Minutes of Community Council Meeting of 8th September 2008 held in Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

 

Present: Community Councillors: Francombe (Chair), Templeman (Vice), Kirkpatrick, Douglas, Wilson, Hindmarsh, Robson, Friell and Pennington.

 

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

 

1.  APOLOGIES

 

SBC Cllr Smith & Mrs R MacMillan (Treas)

 

2.   POLICE BRIEF

 

Travellers called at Mosspaul offering to carry out asphalt laying on 22nd July and local people should be advised that the contract is verbal only with no recourse in the event of dissatisfaction.

Young persons had been apprehended after a registration number was reported for using forest tracks as a speedway.

A problem of graffiti in the public facilities at Teviothead has arisen and activity of this nature should be reported if seen.

The Commonside bridge and banking was reported by the CC as being damaged due to vehicle accidents and the drive up to Branxholme castle is producing heavy runoff surface water on the A7.

 

 

3.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

The minutes were passed as read. Proposed by CCllr Templeman (Vice) and seconded by CCllr Wilson.

 

4.  MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

 

CCllr Pennington advised that the local press have offered a free summary of meetings article in their weekly publications and CCllr Friell agreed to be Press Officer to ensure this happened.

 

5.  FLOOD RELIEF

 

Mr Paul Frankland, Chairman of SBC Technical Services will speak to CCllrs at the next meeting on 3rd November as new head of Flood Relief Pilot Scheme.  Work as such may have to be postponed due to an objection having been raised.  The CC pointed out the public concerns about escalating costs and in particular questioned actual flood prevention was taking place at this moment.  There was an in depth discussion on all aspects of the matter with the SBC Cllrs, the general feeling is of not enough action and no real substance to the immediate problem.

 

6.  TIMBER TRANSPORT

 

The current work of planting is virtually completed and the water retention work is to commence August/September on the Pilot Scheme.  CCllr Robson explained various aspects of the scheme and how it was expected to progress.  Rainfall is now being monitored and the R.S.P.B. have become involved with other agencies showing interest.  The project is beginning to change as it evolves and many options were being considered.  It was hoped that the original intention of Flood Relief will remain first priority.

There has been a meeting last Friday but no representative was present.  SBC Cllr Turnbull will have the minutes of that meeting sent to the CC Chairman.

 

8.  WIND FARM

 

The Wind Farm will now go ahead, a meeting is proposed by the three concerned CC’s before the new owners Scottish and Southern make a decision on their proposals on the subject of a grant.  The past experiences of other communities are being studied but things are only moving slowly.

 

9.  COMMUNITY HOUSING

 

The situation has not changed since the last meeting.  SBC Cllr Paterson advised he would enquire with Eildon Housing to see if they could offer up the latest information available.  This subject moves slowly at best and on occasion in reverse.

 

10.  SBC CLLR’S REPORT

 

Common Good Funds could spend a sum approaching £20,000 without constraint and should not be left out of the frame, where applicable, Cllr Turnbull advised. 

Cllr Paterson is pursuing the issue that only the town of Hawick is presently denied a football coach for youths for no apparent reason.

There have been a number of anti-social complaints recently, especially overcrowding in housing and accommodation.

The problems of alcohol and opening hours and availability were under consideration at the moment.

SBC Cllrs have been involved in the recent restructuring of the Fire and Rescue Services which was achieved by adjustments.

Education cuts are now beginning to have an effect and cover all aspects – transport, maintenance and supplies.  Budgets are now difficult to manage and it will only get harder.  The SBC Cllrs will have to begin to accept responsibility for decisions in finance and budget constraints.  The present guidelines as issued are difficult to understand but the aim of the authority is to drive through the policy which will result in cuts.  Parent/Teacher associations will only be effective in achieving their aims if they are determined to pursue issues. 

The maintenance of drains, gullies and culverts will be done more frequently because of the change in weather patterns. 

The motor mileage allowance for public sector workforce is to be reduced.

 

11.  A7 ACTION GROUP

 

There have been no meetings in this period and there is now a large agenda for the next meeting.  The Branxholme Road embankment repair is expected to start in November.  BEAR have begun to put a telephone number on their road signs, however there are only two to date – one each end of the Borders.  Water run-off onto the A7 is recognised as a problem and present road maintenance is not keeping pace.

 

12.  WEBSITE UPDATE (www.thethreerivers.org.uk)

 

Due to the lack of decent light the photographs have only just been completed.  A CD is now being compiled and will go to the webmaster this coming week for work to commence.  A lengthy discussion followed covering all aspects including finer points of compilation.

 

13.  CORRESPONDENCE

 

Broadband (Avanti) is part of the Scotland Broadband Reach programme, however there are options and individuals are advised to conduct their own research to find which package suits them best.

 

SBC P/A  - N.W. Phaup Cottage

Digital TV UK promotion package

SBC Meetings (Pinks) & Area Committee’s

SB CC’s Network Annual Conference 27th Sept.

A.S. CC’s Regional Meeting 4th Oct.

Halcrow Green Space Strategy

SB  Structure Plan alteration

CC Info Seminars Autumn

SB Race Equality Review

SB Connect

WRVS Newsletter

Postwatch Scotland

Scottish Health Council Data Update

Countryside Alliance Rewards

City of Edinburgh Council Xmas Lights sale

 SG (Core) Seminars

SBC Public Consultation New Housing in Borders

CC’s Access Maint. Grants

SBC Adoption Local Plan 2008 books

Letter M Moore MP – 8th Borders Digital Forum

A.S. CC’s Robert Kerr Area Rep.

 

 

14.  DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Monday 3rd November 2008 at 7.30pm in Roberton Hall.

 

The following bi-monthly meeting will be on Monday 12th January 2009 at 7.30pm in Teviothead Hall.