Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 10th June 2008 in Council Chambers

 

1.  Sederunt

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

 

In attendance

Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Cllr Sheena Richardson, Cllr Tom Trotter, Neil Aitchison (Courier), Craig Finley (EL News), Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)

 

2. Apologies: Ruth Moncrieff

 

3. Major Items for AOCB

3.1 Flooding Report/Retail Assessment Study. 

3.2 Planning Report:  Ludovic said that this report has been commissioned by Murray Hutchison and we will be kept informed of progress.  Once ready it was suggested that Murray be invited to our meeting to discuss.

 

4. Minutes of Tuesday 13th May

Approval of the minutes was proposed by Fiona and seconded by Nico.

 

5. Matters Arising

5.1 Item 6.3 Fly tipping: this has still not been cleared up.  Ludovic said that Stuart Pryde had promised that this would be dealt with by today.  Will chase.                                                                                                                                               Action LB-L

5.2 Naming of roads: Ludovic apologised as he has not yet spoken to anyone about this.                                  Action LB-L

5.3Item 6.10 Bowling Green Plaque: Ludovic has spoken to and passed this on to Sheena.                              Action SR

5.4 Item 7.1 Parking (overflow): Ludovic said that this would not be possible in the near future – too difficult and expensive.

5.5 Item 7.3 Disabled bays: Jan did not attend the recent CAPP meeting but will take to the next one.               Action JW

5.6 Item 7.5 Refuse uplift charges:  Ludovic said he has spoken to Colin Clark about this and read out an email he had received.  To summarise, landfill charges have risen and therefore this reflects in the recent rise in cost of uplifts.  Jan asked how they would cope with the proposed extra 750 houses in the town and asked for a copy of the email.  Graeme said that there are lots of issues around waste and recycling and that we as a county are far behind others in these matters.  It was suggested we write to Colin Clark and invite him to attend our September  meeting.                     Action CI

5.7 Item 7.7 Street names: Ludovic not spoken to anyone re this.  Will action.                                                     Action LB-L

5.8 Item 9.3  Letter from Helen Fraser:  Nico said that a meeting is to be held by Haddington Business Assoc. re the Gateside development, Wed 11 June at the Maitlandfield.

5.9 Item 10.2 ELC Design Standards: Charles will look at this and  have a report ready for the next meeting.  Action CI

5.10 Item 18.1 O/S matters:  Jan has sent the list to Lilian but she is on holiday at present – will look at on her return.

5.11 O/S 11/3 Amisfield hole in wall:  this appears to have been fixed.  Another hole is now evident but it was thought that this is the responsibility of the owner of the cottage.

5.12 O/S 08/04 Lady Kitty’s:  the wall has been fixed.

 

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Davidson Terrace:  Colvin said that the resident at no 20 had a problem with water leaking through her steps which was rectified but the problem has recurred.                                                                                                                          Action TT

6.2 Alleyway off High Street:  Fiona has been informed that a resident here has had to lift carpets in her hall way due to people urinating against her door.  She also said that at Brewery Court tarmac was removed and the area is now sinking and is very dangerous for pedestrians.                                                                                                                          Action TT

6.3 Bus shelters Athelstaneford: Emily mentioned that they are still waiting for this.                                           Action TT

6.4 Dog fouling:  John once again mentioned the problem of dog mess in the park at Station Road.  He knows who the culprit is – it was suggested he pass details on to Stuart.                                                                                           Action JG

6.5 Pigeon droppings in town centre: Jan read out a letter from a resident regarding the problem with mess in the courtyard behind Market Street.  Ludovic said that they were aware of this and the matter is in the hands of Peter Collins.

6.6 Disabled parking bays:  Local resident David Barrie would like a notice put on the wall at the present disabled bays both in Tesco and at Lodge Street as these are still being used by able bodied motorists.                                         Action TT

6.7 Recycle bins:  It has been requested that a recycle bin for plastic be put at the Sports Centre and one for cardboard at Tesco.           

6.8 River Tyne:  David Barrie has also pointed out areas of the Tyne need clearing and also flood defences need to be looked at.  These areas include: Waterside Bistro, back of Aldi’s, Waterloo Bridge, Bermaline site, Mill Wynd.  Also there is a hole in the wall at the Waterside and the garages here.                                                                                          Action TT

6.9 Seggarsdean Park/Terrace/Minimarket:  it has been reported that cars are parking half on/off the pavement making it difficult for residents to get past.

6.10 Speeding in town: Queen’s Avenue - Tom said that the problem of speeding had been brought up here and the matter of speed bumps is being looked in to.  Aberlady Road – an electric speed sign has been requested for this road; will be there later in the month.                                                                                                                                                                Action TT

6.11 Bridge at Riverside Drive:  it had been requested that the bridge be coated with an anti-slip surface.  Tom said that he will look into this.                                                                                                                                                        Action TT

 

7.  Police Questions

7.1 Haldane Avenue:  Bob asked if it was possible to get a copy of the data produced from the recent traffic survey here.  John also asked for data from the Hopetoun Drive survey.  Stuart wasn’t sure but will look into it.       Action SG

7.2 CCTV:  Charles asked if it was possible to get some feedback as to the effectiveness of this system both as a deterrent and as a means of conviction.  Stuart said he did not have figures but that the system is manned and a direct link is in place to the police.  Charles stated that the Chief Constable had been quoted as saying that CCTV was ineffective therefore he wanted some proof that Haddington was benefitting from the amount of money that had been spent on installing this.  Stuart said that he had recently dealt with incidents which, due to evidence from CCTV, had lead to convictions therefore his opinion was that it was effective, although did not solve every problem.   A lot of incidents happen when people have been drinking and therefore the CCTV, in this instance, does not act as a deterrent but can still be used as evidence.  Charles still maintained that it was not really effective and was there any way we could look at the revenue costs and could these be redeployed to other methods of crime prevention.  Stuart said he would make enquiries.                      Action SG

7.3 Doocot:  Jan said that they had had problems with the locks – putty had been jammed into the locks.  It was suggested that the groups of youths hanging around, drinking in this area was probably the cause of this.  Stuart said that the new drinking bylaws coming into place at the end of June would help with the problem of drinking in public places.  This will also apply to the problem of people hanging around in Haddington House Gardens.  Despite the gate being locked in the evening they are still getting in by climbing over the wall.   Although Jan’s husband has a key it was suggested the police have one also.  Stuart said that that could be possible but that someone would still have to go with them if they had to enter the gardens.

7.4 Licencing meeting:  Nico had attended this meeting and reported that the issues are changing immensely (he has a copy of a document detailing these Jan would like a copy).  By law it is an offence to serve alcohol to someone who is drunk but the difficulty lies in ascertaining when someone is drunk.  More clarification is needed and he will take these issues to the licencing forum.                                                                                                                                               Action NdeF

 

8. Planning applications - Bob passed out copies of his report

8.1 Athelstaneford:  it was suggested that we look more closely at the proposal for Mansfield.                         Action RO

8.2 Jackson’s:  ELC have applications in for alterations to this site.  To look at in more detail.                           Action RO

8.3 Corn Exchange:  the CC already put in over £17,000 towards the upgrade of the toilets and the work has still not started.  It was said that it would start in June but has now been delayed for legal reasons.  It was pointed out that if this building was the responsibility of anyone other than the council then it would be condemned – it is a disgrace and would have serious Health & Safety issues.

 

9. Correspondence

Received:

9.1 Notices of ELC meetings

9.2 Invite re Band of Brothers, Dunbar Town House 19 June at 7/7.30pm

9.3 Letter from Rotary Club – Alan Colley now secretary

9.4 Newsletter ‘Speaking Out’

9.5 Notice of AGM of Planning Aid for Scotland, Sat 7th June

9.6 Emily received a letter of thanks from Sara Simpson re the money we donated to her trip.  She will let us know how she gets on.

9.7 Also letter of thanks from the Lockhart family.

9.8 Jan received an email from Jonathan Jones re items needed for the Doocot.  It was agreed that we purchase some items for the Treasure Trail (cost to us £3 and we can sell for £5).

9.9 Letter from John Durkin (ELC Contracts Officer) re the Christmas lights:  a meeting will be held on Wednesday 11th June  re the erection of the lights – John will attend

 

Sent out:

9.10 Letter to Lilian re our AGM with details of office bearers.

 

10. Treasurer’s Report

10.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 10th June 2008

Last month’s Balance                          £676.64                

Income                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £0.45                       Jan’s Phone exp                                   £28.00

                                                                                                Emily’s phone exp                                £28.00

Anna Secretary’s fee                           £50.00

Total                                                       £677.09                                                                                £106.00                                                                                                                                                                                

New balance £677.09- £106.00 =                        £571.09

The £1,082.00 ELC Grant has come through and paid into the bank.  It will appear on next months’ statement.

 

HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 10th   June 2008

Last month’s balance                          £17,421.88

Income                                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £20.14                                     Tax                                                          £4.02

                                                                                                                Malt Kiln Voucher                               £50.00

                                                                                                                East Lothian Tourism                          £15.00

                                                Numedia Printing leaflets                    £730.00

                                                                                                                Numedia Printing Fest Prog               £515.00

                                                                                                                Association Scottish CC                    £15.00

                                                                                                                Festival Float                                        £100.00

                                                                                                                Stamps                                                   £183.60

                                                                                                                Macro Items Festival                           £243.43

                                                                                                                Viking Direct Jan                                  £83.25

                                                                                                                Viking Direct Jan                                  £61.58

                                                                                                                Face Painting Items (Ruth) £70.98

                                                                                                                Fridge Corn Exchange (Jan)               £179.99

                                                                                                                Book tokens Treasure H (John)         £10.00

 

Total Income                                         £17,442.02                              Total Expenditure                          £2,261.85

 

New balance £17,442.02 - £2,261.85  =  £15,170.17

 

Cheques still not cashed from last month:

 

David Motherwell                                £50.00                     11073

Girl Guide donation                              £150.00                   11074

EL Tourism Forum                               £25.00                     11076

 

This month:                                          

RAGES                                                   £10.00

 

The rest are all Festival ones which will show in the Festival Week Report

 

11. Tourism

11.1 Volunteers: Jan said that more help is needed for Saturdays – she said that anyone willing to help can call into the doocot and put their name on the rota. 

 

12. Handbook

12.1 Ruth is still working on the adverts.  Jan waiting for the updates to the directory.  Charles will write to Jan with details of the Nungate Gala Association                                                                                                                  Action CI

12.2 Licencing:  a bylaw has been introduced whereby we need to have in writing the permission of all the businesses etc for their details to be published in the Handbook.  Jan’s computer should also be registered under the Date Protection Act  (cost £35).  Graeme reported that at a recent Assoc of CC’s meeting Alex McCrorie was asked if ELC were going to look at paying all these £35 for the CC’s

 

13. Festival update and minutes

13.1 Jan intimated that on the whole the Festival had been a success. Festival matters to be discussed at the next Festival meeting on 24th June

 

14. Potluck Supper

14.1 Tuesday 24th June after the Festival meeting.   Nico gave his apologies but said he would donate something to it.

 

15. AOCB

 

16. Date of next Meeting:  Tuesday 9th September 2008 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.

 

17.  Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 24th June 2008 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm

 

18. 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

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:  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     Davidson Terrace – water leak

                Alleyway off High Street – being used as public convenience

                Athelstaneford – bus shelters

                Market Street  - pigeon droppings

                Clearing of river Tyne

                Traffic calming – Queens Avenue