Minute of Meeting on Tuesday 18 October 2011

Kalewater Community Council

Minute of Meeting on Tuesday 18 October 2011

In the Village Institute, Morebattle

Present:  Community Councillors; Eric McNulty (chair), Margaret Lister (Treasurer), Andrew McEwan, Helen Cessford, George Aitchison, Michael Scott (Secretary), Paul Grime, Matilda Hall, Sarah Dixon.

Public: 1.

ACTION

1

Apologies

None

2

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting of 20 September having been circulated were passed as a true record of events.

Secretary thanked Cllr Cessford for taking minutes in his absence.

Proposed: Cllr Aitchison; Seconded: Cllr Dixon.

3

Matters Arising from 20 September Actions

3a

See item 5

3b

Chair confirmed that planning application had been submitted.

3c

Chair noted that there were no objection to the proposed St Cuthbert’s Way interpretative board. Potential sites include to the rear of the village shop bench or at the Pikings junction.

3d

Wreaths are on order. Alison Fleming will be the piper. No decision yet on who will lay the wreaths.

Cllr Cessford

4

Vattenfall Whitton Wind Farm update

The sub-group will meet Vattenfall representatives on 19 October.

5

Awards for All funding application update

Secretary reported that Colin Roxburgh had forwarded useful comments re. the failed applications from one of his colleagues. Circulate amongst community council.

It was recognised that awareness –raising amongst the local community was a necessity. Secretary to prepare a publicity poster and forward to Cllr McEwan.

Secretary

Secretary

6

Planning Applications

Variation of planning consent for 06/01731/FUL from holiday accommodation to residential, Land East of Linton Bankhead Farm, Morebattle

No objections or comments.

 Secretary

7

Morebattle Interpretation Board Update

Everyone pleased to hear that bid to SBC Community Grants Scheme had been successful.

Cllr Grime reported that a writer would work on the text before the input from two artists who will provide their content.

Both Cllrs Grime and Scott made clear their interest in the project vis-à-vis one of the artists and the writer respectively and that they were not involved in the procurement of those services.

Cllr Dixon noted the panel fabricators quotation remained unchanged.

Cllrs Hall and Grime would liaise with St Cuthbert’s Way LEADER-funded project office Vyv Wood-Gee over the siting and dimensions of the proposed SCW interpretation board.

Cllr Grime, Cllr Hall

8

Correspondence

Secretary read through recent correspondence, some of which were placed in the circulation folder.

·   Letter from SBC Scrutiny Panel: Invitation to Suggest Issues

·   Email from SBC re. Community Council national pilots – additional budgets

·   Scottish Borders Draft Local Housing Strategy (2012-2017) Consultation, deadline 2 December 2011

·   SBC Passenger Transport Review Bus Users Questionnaire Survey, deadline 31 October 2011

·   Commission on Rural Education Call for Evidence, deadline 12 January 2012

·   Letter from Morebattle resident re. vehicle traffic in Morebattle.
There was little support from Morebattle community councillors for many of the assertions in the letter regarding noise from farm vehicles driving along the village main street and any impact on visiting tourists. As the road surface around the primary school was increasingly uneven SBC Roads Officer would be contacted to see if there were plans for resurfacing improvements.

Assertions regarding speeding traffic would be passed to Lothian & Borders Police community officer Alex Warmington.

 Secretary

Chair

9

Items for Circulation Folder

The Secretary summarised items going into the new circulation folder as listed on the agenda.

·   Cheviot & Berwickshire (South) Wardens’ Monthly Update, September 2011

·   Alchemy Film & Moving Image Festival, 21-23 October 2011, Hawick

·   Home Energy Scotland Autumn Update 2011

·   Scottish Water Winter campaign – Protect Your Pipes

·   Invitation to 10th Borders Digital Forum, 28 October 2011, Hawick

·   Treading The Borders Theatre Company

·   Note of Kelso Community Woodlands and Kelso Area Pathways Joint Meeting 23  August 2011

·   SCDC – Commonwealth Games 2014 Legacy

·   Scottish Borders Community Council Network AGM, 1 October 2011

·   Kelso Community Policing News, July-August 2011

·   Association of Scottish Community Councils journal, Summer 2011

·   Borders Digital Forum, 28 October, Tower Mill, Hawick

Cllr McEwan

10

AOB

• Cllr Grime noted that his intended letter to RBS (the community council’s bank) re. their support for a company producing cluster bombs wasn’t sent as RBS changed its policy as a result of negative publicity.

• Following discussion it was agreed that the community council purchase additional Christmas lights for the village institute. Local electrician Colin to be approached to install the lights in December.

• Cllr Dixon reported that a section of wall on Heavyside Bridge had fallen and that SBC Roads Officer Ian Williams had stated that it would require immediate action in advance of a planned refurbishment of the bridge.
• SBC Roads Officer Pattenden to be contacted for an update.

• Cllr Cessford expressed concern at how local affordable rented housing is allocated. Chair noted that there was a points system in use across Scottish Borders. Also noted that SBC’s Local Housing Strategy consultation would be on the next meeting agenda.

• Cllr McEwan noted that Morebattle PS Parent Teacher Council is keen to co-opt members. Common tasks include fundraising and events at Hallowe’en and Christmas as well as some involvement with HMIE inspections. More details from Cllr McEwan.

• Cllr McEwan suggested that it would be useful for the community council to have its own Facebook presence. He would progress it.

Chair

Secretary

 Cllr McEwan

 Cllr McEwan

11

Items for Next Meeting 15 November 2011

Meeting concluded at.8.40pm

Signed:

Date: