Present: Mrs J Priest Ms A Pearson Mrs A Cosgrove Mr D Wight Mr H Thomas Mr R Russel Mrs F Constable Mrs E Gill Mrs L Shaw-Stewart
In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), Anthony Jeffries, John Kinnaird, Verity Sinclair, Peter Beckman
General meeting
1. Apologies: Cllr L Jardine
2. The minutes of the meeting held on 4th December were agreed.
3. Matters Arising & New Matters
3.1 Roundup
The proposal to erect a station sign in Andrew Meikle Grove has been dropped. White lines will not be painted in the High Street as this would have required existing parking spaces to be removed. Mr Russel has contacted Ian King(ELC) regarding re-instatement of the notice boards. Mr Thomas has contacted Keith Scott (ELC) about extending the 20mph limit to north of Dunpender Road. Mrs Priest encouraged all members to sign up for the Community Council online training courses. Recordings of these will be available. Mrs Cosgrove reported on activity by Scottish Water to address flooding in Stories Park. Mrs Gill clarified that the traffic lights at Monks Muir are related to work ongoing by Scottish Water to address flooding.
3.2 Vacancies There are two outstanding vacancies.
4. Report back from meetings attended
No meetings attended. Mr Thomas will attend the Association of East Lothian Community Councils meeting on 14th January. Keith Dingwall (ELC) will present a change to the 50 MW threshold for local authorities to get involved in wind farm applications.
5. Police Report / CAPP meeting
Between 1st December 2025 and the 1st of January 2026 there were 40 calls to the area. This resulted in police recording 11 crimes, categorised as follows:
• Protecting the most vulnerable (Missing Persons, Elderly, Hate Incidents, Domestic Abuse.)
1 x Miscellaneous
• Reducing Violence and Antisocial Behaviour
1 x Assault
1 x Vandalism
• Reducing Acquisitive Crime (Crimes of Dishonesty)
1 x Fraud
• Improving Road Safety
1 x Fail to stop after an accident
1 x Fail to report after an accident 1 x Dangerous driving
1 x Careless Driving 2 x Defective tyres
• Tackling Serious and Organised Crime (Drugs & Crime Prevention)
1 x Worrying livestock
th February. Mr Kinnaird communicated that anyone suspicious of individuals involved in hare coursing should not approach them but call 999.
6. Area Partnerships
Mrs Cosgrove reported the next meeting on 26th January will be attended by the Chief Executive of ELC and Eamon John (ELC ñ Head of Communities). Mr Wight will provide an update about Tyninghame Community Farm and Adrian Girling will give a presentation about working with young people.
7. Finance
Mr Thomas reported little change in the financial position. £100 was paid to the Food Bank. The outstanding balance is around £2000. The application to DELAP for funds to replace the picnic benches at Pencraig and Traprain has come through. An application has been made to BeGreen for the remaining £1000 required. If this is not successful it will be covered by DCC.
8. Planning / Licensing / Consultations
Mrs Gill reported on a proposal to install an Anaerobic Digester at Monksmuir/Beanston.
The PAN is to be submitted next week. The company involved will be invited to the next DCC meeting to provide further information. Mrs Cosgrove will contact Monksmuir residents for their views.
Berwick Bank Wind Farm 25/01386/AMN - this application relates to part of condition 2 within planning consent given for 23/00162/PPM. The application relates to the area east of Dunbar at Branxton and is therefore not relevant to DCC.
Crystal Rig Repower ECU00005089 - one turbine has been reduced in height from 230m to 200m.
nd March.
9. East Linton/Preston
The white bridge will be closed for the next 2 weeks for repairs. Signs are to be installed to highlight the diversion routes. Mrs Priest will provide a synopsis for the East Linton website.
Mr Thomas will contact Sean Govan to fix the bulb and the time switch on the fountain. Mrs Priest will investigate possible upgrades to the Play Park. It was recognised that when speaking to P6/7 about the Local Place Plan they thought the Play Park was only suitable for young children and would have liked something for older children.
10. Tyninghame /Whitekirk
Mrs Constable reported that streetlights in Whitekirk have been out since September 2025. The current hold-up relates to SPN obtaining access to the substation at Whitekirk Mains Farm. The noticeboard in Whitekirk needs repaired/replaced. Mr Russel will visit to assess. If a replacement noticeboard is needed she will apply to North Berwick and Coastal Area Partnership for funds. Mrs Shaw-Stewart has an estimate of £1190 for a noticeboard with a glass front which can be attached to a wall.
Mr Wight reported on a successful Christmas Party and New Year Scottish Country Dancing session at Tyninghame Hall. The plan is still to extend the 40mph limit on the A198. Lime Tree Walk has been closed for repairs.
11. Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame
Mrs Gill has contacted Keith Scott about signage for Markle and gritting of the road into Markle.
Mrs Shaw Stewart will apply to DELAP for funds for a new noticeboard for Whittingehame. She highlighted the significant upset in Whittingehame about the many new brown directional signs for Papple including one in the village centre. She will contact Keith Scott about an alternative location for this sign. Mrs Shaw-Stewart and Mrs Constable agreed to write to the ELC councillors about the negative impact of the general proliferation of signage in the area.
12. Projects
12.1 Dunpender News
Ms Pearson reported that this will be available for proof-reading on 14th January.
13. Any Other Business
Mrs Constable raised the issue of increasing volumes of litter on verges and will contact Jo Gibb about a possible litter pick. Mr Thomas reported on a number of Scottish Government initiatives relating to this. The Deposit Return Scheme implementation is scheduled for 1st October 2027 and will include plastic bottles and cans. A consultation is underway on a charge for disposable cups, similar to the plastic bag charge. Higher fines are being considered for littering of takeaway containers with the passenger also being liable for the fine. Legislation is being considered where the takeaway outlet would pay ELC to cover the cost of litter picks.
Mrs Gill reported that ELC LDP2 was rejected by the reporter due to a lack of evidence. The new timetable is for the proposed plan to be ready Q3 2026 when there will be a 12week consultation period. The plan will be submitted to ministers Q2 2027 and if accepted it will be adopted Q4 2027. In terms of the consultation it was suggested an ELC member either attends a DCC meeting or a separate meeting on the topic. Mrs Priest raised concerns that there was very little mention of the LPPs and that since the call for sites was responded to there has been no further information on that. Those who had read the plan felt it was aspirational with nothing evidence based or quantifiable. Ms Pearson will contact Jo Gill about the phone box leaflet dispenser.
14. Date of next meeting: Thursday 5th February 2026 at 7.30pm