Minutes for meeting  - Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 7pm in the School

Venue: Cockburnspath Primary School

Presentation:
Proposed Quarry at Fulfordlees
Two members from Kinegar Quarry, Mr Findlay and a technical representative attended to talk about the  proposal and to answer questions.
A vigorous discuss took place on many aspects of the application which was brought to an end by the Chairman. Most sides of each case were presented.
The Chairman thanked our visitors for attending.

Present:
John Hay (Chairman), Clifford Bertram (Vice Chairman),Tom Dean (Secretary), Marnie McGregor, Jean Virtue,Kate Tulloch, Councillor David Raw and two members of the community.

Apologies: Angela Brading (Treasurer), Jean Virtue, Matt Deeming, David Arnott and Councillors M.Cook and J. Fullarton

Previous minutes:
Minutes discussed and accepted.

Business arising:            .
BCCF–  New date for BCCF meeting.
This meeting had previously been planned to be held at Cockburnspath Village, but had been cancelled due to bad weather. It was now to be held in Duns on 12th March, the secretary will attend.
Police – If attending raise query on A1 closure.
Police had not been attending meetings because our notification procedure (email) had defaulted, this had been sorted.  Unfortunately the police did not attend the meeting, but an apology for that was phoned in.
Cllr Fullarton - an email was received stating that:
Cemetery – the hut and tree have now been removed and
Garage flooding – checks are still to be done on the culverts to check  for blockage.

Correspondence:
SG – Central Heating Programme - A reminder of the grants available to improve housing heat efficiency.
SG - seConsult Weekly Update - Latest issue received, nothing appropriate for consideration.
SBC – Community Council Funding Review - Looking for volunteers to join a group to consider this, none came forward.
SBC – A Towns Update - Engagement Exercise, Literature Review, Learning Network Launch and Budget
announcement - Awaiting details.
SBC – Data Protection Act Registration - Secretary nominated for registration, cost to be born by SBC.
SBC – Technical Services Programme -This was an assessment programme to let the dept. know how they were rated and available only to those who had internet access.
SBC - Ministerial Launch 16 March - A guide to the use of mediation in the planning system -No volunteer to attend this meeting.
SBC – Planning and Building Standards Forum - No volunteer to attend this meeting.
SBC – SB Local - A reminder that grant money is available for the use of this service.
SBCN – FEB Newsletter - Latest edition.
BCCF– Meeting in Duns 12th March -Re-arranged as stated above and a reminder of The Jim Clark Rally meeting coming up.
J. Lamont – Town Centre Regeneration Fund - A reminder of the funding available for this.
Cllr M. Cook - INFORMATION FROM LEGAL SERVICES -This information distributed previously by other departments
                       REVIEW OF FUNDING TO COMMUNITY COUNCILS -Also circulated previously, see item above.
                       Road Closures -These details posted on local notice boards.
                       Keep Berwickshire Tidy Campaign -Information for the latest campaign
                       New Eyemouth High School Opening -Press release to coincide with the opening.
                       Safer Borders Newsletter -This news sheet will be issued on a monthly basis.
CAS – Get Credit for Working -Poster placed in the notice board.
BIGPARTNERSHIP – Home heating helpline -Information supplied by heating system suppliers under grant scheme.
CaFE – FEB newsletter - Latest edition
SUP – Membership - Membership is free but donations are welcome. Agreed to pay £10.
Torness – LLC meeting 25th March -Notification of meeting, secretary will attend.
Ettrick & Yarrow CC – Mobile Phone Petition -Petition available to support the improvement in poor reception areas.

Planning Matters:

Fulfordlees Gravel Quarry -The council were generally supportive of the application, especially from the employment provision but felt that residents living local to the proposed site had genuine grievances and they should be considered and  mitigated were possible.
Steading Buildings – Old Cambus, West Mains - No comments.

Any Other Business:

Chairman
1 - New House, Station Yard - A resident in the house had been in touch with him asking why they had not been contacted with regard to the problems raised over the house and garage as stated in some of the previous minutes. He explained that some confusion had existed with regard to who occupied/owned the house, but as this was now clear perhaps some amicable resolution could be found.
2 -Old Cambus Road. - when would a meeting be held to discuss the implications of its use when the Drone Hill Windfarm construction begins. Cllr Raw said that it still had to be arranged.
3 - Cockburnspath Garage. - planning application for demolition/building of new houses not yet considered per Cllr Raw, who also stated that approval for new garage had been given but a problem existed concerning a compulsory purchase order at the new site. Peter Hood (Farmer) would check his past records to try to resolve the problem.
4 – School Eco Pond – school has obtained money to develop a pond at the bog in the field by the Dean Walk.
Cllr Raw
1 - Youth Project – a meeting had not yet been arranged but notification will be issued shortly for one to be held in 2 weeks.
2 – SBC Budget – this had now been approved and funding remains restricted. The Chairman reported that one of the Rangers on the Southern Upland Way had been laid off.
Clifford Bertram
Reported a couple of safety hazards;
1 –  Walking past the Old Manse on the Hoprig Road is dangerous because the overhanging shrubs force you further into the road. The owners will be approached to cut it back.
2 – The Meadows field contains some deep lying water which should be drained, the chairman noted that this belonged to Caledonian Developments.
Peter Hood
1 – Aggregate Levy – as a result of the presentation on the proposed new quarry the question of the availability of this levy arose. This will be checked by the secretary.
2 – Southern Upland Way – A meeting would be necessary with the local Ranger to discuss its re-routing to avoid the land slips around old Radar Station area.
Marnie
The walk by the Dean has assorted litter including broken glass and condoms lying about, a container  to place this in is needed.
Secretary
Windfarm Community Benefits – 1 - Community Windfarms Ltd (Aikengall) have agreed to fund the
                                                                Church Hall Heating repair (Pump replacement).
                                                           2 – Drone Hill W/F – Coldingham Moor Communities group is attempting
                                                                 to set up a meeting with the developers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY 8th April 2009, in the Primary School