Minutes of meeting of 14th November 2006 in Council Chambers
Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Irene Pow (Secretary), Norman Lawrie, Ruth Moncrieff, David Motherwell, David McManus, Marianne Andrews, Graeme MacGregor, Bill Harkness.
Councillor Ann McCarthy, Councillor Charles Ingle, Insp D Gordon, PC R Hamilton, Stewart Cooper (Courier),
Helen Paterson (EL News), Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
3. Major Items for AOCB – None
4. Minutes of Tuesday 10th October
4.1 Item 10. Minutes should read that Jan passed out copies of Norman’s report as Norman was not at this meeting.
Approval of the minutes was proposed by John and seconded by Irene.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Item 6.2 Pothole outside hall - Athelstaneford: Neither Irene nor Emily were aware that they were to deal with this. Irene said that she will try to get in touch with Jessie Turner at the Estates Office of ELC to establish ownership.
5.2 Item 7.2 Parking at chip shop: it was noted that there had been an improvement in the parking situation outside the chip shop – it was thought that the notice in the window may have helped deter motorists.
6. Festival Minutes
6.1 Minor changes were made to the Festival minutes and then approval was proposed by John and seconded by Ruth
7. Councillors Corner
7.1 Mill Wynd/Millfield: Jan had received a letter from a concerned resident at Millfield re the pathway behind the houses. They have problems with vandalism, broken windows etc due to a hole in the fencing and hedge. Charles said that this had been dealt with a few years ago but pointed out that ELC are not responsible for this pathway, although they did block the entrance off and repaired the fence for security. Ann will look into it. Action AMcC
7.2 Pathway around Mill Wynd/West Mills: Norman suggested that the argument for a pathway around this road should be resurrected. It had been suggested some years ago (before the Maltings development got underway) that a pathway was needed at the West Mills to allow safer pedestrian access. The wooded area between the road and the football pitch was suggested but concern was raised at that time about destroying the woodland.
7.3 Tree roots: Jan said that tarmac has been raised and cracked by tree roots outside no 11-25 Acredales. Action AMcC
7.4 Barbers in High Street: Jan said that the unsightly illuminated sign outside this new shop has raised many complaints. Ann said that no planning permission had been sought for this and that enforcement action in underway.
7.5 Baguette Express – Market Street: Jan complained that the neon colour scheme has raised concerns and Ann thinks that this is also being looked into by ELC. Some concern was also raised about the colour scheme at the Cancer Research shop. Ann will look into this. Action AMcC
7.6 Burleigh’s Wa’s: Jan had received a copy of correspondence from Haddington History Society stating that Council officers are interested in reinstating this area. They say that there is a developer interested in the site at 13 Brown Street.
7.7 Tyne Court: David Motherwell made a complaint about the pavement which covers 3 parking bays here. Charles did not think that ELC would be receptive to the suggestion of removing part of the pavement. David asked if the spaces could be marked for residents only – Charles said he would be supportive of this idea and would look into it. Action CI
7.8 Dunbar Road: Ruth said that the pavement along Dunbar Road is in a bad state of repair; potholes etc. Action AMcC
7.9 Pencaitland Road: speed sign: Bill pointed out again that the speed sign is not working. Action SR
7.10 Co-op: Bill also said that the broken slab has still not been seen to despite this being reported about 3 months ago.
Action AMcC
7.11 Beechwood Road: John G reported that the hole in the back of the wall at the bottom of Beechwood Road has still not been attended to. Action SR
7.12 Athelstaneford - lights: Charles still has no news on this situation.
7.13 Rowan tree – Nungate Bridge: Charles was pleased to report that the tree is being removed and the graffite is to be removed.
8. Police Questions
8.1 Close in High Street: Bill once again reported some activity occurring in the close at the chip shop – youths using it as a public convenience etc. Ann said that they are still pursuing the idea of lockable gates. Norman interjected to say that he did not think that this was the complete solution to the problem as it would just move it elsewhere and that a change in attitude and behaviour on the part of the offenders was more of a long term solution. Charles agreed with this in principle but having gates offered residents a short term solution and that a change in attitude and behaviour was something to be worked on for the long term. Insp Gordon said that they are aware of the situation and that it would perhaps help in the meantime if ELC could arrange to have the closes power washed. Charles said that this was done periodically but that he would get on to it. Action CI
8.2 Police surgery: Insp Gordon said that they are hopeful that this will up and running by the end of the month. PC Gunn is in the process of organising a venue.
8.3 Gourlaybank: John said that cars are parking right up to the corner at Hendersons making visibility poor.
8.4 Gifford Gate/building site: David M said that the site here is completely open to the road and that people have been getting in and throwing stuff into the river. The fence has lots of security signs which appear useless as the fence is completely open.
8.5 Update on parking tickets: Insp Gordon reported that 32 parking tickets had been issued – the situation has been helped by the traffic wardens changing their shift pattern. He also said that the situation outside the chip shop had improved – people are realising that they will be ticketed if they are caught parking here. Insp Gordon said that they will also be undertaking enforcement weeks whereby the public will not be warned when the wardens/police are targeting certain areas.
8.6 Noise in town centre: Insp Gordon said that more foot patrols have been issued during the busy periods to try to alleviate this problem.
8.7 Crime trends: a fair amount of vandalism has been occurring over the past few months. Five youths (aged 5-13 years) have recently been caught and charged with 30 acts of vandalism and are now in the system and they will be keeping an eye on them.
9. Treasurer’s Report
9.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 14th November 2006
Last month’s balance £1,567.71
Income Expenditure
Interest for Sept £1.38 Jan’s Phone exp £28.00
Secretary’s fee £40.00
Emily’s phone exp £28.00
3 wreaths £57.90
Total £1,569.09 £153.90
New balance £1,569.09- £153.90 = £1,415.19
HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 14th November 2006
Last months balance £8,589.13
Income Expenditure
Interest £11.73 Tax £2.34
Garleton Graphics £1,405.78
Trinity Centre donation £200.00
Art Exhibition report is on a separate sheet and about 9 cheques have not been cashed.
The bank balance shows £8,288.74 but that is not a true reading
Next month when all the cheques are cashed there should be a clear balance
The Craft Fair income was £961.50 – this will show next month along with the expenses
9.3 Expenses proposal for Norman: Jan said that Norman puts in a lot of work over planning issues and particularly so over the past year with the Local Plan etc. His hard work and dedication was most appreciated and she proposed that Norman be given expenses to the sum of £100 per annum – this to be paid now and then to be paid yearly when the honorariums are paid. This proposal was agreed by Bill and seconded by Irene. Emily to issue the cheque. Action EA
10. Correspondence
Received:
10.1 Reminder of meeting of ELACC with presentations from Jim Lamond and Jennifer Lothian
10.2 Confirmation that SEPA will attend our meeting on 28th November (Drew Atkinson a hydrologist): it was suggested that we also invite HADAS, ELAA and The River Tyne Trust. Action IP
10.3 Copy of minutes and notices of meetings from ELC
10.4 Postwatch Scotland magazine
10.5 Panel News from East Lothian Tenants and Residents panel
10.6 Annual registration fee request for Lotteries and Amusements Act
10.7 NHS Lothian’s draft Primary Care Modernisation Strategy Consultation Document – ‘Your health Service in your community’
10.8 Homefront Newsletter for Tenants of East Lothian Council
10.9 Wicksteed Catalogue
10.10 Bago catalogue
10.11 Copies of the new ‘Mud in your Eye’ brochure from ELC
10.12 Notice of meeting ‘Developing a shared vision for older peoples services’ at the Quayside on 23rd November 10am-4pm
10.13 Letter of thanks from ABEL
10.14 Letter from Countryside Alliance asking us to support rural Post Offices
10.15 Invitation to reception for Moderator of Church of Scotland (John and Marianne attended)
10.16 Letter from EL Heritage Forum asking for a couple of representatives to attend a meeting on 30th Nov in Conf Room 1 & 2 Room. David Motherwell will go. Action DM
10.17 Haddington Inter-town Sports: Jan reported that once again Haddington won the inter-town sports challenge with 59 points. Emily to write to all the representatives to thank them for their participation. It was also suggested that we hold a pot-luck supper in January to which they will be invited. This was suggested for the evening of 23rd January. Action EA
Sent out:
10.19 Letter to resident concerning the footpath at the Butts
10.20 Letter to fire officer requesting their presence at the Santa parade on the Fun Day
10.21 Reminder to SEPA about proposed meeting
11. Planning – Norman passed out copies of his report
11.1 Report on Retail Provision: Norman wrote a report dated 24th October which he emailed out to CC members for perusal. It had been tabled for discussion at the previous Festival Meeting but then carried forward to this meeting. After some discussion it was decided that all are happy with the interim document but until we get further information from the public enquiry, Jan suggested we set aside some time at the Festival meeting either in Jan or Feb to discuss the document. This was agreed.
11.2 West Garleton Holdings: Irene asked that we request consultation on this proposal. Action NL
11.3 Wood & Hay proposal: it was muted that we may want to request consultation on this. Ann said that the proposals were very discrete and not at all gaudy. No consultation was needed.
11.4 Flood meeting: Jan said that she is due to attend the local inquiry along with Norman on flooding tomorrow and that she has come across an old folder issued by ELC on flooding measures for the town. She found within this folder a list of all the landlords and tenants along the length of the river between Ormiston and East Linton (dated 1991). As SEPA have just produced a map of areas at risk of flooding it was thought that we should have a copy of this. Action JW
12. Tourism
12.1 Monthly meeting: a meeting was held at the beginning of the month. Frances from the Malt Kiln had a lot of good ideas to increase Haddington’s profile. She also offered to pay the first years’ registration of £47.50 for the copyright of the maps.
13. Local Priorities
13.1 Jan did not have the list with her but some of the items had been discussed at the Festival meeting as follows:
£1500 to HADAS
£562 for refurbishment of lights
£1000 for new lights
£400 for hall at Athelstaneford
£1000 to Festival Account – Grants Braes Burns Club
Jan will email a print-out of all the grant spending for the festival meeting. Action JW
14. Inter-town Sports – already dealt with earlier
15. Christmas Fun Day
15.1 Jan needs help to set up on the day from 9am onwards. Emily will get the licence for the wine and organise the apples and oranges. Sandwiches and biscuits needed for after the service.
16. Meeting with SEPA – already dealt with
17. AOCB
17.1 Jan reported that John Fraser has resigned from the Community Council and it was thought that we should invite Colvin Denholm to the next Festival meeting as he was interested in joining the CC. Action IP
18. 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) – Charles has written to Ray Montgomery (with no report back as yet) and has chased this evening
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. Irene to write once 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
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 – although we have written to David Murray about this we have not had a reply. It was suggested we write again. Action IP
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
19. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 12th December 2006 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
20. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 28th November 2006 in Town House at 7.00pm