Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 10th May 2011 in Council Chambers

1. Sederunt

Jan Wilson (JW) (Chair), Margaret Ingle (MI) (Vice chair), Emily Armatage (EA) (Treasurer), Fiona-Frances Adam, (FFA) Martin Lugton, (ML) Pat Lemmon, (PL) Graeme MacGregor, (GMcG) Dave Brunton, (DBn) Robert Moran (Rab), Tom Kirkpatrick (TK)

In attendance

Cllr Tom Trotter (TT), Robert Flood (RF) (KA), Megan McCafferty (KA), Brian Copland (EL Courier), Anna Faulkner (minutes/correspondence secretary)


2. Apologies: Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Cllr Sheena Richardson, Suzette MacGregor

3. AOCB

3.1 The Goat in High Street - cleaning

4. Minutes of 12th April

Approval of the minutes was proposed by Pat and seconded by Robert


5. Matters Arising

5.1 Item 7.1 Bench at Ball Alley: Tom (TT) established that the bench had been set on fire and has therefore been removed by ELC and will not be replaced.

5.2 Item 7.2 Herdmanflatt: Tom said he had had a look and thought the fence looked ok. He made a few enquiries in the neighbourhood but not had much response. Jan pointed out that it was the height of the fence that was the problem for some residents whose only out-look has been hampered by the fence. Tom will make some more enquiries. Action TT

5.3 Item 7.3 Tyne Court: Tom (TT) said that costings have been done for this area and a decision should be made this month regarding the work needing done. Jan said that a resident had spoken to her recently and said that the article in the paper seemed to suggest that the private householders were to blame for the hold-up. This is not the case – the legal side of things has been the cause of any hold-up.

5.4 Item 7.5 John Muir House: Fiona said that they now have foxes and rats at the back. Tom said he has spoken to security who are aware of the problems. The police are also aware of this.

5.5 Item 7.7 Pothole, Athelstaneford: this has still not been dealt with – no-one is taking responsibility (being passed between the fire brigade and Scottish Water). It was suggested we send a letter to Scottish Water and make the point that if anyone should be hurt because of this then legal action could be taken against them. Action PL

5.6 Item 7.8 Sidegate: it was confirmed that the Stop sign is still compulsory even though the white lines have been obscured.

5.7 Item 16.1 Handbook: all should now be delivered – anyone to let Jan know if they don’t have a copy. A decision has to be made whether the CC continue to produce the handbook. It was suggested the website be used instead but Jan said that some people didn’t want their photos on the web. It would save about £1000 if we didn’t produce the handbook and also any money spent on delivery. Jan said that we would have to write to everyone in the directory to ask their permission to put on the website. This item was held over to festival meeting.

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Bus route: Margaret said that the 1st Bus changes to some routes are a problem for some people. The bus no longer runs to Seggarsdean and the last bus to Gifford is now 8pm and from North Berwick 5.30pm. Tom T pointed out that they are a business and have to look at the service they are providing and if not used then they will have to cut it.

6.2 Whittinghame Drive: dog fouling still a problem around the football pitches. The erection of the 3G pitches will enable the kids to play in an area free from mess.

6.3 Neilson Park Pavilion: Pat said that some mums have approached her to ask if the pavilion was available to be developed into perhaps a cafe, community centre etc. At present it is used by the tennis and cricket clubs.

6.4 Drains behind High St: Pat said she has asked for a copy of the plumbers report. The problem still exists at the back of the shops at the bottom of the High St and round the corner into Sidegate (behind dentist, hairdressers).

6.5 Hope Park Cres: Rab produced photos of a huge pothole in this area – gave these to Tom T. Action TT

6.6 Footpath, Hardgate: Dave said that the footpath between Ideal Garage and Artillery Park is in a very bad condition. Action TT

6.7 Riverside Drive: Emily said that the wooden bridge from the cemetery and Riverside is in bad condition, always slippery and wobbly.


7. Police Questions – no police present, email any q’s to Jan

7.1 Next CAPP meeting: to be held on the 16th of the month


8. Community Warden News

8.1 A meeting was held recently – topic of discussion was mainly that of the bike and skatepark. Dave Brunton has agreed to take over the chair of the committee with Suzette/Zoe sharing the admin.

8.2 Fundraising: a stall is being run at the Fun-day on 4th June and a car-boot sale is to be held on 19th June in JMH carpark - £10/car and all money raised to go towards the skatepark. They are just waiting for confirmation from ELC that this can go ahead.


9. Knox Academy News

9.1 Hustings,Town House 14th April 7pm: Campbell Hastings from Knox chaired the event which went really well. Thanks to Pat and Linda for their attendance and help.

9.2 Vision of Haddington - meeting was held on 27/4 at JMH: keen to have a representative from KA on this committee – Jan will send Robert the details. Action JW

9.3 Festival float: KA still keen to have a float in the parade and may have a lorry.

9.4 Spring Clean: some pupils had been lined up to take part in this but has now been cancelled. Jan said it was a shame but may do another time.

9.5 S6 service to the community: KA are keen to have all sixth year pupils involved in this, both in the school and the community. Jan said that they were disappointed that the school had not been keen on involvement with the EL Got Talent – they had asked for some art-work but the school had refused.

Megan McCafferty has now left school – many thanks to her for her involvement – Robert hoping to get another S6 pupil to take her place. Jan also thanked Megan for coming along.


10. Correspondence

Received:

10.1 Various ELC meeting notices and minutes

10.2 Homefront: leaflet

10.3 One-way system: letter from Brian Cooper, ELC regarding a proposed TRO for the town centre one-way system. Comments requested within 6 weeks.

10.4 Civic Pride Fund: letter from ELC stating that we have not been successful in securing funding for our proposal to clean up the buildings in the High Street.

10.5 Town Centre Vision/Heggie Report: further to the recent report by R Heggie and subsequent meetings between HADAS, HTAG, ELC etc it has been decided to go ahead with the study. An initial working title for the committee, Haddington, A Vision for the Future has been suggested. At the last meeting it was agreed to donate £2000 towards this study with fundraising being undertaken by all other involved groups. Involvement is required from all areas to make this work – ELC are keen to be involved also.



11. Planning Applications (John will send summaries via email)

11.1 Various domestic applications: nothing contentious

11.2 St Marys Primary School: John said he had written to planning re this but not had a response. A consultation will be held on the proposals at some point.

11.3 Sainsburys: an application for Gateside West will be with the council mid June. It was suggested the CC form a sub-committee to look at the plans when they come in. It is expected that Tesco will have some objections to the plans. Cttee members: John H, Rab, Tom K, Pat, Margaret, Jan (and Emily if needed)











12. Treasurers Report

The Royal Burgh of Haddington & District Community Council Accounts 10th May 2011











Last Months Balance

£779.43







Income




Expenditure




Interest

March

£0.07


Jan's Monthly Phone exp


£28.00


April

£0.04


Emily Monthly Phone Exp


£28.00





Anna Secretaries Fee


£50.00





Jan's Honorarium



£150.00





Emily Honorarium



£250.00












£779.54






£506.00









New Balance £779.54 - £506.00 =



£273.54





















The Royal Burgh of Haddington & District Community Council Festival Accounts 10th May 2011










Last Months Balance

£28,445.46







Income




Expenditure




Interest

March

£2.08


Adverts




£212.30


April

£2.07


EL Got Talent


£121.96


Handbook Advert

£60.00


Quiz Night


£90.34


Handbook Advert

£100.00


Scouts




£600.00





Duke of Edinburgh (Knox Academy)

£500.00





Printing Raffle Books



£74.40





Tesco items for the Quiz Night


£47.30





Gibson's Tokens (Quiz Night)


£50.00





Macro Items for the Doocot/







Water Jug For Craft Fairs


£111.98





Jan's Honorarium



£250.00





Emily's Honorarium



£150.00





Licence for the Final EL Got Talent

£10.00





Tesco Kettle


£20.97






Phone Top up Doocot

£20.00

£40.97





Tax

March



£0.41





Tax

April



£0.41












£28,609.61






£2,047.77










New Balance £28,608.61 - £2,047.77 =



£26,561.84












Cheques Not Presented to be re claimed from the Local Priorities













BBEL



£200.00






Princess Trust for Carers

£500.00






Roots & Shoots


£2,973.60


















£3,673.60








12.1 Transfer: Emily wants to transfer £5,000 from Festival account to CC account. This was agreed.

12.2 Emily received a thank-you letter from BBEL for our recent donation of £200

12.3 Roots & Shoots: have now been paid and Emily will be reimbursed by ELC


13. Festival Minutes and update

13.1 Sainsburys proposal: a meeting is to be held on 31st May, 5.30pm at the Maitlandfield

Approval of the minutes was proposed by Margaret and seconded by Rab


14. AOCB

14.1 Christmas lights: the new Xmas lights committee have met. At present there is £12,870 plus £5,043 from last year, in the lights fund. Jan had a photo of an old street light (£1500 each) which could be used in the town centre. It was suggested we get 6 of these (total £9000, incl. installation and elec). The tree costs around £1000 and would be situated outside the Corn Exchange and also one in front of the Town House at the same price. Three of the trees outside JMH would be decorated at a cost of £3090 for the lights (Dave Bn and team will erect these lights for £3000). Planning permission will have to be sought for the street lights – it was thought we go ahead with this and see if it’s sanctioned. Pat said they are hoping to raise money towards the light fund. All agreed that we go ahead with the above.

14.2 Cleaning of The Goat: Pat will take this matter back to the next meeting (HTAG)

14.3 Cancer Research shop: a lot of complaints have been received about the external condition of the shop (HTAG)

14.4 Gardners Arms: Rab wanted to wish them all the best with the opening of the Gardners


15. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 14th June 2011 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.


16. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 17th May 2011 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm


17. 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

10/5 Hope Park Cres – pothole

Hardgate – disrepair of pavement


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, Beechwood Rd, Hope Park Cres

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



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