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MELROSE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD IN
ORMISTON INSTITUTE
ON WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER 2007
PRESENT: IN ATTENDANCE
Provost W J Windram
Cllr G Barker Cllr N Watson
Cllr Mrs D Cameron Cllr D Parker
Cllr R Chisholm Sgt Lawson
Cllr Mrs P Crichton Mrs S Spence
Cllr A McSorley
Cllr Mrs V Miller
Cllr Mrs L Paterson
Cllr S Waldie
1 ApologiesApologies were received from, Cllr J Paton-Day and Cllr Mrs A Dewar
2 Minute of last meetingThe Minute of the meeting held on 19 September 2007 was approved by the Council and signed by the Provost. Noting the following amendments:· Cllr Parker was not in attendance on 19 September.· The funeral reported was for the Duke of Buccluech not the Duke of Sutherland as reported.· SBC Planning Applications are already being placed on the web.· The Strategic Plan should refer to Fife, Borders and Lothians, not Lothian.· Cllr Barker has already applied for a grant for the electricity costs for the Christmas Lights.· Cllr L Paterson had highlighted concerns regarding traffic confusion on the roundabout and because ‘old’ road lines are visible on the corner of Abbey Street cars are confused about whether to give way or not.
3 Matters arising from previous minutes
3.1 Greenyards Toilets A draft report is to be submitted at the November Executive meeting which recommends, through discussion with Melrose Rugby Club, that the toilets be re-opened from 1 April 2008.
3.2 Melrose Map Nothing further to report.
3.3 Welcome Packs Nothing further to report.
3.4 Platforms in the Square Nothing further to report.
3.5 Electricity Supply to the ‘new’ Platforms Funding for this work may come from Car Parking Revenue.
3.6 The Scaurs Funding for some of this work may come from Car Parking Revenue.
3.7 Fence at Lowood Bridge is to be replaced with a post and wire fence.
3.8 Dogs Fouling in Gibson Park Nothing further to report. The police are continuing to monitor.
3.9 Street Name Plates in the Square Nothing further to report.
3.10 Bowling Club Nothing further to report.
3.11 Town Website. Nothing further to report.
3.12 Weirhill Cemetery Nothing further to report.
3.13 Street Signs. Nothing further to report.
3.14 Community Council Report. Nothing further to report.
3.15 Melrose Festival Nothing further to report.
3.16 Ormiston Institute Display Cupboard Nothing further to report.
3.17 Web Camera Nothing further to report.
3.18 Chemist Shop Nothing further to report.
3.19 Railway Station Nothing further to report.
3.20 Chiefswood Road Nothing further to report.
3.21 Cllr Waldie had seen the sign on the Middle Eildon and recommended that it did need a clean up. Cllr Parker agreed to approach Mr Craig Blaickie, SBC as it may come under the remit of SB Local.
3.22 Christmas Lights Lights bulbs have been ordered and Cllr Barker has applied for a grant to extend the lights along Buccleuch Street. A decision will be made at Area Committee on 15 November.
3.23 Hedges at Darnick Vale have been trimmed.
4 Police MattersSgt Lawson reported the following:Ø 6 recorded crimesØ 5 detected crimesØ 72% detection rate to-date.There have also been reported:1 House break-in and car break-in in Abbotsford Road has been detected.2 2 cars have been vandalised.3 2 coins have been stolen from the Trimontium exhibition in the Ormiston Institute.Reported at meeting:Residents in shopping in Melrose have found a seller of the Big Issue intimidating. Sgt Lawson to investigate. Cars are parking inconsiderately in Abbotsford Road and Smiths Road when visiting Darnick Hall. Sgt Lawson to monitor.
5 Traffic Matters It has been decided to propose one-hour on-street parking in the High Street. Parking in Abbey Street and Buccleuch Street will remain as unlimited. Cllr Barker tabled some plans to show parking / waiting restrictions in Melrose as:1. High Street 1hour waiting Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. (including car parking spaces outside the Greenyards).2. Loading Bays for loading / delivering 8am – 10am and 4pm – 6pm Monday to Saturday.3. Scotts Place. It is proposed to have the traffic flow one way along Scott’s Place with entry from Dingleton Road.4. Yellow No Waiting Lines at following junctions:· Chiefswood Road / Dingleton Road · Eildon Crescent / Eildon View · High Cross Avenue / Waverley Road · Entrance to Royal Bank of Scotland car park from St Dunstan’s· St Dunstan’s Road· Buccleuch Mews / Bucceuch Road5. Zig zag lines at Fire Station to be removed.6. Build out for School Crossing (on Greenyard side of road).7. Extended White Lines at Market Cross roundabout.8. Direction Arrows in Abbey Car Park to direct vehicles to travel anti clockwise round the car park.9. Parking Bays out side Cobblers to be marked as 3 individual bays.10. White lines to mark parking bays in front of Corn Exchange to stay as they are.11. Barrier at entrance to Scout’s Hall to be modified to direct pedestrians to use the path on the opposite side of the street.NB Plans are attached for ease of reference.Other Traffic Matters· Sgt Lawson to report inconsiderate parking at Newlyn Drive, Douglas Road and Dundas Terrace to Inspector Baird.· It appears that heavy goods vehicle are driving too close to Market Cross. Cllr Mrs V Millar to see if Melrose in Bloom would be prepared to place and look after flower boxes at the bottom of the cross.· Amey are carrying out work to replace variable road signs along the A68 that are old as no parts are available to repair them.· Bus Courier Service at Gattonside (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to be replaced by Mobility Assist as a service that needs to be booked in advance.· Bear reported to Area Committee that work to street lights would be completed once Amey have finished their report on work required and passed to Bear.
6 Planning Sub-Committee Report Copies of the Draft Report of Local Plan are available for viewing in public libraries. Its findings will go to Area Committee on 25 October,. The Report will then be open for discussion for a 12-week period before being finalised.Discussions / consultations on the Local Plan to-date have seen:· planning application to build on Quarry Hill declined· Croft Site reduced from 50 properties to 25 properties· Broomiliees Business Park not being considered for business or housing· Proposed slight change to boundary at St Helen’s· Recommendations that Melrose is now full to capacity.· Darnick Green, Abbotsford Road, Darnick, number of properties greatly reduced.A member of the Croft Site, Steering Group tabled photographs that had been taken of the proposed Croft Site and approached MDCC with strong objections to any building taking place on Eildon Hills. Emphasising that the site is a national scenic attraction. The Group feel it would not be possible for the builders to screen the houses from view and also that National Heritage’s advice on the Scott’sdale site had not been listened to and these houses were clearly visible. Cllrs agreed to visit the site and surrounding area and make a decision.
Planning ApplicationsHazeldean House, Claymires Lane, Newstead Extension to dwelling house and formation of new access and parking area. MDCC’s concerns have been passed to the Eildon Area Committee.
7 Community Events Sub-Committee Report· Melrose in Bloom Ceildh has been cancelled.· Melrose in Bloom has been busy with winter planting.
8 Traders AssociationIn the absence of Cllr Mrs A Dewar there was nothing to report.
9 Eildon Area CommitteeNext meeting is due Monday, 22 October. Bear have been invited to attend.
10 9 Matters raised by Councillors and Members of the Public· Signage at Cashmere shop. Cllr Watson has spoken to the owner of the shop and asked that changes be made to the sign so it is consistent with other Melrose signage.· Cleaning of the platforms in the Square Cllr Parker is currently investigating the possibility of a more thorough clean being carried out regularly.· Cigarette litter Cllr Watson to investigate bulk buying cigarette bins to encourage licensees to provide them outside their premises. Cigarette litter has increased on the platforms in the SquareIn response to a complaint about the amount of litter in front of the BGH, the BGH wrote that the cigarette litter mentioned was not on BGH ground and therefore clearing it up was not the responsibility of the hospital.· Repair to the damaged wall at the Cauld is being investigated by Cllr Parker.· Old railway abatement is starting to crumble at the underpass in Darnick. Cllr Parker to investigate.· Fund raising cooking demo for Melrose Parish Church to be held on 21 November.· Melrose Scout Group had written to thank MDCC for its donation. The money had been spent on new tables.· Cllr Barker to contact Ann Isles as a duplicate account for Christmas electricity has been received.· Putting up the Christmas Lights has been planned for 25 November (2 December if inclement weather) and 6 January to take them down.· A feasibility study is being carried to provide a path along Chiefswood Road.· Dean Road, Newstead has one patch left for rhino patching.· Free School Meals are being offered to all pupils in primary 1-3. The Scottish Executive are encouraging Primary Schools to provide school dinners if kitchen facilities exist. Melrose Primary is in negotiations with Scottish Power to provide the correct power supply to its kitchen before the Scottish Executive pilot ends on 31 March.· Work on the last phase of the upgrade to the path along the Annay Road has not yet been started. Cllr Parker to pursue
11 11 Date and place of next meetingThe next meeting of the Council will be held in Ormiston Institute, Melrose on Wednesday 21 November at 7.30pm.
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