Minutes of Community Council Meeting of 3rd November 2008 held in Roberton Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

 

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

 

In Attendance: SBC Cllrs Paterson & Smith, Mr Godfrey (Sec) and Mr Frankland (Flood Relief Civil Engineer)

 

1.  APOLOGIES

 

CCllrs Douglas, Hindmarsh & Pennington, SBC Cllr Turnbull, Mrs R MacMillan (Treasurer) and PC Murray.

 

2.   POLICE BRIEF

 

None, however it was pointed out that that there have been more accidents, at least two, where vehicles have come to grief against the banking of the road when exiting Commonside bridge travelling North on the A7.

 

3.  FLOOD RELIEF PLAN ADDRESS

 

Mr Paul Frankland, civil engineering design manager introduced himself and issued large scale maps of the current pilot scheme below Craik.  The site was then explained in detail including the meander plan.  Progress has been made this year; however SEPA approvals can take quite a while.  The report on water back-up from the site by a hydrologist can find no perceived risk of flooding to property in Craik and notifications have been distributed.  Trees were planted in the spring.  Research of the trial project is ongoing to evaluate all results in order to make the right improvements to flood relief of Hawick.  There is a flood risk assessment notification system in being.  The meander work in the river bed is only allowed between July and September so not to effect river life.  This is a long term project with monies coming from several agencies and is now the pilot for the whole of Britain and involves the WWF.  There followed intense discussion, with many questions about the time involved before any results could be drawn, or visible sign of water flow reduction.  The meanders and flood plain berms being only means of slowing the water flow at this moment, the trees planted now will take a long time, several decades, before they contribute with water retention.  The necessity for cleaning out river beds periodically as gravel and shale banks develop was again considered and it was agreed a considerable amount of stone detritus movement is occurring now.  After concluding his presentation Mr Frankland was thanked for the maps which he had brought for the CC.

 

4.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

These were accepted as read and proposed by CCllr Kirkpatrick and seconded by CCllr Wilson.

 

5.  MATTERS ARISING

 

The post of Press Officer is to change.  CCllr Pennington, who has good communication with the local press, is to be asked to take up the job.  In the main this will be a resume of the ‘bullet points’ of meetings for release ASAP after the event.

 

6.  TIMBER TRANSPORT

 

CCllr Robson had attended the last meeting.  As at this moment there are no transport route schemes commencing in the Border area.  £5 million has been allocated for a timber link system throughout the country up until 2011.  A bid for this area is about to be submitted. The Eskdalemuir by-pass was still not actually ready.  Falnash to Gairbridge has not yet been funded.  Stage 1 and 2 of the intended plan was explained but it was also pointed out that the money was not forthcoming at this moment and the amounts of cost will be vast should they go ahead.

 

7.  WIND FARM UPDATE

 

Due to the takeover of the original company the situation over finance is no further forward.  There followed a number of questions and discussion about funding, negotiation and options available.  Scottish Community Foundation takes on negotiations, for a fee, to secure an acceptable agreement.  It was pointed out that payment is calculated from the commencement of work on site.  The CCouncils involved will consider the literature and whether to go ahead with this option and monitor progress.  There was further discussion over other options but the end decision will need to be made by the CCouncil as a group.

 

8.  COMMUNITY HOUSING

 

SBC Cllr Paterson is still in discussion with Waverley Housing and will provide an answer at the next meeting.

 

9.  SBC COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

·        There is to be a serious re-think about local education funding.  There are a lot of matters to be considered and the consultation period for Transforming Children’s Services has had to be extended and as a result decisions will now be considered for finalisation in December.  There followed a lengthy question and answer period of this matter with the SBC Cllrs. 

·        SBC Cllr Paterson has spoken with BEAR concerning a number of problems along the A7 South of Hawick and gave a copy of their answers to date, in particular to do with water runoff.  This is complicated due to property owners also having responsibilities and the negotiations which are now ongoing. The vexed question of Branxholm traffic lights and the A7 road repair is now further complicated by a BT fibre optic cable lain at the road side.  The expected and long awaited start of work is further delayed by yet more negotiation.

·        The poorly advertised and short notice closure of the Roberton B711 bridge was discussed.  Cllr Smith stated his concerns which he had raised.

·        The public phone box at Craik is to remain however the Mossieknowe box will be removed.

 

10.  A7 ACTION GROUP

 

There was nothing to report at this moment in time.

 

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

 

The programme is with the website developer and is now coming online.  Business advertising will be considered at a cost of £20 for a minimum of 2 years for customers who are in the constituency.

 

12.  CORRESPONDENCE

 

SBC- CC’s Network Seminar

SBC Revised CC Model Constitution

Health Event, SBC HQ St Boswells

JBA Consulting Flood risk Assessment

Postwatch Scotland

SBC - Meetings (Pinks)

Area Committee meetings

SBC - Naming & Numbering New Build (Roberton)

SBC - Festive Lighting policies

SBC -Vibrant Communities Handbook

SBC-Retrieving Planning Applications e-planning

NHS Borders notification

SBC-Vibrant Town Centres Conference

National Postal Ballot 2008 (Ballot Paper)

SBC-Planning guidance, provision of play areas

Letter Michael Moore re Digital Forum

Postwatch-Post Office closure programme

SBC-Scotland town centres and high streets

SB Licensing Board (East division)

SEPA View magazine

SBC-Changes to Post Office Network

SB CC’s Network (SBCCN)

SBC-Planning Application, land NW of Woodburn Farm Cottages, dwelling house

SBC- Re Scottish Government Public Relations Committee

 

 

13.  DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

 

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