Minutes of St Boswells Parish Community Council of 29th May 2008
St Boswells Parish Community Council
Minutes of Meeting of St Boswells Parish Community Council
held on Thursday 29th May 2008, in the Lesser Village Hall, at 7.30pm.
Present :
Cllrs. A.Reed ( chairman ), A.Drummond, D.Dawson, C.Ellershaw, R.Lawrie, G.Sinclair, R.Wild.
PC D.Begg ( Lothian & Borders Police )
SBC Cllr. J. Brown
3 members of the public.
Apologies:
A.Gillan, G.Mitchell, M.Murray, D.Oliver, I.Skinner.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting :
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24th April 2008, were accepted.
Police Report :
PC Begg explained that in future a written report would be prepared and forwarded to us prior to the meeting, so that it would be available even if a police officer were unable to attend.
Last month the following had been reported :
an assault on a female in her home, as a result of which a man had been
charged;
two vehicles damaged when unattended;
3 calls regarding young people drinking and causing disturbance on the Croft;
2 domestic cats attacked by dogs;
a lorry stolen from premises at Charlesfield – this vehicle was fitted with a
tracker and was found in Durham, but had already been cut in half.
A “multi-agency initiative” to check roadworthiness, fuel in commercial vehicles, etc, had resulted in 29 drivers being reported for offences.
A new traffic warden in Kelso is now qualified to drive police vehicles and can include St.Boswells in the area covered. Vehicle tax dodgers will be targeted.
The Co-op had complained that a parked car had obstructed a delivery van.
Matters arising from previous minutes:
(a) Proposed TRO in St.Boswells – it was agreed that we would request double yellow lines opposite the Co-Op, so that delivery vehicles could park on the road ( not on the pavement ) outside the store while still allowing traffic to flow. We should also request that the Co-Op should instruct delivery drivers not to drive along the pavement, but it was also suggested that we ask SBC to instal bollards, as done at the Buccleuch Arms junction.
(b) E-mail from A.McLeod re. bins at the rugby club – explains that the rugby club is responsible for providing bins but provision of further bins at the play park would be considered. The bottle bank area has been tidied.
(c) Floral Gateway 2008 competition – it was agreed that we would enter again this year ( having been awarded a third place last year ).
(d) Data Protection Act 1998 – at a seminar at SBC on 28th May, the Commissioner was insistent that all community councils must register. The annual cost is £ 35. Names of members of the public should not be mentioned in minutes, and there should be no data from which an individual can be identified ( other than councillors and officials ).
(e) Calor “Scottish Village of the Year” awards – this has been reconsidered and A.Reed will respond to this.
(f) Braeheads path hedge – it was reported that this is much improved but there will be no further cutting until autumn because of nesting birds.
(g) There has been no response as yet from Scottish Water regarding the flooding at the east end of The Croft.
(h) Core Paths – G. Sinclair agreed to collate and submit our comments on the proposals.
Correspondence and publications received :
(a) A number of letters had been received concerning the TRO proposals.
(b) A letter from Chris Walker (prospective Conservative Party candidate for our Westminster constituency ). He has been invited to attend one of our Community Council meetings.
(c) There will be a presentation by an RAF officer at the next Community Council meeting ( 26th June, at 7.00 pm ) regarding low flying training.
(d) Details of dates for Community Council training have been received.
(e) A letter from the War Memorial Trust informing of grants available for repair and maintenance of war memorials – Gus Sinclair will pass this to the appropriate person in the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
(f) Information regarding twinning arrangements with communities in other European countries – it was agreed we would not participate.
(g) Papers titled “ Consultation on the Education ( Additional Support for Learning ) ( Scotland ) Act 2004 - Amendment Bill 2008”. These have been circulated. A.Reed will consult the Head Teacher of the village school on how to respond.
(h) Papers on SBC “ Green Spaces Strategy”.
(i) Communications on Trading Standards.
(j) Planning Aid – notification of the AGM on 27th June and invitation to renew membership. As the fee is £25 it was agreed that we would not renew this year.
Treasurer’s Report :
Total balance at bank is £ 12 702.23 of which £ 11433.66 is play park funds.
As the play park equipment on order will cost £ 12 000, the treasurer has applied for a Community Grant and it is hoped we will be awarded at least £ 500.
A.Gillan has also recently received £479 from a quiz and other fund raising.
The balance attributable to the Community Council is £ 1268.57 ( assuming we receive a grant towards the play park ).
Play park and “Park & Stride”:
No further update on the play park as A.Gillan unable to attend.
Regarding Park & Stride, there are still parking problems in Springfield Terrace.
Planning matters:
Comments were submitted to SBC regarding the proposed size of the sign for the Main Street Trading coffee and book shop – no response yet from SBC.
Three other planning applications have been notified and are available on the SBC website.
SBC Councillors’ Report.
Only Councillor Jim Brown was present but he had not been given any report to pass on from Councillor Len Wyse.
A meeting of “ The Case for Jedburgh” was scheduled for Friday 30th May. The aim is to improve “streetscape” of the main centre and improve access from
the A 68.
Cllr. Brown asked that Mr. Paul Wheelhouse, SNP prospective candidate for our Westminster constituency, be invited to attend a Community Council meeting.
To request maintenance work to graves and gravestones in cemeteries for which SBC is responsible, contact Jason Hedley.
A.O.B.
1. Two seats at the Benrig cemetery are in need of attention ( A.Reed to contact J. White.)
2. Crystal Well – sign from the cemetery was provided but the path forks further on, and a further sign is needed ( A.Reed to contact Erica Niven.)
The meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.
Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 26th June 2008, at 7.00pm, in the Lesser Village Hall.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WELCOME.
Please note change of time.
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