DUNPENDER COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held on 4th November 2004
in the Council Chambers, East Linton
Present: Mrs J. Priest, Ms J Boyd, Ms J Pooley, Mrs J Ferguson, Ms P Stephen, Mr J. Robson, Mr J Stephenson, Ms A Cosgrove, Mrs M Alder, Mr B Craighead, Mrs L Shaw-Stewart
1.0 APOLOGIES: Cllr. Broun-Lindsay, Ms T Crane, Cllr D Berry, PC K Hughes
2.0 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 7th 2004
The heading should read, “minutes of the meeting to be held on 7th October 2004” instead of 3rd June. Otherwise it was agreed to be a correct record of the meeting.
3.0 POLICE REPORT
7th October – 4th November 2004
1. About 16:40 hours on the 8th October a male was seen to climb through a window to a house on the High Street. Officers quickly attended at the scene. This turned out to be the occupier gaining entry to his property. This was a false alarm with good intent.
2. Between 16:30 – 23:30 hours on 14th October a Ford Transit van was stolen from the High Street area. This was later recovered at the rear of Livingston Rugby Club. The vehicle had been involved in a traffic accident prior to it being recovered.
3. The windscreen of a vehicle was smashed by unknown means whilst it was parked and unattended in McCall Gardens sometime between 21:00 – 12:00 hours on the 19th October.
4. Has anyone been offered cheap Lager recently? A case of Carlsberg Larger was stolen from the cellar of the Bridge end Hotel around 00:45 hours on the 23rd October.
5. About 17:00 hours on the 26th an elderly confused male was seen walking along the High Street area. Officers traced the gentleman and returned him to Abbeyfield residential home.
6. A theft by house breaking at Preston Kirk House occurred at about 15:35 hours on the 27th of October. A wallet and mobile phone were taken.
7. On the 28th of October Complaints were received regarding a Red Nissan motorcar parked and unattended in Preston Road. This has been dealt with and uplifted by East Lothian Council.
8. About 09:25 hours a dog walker discovered the body of a female on the sand at Ravensheugh Beach. Officers attended and dealt with the incident. The woman has now been identified as a 65-year-old woman from the Haddington area. Enquiry continues.
9. On the 31st October a window was smashed on the High Street. An egg being thrown caused this. A name for the culprit has been given and enquiry is being made.
PC Hughes would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to be extra vigilant now that the dark nights are upon us.
4.0 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Dunpender News
Ms Stephen gave a resumé of the contents of the forthcoming Dunpender News. There will be an interview with the dog warden, articles on Binning Wood burial ground, Planning matters, planting, results of the Traffic Survey, the Heritage Orchard, the Guides’ trip to Finland, the Drama Group’s Murder Mystery evening, as well as an illustrated front page article on the park. There will also be a nature feature by the Ranger, a biographical feature on the Community Councillors and an information section.
4.2 Recycling Bins for Whitekirk
Ms Pooley reported that a suitable site for the recycling bins had been found in Whitekirk, by the village hall. This will be used if the Church agrees to it.
Mrs Priest informed the Council that brown wheelie bins are now available upon request and that a fortnightly collection will be starting in the Spring.
4.3 Traffic Calming, High Street
Mr Stephenson has done a report for Dunpender News. A meeting of the sub-committee will be called, but the issue of traffic calming in the High Street is likely to take a back seat for the time being as other issues have arisen due to the Entrances Exhibition.
4.4 Speed Bumps Rennie Place
Ms Crane was not present at the meeting to inform the Council whether the letter had gone out to Rennie Place residents yet.
4.5 Update of constitution/ policy statements
Mrs Priest thanked Mr Stephenson for updating the constitution. She also thanked Ms Cosgrove for developing an Equal Opportunities policy and Mr Stephenson and Ms Boyd for developing an environmental policy. These will be discussed next meeting when Councillors will have had more time to read through them.
4.6 Communications/ consultation
Mr Stephenson reported that an appeal for children who would like to help with the website had yielded no response from any of the three High schools. Ms Pooley felt that a survey would be best conducted in the spring amongst East Linton residents.
4.7 Burial grounds
(See 10.6) A letter from A Smith suggested that a crematorium at Dunbar was a good idea, due to the length of journey to Edinburgh crematoria for many people.
The Council generally agreed with this idea, but it was felt that research would be necessary. Stuart Pryde at ELC is to be contacted in the first instance.
5.0 TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr Robson reported a current account balance of £2713.68 and a Grants account balance of £6358.13.
6.0 LOCAL PRIORITIES BUDGET
· Ms Poolley asked if Whitekirk could have money for some new Xmas lights. It was agreed that £50 - £100 could be allocated for this.
· The Youth Club is restarting shortly, with a paid youth worker in position. At present no financial help is required.
· Tyninghame Estate has mentioned a possible lease for Tyninghame Hall to the group of residents currently running the Hall. Dunpender Community Council agreed it would be prepared to contribute towards costs, eg new hall curtains, worktop in kitchen, should the group decide to tackle these improvements.
· East Linton recycling centre behind the Co-op will get a larger bin. Other bins in the village will be repositioned to provide one at Phantassie Steading road end and a bin with a cigarette stubber outside the library.
· Mr Robson reported that 90% of the advertising money has been received from the East Linton leaflet. A further £300 was agreed for distribution of the leaflet in the spring.
7.0 PLANNING MATTERS/ HOUSING SUB -COMMITTEE
· There has been a re-application for planning for housing in the old Torness Motors workshop site by the railway bridge. This is likely to be for 4 x 2bed and 1 x 3bed homes.
· Two professional town planners have offered to help the Housing Sub – Committee. The committee has done various site visits and will be reporting on its proposals in due course.
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8.0 TOWN MAINTENANCE / TOURISM INITIATIVES
8.1 Paths
Mrs Ferguson reported that the decision regarding the Fresh Futures application had been deferred until December. Recent wet weather has held up the progress of path building. The new signposts should be going up in a couple of weeks. Mrs Ferguson has also investigated the cost of a Paths Leaflet – for the first 3000 copies it would cost £1500 which the Council agreed is reasonable. Copy for the leaflet has been started and Council members have agreed to help with this. Possibly the History Society and the Anglers’ Society may contribute also.
8.2 Park
The old equipment in East Linton Park has been removed and temporary fencing is now in place. The new equipment should be in place by Christmas.
8.3 The Square
Mrs Shaw-Stewart informed the Council that the amended application has now been submitted. ELC Property department is apparently not keen to paint the fountain, which also needs rewiring. Quotes to be obtained from local tradesmen.
8.4 Entrance Exhibition
The exhibition was in the library for one week and the Community Hall for one week. The comments book had been well used and was discussed by the Council. The red markings, people pictures and priority signs on the old bridge were unpopular.
Although the bus buildouts attracted negative comments, it was felt that they are extremely important for hydraulic buses and wheelchair access.
The footway impression at Station Road is unsatisfactory, as what was wanted are parking spaces and a “P” sign. However, the “D” islands on Station Road are considered to be a good idea.
The roundabout at Phantassie will slow traffic down and encourage people to come through the village and is considered to be a good idea. Signage will also need to encourage traffic through East Linton. This will be discussed further at a later date.
The junction at Jimmy Allan’s is acceptable.
The Lauder Place residents feel strongly that the one way system should be the other way round. The Council agreed with this.
8.5 Street Signs
The new signs will go up at some point as positions have now been agreed with Property. A sign pointing to the public toilets will go on the gable end of the Co-op and on a lamppost at around 54 High St. A finger post to direct pedestrians to the toilets is being considered for Bank Road.
9.0 YOUTH MATTERS
There was no youth report tonight.
10.0 CORRESPONDENCE
10.1 Bass Notes Oct 04
10.2 NB & District Business Assn – new golf website
10.3 ELC: Amenity Officer re litter bins
10.4 ELC: Invitation to Heritage Forum
10.5 ELC: flyer re brown bins
10.6 A Smith: suggestion re new crematorium at Dunbar
10.7 SEPA view
10.8 MELD Annual Report
10.9 EL Community Assn: rep for Hall Committee
10.10 ELC Notices of Meetings and Minutes Nov 04
10.11 NHS Consultation extended to 19/11/04
11.0 OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
· Mrs Boyd has the key to the War Memorial for the Remembrance Day service.
· Ms Stephen pointed out that a shop in Ashfield, Dunbar, has organised a pyrotechnics team to do a bonfire, fireworks, etc., who carry their own insurance. With this in mind it may be possible to get somebody to organise a bonfire night in East Linton again.
· Mr Robson received a renewal of membership letter from Friends of the Earth. It was agreed to renew the membership.
· Mr Robson had attended the bimonthly meeting at Lafarge Cement. They have had a record number of accident free days. A new wet scrubber is in place.
· Ms Pooley reported an increase in the number of heavy lorries in Whitekirk. She requested a weight restriction as the verges are being damaged. She will contact Cllr Berry regarding this matter.
12.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd of December at 7.30pm in the Council Chambers, East Linton. |
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