UPPER TEVIOTDALE & BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Community Council Meeting of 4th July 2011 held in Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30pm
Present: CCllrs Douglas (Chair), Francombe (Vice), Pennington (Treasurer), Robson, Powell
In Attendance: SBC Cllrs Turnbull, Cllr Smith and Mr Godfrey (Sec)
1 Apologies: CCllr Hepburn and PC Murray
2 Police Report
PC Murray sent a report of various activities of note and the chairman read this out to the meeting. There had been a number of road accidents, scrap metal dealers were active in the area and anyone with concerns for their horses welfare should contact PC Murray who now has mobile CCTV van, police marked, at his disposal, which was used for the first time at Newcastleton Festival.
3 Minutes of Previous Minutes:
The minutes were accepted as read. Proposed by CCllr Francombe and seconded by CCllr Powell. Carried.
4 Matters arising from Previous Minutes:
None
5 Area Committee Report
CCllr Robson advised the Hawick Police stated crime had decreased within the area in the past two months. The Police Inspector had considered the Community Watch proposal as a good idea and would be in communication with SBC Cllr Patterson over specifics shortly. The Common Good Fund was discussed however the present status would remain in place for the time being. Alternate weekly waste collections was discussed with a presentation of the system and how it would work. The CCllrs discussed this with rural implications in mind.
6 Wind Farm Update
An update by Pauline Allison for SSE on the site has been put back. A letter explained the present situation of delay with construction. The SCF are pushing ahead with the formation of the Panel. Adam Hepburn had been unable to attend, however the other members had attended and the chairman had also gone to the initial meeting and would brief Adam Hepburn. There had been a lot of information and notes and details taken down. The final draft of the community profile for the Slitrig has thrown up several problems, however, it was thought the Hall at Cogsmill may well benefit from finance. There is a proposed site for a new wind farm in the area of Hermitage which could affect the Constituency.
7 SBC Cllrs Report
The Commission for bullying in schools is coming into effect. SBC Cllr Turnbull explained this to the CC in some depth. Traders Licenses in alcohol and salvage are under scrutiny. Education at the moment takes up a lot of time and finally the Big Sing was considered a success. The Hawick re-development group had its first meeting. The resurrection of Newcastleton CC is now in progress. Cllr Smith spoke about Social Work, social care and the local concerns and interest in the ongoing situation at the proposed holiday home site at Craik. He then moved on to brief the latest update with the stables layouts at Colisbin.
8 A7 Action Group Report
There had been no meetings. Grass cutting at the roadsides was not happening, however, the laybys have been maintained. The Group is monitoring the situation.
9 Local Issues
The CCllrs congratulated SBC Cllr Smith on his appointment as Honorary Provost of Hawick. The roads at Teviothead leading to the A7 have been partly resurfaced (patched) as at Roberton Valley, however it was considered this would not last. There followed a long discussion about the fate of these minor roads through both wind farm and timber traffic over the coming years.
10 Correspondence
Please see list attached.
11 Dates of Future Meetings
The next bi-monthly meeting will be in Roberton Village Hall on Monday 5th September at 7.30pm, followed on Monday 7th November 2011 at 7.30pm in Teviothead Village Hall.
Chairman: ............................................................................................................
Secretary: ............................................................................................................
CORRESPONDENCE:
· SBC Meetings (Pinks) *
· SBC P/A Stables West Newmill House
· SBC Clare Malster (HHS Notices)
· Tweed Forum Newsletter
· Scottish Natural Heritage Summer 2011
· SBC Clare Malster Shop Front Grant 2011
· Home Energy Scotland SE issue May 11
· SBC Local Development Plan meeting
· SBC Common Good & Trust Funds
· SBC Focus Group Meetings
· SBC Clare Malster Comm Ownership Support
· SBC P/A Colterscleuch
· Forestry Commission Drycleuchlea ***
· MOD Low Flying Exercises July
· SBC P/A Easterhouse Solar Panels
· SBCC Network Newsletter
· Retrospective P/A Lady C Encombe letter of objection *