Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 11^th October 2011 in Council Chambers

1. Sederunt

Jan Wilson (JW) (Chair), Margaret Ingle (MI) (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (EA) (Treasurer), Pat Lemmon, (PL) (Correspondence Secretary), Dave Brunton, (DBn) Robert Moran (Rab), Tom Kirkpatrick (TK),

John Hamilton (JH), Bobby McLaughlin (BM), David Barrett (DB) arr 8pm

In attendance

Cllr Tom Trotter (TT), Robert Flood (RF), Brian Copland (EL Courier), Avril Campbell (EL News),

Anna Faulkner (minutes secretary)

2. Apologies: Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Fiona-Frances Adam, Martin Lugton, Sheena Richardson

3. AOCB - none

4. Minutes of 13^th September

Approval of the minutes was proposed by Dave B and seconded by Tom

5. Matters Arising

5.1 Item 6.1 Market St lights: Tom said that the problem was a bit wider than just Market St but that he was looking into it.

5.2 Item 9.13 santa sleigh: John wondered if Robert had had a chance to ask if the school would be able to help out with refurbishment. Robert thought that they would, in principle, but suggested John check whether the storage space would be big enough to house the sleigh. John will visit the school to check it out.

Action JH

5.3 Item 14 Christmas lights: Dave B said that the lights are now up on the trees, though not tested as yet. The lock-up has also been cleared of all the old equipment. He also mentioned that they may need to get some more double adaptors.

5.4 O/S matters: Jan said that if there is anything that has been completed on the o/s matters list to let her know and it can be removed.

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Nungate Bridge: Margaret said that the road on the Nungate side of the bridge is very bad with potholes and also at the entrance to the Toll Bridge Action TT

6.2 Common Good Fund: Pat asked if we could find out how much is in the fund and what it has been used for. Tom not entirely sure but thought that it wasn’t a vast amount. She wondered why some of this money couldn’t be put towards the Christmas lights and asked if CC could have it in writing.

6.3 Buildings in High St: Rab pointed out again that some of the buildings in the High St, particularly above Paul’s fish shop, are in need of some attention. Jan said that this matter is brought up all the time and that there is Grant money available to the householders for help with this work (until 2013). Tom K said that he knows of one of the residents who would be willing to undertake the work and paint the front of the building. Pat said that Paul Zochowski has contacted all of the residents but had no reply.

6.4 Dog fouling: Robert F read out a letter the school had received regarding the Knox playing fields, pointing out that the area is being spoiled by irresponsible dog owners, walking their dogs and not picking up after them. It was suggested the area be made totally dog free or that a fence be put up – both ideas thought not to be enforceable and probably wouldn’t totally solve the problem. Pat suggested CCTV – and that if someone was caught and fined and this was made public, then it may serve as a reminder to all dog owners that they need to take responsibility for their dogs.

6.5 Neilson Park: Robert F also said that some teachers from Knox had spent some time around the play-park during break time and had noticed that it was over-run by some of the younger Knox pupils. They thought that this could have an adverse effect on younger children and their parents and prevent them from using the park at this time and wondered if a sign could be put up stating the park was for the use of a younger age group. Jan suggested it be mentioned at the school assembly – appealing to the kids to avoid the park – Robert didn’t think this would be entirely effective. Tom said he could ask if some sort of signage be put up stating the park was for use of primary school age children. Action TT

6.6 New pavilion – Whittingham Dv: Margaret said once again that the area around the pavilion is very flooded and could anything be done to rectify this. Action TT

6.7 Local Environment Action Project (LEAP): Emily is going to apply for funding for the seats in Athelstaneford. Meanwhile she is awaiting costings from ELC regarding the repairs.

7. Police Questions – none present

8. Community Warden News – none present

9. Knox Academy News

9.1 Community Assembly: Robert corrected the previous minutes to reflect the fact that he said that the Community Awards would be handed out at the end of term assembly (prize giving) in June and not at the community assembly.

9.2 Question Time: the date for the next KA Question Time is 22^nd November.

9.3 Community Survey: this has been completed and the results were handed out at the meeting. Some interesting points were made but over-all it was deemed a positive result.

9.4 Notice-board: Robert said the school are in the process of getting one for the front of the school and are looking for help with funding. The HBA have already committed a sum of money and after a short discussion it was agreed we donate £250 to this project. Proposed by Rab and seconded by Dave B

9.5 6^th Year work placements: Robert said that the 6^th year are keen to pursue some sort of work placement during a week in February. From a business point of view Pat thought this a better time of year than November.

9.6 Service in the Community: it was suggested that the school be represented at remembrance events etc in the town (eg Armistice Day). Previously the school was involved via the cadets who have now been disbanded. Robert will take suggestion back to the school. Action RF

10. One-way system

10.1 Tom told the meeting that the date for objections has been extended to 28^th October at 4pm. ELC have arranged a workshop for the 13^th Oct – Pat suggested as many people attend as possible. Booking is necessary to secure a place.

11. Correspondence

Received:

11.1 Various ELC meeting notices and minutes

11.2 HADAS: Jan had a copy of a letter from HADAS to Angela Leitch CEO, ELC re Hadd Town Centre Vision. A meeting has been arranged for 20^th Oct to discuss what can be done to revitalise the town centre. Pat not happy with the response received from the CEO and suggested we arrange a meeting with her.

Action PL

11.3 HADAS: copy of letter from HADAS to Peter Collins re Gateside West development giving their views (members can review this if they so wish)

11.4 More Digital: email from Ryan Becker looking for advertising business. CC is not interested.

11.5 Laser printers: email from John H with pricings for colour laser printers. No decision was made at this meeting – to be discussed at a later date.

11.6 Housing Development: Jan has been contacted by John Handley, representing Bett Homes regarding the possibility of housing behind Haldane Avenue. They have been asked to come to next Festival meeting.

12. Planning

12.1 Chestnut cottage, Knox Place: John had been asked to look into this and he confirmed that plans had been submitted earlier this year and that anyone interested can go on-line to have a look for comparison.

12.2 Toll Bridge: application for new signage submitted which looks appropriate.

12.3 Rural Broadband: this is a privately funded company which is subsidised by the Government. They plan to erect another mast in the Garleton Hills to service the Garvald area. No objection was made to this.

13. Treasurers Report

13.1 Leukaemia & Lymphoma research: a further £55 was handed in bringing the total raised from ‘EL Got Talent’ to £1886. We received a thank-you letter from them.

13.2 Telephone expenses: Pat thought that the £28 per month given to Jan and Emily cannot be enough to cover their expenses (inc broadband etc). After a discussion it was decided to raise this expense payment to £40/month each. Proposed by Rab and seconded by Pat. This was agreed by all and to be effective from beginning of next month.

14. Christmas lights update

14.1 Linda Mitchell has had the report from the structural engineer which stated that all the fixings have passed except one in Market Street and the one at John Mains is okay . The maximum weight allowed on the catenary wires is 10kg which means we can only hang icicles. Jan also stated that we would probably have to look at other options such as wall brackets to attach motifs for next year. Permission to erect the wall bracket would be required for the owners. The electrics will probably need to be upgraded next year as well. Pat is in ongoing talks with Tesco re possible funding. We are also waiting for permission to put a ‘Haddington wishes you a Merry Christmas’ motif on the front of the Town House. If this does not go ahead then we will have another tree – money has been put aside for this.

15. Festival Minutes and update (Clair Rudyj)

15.1 Claire not at the meeting. It was agreed to take this item over to the next meeting.

16 Sub committee meetings update

16.1 BMX meeting minutes: this item also held over to next meeting.

17. AOCB

17.1 Art Exhibition sign: Jan and Emily thanked John for the signs he sorted out for the art exhibition. Jan said she would like a sign stating 10am-4pm, with a Velcro ‘3pm’ sign. Emily will organise. Action EA

17.2 Remembrance Day: rehearsal is on Sat 12^th November at 3pm. Sandwiches needed for the Sunday 13^th and more helpers are required on the day – possible input from KA kids? It was suggested Emily get food from M&S and that each member of CC put £5.00 towards the cost instead of making sandwiches themselves. Costco was also suggested as a cheaper alternative. Pat has 2 extra cards for Costco – she will get these for Jan and Emily at a cost of £14 each per year. This was agreed. Action PL

17.3 Rules of meetings: Pat suggested it be minuted that we instigate the 3 missed meetings rule – should any member miss 3 consecutive meetings without reasonable excuse that they be asked to step down from the CC.

Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 8^th November 2011 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.

Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 25^th October 2011 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm

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

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

14/6 Riverside Dv – wooden bridge missing slats

Speed bumps – Lynlea Ave

Corn Exch – faulty drain

Whitt Dv – problem with flooding round pavilion (also brought up 11/10)

11/10 Disrepair of buildings at bottom of High Street

Neilson Park – signage for playpark

Transportation Dept. -Pot Holes and Broken Slabs throughout the Town & Athelstaneford

Pot Holes: Abbotsview, Somnerfield, Newton Port, Court Street, Seggarsdean, Roodlands Court, Oak Tree Roundabout, Beechwood Rd, Nungate Bridge (east side)

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