Jan Wilson (Chair), Moira Ross (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary), Norman Lawrie, John Golightly, David Motherwell, Effie Renton, John Fraser, Marion Smith, David McManus, Marianne Andrews,
David Brunton, Graeme Macgregor.
Councillor Ann McCarthy, Ian Metcalf (Courier), Helen Paterson (East Lothian News), Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
3. Major Items for AOCB - None
4. Minutes of Tuesday 11th April
4.1 Item 6.1 Gutters: Norman said this should read that the incident in question was reported at the April meeting but that the accident had occurred on the evening of the February meeting.
Approval of the minutes was proposed by John Golightly and seconded by Effie.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Item 11.2 Haddington House: Norman confirmed that he has written a letter setting out our objections to their proposals. Having sent a copy to Hilary Dickson he has now spoken to her and will continue further discussions. Norman will keep us informed of proposals.
5.2 Item 12.1 Local Plan Objections: Norman pointed out that the minutes only listed 3 objections when in fact 6 were made: one has been dealt with, one withdrawn and the other was in relation to the East Fortune Hospital site.
5.3 Item 13 Letham Mains Development: Irene confirmed she has written to RPS.
5.4 Item 15.2 Handbook: Emily said that they are still struggling to get in all the information. She requested that any new details be given to Jan.
6. Out of Town Developments
6.1 Four local traders were in attendance at the meeting: Ian Gibson, Frances Wright, Simon Kesley and John Main. The proposals to build a supermarket twice the size of the current one, along with a DIY store, a garden centre, petrol station and other retail outlets was considered unnecessary for the town. Ian Gibson said that he believes that if this were to go ahead traders would very quickly lose 15/20% of their business. Consequently gap sites would soon appear and continue to rise over the next 5-10 years and the ‘historic market town’ as we know it would become a fallacy. If this development were to go ahead it would be the beginning of the end. Simon Kesley agreed – he noted that Dunbar (only 10-15 minutes away) has been given the go ahead for an Asda store. This, along with the existing Asda at Fort Kinnaird, the planned Tesco at North Berwick and of course the existing Tesco in the town he thought proved ample for this area and questioned the need for such a development in Haddington. John Main said that two other developments for the town have been muted which was also very worrying. Mr Gibson thought that we should be encouraging Tesco to go ahead with their original plan to extend within the town and encourage Aldi to open on the KwikSave site as soon as possible – these two proposals being the lesser of two evils.
Norman thought that the traders need to do more than just set up a petition to these proposals – they need to come up with issues and suggestions on what can be done and it was agreed that the CC write to Ian Gibson asking him to get other traders on board to push this forward. Action IP
7. Councillors Corner
7.1 Potholes/pavements: Effie said that there are some large potholes outside Florabank Nursing Home. Also, more slabs leading into park at Glebe Terrace are in a bad state due to the roots underneath pushing them up. She also said that there are similar problems with slabs at the Herdmanflat end. Action AMcC
7.2 Bridge over The Lade (behind St Mary’s): David M pointed out that this is in need of some attention. Action AMcC
7.3 River Tyne: David M also pointed out that there are a number of cones and road signs dumped in the river below the Victoria Bridge. Action AMcC
7.4 Benches on Tyne: the bench behind the sports centre has been damaged by vandals with a chain saw. Action AMcC
7.5 Speed bumps, Briery Bank: a resident has requested that the speed bumps be replaced at the east end of the road. It was ascertained that Cala removed them due to their building work so we would assume that they will be responsible for replacing them. Action AMcC
7.6 Neilson Park: Marianne wondered why the gates at the east end of the park were chained and locked during the weekend of the rugby sevens, considering this is a public park. Moira pointed out that they do this every year – all the other entrances are manned to control traffic entry etc to the park.
7.7 Craig Avenue: Marion wondered when the parking bays were going to be installed. Ann wasn’t sure but will check on this. Action AMcC
7.8 Athelstaneford: Emily wondered about the ongoing proposals re the lights at the village hall. Ann said that this was an ongoing project and that Charles would probably still be dealing with it. Emily also pointed out that the picnic benches in the park need to be painted. Ann thought that it would be best to email these items to Charles and if we have any problems to get back to her. Action EA
7.9 Emily asked what the procedure was with communal repairs to flats – if one resident refuses to comply how can the matter be resolved. Ann said that Building Control would be the department to ask advice from. If repairs are necessary then they can be enforced. She suggested contacting John Murdoch in Building Control in the first instance.
7.10 As Charles Ingle has recently been banned from council meetings/buildings Norman wondered if that meant he couldn’t attend the CC meetings? No-one was sure about this and it was suggested we contact Lillian Pryde for clarification.
7.11 Jan asked why the car park at the doctors’ surgery couldn’t be dealt with alongside the Town Centre traffic scheme.
7.12 Glebe Terrace: Jan said that Nessie Gell had requested that a staggered barrier be put in place. Ann is aware of this matter. Action AMcC
7.13 East Haugh: Jan reported that the chain fence at the entrance is in the laid. Also some of the large stones are in the laid – apparently the wall had been hit by a car some time ago. Action AMcC
7.14 Bridges: the bridge behind St Mary’s and the one behind the swimming pool are both in a bad state of repair. Action AMcC
8. Police Questions (PC Gunn introduced Inspector David Gordon to the meeting)
8.1 Boy Racers – Pencaitland Road: Effie said that two cars were spotted sitting side by side in the road with lights blazing. She thought that one was a red Peugeot and the other possibly a Citroen. PC Gunn said that the traffic division has been increased and they are aware of these problems. The culprits are stopped when spotted and if they continue to be a nuisance and new legislation allows them to impound the cars if they continue to offend. He said it would be helpful if members of the public report these incidents at the time – preferably getting the registration number of the cars.
8.2 Herdmanflat: Effie said that the problem with kids hitting golf balls around has stated to occur again. Apparently it is the same kids as last time along with some older ones. Action PC Gunn
8.3 George Hotel: Norman wasn’t sure if this was a matter for the police but one of the windows of the George (looking onto Brown Street) which was boarded up has now been kicked in leaving whatever inside exposed. Action PC Gunn
8.4 Parking at chip shop: Emily once again brought up the problem of cars parking on the double yellow lines outside the chip shop – making it very difficult to get out of Newton Port and into Market Street as sight lines are obscured. Although it seems to occur at most times of the day it is worse around tea time. PC Gunn said that they will continue to target this area and will have a word with the traffic warden – he could perhaps vary his shift pattern to target this time. Action PC Gunn
8.5 Football on roads: Jan said that youths have been spotted once again playing football in the middle of the road – she was aware of who they are and will pass on the information to PC Gunn.
8.6 Fencing at oak Tree Café: John G reported that the wire fencing appears to have been knocked down.
Action PC Gunn
8.7 Vandalism: Marianne said that last month she had reported vandalism occurring behind Tesco. Although this has stopped she wondered if it had been taken elsewhere in the town. PC Gunn said that they have extra foot patrols in the town as well as some plain clothed patrols. He reported that 2 arrests had been made over the weekend – these 2 culprits being responsible for over 20 acts of vandalism. A curfew has been imposed on them.
9. Treasurer’s Report
9.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 9th May 2006
Last month’s balance £913.02
Income Expenditure
Interest March £0.81 Jan Phone exp (March) £28.00
April £0.93 Jan phone exp (April) £28.00
Transfer from Festival a/c £1,000.00 Secretary’s fee (Anna) £40.00
Emily phone exp £28.00
Jan honorarium £100.00
Irene honorarium £200.00
Emily honorarium £200.00
Total £1,914.76 £624.00
New balance £1,914.76- £624.00 = £1,290.76
Irene has not cashed her cheque for £200 so bank balance reads £1,490.76
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 9th May 2006
Last month’s balance £10,378.79
Income Expenditure
Interest March £17.09 Kerr’s fruit £10.00
April £12.97 Stamps £86.40
Jan honorarium £200.00
Transfer to CC a/c £1,000.00
Kerr’s flowers for Jan £22.00
EL Tourism Forum £25.00
Registers of Scotland £7.76
Tax March £3.41
April £2.59
Total £10,408.85 £1,357.16
New balance £10,408.85 - £1,357.16 = £9,051.69
Cheques not presented:
Tourism Forum £25.00
Registers of Scotland £7.76
Total £32.76
£9,051.69
£32.76
£9,084.45
Bank statement reads £9,084.45
10. Correspondence
Received:
10.1 Copy of Community Information Pack from ‘East Lothian Litter Initiative – Good Citizen Campaign’
10.2 Notice of AGM on 3rd June of East Lothian Tenants and Residents Panel
10.3 Copy of East Lothian Countryside News (Mud in your Eye)
10.4 Notices of ELC meetings
10.5 Public Consultation Document from Scottish Natural Heritage ‘making a difference for Scotland’s Species: A framework for Action’
10.6 Awards Scheme 2006 – ‘Standing up to Antisocial Behaviour’ application forms from Scottish Executive.
Sent out:
10.7 Letter to Hallidays re Town House lights (no reply yet)
10.8 Letter to Organisations re Festival opening ceremony parade on Sunday 28th May
10.9 Another to ELC (Peter Forsyth) re damaged gutters (no reply yet)
10.10 Norman sent letter to Lamp of Lothian re parking proposals at Haddington House
10.11 Emily received request for annual fee for RAGES (£10) – it was agreed to pay this
10.12 Irene has also received a copy of the Edinburgh & Lothians Structure Plan 2020.
10.13 Jan said that the Festival Programme has not arrived yet but that the front cover has been revamped and the children’s drawings are now in colour.
10.14 EL Heritage Forum – meeting to be held on 7th June, 7-9pm in the Town House to which members of the CC are invited.
10.15 Details of Local Priorities – Jan said that some members of the CC have already been sent copies
10.16 Jan has received a letter from John Macmillan, Haddington Pipe Band, informing us that they are Beating the Retreat on 5th August in the High Street and would welcome members of the CC. Bands from all over the country are taking part in this.
10.17 Letter from Jim Cowie giving an outline of the service on 28th May.
10.18 Email from Blachere outlining sale of Christmas lights.
11. Planning – Norman handed out copies of his report
11.1 It was felt that no consultation was necessary for any of the applications as detailed in the report.
11.2 Community Engagement in Planning: Norman said that this had been discussed at the Festival meeting.
12. Letham Mains Development
12.1 A public meeting is to be held on 20th June. Jan has received a letter from Bob Salter of RPS saying that they are unable to attend this meeting but would welcome public feedback. Jan thought that they are possible ‘running scared’ – frightened that they would be bombarded by questions from HADAS etc. Despite this Jan felt that we should go ahead with the meeting – it would be good to let the public have their say and the CC can pass on views and comments to ELC and RPS. It was also thought that we should invite Ian Glen, one of the architects, to the meeting. Emily to book the Town House for 7.30pm. Action IP/EA
13. Local Priorities
13.1 Jan reported that most of the money from last year has been committed. Jan thought that it would be a good idea to have a meeting re local priorities as many things need to be discussed.
14. John Lockhart Young Achiever’s Award
14.1 Emily said that they have still not received any nominations, despite more publicity in the local papers etc. The deadline is 13th although this can be extended to 20th if necessary. Need to put in the papers again. Action EA
15 AOCB
15.1 Jan said that the bunting has arrived – the cost to put up and take down will be £200. She also has the new banners.
15.2 A Pot Luck Supper will be held after the Festival Meeting on Tuesday 27th June.
16. Local Plan Objections
16.1 This is to be held on 20th June
16. Outstanding Matters Arising from previous minutes
14/03 Litter Bins
Athelstaneford (Lighting at hall)
Jackson’s Jewellers
Doocot-finished work-Tourism
Local Chemists-administering methadone
Knox Court Parking
Burleigh’s Wa’s
Newton Port surgery car park
12/4 Old Bowling Green – name plaque
Community Environmental Fund possible source of funding for parks/open spaces
Request for donation from A.B.E.L for school girl
09/5 Florabank Nursing Home – potholes
Bridge over the Lade-in need of attention
Bench at River Tyne (near Aubigny Centre)
Replacement of speed bumps at Briery Bank
Craig Avenue-Parking bays to be installed.
Athelstaneford-communal repair of flats
Doctors’ surgery car park
Glebe Terrace-staggered barriers
East Haugh-fence in the Lade
Bridges-Swimming Pool and behind St. Mary’s in need of paint and repair work.
Boy Racers
Herdmanflat-kids hitting golf balls
George Hotel-boarded up window
Parking at chip shop in Market Street
Football on roads
Fencing at Oak Tree Café
17. Date of next Meeting and AGM: Tuesday 13th June 2006 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
18. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 23rd May 2006 in Town House at 7.00pm