Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council

Minutes of meeting of 14th October 2008 in Council Chambers

 

1.  Sederunt

Jan Wilson (Chair), John Golightly (Vice Chair), Emily Armatage (Treasurer), Colvin Denholm, Kathryn McDowall, Margaret Ingle, Bob Oliver

 

In attendance

Cllr Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Cllr Tom Trotter, PC Steve Tait, Neil Aitchison (Courier), Craig Finley (EL News),

Anna Faulkner (minute/correspondence secretary)

 

2. Apologies:  Sheena Richardson, Fiona-Frances Adam, Graeme MacGregor, Janet Brent, Ruth Moncrieff

 

3. Major Items for AOCB

3.1 Introduction to Community Wardens, Murray Thomson and Stephen Short

 

4. Minutes of Tuesday 9th September

4.1 Item 6.2 Bus shelter, Athelstaneford:  Emily asked that this be changed to read:  ‘the layout in the Glebe had been changed.  Also, the residents in Mansefield wanted traffic restrictions put in place when the development went ahead as there are a lot of children in the Mansefield area, which is the entry into the Glebe development’.

4.2 Item 6.3 Athelstaneford:  this development is in the Glebe land, not Mansefield.

Approval of the minutes was proposed by John and seconded by Kathryn.

Approval of business minutes from meeting on 23 September proposed by Margaret and seconded by John

 

5. Matters Arising

5.1 Item 6.6 Fly tipping: Bob said that the original stuff that had been dumped has been removed, only to be replaced by a pile of soil.  Ludovic said he has been in touch with Stuart Pryde who has said that concrete boulders are to be put in place to prevent tipping.  He will chase.                                                                                                                     Action LB-L

5.2 Item 8.1 Parking in Haldane Avenue: Bob said that most residents have a drive-way but if they have people visiting these cars had to be parked out on the road.  He did not think this was much of a problem as the pathway is quite wide. 

5.3Item 8.4 Speeding in Haldane Avenue: the survey produced last month by the police showed that there was not a particular problem with speeding in this area.  It was suggested a flashing sign might help to remind drivers to slow down.  Jan asked how much it would be to buy one of these.  Tom will enquire.                                                         Action TT

5.4 Ludovic said that all councillor corner matters from last meeting have been reported by him.  He also confirmed that Lilian has been sent the list of outstanding matters.  He will enquire as to how she is getting on with this.                           Action LB-L

5.5 Item 16.1Footbridge  at Riverside Drive: Jan had a letter from Owen McAlpine, Community Services Officer, with a quote for the repair of the bridge.  This was approx £439 for paint plus £50 for sundries.  It was suggested that the ELC should be in charge of maintaining this bridge – they upgraded the Stephenson Bridge (although this did take a long time).  Tom will find out if anything can be done.                                                                                                                                 Action TT

 

Matter arising from Festival Minutes

Items agreed:       Anna will take over the position of Correspondence Secretary

                                Charles will be given £100 honorarium for his contributions over the past 6 months

                                Emily will take the minutes for the Festival Meetings

4c. Gordon Campbell is the chosen candidate

4g. Town entrances/park at Railway: Emily has been in touch with Stuart Pryde and he is looking into the upgrading of these areas.

6. Art Exhibition:  Jan said that a total of £3082 was taken, which, although down on last year, she was pleased with.  She pointed out that we were very short on help from the CC members to man the exhibition.

7. Christmas lights: Jennifer Macrae has agreed to lead the switching on ceremony.  Jan said that she has contacted Dave Brunton who will be organising the erection of the lights (£600 per person) - David Evans has once again agreed to provide a platform for this.  Jan said that some replacement lights are needed, along with some cable etc - it was agreed to go ahead with these.   John said he needed help to repair the boards that go round the tree.

 

6. Councillors Corner

6.1 Somnerfield Avenue:  Bob said that the pathway north and parallel to Somnerfield Ave is in a bad state of repair with approx 50% of the slabs broken and uneven.  Also, further east along the pathway behind the West Road houses there is a large hole in the pathway.                                                                                                                                                         Action LB-L

6.2 Amisfield cottages:  Kathryn asked if a ‘slow down’ sign could be considered for this area.                        Action LB-L

6.3 Newton Port: John said that there is a large hole at the bottom of the road, off Market Street.                      Action LB-L 

6.4 Athelstaneford Hall:  Emily asked if she could have a meeting with Tom at the hall to discuss the external light.  Also, the notice-board in the village needs some attention.                                                                                      Action TT/EA

6.5 Butts Sheltered Housing: Jan said that the grounds here are a mess.  Apples are falling from the trees and the grass cutters are just coming along and going through them, causing the ground to become wet and slippery.  It was suggested we write to Bield Housing Association as the residents pay for the maintenance of the grounds.                     Action AF

6.6 Corn Exchange:  Jan said that the CC gave money from Local Priorities (in 2000) for the upgrade of the toilets and as yet nothing has been done and the cost of the project has risen considerably.  She also said that they had problems with the gas central heating – everyone who had sat in the foyer at recent events had developed a headache due to the gas fumes.   Tom said he would look into it                                                                                                                                        Action TT

6.7 Bermaline:  Kathryn said that the branches are still there.  Tom said he had had a call to say they had been dealt with but no-one seems to know who did it. 

               

7.  Police Questions  

7.1 Chip shop close (High Street):  Jan has once again had a letter from a local resident re the anti-social behaviour taking place in the close.  PC Tait said that they will give this area added attention when out on foot patrol.                                 Action PC Tait

7.2 St Mary’s Pleasance:  Jan said that they still have the problem of youths getting into the gardens and leaving mess behind.  PC Tait said they would continue to give this area their attention.                                   Action PC Tait

7.3 CAPP meeting:  PC Tait said he would get Stuart Gunn to get in touch re the date of the next meeting. Action PC Tait

7.4 Community Wardens:  Murray Thomson (Haddington and Gifford area) and Stephen Short (Prestonpans) introduced themselves.  Murray outlined their remit which is to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community, tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour, dog fouling and littering. They are tasked by both the police and the council and work closely with the ASBO teams.  They work shift patterns which means there is always someone out on patrol, with them pairing up after 5pm.  So far they have had a great response to their presence.  Jan said that it would be good to get feedback from them and asked if they would attend the CC meetings.  Murray said they would be happy to do this.  Jan will get Murray’s number/address etc so that minutes can be copied to them.                                                                  Action JW/AF

 

8. Treasurer’s Report

8.1 Emily handed out the current balance sheet:-

 

HADDINGTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL A/C as at 14th October 2008

Last month’s Balance                          £1,263.55                             

Income                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest                                                  £0.50                       Jan’s Phone exp (3 months)               £84.00

                                                                                                Emily’s phone exp (3 months)            £84.00

                                                                                                Anna secretary’s fee                           £50.00

 

Total                                                       £1,264.05                                                                             £218.00                                                                                                                                                                                

New balance £1,264.05- £218.00 =                     £1,046.05

 

HADDINGTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL FESTIVAL A/C as at 14th  October 2008

Last months balance                           £16,551.42

Income                                                                                                   Expenditure

Interest  June                                        £15.12                                     Macro items for Craft Fair teas          £57.21

Float returned                                       £110.00                                   Tesco food for Craft Fair teas            £10.72

Income from Craft Fair                         £507.70                                   Float for Craft Fair                                £110.00

                                                Tax                                                          £3.02

                                                Knox Academy Support Group         £162.50

 

Total Income                                         £17,184.24                           Total Expenditure                                 £343.45

 

New balance £17,184.24 - £343.45  =  £16,840.79

 

Paid for East Lothian Life Magazines sold in the doocot              £26.00

Also Insurance Premium to ELC                                                        £44.68

 

Both not yet presented                                                                       £70.68

 

8.2 Civic Pride Fund: Emily had the details of this and what it covered – Jan requested a copy.                         Action EA

 

9.  Correspondence

9.1 Letter from Alison Smith:  rejected application

9.2 David Elder, Haddington Historical Society: copy of email sent to ELC re Burley’s Wa’s, hoping that the CC will support them.  Jan will send a copy of this email to Tom Trotter, along with the attachment.   She will also respond to David Elder                                                                                                                                                                     Action JW

9.3 Sale and Receipt Cards for Art Exhibition:  Jan said she could produce receipts for a fraction of the cost of having them done at a printers.  It was agreed Jan go ahead with this.                                                                                                              Action JW

9.4 Friends of Planning Aid Subscription:  letter requesting this (£25).  Agreed to go ahead.                            Action EA

9.5 Horticultural Society:  request received from Ron Pearman, Secretary, for our donation to the society.  Jan said she would deal with it.                                                                                                                                                                Action JW/EA

9.6 Sarah Simpson:  letter of thanks received from Sarah for our donation of £150 towards her Girl Guide trip to Germany.

{Margaret will check if Charles has any correspondence to pass on}                                                                    Action MI

 

10. Planning applications

10.1 Bob said that over the last 2 weeks the level of planning application has dropped considerably.  Those  submitted are mainly housing extensions, which require no action.

10.2 Calders Lawn:  Bob has sent a letter re this which he read out to the meeting re Tesco’s proposal to move out of the town centre. 

10.3 Industrial Estate:  Bob suggested that Haddington needs a new Industrial Estate.  It was suggested we write to Peter Collins.  (I think Bob is writing about this)                                                                                                                    Action BO

 

11.  Tourism

11.1 Doocot:  Jan said that we had a total of 1390 visitors to the doocot over the summer.  She thanked all the volunteers and asked that the papers give this a mention.  There is an article in the Handbook about the doocot. 

 

12. Inter-town sports - cancelled

12.1 This has been due to a lack of response.  Haddington was the only town to put in a team for each event therefore had taken the trophy for the past few years.  Bill Gardner did a great job of organising this and it was suggested we write him a letter of thanks and possibly get him a trophy.                                                                                                         Action AF

 

13. Christmas lights – already discussed

 

14. Armistice Service – 9th November

 14.1 Everyone to meet at Corn Exchange at 10.15 with sandwiches and biscuits.

 

15. ELC Funding – Capital Fund

15.1 Jan thought that we could apply for new screens for the Corn Exchange through this scheme.  It was agreed Jan go ahead and look into it.                                                                                                                                                             Action JW

 

16. Festival Update – minutes

16.1 Minutes will have to go to next meeting to be proposed and seconded. 

 

17. AOCB

17.1 Community Wardens already covered

17.2 Handbook: Jan said that this was now ready and she needs help in delivering them.

 

18. Date of next Meeting:  Tuesday 11th November 2008 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm.

 

19.  Date of next Festival Meeting: Tuesday 28th October 2008 in Council Chambers, Town House at 7.00pm

 

20. 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     Alleyway off High Street – being used as public convenience

                Athelstaneford – bus shelters

                Market Street  - pigeon droppings

                Clearing of river Tyne

                Traffic calming – Queens Avenue

09/09     Station Rd Park – reinstate flower beds

                Beechwood Rd – widen pathway

                Brewery Park – disrepair of roadway

                Bowling Green plaque/doocot – vandalism

                Overhanging branches –various locations

                Grass cuttings – not being cleared up

                Abbots View – broken slabs

14/10     Somnerfield – broken paving slabs/hole in ground

                Amisfield Cottages – Slow Down sign

                Newton Port – hole in ground at Market St end

                Athelstaneford – hall light/noticeboard

                Butts Sheltered Housing – mess in grounds

                Corn Exchange – upgrade; toilets and gas heating