Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 10th February 2009 in Council Chambers

 

1.  Sederunt

Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Graeme MacGregor, Bob Oliver

 

In attendance

Cllr Sheena Richardson, Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Cllr Tom Trotter, Craig Finley (EL News), Neil Aitchison (EL Courier), Anna Faulkner (minutes/correspondence secretary)

 

2. Apologies:  Suzette MacGregor (Comm Warden), Kathryn McDowall, Fiona-Frances Adam, Nico de Freitas

 

As only five members were in attendance the meeting was deemed ‘in-quorate’.  As councillors were present it was decided to continue with Councillors Corner and any matters that required a decision would be taken forward to the next meeting.

 

3. Major Items for AOCB

 

4. Minutes of Tuesday 9th December

4.1 As the meeting was in-quorate the minutes will be ratified at the next meeting

 

5. Matters Arising

 

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Potholes:  John pointed out that the area at the bottom of Beechwood Road is crumbling, despite only recently having been repaired by the Gas Board.  He is aware that it isn’t the right time of year to be repairing roads but said that the general state around the country is pretty bad.  On a good note, he said that they did receive their salt bucket, along with Peachdales.

6.2 Athelstaneford:  Emily asked if they could have another bin along the main street, towards the church.  She also said that their salt bins have been filled.                                                                                                                                      Action TT

6.3 Pigeon droppings:  Jan has received a call from Joe Forte about the mess behind the shops, between the High St and Market St.  This has been mentioned before and was being dealt with.  One idea put forward was to open the doocot again.

6.4 Oak Tree Cafe roundabout:  the pothole at the roundabout has been filled in.                       

6.5 Roodlands:  Jan asked if we could find out what is happening to the plans for the hospital.  At a meeting some time ago it was faithfully promised that this would all be done by 2009.  Sheena said she had no more information on this – it keeps getting talked about but nothing happens.  One of the problems was that it was Lothian Health Board, therefore East Lothian do not seem to have any clout.  She will try to find out any information.                                                   Action SR

6.6 30mph sign:  Sheena reported that this sign is now illegal (is not reflective) and therefore had to be replaced.  The old one is in storage.

6.7 Fly tipping: Bob said that this is still happening at the old A1.                                                                        Action LB-L

6.8 Langriggs (gates): Sheena asked only today about this.  It had been promised that a consultation would be held over Christmas but she doesn’t think this has been done.           

6.9 Comm Wardens:  Tom said that based on all the feedback, the wardens seem to be doing a good job and making a difference to the community.

6.10 Athelstaneford (skate-ramp):  Mr Boardman, a resident from the village, was in attendance at the meeting to ask about the possibility of getting a skate-ramp built.  Sheena said that the best starting point would be to establish a contact with the Village Community Association.  They also have to have a weight of opinion – there is no point trying to have this done if the villagers are against it.  Funding could be sourced from various areas.                                                                                      

 

7.  Police Questions  - no police present.  It was thought that perhaps the police are not attending the meeting now that the Comm Wardens are coming.  Jan wasn’t sure about this – will contact Stuart to ask.                                         Action JW

 

8. Planning applications

8.1 Copies of Bob’s list were circulated (attached).  Nothing to comment on 

 

9. Tourism

9.1 Volunteers:  Jan has sent out letters to all the volunteers.  A reception will be held on 24th Feb, 7.00pm upstairs in the Town House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Treasurer’s Report

10.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet.  Accounts will be brought to the next meeting for ratification.

 

HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 10th February 2009

 

Last month’s Balance                  £735.83                

Income                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £0.18                       Jan’s Phone exp (Dec)                   £28.00

                                                                                                Jan’s phone exp (Jan)                    £28.00

                                                                                                Emily’s phone exp                              £28.00

                                                                                                Anna secretary’s fee                      £50.00

                                                               

                               

Total                                                       £736.01                                                                                       £134.00                                                                                                                                                                                

New balance £736.01 - £134.00 =                              £602.01

 

HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 10th   February 2009

Last months balance                  £15,308.20

 

Income                                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £12.36                                     Tax                                                          £2.47

Repayment for xmas lights,                                                           Jan scouts postage stamps                   £11.20

Local Priorities                                      £2,400.00                              Advert for santa run                         £30.77

                                                                                                                David Brunton xmas lights                £1,200.00

                                                                                                                Lottery licence                                    £20.00

                                                                                                                Tesco (beer for John santa run)                £21.98

                                                                                                                Jan Craft Creations                               £116.82

                                                                                                                Jan (shopping cart)                     £118.39

                                                                                                                Tesco (sweets for Colvin santa r)                £20.00

                                                                                                                Petrol (Colvin santa run)                                £10.02

                                                                                                                Town House Fish Bar sweets

                                                                                                                For Santa run                                               £137.25                  

                                                               

£17,720.56                                                                                          £1,688.90

 

New balance £17,720.56 - £1,688.90                  = £16,031.66

 

 

11. Community Warden – none present

 

12.  Correspondence

Received:

12.1 Various ELC meeting notices, agendas and minutes

12.2 Jan had correspondence from Tommy Docherty, PPS Group. Sainsbury’s are keen to have a meeting with the CC.  Jan thought it would be best to invite them to attend the March Festival meeting.                                                  Action JW

12.3 Haddington Pipe Band/Homecoming 2009, Tartan Week Parades 4/5 April: Jan had notes from their meeting: may be looking for the CC to contribute.  Meeting being held 16 Feb 7.30pm at Waterloo Bistro; Emily will attend to represent Athelstaneford and John representing Haddington.

12.4 Community Environmental Fund:  letter received from Maree Johnston: £3000 is being donated towards the Riverside Drive footbridge refurbishment.

12.5 ELC traffic management/improvements: 20MPH to be installed at West Road

12.6 Royal Hosp for Sick Kids: glossy leaflet re new build at Little France

12.7 Leaflet re Climate Change and National Forests Estates

12.8 Local Grants Scheme, Heritage Centre at Athelstaneford: money has  been granted for new screens.  A backing letter is needed from the CC.  Despite being in-quorate, a decision was made that Emily get support from one other CC member and go ahead and write the letter of support.                                                                                                 Action EA

Sent out:

12.9 Letter to Ms Amanda Wells

 

13.  Festival Update

 

14. John Lockhart Trophy

 

15. Craft Fair – Feb 28th – Jan needs help on the Friday and Saturday

 

16. AOCB

 

17. Date of next Meeting:  Tuesday 10th March 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.

 

18.  Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 24th February 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm

 

19. Outstanding Matters Arising from previous minutes                

 

2006

14/03    

Athelstaneford (Lighting outside hall): a wall light has been installed but this is not what the CC had asked for; Emily to email Tom about this                                                                                                         Action EA

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

12/04     Old Bowling Green – name plaque: Sheena has tried to find out where the original sign is.  Suggested that a new one be made if old one can’t be found (09/07)

09/06     Town House Clock tower lighting – Jan has contacted Halliday’s on numerous occasions and the lighting has still to be sorted.   13/2 Jan has had no reply to her email and Irene had no reply to a letter she sent to them last Autumn.  It was decided that Irene should write again.     08/05 and 12/06 Still no reply                Action IP

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

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

                St Ann’s Place – large puddle

                Herdmanflat – broken slabs/tree roots

13/03     Nungate Bridge – light filters

                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

                Athelstaneford – hall light/noticeboard

                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

                Athelstaneford – toilet door forced open

                Sidegate – light at bottom of lane out

                Disabled parking bays – sign erected

                Victoria Bridge – 2 lights out

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