UPPER TEVIOTDALE AND BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

 

 

Minutes of Community Council Meeting of 25th January 2010 held in Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

 

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

 

In Attendance: SBC Cllrs Turnbull, Paterson & Smith, Mr Godfrey (Sec), Mr Hepburn and Mr Plumbe.

 

1.  APOLOGIES

 

PC Murray.

 

2.   PRESENTATION

 

This was cancelled due to bad weather.  Mr D Singh will address the Community Council at the next meeting.

 

3.  INTRODUCTION

 

Mr John Hepburn was introduced as a prospective candidate to be co-opted on to the CC at the next meeting.

 

4.  POLICE BRIEF

 

The Secretary read out a brief from PC Murray in his absence.  The present appalling state of the roads, due to the weather, is well known to the police who are notifying all relevant authorities.  A large generator has been stolen from the works site at the Branxholme road repair site.  Thieves are about despite the weather conditions.  The police have opened an internet site at Newcastleton.  This is an internet watch scheme for criminal action reporting for quick alert and reaction by the police.  This is the first of its kind and is a trial test.  PC Murray will give full details at the next meeting.

 

5.  MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

 

The minutes were accepted and passed as read.  Proposed CCllr Wilson and seconded by CCllr Templeton (Vice).

 

6.  MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

 

WPC Wood was not available for the meeting.  The Chairman would speak to Inspector Scott and ask if the WPC could attend the next meeting.

 

7.  TREASURERS REPORT

 

There was no change in the bank balance presently standing at £1818.  The tent fund was then discussed - it will be kept until the show committees approach the community council on how they wished to dispose of it.  No further monies would be paid into that account. The rising cost of postage prompted the vice chair to propose the minutes could be sent by email.  This was discussed in detail.  Some members have difficulty with connections and there are still copies to be duplicated for various records.  Members would also need to bring their email copies with them to the meetings.  It was agreed to run a trial for a few meetings and make adjustments where necessary.

 

8.  TIMBER TRANSPORT

 

CCllr Robson briefed the CC.  The Stage I of the internal highway was presently held up by the severe weather.  Stage 2 is due to commence construction in May.  Presently the plans are to spend £2 million on this system, however this only covers construction.  Maintenance has yet to be decided!   There is increasing resistance to Stage 3 by private landowners.  There is now serious concern over the state of the minor roads due to the combined efforts of the heavy transport and the very bad winter weather.  The present situation was cause for considerable concern.  SBC Cllr Turnbull explained the difficulties faced by Technical Services as a result of the weather alone.  Salt and grit are now used most sparingly but school bus routes and priority roads are given immediate attention when required.

 

9.  WIND FARM UPDATE

 

The Chairman had an email from P Alison who wishes to start pressing ahead with negotiations and there is a new document which has been sent to all the sub-committee members for consideration.  A community agreement issued by Mr Daljit Singh appeared at first sight to be a reasonable prospect and finer details need to be ironed out and agreed.  Mr Singh will attend the next meeting to advise the CC as previously stated.  The present difficulties with the intended construction were firstly the methods and means of construction to the National Grid.  The contractor for construction has not yet been decided therefore there is still no transport plan nor constructor for the turbines.  The company has appointed a new manager for the scheme and will now be pushing for the contractor contract to be completed.

 

10.  HAWICK COMMUNITY WIND FARM

 

There has been no further progress however the next meeting is to be held in March.

 

11.  SBC COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

The main thrust of the Cllrs work has been tied up with the sorting out of problems caused by the winter weather.  However while the 2010/11 budget was presently under consideration, Cllr Turnbull advised that future finances would be most severely cut and there would be difficult times ahead.

 

12.  AREA COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The forestry transport routes through the Slitrig valley and Hawick were discussed including the suitability of the bridge leading to Drumlanrig Square.  At the moment the road tax payer may travel on any route taking due notice of official notified restrictions.  The question of vehicle tonnage and ‘Super single tyres’ were considered and the question raised as to how the current wear and tear of roads would be maintained in future.

 The police had reported late night disturbances have increased in Hawick most of which were connected with late night drinking.

Hawick Flood Group UK explained their current development and there were two presentations given about the present state of preventative measures.  It was obvious that considerable efforts have been made by all concerned and a good step forward has been made.

 

13.  A7 ACTION GROUP

 

The January meeting was cancelled due to bad weather.  At the height of the snow falls the A7 had been temporarily abandoned.  The difficulty of flooding leading to considerable surface water has added to the problems.  BEAR seem to have a poor reaction time to problems and question the sources of surface water draining at times as it is not their responsibility?  Ditches and culverts were also questioned and the Dovecote bridge culvert collapse had further highlighted the problems of responsibility and slow reaction time.  There followed detailed discussion concerning many difficulties with the present highway maintenance system and the question of cycle paths which were now overgrown and falling into disuse.

 

14.  CORRESPONDENCE

 

SBC Meetings (Pinks)

SBC P/A – Teviothead School to house

SB Rape Crisis Centre (volunteers)

SBCC Network (November)

Social Services Fuel Poverty

SBC Re Telephone Kiosks

SBC Home energy notice

Rekk shelters

Planning Aid Scotland leaflet

SBC Public Consultation gardens, landscapes

SBC Draft scheme of assistance -homeowners and private landlords, repairing and maintaining properties.  1st April 2010-02-08

The Borders Herald – Winter 2009

SBC Notice – Green

Lothian and Borders Police – ‘Weed Them Out’

SG – Good practice Guidance CCS

SBC Network (Dec)

Xmas card John Lamont MSP

Notts Sport |Promotion leaflets

Appeal for P/A. Stables complex Slitrig

Lothian & Borders Police – Custody visiting

Invitation – Hawick Digital Forum 5th February.  Michael Moore MP

SEPA View

 

15.  DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

Roberton Hall             March 1st 2010 - 7.30pm

Teviothead Hall     May 10th 2010 – 7.30pm

 

AGM Roberton Hall   July 5th 2010 – 7.00pm

 

Teviothead Hall            September 6th 2010 – 7.30pm

Roberton Hall            November 1st 2010 – 7.30pm