Draft Minutes of meeting of Dunpender Community Council
held on Thursday 6th November 2025 at 7.30pm in The Stables

Present: Mrs E Gill Ms A Pearson Mrs A Cosgrove Mr D Wight Mr H Thomas Mr R Russel Mrs J Priest Mrs F Constable Mrs L Shaw-Stewart

In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), John Kinnaird, Verity Sinclair, Ross Searle, Anthony Jeffries

Opening of New Term following Community Council elections

• Opening of new term and meeting by John Kinnaird (in the absence of an ELC Cllr)

Mr Kinnaird took the roll call of members and congratulated them on the important job they do on behalf of the community.

• Election of Office Bearers:

Chair - Mrs Priest Nominee ñ Mr Wight Seconder ñ Mr Russel
Vice Chair - Mrs Cosgrove Nominee - Mrs Priest Seconder - Ms Pearson Secretary - Mrs Gill Nominee - Mrs Cosgrove Seconder - Mr Russel
Treasurer - Mr Thomas Nominee - Mrs Gill Seconder - Mr Wight

General meeting

• Apologies: Cllr L Jardine, Mr M Askey

• The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd October were agreed.

• Matters Arising & New Matters

3.1 Nursery Provision, East Linton

Mrs Gill received three communications from residents ñ two from individuals and a copy of a letter from a large number of parents to ELC. She had been in touch with Neil Morland, Chair of the East Linton Parent Council who was gathering the views of parents. She advised that an emergency motion put forward by a Councillor was not taken at the October ELC meeting but there was a suggestion it would be discussed at the December meeting. It was agreed that since the matter has been raised at Councillor and ELC Chief Executive level and the issue was East Lothian wide there was probably nothing further DCC could influence at this point. However, it would be kept in view.

3.2 ELC Placemaking Project - Asset Review

Mrs Cosgrove reported on a meeting held a few months ago where the future of East Linton Library was discussed. She questioned the maintenance costs being discussed which seemed excessive given no work has been carried out in the past two years. Mrs Priest contacted Norman Hampshire who stated that ELC are not planning to close the library. It was recognized that the library provides a valuable service with computer and printer access along with ELC services and a meeting place for a number of groups.
Mrs Gill reported on the discussion that had taken place at the October ELC Council meeting and that if ELC decided to close the library then a statutory consultation would be held. ELC are to employ two individuals to assist communities in taking forward ideas for community buildings including in some cases potentially taking control of the buildings. She will invite them to a future meeting. Members were encouraged to have a think about future uses for the library although it was recognised that existing groups in East Linton are all struggling for volunteers and funds. Concern was expressed over what would happen to the artworks if the library were to close.

3.3 ELC Engagement on Potential Visitor Levy
It was agreed that DCC were in support of the proposed Visitor Levy in principle but were concerned about the lack of detail on how the levy would be collected or invested. Mrs Shaw Stewart will respond on that basis drawing on her experience of a levy being introduced in the Highlands which resulted in some businesses closing because collecting the levy pushed them over the VAT threshold which made it uneconomic to continue. She also stated that it is important to consider who would be missed and pointed to the example of mobile homes who didnít use campsites and therefore didnít contribute to the services they make use of.

3.4 Wildlife Gardening Proposals
A collaboration between Plantlife and CAEL involving proposals to reduce mowing in May, competitions for wildlife gardening and initiatives to involve children was communicated to the Horticulture Society. This has raised concerns that the societyís existing work to bring colour to East Linton through planting in communal areas hasnít been considered. The proposed communal garden at the Church was raised as this new venture plans to have wildlife friendly planting and will be designed with children in mind. Mr Thomas will contact Jo Gibb for further information and to discuss the potential duplication of effort.

3.5 Cycle Repair Point Mr Russel will investigate the cost of a cycle repair point. Potential locations were discussed with an emphasis on a site which would not involve seeking planning permission.

3.6 Vacancies Martin Askey was re-elected as a ëcasual vacancyí as he didnít fill in a nomination form for the formal election. Ross Searle attended the meeting as a potential new member. There is an outstanding vacancy for a Whitekirk member. The inclusion of Whitekirk in the DCC catchment area makes possibile funding from North Berwick Coastal Area Partnership. Mrs Cosgrove will attend the next NBCAP meeting.

• Report back from meetings attended

Mr Wight attended the DELAP scrutiny group meeting which considered upcoming funding applications.

• Police Report / CAPP meeting

No Police Report was provided this month but when received it would be circulated. Mrs Gill reported that incidents at Linn Rocks have reduced and a date has been set for residents to meet Paul McLennan in March 2026. She will attend the Community Alcohol Partnership which will meet monthly for an initial period. The next CAPP meeting is 11th December.

• Area Partnerships

Mrs Cosgrove reported that the upcoming funding applications are collectively looking for more funds than are available so each application may receive a percentage of the funds requested. The next meeting is on 24th November. Ms Pearson and Mrs Shaw-Stewart have agreed to attend.

• Finance - updates / 2025-2026 year to date

A payment for the walks leaflet has been made. Combined with provision for Dunpender News the cost was approx. £3000. The Community Rail Partnership will fund the Dunpender News portion. Remittance of £300 was received from ELC for room let in the previous tax year. The remaining funds provided for the bus timetable work can be retained leaving around £2000 unallocated. Dunpender News will contain the new rail timetable from December.

• Planning / Licensing / Consultations

• Planning

Nothing to report.

• Licensing

Nothing to report.

• Consultations

ELC 2026/27 Budget
Mrs Gill reported that there has been no formal request to DCC for a response on this. She will circulate a copy and once members have a chance to look at it can decide whether it is a matter for individuals or whether DCC should submit a response.

• East Linton/Preston

9.1 Flooding
Mrs Cosgrove reported that Chris Muirhead has had meetings with Scottish Water and a further meeting is planned with Paul McLennan to discuss the previous flooding on the High Street. Mr Russel reported that Scottish water were on site again dealing with a new leak on the High Street near Votadini.

9.2 Notice Boards Mr Russel confirmed these are to be re-erected around the end of this month.

9.3 Defibrillator at Surgery Ms Pearson has had no more reports of the defibrillator beeping and confirmed that the Ambulance Service are aware itís not working. Batteries have been ordered.

9.4 White Bridge Mr Russel reported on a proposal from Nick Morgan to replace the wooden bridge with a metal version. This would be much cheaper and attract lower maintenance costs - in fact even the funding for a metal bridge is proving difficult. This was accepted with a suggestion that the proposed green paint be amended to a Micaceous anti-rust silver paint.

9.5 White Lines (High Street) Mr Russel contacted Keith Scott about the section of High Street which has no white lines following the resurfacing. Mr Scottís view was that they were not required as it would never be possible for cars going downhill to be on the left of the white line due to parked cars. Consensus within DCC was a preference for the lines to be reinstated. Mr Russel will communicate that to ELC.
Mr Scott also informed Mr Russel that the 40mph on the A198 will be extended from Tyningehame to the Lawhead junction once the proposal is passed by ELC Cabinet.

9.6 Railway Station sign Mr Thomas reported that a sign has been erected on the A199. Mrs Cosgrove will contact. Bear Scotland about the possibility of a sign at the A1 exit.

9.7 Poppy Wreath (Remembrance Service) Mr Russel will lay a wreath on behalf of DCC.

• Tyninghame/Whitekirk

• Tyninghame Speed Limits

ELC roads dept were petitioned for 3 traffic calming measures in Tyninghame: 20mph in main street, extension of the 40mph limit on A198 to Lawhead, designation of Limetree Walk as a quiet road - cycle and walker friendly. The ELC response focused on 20mph limit request which they refused. Mr Russel has now confirmed the 40mph extension is to go ahead. Mr Wight will now write to our councillors on behalf of DCC, asking them to pursue the two remaining requests with council officials. He will highlight that the requested 20mph limit meets 2/3 of the criteria set in ELC guidelines and 5/6 of those in the Transport Scotland guidelines. Concerns were raised about the inevitable signage associated with 'quiet roads'.

Mr Thomas is dealing with correspondence relating to the speed limit coming into East Linton past Dunpender Road.

• Whitekirk Defibrillator

Funding has been granted by North Bewick and Coastal Area Partnership.

• Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame

11.1 Overhailes bus stop
There is an agreement to site a bus stop at the end of the crash barrier. Mrs Shaw-Stewart is speaking to Whittingehame residents about local signs.
Mrs Gill will contact ELC regarding signage at Markle as the new road is confusing delivery drivers and others visiting.

• Projects

12.1 Walks Leaflet distribution
Mrs Cosgrove suggested placing leaflets in Dunbar library. There was also a suggestion to contact Ralph Averbuch for a list of short term lets in the area.
12.2 Dunpender News Ms Pearson has asked contributors for copy by 1st December. She, Mr Russel and Mr Askey will edit this and provide it to the designer by 15th December. Provisional dates are receipt from the printer on 13th February and distribution in March. Mrs Priest raised concerns that the December information could be out of date in March and a January distribution would be preferable. Mrs Gill proposed that the communication include a short survey to gather feedback from the community. Mrs Constable will assist with this. The survey will seek options on the future of the library.

Subsequent confirmation that copy will be provided to the designer by 1st December with train timetable information provided as it becomes available. This will allow a January distribution.

• Any Other Business

Mr Searle confirmed that there is an informal residentís association at The Orchard which canít be formalised until ELC complete their work and hand the estate over.

• Date of next meeting: Thursday 4th December 2025 at 7.30pm