Mayfield & Easthouses Community Council minutes Wednesday 3 rd June 2015 7.00pm at McSence Business Park Att: Robert Hogg (Chairman), Judy Thomson (Treasurer), Peter De Vink (Local Cllr), Theresa Morrison, Sharon Hill (MAEDT), Sandra Halliday, Arthur Blackhurst, Rudi Bregalla, Stephen Liddell, George Jackson, Margaret Jackson, Laura Jane Yuill, William Hill, Pat O Neil, Kenneth Baird, Nicole Fraser, Kayleigh Withers, Simon Withers, Sam Thomson, Kevin Quinn (Midlothian Advertiser). Apologies: Theresa Hogg, Douglas Thomson, Kenny Young (Local Cllr), Lynne Pryde, Police representative. Meeting opened by Chairman welcoming everyone to the Meeting at McSence & asking for any apologies (see above). Chair asked for anything arising from April meeting minutes (there was no meeting in May). Minutes moved by Sandra Halliday, Seconded by George Jackson. Note of Previous Minute / Actions Arising: Previous actions completed: 1. MECC action Dog bins. Justin Venton said that the community needs to make contact to either ask for more dog waste bins or ask for them to be emptied. We said we d put something on Facebook about this to encourage people to do so (and how). Some bins have been added in Easthouses Park and the relevant form has been posted to our Facebook page. 2. JV action To arrange a site visit with Robert before March to discuss in more detail. Site visit has taken place. Climbing frame has been removed. Paths have been done and park is improving. 3. MECC action To advertise for a replacement secretary. 4. MECC action to make a change to the agenda for future meetings. Actions arising should be part of the agenda and actions should be made obvious on the minutes so that we can go through them at the meeting to see if they have been done or if they need to be carried forward to the next meeting s minute notes. Actions to carry forward to August meeting: 1. MECC action Justin showed us maps of options for the parks (for the cutting of the grass situation) and we said we d consider scanning the images and putting them on Facebook with an explanation. Did you cover this in the April meeting Robert? If so please write an update here and I ll move it to the completed list.
2. JV action We requested more information about what does actually get cut currently in the parks. Did you cover this in the April meeting Robert? If so please write an update here and I ll move it to the completed list. 3. JV action Justin said he would provide us with a report about what work was carried out to ensure costs are competitive using in house services (as opposed to contracting out to an external company). 4. RH action Treasurer has not made any membership payments to MFCC for over two years (last payment of 30 was on 03/10/12). RH confirmed there is no longer a payment to be made to MFCC but what about years 2013 and 2014? 5. RH action to find out if there are minutes from the meeting Pat O Neill was due to attend but couldn t Midlothian Access Forum AGM. These have not yet been made available. 6. RH action to produce minutes for November meeting for approval. 7. MECC action to make a change to the agenda for future meetings. Actions arising should be part of the agenda and actions should be made obvious on the minutes so that we can go through them at the meeting to see if they have been done or if they need to be carried forward to the next meeting s minute notes. 8. MECC action to write to Midlothian Council about the 29 bus service. Mayfield no longer has a bus that goes to the Tesco at Hardengreen, the Community Hospital in Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh College and the Western General. 9. MECC/MAEDT/Police Scotland action to produce and distribute leaflets/posters about responsibility and prosecution of adults buy alcohol or tobacco products for under 16s. Posters to be displayed at point of sale in local licensed premises (off-licenses). 10. MAEDT action to promote on Facebook that they have No Called Callers window stickers available to help combat doorstep crime. Christmas lights update: No update on the Christmas lights. A meeting was held on 22 April 2015 however no one turned up. The group would like to see a community led Christmas lights committee. There is slight territorial issue as Councillor Beattie has always taken the lead in the Christmas lights organisation in the past. To date the group have a fund of 300 and McSense have confirmed they are going to match fund this amount. McSense will further match fund up to a total of 5,000. The group are thinking of moving the Christmas tree to Bogwood Court so that it can be seen from the bus route. It was agreed that there is no point in the community council making further plans re the Christmas lights until it is handed over officially by Cllr Beattie.
Anti-social behaviour at Bogwood Court: This was raised at the last community council meeting where members of the group voiced the ongoing issue with youth related antisocial behaviour around Bogwood Court. Youths are believed to be asking passers-by to purchase alcohol on their behalf from local off-licenses. Some members of the group felt it could be difficult for individuals to say no to the youths as they are often in large groups and this can be intimidating. In response to this an action was raised for posters to be requested from police that can be displayed in off-licenses warning of the repercussions of buying alcohol for under-agers. Midlothian Local Development Plan: Robert Hogg read a summary of the Midlothian Local Plan and reminded the group the deadline for comments / objections is 26 June 2015. Four pages of the plan relate to Mayfield and Easthouses. The community should benefit from the local developments in community facilities, shops etc, not just in infrastructure. The group voiced that it was important that Mayfield and Easthouses remain separate from Newtongrange in order to maintain a sense of community a community that is separate from neighbouring towns/villages. Update on Mayfield Inn and DARAG buildings: Mayfield Inn The group agreed that this disused building is an eyesore. Thieves regularly target the building for metal which has led to significant damage within, including collapse of the ceiling. Robert Hogg confirmed that the building can only be used for retail and not housing - it must attract footfall. Currently it is owned by the Brewery with a sale price of 273,000 (tbc). The owner of NISA store is looking to purchase the building. Similarly the group have complaints relating to the building nearby (the DARAG building). This is an eyesore and the group felt that Castlerock should be forced to tidy up the grounds. There is also an issue with vandalism. There was a suggestion that the building would soon be knocked down and redeveloped. Consultation / Correspondence: A catchment review programme is underway, the lead officer is Mary Smith, Midlothian Council. Robert Hogg has a copy of this if anyone wishes to read. Minutes from Midlothian Council meetings are available online - http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/meetings/committee/28/midlothian_council Spokes Cycle Lanes: 180K has been made available to continue the cycleway. To date this has included widening the footpath near St. Luke s Way and building a cycle crossing. The plan is to continue the path to Bogwood Road up to the Bus terminus and to link up to the new Newbattle Community High School when complete. The group welcomed this as good for the local community and encourages people to cycle/walk to work/school. Robert Hogg and Pat will send a letter to Justin to request a path that will led from the entrance of Mayfield park to the swings. This will help service parents with buggies and disabled people who struggle to make their way over the grass.
Borders Railway Spring newsletter is available for anyone who is interested. Her Majesty the Queen will be opening the railway. Peter De Vink spoke to the group on the positive impact the railway will have on Midlothian and people within. Economic benefit anticipated. Also advantages for timber merchants if the trains carry freight. Police Report: Robert Hogg read over the police report as no officers were able to attend the meeting. Points made by the group in regards to policing were as follows: Members of the group reported a rise in youth related antisocial behaviour in Bogwood Court near the chip shop. Spate of car wing mirrors damaged the previous weekend (30/05) was also mentioned. Robert Hogg assured the group that CCTV cameras are working in Bogwood Court. Also there was agreement among the group in relation to the effective communication between Police and Communities using Facebook by the new Community Sgt Colin Deans. Action: A question was asked in relation to street workers and how many are in the area and when. Also an update was requested on Y2K and their work in Mayfield and Easthouses. Robert Hogg also updated the group on the Police non-emergency number 101 which will now be answered within 90 seconds. There was huge frustration around the lack of police resources and non-attendance of police and a general consensus of what is the point in reporting? Members of the group were satisfied with feedback from Police in relation to complaint of youths jumping on and damaging cars in Broadhurst Road, Easthouses in April. The Bryans Woods area was raised and the fear that gangs will form in the area which was historically an issue in Midlothian East between Mayfield, Woodburn and Gorebridge youths. Local people are intimidated by the groups who gather there and are afraid to walk alone at night. Linked to this is the theft and fire raising of wheelie bins at Suttislea member of the group stated they now have to padlock up their bins and are now required to pay for replacement bins if stolen more than twice. Robert Hogg has spoken with Justin Venton, Midlothian Council re fly tipping in Bryan s Woods area (which is knee deep in some areas) and the group were notified that a clean up would be undertaken soon (no date confirmed). Also ASB has been reported to Councillor Kenny Young. Newbattle High School carried out an annual clean up recently however this only included the school grounds and not the playing fields / woods out with. Action: Robert Hogg to contact Newtongrange Community Council and obtain list of contacts who Mayfield and Easthouses Community Council can liaise with to organise clean up of local area. Dalkeith County Park are also having problems with local youths fire raising and committing Anti-social behaviour. The park will now be closing at 18:30. Action: Group requested dog waste bin to be placed at Oak Crescent.
A member of the group complained about the parking issues in Easthouses Road from the car garage through to Morelli s takeaway. Vehicles are constantly parked along the street during the day (as a result of the garage), and in the evening (as a result of the takeaway). Also the speed of cars is above the speed limit and is a danger for local school children. Treasurer s report 3,300 in bank however some money still to be debited for Big Wall Project and Westhouses History Project. Westhouses history leaflet The leaflet is progressing well and is 75% complete. The launch, for local people, will take place in August at McSense. Galaday Will take place on Saturday 6 th June. Isobel from Mayfield Library will be opening the galaday celebrations. MAEDT will hold bowling games and tombola during the day. Councillor s Report: Kenny Young: Kenny sent an email which was read out by the Chair. He mentioned anti-social behaviour and litter at Bryan s Wood and said a clean-up should happen. The Newbattle School arranged a litter pick tidy up in the local area to the school. Peter De Vink: Peter updated the group on the positive change that the 2015 General Election has had and the strength of the Scottish Voice in the House of Commons. A negative impact this has however is the lack of opposition. Owen Thompson is now an MP, Kath Johnston has now taken over. Kath is an ex-community council member and the group are confident that this is a positive step for Mayfield and Easthouses. PDV would like to encourage young people and older to attend the community council meetings. Any Other Business: Cookery class will take place on Mondays 1-3pm run by Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust. Susan from the bakery in Bogwood Court will be taking the class. 950 people now like the community council page this is excellent and the group were asked to encourage friends and family to join. Community Council Chewin the Fat This website has been developed with a view to helping community councillors around Scotland talk to each other. Available at http://www.scotlandscommunity-councillors.org.uk Sharon from the old post office in Mayfield criminal lawyer moving in and is looking for a receptionist / secretary. A podiatry clinic is possibly interested in the butchers.
Rudi is the environmental spokesperson for the community council. Rudi and Sharon are thinking of starting up a litter-picking group and are looking for volunteers. There is no update on the new Newbattle High School. Report is due from the Scottish Futures Trust this was due last month. It is anticipated we will hear in the next 2 weeks. The group highlighted the impact that this will have on school children who were due to begin high school at the new school however will now be held back by one year. Meeting Closed Next meeting: The next meeting will be on 5 th August 2015, as the MECC does not meet in July. Actions from this meeting: 1. MECC action - there is a sign in the park to say there is a warden, but is there really a warden? 2. MECC action to consider the local plan and if any comments / suggestions / objections can you please send to Robert who will collate responses and email council direct. 3. MECC action remind local people about locking their garages and being more secure. 4. RH action local residents wanted to attend the Newtongrange Community Council meetings and requested contact details for their Chair, Jason. 5. MECC action to highlight issue of speeding cars in Easthouses and the parking issues by the Easthouses Miners club/chip shop/chinese takeaway. 6. RH action - A question was asked in relation to street workers and how many are in the area and when. Also an update was requested on Y2K and their work in Mayfield and Easthouses. 7. RH action - to contact Newtongrange Community Council and obtain list of contacts who Mayfield and Easthouses Community Council can liaise with to organise cleanup of local area. 8. MECC action to request dog waste bin to be placed at Oak Crescent.