Minutes of meeting of 13th March 2007 in Council Chambers
Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary), Norman Lawrie, Effie Renton, Janet Brent, David Motherwell, Dave Brunton, David McManus, Marianne Andrews, Graeme MacGregor, Colvin Denholm,
Councillor Ann McCarthy, Councillor Charles Ingle, Councillor Sheena Richardson, Stewart Cooper (Courier),
Craig Finlay East Lothian News, Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
Jan welcomed Craig Finlay, a new reporter with the East Lothian News.
3. Major Items for
AOCB
3.1 John
Lockhart Trophy
4.
Minutes of Tuesday 13h February
4.1 Item 5.1
Calders Lawn:
Correction was made so minute reads ‘Norman had been in touch’ instead of ‘was
in touch’. Remove ‘thereafter’ and
replace with new sentence as follows ‘The problem at Calders Lawn had been
rectified and…..’
4.2 Item 5.3
Flood prevention:
Norman corrected the minute to read that Irene had received a letter from Mr
McCrorie, Head of Finance ELC. It was
also Norman’s recollection that Irene was to write to Mr McCrorie and not to
Jacobs as per minute.
4.3 Item 6.8 No apostrophe needed at taxis. Also, Colvin corrected the minute to read
that an email was received from Mr Amos regarding the taxis parking and not
Johnny’s Cabs as minuted.
4.4 Item 7.1 The plural of business is
businesses.
4.5 Item 7.5 Replace ‘seems to be
working’ with ‘seems to be effective’.
4.6 Item 9.4 Should read Draft Core
Paths Plan
4.7 Item 9.15 There is no traffic ‘in’
Alexandra Place since it is a house.
There is however traffic ‘at’ Alexandra Place
Approval of the
minutes was proposed by John and seconded by Colvin.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Jan said that she had received word from Bill Harkness’ wife to thank the CC for the flowers sent to her. She was most appreciative of our thoughts and kindness.
5.2 Item 5.11 Golf Course
wall: Colvin
said that although the wall had been repaired, there is still rubble lying
around. Norman pointed out that there
are other areas around the perimeter wall that need some attention and perhaps
an inspection of the whole wall would be a reasonable request. Charles said that he would take this up with
Alan Forsyth. Action CI
5.3 Items 5.4 River Tyne
clean-up; 6.1 Footbridge at Riverside; 6.3 Artillery Park; 6.7 St Ann’s
Place: Charles has written
regarding all of these matters and will report back in due course. Action CI
5.4 Item 9.4 Draft Core
Paths Plan meeting: Jan cannot go to this open
meeting on the 15th of March.
Irene said she would go instead. Action IP
5.5 Item 9.6 National
Planning Framework seminar: Norman did take a look at the
letter but did not make the seminar.
5.6 Item 13.1 Doocot: John said that on Sunday the shutter for the window at the doocot
was wide open and the repairs to repair the smashed glass had not been
done. Jan said that we are hoping to
get the centre open on the 4th April. Charles said he would chase it up. Action
CI
5.7 Item 16. Outstanding
matters: 13.2 Slabs at Herdmanflat: Ann has had a look at this area and thinks that
there is a general problem in that area and that a long term programme of
repair is needed. She has raised the
issue with 3 different departments within ELC. Action AMcC
5.8 Item 9.11 Drinking
By-laws: Norman had previously circulated
seven copies of this document. After discussion Norman suggested that we accept
the 4 point recommendation as follows:-.
1.
To remove the exemption
allowing the consumption of alcohol in designated places during gala days and
local festivals.
2.
To remove the exemptions
allowing consumption of alcohol in designated places during the period from 6pm
on 31 December to 6am on 1 January
3.
To amend the designated
area in Haddington to include the whole of the town using the town boundary as
a marker
4.
To prohibit and make it
an offence for a person to carry an open container of alcohol in a designated
public place
Jan said that places such as
the Rugby Club could easily apply for a licence and that an area could be
demarcated where alcohol could be consumed. Charles said
that it has to be enforced for it to work.
6. Councillors Corner
6.1 New Roodlands Hospital: John asked when we could expect to get a new
hospital. Jan stated she, the late Maggie Burn and Shirley Howard had
discussions with the NHS executive personnel in 2005 and were promised that
Roodlands would be completed by 2009. Ann said that the initial report stated
they were hopeful to have it up and running by 2009 but that this had slipped
back somewhat and that work is ongoing on proposals to redevelop the site as it
is and are looking at how this can be done within the costings. She also stated
that they are looking at the possibility of using some of the existing
buildings but that this was a very complicated process. Alternatives were also being looked at. Jan pointed out that 1 in 4 people suffer
from some form of mental health problems and said there were not enough
facilities to cope with this and hoped there would be more bed spaces created
to deal with this problem.
6.2 Nungate Bridge: David Motherwell asked that
filters be fitted to the lights illuminating the bridge as at present they are
too bright and people are blinded as they walk across. Action CI
6.3 Abbey Bridge: David Motherwell also mentioned that the mirror for
traffic at Abbey Bridge has been smashed.
He suggested a polished metal one might last longer. Action CI
6.4 Ball Alley/Churchyard: the lights here are on all day Action CI
6.5 West Haugh - plaque: David Motherwell asked once
again if this could be corrected or removed. Action
CI
6.6 Toilets at
Athelstaneford: Emily asked about this. Charles said that the matter is in hand. Action
CI
6.7 Buses in Market Street: Colvin said that the buses are still stopping and
dropping off passengers in Market Street.
It was pointed out that we were not averse to them dropping off
passengers but it had been agreed that they were not to park and stand waiting
for any length of time as this causes an obstruction. Jan said that after the article pertaining to this subject had
appeared in the paper, a couple of elderly people complained about the suggestion
that the buses were not to drop off passengers in Market Street. Some elderly
people prefer the bus to stop there so that they have a short distance to walk
to places like the doctors’ surgery.
The suggestion of a bus stop outside Kesley’s would cause more
congestion and loss of parking spaces and was therefore not deemed a good
idea.
6.8 Swing Park at Whittingham Drive: Colvin
asked Charles if this was to be included in the revamp of the area. Charles confirmed that it was.
6.9 Dog fouling:
Colvin said that the first 100
yards of the river walk were particularly bad for dirt and are there dog
wardens in the town. There are wardens
and there are also designated members of ELC staff who can issues fixed penalty
notices if they catch the culprits.
6.10 Young Scot Card: Colvin had
brought this up at the last meeting that the card apparently allows 16 years
olds to purchase alcohol when having a meal.
Ann said she would like to have a look at this. Action
AMcC
7. Police
Questions (2 police officers from North Berwick had been asked to attend the
meeting at short notice)
7.1 Boy racers: Jan had sent an email to Sgt Duffy re the
boy racers in Langriggs. It was
reported that one has been given an ASBO and the registration numbers have been
taken of the other offenders and they have been warned that if their numbers
are noted again that their cars can be confiscated. Unfortunately they cannot be charged with having noisy exhausts.
7.2 Chip shop close:
Jan had been contacted by a
resident to complain about a couple having ‘nookie’ (as Jan put it!) in the
close.
7.3 Fog lights: John asked if it was an offence to drive
with fog lights on in clear weather. It
is an offence and those caught can be charged.
7.4 Police Surgery: It was not clear whether the
date had been changed but Ann said that an article in the paper had said that
the surgery was going to be held on a Saturday morning.
7.5 Crime trends: Since the
last meeting there have been 16 crimes reported; 10 were minor thefts and the
rest vandalism. No major problems reported
in the town.
8. Treasurer’s Report
8.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 13th
March 2006
Last months balance £1,169.32
Income Expenditure
Interest Jan £1.12 Jan’s Phone exp £28.00
Interest Feb £0.87 Emily’s Phone exp £28.00
Secretary’s fee £40.00
Total £1,171.31 £96.00
New balance £1,171.31-
£96.00 = £1,075.31
HADDINGTON
COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 13th March 2006
Last months balance £8,679.87
Income Expenditure
Interest Jan £13.37 Sports Plus Reception £89.56
Interest Feb £12.05 Tax Jan £2.67
Jack Tully Jackson Tax
Feb £2.41
Donation £100.00 Float £100.00
Craft Fair income £435.00 Real Rosettes £74.40
Float returned £100.00 Food for Art Exhibition £46.78
Handbook advert £100.00 Flowers (Mrs Harkness) £22.00
Shine a light income £44.00 Advert £29.46
Handbook advert £100.00
9,584.29 £367.28
New
balance £9,584.29 - £367.28 = £9,217.01
8.2 Un-cashed cheque:
Emily confirmed that the books
(up to December 06) are with the Accountant.
The un-cashed cheque (£200) which was paid to the Guides for delivery of
the Handbook last year has been queried.
John will ask Lorraine about this. Action
JG
8.3 Outstanding cheques: These are as
follows: Real Rosettes, Tyneside and
Leslie & Leslie. Jan will chase
these.
Action JW
9. Correspondence
Received:
9.1 Membership renewal form for Assoc of Scottish Community Councils (£15)
9.2 Signpost
to Funding from ELC
9.3 Leaflet from Scottish Parliament ‘Working for you’
9.4 National Planning Framework Questionnaire. Replies requested/no date given
9.5 Meeting the needs of Women and Men in East Lothian. Five questionnaires to be returned by 19th March
9.6 Notice of ELC meetings
9.7 Hopscotch Holiday Charities: they are asking for help towards the cost of food for the 2 trips planned. It was proposed and agreed that we donate £70. Action EA
9.8 Norman received a letter from a lawyer working on behalf of a local resident who sustained an injury outside Mains Saddlers in February 2006. The problem with the guttering had been raised at Community Council meetings on a number of occasions – Norman will look at the history of our discussions and write with this information. Action NL
9.9 Letter
from Daly International: this company does planning work on behalf of mobile
phone companies. The present proposal
is for a mast to be situated at the east end of Station Road Industrial Estate
(comments requested by 16th March).
Norman has been in touch with Hilary Dickson, who has previously
objected to such proposals – she will take this up again. Norman suggested we write to say that we
have alerted neighbours and that our concerns are that this same application
was rejected last year. Jan also
pointed out that our objections could site the fact that there is already a
mast in this area – do we need another? Action NL
Sent out:
9.10 Letter to Peter Collins re paint colours of buildings, also poor state of building above Paul’s Fish Shop (No reply yet)
9.11 Reminder re drop-in event on Draft Core Paths Plan in Town House 5-8pm on 15th March
10. Planning – Norman passed out copies of his report
10.1 78 High Street: Ann said that she had gone today to have a look at the plans for these premises (Cobblers). The plan appears to be to change the colour scheme. It was suggested we request consultation on this.
10.2 Looks Hair Design: This was discussed briefly and objections were raised with regards to the signage and the colour. Norman will request consultation on this and bring to the next Festival meeting.
10.3 Bank of Scotland: Norman will request consultation on this also.
10.4 George Hotel: Norman has not emailed Paul Zochowski as yet but will do so and report to the Festival meeting.
Action NL
11. Festival Update/Minutes
11.1 Further to Jan’s meeting with Lesley Smith (EL Arts Council) it has been suggested we can run this show one of two ways. Either they pay for putting on the show and take all of the ticket money, or the CC pay for it and take the money from tickets. Jan thought the former option was preferable. Dave Brunton suggested that they take the door money up to the cost of putting on the show and the rest be put towards the Christmas light. A puppet theatre and juggler etc will also be provided for the Fun Day.
11.2 40-Year Celebration: Jan said that she would like to run the Festival for two weeks since it was a special celebration. John thought that we should find out about the Tranent and Musselburgh Festivals as they may coincide with Haddington if it were to run for 2 weeks. Jan will look into this.
11.3 Leaflet: Jan said that this has gone to the publishers and she will need help in proof reading it when it comes back.
11.4 Website: Jan was pleased to say that she is managing to update this regularly and any articles would be very welcome.
12. Tourism
12.1 Volunteers for Visitor Centre: Effie said that she had had a meeting with some of the volunteers but desperately needs more on board. Pamela from VisitScotland will be in touch to arrange a training day. Norman thought that it would be a good idea to arrange a site visit to the doocot as many people had not seen inside it.
13. AOCB
13.1 John Lockhart Trophy: Emily said that the family would like to run it again this year. An advert will be put in the paper.
14. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 10th April 2007 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
15. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 27th March 2007 in Town House at 7.00pm
16. Outstanding
Matters Arising from previous minutes
14/03 Litter Bins – this still outstanding so Jan will send an email (13/2)
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. 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. Action IP
Potholes at Florabank – Ann believed this to be sorted but Norman pointed out that further potholes are present just round in Templedean Action AMcC
Glebe Terrace – staggered
barrier: Ann will chase (13/2)
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 a mess
12/12 Lights out: skateboard ramps
2007
09/01 Bank of Scotland – water leak
Long Stay parking-disabled parking bays
Doocot-ready for use for tourism office
13/02 Footbridge at Riverside Drive
Lighting – Sidegate and Mackays
St Ann’s Place – large puddle
Town Taxis -parking
Herdmanflat – broken slabs/tree roots
13/03 Nungate Bridge – light filters
Abbey Bridge – broken mirror
Ball Alley – lights
Young Scot Card