Present: Mrs J Priest, Mrs E Gill, Mr H Thomas, Mrs A Cosgrove, Mr D Wight
In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), Anthony Jeffries, John Kinnaird, Peter Beckman & Catherine Courtney, Verity Sinclair, PC Laura Jackson (Community Police Officer -- Dunbar and East Linton) , PC Diane Bath (Community Police Officer -- North Berwick) , PC Kiera Edmond (Community Police Officer -- Haddington) , Mitch Stevenson (Volunteer Centre East Lothian)
1. Apologies: Ms A Pearson, Cllr L Jardine, Mr M Askey, Mr R Russel, Mrs L Shaw-Stewart
2. The minutes of the meeting held on 6th March were agreed.
3. Police Report/CAPP
Between 1st of March 2025 and 31st of March 2025 there were 34 calls to the area. This resulted in police recording 7 crimes categorised as follows:
• Reducing Violence and Antisocial Behaviour
1 x Assault
1x Vandalism 1x Wilful Fire raising
• Reducing Acquisitive Crime (Crimes of Dishonesty)
1 x Theft
1 x Fraud• Improving Road Safety
1 x Careless Driving
1 x Drive No Insurance
PC Jackson addressed concerns about potential congregation of youths at Linn Rocks during the upcoming school holidays and said the Police would continue with the same plan from last year. Local residents were urged to contact Police regarding incidents of underage drinking, littering and anti-social behaviour. These are recorded on a specific police log. Premises in the area have been spoken to about sales of alcohol to underage drinkers. The Police thought that the dusk till dawn cameras deployed last year were not useful and that some residents complained about the light. However, residents present at the meeting said that from their perspective they were in favour of CCTV at the bus stop as were other neighbours affected. The cameras helped pick up incidents in the area and this was also useful to the bus operators. It was noted that private cameras are in place. Questions were raised about the lack of immediate response to previous 999 calls when people and property were in danger. Response depends on staff being available locally and the priority of the calls that have come in.
Mr Beckman confirmed that residents log all issues and described events last year where the same group attended Linn Rocks over several days and events escalated from drinking and abuse to arson and fireworks. He questioned whether they should have been spoken to earlier to prevent the escalation and whether ASBOs could be used. PC Jackson stated that ASBOs canít be given to young people in Scotland, they are generally used by ELC to handle issues such as noise complaints.
https://www.mygov.scot/asbo says anyone over the age of 12 can be given an ASBO as set out in the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2004/8/part/2 - if they behave antisocially which includes
• drunken or threatening behaviour
• vandalism and graffiti
• playing loud music at night
PC Jackson reported that members of the group involved are regularly spoken to and one person was charged with a fireworks offence. She confirmed that last year was better than previous years in terms of numbers attending Linn Rocks and that it was not lawful to tell people not to attend the site. But attendees drew attention to the Dispersal of Groups section within the same act - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2004/8/part/3. Police are in contact with various groups in Dunbar and East Linton to look at provision of activities for young people. The skate ramp at The MART was raised as an example of such an activity. There was an appreciation that police numbers were low and have not increased in line with the increase in population however requests were made for a regular physical presence in the area.
Mr Thomas questioned whether police have any concern about the gala selling alcohol following a call from ELC on the subject. PC Jackson confirmed the police have no concerns. It was recognised that last year people brought their own alcohol after the licence was declined which made it more difficult to control but led to no issues. Regarding the vandalism and fire raising at Markle Fisheries an investigation is underway and the owner has been provided with crime prevention advice. CCTV has been installed. Mr Wight requested PC Jackson contact him for similar advice.
Mrs Gill requested people pass details of anything to be raised at the next CAPP meeting.
4. Matters Arising
4.1. Update on CALPP
Mr Wight confirmed that the Local Place Plan has been accepted by ELC.
4.2. Meetings attended
Mr Thomas and Mr Wight attended an online meeting regarding Community Benefits and reported that the Scottish Government consultation ends in 2 weeks. The meeting, run on behalf of the government, was concerned with gathering responses from the community.
Mrs Cosgrove attended the Green Futures Fair as a RAGES member and the message from the public was that rail fares are too expensive and the reinstatement of peak fares has not been popular. Mr Wight reported that although there seemed to be a good turnout at the fair and a wide range of stalls the feeling was that it was very similar to the previous year. Mrs Cosgrove attended a Scotrail event in Glasgow and confirmed that funding for the administration of the Community Rail Partnership would continue this year.
4.3. Vacancies
Mr Thomas has agreed to take up the role of treasurer. There are three outstanding vacancies for members. Mrs Priest will follow up with residents of The Orchard.
5. Area Partnerships
Mrs Cosgrove reported that the AGM had been held and all funds spent for this year. The new allocation is unknown. Priorities for the roads budget will be submitted in May.
Note: Since confirmed that funding will be at the same level as 2024-25
6. Finance
Dunpender News has been paid for, there are £300 of outstanding bills leaving approximately £400 in the account. Mr Martin will produce the end of year accounts.
7. Planning / Licensing / Consultations
7.1. Planning: Markle Fisheries Building - Alterations, change of use of clubhouse to form short-term holiday let -- 25/00226/P.
Proposal:
To change the members clubhouse into a short-term holiday let which aligns with NPF Policy 29 to diversify an existing agricultural business into holiday accommodation. The new design will be complementary to the current design of the site and surrounding area.
Main concerns of local residents are that it turns into a party venue with associated noise, lighting is included, there will be additional traffic, there may be a restriction on path use or there will be no-go areas, this leads to further development/over development. The application has addressed these concerns in that change of use will allow the several walking routes that tourists and local people take around the ponds and open space to continue and will ensure the paths are kept open and maintained. Accommodation is aimed at people looking to relax and enjoy a tranquil natural setting. Any noise (as you would have if it were a house) is unlikely to disturb nearby residents. Guests will sign terms and conditions to treat the site with respect and not engage in disruptive activities such as parties. Less traffic than when it was a fishery. There is no suggestion of lighting in the plans. Informal discussion with the owner revealed that that further down the line there may be further small scale development in keeping with the environment
Anyone with concerns or anyone that wishes to object (or indeed to support) the application has been encouraged to respond to the consultation. Discussion around the recent issues at the site concluded it would be better that there is something on the site than nothing. In the CALPP there was a desire for the site be developed as a nature reserve. It was agreed that there were no grounds for objection. Mrs Gill will respond with local concerns and the contents of the CALPP. A question was raised as to why the planning application had not been advertised in the list of applications in The Courier.
8. East Linton/Preston:
8.1. Westbound bus stop A199 by Overhailes
Residents of Overhailes have requested a westbound bus stop roughly opposite the existing eastbound bus stop. Mrs Priest will take this up with ELC.
8.2. Preston Road Wall
Mrs Priest reported that the damaged wall has been made safe and that investigations are ongoing with ELC into who has responsibility for repair.
8.3 Road Signs
Mrs Priest contacted ELC about abandoned road signs and contractors have been tasked to collect them. She will contact Morag Haddow about the sign in the bridge refuge.
8.4 Bus timetables Mrs Cosgrove reported that from Sunday 6th April the X7 will run every 20mins and the 120 will run hourly with 14 services Mon-Sat and 6 services on Sunday.
9. Tyninghame/Whitekirk
The hall keeper post in Tyninghame has been split between admin and maintenance duties. The AGM will be held next week. A report has been received from ReHeat on the proposed community heat scheme with the simplest option to connect to the county wide scheme on the A199. Mr Wight will share the report with Mr Thomas to be used to inform the Pencaitland community who are also considering a community scheme.
Overnight parking is forbidden in the coastal car parks. ELC are looking to provide motor home sites in Yellowcraig and Belhaven. Belhaven residents are unhappy with a feeling there has not been adequate consultation and concerns about behaviour such as emptying waste tanks. Mrs Priest will write to support Dunbar Community Councils viewpoint.
10. Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame
Ms Gill reported that work is continuing to tie-in the new road at the east end - planning to re-open that end possibly late next week but this could slip into the following week.
Tie-in of the new road to the west of the crossing will follow-on from this - so road will then be closed there. Access to the railway during nightshift has been challenging and the high winds prevented some of the lifting. Landscaping works have continued. The road and bridge project are the main focus at the moment but the additional works (Community Benefits) to upgrade part of the Dunpender to Markle path and the Binning Wood carpark are still on the radar. Overall project completion still estimated to be mid-year.
11. Projects - Walks leaflet, Dunpender News, Fountain
Mr Wight reported that the end is in sight for the Walks Leaflet. Dunpender News is ready to be distributed. Mrs Priest has contacted the blacksmith to repair the broken lamp with a hope that it will be up and running by the Gala.
12. Correspondence
12.01 AELCC: Meeting agenda 19 March
12.02 CCELC: Complimentary Places - Seminars for Community Councils
12.03 D. Todd: District Heat Networks Review
12.04 ELC Rangers: Mud In Your Eye
12.05 CCELC: Green Futures Festival - Reminder
12.06 SCDC: Share your views on Local Community Benefits meeting
12.07 SPEN: Annual Stakeholder Survey
12.08 R. Averbuch: Offshore Community Benefits
12.09 ELC: Community Council Elections
12.10 ELC: Place Project Workshop
12.11 ELC: Troconol 2025 -- Off-Street Coastal Parking Places
12.12 NTS: Easter Egg Trail, Preston Mill
12.13 C Fairhurst: Abandoned road signs etc around Dunpender area
12.14 AELCC: Minutes of AELCC meeting -- 19 March
12.15 T. Tait: Glenhornie Farm -- PROW, Walks Leaflet
12.16 H. Thomas: SG Consultation -- Strengthening approach to household recycling
12.17 FORL: Response to question re size of turbine bases
12.07 -- Mr Thomas has responded.
12.08 -- Mrs Priest has responded. Anyone else responding has until 11th April.
12.16 -- Mr Thomas confirmed this is aimed at councils and there will be a number of consultation over next 2 years on the subject. It probably wonít affect residents unless new materials such as soft plastics or materials are included.
13. Any Other Business
Mitch Stevenson confirmed part of his role with VCEL is to engage with Community Councils. He raised the NHS community benefits gateway which can provide equipment or training. Mrs Cosgrove will raise this with the daycentre. Mr Stevenson offered to advertise the vacant members post on VCEL social media.