Dunpender Community Council
Minutes 04-2003
 
 
DUNPENDER COMMUNITY COUNCIL
 
Minutes of meeting held on 3rd April 2003
in the Council Chambers, East Linton
 
Present: Mrs J. Priest, Mr C. Stewart, Ms P. Stephen, Mrs A. McLean, Mr J. Robson, Mrs L. Shaw-Stewart, Mrs M. Alder
 
In Attendance: Cllr. Broun-Lindsay, Cllr. D. Berry, P.C. Cowan, W.P.C.Glasgow
 
1.0       Apologies: Mrs J. Bishop, Mr D. Harvey

2.0              The Minute of the previous meeting held on 6th March 2003 was agreed to be a correct record.
 
3.0              POLICE REPORT
P.C.Cowan introduced his new colleague, W.P.C Glasgow.
3.1              P.C. Cowan reported that a man claiming to be from the Water Board was allowed entry to the home of an elderly East Linton resident and then stole money and jewellery. A similar incident occurred at the Cove and PC Cowan re-iterated the need for people to ask to see ID prior to allowing access.
3.2              A major drugs operation mounted at East Fortune resulted in four arrests and a seizure of drugs with a street value of approx. £300,000.
3.3              A car parked outside Brown’s Place was damaged between 15th and 16th March.The enquiry had a negative result.
3.4       Between 21st and 23rd March, 13 windows were smashed at East Linton Primary school and Police are following a positive line of enquiry.
3.5       Police attended an alarm activation at East Linton Primary School on 29th March to find entry had been attempted via a smashed window but the culprits had fled the scene on hearing the alarm.
3.6              A parked car at Ravensheugh, Tyninghame was broken into and items stolen from the rear seat. P.C. Cowan re-iterated the need to leave valuables out of sight in the boot.
3.7              A fridge freezer was stolen from a caravan at Monksmuir between 31st March and 1st April.
3.8              Police have received several complaints about noisy parties, domestic disputes and an alleged knife attack at the new flats at Prestonkirk House.
Mrs Priest thanked P.C. Cowan for his report.
 
4.0              MATTERS ARISING
 
4.1       Vacancy
·        (see 5.9) Mrs Priest was pleased to report that she had received a letter from Mrs J Ferguson to say she would be delighted to fill the Beanston/ Markle/ Crauchie vacancy and that she has a special interest in paths and bridleways. A vote was taken and Mrs Ferguson was accepted on to the Council.
·        (see 5.8) Mrs Priest reported that she had received a letter from Major T. Fowler offering his resignation with immediate effect due to work commitments.
·        Mrs Priest reported that Mr D Harvey had phoned to offer his resignation. It was agreed to accept this.
·        There are now two vacancies for the post of Tyninghame/Whitekirk. There is reportedly some interest in the post, which will be advertised on the notice board in Tyninghame and also in Whitekirk. Cllr Berry will mention the vacancy in his newsletter.   
 
4.2                   Post Bus
Mrs Shaw-Stewart reported that the Post Bus situation has now been resolved. The Post Bus has been withdrawn, but there is to be a single postman serving the area, which is preferable to several as it offers more cohesion for the community.
4.3                   Bonfire/ Fireworks Display
Ms Stephen had no progress to report.
 
5.0       CORRESPONDENCE
5.1       ELC Notice of meetings
5.2       Postwatch Scotland Newsletter Spring 2003
5.3       Planning Aid Scotland – brochure and information on service.
5.4        AELCC Minutes
5.5        ELC Social Work Dept Sustainable Housing Project.
5.6        ELC Invitation to meeting to review the Planning Service. No one able to go.          
5.7         ELTB request to put advertisement in E. Lothian brochure.
5.8         Major T. Fowler letter of resignation.
5.9         Mrs J Ferguson re vacancy.
5.10      EL School Board re skateboard ramps.
5.11      ELC M Johnston re Community Environmental Fund
5.12      ABEL (Anti-Bullying East Lothian) AGM notice and information
5.13      Information on Scottish Parliament
5.14       NHS notice of Meeting: Development Day
5.15       J Guy re Linn Rocks
5.16      AELCC re Homes for Life Membership. It was agreed to join.
5.17              Mr D McLean – expression of approval of skateboard park from local resident.
 
6.0   TREASURER’S REPORT
 
6.1 Ms Cosgrove reported a balance of £3462.78.
6.2 The DCC accounts are to be audited by Becky Donald.
6.3 The money for next year consists of £537 Community Council Grant, £4670 Local Priorities Grant and £4170 Capital Improvements Grant.
6.4 RAGES:  The Friends of Riccarton Station sent a bag of “East Linton Station” keyrings to be sold at community events for £1.50 and the proceeds returned to them. It was agreed that this would be possible.
6.5 Mrs Priest asked the Council to consider giving money to Paths for Health, which was mentioned at the last meeting. It was agreed that more information was required, possibly a representative could come and answer questions.
 
7.0          LOCAL PRIORITIES
7.1 Mrs Priest raised the question of how much money should be given to the Horticultural Society for planting and tubs. It was agreed that £500 was appropriate.
7.2  Regarding the refurbishment of streetlights in East Linton, Cllr Broun-Lindsay will contact Brian Cooper again.
 
8.0       A1 EXPRESSWAY SUB-GROUP
 
8.1 The Tourist Leaflet Distribution was discussed and a decision was reached.
8.2 Ms Stephen reported that she had found a suitable designer for the East Linton website - Blackdog Web Design, The Square, East Linton. Ms Stephen outlined a website proposal consisting of a homepage with a general description of East Linton with maps, information for visitors and for potential and new residents. Contributions may be given to Blackdog, who will also contact Margaret Montgomery at ELC for pictures. Mrs Priest took the opportunity to remind everyone of the excellent dunpender.co.uk website set up by Colin Stewart.
8.3 Regarding the new junctions and roundabout, Ms Stephen reported that she is still awaiting a response from Brian Cooper.
8.4 (see 5.11) information from ELC on the Community Environmental Fund which offers up to £3000 for landscaping and ‘quality of life’projects.
8.5 (see 5.15) A letter from John Guy states that he still has misgivings about the proposed signs to the Linn Rocks. JP to respond.
8.6 Mrs Priest reported that a meeting today with Groundcare and the Pathways officer should result in progress with the riverside path at Stories Park and ELC are to produce a design and costing.
8.7   Mrs Priest reported from a meeting with ELC today that the work on thePavilion and toilets will start immediately after the Gala and should take about 3 months.
 
9.0        TOWN MAINTENANCE/ SCOTLAND IN BLOOM
 
9.1 The new fence in the park is almost completed and School Road is to be resurfaced during the Easter holidays.
9.2 The new skate park is now in place and was officially opened last Friday. (see 5.10) DCC received a copy of a letter from East Linton Primary School to the Department of Leisure and Recreation saying that while the skate park is a great amenity, its installation coincides with an increase in vandalism to the school. The matter is outwith the control of DCC but it was felt that the area around the ramps could be turfed rather than seeded. Marie Johnston to be contacted.
9.3Mrs Priest asked all council members to give any ideas for the park they have to Colin Stewart.
 
10.0     PLANNING MATTERS
 
10.1 A Mr Perkins has been refused planning permission to build a house in Whitekirk.
10.2 A planning application has been made to build two houses in the vacant ground in Main Street, Whitekirk. DCC are concerned to see so much possible expansion in Whitekirk.
10.3 Mr G Laing has applied for planning permission to build a house in the yard by the old bridge in East Linton. The height of the proposed house is the main concern. Ms Stephen to ask Mr Laing about this.
10.4 Planning permission has been approved for the interpretive panel in Tyninghame.
 
11.0   YOUTH MATTERS
A successful disco was held last month and the talent night to take place on 4th April will raise funds for the summer trip.
 
12.0    OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
 
12.1 Mr Robson informed the Council that the Longstone Avenue Residents’ Association meeting was taking place that evening.
12.2 Mr Robson informed the Council that on 1st April he attended the Blue Circle Liaison Group.
12.3 The Association of Community Councils AGM was held on 2nd April.
12.4 Dunpender News requires articles to be submitted by the middle of May.
 
13.0     DATE OF NEXT MEETING 
Thursday 1st May 2003 at 7.30pm in the Council Chambers, East Linton.