UPPER TEVIOTDALE & BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Community Council Meeting of 7th March held in Roberton Village Hall at 7.30pm

 

Present:           CCllrs Francombe (Chair), Robson (Vice), Wilson, Douglas, Friell, Hepburn, Pennington (Treasurer), Stevenson, Powell

In Attendance: SBC Cllrs Turnbull, Smith and Patterson, Mr Godfrey (Sec), Mrs Hutchinson, Mr Plumbe and Mr Warwick

 

1         Apologies: Mr Shallis (Chair CDT)

 

2         Police Report

 

None. The Chairman asked for any points. The speed of log lorries on the Falnash, Roberton and Slitrig routes was raised, especially when vehicles were travelling in convoy. The Secretary would pass on points to the Police. It was noted that all routes with heavy traffic were in a poor to bad condition after the last winter. The SBC Councillors will make contact with Mr Dyson, Timber Transport, before the next meeting and Mr Dyson would be invited to the next meeting. The question of fuel theft in landward areas was a cause for concern, individuals should make best efforts to secure bulk containers and sites.The Secretary was to speak to PC Murray to have an update on the subject at the next meeting. Once more the question of crimewatch – farmwatch was raised.

 

3         Minutes of Previous Meeting:

 

Passed as read. Proposed by CCllr Powell, seconded by Cllr Pennington.

 

4         Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes:

 

None

 

5         Treasurers Report

 

There has been no financial change in the account since the last meeting. The auditors inspections commence at the end of the month.

 

 

6         Wind Farm Update

 

The Profile Reports are to be released soon, CCllr Douglas briefed the present situation. The SCF has yet to declare a date for the closure of applicants for the panel, the forms the CC are using are made up from a guideline. The question of route of power from source to grid has not been made, however the CC will offer support to the other CCs about their preferred route.

 

7         A7 Action Group

 

There have been no meetings in the reporting period. The roundabouts for the railway to the Borders by-pass route at Heriot are to begin construction immediately. The area Hawick to Mosspaul was heavily pot-holed, unattended trafficlights were being ignored and outside of Hawick A7 Southbound  is nothing short of dangerous. Bear is at best difficult to contact, roads in general have suffered severely but in particular those for which Bear have specific responsibility.

 

8         SBC Cllrs Report

 

Cllr Patterson had nothing to report. Cllr Smith briefed the meeting on affordable rural housing in particular and the possibility being considered of alliances with other housing associations and in detail on efforts being made to surmount major funding problems. There will be more campaigning to more current empty housing into use. Cllrs would endeavour to contact owners in an effort to return housing to use again. The situation is all about lack of funding and what can be done about it. Cllr Turnbull spoke about schools and education and the fire service in the future.

9         Area Committee Report

 

The CC was unable to attend the penultimate meeting due to illness and the severe weather. The meeting in February was attended and Cllr Robson did raise the question with the Police Inspector about rural fuel theft. The Wilton Lodge Park rejuvenation may include the sale of part of the park which would enhance sports facilities and otherwise is not much used. Overnight parking for caravans, camper vans on the common haugh is to be allowed soon and spare monies for small scale improvements are to be completed by the end of March.

 

 

10     Constitution and Code of Conduct

 

The subject of a file was considered but as individuals are now issued with both documents it was not considered necessary.

 

11     Tent Fund

 

CCllr Douglas proposed that the tent fund be shared fairly by the two Show Committees and left to them both as to how and when to purchase new canvas. This was seconded by CCllr Robson and carried by the Council. Monies will be paid out by the Treasurer to the Show Secretaries.

 

12     Scrap Machinery

 

There is nothing to stop individuals, farmers in particular, holding old machinery on their property other than it must be fenced off or in areas where livestock or grazing animals do not share the ground.

 

13     Agenda Items

 

Local issues of an urgent matter which can be dealt with in ten minutes will be heard, otherwise, if of a complex matter or requiring further investigation the matter will be dealt with in depth on the following meeting having been raised on the next agenda. Constituents may nominate a CCllr to represent them or do so themselves.

 

14     Correspondence

 

See attached list.

 

15     Date of Next Meeting

 

The next meeting will be on Monday 9th May at Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30pm

 

 

Chairman:            ............................................................................................................

 

 

Secretary:            ............................................................................................................

 

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

·         Scottish Water P/A Sodium Hydrochlorite building, Roberton W T Works

·         Scottish National Heritage Winter 2010 Volunteer Works

·         Development Trusts Association Scot

·         Bus Users Forum

·         SBC Outdoor Access Forum

·         SBC P/A Demo home field N Craik Farm

·         SBC Planning Guide shop fronts and signs

·         SBC Climate Challenge Fund

·         SBC Flodden 2013 w/shops

·         Borders and Beyond SBB Excellence Awards

·         SBC The Big Lunch 5th June 2011

·         FC Future Balance £1500 free cash

·         SBC CC page newsletter SBC Connect

·         SBC Meetings (Pinks) (Whites)

·         SBC Safer Communities in Partnership

·         SBC Councils Network

·         SG Consultation Fire & Rescue Scotland

·         SBC Spring Clean Scotland

·         SBC Plan/Reg Services Stakeholders Forum

·         Email Charlotte Encomre