Innerleithen and District Community Council Minutes of Meeting held 11 th January 2010 Present: Ross McGinn, Jill Hunter, Gillian Steele, George Brown, Jackie Couchman, Graham Riddell, Paul Faris, Lesley Foster, Brian McCrow PC Gillian Wight 1. Apologies: Councillor Gavin Logan, Councillor Graham Garvie, Councillor Bill Herd 2. Open Forum: No members of the public present. 3. Minutes of last meeting and approval: approved by Jackie Couchman, seconded by Paul Faris, subject to change raised by Brian McCrow. Under Cardrona heading Residents Association should have read Village Hall Constitution. 4. Matters Arising: The CC would like to acknowledge the continued efforts of Technical Services in clearing the snow from the town enabling people to access the High Street and Co-op. Letter to be written to Technical Services thanking them. Paul Faris highlighted the work of the local undertaker which enabled a burial to proceed after heavy snow and dropping temperatures. A general discussion was held about how the people of the town could help themselves perhaps by clearing their pavements and streets. Brian McCrow suggested bringing the rubbish bins to the end of the roads to help the refuse collectors. Tweeddale Citizen of the Year only one nomination The Website Graham Riddell confirmed that we have been awarded a conditional award. The forms have to be completed and sent back with a signed set of accounts. This has to be actioned immediately. Well done to all involved with this work. Community Notice Board for Co-op Gillian Steele to organise this. Good Practice Guide for Local Authorities Jackie Couchman advised that this was mainly guidelines for LA s. SCC Annual Conference Jackie Couchman and Brian McCrow attended. A copy of their report is appended.
Care and Repair Scheme Paul Faris advised this report proposed how to allocate grants for the elderly or disabled. 5. Police Report A quiet month again. An organised road traffic initiative had run in December along the B709 Walkerburn to Peebles. This resulted in one conditional offer, one drug offence, and vehicle defects and speeding. 2 road traffic accidents, one on the B7062 at Traquair 2 car damage only. The second on the same road at Kailzie to Cardrona 1 car damage only Crimes Local female charged with Breach of the Peace Local male charged with vandalism of a car Local female caught driving with no insurance Local female failed a roadside breath test and will appear in court in January. This was the last CC meeting for PC Wight. We would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her continued attendance at the meetings and her reports. PC Hamilton will be attending the meetings after next month. 6. Website Upgrade Update minuted earlier 7. Future Innerleithen No updates this month. Brian confirmed a meeting is to be held in January with Dave Forester and Graham Johnston. 8. Community Centre and School The Community Centre meeting had been cancelled due to the snow. Gillian Steele advised that Councillor Garvie had met with the Headteacher to discuss the nursery provision at the school. She also confirmed that the Agenda for the Parent Council Meeting would include communication issues experienced between the school and parents with the unexpected snow, and a formalisation of procedures to be followed in adverse weather conditions. Jackie Couchman confirmed that she felt there had been a lack of communication with Peebles High School, with too much reliance placed on listening in to Borders Radio for information. Paul Faris reported that an email had been sent to the Peeblesshire News to change details of a church service and that this had been done very quickly.
9. Cardrona Issues Brian McCrow reported that the residents had dug themselves out of the snow and that the Scout Group had cleared the area around the Village Hall enabling bus access. The Village Hall Committee is looking at the Constitution and there is an interim meeting to be held with the Residents Association. Brian confirmed that there are issues that require to be sorted out. 10. SBC Councillors Reports No Councillors present Councillor Garvie had emailed regarding the meeting held between himself and the Headteacher of St Ronan s as minuted earlier. It was also confirmed that all Councillors are working with the Administrators called in to Ballantynes. There is expectation and hope that it will be taken over. 11. Area Committee Report This was held in December Chambers Institute a couple of reports on this, although mainly relevant to Peebles. A report on improving water at Eddleston CC Spotlight a complimentary note to the staff at St Ronan s Wells and support group for all their work. 12. Planning Windfarm Access Route Three areas of concern exist. Firstly flooding of this site. We understand that the SEPA flood risk model is inaccurate for this part of the Tweed Valley. Indeed the application site has been under at least 0.5 metre of water on three occasions in the last five years ( The most recent occasion being in November 2009). This is not surprising given that the Tweed river course was in the location of the application site many years ago before the diversion of the Tweed. Secondly, the site is at present in regular use to meet the parking demand for the growing mountain bike activity on which many businesses in this community depend. Also the application site is the start and finish point of the world class downhill cycle track which brings a much need boost to the local economy. This must be protected and not put at risk. Thirdly the passage of HGV vehicles over burn crossings as they traverse the application site would seem to require a higher specification than indicated on the application papers.
Land North East of 3 Velvethall Cottages erection of 2 dwellinghouses. This application site lies just a few yards away from a Category C listed building. The listing states. Listed as a good example of a later 19th century vernacular cottage with original features intact (glazing, overhanging eaves, exposed rafters and plain barge boarding). This gives a context to any application for new building. What is proposed seems to be in conflict with what exists in both appearance and size. Perhaps some guidance by planning officers to the applicants on one and a half storey houses of rural appearance would result in a more acceptable style at this location and be more in keeping with the context of the traditional row of estate workers cottages. The main concern relates to the poor standard of the access on to the A72 that already has a high accident rate in the Caerleebank/Glenormiston area. Given the already increased vehicle movements through recent approvals for housing on Glenormiston estate, the lorries from the quarry and the building of ad hoc stables, this sub standard junction and access track need to be considerably improved to adoptable standard if this application is approved. As current sight lines are not good we object to this application in the current form. Graham Riddell noted that the yard at Glendinnings is being cleared and that trees have been taken down. Ross McGinn confirmed that there is approval for houses there and that to remove trees from a Conservation Area requires permission. He also advised that he would contact the Planning Department to clarify. An Appeal Decision Notice has been served to Andrew Caldwell advising that his appeal has been refused. 13. Correspondence Dementia Strategy comments by March 2010. Paul Faris to undertake this. Letter from SBC regarding Unit 5. An inspection will take place on Tuesday 26 th January as due as part of the rent review. Jill/Ross to attend Letter from Peebles Abbeyfield Charitable Trust established to make grants to individuals, specifically the sick and infirm. Project work for under 25 s. Any ideas welcome Scottish Health Council update patient focus groups Letter from a resident at Leithen Mills advising that a response is still being sought to a previous letter written concerning the new houses at Waverley Mills. Ross McGinn to reply seeking clarification of what is expected. 14. AOCB Gillian Steele would like the new scheme proposed for collecting recycling to be looked into. To be raised with the Councillors.
Paul Faris asked about the collection of Christmas Trees. Brian McCrow confirmed that this is not being done this year. Ross McGinn highlighted that fact that once again the section of the pavement at the bridge is not being cleared. This pavement is too narrow for the snow plough to get access and has to be done by hand/shovel. This will be drawn to the Roads Dept s attention and it is hoped an action plan can be agreed. Brian McCrow advised that the case for the Uplift has not been supported by SBC in its first phase and been delayed. 15. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Monday 1 st February 2010 at 7.15pm Chairman. Date..