Minutes of meeting of 13th October
2009 in Council Chambers
Jan Wilson (Chair), Bob Oliver (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), John Golightly, Kathryn McDowall,
Margaret Ingle, John Hamilton, Martin Lugton, Bobby McLaughlin
4. Welcome to Robert Flood and Roddy
Coull, teacher and pupil from
4.1 Jan said that they would be joining the meeting a bit later: See
item 4 further in the minutes
5.1 John Hamilton pointed out that he had been reported as John
‘Alexander’. Anna apologised for this
error!
Approval of
the minutes was proposed by Martin and seconded by Kathryn
6. Matters
Arising
6.1 Item 6.1
6.2 Item 6.2
Dropped kerbs: Ludovic is still following up on this matter. Action LB-L
6.3 Item 6.5
Bermaline area: still debate over who was responsible for clearing this area, although
it was thought that the Bermaline are responsible for the part of the river
that borders their plant. Bob pointed
out also that debris is backing up at the sluice gate at Westmills and who was
responsible for clearing this. Action
LB-L
6.4 Item 6.6
6.5 Item 6.8
Athelstaneford: Ludovic has spoken with
6.6 Item 7.3
6.7 Item 7.4 Athelstaneford – bus
shelter and lights: Emily said the
bus shelter has been chosen but they now have to apply for planning permission.
Lights: almost there now with the lights – the committee now just need to agree
to have the lights plugged into the hall supply. Bollards (3) have been chosen instead of a
light above the door.
6.8 Item 7.5
6.9 Item 7.6 Posters: Ludovic spoke to Stuart re this problem. He said that they as a council are not
allowed to remove posters and would have to write to each organisation to
request their removal –not financially viable.
Jan pointed out that there are also posters stuck on traffic lights
which she thought was dangerous as it was a distraction for motorists.
Action LB-L
6.10 Item 12.4
6.11 Item 13.1 Doocot: The doocot is now closed for the winter. Jan said that it had been a great success and
well attended over the summer months.
7. Councillors Corner
7.1
7.2 Herdmanflat/Roodlands: Jan once again brought up this subject, sighting a
meeting held around 2003/4 in which Jan was present, and where they were
categorically promised that a new Roodlands would be built by 2009. We are almost at the end of 2009 and a site
has not even been proposed. Jan maintains
that they were told this to ‘shut us up’ as some awkward questions were being
asked. Sheena said that they need to go
along to the public consultation meetings and put these questions to them. It is the Health Service they need to address
and not the council. Public Information
meeting is to be held in Trinity Centre 18/19 Nov 7-8pm and 2-4pm respectively.
7.2
Pavements: Bob thanked the council for getting some of
the pavements repaired, though he asked why did they just not do them all
instead of just patching them up.
Ludovic said that temporary repairs are done until there is enough money
to repair them all.
Robert Flood
and Roddy Coull arrived at the meeting.
8. Police
Questions – none present
4. Robert Flood and Roddy Coull from
4.1 Robert Flood, a teacher and member of the management team and Roddy a
senior pupil thanked Jan for the opportunity to attend our meeting. Their purpose in coming tonight was to try to
strengthen links with the local community.
Some ideas to enable this integration include:
- link on website to CC and vice versa
- the school to include a float at the festival
- get involved in the community garden
- school activities week: could in some way be
involved in the wider community
4.2 Roddy, who is on the school council and a member of the leadership
team said he would be happy to come to the meetings to bring ideas from the
school – Jan said we would welcome the views of
the younger section of the town.
They would also like to set up a Knox Academy notice board somewhere in
the town to enable them to let the community know what was happening in the
school, sports fixtures etc. Some
suggestions re the location of noticeboards
include: Corn Exchange (use one already there), West Church
noticeboard, the library, Riverside Dv
and Nungate Comm Centre – both have notice boards.
4.3 Robert said that the school has equipment, such as projectors and
screens which could be used and hired out with the hall for film clubs for
example (the hall seats up to 250 people).
John Hamilton also pointed out that the school has excellent sports
halls which are used by some clubs at present but it may not be widely known
that they can be hired out.
4.4 Library – Jan said that the library have an internal mailing system
and they may be able to tap into this – notices would circulate round all the
other libraries.
4.5 Both Robert and Roddy said they would be happy to come to the monthly
meetings. Roddy said he could do a
survey on what the young people would like with regards the Festival.
4.6 Drama Dept: last year a drama
teacher was appointed with a second teacher coming on board this year. The school are hoping to stage more
productions which would be open for the wider community to enjoy. This year they are staging ‘The Lion the
Witch and the Wardrobe’.
4.7 Handbook – Jan said that they could be included in the ‘rogues
gallery’ so people would know who they were.
John G suggested Knox pupils help in the distribution of the handbook –
Jan said that the Scouts were helping this year but it was worth bearing in
mind for the future.
4.8 Sheena thought that this sort
of cooperation would be greatly beneficial to the community. We
just need to look at other communities where greater cooperation serves to
improve the general ambience of the town.
4.9 Helping the elderly – Robert said they were looking at ways the pupils
could help the elderly community and give themselves a more positive
profile. Though supportive of this idea
it was pointed out that when the Scouts tried this initiative they found
themselves being taken advantage of. Tom
also thought it was a great idea but said that it was surprising how many
people just did not want to answer their doors and speak to anyone.
4.10 Positive reporting – Jan said that very often we only get negative
reporting; good news doesn’t sell papers and any ideas to promote a more
positive image was good. Robert said
that quite a large percentage of the pupil population have a negative view of
where they live when Haddington really is a lovely town to live in. Robert said they had also been in touch with the
Comm Wardens, who are keen to be involved and they have also attended the CAPP
meetings.
Jan thanked Robert and Roddie for coming
to the meeting.
9. Correspondence
Received:
9.1 Various ELC meeting notices and minutes
9.2
New licencing laws: Jan said she has
notification that we need to apply for any alcohol licence 42 days before the
event.
9.3
Local Grants Scheme Information
9.4
Email from Brian Fox, Sec of Edin and Lothians & Borders RAF
Association: re Remembrance Day service
– seeking to be represented at EL towns and would like to attend our
service. It was thought a good idea to
have representatives from the RAF at the service.
9.5
Email from Colin Baird: asking if we would like to apply for a speed reactive
sign for our area. This to be paid for
from Safer East Lothian Fund. Jan
thought it a very good idea as it can be moved around to different
locations. Not sure if it would cost
anything to have the council move its location.
It was agreed to go ahead with this. Action
JW
9.6 Signpost to Funding leaflet
9.7 Letter from Peter Potter Gallery: they have been awarded money in
support of an upgrade but as a condition they have to secure external funding to
the value of 10% of the grant and asked if the CC would consider donating £1000
towards this. Jan asked the members if
they wanted to give them this donation.
It was voiced that the current artistic director has changed the gallery
beyond recognition and they no longer
display local artists’ work. When put to
a vote no-one wanted to donate this money from our Local Priorities budget. Jan
said that Peter Petter’s could apply to the Capital Development Fund money
which could realise the group of up to £10K. CC agreed to support this. Jan will email them. Action JW
9.8 Cage Bird Society: letter to
thank the CC for our donation towards their forthcoming show.
9.9 Letter from Prentice Coaches informing us that they are now a Ltd
company.
Sent out:
9.10 Letter to David Berry re Cockenzie Power Station/Athelstaneford
9.11 Letter to Iain Gray, MSP inviting him to attend our November
meeting: Anna received a tel. call from his office accepting this invitation
9.12 Letter to Callum Colquhoun asking him if he wants to remain on the CC
10. Planning Applications
10.1 Bob had already emailed out the weekly lists, with nothing of great
interest to discuss
10.2 Langriggs: Sheena was
pleased to announce that the planning sheet is through for the gates between
Langriggs and the High Street – great news that this was at last progressing to
the next stage.
10.3 Weekly lists: Bob asked why
the weekly lists now only report what has been presented and not what has
actually been passed or not. Sheena not sure about this but will enquire. Action
SR
10.4 Procurator Fiscals Office: apparently this is to be incorporated in the John
Gray Centre. Bob said that nothing had
been seen in the original plans to indicated that this was the case. Jan said they were already struggling to accommodate
everything as it was. She hoped that the
Information Centre would still have the space they had been assured of. Until this comes about Tom will ask if the
exterior of the PF Office could be tidied up a bit. Action TT
11. Treasurer’s Report
11.1
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 13th
October 2009
Last month’s Balance £2,396.09
Income Expenditure
Jan 3 months’ phone exp £84.00
Emily
3 months’ phone exp £84.00
Anna secretary’s fee £50.00
Total £2,396.09 £218.00
New balance £2,396.09 - £218.00
= £2,178.09
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 13th October 2009
Last months’ balance £19,795.18
Income Expenditure
Float returned £100.00 RAGES £10.00
Income from Craft Fair £431.00 Items for Craft Fair teas £32.84
Float for Craft Fair £100.00
Advert for Craft Fair £42.23
East
Lothian Council insurance £52.50
Jan Viking Direct £144.53
£20,326.18 £382.10
12. Armistice Service 8th
November
12.1 Rehearsal Saturday at 10am.
Everyone to meet at the Corn Exchange 10.15 Sunday and bring a loaf of
sandwiches. Jan asked that as many
members attend as possible. Emily will
order the wreaths as necessary. Not sure
if the Masons are marching this year and the Rotary have not got back to Emily
yet. Tom Trotter will be there on behalf
of ELC.
13.
Local Priorities
13.1 Jan reported a total budget of £20,466. We now need to come up with ideas of what to do with this money.
14. Tourism
15. Christmas Lights
15.1 Jan said that the lights are in dire straits and we need to consider getting new ones or refurbishing the current ones. Jan had details of a buy one get one free offer. Need to decide what we would like. It was thought that it would be nice if all the trees in Court St had lights. It was agreed to buy 10 more sets for the trees. Jan has ordered torches for the fun-day – same amount as last year.
15.2 John Hamilton said the owner of Bagette Express wanted to give a donation to the Christmas lights fund.
Jan thanked Betty Simpson for all her help at the Art Exhibition
16. Festival minutes
16.1 Approval of the business section of the minutes needs to be
ratified at this meeting.
17. Craft Fair – 31 October
17.1 Jan needs help for setting up on the Friday and on the Saturday. Carol, Emily, Kathryn, Bob, John G and John H are all available to help at some point.
18. AOCB
18.1 Christmas Meal: Tuesday
15th December 7.30pm was suggested at the Waterloo Bistro
19. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 10th November 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
20. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 27th October 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm
21. 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
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
2007
09/01 Long Stay parking-disabled parking bays
13/02 Footbridge at
Herdmanflat – broken slabs/tree roots
13/03
Ball Alley – lights
10/04 Estate Agents signs
Abbotsview/
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
Nungate Bridge-needing overhaul
11/09 General disrepair of the pavements in town
09/10 Signposts in
Langriggs (gates to vennels)
Gateside commerce park – lowered pavement
Alderston Muir – naming of : 11/12 Jan suggested Bob email Sheena direct regarding this
The
Sands-Vehicles parking on corner of
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
Hopetoun Drive – speeding
11/03 Old A1: bench
Street lighting: Gifford Gate, Lady Kitty’s, bollards
Dobsons Well – signage
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
Traffic calming –
Beechwood Rd – widen pathway
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
Athelstaneford – hall light
Butts Sheltered Housing – mess in grounds
Corn Exchange – upgrade; toilets and gas heating
11/11 Bus shelters: Abbotsview,
Court Street – hole in pavement
Pot holes – Seggarsdean, Abbotsview
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
Athelstaneford – new bin required
Pigeon droppings
Roodlands – new hospital – major delay
10/03 Scaffolding at Town House
Tyne under
Oak Tree Cafe – bulbs
Hospital Road – lights out
Peachdales – muddy corner
Town Centre – one-way system
14/04 Potholes,
Church Street – drain cover missing
Fortune Ave – signage
12/05 Skate ramp request
09/06 Bermaline – state of river below and at weir
Disabled parking –
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
Athelstaneford – bus shelter
- hall lights – this should be fixed within this financial year with Local Priorities money.