|
MELROSE & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD IN
ORMISTON INSTITUTE
ON WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2008
PRESENT: IN ATTENDANCE
Cllr G Baker Cllr D Parker
Cllr Mrs D Cameron Cllr N Watson
Cllr R Chisholm Sgt Lawson
Cllr P Crichton Mrs S Spence
Cllr A McSorley
Cllr Mrs V Miller
Cllr Mrs L Paterson
Cllr S Waldie
1 ApologiesApologies were received from, Provost W Windram and Cllr Mrs A Dewar
2 Minute of last meetingThe Minute of the meeting held on 16 January 2008 was approved by the Council and signed by the Vice Chairman
3 Matters arising from previous minutes
3.1 Greenyards Toilets are due to be open between April and October when the practicalities of extending the opening will be reviewed.
3.2 Welcome Packs It was agreed a small sub-group, consisting of two Councillors and two Traders should be set up to progress welcome packs.
3.3 Platforms in the Square Cllr Mrs V Miller reported that the first incidences of discarded chewing gum were appearing on the specially coated Platforms. It remains to be seen if the coating allows the gum to be removed easily.
3.4 Electricity Supply to the ‘new’ Platform. Work has begun on supplying electricity to the Platforms.
3.5 The Scaurs Cllr D Parker asked Cllr G Barker to provide receipts for the work carried out so far on the Scaurs so that an application can be made to William Hill Trust for payment.Cllr Parker recommended that Scottish Borders manage The Scaurs Project due to the size of the project and work required to complete it. Cllrs agreed.It was agreed to set up a meeting to between Cllr D Parker, Provost W Windram, Cllr S Waldie and Mr John Crawford to discuss how best to move forward with the work required and the costs involved.Cllr D Parker to arrange a separate meeting with the engineers required to work on the project.
3.6 Street Name Plates in the Square. Cllr Mrs V Miller provided a list of signs that require attention and asked if Councillors from Newstead, Darnick and Gattonside could also provide a list to present to Cllr N Watson for his attention.
3.7 Town Website. Cllr Mrs V Miller thanked Cllr Mrs L Paterson for her work on up-dating the town’s website. It was agreed the bullet points of meetings for the noticeboard should be on A3 paper to make them easier to read
3.8 Melrose Festival. Scott Ray will be Melrosian 2008 is and the new Honorary President is Ex-Melrosian, Mr George Bunyan.
3.9 Web Camera Still under investigation by Cllr McSorley.
3.10 Cigarette bins Nothing further to report.
3.11 Work to the Cauld planned to start 21 February for 3-weeks.
3.12 Annay Road Cllr D Parker reported that next stage to renew the path will be carried out mid-March. MDCC Cllrs are keen to get a commitment from the Council to complete the whole path.Cllr D Parker agreed to speak to Mr Craig Blackie to clear the path from debris such as soil and twigs.
3.13 Old Year’s Night Cllr G Barker will submit an application to the William Hill Trust for £2,000 towards the Old year’s Night fireworks.
3.14 Abbey Bell has been removed will be sent away for repair in the new financial year.
3.15 Plans to celebrate 125 years of Rugby Sevens are still progressing. Cllr A McSorley will provide MDCC with a copy of the event plan for information.
3.16 Development Site at Gattonside. Cllr Mrs V Miller reported that comments had been made, posted and acknowledged.
3.17 Fencing around the Christmas Tree. Nothing further to report.
3.18 BEAR and Amey have planned to meet to try and resolve the dispute. Cllr R Chisholm will pass questions Cllrs wish to ask BEAR to them ahead of the meeting.
3.19 The road surface outside Abbey Mill Nothing further to report.
3.20 Inconsiderate Parking at Chain Bridge Nothing further to report.
3.21 Dog Fouling at Chiefswood Road Nothing further to report on dog fouling. However, Scottish Borders Council are providing free bags for dog owners to use to pick up their dog’s mess.
4 Police MattersPolice report for January:Ø 0 recorded crimeØ 68% detection rate for the year.Ø 44% reduction on crime for the year compared to last year.Sgt Lawson also reported on the following:· Accidents increase when there is ice on the road. Sgt Lawson reiterated that drivers need to adjust their speed and distance to the conditions of the weather and roads.· Melrose police have been confiscating alcohol from youths in the town.· Melrose police have been following up calls concerning elderly in the cold conditions.
5 Traffic Matters Parking at Health Board (former Water Board building) Cllr Mrs V Miller reported that at particular times of the day parking at the Health Board is very inconsiderate. Sgt Lawson said the police are being proactive with this problem and has already approached staff at the NHS. He is also going to contact Traffic Wardens and negotiate more time for them to provide a greater presence in Melrose. Parking across Dropped Kerbs as above, the police are being proactive and will be contacting the Traffic Wardens to negotiate more time for them to provide a greater presence in Melrose generally.Double Yellow Lines at High Cross Avenue will be in place in May.Dean Road Newstead has been treated with Rhino patches. Cllr D Parker noted the repairs required and will add to the Council’s patching contract.Pot Holes in Millmount Road have been filled and have also been added to the Council’s patching contract.
6 Planning Sub-Committee Report Cllr R Chisholm reported that an application to build a dwelling house on land West of Whinnney Knowe, Drygrange, Melrose had been refused on the grounds of road safety.Cllrs were concerned about the number of houses proposed to be built in Easter Langlee and are interested to see where the boundaries lie. Cllr R Chisholm agreed to copy the plans and distribute to Cllrs before the next meeting in March.Planning ApplicationsPlot 37, No. 43 Monkswood, Gattonside Erection of dwellinghouse with integral garage. No comments.Fairfax Hall Main Street, Newstead Replacement of windows and French doors. No comments.Land West of Easter Housebyres Steading, Melrose Erection of dwellinghouse. No comments.Garage at Hazeldene House, Claymyres Lane, Newstead Change of use from garage to annex. No comments.
7 Community Events Sub-CommitteeSpring Clean Week Cllr Mrs V Miller has been in touch with Keep Scotland Beautiful to register Melrose Spring clean and has received new posters, badges and leaflets. Date for Spring Clean will be at the slightly later date of 26 April to 3 May. Bookshop a second cheque has been received from ‘Bookdonors’ in Selkirk, this time for £38.07, for further sales of left-over books from 2007 bookshop event.Volunteers from USA will be arranged again this year by Reverend Blair. The volunteers like to give something back to the community for its hospitality. Cllr D Parker offered to liaise with Scottish Borders Council for any equipment or protective clothing the volunteers might need for litter picking and/or cleaning up in Melrose.Melrose in Bloom· Is looking for volunteers· Has applied to enter Beautiful Scotland, unannounced judging will begin in mid-April.· Will be working on floral displays for 125th Seven’s Tournament.· Rosie is to be modified with a retractable hose.
8 Melrose Traders Association.In the absence of Cllr Mrs A Dewar there was nothing to report.
9 Eildon Area CommitteeMeeting in January was cancelled.Melrose Tennis Club has been granted £5,000 to extend club house and provide changing rooms.
10 9 Matters raised by Councillors and Members of the PublicSeat on Black Path made from a felled tree trunk is now beyond repair. Cllr Barker and Cllr Mrs P Crichton asked if they could remove the plaque and re-site it on another seat of their choice. Cllrs all agreed.Parking at St Dunstans has been marked out and residents have seen an improvement in parking.Hedges at Gibson Park have had the gaps filled.Footpath along Chiefswood Road. Cllr D Parker has information regarding options to provide a footpath along Chiefswood Road and will send it out to all Councillors for their comments at the next meeting in March.Car Parking Options in Melrose. Cllr Parker has a report, including plans, on the options investigated for car parking in Melrose and will bring them to the next meeting. Cllrs agreed to meet at the earlier time of 6.30pm to accommodate this topic. Cllr Parker is also meeting Melrose Traders Association on Tuesday, 18 March to discuss options. Local residents will also be consulted.Extension to Melrose Primary School has been marked out in the playground and plans are available to view at the school, however, MDCC has not received a copy of the plans and local residents have not received a Neighbour Notice from Planning Department. Cllr D Parker agreed to obtain plans for the next meeting in March.Mr Donald Gordon previously asked if MDCC had a Cllr on the Trimontium Trust Panel since Cllr J Robertson had left. Cllr S Waldie offered to be the MDCC’s rep.Trusts and Common Good Funds Cllrs asked for clarity on how Trusts and Common Good Funds are managed. Cllr D Parker offered to provide a copy of the balance and transfers Common Good Funds and Trusts. Joint Partnership Cllrs would like to see a Cllr attend Melrose Traders Association and a Melrose Traders Representative at each MDCC meeting to encourage joint working in the town. Cllr A McSorley agreed to be the MDCC rep and find another representative if he is unavailable and Cllr Mrs A Dewar will be asked to provide if she can do the same. Bagless Town. Scottish Borders Council are launching Bagless Towns promotions and will provide 15,000 reuseable bags. There is a display in the foyer of Scottish Borders Council.Draft Guidance Leaflet on Street Furniture has been produced. Cllr N Watson will arrange a meeting to progress. Suggested reps for the group were; Cllr A McSorley, Cllr Mrs A Dewar, Cllr Mrs V Miller and Mr Phillip Titly, from Melrose Traders Association.New Head Mistress at Melrose Grammar School sent her apologies to the meeting and asked Cllrs if the school could use part of the Gibson Park to extend the play area for children by using a kiddy proof fence between the green and the caravan park, plus an better school gate for access to the park. Cllr Parker to investigate owners of the piece of land in question and Cllr Mrs V Miller to ask Mrs Julie Innis, Head Mistress to provide a plan of her request.Cllr A McSorley suggested Twinning Melrose. This had been discussed in the past and there had been no interest in progressing. Cllr A McSorley offered to investigate costs and grants available to see what is involved.Box in Triangle. Cllrs reported that there was a box (possibly belonging to BT) open. Cllr Parker agreed to investigate and notify the company who owns it.Damaged Bollard and Lampost were reported to Cllr N Watson.Scaurs Hedge has been well trimmed and gaps have been left. Cllr Mrs V Miller will ask Melrose in Bloom if they can fill the gaps.Sandwich Board had been removed from the bottom of the town and returned to its owner.Provost Windram has been invited to meet Princess Royal at St Mary’s School when she visits Melrose.Consultation on possible changes to school sessions and the school week is being sought by Scottish Borders Council. Cllr Mrs V Miller asked Mrs S Spence, as a parent to look at the consultation and report back to MDCC.Cllrs were invited to:Visit police cells. No cllrs were available to take up this invitation.Meet to discuss organic recycling. No cllrs were available to take up this invitation.
11 an Date and place of next meetingThe next meeting of the Council will be held in Ormiston Institute, Melrose on Wednesday 19 March 2008.
|