Moira Ross (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary), Norman Lawrie, John Golightly,
David Motherwell, Effie Renton, John Fraser, Marion Smith, David McManus, Marianne Andrews, David Brunton, Graeme Macgregor.
Ian Metcalf (Courier), Helen Paterson (East Lothian News), Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
3. Major Items for AOCB – Tourism and Handbook
4. Minutes of Tuesday 14th March
4.1 Ann (via email) had suggested that item 6.5 should read…..’Ann wasn’t sure if the painting scheme would be part of the bid for the town centre. The fund was oversubscribed and the Haddington bid may have to be prioritised’.
She also added in her email that since the meeting she has learned that the fund was very oversubscribed and the Haddington bid was unsuccessful for this round. However there is to be another round and the staff preparing the bid will be meeting reps from Scottish Heritage to discuss how the bids are being prioritised so that they can improve the chance of getting funding for the Haddington conservation area.
Approval of the minutes was proposed by Effie and seconded by Marion.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Item 7.3 Light strip in Town House: It was noted that this is now fixed.
5.2 Item 7.5 Burleigh’s Wa’s: Irene has written but no reply received as yet.
5.3 Item 7.6 Car park at Newton Port: Irene wrote and received a reply stating that it was not possible to change this area from a private to a public parking area at present. Limited parking could be promoted but that any permanent change would have to wait until the traffic plan for the town was implemented.
5.4 Item 8.1: Emily pointed out that Irene was to write to Donald Wright and not her – Irene confirmed that she had done this.
5.5 Item 16 Outstanding matters arising: Norman wanted the sign at the Old Bowling Green put on this list as he has yet to deal with this.
6. Councillors Corner – no councillors were present at the meeting
6.1 Gutters in pavements: Norman said that this had been brought up at the January meeting and that Ann had intimated that there may be money available. Subsequently at the February meeting it was reported that someone had fallen outside Main’s shop and injured their shoulder (and more recently Norman had heard of another similar incident – all involving falls due to broken guttering). He felt that this is a serious matter which isn’t perhaps being given sufficient weight by the councillors. Moira pointed out that this was first mention about 4 years ago and still nothing has been done. Norman also said that it had been reported in the February minutes that the gutters are cleaned out once a month – he wondered if anyone had seen this happening?
As there were no councillors present Moira suggested that any matters be sent directly to them.
7. Police Questions (PC Gunn and PC Rory Hamilton were both present at the meeting)
7.1Oak Tree Café: John G pointed out that the Keep Left sign was down and lying on the island and had been like this for the past 3-4 months. PC Gunn said he would look into it. Action PC Gunn
7.2 New pedestrian crossing in Court Street: it was asked if they knew when this would be up and running. PC Gunn wasn’t sure when this would happen.
7.3 Crime trends in town: Nothing much to report although a slight increase in vandalism due to the lighter nights was noted. Norman asked if the removal of drain covers could be treated as an act of vandalism? PC Gunn said he wasn’t aware of this being reported and that if the drains are not damaged then it couldn’t be treated as vandalism but possibly an irresponsible act or a breach of the peace.
7.4 Former Kwik-Save car park: David M said that there was a lot of vandalism being carried out here. PC Gunn said that they are in the process of trying to get barriers erected by the new owners to prevent this happening.
8. Treasurer’s Report
8.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 12th April 2006
Last month’s balance £981.02
Income Expenditure
Interest March £0 Jan Phone exp £28.00
Emily phone exp £28.00
Secretary’s fee (Anna) £40.00
Total £981.02 £96.00
New balance £981.02- £96.00 = £855.02
Jan has not cashed her cheque so bank balance reads £913.02
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 12th April 2006
Last month’s balance £11,635.80
Income Expenditure
Interest March £0 ASCC subscription £15.00
Engraving quaichs £52.50
Food/wine reception £89.51
Jack Tully Jackson £1,100
Kerr’s fruit (David Mc) £10.00
Stamps £86.40
Total £11,635.80 £1,353.41
New balance £11,635.80 - £1,353.41 = £10,282.39
Cheques not presented:
Kerr`s £10.00
Stamps £86.40
Total £96.40 Bank statement reads £10,378.79
There has been no interest added this month nor tax deducted.
This is the end of the financial year so the accounts when completed will have to be audited.
9. Honorariums
9.1 It was agreed to pay the following honorariums:
from the Community Council Account - £100 to Jan
£200 each to Emily and Irene
and from the Festival Account - £200 to Jan
It was agreed that Emily transfer £1000 from the Festival Account to the CC account to cover these amounts.
10. Correspondence
Received:
10.1 Consultation document on the Strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population
10.2 Community Environmental Fund possible source of funding for parks/open spaces: it was wondered if this would help with the restoration of the fencing at Neilson Park? Graeme asked who this had come from – Irene confirmed it was from ELC Quality of Life Funding. It was thought that we should look into this further (item for O/S Matters)
10.3 Notices of ELC meetings
10.4 Letter from Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP)
10.5 Thank you letter from Jack Tully Jackson
10.6 Request for donation from A.B.E.L for school girl: it was decided to hold onto this and to decide if we give a donation once we know our Local Priorities budget. (item for O/S matters). Irene to write to say we will keep this in mind. Action IP
10.7 Acknowledgement of letter from First Bus.
10.8 Reply from ELC re surgery car park
10.9 Notice of ‘Active Citizenship Course’
10.10 Reminder of Annual Audit
Sent out:
10.11 Letter to Stuart Pryde re Doggy bins: no reply
10.12 Letter to Brian Cooper re surgery car park: reply discussed earlier
10.13 Letter to First Bus re Market Street parking: reply said it would be passed onto the relevant department (it was noted that the buses are no longer waiting in Market Street as requested)
10.14 Letter to Land Register re Burleigh’s Wa’s ownership
11. Planning - Norman handed out copies of his recent report.
11.1 Peter Potter Gallery – plan for Information signage: ‘Visit Scotland’ have made an application to erect an Information sign outside Peter Potter Gallery. Effie pointed out that at a meeting held recently between the CC, ELC Economic Development and Visit Scotland nothing had been said about them planning to put up this sign. After much discussion it was decided that we should write to Economic Development to say how disappointed and disgusted we are that they are taking this line, particularly as they knew that we were developing the Doocot as a visitor centre. Norman confirmed that he has requested consultation on this and also intends to write to the planner. Irene to write to Visit Scotland and Economic Development. Action NL/IP
11.2 Proposed bollards at Haddington House: (a copy of the plan was available) It was felt that were bollards to be placed across the entrance then this car park would become unavailable for public use – it is used regularly by people attending church on a Sunday and also concerts etc. It was felt that we should write to Hilary Dickson (Lamp of Lothian) not to object but to voice our concern that this would greatly disadvantage the public. One alternative could be to have the entrance on a timer mechanism whereby the entrance would be open during the weekends for example. Norman will write to Hilary. Action NL
11.3 Community Engagement in Planning: Norman has drafted an answer to this which was handed out at the meeting for comment. It was decided that members would need time to read this over and was to be taken to the next Festival meeting.
12. Local Plan Objections
12.1 Norman said that it had been decided to stick by our original objections:
(i) Provision of Tourist Information Centre – apparently ELC have said there is no need for one! This will go to a hearing to talk it through to try and convince them that a centre is needed in the town.
(ii) Transportation: proposed rail line between Haddington and Longniddry is preserved although no site has been identified for a station – this needs to be addressed.
(iii) Flooding in the town
All these objections will be taken to the Local Plan enquiry.
13. Letham Mains Development
13.1 Irene said that there had been a discussion last month re inviting RPS to a meeting. Apparently HADAS had said they did not want RPS to attend – we were not sure why they would not want them to be involved. RPS have said they are happy to attend but did not want to be bombarded with questions from the floor but would take any questions after the meeting. Irene to write to RPS asking them for their availability for a meeting – also to write to ELC and HADAS. Action IP
14. John Lockhart Young Achievers Award
14.1 For the new members of the CC Emily explained the history behind this award. She confirmed that she has handed out forms to the Library and other organisations but not the schools as yet (these will be out next week)
15. AOCB
15.1 Tourism: Effie said that the Visitor Centre had opened last week and received 15 visitors. The new leaflets detailing walks around the town are now available (copy of which was handed out to the meeting). Effie said they were very pleased with the end result. A history leaflet is now being developed. She reiterated that more volunteers are needed for the visitor centre – she has a rota sheet for anyone available to give some time. She also confirmed that IT equipment will be supplied by ELC once we are in the Doocot. Moira gave a vote of thanks to Effie for her hard work and dedication to Tourism. Effie pointed out that David M and Norman were both a great help.
The next tourism sub committee meeting is being held on Monday 1st May at 10.30 in the Trinity Centre.
15.2 Handbook: Emily asked for volunteers to check pages 31-37 in the handbook.
Dave - pg 31 Irene – pg 35
Emily - pg 32 John F – pg 36
Graeme – pg 33
Marianne – pg 34
16. Outstanding Matters Arising from previous minutes
14/03 Litter Bins
Athelstaneford (Lighting at hall)
Jackson’s Jewellers
Town House Lift
Doocot-finished work-Tourism
Local Chemists-administering methadone
Knox Court Parking
Burleigh’s Wa’s
Newton Port surgery car park
12/4 Old Bowling Green – name plaque
Community Environmental Fund possible source of funding for parks/open spaces
Request for donation from A.B.E.L for school girl
17. Date of next Meeting and AGM: Tuesday 9th May 2006 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
18. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 25th April 2006 in Town House at 7.00pm