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MELROSE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD IN
ORMISTON INSTITUTE
ON WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2007
PRESENT: IN ATTENDANCE
Provost W J Windram
Cllr G Barker Cllr N Watson
Cllr Mrs D Cameron Cllr D Parker
Cllr R Chisholm Mrs S Spence
Cllr Mrs P Crichton
Cllr Mrs A Dewar
Cllr A McSorley
Cllr Mrs V Miller
Cllr S Waldie
1 ApologiesApologies were received from, Cllr J Paton-Day, Cllr Mrs Paterson and Sgt Lawson
2 Minute of last meetingThe Minute of the meeting held on 17 October 2007 was approved by the Council and signed by the Provost. Noting the following amendments:· Cllr Mrs L Paterson had reported that there is no sign post to Abbey from the Square.· Cllr Mrs L Paterson asked to be involved in any discussions on improving the Town’s website.
3 Matters arising from previous minutes
3.1 Greenyards Toilets Recommendations are to be put forward to elected members in January.
3.2 Melrose Map Nothing further to report.
3.3 Welcome Packs to be discussed at Trader’s Association December meeting.
3.4 Platforms in the Square More detailed clean to the Square is to be trialled.
3.5 Electricity Supply to the ‘new’ Platform. It is unlikely this work will be carried out before Christmas.
3.6 The Scaurs Application will be made to William Hill Trust to meet costs incurred with Scaurs project.
3.7 Street Name Plates in the Square Nothing further to report.
3.8 Town Website. It was agreed to request time to discussing the web at the Traders Association meeting on 11 December. Cllr Mrs V Miller to attend and to invite a representative from Melrose In Bloom to encourage joint working.
3.9 Community Council Report. Nothing further to report.
3.10 Melrose Festival Nothing further to report.
3.11 Ormiston Institute Display Cupboard Nothing further to report.
3.12 Web Camera To be discussed at Melrose Traders Meeting on 11 December.
3.13 Litter at BGH A working group has been set up to resolve the litter at the entrance to the hospital Actions to-date are:· BGH has paid for the litter bin· Scottish Borders Council have enhanced the cleaning of the area· Hospital staff have been instructed not to smoke if in hospital uniform
3.14 Signage on the Eildon. To be cleaned by Cllrs N Watson and S Waldie.
3.15 Christmas Lights Lights will be extended along Buccleuch Street. Relevant traders will supply the electricity for the extension.
3.16 Chiefswood Road Scottish Borders Council working on a Feasibility Study for a path along Chiefswood Road.
4 Police MattersIn the absence of Sgt Lawson there was no police report.
5 Traffic Matters · Car Parking Cllr G Barker had a walk around with Scottish Border Council reps and if the coach bays in the car park were converted to car parking spaces Melrose would gain 12 spaces. Historic Scotland do not want the coach bays to be moved.Cllrs examined possible sites available in Melrose for car parking. Mr Russell Cram to present his report to Scottish Borders Council in due course.· The problems with traffic driving over the ‘roundabout’ is caused, in part, by inconsiderate parking near or on the roundabout. The CCTV cameras have been positioned to monitor the traffic over the roundabout.· Cllr D Parker had met residents at Newstead to discuss the traffic flow through the village. Items discussed were general road markings, flashing signs on Dean Road. Mr John Glennie to ask NHS staff to curb their speed through the town. Cllr D Parker to plan a timetable for the work.· Directional Signs along by-pass all are broken, bend or damaged in some way. Cllr N Watson to investigate.· Island on A68 needs to be weeded. Cllr N Watson to look into.
6 Planning Sub-Committee Report · Garage at Darnick has not been built to plan, Cllr N Watson to have a look at the issues surrounding this garage.· Fire Station Tower has been removed. Although the fire station is no longer used it is built in a conservation area and planning permission for the removal of the tower was not sought.· Fire Station Sale Cllr N Watson agreed to obtain plans to see what is included in the sale.· Croft Site Mrs Francine Hardwick tabled a letter outlining concerns about the future of the landscapes of the Eildon Hills and strongly opposing any development on the Croft Site. Cllrs felt that economically 25 houses might not be sufficient to carry out the proposed new road layout on Dingleton Road.· Gattonside Site Cllr Mrs D Cameron to investigate where the site boundary lies and report back to December meeting.
Planning ApplicationsHoebridge House, Gattonside, installation of solar panel. No commentsTweed View Gattonside, erection of boundary fencing and decking. No commentsFiorlin, Abbey Street, Melrose, replacement windows and doors. No commentsAlldays, 27 Market Square, Melrose, external redecoration. No commentsGarage at Hazelden House Claymires Lane, Newstead change of use from garage to annex. Letter sent to Planning Department.Garage North East of Priors Hill, Gattonside Change of use from garage and alterations to form dwelling house. Comments were, windows and screens should be timber, not upvc to be more sympathetic in a conservation village.Flat Ashtree House, Darnick, erection of detached garage (amendment to previous consent 06/01443/ful). No comments.
7 Community Events Sub-Committee ReportMelrose in Bloom Autumn / winter planting is completed. Rosie has a new garage, sharing with the school library van, thanks to Cllr D Parker.Town Centre Cllr Mrs V Miller has spoken with Mr McLauchlin and Mr Prentice about the use of a blower in the pedestrian areas of the Square. This will be trialled shortly, to be done in the early morning to minimise any nuisance to the public.
8 Traders AssociationShops will be open on 4 Sundays before Christmas.Cllr Mrs A Dewar asked if musicians would be allowed to play festive music in the Square. MDCC suggested she speak to Ann Isles, Scottish Borders Council, to see if any licences were required.Cllr A McSorely suggested that Melrose become if not the first, one of first towns in the Borders to stop using carrier bags. His idea is to be presented to Traders Association for comment.
9 Eildon Area CommitteeNothing to report.
10 9 Matters raised by Councillors and Members of the PublicCigarette Bins. Supplying cigarette bins has been considered low priority in Scottish Borders Council. If a supplier could be found it would be up to individual traders to empty them. This item to be discussed further at Melrose Traders Association on 11 December.Cauld Scottish Borders Council, Historic Scotland and Scottish National Heritage are satisfied with the work being started in January/February. In the meantime Scottish Borders Council will carry out some remedial work.Melrose Scout Group has sent a Thank You Card for the donation of tables. The Scout Group are looking for a new Scout leader.Annay Road Path cannot have the third phase completed as there is not enough money in the ‘Quality of Life’ budget and Annay Road was not deemed as essential repairs. Cllrs felt that the commitment to complete the repair in three stages should not have been made if it was unrealistic.Cllr D Parker agreed to ask owners of hedges along Annay Road to trim them back so that pedestrians do not have to walk around them and on to the road.Cllr D Parker to look at other possible funding resources to up-grade the path through the triangle (including the steps to the Greenyards).Fireworks on Old Year’s Night Cllr Mrs A Dewar to contact Mr Keith MacDonald owner of the Ship Inn and ask if he will be able to arrange a firework display this year.It was agreed that MDCC should request police presence. Cllr McSorely tabled an action plan for Old Year’s Night and suggested alternatives if the firework display does not go ahead.New Inspector Mr Kenny Simpson is holding a meeting in Earlston Police Station to meet representatives from Community Councils. Cllr Mrs D Cameron to attend.Provost Windram reported that to Celebrate 125 Years of Rugby Sevens, Melrose would host a 3-day Rugby Festival. Gibson Park would have a tented village and on the Saturday the High Street would be shut. The whole event will need to be well publicised so all residents of Melrose and surrounding towns and villages are aware of the event and road closures. Cllr Mrs A Dewar reported that Vantage Events had not approached all traders with a view to having a tent in the Gibson Park and the closing date for applications was 22 November, not leaving enough time for Traders to apply.A meeting is to be held on 28 November with Fire Service and NHS to discuss emergency plans for the event. Manager of Historic Scotland reported to Cllr Mrs A Dewar that the Abbey Bell needs to be repaired. Investigations are underway to find out how much and how it will be repaired. Residents of Melrose feel that end of October is too early to stop the garden waste collection. Unfortunately the dates are set by the Scottish Executive and cannot be changed.Speed Limit Signs on Dingleton Road are to be reviewed now there are houses further up the hill. Currently the signs change from 30mph to 60mph and then back to 30mph.Wall in Tower Road is badly deteriorated. Cllr N Watson to have a look at it and report back.Grit Bin in Abbotsford Road is hiding the road sign, Cllr D Parker to ask for it to be moved along.
11 11 Date and place of next meetingThe next meeting of the Council will be held in Ormiston Institute, Melrose on Wednesday 19 December 2007.
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