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MELROSE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD IN
ORMISTON INSTITUTE
ON WEDNESDAY 16 JANUARY 2008
PRESENT: IN ATTENDANCE
Provost W J Windram Cllr D Parker
Cllr Mrs D Cameron Mrs S Spence
Cllr R Chisholm
Cllr Mrs A Dewar
Cllr A McSorley
Cllr Mrs V Miller
Cllr Mrs L Paterson
1 ApologiesApologies were received from, Cllr G Barker, Cllr Mrs P Crichton, Cllr S WaldieCllr J Paton-Day and Cllr N Watson
2 Minute of last meetingThe Minute of the meeting held on 19 December 2007 was approved by the Council and signed by the Provost. Noting that Cllr Mrs L Paterson had suggested a bulletin of points, discussed at Community Council meetings, could be placed on the notice board as a snap shot of the decisions made and items discussed at meetings. It was also suggested that agenda items could be planned ahead to make better use of Community Council meeting time.
3 Matters arising from previous minutes
3.1 Greenyards Toilets Nothing further to report.
3.2 Melrose Map The map has now been re-sited and can be viewed easily.
3.3 Welcome Packs Cllr Mrs Dewar reported that Melrose Traders are keen to be involved in the introduction of welcome packs and would like to join Community Councillors to progress this.
3.4 Platforms in the Square Nothing further to report.
3.5 Electricity Supply to the ‘new’ Platform. Nothing further to report.
3.6 The Scaurs Provost Windram will approach Scottish Borders Council for funding for the work to be carried out on the Scaurs.
3.7 Street Name Plates in the Square. Cllr Mrs V Miller to investigate which signs still need to be replaced or repaired and to speak to Cllr Watson regarding emblems or badges for signs.Cllr Mrs D Cameron to speak to Cllr Watson about replacing the sign entering ‘Gattonside’.
3.8 Town Website. Cllr Mrs L Paterson agreed to speak Mr D Hardie to obtain a password. Cllr A McSorley had been in touch with Mr John Sharman from Digibyte, Melrose who has offered to help set up web pages. Web pages cost £250 for the set up costs and £100 thereafter. Melrose in Bloom could chose to have their own page and updated it as required or add their news and views on the Melrose Scotland News page for free. It was agreed to put bullet points of the meetings on the web page.
3.9 Melrose Festival. Melrosian 2008 will be announced at the Burns Supper on 24 January. Cllr Mrs L Paterson agreed to give regular reports on Festival news to encourage joint working.
3.10 Web Camera Cllr A McSorley agreed to go along to the next Melrose Traders Association meeting to discuss the possibilities and costs for a webcam for the town.
3.11 Litter at BGH Nothing further to report.
3.12 Christmas Lights Cllr Chisholm reported that the string for the George and Abbotsford needs replacing and will arrange the repair.
3.13 Cigarette bins Cllr Parker agreed to investigate to see if a cigarette bin could be attached to the bus stop post to prevent cigarette ends being left on the path. There is a litter bin sited near the bus stop but it does not have a metal plate to extinguish cigarettes before placing them in the bin. Therefore the surrounding path is getting covered in cigarette ends.
3.14 Cllr Parker reported that work should start at the Cauld at the beginning of February. Work has been delayed while Scottish Borders Council was in consultation with Historic Scotland and while the emergency report was drawn up. Once the report has been presented to the Council the money will be released to start the work. Contractors have already been lined up in preparation.
3.15 Annay Road final stage repairs are to be part funded by car parking revenue and Cllr D Parker to look into slippage money for the remainder of the costs.
3.16 Provost Windram reported that the fireworks and pipeband playing on Old Year’s Night had created a terrific atmosphere for the town. Provost Windram, Cllr Mrs V Miller and Mr Henderson had managed to clear the car parking spaces next to the platforms and placed cones. There was a police presence and the bus companies had been notified of the crowds gathering in the Square.It was suggested that in 2008 volunteers could collect donations in buckets to help fund the fireworks.
3.17 Abbey Bell nothing further to report.
3.18 Plans to celebrate 125 years of Rugby Sevens. Melrose Traders are not happy with the road being closed on Saturday. Their concern that is they may be forced to close all day instead of half day on Melrose Sevens.There is a meeting on 23 January to discuss the plans so far. Everyone is welcomed to attend. Details will be put onto the web as the plans are agreed.
3.19 Development Site at Gattonside. Provost Windram has written to Scottish Borders Council, Planning Department in support of the villagers response to the proposals.
3.20 Fencing around the Christmas Tree. Cllr Parker is aware that community councils were disappointed with the fencing around the Christmas Trees and investigations are taking place to find something more aesthetic.
3.21 BEAR. The Amey dispute is still ongoing with Transport Scotland. Until the dispute is resolved BEAR cannot carry out any road works.
3.22 The road surface outside Abbey Mill is in need of repair. The Newstead road between the Mill and Mill Mount also has several large holes in it. Cllr Parker reported that road repairs are usually carried out once the threat of frost and road salting has passed, but will propose that the Roads Department fill the larger holes with a temporary filling.
4 Police MattersIn the absence of Sgt Lawson there was no crime report.
5 Traffic Matters Work on Back Road, Newstead will be starting soon.A resident wrote to suggest cars enter the Abbey Street car park opposite to the current direction. Cllr Chisholm replied explaining the reasons for the current layout. Cllr McSorley reported that in the icy weather the local area had seen a few road accidents but it is not possible to access this confidential information from the Borders General Hospital (without going to an ethics committee) to ascertain where, why and how the accidents were occurring. Mr Callum Hay suggested this information could be collected by leaving pre-paid postcards at the hospital for people to complete, anonymously if happy to do so, so the information could be collated and preventative measures put in place. Melrose Traders have been putting their own grit out.
6 Planning Sub-Committee Report A new appeal for Darnick Green application has been submitted. The Finalised local plan proposes the ground is suitable for only 15 houses. The application for Gattonside Heights was not dealt with on time and the developers are submitting an appeal.Planning ApplicationsMadras Cottage, High Street, Melrose Alterations and extention to dwelling house. No comments.Corners Hoebridge, South Road, Gattonside Alterations and extention to dwelllinghouse. No comments.Land adjacent to Spring field Threepwood Erection of dwelling house with integral garage. No comments.
7 Community Events Sub-CommitteeHogmany The ‘new look’ Square was a perfect setting for the very large crowd which assembled to greet the New Year 2008 and view the fireworks. The rain stopped for just long enough for everyone to enjoy the playing of the pipe band and the spectacular firework display.Thanks go to Mr Keith McDonald for organising the fireworks, the pipers for the stirring music, Mr Douglas Hardie for his P A system, the Traders, MDCC and William Hill Trust for helping Mr McDonald to finance the fireworks. There was no parking in the Square and no through traffic ensured public safety and greatly increased everyone’s enjoyment. Action Earth Their grant-aided schemes have slightly changed format this year as have their sources of funding. There will be two grants available this year, one for up to £50.00 and one for up to £200.00. We should receive their application forms and information by the beginning of March. Melrose in Bloom The AGM took place last evening, members of the group are as follows:. Chairman, Mr Owen RowlandsSecretary, Mr Duncan BradonMinute Secretary, Mrs Pam Rowlands Treasurer, Mrs Vivien ChisholmFund-Raiser, Mrs Val MillerMelrose in Bloom are also keen to be involved in the campaign to provide cigarette bins in the town and the possibility of abolishing poly bags in Melrose.Melrose in Bloom are proposing to hold their meetings on 3rd Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome.
8 Melrose Traders Association.Traders are happy to purchase cigarette bins but further discussion required as to who would be responsible for emptying them. Cllrs felt that only licensed premises would need to supply them. Traders would need to be aware to apply for planning permission if their premises is considered a listed building. Melrose Traders have ordered a bin to look at. Each bin would cost approx £25.00. Small Scheme Funds may be used for this.Traders have noticed a sandwich board still being displayed at the bottom of the town. Cllr Parker to pass information on to the Roads Department to deal with.Mr Phillip Titley will investigate the scheme for towns to go ‘bagless’. It was suggested there could be a competition, similar to that in the media recently, where residents are asked to make up a design for a ‘bag for life’ to involve the community. It is possible to get funding for this idea, Cllr Parker to investigate and report back to the next meeting.Melrose Traders Association have proposed to hold their meetings on 2nd Tuesday of every month. Everyone is welcome.
9 Eildon Area CommitteeNext Eildon Area Meeting is to be held on 21 January. Cllr G Barker to attend and report back to the next Melrose and District Council meeting in February.
10 Matters raised by Councillors and Members of the PublicInconsiderate parking at the Chain Bridge is causing walkers to have to walk between the cars. Cllr Watson is already aware of this and is actively investigating.Mrs Pippa Walsh, deputy at the school’s Parent Council would like the pupils to be involved in new initiatives around the town where possible. The school is already involved in the Spring Clean and Melrose in Bloom. Cllr A McSorley to pass Mrs Walsh’s contact details to Cllr Mrs A Dewar (Chair of Melrose Traders Association). Cllr A McSorley has received a complaint that Dog Fouling between Eildon Crescent and Chiefswood Road is particularly bad. Cllr Parker will pass this information on to the relevant department in the Council so they can increase the patrols to this area.Shrubbery on the Scaurs is due for its 5-yearly trim. Work has to be carried out by the end of February so not to disturb nesting birds.It was noted that some of the lights on the platforms in the Square are not working. Cllr Parker to pass this information on.It was noted that the development site at Easter Langlee could house as many as a further 300 properties. Although this site is considered in the boundaries of Melrose it has previously been discussed and agreed that schools catchment area will be Galashiels unless the children already attend Melrose Primary School or have a sibling in the school.
11 Date and place of next meeting The next meeting of the Council will be held in Newstead Village Hall, Melrose on Wednesday 20 February 2008.
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