DUNPENDER COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held on 4th December 2003
in the Council Chambers, East Linton
Present: Mr C Stewart, Ms A. Cosgrove, Mrs M. Alder, Ms J. Pooley, Mrs J. Bishop, Ms P. Stephen, Mr J. Robson, Mrs L. Shaw-Stewart, Mrs J. Ferguson
In attendance: Cllr. L. Broun-Lindsay
1.0 Apologies: Mrs J. Priest, Mrs A. McLean, Mrs Janet Boyd, Cllr D Berry, PC Bob Leslie
2.0 The Minute of the previous meeting, held on 6th November 2003, was agreed to be a correct record. Mr Stewart thanked Mrs Bishop for organising the wreath on Remembrance Sunday.
3.0 POLICE REPORT
There was no Police Report tonight.
4.0 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Website
Ms Cosgrove voiced her concerns about Dunpender Community website. At present the website has a message board, which has been receiving messages the content of which gives cause for concern, eg derogatory remarks about incomers. Ms Cosgrove has contacted a solicitor who recommended that this website should not have a message board as it is linked to the Community Council who could then be held liable. The Council voted to scrap the message board.
4.2 Paths
Mrs Ferguson reported that the Viridor application has now been completed. Norman Hampshire was able to give assistance as Dunbar Community Development Trust is already registered with Entrust. Forward Scotland has questioned Mrs Ferguson about Paths in a lengthy interview. There will be a meeting on December 17th to make a decision regarding the application.
Ms Pooley has researched the Whitekirk walk and reported that it is not a circular walk, stopping at the A198, but that it has some interesting views.
4.3 Chambers Door
Mrs Shaw-Stewart reported that she has seen the plans, which depict a solid, four-panelled wooden door. The green colour has been approved.
4.4 Dunpender News
The December edition is ready for distribution. Ms Stephen and Ms Pooley expressed their gratitude to Margaret Montgomery for all her assistance.
4.5 Edinburgh Congestion Charging Proposals
ELC is holding a special Council Meeting on December 16th to discuss the proposals and wishes to obtain the views of Community Councils. Ms Cosgrove asked members for their comments regarding the proposed charges. The Outer Zone as it currently stands is felt to be unfair and it was agreed that the Council should oppose it completely. Local businesses will suffer as a result of the huge cost of vans going in and out of Edinburgh. The New Royal Infirmary situation is unsatisfactory, as it will be inside the Outer Zone and people travelling to and from the hospital at peak times will incur charges. The bus service to Edinburgh from the Dunpender area is inadequate. The Council felt that the subsidy of multi-users and the introduction of more small scale buses would be appropriate as the need is to reduce vehicles, not people, coming into Edinburgh.
Ms Cosgrove will put this forward to ELC.
4.6 Speed Bumps
Regarding the request for speed bumps in Rennie Place, Cllr Broun-Lindsay informed the Council that there was no hope of ELC funding this completely. The cost would £500 per speed bump and the suggestion will be made that the residents could possibly fund this themselves.
4.7 Viewpoint/Quarry at Pencraig Hill
This will be discussed at the next meeting.
5.0 YOUTH MATTERS
There was no report on youth matters as Mrs McLean was absent, but Mr Stewart informed the Council that a Disco would take place this month.
6.0 TREASURER’S REPORT
The balance stands at £5404.25. Ms Cosgrove has set up a new account for Paths.
7.0 LOCAL PRIORI TIES/ CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT
7.1 Longstone Avenue Residents Association need to be paid for their Neighbourhood Watch signs. This will be dealt with immediately.
7.2 Mrs Ferguson informed the Council that East Linton Primary School football team’s kit is 10 years old and the sponsors’ logo has fallen off the shirts. She produced a letter from the team requesting Dunpender Community Council to sponsor them. The Council agreed that it would be inappropriate to act as sponsors, but was very impressed with the letter and would like to help. Mr Robson to write a letter to the team suggesting that they fundraise among local businesses, possibly involve The Courier, Balfour Beatty, Markle Quarry, and approach Dunpender Community Council again if there is still a shortfall.
8.0 TOWN MAINTENANCE
8.1 The Park
The application to Leader Plus was submitted on Monday.
8.2 Bus Stop in the Square
This has given rise to some controversy. The residents from No. 1 need a parking space outside their house. Alex Park from ELC says that the lines will not be going down till March and when they do, a disabled parking bay will form part of the bus stop.
8.3 Christmas Lights
The lights in the Square will be switched on on December 12th.
9.0 PLANNING MATTERS
· Regarding the proposed change of use from library to shop, Ms Logan has received consent.
· Kiloran House is no longer operating as a B&B. The planning application to build more houses in the grounds is unlikely to be granted due to the danger of extra traffic coming in and out.
· A planning application for the light commercial use of St Andrew’s Kirk has been refused due to the extra traffic it would cause in the Square.
10.0 TOURISM INITIATIVES/ SCOTLAND IN BLOOM
10.1 Landscaping of the Square
A plan of the proposed improvements to the Square was circulated. Council members were asked to email any comments to Mrs Priest.
10.2 Junctions
The exhibition of the junctions at the A119/ Lauder Place was supposed to be in November. Cllr Broun-Lindsay to chase up.
10.3 Bridge at Whittingehame
Last week a lorry was stuck for 7 hours under the bridge at Whittingehame. There has been a complaint to say that the bridge needs a sign to say “No long Vehicles”.
10.4 Flower Show
Mr Stewart informed the Council that the Flower Show is to be called East Linton Flowers, Arts and Crafts Show
11.0 CORRESPONDENCE
11.1 ELC Notice of Meetings
11.2 SEPA View
11.3 ELC Local Plan Devt. Options meeting in Prestonpans
11.4 Jewel and Esk Valley re free ICT training
11.5 ELC : information on 2 environmental award schemes - Frank Tindall Awards
11.6 SNH discussion paper on Scotland’s Future Landscapes.
11.7 RAF: Low Flying Presentations
11.8 ELVON News Nov 03
12.0 OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
12.1 Ms Cosgrove suggested that Councillors need a Job Description and a Code of Conduct.
12.2 Mrs Alder reported that a step at St Baldred’s Well is broken and that she has reported it.
12.3 Ms Stephen reported that she had been to a meeting with Miller Homes at the Townhouse. People are being encouraged to think about what sort of houses, landscaping, community facilities, etc. they feel are appropriate and the results will be sent to ELC Planning department. Ms Stephen would like this brought up at the next meeting.
12.4 Ms Cosgrove informed the Council that a Feasibility Study for the opening of East Linton station will be funded by the Scottish Borders Council and the Scottish Executive.
13.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 8th January 2004 at 7.30pm in the Council Chambers, East Linton. |
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