand from the quarry remains a significant problem, and she was having problems with it
 in the drains of her conservatory.
Also she asked if traffic slowing signs could be located on the road through Old Cambus as complaints had again be made about speeding traffic from Coldingham – Cllr Raw will investigate.
A1 roundabout Trees/Bushes overgrown – secretary said that it had been reported to Bear SE Scotland manager, who would look into it.
Shop in the Square – a ramp into the shop would be helpful for the more infirm of the village.The owner Claire has this under consideration. It was suggested that in the meantime a handrail would help when climbing the steps.
Jean – A raffle is to be held to raise funds for a defibrillator, can the Council help with a contribution. The Chairman suggested £100 which was agreed.
David – He and Cllr Raw will investigate the state of Cove Road with a view to getting some repairs done.
He had also reported to Scottish Water that a land slip had occurred in the area of their Waste Treatment Plant at Cove and was surprised to learn that they seemed not to be aware that they had a plant there. They would investigate.
Councillor Fullarton – He was just back from a meeting in Coldingham, on the purchase of the Old Youth Hostel on an `Appeal`, any body interested in joining a committee to achieve this would be welcome.
Miller Hill Recycling – the Executive has quashed this proposal and an alternative has to be found. Also the Viridor Incinerator proposal appears to breach current regulations because of its size which leaves SBC with a problem in achieving its recycling targets.
Matt – The Toll View Notice Board has now been repaired
Kate Tulloch – response to our comments on the Kelso Medical Practice proposals.
 
 
 
   NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 9th April  2008, in the Village Hall to include a RAF Low Flying Presentation at 7pm