Minutes of Meeting of St Boswells Parish Community Council held on Thursday 27th March 2008
St Boswells Parish Community Council
Minutes of Meeting of St Boswells Parish Community Council held on Thursday 27th March 2008, in the Lesser Village Hall, at 7.30pm.
Present :
Cllrs A.Reed (chairman), G.Mitchell, D.Dawson, A.Drummond,R.Lawrie, D.Oliver, G.Sinclair, I.Skinner.
S.B.C. Cllr. Jim Brown.
5 members of the public.
Apologies :
C.Ellershaw, A.Gillan, M.Murray, R.Wild.
PC D.Begg, Insp. K. Simpson
Minutes of the Previous Meeting :
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted, although with the comment that “Sally’s Tree” may also be known as “Sarah’s Tree”.
Police Report :
Inspector Simpson had intended to attend, but due to urgent police matters, was unable to be present. A written report covering the period from 1 Feb 08 to
27 Mar 08 was presented. 17 alarm calls had been received but all premises had been in order. The traffic lights in Main Street were now removed; there had been some problems with traffic stopping too close to the lights and causing difficulty for large vehicles manoeuvering. Bus companies reported that car parking within the bus turning circle is causing a problem. Two youths (aged 10 ) had been warned in front of their parents about anti-social behaviour. Two minor assaults occurred within St.Boswells, with reports being forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal. A vehicle parked in Weirgate Avenue was damaged by unknown person(s) scratching the entire length of the bodywork, sometime overnight between 16 Mar 08 and 17 Mar 08. A report was received from Elliston House ( St.Boswells)concerning theft of snowdrops; a vehicle registration number had been noted, but unfortunately incorrectly. A report had been received of a man selling a generator. When checked out, he was found to be in possession of a peddler’s certificate and all relevant documentation for the equipment he had at the time. Two smoke mortar rounds had been found by a metal detector on Maxpoffle Estate; they were deemed harmless and removed by the army.
Matters arising from previous minutes:
1. Parking problem in Buccleuch Gardens- a letter will be sent to SBC formally requesting road widening.
2. Braeheads Path – the hedge has been cut, but there is one spot where the path may need to be repaired.
Correspondence received :
1. Track on The Green – the lorry which has been parked there for some time has now been moved away.
2. Pavement work in Main Street now completed, but delivery lorries are already damaging the pavement at the Co-op. A meeting with C.Ovens has been arranged. With regard to the proposed TRO for the village, it has been arranged that either R.Cramb or J.McQuillan will attend our next meeting ( 24th April 08 ).
3. We are still unhappy about St.Boswells coming under of the Cheviot Area Committee.
4. We have renewed our membership of the Rights of Way society, paid annually by standing order.
5. The owner of Mainstreet Trading will attend the next meeting on 24th April to describe the proposed changes.
6. An invitation has been received from the Army to attend a reception in Hawick. I.Skinner will be attending, representing another organisation.
7. The Social Work Services annual report is available.
8. A communication has been received regarding twinning schemes with other towns/villages in Europe. Anyone interested can check on the SBC website. It was felt that without schools involvement there was little chance of success.
9. Information on the National Lottery funds is now available.
10. The report of the Scottish Executive survey on Community Councils is now available.
11. Post Office closures – no news is likely to be released before May.
12. The minutes of the last meeting of Newtown & Eildon Community Council are now available.
Treasurer’s Report:
The balances remain the same as last month:
Play park fund £ 10 958.84
Community council £ 444.73
Total £ 11 403.57
Planning matters:
Three applications for comment.
1. Change to outside finish of building at Charlesfield.
2. Proposed replacement windows at Ivy Hatch, Hamilton Place.
3. Proposed extension and decking at 4 Buccleuch Chase.
SBC Councillor’s Report.
Litter bins have been installed as requested.
Regarding the request to widen the road to provide separate left & right turn lanes at the Buccleuch Arms junction, a response has been received from C.Ovens to say that there no plans for such a scheme and funding would have a low priority.
No further response regarding the possible changes to the bus terminus. A team is working on 4 schemes which will be put forward for consultation.
The proposed TRO ( parking restrictions ) has to be done this year, as the next review is not until 2011.
Grants may be available to support any proposed town/village twinning schemes.
A.O.B.
1. The dog litter bin placed at the west end of The Croft has now been returned to its original position.
2. I.Skinner asked if anything can be done now to tidy up the area around the bottle bank, or whether we have to wait for the changes to the bus terminus to be decided.
3. A.Reed will phone J.White to ask for the footpaths in the village to be tidied up, especially the path by the rugby ground. She will also write a letter of thanks for the installation of the seat at the Crystal Well.
Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 24th April 2008, at 7.30pm, in the Lesser Village Hall.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WELCOME FROM 7.30 PM.
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