Minutes of
meeting of 14th February 2006 at Council Chambers, Town House.
Jan Wilson (Chair), Moira Ross (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary),
Norman Lawrie, John Golightly, David McManus, David Motherwell, Effie Renton, Ruth Moncrieff,
John Fraser
Councillor Charles Ingle, Councillor Ann McCarthy, Stuart Pryde Principle Amenity Officer Landscape & Countryside Department ELC, Ian Metcalf (Courier), Helen Paterson (East Lothian News), PC Stuart Gunn
Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
3. Major Items for AOCB – None
Stuart Pryde had come to the meeting in response to an article in the local paper (re dog bins/fouling). He started by giving the CC an overview of the areas his department were responsible for –
· Play equipment
· Burial services
· Gala events
· Trees, woodlands and gardens
· Beach cleaning
· Rights of Way
· Hanging baskets
· Street sweeping
· Fly tipping
· Dog and litter wardens
· Clinical Waste
Play Equipment: these could be problem areas with a lot of time and effort put in to provide and maintain.
Grass on paths: he agreed that this can be a problem but that ELC cannot afford to collect the grass as well as cut it. To try to alleviate the problem the street sweeping has been arranged to coincide with the grass cutting.
Burial Grounds: he said that some complaints have been received which he was surprised about as these areas are well kept as far as he was concerned.
Trees: this had been a major problem with it taking up to a year to get around to sorting out any problems. ELC are now trying to be pro-active and carrying out maintenance work in advance of there being a problem.
Weeds on pavements: this is becoming more of a problem because of the type of week killer they are supposed to use. Felt that they are starting though to improve the situation.
Boundary changes: these are now coming into place and a squad of men are now available in each main town. They are currently running a trial of a Local Service Management group to be in charge of these squads. He thought that it could be a good idea if the managers from these groups attend a CC meeting where they could give an over-view of annual works to be undertaken. If this is successful it is likely that this scheme would be run out into all the wards.
Provision of Burial Grounds: a strategy is underway as they are running out of space. It is hoped that a consultation document will be ready by the end of the year which would be sent out to the CC.
Waste management: this is a major part of their remit. At present 70-75% of the waste is recycled.
Litter: East Lothian Litter Initiative (ELLI) is trying to encourage the public to take charge of their own litter/dog waste. They are trying to encourage everyone to sign up to a scheme where each person picks up one piece of litter each day. Also, rather than chastise those who drop litter they are looking at ways of rewarding people who do use the bins. Musselburgh has found this scheme of great benefit – they have been taking the names of those who drop litter and also those who do use the bins provided: rewards are handed out randomly to those who use the bins. They have found that the children have been using the bins a lot more because of this scheme.
Dog fouling: 500 new bins have been provided in East Lothian. These have been provided in key areas – they cannot put them everywhere. Free dog bags are also provided therefore the onus is on the dog owners to clean up after their pets. Stuart said he would take on the request for more bins – he also said that a vandal proof bin was being developed. He will also look into bins for Athelstaneford and the north/west side of Haddington.
Moira asked if the dog warden was active in the town and what powers he had to hand out fixed penalties. Stuart said that the warden can hand out fines but if the person in question refused to give their name then the police have to be called. To date around 30 fixed penalties for dog fouling have been issued (3 are refusing to pay but are being pursued through the legal system). Since the advent of issuing penalties to dog owners they have noticed an increase in the dirt deposited in the bins. Moira suggested reinstatement of dog licences – Stuart also thought that this would be a good idea.
John F wondered if anyone else had the authority to hand out these fixed penalty notices – Stuart said that some ground-care officers/workers have the ability to do this and as they are out and about all day have more chance of catching the culprits.
Smoking ban: 2 officers have been appointed to enforce the ban
Chewing gum on streets: Stuart agreed that this was a problem but that at present they do not have the resources to deal with it. Charles suggested that one way to decrease the problem could be to keep the kids in school during the lunch break.
Jan thanked Stuart for coming to the meeting and said that if we had any further questions we would send them to him.
4. Minutes of Tuesday 10th January
4.1 Minor changes were made to the minutes.
Approval of the minutes was proposed by Effie and seconded by John G.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Item 6.1 Seggarsdean Terrace: Charles was asked if the sign had been replaced. He wasn’t sure but would check and report back. Action CI
5.2 Item 6.2 Athelstaneford: Charles reported that this was being dealt with. Emily wondered if Local Priorities money could be used. Charles thought that this would be quite an expensive job. Action CI
5.3 Item 6.7 Gutters: Norman asked if there had been any reply from ELC regarding this. Irene said that she had received a letter stating that they are aware of the situation and that although the gutters are cleared out every month there is a fault in the design which is being investigated. Irene will bring the letter to the next meeting. Action IP
5.4 Item 10.2 Lennox Road: 4.1m was not thought to be just a ‘sliver’ of grass. Charles thought that this was the wrong figure – Norman and Charles will check the details of this. Action CI/NL
5.5 Item 13.1 Fraser Spowage/George Angus Presentation (21/3/06): Jan confirmed that she has bought the quaichs. She wasn’t sure if George will make the presentation – if not then his wife will attend in his place.
6. Councillors Corner
6.1 Gowl Close: David McManus asked what was being done about the broken wall here. Charles said that the matter was in hand.
6.2 Small bridge at Weir: Moira said that the flood preventative measures being built here were an eyesore and that walkers can no longer get across to the river. The small bridge and the original sluice gate have been completed removed – the sluice gate having been renovated in the last few years with money (£3500) from the community council’s local priorities money. Norman said that although we did look at the proposals for this area we had not actually gone back and looked at the changes made – perhaps we need to keep an eye out for this in the future. Charles also thought that the banking was quite steep which could have implications for the disabled and elderly.
6.3 Jacksons Jewellers: Ann confirmed that ELC were currently in the process of developing plans for the refurbishment of this and other properties in the town. She also thought that the painting scheme for the centre of the town would probably be included in these plans.
6.4 Town House lift: Moira asked when this would be finished. Ann said that technical difficulties had been incurred but that she would chase. Action AMcC
6.5 Bus stop in Court Street: Emily wondered about what looked like temporary access ramps at the bus stop. Ann will look into it. Action AMcC
6.6 Corn Exchange: The inside door does not close properly – could something be done about this as it is very cold when sitting near the door. Action AMcC
6.7 Craig Avenue: John F asked what the timescale was of the proposed work to be carried out to create parking spaces in Craig Avenue. Charles has pursued and reported that planning permission has now been granted.
6.8 Market Street: John G thought that the designated stop outside the old Co-op building was not the best place as this creates a lot of congestion.
7. Police Questions
7.1 Pencaitland Road: John G once again pointed out that the speeding in this part of town was horrendous. PC Gunn said he would draw it to the attention of the Traffic division.
7.2 Boy Racers: John G also pointed out that they are parking in the High Street with their lights blazing. They are also playing football up and down the High Street.
7.3 Hardgate: John F said that cars are parking very near the junction at Ideal Garage and that buses are sometimes unable to get round the corner. PC Gunn said that if the cars were parking out-with the parking bay then they could be ticketed.
7.4 Parking around schools: PC Gunn said that the schools are at present being targeted by himself and PC Hamilton. They have been attending on a random basis recently and any cars found to be parking incorrectly will be dealt with. This includes cars parking around and opposite the entrance to Meadowpark.
7.5 CCTV: As Charles has had problems with vandalism in Ross’s Close he wondered how effective the CCTV was in deterring crime in the town (he actually thought himself that the cameras were no longer working as a deterrent)
. PC Gunn confirmed that CCTV cannot be used to detect crime, although if a crime has been picked up on film this can be used. If a particular spot needs to be targeted this has to have special authorisation.
7.6 PC Gunn announced that David Gordon has been appointed as Superintendent for the area.
8. Treasurer’s Report
8.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 14th February 2006
Last month’s balance £1,170.45
Income Expenditure
Interest £0.77 Jan Phone exp £28.00
Emily phone exp £28.00
Secretary’s fee (Anna) £40.00
Total £1,171.22 £96.00
New balance £1,171.22- £96.00 = £1,075.22
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 14th February 2006
Last month’s balance £9,137.65
Income Expenditure
Interest £14.33 Flowers for Margaret £9.99
Handbook advert £85.00 Tax £2.86
Shine a light £90.00 Advert for new CC £64.20
Disco xmas fun day £125.00
Total £9,326.98 £202.05
New balance £9,326.98 - £202.05 = £9,124.93
(The Guides have still to cash their cheque for £200)
9.1 A meeting has been held with the developers whereby the CC gave their views. We are now awaiting a further meeting with them.
10. Planning - Norman handed out copies of his recent report.
10.1 Tesco Proposals: Norman said that at the January meeting he had reported that there would be a public enquiry regarding their proposals. A meeting was subsequently held on 24th January where Tesco reported that they were withdrawing their appeal. It would appear that they are now awaiting the outcome of further developments in the town.
10.2 Market Street: Norman had brought with him the plans for the development at 18-20 Market Street for anyone interested.
10.3 Police Station: It was wondered how necessary it was to change the sign outside the Police Station.
11. CC vacancies: Four applications have been received. They have all been invited to attend the next Festival Meeting – so far only one has responded.
12. Correspondence
Received:
12.1 2 further applications for vacant CC posts (now 4 in total)
12.2 Notices of EL council meetings
12.3 Newsletter from Postwatch Scotland
12.4 Notices of streets in Proposed Residential Calming 2005/06
12.5 Letter from ELC stating that Affordable Housing Policy 2005 has been approved by Council
12.6 Finalised Local Plan/consideration and outcome of 420 objections lodged
12.7 East Lothian tenants & residents association/poster and programme of information sessions
12.8 Letter from Planning Division of Scottish Exec on Planning Advice Note (PAN) on Community engagement: Norman will have a look at this
12.9 Letter from Calum Robb accepting invitation to reception
Sent out:
12.10 Invitation to award recipients to attend reception
12.11 Letter for Lisa Leonard re CC attendance: no reply received as yet
12.12 Letter asking potential CC members to attend meeting 28th Feb
12.13 Jan had email from HADAS re the Letham development – requesting a meeting re the impact on the traffic situation
12.14 CALA Homes: traffic assessment report
12.15 Email from Lillian Pryde – Forward Scotland
12.16 Invitation from Pat O’Brien to reception at the Brunton Hall 23rd March
12.17 Letter from Home Front Recall to say that the Grant has now come to an end and that information of the project will be retained.
12.18 Prestongrange Museum
12.19 Letter from HADAS – confirming re Letham Mains presentation
12.20 Leaflet re Care & Repair
12.21 Bunting for Festival: Jan said we would need 550m.at a cost of £17/metre. Charles said that the Nungate Gala Committee are supportive of the idea to split the cost and that Tonya would respond in writing to the CC. CC awaiting this response.
13. Tourism
13.1 Tourism Forum AGM: Effie said that a small workshop had been held which was interesting. The idea of cycle hire had not been well received by Mike Lemon from the bicycle shop – he said he had offered this service but it had been a waste of time. He also said that he did not think much of the cycle maps which had been produced – he thought that they were not very informative.
13.2 Doocot: The work here is progressing well.
13.3 Leaflet: pathways grant has been initiated.
13.4 Tourism sub-committee meeting: this has been arranged for 20th February at 10.30am in the Maitlandfield Hotel.
14. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 14th March 2006 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
15. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 28th February 2006 in Town House at 7.00pm