Minutes of meeting of 13th November
2007 in Council Chambers
Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Norman Lawrie, Colvin Denholm,
Janet Brent, David Motherwell, Effie Renton, Ruth Moncrieff, Graeme MacGregor, Kathryn McDowall,
Fiona-Frances Adam, Nico de Freitas, Bob Oliver
Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay (ELC), PC Stuart Gunn, Neil Aitcheson (Courier), Anna Faulkner (minute secretary)
3. Major Items for
AOCB
3.1 Website
3.2 Tesco: Colvin said he had asked Tesco for a
donation of sweets for the Christmas Eve round the Town visit of Santa. He told
that cc should write to Tesco. Action JW/IP
4.
Minutes of Tuesday 9th October
4.1 Sidegate/High
Street: Ludovic pointed out that the correct term is
a toby, not a sunken drain. He thought
that this may have been sorted. Jan
wasn’t sure that it was. Ludovic will
check. Action LB-L
Approval of the
minutes was proposed by John and seconded by Kathryn.
5. Matters Arising
5.1 Item 6.1 Newton Port: Norman asked if we had written to Brian Cooper (as suggested in the minutes). Jan not sure – will speak to Irene about it. Action JW
5.2 Item 6.2 Fashion Show: Emily has thanked Angela for organising this.
5.3 Item 6.8 Cheque for the
Guides: John
said that this has been cleared by Lorraine.
Emily still needs a letter confirming this.
5.4 Item 6.9 Local
Priorities: Jan has not spoken to Stuart
Pryde – will arrange to do so. Action
JW
5.5 Item 6.10 Inter-town
sports: Jan
said that Haddington had won again this year with Prestonpans and Musselburgh
coming second and third respectively.
Emily will write letter of thanks to all who took part. Action
EA
5.6 Item 6.11 Friend of
Planning Aid: Emily
not sure who to send cheque to. Norman
gave her a copy of the leaflet.
5.7 Item 7.5 Langriggs: Jan has emailed the resident
involved and said we will keep them informed of any developments.
5.8 Item 7.6 Railway Hotel: the toby in the pavement has been repaired.
5.9 Item 7.8 Market Street: Colvin reported that the barriers have been removed.
5.10 Item 7.9 John Muir
House: Ludovic has spoken to David
Evans and a Pest Control Officer will have a look at the situation.
5.11 Item 7.10 River Tyne: Effie asked if there was any
news from ELC about their promise to clean up the river. It had previously been reported that they
would conduct a review in November. Norman
said that he was of the understanding that ELC are obliged to produce either a
bi-annual or tri-annual report which they submit to SEPA. Ludovic said he would look into this and
report back. Jan mentioned the money
that is available for Flood Prevention measures. Norman said that this had been allocated by the Scottish
Executive in support of Capital Works.
Nico suggested that we re-present the original letters written regarding
this subject – Jan will speak to Irene.
It was also suggested that Ludovic source the original report. Action
IP/LB-L
5.12 Item 7.13 Transportation: Norman
thought that this item should be added to list of Outstanding Matters
5.13 Item 7.14 Cultural Centre: Ludovic
confirmed that this will be going ahead as originally planned.
6. Councillors Corner
6.1 Briery Meadow: Jan has received a letter from a resident (Brian Young) at Briery
Meadow conveying his thanks to ELC for having the lighting sorted at Gifford
Gate - although he thinks that there is still one not working. Norman said he had been up there lately and
thought that all the lights were on.
6.2 Nungate Bridge - lights: David
Motherwell said that the lights on the bridge have now been fixed but there are
still no filters.
6.3 Recycling lorries: Colvin
pointed out that bottles etc are being dropped when uplifting the recycling
boxes – these are then being left where they have fallen. Action LB-L
6.4 Play area (Acredales/Longcram/Wellside): Effie said
that her daughter had written about 15 years ago regarding provision of a play
area in these areas. She has just
received a reply! Could anything be
done about providing this?
Action LB-L
6.5 Potholes: Very deep potholes are present in the
Gourlaybank area. Also at Bearford
Place. Action
LB-L
6.6 Market Street: A drain cover is missing
outside the Sue Ryder shop in Market Street. Action
LB-L
6.7 Pencaitland Road: Effie said
that opposite the entrance to Longcram there is still an election poster
attached to the lamp-post. It has probably
been missed as it is obscured by the trees.
6.8 Recycling Open Day: Bob had
attended a meeting regarding this and at present ELC can only take type one and
two recycling materials. He wondered if
this was going to be extended.
6.9 Oak Tree
Cafe: Nico brought this subject up again as some delegates
at a recent conference at the Maitlandfield had commented on this area – saying
that it really let the town down and did not give a very good first
impression. They thought it brought the
character and quality of the town down – actually mentioning this at one of
their dinners which Nico thought was embarrassing. He thought that we need to keep pushing the council to do
something about this. Jan said that
there may be something imminent with Sainsburys (a meeting is scheduled for 21st
at the Maitlandfield). It was suggested
we write direct to David Murray as it is one of his company’s who own the land. Action JW/IP
6.10 Church Street/The Sands: Emily asked
Ludovic if anything could be done about cars parking at the very narrow part of
the road from Church Street into the Sands.
Peter Potters have had their bins left un-emptied as the refuse lorries
sometimes cannot get in. Action LB-L
6.11 Hedges: Bob asked if anything could be done about hedges which
encroach onto pavements. Ludovic said
that the Highways department should be informed and they can enforce this – it
is the owners’ responsibility to maintain their hedges. If ELC have to do it they will and then
charge the resident for doing so.
7. Police Questions
7.1 Disabled parking bays: Fiona-Frances
brought up the subject once again of the lack of disabled parking bays in the
town centre. She also pointed out that
Tesco disabled bays are being used regularly by able-bodied motorists. It was pointed out the Tesco are installing
a system of monitoring and parking fines will be issued. After some discussion it was agreed we write
to ELC to ask them to review the disabled parking facilities in the town – this
to include High Street, Market Street and Court Street. Action
IP
7.2 Haldane Avenue: Bob had last month brought up
the problem of speeding on this road.
PC Gunn has passed this on to the traffic division.
7.3 Chip Shop (Parking): This is an ongoing
problem but PC Gunn said that they do monitor it and any cars caught will be
dealt with.
7.4 Station Yard: PC Gunn is not aware of any
problems in this area but will be keeping an eye on it.
7.5 It was
noted that a meeting will be arranged between the local police officers, the CC
and ELC Councillors. This is to allow
all to have their say and to put to the police any specific tasks they would
like to see undertaken. PC Gunn said
that he would have a month to deal with any specific requests and to report
back to those involved.
8. Treasurer’s Report
8.1 Emily
handed out the current balance sheet:-
HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 13th
November 2007
Last month’s Balance £1,731.40
Income Expenditure
Jan’s Phone exp £28.00
Emily’s phone exp £28.00
Secretary’s fee (Anna) £50.00
Total £1,731.40 £106.00
New balance £1,731.40-
£106.00 = £1,625.40
Emily’s cheque has not been presented so bank statement
reads £1,653.40
The cheque for the 3 Remembrance Day wreaths which I paid for and will be repaid by ELC and the Rotary Club. This was paid in October but the bank statement came out so early it has not shown so will enter them on next months’ report.
HADDINGTON
COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 13th November 2007
Last month’s balance £9,804.03
Income Expenditure
Donation from £5,000.00 ELC SportsPlus Food £95.00
Craft Fair income £ 471.85 Jan ink cartridges £68.98
Fashion Show Income £ 245.50 Janice Young Festival Rosettes £83.50
£15321.38 Garleton Graphics handbook £1,431.42
Public Liabilities Insurance £44.68
Food for Tourism Reception £55.56
Gifts for Effie and David £24.70
Fruit for Irene £10.00
Total Expenditure
£1813.84
Total £15321.38
- £1813.84 = £13707.54
Bank statement is £12,664.48 but a lot of the Art
Exhibition payment cheques have not been presented and because Jan went on
holiday after it finished some of the pay-ins do not show either.
8.2 Signatories: Norman asked how many
signatories there are for the accounts – at present only Jan and Emily are
formal signatories. Emily checked with
the Constitution and it states that any 2 of the 3 (Chair, Secretary or
Treasurer) can be named signatories. It
was suggested that Irene be made a formal signatory. Action EA
9. Correspondence
Received:
9.1 Friends of the Earth Scotland – leaflet on short courses . Graeme had a look at this.
9.2 Notice of ELC meeting 23rd October
9.3 Minutes of ELC meetings
9.4 Panel News
9.5 EL
Heritage Forum – meeting 6th Dec Conf Rm at JMH: David Motherwell had a look at this.
9.6 Letter from a company called VT10 – specialising in Air Displays.
9.7 Scottish Cultural Enterprise: Brunton Hall Feasibility Study. They want to know what we would like it used for. Nico suggested it would be greatly beneficial to East Lothian if we could attract world conferences. Norman thought that we should go with Nico’s suggestion and reply as such. Action NL
9.8 EL Involvement Group: Speaking Out
9.9 Debt of Honour, CD: Jan received a copy of this CD, compiled by the War Graves Commission, from Calum Colquhoun of Haddington Freemasons’ Organisation . He said he would like to show it in the Corn Exchange after the next Armistice Day Parade. This was agreed. Jan has a copy available for anyone to have a look at in the meantime. Jan said that this years’ Parade was one of the best, with a good turnout. Emily said that the school cadets have asked if they can carry the flag next year. This to be discussed when the letter comes in.
10. Planning – Norman passed out copies of his report
10.1 George Hotel: Norman not quite sure what is happening here but it was confirmed that they are still planning to open for Christmas.
11. Tourism
11.1 Doocot: Jan and Effie have had a meeting with ELC re the doocot and they would like us to produce a report on visitor numbers etc. Effie said they talked about the dampness, telephone, mice, lack of signage etc. VisitScotland would also like to have a meeting (Jonathan Jones).
11.2 Leaflets: Effie has spoken to Nick Morgan about getting more Haddington Walks leaflets. Effie wondered who would have to pay for a re-print – she thinks ELC should be responsible for this. The Historic leaflet is still ongoing – ELC need a copy of this.
11.3 Tourism
Sub-committee meeting: this has been arranged for 7th January in
the Maitlandfield.
12. Local Priorities
12.1 Jan
reported that we have had a donation from the Haddington District Recreation
Fund and that this could be increased if we can match fund it. Jan also said that the money raised from the
Craft Fair and Art Exhibition can be used for
matched funding (approx £3500).
So we need to be thinking of a project for 2008/09. Norman suggested we speak to the Association
of Community Council’s to find out what other councils have done. This
subject to be discussed further at the Festival meeting.
13. Inter-town Sports – already discussed
14. Updates
14.1 Art Exhibition: This went well with £4047 sales which is around a £600 increase on last year. Jan thanked all who helped to make it a success. She had one complaint from an artist that a picture surround was scratched – it was suggested that the artists take down their own paintings.
14.2 Craft Fair: This also went well and Jan thanked all who
helped out at this also. Approx £471
was made. John did have a problem with
the bank when he went across and asked for change – which they refused to give
him, saying that’s not what they are there for. It was thought we ought to write to complain about this – Jan
will do. Action
JW
14.3 New CC members: John said that we need to ensure that the new members of the CC know the set up when it comes to things like the Armistice parade, Craft Fair etc.
15. Christmas
Fun Day 25th Nov
15.1 Jan said that the 2 people who run the children’s workshop have pulled out due to other commitments. Jan asked that everyone be there on the day and to provide a loaf of sandwiches and some biscuits each (to be dropped in to the Town House for about 4pm). Jan has 250 torches to sell this year as we ran out last year. Santa’s sleigh is at Beanston and needs to be brought along for the day. John and Bob will go and have a look at it and arrange this.
15.2 Christmas lights: The lights are now partly erected. Jan said that she, John and David went up to the lock-up and 10 sets of joy curtains are missing. Hallidays took them down last year and as far as we know they were put in the lock-up with all the rest. John collected the Hilti testing unit from Hallidays and found out that according to the documentation which accompanied the testing unit, the last time it was calibrated was in the year 2000 (should be done every year). Jan asked the CC if they would agree to buy some locking cabinets – this was agreed. She also said that we need more cable and connectors and also some extra shackles – it was agreed to go ahead and buy these also.
15.3 Volunteers: Jan said that she had a call from ELC to say that they were not happy with the money to be paid to the volunteers to erect the lights. Once Jan had explained what was involved they were ok with it.
16. AOCB
16.1 Website (www.haddingtoncc.org.uk): Jan said that a lot has been added and
the front page is being re-vamped. Bob
Mitchell is doing a monthly Newsround and looking for any articles for
inclusion. Items can be emailed to Bob
on bobmitchell6@tiscali.co.uk
by the 23rd of the month. It was agreed to pay Simon £200 now for his
work on the website.
17. Date of next Meeting: Tuesday 11h December 2007 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.
18. Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 27th November 2007 in Town House at 7.00pm
19. Outstanding
Matters Arising from previous minutes
2006
14/03
Athelstaneford (Lighting
outside hall)
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
Newton Port surgery car park
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
Potholes at Florabank – Ann believed this to be sorted but Norman pointed out that further potholes are present just round in Templedean Action AMcC
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 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
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
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
Potholes – Knox
Waterside Bistro-litter lying about
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
Gourlaybank – potholes
Oxfam Shop – selling new goods
Bottom of cockles – Ludovic has brought this to the attention of the landowner
09/10 Signposts in Newton Port facing the wrong way
Langriggs (gates to vennels)
Gateside commerce park – lowered pavement
Alderston Muir – naming of
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)
Missing drain cover outside Sue Ryder shop
Pencaitland Road – election poster