Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 9th December 2008 in Council Chambers

 

1.  Sederunt

Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Colvin Denholm, Kathryn McDowall, Margaret Ingle, Bob Oliver, Graeme MacGregor, Fiona-Frances Adam, Nico de Freitas

 

In attendance

Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Cllr Sheena Richardson (arr later in meeting), Neil Aitchison (Courier), Craig Finley (EL News), Anna Faulkner (minutes/correspondence secretary)

 

2. Apologies:  Cllr Tom Trotter, Ruth Moncrieff, Janet Brent

 

New Community Councillor:  Local resident Callum Colquhoun was in attendance at the meeting and gave a short talk about himself and why he wanted to be considered for the CC.  He was asked to leave the room afterwards and following a short discussion and show of hands it was unanimously decided he be invited onto the CC.  Callum joined the meeting once again.

 

3. Major Items for AOCB - None

 

4. Minutes of Tuesday 11th and 25th November

Approval of the 11th Nov minutes was proposed by Kathryn and seconded by Margaret.

Approval of the 25th Nov minutes was proposed by Nico and seconded by John

 

5. Matters Arising

5.1 Item 6.1 (1) Haldane Ave:  Anna received an email from Tom stating that a request has been made to have a speeding sign here; the cost of such being £6000.

5.2 Item 6.1 (5) Somnerfield Ave/behind West Rd: Bob said that the pathway behind the West Road has been fixed 

5.2 Item 6.1 (6) Newton Port (hole in road): Although this had been sorted John said it was breaking up again.

5.4 Item 14.1 Christmas fun day:  Jan said this went very well and thanked everyone who helped out.  We sold all but a handful of the torches also.

5.5 Item 14.2 Santa Run: Colvin is waiting for a price for the sweets from Simon.  Colvin will also arrange an advert in the Courier for the Santa Run on 21st Dec.                                                                                                                        Action CD

 

Matters arising from Festival Minutes (25th November)

4a. Bowling Club: Emily said that it was reported in the Courier that we had committed £200/year for 5 years.  The actual figure is 3 years and she asked if the Courier could print a retraction and make it clear that this is the correct figure.

 

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Princess Mary Road (PMR):  John said that the residents are concerned about cars parking on the grass in PMR.  The grass is getting turned into a mud bath; the mud is spreading onto the road and pavements and could cause an accident, especially dangerous for the elderly residents.  Cars are also being parked over driveways and on corners.  Colvin said that when they had this problem they were told to take a note of the registration nos and pass to the police who can then approach the drivers.  Ludovic said he would look into the possibility of having some hard-standing created in this area.                                                                                                                                                                                            Action LB-L

6.2 Court Street:  John reported a hole in the pavement between the Post Office and the bank.                         Action LB-L

6.3 Burleigh’s Wa’s:  this matter was once again brought to the meeting.  Bob asked if the council could adopt the area in question.  Callum said that a property developer was interested in the site and would want to re-route the walkway.  Jan read out a letter sent from David Elder (Haddington History Society) to Alan Blackie, Chief Exec ELC, regarding this. He has asked for a meeting between themselves, ELC and the CC in the new year.  Jan and Bob will attend the meeting and report back.                                                                                                                                                                               Action JW/RO

6.4 Pot holes:  Nico has twice had his car damaged by a pot-hole on the road heading out of Haddington past Seggarsdean.  He has put in a claim for the damage to his car and asked that the road be repaired as the hole is large and the only way to avoid it is to go into the middle of the road – difficult when there is on-coming traffic.                                      Action LB-L

Abbotsview:  Graeme also reported a large pothole neat the entrance to the area, about 50m along from the junction with Traprain Terrace.                                                                                                                                                                                Action LB-L

6.5 Brewery Park:  Fiona said that the pavement has been left in a state further to the work carried out by the gas board.  Very uneven and sunken in places – this allows water to collect which freezes and causes a major hazard to pedestrians.  Ludovic said he would ask Highways to have a look.                                                                                                      Action LB-L

6.6 Athelstaneford:  Emily said that the door of the toilets has been forced open and could this be repaired before further damage occurs.  She also asked that the sand for the icy pavements be replaced – the sand boxes are all empty. 

Action LB-L

6.7 Lighting at John Muir House:  Kathryn said that someone had complained to her about the amount of lighting left on into the evening at JMH.

6.8 Sidegate Lane:  Jan asked that the light be sorted at the bottom of her lane.                                                    Action LB-L

6.9 Disabled parking bays: this is an ongoing subject but Jan asked if the council could put up signs stating that a fixed penalty notice would be served if the bays were used by an non-disabled driver. 

6.10 Victoria Bridge:  Kathryn said that there are 2 lights out on the bridge.                                                         Action LB-L

6.11 Bowling Green plaque:  Sheena said that she has arranged for a new plaque to be made.  This will be in black (to be in-keeping with the gate) with the Old Bowling Green at the top and Normandy Memorial Garden underneath to reflect the fact that it was originally a bowling green.

 

** It was pointed out that telephone numbers for lighting and road defects can be found on ELC website and any problems reported direct.

 

7.  Police Questions  - no police present.  Any matter to be passed to the Jan and she will email Stuart

 

8. Community Warden (Callum Colquhoun serves as Comm Warden for the Musselburgh area but also covers Haddington with Murray)

8.1 Fireworks:  last meeting Bob had asked when the noise of fireworks going off should cease in the evening.  Murray had checked this out and it generally should be between 11-11.30pm although public displays may have special dispensations to go on later. 

8.2 Dog fouling:  Murray said that they are using the CCTV van to monitor this and that quite a number of dog fouling notices have been served. 

8.3 Murray also said that the cold weather is serving to deter the youths from congregating in their usual spots and that evening noise nuisance has fallen.

8.4 Littering:  he said that they are having problems in Musselburgh with the kids dropping considerable amounts of litter, unlike Haddington, where they are finding that the kids are reasonably good at using the litter bins.

8.5 Millfield:  there are still some sheltered spots where the kids are meeting here but they are working towards fixing the fence to stop them getting through. 

 

9. Treasurer’s Report

9.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-

 

HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 9th December 2008

 

Last month’s Balance                          £855.34                

Income                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £0.42                       Jan’s Phone exp                                   £28.00

                                                                £0.17                       Emily’s phone exp                                £28.00

Wreath payments                                                £42.60                     Anna secretary’s fee                           £50.00

                                                                £21.30

                               

Total                                                       £919.83                                                                                £106.00                                                                                                                                                                                

New balance £919.83 - £106.00 =                       £813.83

 

 

HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 9th   December 2008

Last months balance                           £17,884.28

 

Income                                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £16.88                                     Tax                                                          £3.37

                                                                £11.51                                                                                                     £2.30

Donations                                             £297.40                                   Nessie Gell                                            £20.00

St Mary’s playgroup advert                                                               Elizabeth Lindsay                 £156.00

In handbook                                         £60.00                                     Marilyn Paterson                                 £14.40

                                                                                                                Food for Craft Fair                               £41.28

                                                                                                                Planning Aid Scotland                        £25.00

                                                                                                                Stamps                                                   £197.80

                                                                                                                Pipe band remembrance day              £85.00

                                                                                                                David Brunton lights cable                £348.00

                                                                                                                Advert for remembrance day             £73.37

                                                                                                                Ruth items Rem day                                             £8.68

                                                                                                                David Brunton ½ payment

                                                                                                                erecting xmas lights                             £1,200

                                                                                                                Garleton Graphics handbook             £1,484.73

                                                                                                                Macro Christmas fun day                   £176.04

                                                                                                                Santas vodka                                        £10.56

                                                                                                                Santa outfit                                           £106.52

                                                                                                                Jan card for art exhibition                   £30.78

                                                                                                                Licence for fun day                              £10.00

                                                                                                                Advert for fashion show                    £52.41

                                                                                                                Erica flowers for Linda Harkess         £27.70

                                                                                                                Macro Christmas fun day                   £77.42

                                                                                                                Float for fun day                                  £100.00

                                                                                                                Bowling Club donation                                       £200.00

                                                                                                                Tesco Christmas fun day                                    £51.26

                                                                                                                Book token for Marin                                          £10.00

                                                                                                                Tesco Christmas fun day                                    £15.56

                                                                                                                Gazebo for santa’s grotto                                   £49.98

                                                                                                                Advert for Christmas fun day                            £83.85

 

 

£18,395.82                                                                                        £4,242.68

 

New balance £18,395.82 - £4,242.68                              =  £14,153.14

 

Cheques paid out but not cashed shown in red

Income from Fashion show                £147.00

Income from Christmas fun day         £1,268.71

Float returned fun day                        £100.00

                                Total                       £1,515.71 paid in & not shown

 

10.  Correspondence

Received:

10.1 Jan had a copy of a letter sent from a resident in Brown Street (to the clerk of the Licensing Board) who is having real problems with noise from the three surrounding pubs (Pheasant, Gardners and Bay Horse).  This happens every weekend between the hours of 7pm-3am and has been bad for the past 2 years.  Nico asked why this is not being followed up as the licensees are in breach of the rules under the Licensing Act by allowing this to happen.  Sheena pointed out that 2 of the 3 pubs involved are due for re-application of their licences.  Callum said that they do have anti-social behaviour wardens out monitoring these situations but it is a relatively new initiative so will have to give it a chance.  He said that the resident must keep reporting the incidents even though it may seem that nothing is being done about it.

10.2 Heritage Forum: Jan had a letter re the John Gray Centre (JGC) and the apparent lack of a Tourism Office in the plans.  She has had it confirmed by Susan Smith of Economic Development that tourism is planned for the JGC.

10.3 Doocot:  Jan has a meeting on Thursday with Nick Langan re training and volunteers.

10.4 The Nature of Scotland (book):  Emily had a copy of this and passed to Bob.

10.5 Planning Aid for Scotland: meeting to be held by the Water of Leith Trust on 4th Feb 09 at the Yellow Room, 24 Lanark Road.  Graeme was interested in going to this.                                                                                                         Action GMcG

10.6 Various ELC meeting notices, agendas and minutes

Sent out

10.7 Letter to Callum Colquhoun inviting him to attend December meeting

 

11. Planning applications

11.1 Patersons Mill:  Bob said that it looks like the building is just being preserved/made safe.

11.2 Ideal Garage – car wash:  Although it was felt we don’t want to go against this it was decided we make the following recommendations 1) impact on traffic needs to be considered, 2) over-spray of water: screening off from pavements, 3) possible impact on present businesses there, 4) limit the number of bays to 2 to allow the other businesses to continue.  Bob will write to this effect.                                                                                                                 Action RO

 

12.  Christmas lights update

12.1  Jan will ask Linda Cockburn and John Durkin to the next festival meeting as they would like to fundraise to help purchase Christmas Lights.                                                                                                                                    Action JW

12.2 Santa’s sleigh:  John said he has managed to get a trailer and driver from Sheriff’s to pull the sleigh round.  Nico said that the Rotary would like to get involved in this in some way. 

 

13. Festival update - none

 

14. AOCB

14.1 Laptop:  Jan said that this has been agreed on and ordered by ELC.                

               

15. Date of next Meeting:  Tuesday 13th January 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.

 

16.  Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 27th January 2009 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm

 

17. 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 – Jan has contacted Halliday’s on numerous occasions and the lighting has still to be sorted.   13/2 Jan has had no reply to her email and Irene had no reply to a letter she sent to them last Autumn.  It was decided that Irene should write again.              08/05 and 12/06 Still no reply         Action IP

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     Nungate Bridge – light filters

                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

                Market Street  - pigeon droppings 09/12 Murray will look into this problem

                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/noticeboard

                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

                Sidegate – light at bottom of lane out

                Disabled parking bays – sign erected

                Victoria Bridge – 2 lights out