Present: Mrs J Priest (Chair) Ms A Cosgrove (Vice Chair), Mr R Russel, Ms S Richards, Mr J Robson, Mr B Craighead, Ms A Pearson, Mr J Swift, Ms S Scott
In attendance: PC K Hughes, Cllr P McLennan, Cllr N Hampshire, Calum Colqhoun (Community Warden, East Lothian Council), Steve Hanmer (Dunbar Sea Cadets), Robert Beale (Monks Muir Park), Kenny Kirkwood (Monks Muir Park), John Gray (Monks Muir Park), Isobel Knox (Dunbar SNP), Andrew Turner (local resident), Mrs Jill Taylor (Minutes)
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Ms K Moulin, Mr M Strachan, Ms P Stephen, Mr J Armstrong, Ms E Dorrian, Cllr Jacqui Bell
2.0 MINUTES OF JANUARY MEETING
These were agreed a correct record.
3. POLICE REPORT
PC Kevin Hughes - I have the following to report:
On the 1st of February a sheep worrying incident occurred on Trapain Law. The attack resulted in the sheep being put down. The owner of the dog has been interviewed and a report will be submitted in due course.
Overnight on the 14th of February Stewart Stenhouse Plants was broken into again. On this occasion nothing was stolen although blood lifts have been taken for analysis.
Overnight on the 16th Stewart Stenhouse Plants was broken into yet again. A jigsaw cutter, nail gun and a one pound note were stolen.
Can I add at this point that when the premises were first broken into last year I attended and carried out a crime prevention survey on the premises. Advice was given on how to secure the windows, locks, use of lighting and cameras etc. The recommendations had not been implemented at the time of the break-ins. Extra patrols have been carried out in the area during the night but no persons seen.
Again on the 16th at about twenty past eleven the alarm was triggered at Rutherford’s. The key holder and officers attended and discovered a window had been broken. A search of the premises revealed that about £240 had been taken from a cash box. Since then a young male has been reported to the fiscal in relation to this break-in. Further enquiry is ongoing in relation to the other break-ins and to ascertain if they are linked.
In the early hours of the 17th of March a bomb call was received from the phone box on the High Street. Officers attended and searched the area and no persons or suspicious items found. There was no evidence to suggest that this was ever anything but a hoax. Can I ask people keep an eye out in the areas around the phone boxes and ring Police if you see anyone acting suspiciously?
On the 20th of March a BT engineer attended to do routine checks on a mobile phone mast within the grounds of Phantasie Farm. He discovered about 30 metres of copper earth strapping missing valued at about £750. Can I ask that everyone is vigilant in relation to scrap metal thefts? It is prevalent in our area. Theft of anything from old baths left out, radiators; farm equipment copper piping etc is big business just now. The price of copper is changing weekly. Please be on the look out for transit vans or flat bed vehicles driving around the area with “workmen” collecting metal etc. Ask yourself are they in fact contractors? Do they have company signage on their vehicles or wear company clothing? If not call officers and we will attend and check them out.
The next CAPP meeting will be held at Dunbar Police Station on at half past seven on Tuesday the 1st of May.
PC Hughes was asked if anything can be done re. speeding on Drylaw Terrace entering East Linton, he will look into this. Ms Scott asked PC Hughes re. adolescents hanging round at Linn Rocks, Ms Scott and other residents advised to ring police if this happens and iscausing a nuisance.
3 residents from Monks Muir reported problems crossing road to bus stop on A199 outside Monks Muir. PC Hughes to contact residents to look to completing a road traffic police report with ELC to submit to Lothian and Borders Police HQ.
4. MATTERS ARISING
Steve Hanmer from Dunbar Sea Cadets gave report to meeting regarding future use of lake at North West Quarry at Lafarge Cement Works in Dunbar. There is a dispute over the future use of this lake – Dunbar Sea Cadets would like to use it for water sports but Lafarge appear to be keen to lease space to RSPB to use as reserve. Joint use is not an option. The land is owned by Lafarge, so it is Lafarge’s decision, however they will be looking for support from ELC to develop for future project. There has been no public consultation.
There was a decision made to leave a decision to support either project after DCC has received information regarding RSPB’s plans.
4.1 Community-owned energy projects
Due to time constraints, this item will be discussed at next meeting.
4.2 Secretary position
Due to time constraints, this item will be discussed at next meeting.
.
4.3 Park
Ms Scott reported that there have been around 20 responses to the questionnaire so far, awaiting the results of these once consultation time closes.
Sub-committee have submitted an application for £5,300 to the Civic Pride Fund regarding the school project at Myra’s Field.
Park committee are concerned regarding the potential implication of the football pitch proposals and are currently talking with other core users of park. Cllr McLennan to put Ms Scott in touch with Andy Grant, East Linton Football Club.
Park committee had meeting with Andrew Hogarth, East Lothian Council this week regarding the Bank Road entrance to park. A chicane is not possible as it does not allow enough space for pushchair/disabled access. In order to solve current issue regarding people leaving park at speed on bikes etc next to resident’s driveway, decision was made to make Bank Road entrance next to bowling club side of entrance to park. Also discussed benches – made decision to repair one bench and remove another – benches to be swopped over.
Park committee are awaiting questionnaire responses and grant application decision then, depending on outcomes, can then continue with plans.
4.4 Paths
Ms A Pearson applied for Paths for All Grant for £1,000 for orientation noticeboard at Pencraig Hill, awaiting decision. Ms Pearson informed DCC re. volunteers being requested to define new path at Pencraig as deemed too near archery practice location. Concerns also raised re. fly tipping at Pencraig Hill.
Mr Swift attending Local Access Forum on 25 April.
Quotation received for path from footbridge to East Linton surgery - £2,240, £1,200 already committed to this project from grants/previous budget.
• ELDA article /Dunpender News/new media
Mr R Russel to do ELDA article.
Dunpender News has been printed and distributed with ELDA, well done to Mrs Richards, Mr Russel and Ms Pearson. Next edition will be Autumn 2012, information on BeachWatch to be included.
Mr Robson confirmed that invoices from ELDA (£92) & Lothian Printers (£461.60) had been received, and although too late for payment in 2011/2012, had been passed to Lilian Pryde, ELC.
• Meetings attended
Ms Cosgrove attended the RELBUS AGM, discussed difficulties around rural travel and high fares.
Mr Russel went to Friends of John Muir Country Park Meeting.
Mr Robson attended the Lafarge meeting on 27 March.
Ms Pearson attended the Joint Laws Advisory Group. Informed that 4 Exmoor ponies are being placed on Traprain Law to manage grass, asked that interested residents keep an eye on them. Heritage Explorer book is now on sale in East Lothian libraries - £4.
Mrs Priest attended the Community Planning meeting.
Mr Craighead attended the Community Hall meeting.
Belhaven Hospital meeting, no-one attended. Cllr McLennan reported that there are 2 options being considered.
• Roads/pavements
The Library/Day Centre have requested a sign on the main road pointing out to residents and residents where they are. Cllr McLennan to contact Colin Baird, ELC.
4.8 Spare Wheels Car Club
Information about the SWCC is now on Dunpender’s website. Since recent article in Dunpender News, a couple of Dunpender residents have expressed interest in using the subsidised taxi and the cars in Dunbar.
5.0 PLANNING MATTERS
Appeals have been submitted for wind turbines at Cockielaw and Whittinghame Mains – DCC do not want to represent.
6.0 TREASURER’S REPORT/LP BUDGET
The end of year balance - 2011/12 - stood at £1,119.78 in the Current Account and £3,294.37 in the Council Grants Account. The Current A/c would be increased by £571 on 1st June 2012, covering the ELC Grant Allocation to DCC for 2012/13.
The Outturn for LOCAL PRIORITIES was £2,228.51, culminating in a carry over of £4,950.49 2012/13, making the total budget £9,200.49. The new spreadsheet from Mrs Pryde was received garbled, and Mr Robson undertook to present a readable version for the next meeting. DCC's accounts were being presented to theAccountant for audit, as required by Internal Audit of ELC, next week.
7.0 TRAPRAIN & WHITTINGHAME ISSUES
None tabled.
8.0 TYNINGHAME, WHITEKIRK & MARKLE ISSUES
Ms Richards to contact Ms Pooley regarding progress of the new noticeboard at Whitekirk.
9.0 TOURISM INITIATIVES/NEW PROJECTS
Diamond Jubilee to be celebrated by holding community Big Lunch (Eden Project initiative) in East Linton hall – bring your own picnic. Hall to be decorated with old photos of East Linton – a retrospective of 60 years of Dunpender life . Mrs Priest continuing to take project forward, requesting help to find photos and volunteers to help mount photos. East Linton Playgroup to provide Fair Trade teas/coffees/home baking at event as Playgroup fundraising project. Hall has been booked (Mr Craighead to double check). Local newspapers to be contacted, Mrs Priest to action.
Info board near surgery previously on Station House wall. Mr R Russel continues to work on.
Meeting on 16 April regarding local application to Coastal Communities Fund. Mrs Priest to attend meeting on behalf of DCC.
10.0 PUBLIC TRANSPORT/RAGES
First Buses have announced that they are cutting a lot of services in East Lothian. In Dunpender area, service remains unchanged, but will be renumbered. Cllr McLennan has been speaking to Perrymans Buses regarding local public transport and an announcement will follow in due course.
An East Coast meeting was held, main issues were parking at Dunbar and cheaper fares. Discussion around Dunbar being included in Scotrail franchise when renewed.
A £30m application for capital costs for new stations at East Linton and Reston has been submitted and issue has been discussed in Parliament.
On 10 April, an East Coast online forum will run from 12 noon to 3pm.
11.0 CORRESPONDENCE
11.1 Newbattle Abbey College 2012 Celtic Festival
11.2 Planning Democracy Conference 21st April
11.3 East Linton Playgroup, thank you letter
11.4 Marine Conservation Society: 2011 Beachwatch results
11.5 ELC: Appeal re PP refusal for wind turbine at Cockielaw
11.6 ELC: Appeal re PP refusal for wind turbine at Whittingehame Mains
11.7 e Scottish Govt: Consultation on Planning Reform
11.8 JMCPAG: Mins of March meeting
11.9 e First Bus/Cllr Bell: reduction of some services
11.10 e Sustaining Dunbar AGM 13 April
11.11 Draft East Lothian Open Spaces Strategy
12.0 ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
Cllr McLennan to contact Colin Baird again regarding ivy on Preston Road.
13.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Thursday 3rd May 2012