UPPER TEVIOTDALE AND BORTHWICK WATER COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

 

 

Minutes of Community Council Meeting of 12th January 2009 held in Teviothead Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

 

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

 

In Attendance: SBC Cllrs Turnbull & Smith and Mr Godfrey (Sec).

 

1.  APOLOGIES

 

PC Murray, SBC Cllr Paterson, CCllr Pow and Mrs MacMillan (Sec).

 

2.   POLICE BRIEF

 

There was no briefing however the road from Hawick to Newcastleton, Crowbyers to Cogsmill was discussed at length, increase of heavy traffic use, narrowness, severe bends, few road signs and increase in number of incidents involving motor transport.  The SBC Cllrs. made note and would report back on observations by the authorities.

 

3.  MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

 The minutes were passed as read.  Proposed by CCllr Friell and seconded by CCllr Kirkpatrick.

 

4.  MATTERS ARISING

 

The Roberton to Ashkirk road will need to be gritted should this be an alternative route as a result of Martins Bridge being closed.  There followed an in-depth discussion over all aspects of the impending bridge closure for the new water main laying construction.  The difficulties for traffic if using the park drive from hawick and traffic control would have to be conducted by qualified authorities. It was requested that Mr William Elliott of SBC be asked to write to Scottish Water in regard to the concerns of the public.  The CC felt that SBC did not offer information or consult with the CC at any point during the run up to the commencement of the Scottish Water construction.  The lack of local involvement has led to confusion and difficulties for the local populace.  SBC Cllr Smith made the point that there is no longer a local personality in charge of this subject and the fact is the area of responsibility is now very much wider and is leading to less attention to the fine details.

 

5.  TIMBER TRANSPORT

 

The Gair to Craik internal log transport route has had the funding bid approved as part of Stage 2 of the overall project.

 

6.  WIND FARM UPDATE

 

There has been no further correspondence.  It was agreed the Sub-Committee should now arrange to meet the other Community Council Sub-Committees and jointly contact Airtricity with a view to moving ahead.

 

7.  SBC COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

The children’s services DSM budget was protected and the budget for education had been passed providing greater flexibility for Head Teachers even although the finances are very tight.  At this point the question of shared Headships was raised and of the problems the system had not resolved, in particular the failure of one school involving a Head Teacher being responsible for four schools. The HMI inspection results had singled out one school with an unsatisfactory report after a number of pupils had failed to reach the required levels of national attainment.  When asked, the SBC Cllrs did not know what the local authority intended to do to rectify the situation concerning the pupils involved.

Adjustments to the budget are ongoing.

The TCS meeting had been held on 18^th December last and the Budget review on the 23^rd December.

The result of the Sainsbury planning application on Commercial Road would be announced in the first week in May.

The matter of Area Committee membership would be pursued once more on behalf of the CC by the SBC Cllrs.

 

8.  A7 ACTION GROUP

 

There was a meeting on 12^th December 2008 and another on 9^th January 2009.  Road Safety and new railings for the High School in hawick and a new crossing point near the new college had been the first topic.  Also road safety issues in Langholm had been raised. The education of young people on road safety was being pursued with particular attention to the number of children and youths on the streets at school times and more especially at lunch time.

26 accidents over the past few months have shown an increase partly explained by the darker evenings.

There will be more traffic lights operating at Branxholme to enable the banking to be completed.

The Selkirk by-pass was not selected in the next financial period of road improvement.

The Mosspaul pass is under review as a further small landslip has occurred.

Low cost improvements by BEAR including single road access will be considered for action as will water egress and standing water problems. 

Requests for consideration should be made by phone directly to BEAR to speed up action.

 

9.  WEBSITE NEWS (www.thethreerivers.org.uk)

There are still changes to be made to tidy up the programme by the developer who is to be contacted by the Chairman again.  The Chairman now had access to the website and there should be traffic by the time of the next meeting.

 

10.  BORTHWICK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST

 

CCllr Robson advised the CC on the Development Trust operating procedures and general modus operandi.  The subject was discussed at some length and in depth.  Mr Plum was to be invited to the next CC meeting.

 

11.  CORRESPONDENCE

 

SBC P/A Walled Garden Borthwickshiels

SBC Draft Plan   Amdnt. SB 2008

Scotland Equality & Human Rights

The Royal Society of Edinburgh

SBC Pinks

SBC Licensing Board Seminar

SBC Area Committee Report

Energy Saving Trust (Renewable)

Native of Scotland

Scottish Parliament - Railway Update

Socially Responsible Youth Shelters

Save & Reward Scheme

SBC Timber in Sustainable Construction

SBC Road Closure B711

SBC Network

SBC Connect

SB Elder Voice

SBC Regulation of Bus Services Bill

Scottish Government National Forest Estate

Scottish Parliament Save Forests – J Hume MSP

CC’s National Postal Ballot

Scottish Parliament Nitrate Vulnerable Zones

NHS Borders Future Day Services

 

12.  DATE OF FUTURE MEETING

 

The next bi-monthly meeting is to be in Roberton Hall on Monday 2^nd March 2009 at 7.30pm.

 

 

Signed   Chairman            ___________________________________

            

               Secretary             ___________________________________