Minutes of meeting of Dunpender Community Council
held on Thursday 5th March 2026 at 7.30pm in The Stables
Present: Mrs J Priest Mr D Wight Mr H Thomas Mr R Russel Mrs F Constable Mrs E Gill Ms A Pearson Mr M Askey Mrs L Shaw-Stewart
In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), Cllr L Jardine, John Kinnaird, Peter Beckman
• Apologies: Mrs A Cosgrove, Cllr D Collins
• The minutes of the meeting held on 5th February were agreed with the caveat that Ms Pearson also attended the CAEL meeting and the funding received at that point for the picnic benches was from DELAP.
• Matters Arising & New Matters
3.1 East Lothian Community Benefits (ELCB)
Mr Thomas provided background on the ELCB charity which was set up by AELCC in 2024 with the aim of providing a more streamlined and robust approach to managing larger funds where distribution via community councils was either inefficient or overly burdensome. It will provide a vehicle for individual community councils to invest funds in the wider council area if they wish to do so and will support a more strategic approach to investing one-off funding for the long-term benefit of communities. Every Community Council in East Lothian has the right to membership and at present 17 of the 20 East Lothian Community Councils are members. The broad objectives of the charity are:
• To address the Climate Emergency in East Lothian
• To improve the health of those living in East Lothian
• To improve the education of those living in East Lothian
• To improve the environment of East Lothian
• To preserve the history and culture of East Lothian
• To do benefit the lives of those living in East Lothian and the lives of future generations
• To reduce inequalities in East Lothian
It is anticipated that most of the community benefit funds will come from the developers of green energy including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery energy storage systems, as well as construction (e.g. roads, harbours) and transmission infrastructure.
ELCB is also working with ELC to explore how Dormant Benefit Funds could be brought into active management. It is anticipated that any community funding would preferentially support those areas physically affected by any development, though this would depend on the views of communities in those areas. Strategic distribution of funds will be guided by individual community place plans and action plans. Examples of projects undertaken to date by ELCB include:
• Feasibility study into use of large industrial units (e.g. Viridorís Energy Recovery Unit and Tarmacís Cement Factory, for example) to fuel district heating systems.
• Feasibility study into Onshore wind generation using decommissioned wind turbines in supporting community energy.
• Discussions with East Lammermuir CC for ELCB to manage community benefit funds, with an initial focus on projects within East Lammermuir.
• Discussion with Newland Hill Wind Farm on any community benefits settlement including community ownership, potentially supported by Great British Energy.
Relating to Dormant Funds DCC members were asked to two identify two initial actions that would deliver improvement to the community.
In January community councils were invited to sign up to a unified South of Scotland statement calling for a pause on all energy developments in the region. Discussions at AELCC level recognised the significant impact of developments on certain communities with little attention paid to community voices. However discussion also recognised the urgency of addressing climate change and the need to take transmission and data centres requirements into account. Concerns were raised about the wait time for grid connections and resultant constraint payments. Questions were raised about using energy where it is generated and the need for a view of the bigger picture. DCC agreed while they support the reasons for the requested pause they would like to see some amendments to the statement. Mr Thomas will draft a response.
The Scottish Government is holding a consultation on whether to increase the 50MW threshold which determines whether applications for onshore electricity generating stations are decided by Scottish Ministers or by local authorities. DCC opinion was that they would support this as it would give ELC more of a say in local developments and the opportunity to include conditions as part of the planning approval. Concerns were raised about the environmental impact of Crystal Rigg Re-Power and the fact that new concrete pads are required for the bigger turbines rather than extension of the existing pads. Concern was also raised about developments on greenfield sites and removal of land for food production particularly in times of global conflict and that fact that Environmental Impact Assessments donít seem to be required for data centres.
Mr Wight will attend workshops next week on good practice for energy developers looking at the level of benefit and governance.
Cllr Jardine agreed to forward details of all developments in the area. These are available on the East Lammermuir Community Council website - https://elcc.scot/energy-developments/.
3.2 AELCC/Convention of Community Councils - Major Energy Infrastructure
This relates to the South of Scotland statement described above.
3.3 Community Resilience Plan
Scott Kennedy (ELC- Emergency Planning, Risk and Resilience Manager) spoke to CAEL outlining potential future threats and requesting a Resilient Community Group (RCG) be formed to create a Community Emergency Plan (CEP). He provided a statement setting out the rationale for this:
Scotland has a network of organisations who work together to respond to and recover from emergencies. These organisations are called "emergency responders" and include the "emergency services": police, fire and ambulance, but also other organisations like local authorities and the NHS. Voluntary groups such as mountain rescue teams, British Red Cross, RAYNET and 4X4 vehicle groups also assist the responder agencies for any incident and together these organisations form Resilience Partnerships enabling them to prepare for and respond to emergencies in a joined-up way.
However, the emergency responders canít be everywhere at once and will always have to prioritise people in greatest need, especially where lives are at risk.
This is where Resilient Community Groups (RCG) can assist, as they have in the past, for example during the COVID pandemic.
Creating a Community Emergency Plan is one way in which a RCG can using their strengths to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies to help their community becoming more resilient and cope until the emergency responders arrive and help it recover in the long term. Past incidents have shown that people already support and help each other during times of need. Simple activities, like getting together to clear snow and ice from paths or offering a helping hand to neighbours who might become vulnerable in an emergency, can make all the difference.
†As stated by the Scottish Government in their guidance, resilient communities:
• Are aware of risks that may affect them and how vulnerable they are to those risks.
• Use their existing skills, knowledge and resources to prepare for, and deal with, the consequences of emergencies.
• Work together to complement the work of the local emergency responders before, during and after an emergency.
Once established RCG can carry out an annual exercise during quieter times to test their plan or link in with voluntary organisations to deliver training such as First Aid for their community.
A template for the plan was provided and Ready Scotland has further resources - https://ready.scot/get-involved/community-groups.
Questions were raised over whether DCC should create and have responsibility for this plan. Concern was expressed about the burden this would place on community councillors and there were reminders that in previous discussions it was confirmed DCC do not want to be involved. They have previously provided ELC with contact details for community halls. Mr Wight reported that CAEL members have agreed to take on responsibility for actions identified during their meeting.
It was agreed that DCC would look at the template and may provide input.
3.4 Vacancies No update.
• Report back from meetings attended
• CAEL - Climate Change & Adaptation
This second meeting to address potential issues was attended by Mr Wight, Mr Thomas, Mrs Cosgrove and Mrs Constable. Subgroups addressed individual issues such as energy, heat, food, flood, heatwaves, community cohesion, came up with solutions and individual members accepted responsibility for these agreeing to keep DCC informed.
• Community Council training
Mrs Constable attended a talk by Scott Kennedy (ELC- Emergency Planning, Risk and Resilience Manager). The same talk was given to CAEL.
4.3 Defibrillator training
Mrs Constable and Ms Pearson attended the training and Ms Pearson has made a connection with the North Berwick Together in Health group who look after their defibrillators.
4.4 Brownies Tea Ms Pearson attended the tea which was busy and the contribution from DCC was well received.
• Police Report / CAPP meeting
Theft by Housebreaking to steal vehicles is prevalent across East Lothian. People should be vigilant and report any incidents to the Police using 999 if there is an ongoing incident otherwise via 101 or the contact us form on the Police Scotland website.
Between 1st of February 2026 and the 28th of February 2026 there were 26 calls to the area. This resulted in police recording 3 crimes, categorised as follows:
• Reducing Acquisitive Crime (Crimes of Dishonesty)
1 x Fraud
1 x Theft by shoplifting 1 x Retail worker - threatening and abusive behaviour
Following the CAPP meeting on 12th February 2026 Preparing for Linn Rocks was set as a priority.
A meeting about Linn Rocks was held with Paul McLennan, residents, police and ELC representatives. Although nothing concrete was agreed ELC were more receptive about CCTV at the bus stop if there are continuing incidents. The police are aware of the timings of previous incidents and will hopefully time patrols accordingly. Positioning facial recognition cameras at the site is problematic due to lack of infrastructure although it was agreed to scope the technical feasibility and cost. Although section 19 notices have been used in other areas to disperse groups the police are not keen on using this here as they feel they already have the powers they need. The number of incidents being reported has dropped over 3 years but it was recognised that the nature of the incidents is still serious and resulted in charges last year. A further meeting is arranged for June.
• Area Partnerships
Mrs Constable attended the North Berwick and Coastal Area Partnership. A Priorities Plan is being prepared and questionnaires have been circulated. A number of events are being organized including a Picnic in the Park and a Festival for Older People as North Berwick prepares to enter the Town of Culture competition.
• Finance
• Updates / 2025-26 year to date
The end of year account show an outstanding balance in the region of £2000. An outstanding grant of £1000 from the Community Rail Partnership for production of Dunpender News will be chased by Mrs Cosgrove. The BeGreen funds of £1306.21 for the picnic benches have been received and the order has been placed. Expected invoices include insurance, Horticultural Society funds and an invoice for fountain repairs which is being chased. Ms Pearson will find out whether we can ask DELAP for funding for our defibs as N Berwick had been successful in obtaining money from their Area Partnership.
• Planning / Licensing / Consultations
8.1 Planning: Public Inquiry Newland Hills Wind Energy Hub - Win-210-1
Mrs Shaw-Stewart will attend this Inquiry which starts on 6th March.
8.2 25/01272/PM - theSpace Dunbar
DCC has supported this application for a multi-use community, leisure, entertainment space including bowling lanes, climbing walls, skatepark, performance space and cafe.
• East Linton/Preston
• Orchardfield Speeding
Cllr Jardine reported agreement from ELC that speed measuring strips will be installed. There is no timeframe for this.
• Stewart Milne Wall
Cllr Jardine reported that ELC officers are working with residents to define the requirement and establish the associated cost. This is not covered by the Road Bond so separate funds will need to be identified. Cllr Jardine indicated that the view of ELC Officers was that the wall was the responsibility of residents. A Residents Association appears to be in place and Cllr Jardine will arrange a meeting.
• Information boards
These have been collected from Mr Russel to be re-installed.
• White Bridge
The brige works are complete and it is now silver. Anti-slip strips will be reused at Knowes and the mill where work has been carried out on the wheel and there are plans to mill flour on Saturdays.
9.5 Underpass - request to paint mural
Mrs Cosgrove is pursuing this as Network Rail have to agree to any improvements.
9.6 No Mow May
Mr Thomas reminded members of the meeting to be held in the community hall on 10th March at 7.30pm
9.7 Playpark
Mrs Priest has met with ELC about enhancements to the playparks. Consultations are to be organised including on whether some of the fences should be removed. The £67,000 fund from Stewart Milne must be spent this year.
• Tyninghame /Whitekirk
• Tyninghame
ELC are to appoint an empty housing officer. Cllr Jardine reported that the estate may have plans for the properties. Mr Wight is trying to encourage participation in No Mow May. Speedwatch training is underway.
10.2 Whitekirk - NBAP
Mrs Constable reported that the debfibrillator is installed and she will inspect it monthly. She was involved in planting 30m of hedging at Newmains farm opposite the entrance to Whitekirk Hill. Mr Russel has repaired the notice board. She has attached a sign requesting feedback on what upgrades residents would like to see.
• Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame
• Markle signage and planting.
Mrs Gill reported that signage issues are continuing. She is waiting for a response from Peter Forsyth on continuing issues that relate to the road and bridge project. A new pole has been erected at Drylaw Hill but no sign and the old poles are still in place. There are concerns following conversation with staff on-site carrying out planting that not all the planting on the plans has been completed eg marginal planting around the SUDS. She has contacted the developer.
• Whittingehame
Mrs Shaw-Stewart will chase ELC about flooding at Papple crossroads. The Papple Steading direction signs have been reduced in height but a new concern has been raised by tractor drivers about Papple Steading signs added to traffic signs at the A199 junction with the road under the A1. This has removed their line of sight and they have to enter the carriageway before they can determine if it is safe to do so. Mr Kinnaird confirmed that in modern tractors drivers are about 2m back from the front of the vehicle making this situation increasingly dangerous. Mrs Shaw-Stewart will raise this with ELC both at this junction and another junction with similar issues at Whittinghame.
11.3 Traprain
Ms Pearson reported on concerns about dog poo bags being left at Traprain Law. She has contacted Nick Aitken of the Countrywide Rangers for advice.
• Projects
12.1 Dunpender News - distribution
Some outlying areas are still to receive a copy. Cllr Jardine thanked DCC for sending copies to local councillors.
• Any Other Business
Mrs Priest will provide content for the Community Council section of the East Lothian Council website.
Mrs Shaw-Stewart raised the issue of new signage in general being too large for rural roads and too frequent.
• Date of next meeting: Thursday 2nd April 2026 at 7.30pm