UPPER TEVIOTDALE AND BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

 

 

Minutes of Community Council Meeting of 7th September 2009 held in Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

 

Present: Community Councillors: Francombe (Chair), Templeman (Vice), Wilson, Pennington (Treas), Douglas and Robson.

 

In Attendance: SBC Cllrs Turnbull,  Paterson & Smith, Mr Godfrey (Sec), PC Murray,  Mr Lamont MSP, Messrs McCaie, Nicol, Morton and Mr Elliot S Water and Mr Dyson Timber Transport.

 

1.  APOLOGIES

 

CCllr Friell, WPC Wood.

 

2.   POLICE BRIEF

 

On the 4th August 2009 two males were apprehended for being in charge of two lurcher dogs which were let loose and were seen worrying sheep.  The men were kept in custody and appeared in court the following day.  On 11th August a Polish man visited a farm in the Roberton area and attempted to sell photographs or prints using a false ID card.  He was later arrested and appeared in court the following day.  Martins House stable block tack room was broken into on 13th August however the room was empty and the vandal was not seen.

 

Sadly, after a two week search, the body of the late Charlie Anderson of Teviothead was found at Colterscleuch Shiel.  The search was massive and many thanks are extended to all agencies involved and especially the local community for their efforts.

 

On 1st September a road accident at Stobs Castle entrance damaged the estate wall, enquiries are ongoing.

 

3.  SOSTTO

 

Mr Dyson gave an update on the timber transport network.  There had been a number of successful grant applications as a result of which contracts for road repairs were being issued.  Stage 1 of the forest highway is now complete.  Stage 2 has now been agreed for funding by the Scottish Government and permission to commence work been given, target date for completion is 2011.  Stages 3 and 4 will be considered for follow on later.  Timber loads, type size etc will be varied, the strategic timber fund for forestry should ensure that communities and the road network will benefit.  Timber sales at this moment are good with more home grown product being used.  Some specifics were discussed, especially a number of roads which are now in need of major repairs.  The Craik to Gair, supposedly an all weather road being an internal forest highway may be very difficult to negotiate in winter conditions.  Detritus from forest roads on to the established council roads is at this time causing serious damage and rapid break up.  Future costing of road maintenance is already a matter of serious concern.  New funding from Stages 3 & 4 will need to be found.  The bridge at Falnash is now in a parlous state. Mr Dyson should be emailed with particulars of illegal route taking by log wagons and WPC Wood should be advised as well.  The dangers to school buses were considered.  The road alert issued by Mr Dyson was much appreciated for its accuracy and its speed of distribution to the authorities and the public.  The Chairman would contact Mr Dyson by email and the B6399 will be closely monitored for irregularities.

 

4.  HAWICK WATER IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

 

Mr Elliot, supported by the contractors, briefed the CC on the new water improvement system and how it would work.  The time scale for completion could not be given at this time.  The contractors advised on traffic flow and a number of difficulties were discussed, surface water being the most contentious.  The lack of communication with the CC and short notice of road closures had led to confusion with the public and large and severe disruption for the constituents.  It was hoped that any further disruption would not now be necessary.

 

5.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

The minutes were accepted and passed as read.  Proposed CCllr Wilson and seconded by CCllr Pennington.

 

6.  MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

The public toilets at Teviothead were not considered a viable proposition for maintenance by the CC as suggested by the authorities.  The final outcome of the amenity is yet to be decided.

 

7.  TREASURERS REPORT

 

The present balance to date is £1745.  There are however a number of ring-fenced amounts which have to be paid - the tent fund; the web site and CCllrs costs for wind farm meetings and other extra-curriculum attendances.  The tent fund will be a large payment as a new marquee will, in all probability, be needed.

 

8.  TIMBER TRANSPORT

 

The matter was well covered during Mr Dyson’s presentation.

 

9.  WIND FARM UPDATE

 

A letter from Pauline Allison was read out to the meeting by the Chairman.  Airtricity had been advised not having been at the last meeting because they had no plans or information to give.  No further meetings have been agreed as yet.  Work will not be starting until April 2010.  The turbine manufacture was the main problem and the contractors still do not know which firm will construct, therefore timetables, routes etc not possible to even forecast.  CCllr Robson will be point of contact via email with contractor.

 

10.  SBC COUNCILLORS REPORT

 

Cllr Paterson briefed the CC on the matter of water run-off on the A7 and speeding cars on the same. 

Cllr Smith asked for feedback on immediate results of the Pilot Scheme meander system which was now in operation.  CCllr Robson replied that it seemed to slow the rate of flow, however as not all meanders had been constructed it was difficult to tell.  It was also considered that slowing the rate of flow did not, of course, diminish the volume.  However the system has held against some very heavy rainfall. 

Cllr Turnbull advised that BEAR will repair the road sign at Martins Bridge.

BT is under pressure still on the subject of pay phones, card boxes as these are proving to be very expensive.

The tragic death of Fireman Williamson was highlighted, and his latest appointments listed including being on the working group “funding of community councils”.

 

11.  AREA COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The last two Area Committee meetings have been cancelled due to lack of business.

 

12.  A7 ACTION GROUP

 

The next meeting is in Hawick and the on-going problem of surface water will be raised.  At Bowanhill a huge pool occurs and is considered a dangerous hazard, several others are also being raised including Branxholme Castle. 

The numerous cats eyes and central road markings which are lost due to road repairs are not replaced in some cases for months was pointed out and considered unacceptable.

It was announced that once more the Branxholme straight was to be under repair from September through December.

There followed a general discussion on the poor results from private contractors on highway maintenance over a number of years.

 

13.  CORRESPONDENCE

 

2009 Journal of Assoc. SCC’s

SB Connect Summer 2009

SBCC’s Network. Local Regeneration

Safer Borders Newsletter No. 4

SBC Finalised Local Plan Amendments

SAS Strategy

SBCC Network July 2009

SBC CC Training Seminars

SB Local info

SBC P/A - 4 dwellings.  N/W Woodburn Farm

Quest

SBC Meetings (Pinks)

SBC Access Forum Jedburgh

SBC Data Protection Act

SBC Transforming Older People’s Services

SBC New Wardens Service

SBC P/A Newmill Slitrig Racing Stables

Scottish Natural Heritage Magazine

Langhope Rig Wind Farm

Traffic ASBO (Police) Form

 

14.  DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

The next meeting will be held in Roberton Village Hall on Monday 2nd November at 7.30pm.

 

 

 

Signed   Chairman            ___________________________________

            

             

 Secretary             ___________________________________