Present: Mrs J Priest, Mr E Martin, Mr D Wight, Mrs E Gill, Mrs L Shaw-Stewart, Mr H Thomas, Mrs A Cosgrove, Mr R Russel
In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), Cllr L Jardine, Verity Sinclair, John Kinnaird, Glen Henderson (Balfour Beatty), Peter Forsyth (ELC), Jan Ferguson
1. Apologies: Ms A Pearson
2. Minutes of meeting held on 5th September were agreed with the following amendment
for clarity in section 4.3: 'They followed procedures recommended to them by the police but there was no police response on the day after to calls to 101 and 999.' should read 'They followed procedures recommended to them by the police but following calls to 101 and 999 there was no police response on the day.'
3. Police Report/CAPP
Two reports were received of off-road trail bikes just off Pencraig Avenue, East Linton. Residents are encouraged to report any further incidents to the police.
Mrs Gill will attend next CAPP meeting on 10th October.
4. Matters Arising
4.1. Update on Markle Bypass and Bridge ñ Glen Henderson and Peter Forsyth
On the west side of Markle Crossing drainage and earthworks are mainly complete as is the shared use path. The SUDS pond is being prepared for seeding. The branch to Markle Fisheries is underway as is construction of the south abutment. The tie-in to the existing road will be completed in the next few months. For safety reasons the drainage work resulted in a section of stone wall being demolished to the west of the entrance to Markle Fisheries which Mrs Gill noted changed the character of the area. Following discussion with the landowner this will be replaced by a fence and hedging. Concern was expressed about the extent of tree removal at Markle End. They were removed to allow tie-in to the existing road and overall the compensatory planting will outweigh the loss of the these trees. Native woodland will be planted around both SUDS, along the sides of the embankments and at the tie-ins. There will be hedges up both sides of the road with specimen trees.
One the east side of Markle Crossing the SUDS will be planted with aquatic plants when the season is right. Trees will help screen noise from the new road. Concern was expressed over removal of the willow tree at the Markle end of the right of way. This was done to re-site the turning head for large vehicles. Work on the north abutment has commenced. Scottish Water (in works unrelated to the bridge) will re-route the water main to Markle down the north side of the road. The expectation is that the only impact to residents will be connection to the new main and any garden damage will be reinstated. On completion of the work by Scottish Water Balfour Beatty will carry out drainage improvements. An uncharted water main feeding water troughs, one property in Markle and Woodlaw required significant investigation and has resulted in a delay to the project. Construction of the deck of the bridge will take place early next year. The widening of the verge to the Markle Road junction to accommodate transport of these beams is temporary to allow safe access to the site. Agreement was reached with the landowner to use the land for this purpose only. To make this permanent would potentially require planning permission by way of change of use, road construction consent, a safety audit and obtaining the land from the landowner. The intention is that the junction will be reinstated to its previous condition once the deliveries are made. It was noted that improvement of the SLOW sign on the road up from East Linton might be helpful. It was confirmed that the crossing will not close until the new road is open to vehicular traffic.
4.2. Balfour Beatty - Community Benefits Projects
Peter Forsyth confirmed that the work on the setts at the Preston road junction is complete. Drainage work on the path at St Baldred's Well can be considered next year.
There are plans to improve drainage on the right of way from Dunpender Road to Markle. The suggestion of extending the pavement at Tyninghame and upgrading the access to Tyninghame Community Farm (TCF) was investigated but proved too expensive. Peter Forsyth will consider whether tarmac for TCF can be included under the roads contract for the bridge and will provide a cost to Mr Wight.
4.3. Paths
Mr Russel is in contact with the path wardens about the Mill Lade path which was to be addressed by the Community Payback Team.
Mr Thomas reported that residents of Noble Gardens are looking to do something with the land at the top of the development that is currently derelict following Stuart Milne going into administration. On the original plans the area was designated for tree planting. They have approached CAEL for assistance. Cllr Jardine confirmed Tom Reid (ELC) is in charge of the Stewart Milne legacy and the insurance indemnity fund.
4.4. Vacancies
Mrs Priest encouraged members to approach anyone they thought might be interested in filling one of the three vacancies.
4.5. Meetings attended
Mr Thomas has circulated the AELCC minutes. The discussion covered the small number of Community Asset Transfers that have taken place. A list of potential assets is being compiled. Cllr Jardine reported that ELC are carrying out an asset review which will explore opportunities for Community Asset Transfer. Young Peoples Bus Passes were discussed with a request to recognise the value of young people while still recognising the problems caused by some users of the bus service. There was discussion over community benefits from renewable projects which DCC have signed up to and the link to potential local heat and energy networks for communities not on gas network. Mr Thomas will attend the AGM of AELCC.
Mrs Cosgrove attended the RAGES AGM in Knox Academy Hall and reported that a film is being made of the construction of East Linton Station which will be shown at the next AGM to be held in East Linton Community Hall.
Mr Martin attended a meeting of Community Councils to discuss the Local Place Plans. He reported on consistency between the plans and expressed hope that after this significant effort by Community Councils ELC would recognise the wishes of the community and respond on each point raised. Cllr Jardine will take this up with Keith Dingwall (ELC Planning).
Mrs Cosgrove attended a consultation on the Bus Service. There is to be no reduction in service or subsidy. She will look at updates to the proposed bus and train timetable for East Linton based on the timetable for Dunbar available on Eve buses. Mr Wight discussed previous consultations on bus timings and whether they were co-ordinated with train times which came to the conclusion that the 120 should be an hourly service.
Mr Martin asked about the frequency of trains at East Linton. The Scotrail timetable will be back to normal by Monday 7th October but Cllr Jardine pointed to capacity issues on the East Coast Main Line which mean it would be difficult to have more trains stopping.
Mrs Gill attended a Webinar about 'Hearing Children & Young Peopleís Voices' and will distribute further details when available. Their desire for amenities and green spaces was discussed as was the possibility of having a young person on the Community Council through an approach to Dunbar Grammar.
5. Area Partnerships
Mrs Cosgrove reported on the DELAP meeting of 3rd OCTOBER 2024:
Events coming up:
- • A Seafit dental clinic for the fishing community at Dunbar Harbour tomorrow. This is the first event of its kind and has been supported by Dunbar Community Council and the Area Partnership
- • A Recycling presentation by Tommy Dale at the Mart on Monday evening at 7 pm. This has been arranged by CAEL and looks to be a good event
- • A Health and Inequality discussion on Wednesday 16th October at Bleachingfield. This is a presentation by the NHS on how inequality in health can be addressed in the ward.
Funding: the Educational Trust will be in November. Applicants are sought from the east of the County for any educational projects for any age group.
The Viridor/Valencia local group meeting will be on 31st October. A DCC member will attend. A date will be fixed for the next funding round for this community fund.
DELAP funding deadline is 21 October for decisions at the November meeting. Newsletter: the quarterly newsletter from the Area Partnership and will be issued shortly and should be passed on to the local groups that we know about.
Out and About: Mrs Cosgrove and the DELAP Vice Chair visited East Lammermuir Community Council and Mrs Cosgrove visited West Barns Community Council to determine their priorities and whether DELAP could help. East Lammermuir are trying to deal with at least 14 different developers for windfarms, battery storage and solar farms and we were able to have a meeting with Alan Stubbs, Head of the Roads Department, to emphasise that volunteers should not have to deal with this level of engagement. He agreed that a paid member of staff should carry out this work. I understand that a key member of staff in the Roads Department is retiring but a replacement is being sought.
6. Finance
Mr Martin reported a balance of £4396 following payment of the invoice for the fountain and the payment for plants to the Horticulture Society. The payment for the fountain tank is outstanding, he is pursuing the contractor. A request for £750 towards the fountain works will be made to DELAP before 21st October. The Community Rail Partnership will provide funds towards the printing of the walks leaflet. It was agreed that DCC would not contribute to the Xmas lights insurance due to a lack of funds.Production of Dunpender News will be dependent on available funds.
Mr Martin confirmed that the grant from ELC has not changed in the last 8 years. Cllr Jardine reported that other council areas in Scotland did not provide funding to Community Councils and suggested a Legacy Fund. It was agreed that a request for donations to this could be added to Dunpender News.
7. Planning/Licensing Matters
Mrs Shaw-Stewart has responded on behalf of DCC to the appeal following refusal of planning permission for East Fortune Family Farm. She spoke to Morag Haddow about the proposed cycle route between Dunbar and Haddington which would result in a 40mph limit on the A199. It was confirmed that only a few elements of this will progress in the short term which will not include a change to the current speed limit.
8. Tyninghame/Whitekirk
Mr Wight reported that discussions are ongoing with the driver of the van which damaged the bus shelter. A groups of residents met with a representative of the Community Area Renewable Energy Scheme to look at funding for a feasibility study into a water source heat pump taking water from the River Tyne.
Mr Martin reported that both electric vehicle charging points in Whitekirk are working.
9. Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame
Mrs Shaw Stewart is to attend the upcoming meeting about the grid connection for Newlands Hill Wind Farm.
10. Projects
Mr Wight will work with Mr Russel to update the text of the Walks Leaflet.
11. Correspondence
11.01 04/09 ELC: Resilient Communities Workshop
11.02 04/09 ELC: Planning Appeal ñ Relocation of East Links Family Park
11.03 05/09 ELC: Webinar ñ Hearing Children & Young Peopleís Voices
11.04 05/09 ELC: Widening of Footway on Dunbar Road
11.05 06/09 Royal Society of Edinburgh: Fund for Community-led research projects
11.06 06/09 ELC: TTRO - Crauchie to Markle End 9/9/24 - 13/9/24
11.07 09/09 ELC: TTRO - Crauchie to Markle End 16/9/24 - 6/10/24
11.08 10/09 ELC: Website Survey
11.09 12/09 ELC: Ready Scotland Webinar
11.10 12/09 ELC: EL Health & Social Care - Planning Older Peopleís Services
11.11 14/09 AELCC: Minutes of meeting 12/9/24
11.12 17/09 ELC: TTRO - Markle to Markle End (U159) 07/10 - 21/12
11.13 18/09 Naomi Barnes ñ Belhaven Community Garden
11.14 20/09 Hazel Crawford ñ Construction Traffic? esp NWH vehicles
11.15 23/09 Scottish Water ñ Upgrade to Markle Water Supply
11.16 23/09 ELC: TTRO ñ Preston Road Footway & Priority System
11.17 26/09 James Grey: Newlands Hill Wind Energy proposal
11.18 29/09 Fiona Byrnes: Remembrance Service & Poppy Wreath
12. Any Other Business
It was agreed that DCC would not attend the Resilient Communities workshop or provide a Single Point of Contact as we do not consider this is in our remit nor do we have the resources for this work.
Mr Wight will draft a letter of support for Belhaven Community Garden asset transfer.
Cllr Jardine has called a meeting on November 11th to discuss the future of Belhaven Hospital.
It was confirmed that NWH lorries travelling through East Linton are not related to work on Markle Bridge.
Mr Russel will attend the Remembrance Service on behalf of DCC and will pass details of the date and time to Cllr Jardine.
Mr Russel will attend a meeting of the John Muir Country Park Advisory Group on 9th October.
Mr Wight submitted a revised LPP which had no change to content but confirmation that DCC had consulted with adjoining CCs, informed councillors and linked the LPP to national and local policy.
Mrs Gill responded to ELC call for sites and confirmed they are all in the LPP.
Mrs Cosgrove will approach Joan Bell about clearing brambles from the bench on the River Tyne and adopting planters at the station where Scotrail will pay for the containers and plants.
Mr Thomas reported that ELCAN are talking to landowners about projects to plant hedgerows and woodland and was looking for links to volunteer networks. It was suggested he contact Dave Wild (Countryside Officer, Landscape and Countryside, ELC) and Friends of Winterfield. Cllr Jardine will assist on requests to ELC about their Tree and Woodland Strategy.
Ms Pearson reported that a stonemason will be tidying up the wall at the top of Noble Gardens where the stile and wall were removed to help path access to Pencraig. This will probably be after Christmas.
13. Date of next meeting: Thursday 7th November 2024