Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 8^th December 2009 in Council Chambers

1. Sederunt

Bob Oliver (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), John Golightly, Kathryn McDowall, Margaret Ingle,

Fiona-Frances Adam, John Hamilton, Martin Lugton, Bobby McLaughlin

In attendance

Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Cllr Sheena Richardson, Robert Flood, Roddy Coull, Anna Faulkner (minutes/correspondence secretary), Craig Finlay, East Lothian News, Kirsty Gibbons, Courier

2. Apologies: Jan Wilson, Suzette MacGregor, Carol McKay

3. Major Items for AOCB - None

4. Minutes of 10^th November and Festival Minutes

4.1 A few minor spelling errors were pointed out.

Approval of the minutes was proposed by Emily and seconded by Kathryn

4.2 Festival minutes

4.3 Tesco application: Bob said that there was nothing controversial in their application, just changes to the front entrance.

4.4 Money has been sent to Elza Sproul

4.5 Christmas fun day: relatively successful though not as many torches were sold. Emily said that they were really struggling on the day but due to everyone’s help managed to make it a success and she wanted to thank all who turned up and helped out. Special thanks to Effie, who was there all day, and to Betty, Ruth, and Janet. Letters of thanks to go to all. It was also suggested we send a small gift to Effie for all her help. Action EA/AF

Approval of the minutes was proposed by John H and seconded by Kathryn

5. Matters Arising

5.1 Item 6.2 Pavements: Ludovic said this matter is ongoing. John H asked if it were possible to look into having the dropped pavements painted a different colour – would be helpful for those with impaired vision. Ludovic will ask.

Action LB-L

5.2 Item 6.5 Fiscals Office: It has been confirmed that the office will be re-locating to the new John Gray Centre.

5.3 Item 6.8 Baguette Express donation: Emily has written a letter of thanks.

5.4 Item 6.9 Paving stones, Herdmanflatt: these have still not been repaired.

5.5 Item 7.1 Pipe Band: it was great that the Pipe Band won the award.

5.6 Item 7.2 Council car park: It was confirmed that this is open to the public over the weekend and in the evenings.

5.7 Item 7.3 Oak Tree roundabout: the hole on the roundabout has been repaired, although already beginning to break up again.

5.8 Item 7.5 One-way system: Bob said that he had put in a response with regards the Town Centre Strategy document, along with a diagram of his suggestions. He gave a copy of this to Ludovic. Ludovic said that what had to be considered is the amount of heavy vehicles which would have to go through the High Street if Hardgate was made one way. Bob acknowledged this and said that if Hardgate were to remain 2-way, then this would have to be made a no parking zone. This in itself would cause problems for the shopkeepers.

5.9 Item 7.6 Whittingham Drive: It was reported that the speed sign will be up and running within 2-3 weeks. Bob said he had still not received a copy of the speed report on Haldane Avenue.

5.10 Item 10.4 Prop residential traffic calming: an email has been received from Stuart Baxter re the proposals and our comments on such (see Correspondence).

5.11 Athelstaneford lights: Emily said that the lights are finally up and running so this item can be taken off O/S matters.

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Nungate Bridge: Margaret said that once again the lights are broken on the bridge. There are also potholes on the other side – a resident had recently fallen due to this. Action LB-L

6.2 Disabled parking: Fiona mentioned again about the lack of parking in the High Street – there are currently no facilities for disabled parking and the current spaces can be far too narrow to allow easy access in and out of her car. Bob said it was difficult to know where they could be created. Robert Flood suggested either end of the High Street?

6.3 Street lighting: John G said that there is a problem with the lighting up Beechwood Road, Hopetoun Drive etc. The lights have been out for a number of nights now. Action LB-L

6.4 Newton Port: Emily said that the over-hanging bushes are still causing an obstruction. Action LB-L

6.5 River Tyne: Complaints once again about the state of the river below the Victoria Bridge. Ludovic will investigate what can be done. Action LB-L

7. Police Questions – none present at meeting

8. Robert Flood and Roddy Coull - Knox Academy news and views

8.1 Expressive Arts evening: the school held this recently and it was very well attended. The Christmas Concert will be held on Wed 16^th Dec, with performances at 1.45 and 7pm. An invite was extended to the CC – Margaret and Kathryn would like to attend in the afternoon.

8.2 Noticeboard: Robert said they had had a walk round the town and went into quite a few of the shops – they found that this might be a bit harder to instigate than they had imagined. A few of the shops said they would think about it and get back to them. Will keep working at it.

8.3 Visiting speaker: the school third year business studies class had a visit from Robin Stenhouse who talked about the Baguette Express franchise.

8.4 Christmas Boxes: Roddy said that they were once again organising the Christmas boxes for the Day Centre and should be taking them out in the last week of term.

Robert and Roddie left the meeting

9. Correspondence

Received:

9.1 Various ELC meeting notices and minutes

9.2 Letter from Bill Bradford re Haddington Pipe Band and the award they won.

9.3 Crossreach – Tynepark have been awarded approx 50k from the Peoples Millions – voted on by Scottish Television viewers.

9.4 Proposed residential traffic calming – Phase 5: Lydgait, Queens Avenue, Baird Terrace and Bullit Loan, Mt Martin’s Gate. No other areas were suggested but it was thought that the best type of traffic bumps were the ones which extend right across the road. It was also thought that it was not necessary for bumps to be installed in Queens Avenue – there are always cars parked on one side therefore it is essentially a one-way street and it isn’t really possible to drive at any speed. Bob said that traffic calming should be installed where statistical evidence proves there is a need due to speeding. Lydgate was in doubt due to the ambulance station – this would hamper their exit. Bob will draft a response to Colin Baird in relation to this. Action RO

9.5 Email from David Swann, Dunbar Comm Council re matters including the wind farm and Lafarge – although an angry letter which would alienate many people, there were many truths in what he said.

10. Planning Applications

10.1 Bob had already emailed out the weekly lists, with nothing of great interest to discuss

11. Treasurer’s Report

11.1

Haddington & District Community Council Accounts on Tuesday 8th December 2009
Last Months Balance		£2,128.30
Income			Expenditure
Interest		£0.18	Jan's Phone Expences Oct			£28.00
Lord Lieutenant's Wreath		£24.50	Jan's Phone Expences Oct		Nov	£28.00
Rotary Wreath		£24.50	Emily's Phone Exp		Oct	£28.00
			Emily's Phone Exp		Nov	£28.00
			Anna's Secretaries Exp			£50.00
			Payment for 4 Wreaths			£97.98
	Total	£2,177.48			Total	£259.98
New Balance £2,177.48 - £259.98 =				£1,917.50
Haddington & District Community Council Festival Accounts on Tuesday 8th December 2009
Last Months Balance		£18,564.00
Income			Expenditure
Interest		£1.65	Tax			£0.33
St Mary's Playgroup (Advert)		£60.00	Craft Fair Float			£120.00
Craft Fair Float returned		£120.00	Licence for Christmas Fun Day			£10.00
Income from Craft Fair		£697.00	Tesco Items for Soup Craft Fair			£17.90
Danation from Baggette Express		£250.00	Stamps for Jan			£165.60
			Art Exh Painting (11262)			£120.00
			Advert For Craft Fair		£42.23
			Advert for Rem Day		£73.90	£116.13
			Art Exh Painting (11260)			£60.80
			Pipe Band Remembrance Day			£80.00
			Tesco Items for Xmas Funday			£82.53
			Stamps for Anna			£82.80
			Macro Christmas Funday			£267.93
	Total	£19,692.65			Total	£1,124.02
New Balance £19,692.65 - £1,124.02 =				£18,568.63

12. Christmas Lights

12.1 We have received an email from the Health & Safety officer from ELC re the lights. It suggests that regulations re the erection of the lights were not followed by the CC. As far as we know all the correct and necessary forms were filled in and all safety procedures were carried out. It was thought that this item will continue and we shall wait to see what transpires.

13. AOCB

13.1 Crossreach – Tynepark Centre: Although they have funding for their larger project, Bob thought that we could perhaps use some of our Local Priorities money for one of their smaller projects which is to enable less able-bodied people to take part in the community. Bob had details and a list of what they need, which totals approx £1475 and asked if the CC were keen to support this. After a short discussion it was agreed to go ahead and donate this sum to the project. Action EA

14. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 12^th January 2010 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.

15. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 26^th January 2010 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm

16. Outstanding Matters Arising from previous minutes

2006

14/03

Burley’s Wa’s – 12/06 it was reported that the insurance company has insisted that the area around the George Hotel be boarded up in light of a recent incident relating to a fire extinguisher being let off

09/06 Town House Clock tower lighting – 11/03/08 Jan said that Alan Forsyth has confirmed that some of the wires have been pecked by the pigeons. Some sort of covering needs to be sourced to prevent this continuing

12/09 Broken kerb at Co-op

10/10 Uneven slabs at Graeme McGraths – now hole in the ground (9/6/09)

14/11 Mill Wynd/Millfield - fencing

Mill Wynd/West Mills – pathway

Dunbar Road – pavement a mess

2007

09/01 Long Stay parking-disabled parking bays

13/02 Footbridge at Riverside Drive – work to start soon

St Ann’s Place – large puddle

Herdmanflat – broken slabs/tree roots

13/03 Abbey Bridge – broken mirror

Ball Alley – lights

10/04 Estate Agents signs

Abbotsview/Riverside Drive – wall/broken slabs

Newton Port/Market St junction – broken sign in pavement

Guttering – High Street

Courier Office – exposed pipe in pavement

Peter Potters – broken drain

12/06 Public toilets-one-way mirror – 11/12 Tom Trotter has spoken to Tom Shearer about this: let him know if this hasn’t been done

Rugby Club-upgrading & fencing off pitch

Nungate Bridge-needing overhaul

11/09 General disrepair of the pavements in town

Gifford Road – speed bumps

09/10 Signposts in Newton Port facing the wrong way

Langriggs (gates to vennels)

Gateside commerce park – lowered pavement

Alderston Muir – naming of : 11/12 Jan suggested Bob email Sheena direct regarding this

Church Street –Parking overlapping pavement

The Sands-Vehicles parking on corner of Church Street and The Sands

Local Plan Inquiry –request for a copy of report.

13/11 Highways: invite Brian Cooper and/or Peter Forsyth to some of our meetings

Play area (Longcram/Acreadales): 11/12 reported

Missing drain cover outside Sue Ryder shop: 11/12 reported

11/12 Court Street – paving stones - reported

Herdmanflat – paving stones - reported

2008

12/02 Monkmains – bollards: 11/03 in hand

Public toilets – condensation: 11/03 under investigation

Neighbourhood Watch Posters: 11/03 ELC can provide

Fly tipping problem – Alderston: 11/03 reported

Riverside Drive Bridge – anti-slip coating

Hopetoun Drive – speeding

11/03 Old A1: bench

Alderston Gardens: signage/trees

Street lighting: Gifford Gate, Lady Kitty’s, bollards

08/04 Riverside Drive – messy pavements

Dobsons Well – signage

Cross Lane – missing drain cover

Carlyle Cafe – uneven paving slabs

13/05 Recycle bins –sports centre

Disabled parking bays

The Sands – parking

Chip shop close – name?

10/05 Alleyway off High Street – being used as public convenience

Athelstaneford – bus shelters

Clearing of river Tyne

Traffic calming – Queens Avenue

09/09 Station Rd Park – reinstate flower beds

Beechwood Rd – widen pathway

Brewery Park – disrepair of roadway

Bowling Green plaque/doocot – vandalism

Overhanging branches –various locations

Grass cuttings – not being cleared up

Abbots View – broken slabs

14/10 Somnerfield – broken paving slabs/hole in ground

Amisfield Cottages – Slow Down sign

Newton Port – hole in ground at Market St end

Butts Sheltered Housing – mess in grounds

Corn Exchange – upgrade; toilets and gas heating

11/11 Bus shelters: Abbotsview, Dunbar Road, High Street

09/12 Princess Mary Road –parking on grass

Court Street – hole in pavement

Pot holes – Seggarsdean, Abbotsview

Brewery Park – disrepair of pavements

Disabled parking bays – sign erected

2009

13/01 Church Street/Langriggs/Nungate Bridge – lighting

Potholes – Oak Tree roundabout, Seggarsdean, Athelstaneford

Salt bins – provision around the town

10/02 Beechwood Road – potholes

Athelstaneford – new bin required

Pigeon droppings

Roodlands – new hospital – major delay

10/03 Scaffolding at Town House

Tyne under Victoria Bridge

Oak Tree Cafe – bulbs

Hospital Road – lights out

Peachdales – muddy corner

Town Centre – one-way system

14/04 Potholes, Roodlands Ct, Oak Tree Cafe roundabout

Church Street – drain cover missing

Fortune Ave – signage

12/05 Skate ramp request

09/06 Bermaline – state of river below and at weir

Westfield – disrepair of bridge

Disabled parking – High St

Cobblers Shoe Shop premises – disrepair of walls

Athelstaneford – missing bench from village hall

08/09 Ross’s Close – anti social behaviour – still awaiting new gates for all the closes leading from High Street

Newton Port – over-hanging bush

Athelstaneford – bus shelter

- hall lights – this should be fixed within this financial year with Local Priorities money.

St Ann’s Place –dip in pavement causing large puddle when it rains.