Minutes of meeting of 10th March 2009 in Council Chambers
Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Graeme MacGregor, Bob Oliver, Kathryn McDowall, Margaret Ingle, Fiona-Frances Adam, Colvin Denholm
Cllr Sheena Richardson, Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Craig Finley (EL News), Neil Aitchison (EL Courier),
PC Stuart Gunn, Anna Faulkner (minutes/correspondence secretary)
Roger attended a CC meeting about a year ago to inform us about the Community Orchard at Haddington House. He returned tonight to give a short talk about this. Work on the orchard is still ongoing but requires a certain amount of involvement from the community. Roger said that they are holding an Open Day on 14 June under Scotland’s Garden Scheme and are also hoping to hold an apple day in the autumn. Both of these will be family events.
The Trust has been given a Grant from the BBC Breathing Spaces but Roger stressed again that this is a community project, which requires community involvement – without this involvement the project will fail. He said they do have a few volunteers at present doing the tough work but really need more to help with jobs such as pruning/harvesting, cutting the meadowgrass, apple juicing, planting bulbs etc. Colvin suggested contacting the schools and getting the children involved. One other suggestion was Tynebank, and Elcap. Roger said that they do have a website up and running – linked via the CC website. Graeme suggested contacting the Scouts – he said they recently helped clear out the old curling pond and may be of help with the garden. Grame said he would contact the Scouts. Action GMcG
Jan thanked Roger for coming and giving his talk. He left the meeting.
5.1 13th January minutes: Approval of the minutes was proposed by John and seconded by Emily
5.2 10th February minutes:
6.2 Athelstaneford: Emily corrected the minutes to read that the salt bins have not been filled
12.8 Local Grants Scheme, Heritage Centre Athelstaneford: Emily said that the money has been requested but not yet granted
Approval of the minutes was proposed by Bob and seconded by Graeme
6. Matters Arising (13th January minutes)
6.1 Item 5.3 Doocot: Jan said that a meeting was held for the volunteers. Some have cried off but we have managed to recruit a couple more. She is hoping for a response to the article in the paper.
6.2 Item 6.5: Athelstaneford: Emily said that the pot hole in question had been filled but is breaking up again.
6.3 Item 6.7 Salt bins: John said that the bins at Beechwood Road have been filled and also the road has been sorted at the bottom.
6.4 Item 13.7 Lock-up: Sheena wasn’t sure if the lock-up had been cleared but will check up on it. Action SR
Matters arising 10th February meeting
6.5 Item 6.5 Roodlands: Fiona said she has attended a PPF NHS meeting and has seen plans for the proposed development but this is nowhere near being done by the end of 2009. Some other questions about the proposal include: the houses at the bottom of the site – concern about demolishing them although they are deemed un-habitable; Jan said that if the houses were to go could the road be widened; where would the entrance be situated – half-way down Aberlady Road.
Jan asked why would they have to knock down the existing Roodlands? Sheena said that there is an option to keep the clinic at the old site and build new at the Herdmanflat site. Jan asked Fiona if the PPF could come to one of the CC meetings to discuss this. Fiona said she will ask. Action F-FA
6.6 Item 6.7 Fly tipping: Ludovic has brought this to the attention of the highways dept who are at present not in a position to seal off that bit of road as it is still, theoretically, a public highway. It was therefore suggested that they should be looking after it if a public highway? Ludovic will speak to Stuart Pryde. Action LB-L
6.7 Item 6.8 Langriggs: Sheena said she had received a letter today and that this project is now going through the consultation process.
6.8 O/S matters: 9/12 Brewery Park: Fiona said that nothing has been done and the situation is getting worse. Ludovic said he has taken the matter up. Action LB-L
7. Pigeon problem – Mr Scott Hood, Pest control officer
Mr Hood wasn’t present at the meeting.
8. Councillors Corner
8.1 Town House, scaffolding: John said that he has been asked if this now has listed building consent as it has been there so long. He asked if anyone is actually doing any work there. Also, the lights are facing the wrong way and some of the bulbs need replaced.
8.2 Tyne under Victoria Bridge: who is responsible for this stretch of water which is a mess. It was suggested that properties bordering the area should be responsible for keeping it clean.
8.3 Roundabout at Oak Tree: John asked what has happened to all the bulbs that the cubs planted in the area. Bob suggested that the local wildlife have probably eaten them. It was asked if we could use some LP money to have them reinstated?
8.4 Hospital Road, lights: Colvin said that the street lights have been out in this road for some weeks now. Sheena said that it was Scottish Power who were responsible for this.
8.5 Peachdales: Colvin said that the refuse lorry (in particular) has been driving over the corner grass section, making it into a muddy mess. Residents have asked if this could be made into hard-standing? Action LB-L
8.6 ELC meetings: Fiona said it was asked if a member of the CC could attend the ELC meetings. Fiona volunteered to do this. Action F-FA
8.7 Neilson Park Road: Graeme said that the recent work done at the bottom of Neilson Park Road has resulted in the road being filled in with cheap asphalt, as opposed to cobbles to match the original road surface. Sheena suggested that this was a temporary measure until the ground settles. It is hoped that the cobbles will be replaced as the asphalt doesn’t look very nice.
8.8 Herdmanflat/Somnerfield Gv and Ave: Bob asked about these paved areas. Sheena said she was dealing with it.
Action SR
8.9 One-way system: Colvin said that the temporary one-way system was an ideal time to experiment if this would work long-term but that Market Street should have been made one-way to get the full effect: would be much easier to get round if the whole of the town centre were one-way. Jan mentioned the double yellow lines along Hardgate – the businesses here are suffering as people cannot park. Sheena said that this had been an error and they will be removed and parking reinstated. Action SR
9. Police Questions
9.1 Athelstaneford: vandals have been at work in the playground and the toilet doors have once again been damaged.
9.2 Crime in town: nothing to report. The next CAPP meeting will be Monday at 7pm.
9.3 Stuart said that the next meeting will be his last as he is moving onto another post, although he will still be in Haddington. Jan wished him well.
10. Planning applications
10.1 Poldrate Mill application: Bob pointed out that if railings were erected to encompass the grass area alongside the lade then how would be grass be cut? He will make comment on this. Action RO
11. Treasurer’s Report
11.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet. As the accounts for January and February had not been ratified at last months’ meeting they were checked and ratified now.
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 10th March 2009
Last month’s Balance £602.01
Income Expenditure
Interest January £0.14 Jan’s Phone exp £28.00
Interest Feb £0.11 Emily’s phone exp £28.00
Anna secretary’s fee £50.00
Total £602.26 £106.00
New balance £602.26 - £106.00 = £496.26
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 10th March 2009
Last months’ balance £16,031.66
Income Expenditure
Interest January £4.30 Float for Craft Fair £100.00
Interest Feb £3.69 Macro food for craft fair £79.17
Tax for January £0.86
Tax for Feb £0.73
£16,039.65 £180.76
Income Expenditure
The float £100.00
Income from Craft Fair £656.00
Advert £52.79
Tesco food for volunteers £68.78
Stamps £82.08
EL Bird Cage Society £300.00
£756.00 £503.65
Paper bought at Macro cost £10.79
11.2 Emily will transfer £1000 from Festival account to the CC account as the balance stands at under £500.
12. Correspondence
Received:
12.1 Various ELC meeting notices, agendas and minutes
12.2 Letter from Margaret Libberton, Councillor, Labour Group Secretary along with documents as detailed: Labour Group Rent Proposals 2009 to 2013/14 and Labour Group Proposals 2009/10.
12.3 Maternity Services Strategy: consultation document and leaflet.
12.4 Emil from Bob Mitchell: Jan had received details re a short novel he has out soon.
12.5 Leaflets re bollards and outdoor products (ELC)
12.6 Civic Pride Fund: details of a donation of £5000 towards the regeneration of the Town Centre
12.7 EL Community Planning Partnership: letter received from the Chair, Barry Turner, explaining his interpretation of using the word ‘wherewithal’ in a previous letter.
12.8 Letter received from Sharon and Gavin Boyd, John Brown Court, saying how pleased they were with the reduction in noise and disruption over the festive season.
12.9 Letter from Peter Collins re EL Tourism, Stakeholders Session. Jan will feedback info from this when she gets it.
Action JW
13. John Lockhart Trophy
13.1 Ongoing – still need nominations for children between the ages of 4 -18
14. Local Priorities
14.1 Uncommitted funds: Jan said we still have a sum that is uncommitted and suggested we could put the yearly £2000 to Festival Funds. This would leave a sum of £1675 to commit. One suggestion was to put this towards cost of erecting a street light, to light up the area below the village hall at Athelstaneford. The full cost is approx. £3000 and it was suggested we make half the payment from this year’s scheme and commit the other half from next year’s Local Priorities. This was agreed.
15. Tourism
15.1 Volunteers: Jan still needs more volunteers for the first week the doocot opens. She suggested that we change the opening times on Saturday to 10-2pm instead of 4pm. This was agreed,
15.2 What’s on Scotland: Jan has been in touch with them. They can give us a free advert on their website. Will set up a page which will link with our website.
15.3 CC Website: Jan suggested giving Simon Boak £200 (from Local Priorities) for his work on the website this past year. This was proposed by Bob and seconded by John. Action EA
16. AOCB
16.1 Cannon outside Tesco: Graeme wondered who was responsible for the maintenance of this as it could do with a coat of paint. It was suggested we write to Tesco to ask them. (Jan who would I write to???) Action AF
16.2 Petanque: It was agreed that the refreshments for this could be kept in the doocot during the Petanque competition at the Festival. This was agreed.
17. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 14th April 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
18. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 24th March 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 – 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 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
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
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
10/03 Scaffolding at Town House
Tyne under Victoria Bridge
Oak Tree Cafe – bulbs
Hospital Road – lights out
Peachdales – muddy corner
Neilson Park Road – asphalt/cobbles
Town Centre – one-way system