Minute of Meeting held on Monday 16 January 2012 , At 7p.m. in The Council Chamber, Dunbar Town House
S. Bunyan opened the meeting by welcoming everyone to the refurbished Council Chamber for the first meeting of 2012. This will be the venue for future meetings.
Presentation on Draft Resilience Action Plan. Susan Guy introduced herself and her colleagues Philip Revell and Ian Waugh.
P. Revell then explained to the meeting the rationale behind the Action Plan and the way forward. Huge challenges lay ahead with regard to availability of fossil fuels. A move to a lower carbon future will be necessary and needed to be tackled as soon as possible. The Action Plan sets out how this might be achieved as a community. Copies of the Draft Action Plan were distributed to members.
Ian Waugh then gave a briefing on the benefits of a community wind turbine which will create income for the town and surrounding area. A Public Consultation process is in hand and there is an online Opinion Poll.
H. Coutts asked about the impact on Torness as a large energy supplier and employer.
W. Collin felt that if one turbine is going to help the community to meet requirements and also generate income then the project should be supported.
N. Hampshire pointed out that the erection of wind turbines was a very controversial issue. There were strong feelings about the impact on landscape.
J. Bell said that E.L. Council was considering each application on its own merits.
S. Bunyan felt that the members needed to digest the report and re-visit the subject in future.
He thanked the representatives for their informative contribution.
Police Report:- (Submitted by P.C. Gavin Ross).
On 23 December a vehicle was seized on Summerfield Road after Police checks revealed that there was no valid insurance in place for this vehicle.
There is an ongoing issue in the Letham Road area of youths throwing eggs and causing anti-social behaviour. They appear to be targeting one house in particular. Patrols are being carried out.
On 3 January officers attended a large number of calls in relation to the strong winds. They ranged from trees blown over, chimneys blown down, heavy goods vehicles blown over and slates blown from roofs.
Overnight on 4 January a white Barrett Haulage Scania cement mixer was stolen from Tarmac at Spott Road Industrial Estate. Enquiry ongoing.
On 7 January a male was issued a fixed penalty after he was caught urinating on the High St.
In the early hours of 11 January a property on the High Street had a large number of windows smashed along with the windscreens of 2 vehicles also owned by the occupier. A young white male wearing a black hoody with the hood up and a scarf over his face and grey jogging bottoms was seen running towards the Castle Street area. He was not traced and enquiry is ongoing.
Overnight on 13 January a window was smashed at the Splash Pool. CCTV footage has been captured and enquiry is being made.
Overnight on 14 January a window at the “Beauty from Above” premises was cracked, possibly by someone kicking it. Enquiry ongoing.
It does not appear at this time that the windows mentioned are linked in any way .
P.C. Aitchison will be leaving the Community Role to go back to Response around the end of February. He will still in the Dunbar area,. No replacement for him has been allocated as yet.
Next Dunbar Community & Police Partnership Meeting will be held at Dunbar Police Station at 7.30p.m. on 23 January 2012. All members of the public are fully welcome to attend and discuss any concerns they have in relation to the Dunbar area. The priorities for this month are cycle lights and environmental issues.
Warden Colquhoun said that there was little activity to report. There had been several instances of fly tipping and one in particular at Belhaven Fruit Farm which he had reported to SEPA. He also mentioned that the public can report issues on the E.L. Council Website which they can then follow up.
Minutes:- The minutes of 21 November 2011 were approved.
Financial Report:- J. Wilson gave the current balance as £1785.59. This included a “facilitation” cheque for £1000 for the “Trees” scheme.
High Street Issues:- H. Coutts reiterated the points he had raised briefly at the previous meeting regarding the High Street. (i) State of repair of the pavements; (ii) length of time for car parking ; (iii) Improving the visual appearance of the High Street with trees; (4) Shop signs and frontages; (5) Blue Plaque scheme.
W. Collin had also done some research on the subject of the improvement of High Streets and referred to the Mary Portas Report which advocated the creation of “Town Teams”. There were already a number of groups working independently within the community but they needed to be pulled together to brainstorm and create a Plan for the High Street. S. Guy pointed out that there were already public consultations and surveys in existence which could be built on.
P. McLennan said that such ideas needed to be driven by the community and suggested that a brief could be set up and perhaps a professional body could then be engaged to progress the ideas. There was Council funding available for this purpose.It was suggested that we speak to Haddington CC
It was agreed that H. Coutts and W. Collin would head up a short life core group. This would consist of representatives from 2-3 groups and include the Community Planning Officer. It was hoped to be able to present a “way forward” for the next Community Council meeting.
Matters arising from the Minutes:-
1. Dawn Development – letter of support sent.
2. Heritage Information Boards – No progress over the Christmas period.
3. Progress with sewage has been made. J. Bell reported that there seems to have been some improvement but a noise report this week was being investigated. W. Elliot has also arranged for the tidying up of the building and site at the pumping station near Seafield Pond.
4. Twinning – The Committee is considering the situation for 2012. Plans are in hand for a visit from Lignieres College. Greetings were exchanged over the Festive Season. The AGM will be held in February.
5. The Molly Keith Bequest – Action is in hand to pay over the funds. S. Bunyan in discussion over plaque.
Local Priorities:-
(a) The refurbishment of the 25 pounder Howitzer is hopefully in hand.
(b) Paul Zochowski is supportive of the idea of returning or replacing the 2 seats at the Town House. The meeting agreed that this should proceed. It was also agreed to give further consideration to the siting of the seat which is being donated by the Community Council.
(c) Jo McNamara and Susie Goodwin have work in hand for the Brownie Garden.
(d) A useful letter has been received re the Street Market Banners and the problems they faced.
(e) Portrait of Provost Brand – no further information.
(f) It was agreed that an application form should be sent to the friends of Winterfield.
(g) Lilian Pryde should be asked to comment on the request for support for professional fee re the purchase of the Crunchy carrot/
(h) it was noted that Lilian wanted detailed proposals in February.
(i) The current statement was tabled.
Other Matters:-
(a) Town House – The Community Council held the December Presentation meeting in the Town House and this was much appreciated. The C.C. Award was presented to Barbara Leslie and the Bowe Cup to Abby Farrel. (Engraving is in hand). C.C. Shields were awarded to Gary Fairbairn and to Robbie Wilson in absentia. It was a happy and successful evening.
(b) Dunbar in Bloom – update meeting in November. M. Young reported that the volunteer numbers have reduced drastically and they were working to regenerate interest. Sponsors were also required for the planters (both planting and maintaining). A joint meeting with the Traders is being held in the Royal Macintosh Hotel on 31 January at 6.30p.m.
(c) Heritage Forum – meeting on 18 January. The chairman is to attend.
d) Ambulance and police response times. K. Croft and K. Thomas to visit the HQ at South Queensferry on Thursday 19 January. They will push for a representative of the Ambulance Service to attend a C.C. meeting to report on response times as well as to give an explanation regarding the proposed removal of 2 ambulances from Haddington to Musselburgh. With regard to the latter, this was an extremely serious issue and it was agreed to write to Ian Gray, MSP, expressing grave concerns about the matter. P. McLennan mentioned that a question was being raised in the Scottish Parliament and he will report back to the next meeting.
(e) Scottish Health Council – a meeting to be held re Belhaven Hospital on 24 January 2012.
Correspondence:-
1. East Lothian Development Plan – Main issues report Spring 2012.
2. Statement of Research by Ross Dornan – response made
3. East Lothian Licensing Forum – request for volunteer.
4. Community Environment Fund
5. Community Council Elections –Proposed change of Wards. Public Notice to appear in press.
6. Volunteering Group meeting; Wednesday 18 January.
7. E.L. Tenants’ & Residents’ Panel – Burns Supper Tuesday 24 January 2012.
8. Viridor Application
9. WRVS – volunteers required.
Local Councillors’ Reports:- J. Bell:
Roads & Lighting – Work done on drainage and surface at Spott Road Bridge.
Road marked for repairs at Beveridge Row. Work also requested on Hospital Road and at Spott Road roundabout.
Unlit bollards between West Barns and Dunbar repaired. One on Belhaven Road damaged in the gale – reported.
Light at Criterion House, Belhaven has been repaired. Light in Pine St. near Skate Park reported.
Primary School – Lochend Campus – Crossing persons moved around to improve safety for pupils. Damage in gale – being sorted. Thanks to those who were on site on the Tuesday to assess damage and to arrange to make safe.
Community Centre/Library/Housing Office – Coming on well. Due to open Spring.
Old Library – Meetings have been held. Further meeting planned re future use on 6 February.
Public Transport – Meeting held on 13 January – still delays in getting improved rail service to Dunbar and new station at East Linton. Cross Party support from MSPs, Councillors (ELC and Scottish Borders) as well as RAGES and SESTRAN for improvements. Transport Minister aware of situation and has been asked to visit and meet – meeting 28 February.
Friends of Winterfield – Group now up and running and looking for new members. Met with reps. from “Dunbar in Bloom” to discuss mutual work. Will be approaching Community Council for some help with start up costs. ELC have been assisting with admin.
Seafield Crescent Parking – Application has been passed by planners and work programmed for 2012.
Shore and Harbour Neighbourhood Group – Coming on well. Linking with Harbour Trust. Recent issues of litter, dog fouling and drinking. Have done an estate inspection and outlined areas of concern. “Enjoy” will repair wall that abuts the swimming pool land. Looking to upgrade “Fisherman’s Monument”. Applying for Seaside Flag Award. Next meeting 7 February.
Viridor Energy from Waste Plant – No Heat Plan yet notified to Planning Dept.
Caravan Park – Plans for feasibility study. Further meeting arranged for 1 February.
Day Centre – Some reports in press of it being wound down in current form. Not the case. There have been some issues recently which are being dealt with by the Management Committee in conjunction with ELC (Jacquie, Paul and Adult Social Care staff).
Belhaven Hospital – Meetings continue of interested stakeholders. Agreement that services should continue at Belhaven. Care quality is excellent within outdated buildings. Further meetings on 24 January and a Public Meeting early 2012.
Corn Exchange – Meeting held on 9 January re future use. Various ideas. Need to consider feasibility. Integrated in the ideas needs to be plans for the storage of the Christmas lights which are currently kept there.
Town House – now open and good to have it back in use for C.C. meetings.
Youth Café – Closed at High Street venue as found unable to have use of the whole building as needed without work on fire escape etc. It had been successful and now seeking a new home – possibly the new Community Centre. £16,000 will have to be returned.
P. McLennan: Community Centre – Site visit by C.C. February 2012 to be arranged.
Local Rail Service – New Saturday evening service at 22.06 now running.
Winterfield – Internal meeting to look at feasibility of re-opening Caravan Site following discussions with Traders. Further meeting in February.
Dunbar Arts Trust – Feasibility Study on Corn Exchange completed. Further meetings with Arts Trust planned re development officer/staging.
Dunbar Garden Centre No further update.
Marstons – Land deal signed – awaiting detailed plans to be submitted. Planning discussions continue. Start planned for Summer.
John Muir – Positive reaction from Alasdair Allan MSP re curriculum inclusion for John Muir. (Community Council will send a letter of endorsement.)
Winterfield Golf & Tennis Club – Positive discussions with both Clubs continue re new facility.
Dunbar Primary School Lochend Campus – Independent Inspection to be carried out on roof.
Corn Exchange – Public meeting called 9 January – around 20 attended – follow up due Feb.
Proposed High Street Crossings – work due to start before end of February.
N. Hampshire: Day Centre: Norman raised the concerns about the Day Centre i.e. how some service users felt that the social aspect of the Centre was being neglected. He also said that it was unfair that the local Management Committee appeared to be getting the blame for this when in fact the remit has been changed by E.L. Council. The social aspect was just as important as the care of those requiring day care.
S. Bunyan explained that referrals were now being made by the Social Services for those who were less able physically and in some cases required the support of trained staff. This made the possibility of arranging social outings etc.difficult. Also, due to the fact that those referrals used up almost the entire availability for lunches the Centre was unable to offer lunches on an “ad hoc” basis. A meeting is to take place on Tuesday 17 January to identify a Social Programme. Funds are available and he was optimistic that agreement will be met. He emphasised that the Centre is not being run down.
G.Wilson asked if funding from E.L. Council would be withdrawn if the Centre refused to accept referrals.
S. Bunyan will report back to the next meeting.
New School – Roof damage: The roof damage which had occurred during the recent storm was grave cause for concern and it was a blessing that the school had been closed at the time. The Council claimed that it was neither a design nor a construction fault. He looked forward to the findings of the inspection report being carried out on behalf of the insurance company.
If/when this roof is replaced assurances must be given that this type of occurrence will not happen again.
Access to School – fencing: The fencing surrounding the school is quite fragile. There is a danger that some pupils may attempt to find a shorter route to and from school which would entail crossing the railway line and thus endangering their lives. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to both the Chief Executive of ELC and the Head of Network Rail, with copies to the local MP and also the MSP, raising this concern and requesting the re-opening of the tunnel.
Reports from Committees or meetings attended:-
1. Viridor: New arrangement for Grants Panel.
2. Day Centre Association : Meeting held on 12 January. New Asst. Co-ordinator appointed who will commence duties on 17 January. Also meeting with Councillors & Director held on 13 January.
3. Hallhill DCDC: Discussions for the way forward are ongoing.
4. John Muir Birthplace: Meeting 24 January.
Any other Business:
1. Designed Landscapes – S. Bunyan and M. Young involved.in considering some in the Dunbar area.
2. Former “Somerfield” premises –consideration is ongoing re possible new use.
Date of next meeting:-
Next meeting will take place on Monday 20 February 2012 at 7p.m. in the Town House.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.45p.m.
