Present: Mrs J Priest Mrs A Cosgrove Mr E Martin Mr I Young
Mrs Shaw-Stewart Mr R Russel Mr J Orr
In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), John Kinnaird, Peter Courtney
1. Apologies: Ms A Pearson, Mrs V Hoban, Cllr L Jardine, Mr D Wight
2. Minutes of meeting and AGM held on 7th March were agreed with the following amendment - 5.1 Belltown : From the sentence beginning "Ofgem... " to the end of the paragraph comments are attributed to Mrs Shaw-Stewart.
3. Police Report
PC Laura Jackson plans to contact local residents to arrange discussions on how the police, local authority and the community can tackle the anti-social behaviour at Linn Rocks. The use of a fixed camera at Station Road was helpful in identifying any offenders last summer there is a proposal that this be reinstalled around the end May/start of June.
preadsheet to track issues and cameras will be deployed.
Between 1st of March 2024 and 31st of March 2024 there were 28 calls to the area. This resulted in police recording 1 crime of vandalism.
is a scheme driven by members of the community supported by Police Scotland. It is a high visibility deterrent to encourage motorists to reduce their speed. Trained volunteers, in high visibility clothing, will record details of vehicles travelling above the speed limit at pre-approved sites and will forward details to Police Scotland who write to the registered keepers advising them of their speed and reminding them to obey the speed limits in built up areas. Concern was expressed about delegation of police responsibility to the community and there was strong feeling is that this is not suitable for East Linton. Tyninghame residents may be keen to take part and Mr Wight will contact Laura if they are interested.
4. Matters Arising
4.1. Vacancies
Two vacancies are outstanding.
4.2. Local Place Plan
Thirty eight people attended a meeting in the hall on 12/03 to discuss the survey responses. The draft plan is being updated with comment from the meeting and actions will be identified and attributed to the relevant ELC department. Due to the nature of the comments the plan will be renamed as the Dunpender Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan. The aim is to submit the plan to ELC by the end of May. Mr Wight was thanked for his work.
4.3. Linn Rocks policing
See 3.0.
4.4. Roads
4.4.1. The Mart entrance/Stop sign at Orchardfield
Alan Stubbs (ELC - Road Services manager) confirmed that the vehicle access at the Mart has deteriorated significantly due to the volume of traffic. The access will be closed during repair which will take place in the evening sometime within the next 6 weeks. Mrs Priest reminded the meeting that in addition to the kerb repair the desire was for the grass to be removed at the bus stop to make it easier to pass. She will raise this.
Keith Scott (ELC roads team) has confirmed that it is no longer possible to have a both-ways sign on the bus stop at the Mart so in order for the bus to stop opposite the bus shelter a pole and sign will be installed on the opposite pavement.
4.4.2. Preston Road
Simon Law (ELC Project Manager Active Travel) will apply to the Ian Findlay path fund for funds to extend the pavement and reduce the road width at Preston Kirk. Mrs Priest has referred him to Calum Redpath (ELC - Roads Engineering) for the relevant costs.
Mr Russel raised an issue of 75 pot holes on Preston Road. 30-40 have been repaired with the situation getting worse due to wet weather. A revised list has been submitted.
4.4.3. School Road disrepair
No update.
4.4.4. A199 speed limit
Mrs Shaw-Stewart agreed to contact Morag Haddow (ELC - Active Travel) to determine who DCC should contact to object to the proposed 40mph speed limit between Dunbar and Haddington on the A199. Concerns were expressed that this is a key road for East Linton residents, a diversionary route for A1 traffic, the reduced speed would lead to frustration and increase the risk of accidents and would also impact bus timetables.
4.5. Footpaths
4.5.1. Flooding at underpass
No update.
4.5.2. Salt bins
Mr Young reported there is still no salt in the bin.
4.5.3. Mill Lade path
Mr Russel met with met Dave Wild (East Lothian Countryside Volunteers) who agreed that gravel would be put down as a temporary measure and later more drainage would be required. Work will be done either by the community payback team or possibly Balfour Beatty as part of the community benefit associated with the Markle Bridge work.
.45.4. Pencraig path
Ms Pearson reported that the path is finished and currently work is underway to fill holes in the stone walls and fill in rabbit holes.
4.6. Meetings attended
4.6.1 AELCC
Mr Wight attended and there was detailed discussion about planning for battery storage. Common issues in Local Place Plans are being identified to be taken forward by AELCC.
4.6.2 DELAP Mrs Cosgrove was voted in as chairperson. There has been an initial meeting with Stevie McKinlay to look at the way forward and all groups have been contacted and asked for their 3 top priorities. There is also a plan to visit all interested CCs. East Linton have three votes - Mr Wight, Mrs Shaw-Stewart and Hayden Thomas from CAEL.
4.6.3 John Muir Country Park Advisory Group Ms Pearson will attend the meeting on 17th April.
4.6.2 Veterans in Cairngorms Mr Young was congratulated on taking part in a winter skills expedition in the Cairngorms organized by Sight Scotland Veterans. He spoke about the importance of being empowered by re-visiting old navigation skills and that the trip had been mentioned in parliament.
5. Planning matters
Mrs Shaw-Stewart has submitted DCC objection to Belltown Newland Hill Wind Farm. It has gone to the ECU who have advised her also to object to ELC.
6. Finance
Mr Martin advised a balance of £133.69 at the end of the financial year. £300 was received from ELC on 01/04 for room hire. Mrs Cosgrove reported that £491 was due from DELAP to be ring-fenced for production of a combined bus and train timetable. Mr Russel has reinstalled the depth gauge with the assistance of James Wyllie. Scrap metal from local firm Soltyre was used and expenses were £10 for Hammerite and £8 for bolts.
7. Tyninghame/Whitekirk - Speed sign repair
ELC roads department have been informed that the sign is still not working.
8. Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame - Broadband
Mrs Shaw-Stewart reported that the work installing fibre broadband around Whittingehame has been completed by BT Openreach but there are challenges connecting it from the road the houses. She is progressing the installation of fibre at Luggate which is held up at the moment as they already have a decent speed through Lothian Broadband.
It was noted that work had started on Markle bridge. RAGES will record progress.
9. Projects
No update.
10. Correspondence
10.01 08/03 ELCourier: Hailes Castle up for sale
10.02 08&12/03 LB G Cleife: Mill Wynd BBand
10.03 08/03 ELC T Renouf: ELPartnership Forum 20/04
10.04 12/03 AELCC: Fuel Poverty Map
10.05 12/03 ELC Planning: fence at St Andrewís Church
10.06 ELC N Morgan: Pencraig Path
10.07 15/03 ELC S Law: Preston Rd, I Findlay Path fund
10.08 18/03 ELC M Haddow: Signage at Station and Transport Hub
10.09 26/03 x 3 SEPA P Finnie: Flooding, flytipping and waste recycling
1010. 26/03 AELCC Minutes of 20th March meeting
11. Any Other Business
Mr Courtney has had no response from Lothian Broadband after Mrs Priest contacted them about installing fibre broadband to the houses by the Linn Rocks. Mrs Priest will contact them again and it was suggested contacting Paul McLennan(MSP).
Mr Orr will contact Peter Forsyth (ELC) regarding a location for the noticeboard in the station car park and will progress a quote for the work.
Mrs Cosgrove reported that a passenger count will take place on 16/04 at the station. Concern was expressed about gaps in the current timetable. RAGES will address the need for more trains.
Mrs Hoban will arrange another community fair where local groups such are the guides will be able to advertise for volunteers.
Mrs Hoban will attend the East Lothian Partnership Forum.
Morag Haddow (ELC - Active Travel) would like to install a Transport Hub noticeboard at the station. Concern was expressed that may raise expectations of the bus stopping at the station and that it wasnít really a Hub.
The SEPA flooding list will be discussed at the next meeting and whether East Linton should be included.
Mr Wight has requested assistance from Balfour Beattie community benefits to tarmac the strip of between the community farm car park and the road. He will be asked to provide more information on the community farm.
Mr Young will speak to Peter Forsyth about whether Balfour Beatty could assist with the surface of the Markle path. Ms Hunter has already approached Dave Wild on the subject.
Mrs Cosgrove highlighted a new funding source from the Viridor Community Fund. An application has been made for a new tea urn for the day centre. There may also be a Valencia Community Fund.
12. Date of next meeting: Thursday 2nd May 2024