UPPER TEVIOTDALE & BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Community Council Meeting of 7^th November 2011 held in Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30pm

 

 

Present:           CCllrs Douglas (Chair), Robson, Stephenson and Friell

 

In Attendance: SBC Cllr Smith and Paterson and Mr Godfrey (Sec)

 

 

1                     Apologies: SBC Cllr Turnbull and PC Murray, CCllrs Francombe (Vice), Pennington (Treasurer) and Hepburn

 

2                     Police Report

 

In the absence of PC Murray the Chairman read out a submitted report. The fallen log in Roberton valley was discussed at length, PC Wood is still pursuing enquiries, in the meantime SB Local have removed the timber. A lorry owned by J Nairn, coloured grey, had been seen without what appeared to be incorrect strapping on the bolsters. This would be reported to PC Murray for the attention of Mr James England, who is the new Timber Transport Officer. There had been a theft of domestic items from an outhouse at BlackLodge, Stobs and a wooden gate stolen from Alemoor reservoir.

 

3                     Minutes of Previous Minutes:

 

The minutes were accepted as read. Proposed by CCllr Friell and seconded by CCllr Robson.

 

4                     Matters arising from Previous Minutes:

 

None

 

5                     Treasurers Report

 

The annual stipend was to be paid in probably before the end of the year.

 

6                     Wind Farm Update

 

There has not been much activity with regard to the Langhope Rig site. There should be update information by the time of the January CC meeting. The Barrell Law site was discussed, including the Roberton presentation and several points regarding the information displayed on the panels were considered. The number of Black Grouse leckes were among the various aspects of wind farms in general which were also included. Mr Maybury had a meeting with ABO Wind and a number of local persons had voiced interest in possible purchase of a wind tower. The Chairman had met with the Chairman of Ashkirk CC, however the CC and CDT were not inclined to become involved and the Chairman asked the Cllrs for their thoughts on the matter. This CC was not enthusiastic. The Chairman will be attending another meeting before the next meeting of the CC and would advise accordingly. ABO wish to localise the benefits and considered RCDT could administer and control community benefit grants. The CCllrs for the ABO steering group would be needed, the Chairman and Vice chairman would be attending on Tuesday 6^th December 2011, between 18.00 and 20.00. The situation at Windy Edge site, Hermitage was described by the Chairman including the first proposals for community benefits. The firm were Infinis and there were to be twenty turbines, the grid connection point was not known. The CC would remain in touch with future meetings.

 

7                     Area Committee Report

 

The main subject of the September meeting had been anti social behaviour with a presentation. The Police report showed incidents had risen in the town of Hawick. The October meeting had not been attended.

 

 

 

8                     SBC Cllrs Report

 

The main topic in SBC at the moment is budgets with the discussion process already in motion. Foster carers will be sought soon by the Social Department and in Education the SBC class composition policy for reduced numbers in class is being worked on.

 

9                     A7 Action Group Report

 

The road closures at Mosspaul had been a real surprise, even though Bear claimed to have notified and as it affected the local sheep show was the main subject of the last meeting. A Police Traffic Officer had given a detailed review of the years incidents and there had been a route update by Bear, some cycling paths have been established but more work is required. Road surfaces are to be reviewed, patching has been done but it is acknowledged not always successfully. The repairs to a number of locations and the Albert Bridge was discussed.

 

 

10                 Local Issues

 

Water on the surface roads to Roberton were a problem, it was suggested that the drains could be cleaned out, possibly by SB Local. There was a constant problem on the Newcastleton road in the dip before the Flex turn off where water runs across the road from the railway embankment throughout the year and caused ice building up in the winter. The state of several road surfaces were considered especially Girnwood farm where the road has nearly disintegrated.

 

 

11                 Correspondence

 

Please see list attached.

 

12                 Dates of Future Meetings

 

The next bi-monthly meeting will be in Roberton Village Hall on 9^th January 2012 at 7.30pm. The following meeting will be at Teviothead Village Hall on 5^th March  2012 at 7.30pm

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

·         P/A Black Lodge Stobs

·         P/A Bowanhill Cottages at Hendersons Knowe, Teviothead

·         SBC Pinks

·         SBC Passenger Transport Review

·         Commission on Rural Education

·         SBC CC Training Information Seminars

·         SBC Notifications/general matters

·         Letter CC from Roberton Show Society

·         SBC Education & Lifelong Learning

·         SBC Scrutiny Panel (suggest issues)

·         SNH The Nature of Scotland Autumn 2011

·         Letter M Moore MP (Borders Digital Forum)

·         Letter ABO (Wind)

·         SBC Class Composition Policy