Minutes of
meeting of 9th January 2007 at Council Chambers, Town House.
Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary), Norman Lawrie, Effie Renton, Janet Brent, David McManus, Marianne Andrews, Dave Brunton, Graeme MacGregor, Colvin Denholm, David Motherwell
Councillor Ann McCarthy, Councillor Sheena Richardson, PC John Douglas, Mike Duffy (Courier),
Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
Jan wished everyone a very Happy New Year. John took the opportunity to congratulate Jan on her recent MBE award. She said it was a great surprise and that she was honoured to be given it and thanked the CC for their support over the last 12 years. She also made special mention to Bob Mitchell who encouraged her to join the Community Council.
Jan welcomed PC John Douglas – he will be standing in for PC Gunn at this meeting
3. Major Items for AOCB - none
4. Minutes of Tuesday 12th December
4.1 Item 8.2 Taxi rank: Ann corrected this by adding that there was unanimous opposition from the resident as well as the local traders.
Approval of the minutes was proposed by Effie and seconded by David B.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Item 5.2 Barber shop (colour scheme): Ann produced a poster (from the Planning Dept.) on what colours are available for use in the town centre. She pointed out that these are merely suggestions put forward by the Planners and the scheme is not compulsory. Jan asked if the CC could get a copy – Ann not sure if there are any spare copies but left the one she had for perusal. Norman suggested it would be useful if a copy of this was available in the Planning office.
5.2 Item 5.3 Inter-town sports: Emily said that she has received 3 replies so far. She also confirmed that the room upstairs has been booked for the evening of 23rd January.
5.3 Item 7.3 Artillery Park: Dave Brunton asked if this had been dealt with as the resident involved had still not had her bath reinstated. Ann said she had passed it on but will chase it up. Action AMcC
5.4 Item 7.5/6 Lights (Victoria Bridge/skateboard ramps): Colvin said that the lights on the Victoria Bridge are now working – thanks to Ann for chasing this. The lights at the skateboard ramps are still out. Action AMcC
5.5 Item 7.7 Calders Lawn: An email has been received from Colin Baird (Transportation) regarding the lighting situation here. They said that they had repaired the broken light and in the same day the bollard had been hit again. Norman said that he has on several occasions over the past few months made contact with Tesco head office about the situation and they have promised to have it rectified. A discussion ensued around the safety issues (traffic) both here and in Newton Port. It was suggested again that no decisions will be made re the traffic situation until Tesco make known their plans for the town. It was thought that we cannot wait until this happens as it could take a few years. Norman pointed out that other areas of the town have had speed bumps installed (eg Davidson Terrace and Briery Bank) and therefore why not Newton Port, which is a very busy and dangerous stretch of town centre road, with high numbers of both traffic and pedestrians. Charles said that there are possible plans for the Day Centre and Sheltered Housing to be relocated to the area at Tenterfield and Dale House. If this were the case then ELC would have to look at the situation in Newton Port. A suggestion was made to move the wall back to create a pathway – it was thought that this may not be possible. A one-way system was suggested, as was installing traffic lights as a means of controlling the traffic flow. It was decided that we write to ELC to put these suggestions to them and to remind them of the proposals put forward by the Oscar Faber Report of 2001.
5.6 Item 8.5 Police Surgery: Jan asked if this was to be regular event. PC Douglas said that it would be held monthly. It was thought that it would be helpful if it was advertised in the local paper. PC Douglas said he would check with PC Gunn about this. Action PC Douglas
5.7 Item 15.1 Santa Christmas Eve: thanks was said to Dave and Colvin for braving the cold and going out on the fire engine on Christmas Eve. It was a great idea and next year we will get it well advertised. Dave said he has written to the Fire Master to thank them for the use of the engine and suggested that we may want to do it again next year. Jan said she would call Drew Bain about the whereabouts of the sleigh. Action JW
6. Councillors Corner
6.1 Bank of Scotland: Effie said that there is water pouring out a yellow pipe just beside the steps at the Bank. This had caused problems lately during the very cold spell and a number of people had slipped and fallen.
6.2 Long Stay car park: Colvin said that vehicles have been parking all day in the disabled parking bays. It is thought that they may be council employees. Ann said that she will take this up. Action AMcC
6.3 Flood Prevention: Norman mentioned a press release from the Scottish Office reportedly allocating £90 million for flood prevention schemes. He thought that it would be a good idea if we write to the ELC Chief Financial Officer to ask what proportion of this Haddington could expect and what this will be spent on. Action IP
6.4 Public toilets: Norman had received an angry call regarding the recent reporting in the Courier about the collection of money in the toilets. It was thought that leaving the money there for a month left it open to theft. It had previously been accounted for and removed more regularly. Sheena said that she had asked for a meeting about this – her opinion is that the attendants managed extremely well already – but that a focus group is to be set up to look at the situation.
6.5 Gateside Park Ind Estate: the litter situation has arisen again – probably made worse by the high winds of late. Sheena said that she had taken this up when the complaint had been made originally and the management of the park were responsible for this matter. It was decided we write to David Murray Group to ask them to deal with it. Action IP
6.6 Doocot: Effie asked what the position was regarding the work on the doocot and when they could envisage it being ready to move into. She said that Visit Scotland had come to the Trinity Centre and she wasn’t able to give them any information. Charles was not sure but would look into it. Action CI
7. Police Questions
7.1 Chip shop parking: the problem with cars parking here had lessened but some vehicles are still continuing to park here, despite the issuing of tickets. The police and wardens will continue to target this area.
7.2 Gateside Road: Jan received a letter from a resident concerned about a group of youths playing rugby in the road. It is feared that cars may be damamged, with the traffic lights there already damaged due to this activity. This particular resident has confiscated their ball and had a word with the parents of the offenders, who were unaware of the situation. PC Douglas said that they could make a point of calling and having a word with the youths and their parents. Action PC Gunn
7.3 Crime trends: PC Douglas said that the recent problem resident in High Street had been given a lengthy prison sentence. Investigations regarding a recent stabbing in the High Street are ongoing and they are still looking for witnesses to come forward. There has also been an attempted break in at Traprain Terrace. He also reported that a number of boy racers have been charged in the last few months.
8. Treasurer’s Report
8.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 9th January 2006
Last month’s balance £1,339.82
Income Expenditure
Interest £1.15 Jan’s Phone exp £28.00
Wreath Repaid ELC £19.30 Secretary’s fee £40.00
Emily’s phone exp £28.00
Total £1,360.27 £96.00
New balance £1,360.27- £96.00 = £1,264.27
Jan has not cashed her cheque so bank statement reads £1,292.27
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 9th January 2006
Last months balance £8,774.83
Income Expenditure
Interest £11.89 Tax £2.37
Food for Fun day £14.59
Lotteries licence £17.50
Pipeband £75.00
Fruit for Fun day £31.50
Key cutting £20.08
Macro £337.68
Engraving of cups £19.00
Advert £48.41
8,786.72 £566.13
New balance £8,786.72-£566.13 = £8,220.59
9. Correspondence
Received:
9.1 Information about Development of East Lothian Public Partnership Forum and notice of meeting on 17th January 2007 at 7-9pm in Town House – they are looking for volunteers to join
9.2 Copy of Newsletter for Tenants of East Lothian Council
9.3 Panel news from East Lothian tenants and residents group
9.4 Renewal of Lotteries and Amusements Act Registration for 2007 (for Emily)
9.5 Consultation Paper on the East Lothian Council Budget for 2007
9.6 Copy of Royal Hospital for Sick Kids Edinburgh/Reprovision Project
9.7 Info re Workshops on the Post Office Network Consultation (Edinburgh 1st Feb)
9.8 NHS Lothian Primary Care Modernisation – Your Health Service in Your Community. A public meeting 1st Feb 2.15-4pm in Town House
9.9 Copy of outcome of the Public Consultation re Children & Young People’s Health Strategy 2006-2015
9.10 Notice of ELC meetings
9.11 Newsletter of East Lothian Local Assess Forum
9.12 Notice of Core Paths Plan Consultation Drop-in Events Thursday 15th March 5-8pm in Town House for Haddington
9.13 Notice of Public Consultation Event re the John Gray Centre on 13th Jan 10-4pm in Town House (drop-in). Jan will try to go to this.
9.14 Email from Jim Cowie to say that 2 members of the Fischy Team who played at the Festival will be able to contribute to Festival on 27th May 2007. The fee will be £275 – it was agreed they contributed greatly to the last festival and that we should go ahead with it. Jan said that she wanted to also plan ahead to the Fesival 2008, which will mark the 40th Anniversary, and apply for additional funding from Arts Scotland and ELC for this.
9.15 Email from Clare Dutton: she is worried that the money set aside for the leaflet if not used, will be lost. The money has to be used by 30th March - it was suggested we get in touch with Pauline Jaffrey and that a Tourism meeting be held soon (Monday at Maitlandfield Hotel 10am was agreed)
9.16 Draft Travel Plan for Haddington Infants; comments requested by 18th January – Norman will have a look
10. Planning – Norman passed out copies of his report
10.1 Tyne Court: having looked at the plans some concern was expressed regarding the cramped site and it was thought that 2 flats would be more appropriate than 3. Colvin said that he had heard that there were a number of local objections to this and in particular to the scale of the development. It was decided that Norman write with our objections. Action NL
11. Christmas Lights
11.1 Jan has written a letter to Hallidays cataloguing all the problems we experienced with the lights this year. She has asked them for an itemised costing with a view to a reduction in the bill. Jan said that she and John had been discussing the way forward with the lights (a sub-committee consisting of Jan, John and Davie M has been set up to carry this forward). Jan said that they would like to purchase a metal cabinet in which to store the lights in the lock-up. Some discussion was held regarding the funding of the lights and some suggestions put forward were: offer advert in Handbook, collection tins in shops, collection buckets at Farmer’s Market, bottles in the pubs. Jan said she will write a letter for the local businesses – Marianne will deliver. John suggested holding a meeting with the Business Association – this was thought a good idea. Action JW/MA
11.2 John asked for help on Sunday morning at the lock-up to put the lights away – Colvin, Dave B, Norman and Graeme said they could be there.
12. Craft Fair – Sat 10th February 2007
12.1 Jan said that help was needed on the Friday night (9th) to help set up. Help also needed on the Saturday – Effie, Janet, Ruth, Irene (am), Marianne (will check), Dave B (pm) said they could all help.
13. AOCB - none
14. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 13th February 2007 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
15. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 23rd January 2007 in Town House at 7.00pm
16. Outstanding Matters Arising from previous minutes
14/03 Litter Bins – this still outstanding so we will write again to chase Action IP
Athelstaneford (Lighting at hall)
Burleigh’s Wa’s
Newton Port surgery car park
12/04 Old Bowling Green – name plaque
09/06 Town House Clock tower lighting – Jan has contacted Halliday’s on numerous occasions and the lighting has still to be sorted.
Potholes at Florabank – Ann believed this to be sorted but Norman pointed out that further potholes are present just round in Templedean Action AMcC
Speed bumps – Briery Bank
Glebe Terrace – staggered barrier: Ann is dealing with this now as it has been suggested that the high fence be continued up to the barrier to prevent children running out this way
Fencing at Oak Tree Café
13/06 Hopetoun Drive – speed bumps: a request has been made to have a speed check carried out here
12/09 Broken kerb at Coop
10/10 Potholes outside hall – Athelstaneford
Uneven slabs at Graeme McGraths
Beechwood Road – hole in wall
14/11 Mill Wynd/Millfield - fencing
Mill Wynd/West Mills – pathway
Dunbar Road – pavement
Report on Retail Provision – deferred for discussion at Fest Mtg
12/12 Golf course wall
39 Artillery Park
Lights out: skateboard ramps, Calders Lawn
9/1 Bank of Scotland – water leak
Long Stay parking
Flood prevention
Doocot