Presentation:
 
Before the meeting began the Chairman referred to the presentation given on Wednesday 9th April by Squadron Leader John Gilbert, RAF Community Relations Officer for Scotland on low flying in the Borders. Those who had attended agreed that it had been very informative and well presented. It was suggested that a note of our appreciation should be sent to the Squadron Leader.
 
 The meeting then began.

1. Present:
John Hay (Chairman), Clifford Bertram (Vice Chairman), Tom Dean (Secretary), Marnie McGregor, David Arnott, Jane and Peter Hood, Councillor David Raw, Councillor Fullarton, and 1 member of the community.
1.1. Apologies: Angela Brading (Treasurer), Jean Virtue, Matt Deeming, and Kate Tulloch

2. Previous minutes:
2.1. Minutes discussed and accepted

3. Business arising:
3.1. Working Group – youth problem solutions.
 Cllr Raw is progressing this.
3.2. SG – Planning Modernisation – these consultations continue .................................................... up to 9th May 08
Responses to these consultations required by closing date.
 3.3. SBC – Awards 2008 ....................................................................................................................... 6th June 08
 Euan Dale the local swimmer who has been selected for the Olympics was put foreword, a decision will be made at the May meeting. Marnie suggested that the council send a congratulations card for his selection.
 3.4. Nationwide – Community and Heritage Awards .....................................................closing date 28th April 08
 No nomination put forward for these.
 3.5. Rear of Hay Terrace – planning query
  No resolution on this, Cllr Fullarton to investigate further.
 3.6. Old Cambus – Road signs (Speeding Traffic)
 Cllr Raw has raised this query with SBC who will look into the options available.
  This item also initiated a debate on the re-positioning of the 30mph sign on the old A1 approaching from the north. Some traffic approaches the village in excess of the speed limit; especially around the time children are accessing school buses. This proposal has been put to SBC in the past without success as the position is determined by the last street light location.
3.7. Shop in square – Disability Access.
No progress yet on this.

4. Correspondence

4.1. SG – Planning Appeal – Drone Hill and Agenda ................................................................... 15th April 08
Letters received stating that the application had gone to appeal with an agenda for the next meeting.
4.2. SBC – Community Councils Insurance Cover.
 This is an annual notification (certificates to be retained for 40 years)
4.3. SBC – Council gears up for licensing changes.
This is a pre-warning of changes due in 2009
4.4. SBC – Easier ways to pay.
 Information on paying bills to SBC by Direct Debit.
4.5. SBC – SB Local
Letter and leaflet giving information on how to use the service
4.6. SBC – Town Twinning
Idea debated but generally thought it would not be practicable for Cockburnspath..
4.7. SBC – Social Work Services Annual Report 2007
Cllr Raw gave a review of the report.
4.8. SBC – Household Survey.
Notification of the survey due to start shortly and distributed to 10000 households.
4.9. SBC – Scottish Borders Paths Project .......................................................................................... 22nd April 08
No volunteers to attend meeting.
4.10. SBC – Data Protection - Community Councils Registration
                    Data Protection Seminar & SCCN Newsletter ................................................................... 28th May 08
                    Data Protection – Notification Guidance
Registration not to be paid until after Seminar on 28th May. Also application for funding Xmas tree lights this year to be considered per reminder in SCCN newsletter.
4.11. Berwickshire Civic Society – Keep Berwickshire Tidy Campaign 08 ........................... 28 April to 2nd May
Appeal to all living in the village to collect any lying rubbish in the run up to judging at the end of the month.
4.12. ASCC – Area Representative. ....................................................................................................... 5th May 08
                        Constitution ....................................................................................................................21st June 08
                         Subscription.
Nominations required for Area rep., also submissions required for any changes to the new Constitution and renewal of subscription – Yes.
4.13. Forestry Commission – Consultation on Strategic Plan ................................................................ 9th June 08
Comments required by close of consultation.
4.14. Lothian & Borders Outdoor Diary 2008
Latest Tourist information.
4.15. Postwatch Scotland – Spring Issue newsletter.
4.16. Scottish Borders Elder Voice – April Newsletter

5. Planning Matters

5.1. Planning Application – Cove – Creel Cottage
 This application was not notified officially to the council, but a local affected resident notified us.
 Council comments against the proposal were raised on the SBC website.
 5.2. Planning Modification – Dunglass Park, Lady Hall Road
 No comments on the amendments, some query required on the proposed footpaths arrangement.

6. Any other business

6.1. Chairman –
6.1.1. Letter received from Chirnside Medical Practice regarding a proposed new Pharmacy to be established in the village. The doctors are looking for support to reject this proposal, as it would threaten the service, which they provide. Kate prepared a letter, which the secretary forwarded on to the NHS member who was concerned with  making the decision on the proposal.
6.1.2. Graffiti on the walls of the Railway underpass – SB local to be informed.
6.1.3. Windfarm money applications –
6.1.3.1. Gala request for assistance with funding - £200 recommended.
6.1.3.2. Mothers & Toddlers – request for help to alleviate their dire financial position and debt - No  recommendation for money just yet, invite will be given for member to attend next meeting.
6.1.3.3. Nursery application for funding for broadband connection for next 2 years of £430. - Rejected.
6.2.   Marnie –
6.2.1. Church yard – no action on problems to date, Cllr Raw will progress.
6.2.2. Old Cambus Road section – could speed warning lights or signs  be considered here because of danger hazard – Cllr Raw will look into this.
6.3. David –
6.3.1. Cove Waste Treatment – Scottish Water now acknowledges existence of this plant, and will investigate the landslip problem that they have there.
6.4. Clifford – New Cove Cottages – the new building work in that area is causing access problems for walkers etc. After discussion it was suggested that the work would soon be sufficiently completed to allow clearance in the area. A check would be done in one months time.
6.5.  Jane Hood – She had attended a recent meeting on Viridor and read a statement from them on their future proposals for the Incinerator. The police, who also attended, stated that they would be carrying out a survey in the area around the junction, which is used by vehicles accessing the site. In addition it was made known that that amount of waste entering the site is continuing to fall from all sources.
6.6. Secretary –
6.6.1.Chirnside Medical Practice – Letter received from the doctors requesting support for their appeal to the NHS not to allow a private pharmacy in the village as it would threaten the provision of medical services there. Kate Tulloch had prepared a response for the council in support for this appeal, which had been sent to the NHS.
6.6.2. Yetholm & Morebattle surgeries closures – Kate gave an update on the current position on this. A decision from the NHS is due next week, which, hopefully, will result in our local `branch` surgery being safeguarded.
6.7. Cllr Raw –
6.7.1. Houndwood Church – The appeal on this development has been rejected, but the problem remains as to what now happens to the property.
6.7.2. Cove new development rejection – now gone to appeal.
6.7.3. Working Group on Youth Problems – Youth Worker Els Nicol has been informed and is more than willing to meet with the youths. Arrangements for a meeting will be made after contact information is exchanged.
 

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 14th May  2008, in the Primary School