UPPER TEVIOTDALE AND BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

 

Minutes of the Community Council Meeting of 6th September 2010 held in Teviothead Village hall at 7.30pm.

 

Present: Community Councillors: Francombe (Chair), Robson (Vice), Wilson, Friell, Pennington (Treasurer), Douglas, Hepburn and Stevenson.

 

In Attendance: SBC Cllrs. Smith, Turnbull, and Paterson, Mr Powell, PC Murray & Mr Godfrey (Sec).

 

 

1.       APOLOGIES

 

None               

 

 

2. CONSIDERATION OF CO-OPTION OF MR K POWELL.

 

It was proposed by CCllr Friel and seconded by CCllr Robson that Mr Powell, being a member of the constituency should be co-opted as a member of the CC. Carried.

 

 

3.Police Report

 

PC Murray advised on a number of incidents. A generator stolen from a site at Mosspaul and storage container in Denholm and a red Mercedes vehicle and contents of a tack room, a still saw at the Filter Station at Roberton. Stables and especially tack rooms were a target. When reporting any suspicious incidents vehicle registrations were of importance. It was pointed out that cash card telephones do not accept incoming calls. The police service would be transformed by the new budgetary restrictions and there were many changes to come. Officers on the beat would feel this the most while sergeants were likely to be concentrated more in towns and cities. Wild camping was causing a concern in the Valleys especially in regard to fires and litter. During the summer months the increase in motorcycling, especially on the A7 at Teinside and Branxholme, was being watched, excessive speeds being the problem and the large bodies of bikes one could meet being the other. Scottish National Heritage has issued a letter with specific reference to the conditions attached to wild camping.

 

 

4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

 

Passed as read. Proposed by CCllr. Wilson and seconded by CCllr. Pennington. Carried.

 

 

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

 

With regard to Section 96 and Langhope Rig Windfarm, this will be covered under the Traffic Management Plan. Within the SBC I is thought that Section 96 may not be enforceable. Forestry work is to increase significantly during the next few years, this was discussed in depth. The SBC has the power to hold road users, that is haulage companies, responsible for major damage to the integrity of the roads. There is concern over the combination of forestry and windfarm traffic on minor roads which were never constructed for the vehicle loaded weights of today and the consequences to the local population. The school clearance issue and lack of sensitivity has been addressed by the authorities. The firm MDF were ordered to clear their site within 21 days, that is by 15th September 2010. Road lining by the authorities is now being carried out.

 

 

6.AREA COMMITTEE REPORT

 

There was nothing to report. The Area Committees of Tweeddale and Liddesdale are to remain active entities.

 

 

7. WIND FARM UPDATE

 

There was a meeting in August and there was to be a community profile disc, CCllr Robson representing Roberton Valley, CCllrs Douglas and Francombe for Teviothead and Mr Godfrey for the Slitrig area. SCF would compile the disc. Notifications of the community panel asking for volunteers have been posted and forms will be available for application shortly through either the Chairman or the Secretary. There is to be a selection panel for applicants consisting of one member of the SCF, one member of SBC (Cllr Patterson) and two members of the CC. The panel is to consist of one member of the CC and three members of the constituency.

 

 

8 . SBC CLLRS REPORT

 

Cllr Turnbull spoke about the effect on education that will be felt by the coming budget, the sums of money involved over the next two years would be considerable. Cllr Smith advised that the transport budget would be very difficult to manage. Cllr Patterson had been dealing with complaints within the Ward. Bus contracts are under consideration for renewal but there were difficulties and some points needed clarification. Careful attention is being applied to the gritting programme for the coming winter. There is ongoing discourse with the Standards Committee.

 

9 . A7 ACTION GROUP

 

A letter has been sent to Bear with complaints about gritting and other highway matters. Bear dispute the facts presented. The cycle track at Colterscleuch is disputed and it is felt that this should be investigated. As of Friday 3rd Sept 2010 there are still marker lines on various stretches of highway missing and bollards to be put back in position. The proposed Selkirk by-pass will not now be given the go-ahead in the near future.

 

 

10. CORRESPONDENCE

 

See attached list.

 

CCllr Robson briefed the meeting about the latest Forestry letter and explained the details. The future of Roberton School second response was re-considered, mothballing will be expensive and cost per pupil will be very high against other options. However two thirds of the constituents affected wish the school to be mothballed for possible future use for other purposes. There was considerable discussion and the SBC Cllrs also advised. The decision of the CC was to leave their response unchanged as mothball.

 

11. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

The next bi-monthly meeting of the CC is to be on Monday 1st November 2010 in Roberton Hall at 7.30pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

SBC Meetings (Pinks)

ASCC Regional Meeting 11 September 2010

SBC PA – Fenwick Farmhouse alterations

SBC Licensing Board (Consul/Rev)

SB in figures 2010-10-21

Ms Malster Mobile phone coverage Rural

Community Payback Order Awareness

SBC – changes to Area Committees

SBC CC Network Annual Seminar

SBC Cllr Smith notes on Sec 96

SBC Education and Lifelong Learning

The Borders Party Promotion Letter

ASCC letter

SBC Libel & Slander Insurance

SMP Playgrounds brochure

No NEED for Nuclear brochure

Volunteer Centre Borders Brochure

SBC Housing Strategy Services

SES Plan main issues report

SB Elder Voice

ASCC Brochure

John Lamont MSP Show Surgeries

Forestry Commission Craik Forest

Walk It – health walks

Volunteer Centre Borders Brochure

SBC Roberton School (Future Proposals)