UPPER TEVIOTDALE & BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Community Council Meeting of 5^th July 2010 held in Roberton Village Hall at 7.30pm

 

Present:           CCllrs Francombe (Chair), Robson (Vice), Wilson, Friell, Douglas, Stevenson

In Attendance: SBC Cllr Smith, Mr Godfrey (Sec), PC Murray, Mr Shallis (Chair CDT), Mr Powell, mrs Powell, Mrs Shallis, Mr Hutchinson, Mrs Hutchinson and Mr Pender (members of the public)

 

1                    Apologies: CCllr Pennington and Hepburn. SBC Cllrs Paterson and Turnbull.

 

2                    Police Report : PC Murray advised that on 29^th June a Renault car abandoned on a track off the B711 Roberton to Tushielaw road had been stolen from area of Selkirk. Approximately 20 ewes and lambs were stolen from Bonjedward Farm, Jedburgh between 15^th June and 27^th, enquiries are ongoing. In the Newcastleton area there have been slip-in thefts from insecure properties. Money was stolen from the Historic Scotland cabin at Hermitage after a break-in in the same month. Travellers have arrived in the Borders. On Monday 4^th July 4 bales of hay were stolen from Courthill Farm, Hawick. Advice was given with regard to pending budget cuts in the Police service. PC Murray then explained the situation with regard to internet and email correspondence in the event of incidents of note. His email address is brian.murray@lbp.pnn.police.uk. The question of scrap metal and machinery being left in the Roberton area and rubbish and litter left by campers who hold campfire parties was discussed. PC Murray pointed out vehicle registrations were extremely helpful during investigations.

 

3                    Minutes of Previous Meeting: the minutes were passed as read. Proposed by CCllr Douglas, seconded by CCllr Robson (vice).

 

4                    Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes:

 

The question of S96 was raised again, Cllr Smith gave a brief and said it was not known. The Chairman and Cllr Smith discussed the matter at length and the Chairman wished the S96 question be raised at the next meeting. SBC Cllr Smith would make further enquiries. Questions were asked by members of the public through the Chair regarding repairs to damage caused during operations along routes to sites of work.

 

5                    Area Committee Report

 

CCllr Robson gave a report on the details of the Traffic Management Plan which was then discussed. Cllr Robson is now the CC representative and CCllr Friell reserve member.

 

6                    Wind Farm update

 

The meeting of 8^th June saw the finalised draft stage and the Chairman was asked to sign off the Memorandum of Understanding, which was recommended by the sub-committee to the CC, as were the other two sub-committees to their CC’s. The Terms of Reference, a contract between the SSE and SCF. It was pointed out by the sub-committee that while the deal is not generous it is about as good as one will get. The next meeting will be held in August. The proposal to accept the fundings was proposed by CCllr Robson and seconded by CCllr Friell and carried. The documents to be signed off by Chairman and Vice Chairman. SCF and the CDT as well as the CC Chairman had attended the last Traffic Management Plan meeting. The firms involved have taken note of the salient points and made considerable effort to conform to requests and are willing to consider all suggestions. The sub-committee are to continue with the process to its fruition. Susanne Harvey has done very valuable work on behalf of the Community Councils. It was noted there has been a change of Chairman at the CDT.

 

 

7                    SBC Cllrs Report

 

SBC Cllr Smith spoke on the matter of planning issues and the Area Committee, there was a strong possibility in the near future that they will not be considered at Area Committee level. There has been a concentration on road repairs in towns and rural areas after the severe winter damage. Roberton School will be mothballed or sold off, he himself favours selling. He wished his compliments be recorded to the Wind Farm sub-committee of the CC for their work on the wind farm settlement on behalf of the constituents within the CC area. Consideration is to be given to one body representing the CC’s in future against the big commercial companies. The question of the demonstration home at Craik now becoming derelict and the site turning into a dumping area was considered. Cllr Smith will make enquiries. The members of the public asked about the stripping out of Roberton School while children were still in attendance, this was discussed in depth, Cllr Smith said this was a serious error which should not have occurred.

 

 

8                    A7 Action Group

 

There have been no meetings. New bollards have been laid in at required places but road marking is still outstanding at a number of necessary sites.

 

9                    Correspondence

 

Please see attached.

 

10                Date of Next Meeting

 

The next meeting of the CC will be on Monday 6^th September 2010 in Teviothead Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm

 

At this point members of the public raised a number of questions about communications between constituents and members of the CC. It was pointed out that all CCllrs were open to approach by  members of the piublic, all CC meetins are open to the public, there is a CC website and when requested members of the public were allowed to ask questions through the Chairman. All notices of meetings with Agenda are posted on a number of noticeboards throughout the constituency. Another member of the public then observed that the CC has several outlets to the public at large and it was therefore up to individuals to make more effort themselves to use the systems offered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

·         SBC (Pinks) Meetings and Area Committees

·         SBC Rape Crisis brochure

·         S.G. SES Plan

·         NHS Borders Exercise for the Elderly

·         Safer Communities briefing pack

·         Tweed Forum newsletter

·         SBC SB Wardens Notice

·         SBC Draft Planning Guidance W/Energy

·         SG Better Community Engagement

·         Army Military Flying exercise 5-15 July

·         SB Community Councils Annual Seminar

·         SB Borders Walking Festival

·         RSS Landscape Play Design Brochure

·         Scottish Enterprise Competition 2010

·         SBC letter ref finalised SBC Local Plan

·         SBC Update ref Affordable Housing

·         SBC SES Plan Main Issues : Public Consultation

·         SBC P/A appeal ref Old Manse, Teviothead

·         SMP Playgrounds

·         Consumer Focus Scotland

·         Safer Borders Brochure

·         SNH Nature of Scotland

·         SEPA View

·         SB Community Councils Network

·         SBC Letter, future of Roberton School, Statutory Consultation 10^th May-21^st June