Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council
Minutes of meeting of 12 th February 2008 in Council Chambers
Minutes of meeting of 8th January 2008 at Council Chambers
Minutes of meeting of 11th December 2007 at Council Chambers
Minutes of meeting of 13th November 2007 at Council Chambers
Minutes of meeting of 9th October 2007 at Council Chambers
Minutes of meeting of 11th September 2007 at Council Chambers
Minutes of meeting of 12th June 2007 at Council Chambers
1. Sederunt
Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary) Norman Lawrie, Colvin Denholm, David Motherwell, Effie Renton, Fiona-Frances Adam, Graeme MacGregor, Kathryn McDowall,
Bob Oliver
In attendance
Cllr Tom Trotter, Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Neil Aitchison (Courier), Craig Finley (EL News), Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
2. Apologies: Ruth Moncrieff, Janet Brent, Nico de Freitas
3. Major Items for AOCB – none
4. Talk on Haddington Garden Trust by Roger Kirby: Roger gave a short talk on their outline proposals for a Community Orchard at Haddington House Gardens. The three major points were:
It will be a community orchard
Volunteers will be sought within 1-2 years to help with specific tasks
Community involvement will be encouraged – ie long term help and input with events, open days etc
Roger asked if the Community Council would consider giving their support to this project. The members thought that this was an excellent idea, in principle. Norman added that it would be good to see details from time to time about the project as it proceeds. Jan thanked Roger for his time and he left the meeting.
5. Minutes of Tuesday 8 th January
5.1 Item 8.10: Reinstating the pigeons: the second last sentence should read - 7 ‘But as 7 abstained the motion was carried’.
Approval of the minutes was proposed by John and seconded by Effie.
6. Matters Arising
6.1 Item 10.2 Simon Boak: Jan not contacted the Courier as yet. Action JW
7. Councillors Corner
7.1 Christian Party poster: Fiona said that this was still in place along Pencaitland Road. Action LB-L/TT
7.2 Monkmains Road: Colvin said that the residents around nos 18/19 have asked that bollards be placed between the properties. People are still driving through and using this area to work in cars etc – they feel that this could be a fire hazard. Action LB-L/TT
7.3 Public toilets: Colvin also said that the attendants at the toilets have complained about the condensation running down the walls which creates flooding underfoot. This is obviously a health and safety issue. Action LB-L//TT
7.4 Neighbourhood Watch Posters: Kathryn said that they have been promised these signs but none have been delivered. PC Gunn was not sure who actually produced these but would try to find out. Action PC Gunn
7.5 Recycle bins for plastic: Kathryn pointed out that there are no bins for plastic at the central recycling area (Tesco). Ludovic assumed that this was because there are door-to-door collections for plastic but he would check this out. Norman suggested that a statement detailing the types of plastic that can be recycled would be helpful. Action LB-L
7.6 Fly tipping: Bob showed pictures to the meeting that he had taken off yellow paint which had been dumped along the A199 (Oak Tree Cafe road that used to go up to Alderston). It would appear that road contractors had deposited this here instead of disposing of it in the correct manner. Action LB-L/TT
7.7 Lights at hall (Athelstaneford): Emily asked Cllr Trotter who had authorised the lights as they were the wrong ones and of no use to the village. Tom has looked into this and said that the wrong type had been fitted – they should have a motion sensor attached which had been overlooked. This will be rectified and the light will only come on when someone walks up the path. As to the lights being run off the hall electricity supply, it was not thought that this will amount to a huge demand as the light will only come on when needed (ie motion sensor).
7.8 Disrepair of roads in East Lothian: John said that the state of the roads was awful and asked where the jet packer was. Tom said that monies have been identified in the budget and work will be ongoing to sort this out – but was not something that would happen over -night. Norman pointed out that the area along the top of Gourlaybank has been vastly improved due to recent resurfacing – thank to ELC for this.
7.9 Bridge at Riverside Drive: Colvin asked if the bridge could be painted with an anti-slip grit coating as, when wet, the wooden slats are very slippery. Action LB-L/TT
8. Police Questions
8.1 Haldane Avenue – Speeding: Bob asked if speed sensors could be installed here to warn motorist to slow down. It was suggested he write direct to ELC Highways Department to request this. PC Gunn will also contact the relevant police department about a speed check. Action RO/PC Gunn
8.2 Hopetoun Drive: Norman pointed out that this road was on the list of Outstanding Matters as an area of concern re speeding. A survey has been carried out and it was found that the average speed was within the recommended limits therefore this item should come off the list. Norman did say though that there was still concern about children crossing this road and that if at least half of the cars are deemed to be speeding then this is still surely unacceptable. Stuart said he would look into it. Action PC Gunn
8.3 Chip Shop: parking is again very bad outside the chip shop.
8.4 Custody Visitor scheme: Irene asked about this – PC Gunn said that it was only relevant to the larger stations and did not involve Haddington.
8.5 Crime update: PC Gunn said that there had been a spate of thefts from cars (left unlocked). Also, disorder in High Street and Market Street – the CCTV had been used recently to help identify 4/5 people in relation to recent incidents in these areas. Cllr Trotter said that a mobile CCTV unit is being purchased – this was a welcome addition in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.
9. Planning – Norman passed out copies of his report
9.1 31-33 Court Street: As mentioned in the report, some concern was raised about the loss of the foot scrapers outside these premises. This to be followed up. Action NL
9.2 Proposals at Athelstaneford Primary and East Fortune: it was suggested we look at these in more detail.
Action NL
9.3 Tesco application: Norman detailed the Tesco application in his extended report and it was decided to request consultation on this and bring for discussion at the next Festival meeting (26 Feb). Action NL
9.4 Co-op application: this was looked at during the meeting and it was felt that no further action was needed.
9.5 Heritage response: required by 29 th Feb – to be discussed at the Festival meeting (26 Feb).
9.6 Local Plan response: required by 3 rd March – also to be dealt with at Festival meeting.
9.7 Flooding Plans: 6 th Report on Proposed measures to mitigate flooding – should raise this and summarise its points, mentioning the interest in this of Richard Morton, 2 The Sands.
We made an objection to policy DP 016 on Flooding and obtained a slight amendment which makes explicit in the Local Plan the wider responsibilities of the Council to deal with flooding matters in general. This 2007 report is remarkably similar to the 2005 report; and perhaps the three members who look at planning matters should consider the two reports outside this meeting and come to a view.
The River Tyne Flood Study is due for publication soon. Norman suggested that once this has been read we should ask for a public meeting with Council (and SEPA) officials to hear what they think the report means for Haddington and discuss what should be done in what timescale. Action NL
10. Tourism
10.1 Volunteers: Effie said that the meeting with the volunteers had taken place at the Maitlandfield and this had gone quite well. Effie has the rota started and was hoping the volunteers from the CC would put their names on it. Training will be held on 10 th March and she also needs CC members to put their names down for this. Time and venue to be confirmed. 10.2 History Magazine: Pauline Jaffrey will include some information on the visitor centre in the next addition of the history magazine.
10.3 Doocot: David M and Effie are planning to go in and clean up the doocot on 17 th March – cc members were asked to help with this .
11. Treasurer’s Report
11.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 12 th February 2008
Last month’s Balance £1,396.61
Income Expenditure
Interest £1.43 Jan’s Phone exp £28.00
Emily’s phone exp £28.00
Anna Secretary’s fee £50.00
Total £1,398.04 £106.00
New balance £1,398.04 - £106.00 = £1,292.04
(Jan has not cashed her cheque so the balance reads £1,320.04
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 12 th February 2008
Last month’s balance £14,925.10
Income Expenditure
Interest £21.58 Tax £4.31
Handbook income £70.00 Advert for Santa run £53.35
Local Priorities (ELC) £750.00 2 nd payment lights £1,600
Local Priorities (ELC) D Brunton Cable ties £19.00
Festival week 2007 £ 2,000
Christmas lights £3,200 £5,200
Handbook Income £100.00
Total Income £21,066.68 Total Expenditure £1,676.66
New balance £21,066.68 - £1,676.66 = £19,390.02
Cheque for £1,700 for Viridor (Grant Braes Funding) has not been presented yet.
Paid for the Lotteries licence but have not had reply yet and cheque so far has not been cashed (£20.00)
The Accounts are with Stan the Accountant and hopefully he will be able to make them all balance for 2007/2008 within the next few weeks.
12. Correspondence
Received:
12.1 Notices of ELC meetings
12.2 Copy of Proposed amendments to Community Council wards (comments by 15 th Feb)
12.3 Notice of ASCC Regional meeting ‘Talk Together/Talk to your MSP’s’ Sat 15 th March in City Chambers Edinburgh (notify nos. by 13 th March)
12.4 Objection form to proposed modifications to Local Plan (submit by 3 rd March)
12.5 Letter from Lothian & Borders Police looking for volunteers to become custody visitors (details provided)
12.6 Copy of Antisocial Behaviour Poster
12.7 Jan received a letter from a resident at Gateside pointing out her concerns re the proposals for this area. She urged other residents to look closely at the details. It was decided we write to thank her for her letter and assure her that we will look into this further once the plans are out. Action IP
12.8 Simon Boak –website: Jan had sent an email to the members and had not had any replies so she assumed that his proposed layout was acceptable with all. Jan is meeting with Simon next week so if anyone does have any comments she would like them before then. Jan would also like a page on Tourism to be added, which would also incorporate the leaflets.
12.9 Festive lighting: Jan has received a letter from Mike Ormond re total wattage capacity of Christmas Light motifs. Jan stated that she had calculated this and sent it to Mike
12.10 Letter from Colvin Denholm: Colvin has written to the CC asking for possible sponsorship for this motor cycle racing. Colvin left the meeting and a discussion ensued. It was thought by some that we could support him but some concern was raised by others (because of his involvement with the CC). It was decided to ask Colvin to give more detail about his commitments and to then discuss further at the Festival meeting. Action CD
12.11 CC Elections Timetable: Jan has this and will email it out to members for their information. Action JW
Sent out:
12.12 Letter to Paul Zochowski re High Street (no reply)
12.13 Letter to ELC re lights in Town House Clock (no reply)
13. Festival Update
13.1 Jan had a few updates - Strictly Come Dancing is booked for the 7 th June (Corn Exchange); ticket price of £20 to include a supper.
Haddington Folk Club – duo booked.
13.2 Programme: Jan will send out copies for members’ information. Action JW
13.4 A few other items not confirmed as yet include Lesley Smith, Neil Fraser, Family Cycle Day
14. AOCB
14.1 Craft Fair 23 rd February: Help is needed for this both on the Friday to set up and on the Saturday.
15. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 11 h March 2008 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
16. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 26 th February 2008 in Town House (Bar Lounge) 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
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
08/05 White brig – slats missing-Tom has passed this on to relevant department (12/06)
Pathway at sluice
Herdmanflat
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
Oak Tree Café-untidy-needing cleared
11/09 General disrepair of the pavements in town
Gifford Road – speed bumps
Oxfam Shop – selling new goods
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
Alderston Muir – fence blocking access to Alderston Muir
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
Pencaitland Road – election poster: 11/12 reported
11/12 Court Street – paving stones - reported
Herdmanflat – paving stones - reported
2008
12/02 Monkmains – bollards
Public toilets – condensation
Neighbourhood Watch Posters
Fly tipping problem – Alderston
Riverside Drive Bridge – anti-slip coating
Hopetoun Drive - speeding