Minutes of meeting of 12th April 2011 in Council Chambers
Jan Wilson (Chair), Margaret Ingle, Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Fiona-Frances Adam, David Barrett, John Hamilton, Martin Lugton, Bobby McLaughlin, Pat Lemmon, Alan Dunton, Graeme MacGregor, Robert Moran, Tom Kirkpatrick
4.1 Citizen of the Year
5. Minutes of 8th March
Approval of the minutes was proposed by Martin and seconded by Pat
6. Matters Arising - none
7. Councillors Corner
7.1 Bench at Ball Alley: Jan asked if Tom knew of the whereabouts of the bench which has gone awol from Ball Alley. Lynn said that it had been set on fire and therefore had probably been removed by the council.
7.2 Herdmanflat: residents at the lower end are complaining about the height of some of the fencing which has been erected. One stands at 4’ and the other 6’ – this one prevents some from having any outlook and they wondered if this could be lowered to 4’ also. It was reported that 27 residents have signed a petition to have this lowered. Jan has an email address for the resident and will pass to Tom. Action JW/TT
7.3 Tyne Court: Alan said that this used to be a lovely area but is now in a state of disrepair – broken roof tiles, loose roans, cladding coming away etc. The gardens are also in a real mess. It is felt that the area is a real hazard, particularly to children living in the area. Tom said that there had been a recent Local Housing Partnership meeting – some issues arise from the fact that some properties are shared ownership, some private and some council. Action TT
7.4 Sidegate Lane: Jan said that there are still 2 posters up advertising the Saltire Event from last year. Action TT
7.5 John Muir House: Fiona said they have been having problems with boy racers using the area in the evening as a drinking den. The security man is a bit wary of approaching them and they can be there all night at times. Fiona said the security man had called the police but was told they couldn’t do anything about them. Lynn said to take a note of the car registration nos. Tom also suggested that the CCTV may be able to help in identifying them. Lynn will pass to traffic division. Action PC Black
7.6 Road repairs: Tom felt that praise was due to the council re recent road repairs in evidence around the county. Whole junctions are being replaced instead of just being patched up.
7.7 Pot hole at Athelstaneford: Emily said that this problem has been going on for a while with the council and the water board passing it backwards and forwards to each other. Action TT
7.8 Sidegate into High Street: Jan pointed out that part of the white line at the junction at scamblers corner has been covered over. Lynn confirmed though that the Stop sign was still mandatory.
8. Police Questions
8.1 Bench at Ball Alley: as mentioned earlier the bench was set alight. Not sure who has removed it but would assume probably the council although the bolts are still in place.
8.2 CAPP meeting: unfortunately the last meeting had to be cancelled at short notice.
8.3 Town vandalism: Lynn had been charged with looking up figures for incidents of shop window smashes or similar and found that during Jan/Feb crime figures showed 5 reported incidents. This does also included accidental damage – Pat managed to claim for the damage to her shop front thanks to help from the police.
8.4 Safety of youths/bikes: Lynn said that Suzette had more details re the skatepark etc but that the police have engaged with the youths and along with Mike’s Bikes are encouraging them to be careful.
8.5 Anti-social behaviour: there has been a slight increase in youth related incidents, mainly due to the better weather and the kids being off school etc. Hot-spots and drinking dens are targeted and they are trying to find out who is supplying them with alcohol. Lynn also said that during May and June (one day each month) they are going to be doing joint patrols (with outreach workers etc) to engage with the youths. The deputy head teacher from Knox also joined them on patrol a couple of weeks ago – the youths were surprised to see their teacher there but all were well behaved.
9. Community Warden News – see above
10. Knox Academy News
10.1 Hustings,Town House 14th April 7pm: Campbell Hastings from Knox will be chairing the event.
11. Correspondence
Received:
11.1 Various ELC meeting notices and minutes
11.2 Charity Operatic Concert: Trinity Church 13th May at 7.30pm. Alan has tickets
11.3 ELC re hire of marquee etc: Jan received a letter from ELC re the cost of hiring equipment for event/galas
11.4 First Bus: details of changes to fares
11.5 Sainsburys: public exhibition notice for 21st April 11-8pm at Maitlandfield
11.6 ELC Beyond Boundaries: looking for fundraising. There is a lack of provision for 16+ year olds with special needs/disabilities etc. They are looking for help in taking groups out. Pat said that this was a subject close to her heart but that there were other ways for them to raise money. Emily said that we had given to other groups in the past and proposed we give them £200. This was agreed. Action EA
11.7 Christmas lights: revised price list – Jan will bring to the next meeting
11.8 Disclaimer: Pat suggested we include a disclaimer in our correspondence/emails. If the CC are asked their views then we must be careful that a personal point of view is not taken as the view of the CC.
11.9 Civic Pride Fund: Jan has applied for this for the east end of the High Street
11.10 ELC Comm Environmental Fund: application form - closing date 22 May
11.11 ELC, Neil Clark: details of a Countryside Forum evening on 27th April 7pm Town House
11.12 Fire Brigades Union: consultation on the future of Fire and Rescue Services in Scotland
Sent out:
11.13 Cage Bird Society: asking for donation and we declined at this time
12. Planning Applications (John will send summaries via email)
12.1 Various domestic applications: nothing contentious
12.2 37-41 Market St: details of proposals to refurbish the building. John needs to investigate further whether the building is owned by Tesco or whether the cost will be split between current residents. Action JH
12.3 Lothian Tractors: replacing existing porta-cabin
12.4 St Marys School: plans are available for the proposals for a new joint campus with St Marys and Haddington Infants. John will bring plans to the next meeting. Action JH
13. Treasurers Report
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14. Honorariums
14.1 Festival Account: present figures are: Jan £200 (£250), Emily £100 (£150)
CC Account: Jan £100 (£150), Emily £200 (£250)
An increase of £50 per item was proposed by Bobby and seconded by Pat. This was agreed by all. (new figures in italics above) Action EA
14.2 Correspondence Secretary: Anna has been covering this position for the past year but would like to stand down. Pat agreed to take over this role.
15. Festival Minutes and update
15.1 Christmas lights meeting to be held on 19th April
16. AOCB
16.1 Handbook: we need to decide whether we will continue to produce the handbook. It has been suggested we just do the directory and have it available in the library.
16.2 Quiz night: Jan reported that the night raised a total of £304
16.3 Citizen of the Year: Alan wondered if we should acknowledge the achievements of Callum Robb as he is now a World Champion. Jan said that the CC have already done this and agreed that he was a credit to our community.
16.4 Internet survey: David has been asked by an elderly resident what do they do if they are not on-line and how can they participate. David felt that we would be missing that section of the community who were not on-line and should we put something in the press/library or do postal votes etc?
17. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 10th May 2011 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
18. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 26th April 2011 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm
19. Outstanding Matters Arising from previous minutes
2008
12/02
Public toilets – condensation: 11/03 under investigation
Riverside Drive Bridge – anti-slip coating
11/03 Old A1: bench
Street lighting: Gifford Gate, Lady Kitty’s, bollards
08/04 Dobson’s Well – signage
13/05 Recycle bins –sports centre
Disabled parking bays
The Sands – parking
10/05 Clearing of river Tyne
Traffic calming – Queens Avenue
09/09 Beechwood Rd – widen pathway
Amisfield Cottages – Slow Down sign
Disabled parking bays – sign erected
2009
13/01 Church Street/Langriggs/Nungate Bridge – lighting
10/02 Beechwood Road – potholes
Roodlands – new hospital – major delay
10/03 Tyne under Victoria Bridge
Town Centre – one-way system
Fortune Ave – signage
12/05 Skate ramp request
09/06 Bermaline – state of river below and at weir
Westfield – disrepair of bridge
Cobblers Shoe Shop premises – disrepair of walls
2010
09/03 Lammermuir Crescent – small wall
14/09 Nungate Bridge – state of disrepair
09/11 Victoria Bridge – parking restrictions (MI)
2011
08/02 George Hotel – clean up exterior
Athelstaneford – hole where roundabout used to be
Glebe Cres (Athel) – broken slab
Closes in High Street – sewage problems
12/04 Herdmanflat – fence lowered
Tyne Court – state of disrepair
Transportation Dept. -Pot Holes and Broken Slabs throughout the Town & Athelstaneford
Pot Holes: Abbotsview, Somnerfield, Newton Port, Court Street, Seggarsdean, Athelstandeford, Roodlands Court, Oak Tree Roundabout
Uneven Pavements: High Street, Market Street, Court Street. St. Anne’s Place, Mitchells Close (11/1/11), Glebe Cres (Athel) 8/2,
Drain Covers Missing: Church Street