Minutes of Meeting of St.Boswells Parish Community Council held on Thursday 26th April 2007

ST. BOSWELLS PARISH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting of St.Boswells Parish Community Council held on Thursday 26th April 2007, in the Lesser Village Hall, at 7.30 pm.

Present:
Cllrs. A.Reed (chairman), G.Mitchell, D.Dawson, A.Drummond, C.Ellershaw, J.Grieve, R. Lawrie, G.Sinclair, R.Wild.
PC D. Begg (Lothian & Borders Police ).
9 members of the public.

Apologies:
M.Murray, D.Oliver, I.Skinner, SBC Cllr.C.Riddell-Carre.

Minutes of the Last Meeting :
The minutes of the meeting on 29th March 2007 were accepted.

Police Report :
P.C. Begg reported that there had been a theft, from a car parked at Braeheads Lane. There had been 3 calls regarding a youth creating a disturbance with a motorscooter and riding without a helmet; the registration number of the scooter is required before the police can take any action. There had been one complaint of youths causing a disturbance at the ATC hut, and a domestic disturbance at an address in Springfield Terrace had re-occurred.

Matters arising :
(a) West Croft Trust : Legal advice is strongly against forming a residents’ association. G.Sinclair reported that he had met on 5th April 2007 with Church of Scotland Legal Department to ensure that all available and up-to date information was pooled. This meeting was discussed with the Chairman of the Community Council, following which G.Sinclair advised the St.Boswells minister that the Community Council was no longer willing to take over the land of the West Croft Trust, and that he was not willing to continue to try to find a solution, but it appears that these decisions have not yet been communicated to the C.o.S. Legal Dept.
G.Sinclair urged that the frontagers, who had expected a further meeting to be called, should be informed; that the Community Council should inform C.o.S. Legal Dept directly that it would not take over the land of the Trust; that the St.Boswells Kirk Session Clerk should ensure the next minister is made aware of the situation; and that SBC should also be informed by the Community Council.
G.Sinclair will retain the information accumulated to date, and make it available for future reference.
A.Reed will write to C.o.S. Legal Dept ( 121 George St ), to Mr Wilkie at SBC Legal Dept, and to the StBoswells Kirk Session Clerk. Also she will place information on the Community Council noticeboard.
(b) Track at Laretburn : A. Reed wrote to the landowner. A reply is awaited.
(c) Suggested seat at Crystal Well : A.Reed wrote to the landowner. A very positive reply was received. She will now enquire about obtaining a seat. A.Reed
(d) Posters advertising fund-raising events in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief will be put up. A.Reed.
(e) Outdoor Diaries : these will be distributed to suitable display points. A.Reed.
(f) Parking problems at Buccleuch Gardens : C.Ovens sent an e-mail reply to A.Reed indicating that an SBC Local “small scheme” is under consideration to solve this, but a left turn lane at the A68 / B6404 junction could not be justified ( est. cost £ 32,000 ), although the footway will be repaired. The “20’s Plenty” signs are on a list of jobs to be done, and repair work on the Benrig road is in progress.

Correspondence received :
(a) Planning Aid : subscription now due ( was £10, now £25 ). Agreed
Treasurer to renew . R.Wild.
(b) Note from Scottish Executive on Planning For An Aging Population.
(c) Floral Gateway Competition – agreed we enter Large Village section ( population > 1000 )
(d) Insurance cover- policy schedule to be kept by R Wild.
(e) Burnfoot Community Plan.
(f) Minutes of Building Control meeting, 16th April 2007.
(g) Minutes of Eildon Area Committee meeting, 16th April 2007.
(h) Notification of SBC Safety Forum on domestic abuse.
(i) Application from St.Boswells School Parents & Friends Association for use of The Green, 18th – 24th June 2007.
(j) Latest issue of SEPAview magazine.
(k) Note on Digital Forum to be hosted by Michael Moore ( re digital broadcasting ).

Treasurer’s Report :
Present bank balance is £1117.07.

SBC Councillor’s Report :
No report.

Play park.
Andrea Gillan reported on discussions with Jim Hogg of SBC, who can commit £8000 for equipment. It is proposed to aim initially for a climbing frame with slide and other features, suitable for up to 6-yearolds
( cost £4700 ), while considering a larger unit for 6-12 yearolds ( £7700) for the future. Other improvements discussed included : seating benches
( planed timber must be used ), alterations to the gates, more litter bins, and signs prohibiting dogs. Mr Hogg had advised that the Community Council should act on behalf of the parents group. Mrs Gillan will continue to lead fundraising – a quiz night has been organised for 25th May 2007, and she intends to contact local businesses for support.
The suggestion for a community / childrens’ garden was well received. A.Reed will contact Bill Birse to discuss if raised beds could be constructed for a garden.

Planning Matters :
1. Car park at The Holmes donkey sanctuary : Mrs Dale is applying for retrospective planning permission. A.Reed to write to SBC in support.
2. Garage at 3 Jean Lawrie Court : no opposition to siting, but A.Reed to write to SBC requesting that materials of construction should match the other garages in Jean Lawrie Court.
3. Outline permission for 2 houses at Camieston : no opposition, but there were concerns about possible future “ribbon development” on this narrow road between two right angle bends. It was noted that outline permission for this development had been first granted in February 2004.
4. Details of signage at the new veterinary surgery.

Boundaries of St.Boswells Parish Community Council area:
The map supplied by SBC shows the northern boundary follows the
Bowden Burn. As this is a natural boundary we will not request any
change.

Any Other Business :
(a) It is still the case that traffic could enter the village from the Greycrook road without passing “30” signs. Moving the signs a short way out on the Greycrook road would solve this.
(b) Concrete ramps had been formed at the drive entrance to a house in Springfield Road. SBC now aware.
(c) There is still a need for a rubbish bin /dog waste bin at the A68 end of The Croft.

Date of Next Meeting : Thursday 31st May 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Lesser Village Hall.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WELCOME.