Minutes of Meeting of
East Lammermuir Community Council
Held on Tuesday 22 May, 2012 in
Beveridge Row, Dunbar*
Present: Cllrs P Swain/C Bruce (chair)/D Charlton/M Ramsay/B Wyllie
In attendance: Cllr M Veitch/P Jaffray and two members of the public – Moya Anderson and Fiona Nightingale.
1:00 Apologies: Cllr J Hanvidge/M Mylne/P Armstrong/P McLennan/N Hampshire
* The meeting was held in Beveridge Row as unfortunately Spott Village Hall was locked.
Chair, Cllr Bruce welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologised for the last minute change of location. Those present introduced themselves to Mrs M Anderson and Mrs F Nightingale, representatives of Innerwick Primary School Parent Council.
Mrs Nightingale and Mrs Anderson advised the meeting on a number of acute concerns with relation to the current situation of Innerwick nursery and primary school. At present, Innerwick nursery, which operates in the morning and can accommodate 20 children, is not used in the afternoons. This means, especially with the growing population 10 local children have been refused a nursery place at their local school and a further seven are possibly facing the same situation.
ELC have advised the parents that nursery places are available within the Dunbar area. However, this is not acceptable due to transport issues, bus time table not satisfactory and in some cases parents already have children in education at Innerwick, which means children from the same family will be attending different schools. Another real concern is if children are unable to attend their local nursery the chances of Innerwick primary school loosing that pupil is very high, which in effect puts the future of Innerwick primary school in jeopardy.
Innerwick Primary School Parent Council has been desperately trying to resolve the situation with ELC Education and wrote to Don Ledingham. He passed them on to a dedicated head of education and they are now dealing with a Mr Richard Parker, education service manager, who apart from one generalised response to their concerns, suggesting they set up a play group, has not responded meaningfully to any further communication.
Innerwick Primary school is classified as remote rural, serves the parish and is an integral and vital component of village life. Refusing access to nursery education, especially for those living in the parish, has a very series implication, not only for the children, but for the school and the village. Ten children have already missed the opportunity to attend nursery and unless this situation is readdressed it is very likely further children will also miss out. It is important Innerwick school is sustained and they accept all children.
Innerwick Parent Council has also been made aware that a number of teaching posts are on very shaky grounds. Most teachers are on temporary contracts, some of which may not be renewed and others are subjected to having their hours reduced. Innerwick school has been through terrible disruption and it is only within the last year that a degree of stability, due to staff efforts, has been in place. The school is facing an uncertain future; parents are entitled to some clarity and need to have answers and commitment from ELC.
Cllr M Veitch asked for all background information is sent to him and he will arrange a meeting between ELC Education and Innerwick School Parent Council as quickly as possible.
2:00 Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on 10 April, 2012.
The minutes were approved subject to the following amendments:
Windfarm Applications: Hoprigshiels development. Cockburnspath Community Council had not lodged their objections with Borders Council as stated. Their concerns had been addressed by the developer. PJ has issued an amendment to Berwickshire News.
Kinegar Quarry. Borders Council planning have not turned down this application as stated but Cockburnspath & Cove Community Council have objected.
Cllr J Bell had undertaken to report a number of actions from the minutes from which her name had been omitted.
3:00 Any other business to be added to agenda. Resignation of East Lammermuir Community Councillors.
Cllr M Mylne (Spott) has tendered his resignation, with immediate effect, from ELCC. Mr Mylne has been a valued member of ELCC and the meeting expressed their sincere thanks for his work and commitment to ELCC.
Cllr M Ramsay (Stenton) will also be standing down in October 2012 at the end of the current term of office and two people from Stenton have expressed interest in becoming involved in ELCC. Information with regard to the procedure involved in becoming a member can be obtained from ELC Lillian Pryde.
Cllr P Swain (Innerwick) also advised it was his intention to stand down in October at the end of the current term of office.
Cllr chair Chris Bruce expressed his regret at losing such valuable members of ELCC and asked if those standing down could possibly secure replacements to represent their villages.
4:00 Police Business: No one in attendance, however PC Kevin Hughes has forwarded minutes from the CAPP meeting held on 1 May, which had been circulated to ELCC. The next CAPP meeting is due to take place on 4 June, 2012.
5:00 Treasurer’s Report: The bank balance at 19 May, 2012 stands as follows:
Balance at Bank 2743.39
Less CR Printing balance 244.00
Less unpresented cheques
Innerwick Rainbow Club 550.00
Total 794.00
Balance 1949.39
Less contingency Crystal Rig Defibs 900.94
Funds available 19.05.12 1048.45
Crystal Rig Windfarm: Applications forms for funding have been sent to all organisations in the ELCC area on 21 May, 2012. The meeting agreed a closing date of 20 June should be put in place in order for the completed applications to be discussed on 26 June. PJ would circulate posters to each councillor, advising this information, for display in the four villages.
Cllr Swain has included the agreed wording format in the ELCC Newsletter which will be published and distributed within the next few days.
6:00 Matters Arising (Previous)
Belhaven Hospital Forum: The minutes from the 8 May, 2012 meeting had been circulated promptly and the next meeting will be advised in due course.
Lafarge: The North West Quarry is currently being pumped as the Dunbar Golf Course is becoming water logged in certain areas. At present Lafarge do not believe the quarry is responsible for the waterlogging but are pumping the lake as a gesture of goodwill to see if this makes any difference.
Torness: Cllr Bruce asked for all proposed projects from the villages to be considered by the Torness building projects team, who are keen to work in the community, be with him by 4 June. Innerwick have identified the need for the Christmas tree lights electricity installation to be investigated as the wind, over the past two years, keeps tripping the fuse. Plus ask if they could install a timing device. Cllr Charlton also asked if they could possibly look at the floodlighting system to see if there was a more economical way in which it could be utilised.
Oldhamstocks have identified the Mill Bridge project and Stenton have asked if the village hall drains could be investigated.
Food Train supporting local older people at home. ELC felt they were already covering certain aspects and did not want to be involved at present.
7:00 Councillors’ Reports Action
Stenton: Cllr J Bell has reported the broken Church gate handle and the dangerous state of the wall between the old and new grave yards and reminded ELC Brian Cooper of the verges and green repairs. No action has been taken by ELC and Cllr M Veitch would contact Cllr Bell and take the matter forward. MV
ELC have removed hedges (whilst birds are nesting) and replaced with railings at a number of council houses within this conservation village. Complaints have been addressed to ELC who undertook this work without planning permission or consideration. ELC are now applying for retrospective planning permission.
The community dog warden visited Stenton and notices regarding dog fouling will be distributed throughout the village. However, it was noted that the majority of dog owners in Stenton are aware of their responsibilities.
Pot holes on B6370 (Ruchlaw area) require attention. MV
Innerwick: A number of the pot holes had been repaired, however three very large pot holes still require immediate attention. Cllr Veitch took note of where these are and will report to ELC. MV
Cllr Bell had reported the two trees which need attention and ELC Mike Foy has been in touch with Cllr Charlton.
Innerwick Flower Show will take place on Saturday 4 August, 2012.
Oldhamstocks: Cllr Bell has reported the village green/verge repairs to ELC. Cllr Bruce advised flooding around the top of the village was severe and required immediate attention. MV
Oldhamstocks Flower Show will take place on Saturday 18 August, 2012
Spott: The Spott estate wall on Starvation Brae requires immediate attention and Cllr Armstrong will contact one or more of our local ELC councillors.
Spott will be having a Jubilee Lunch on Sunday 3June. Spott Fete this year will be on 18 August.
Planning Applications: Erection of agricultural building at Stottencleugh and erection of cement transition bin compressor building and formation of door to existing building at Lafarge Dunbar works.
8:00 Correspondence:
The East Lothian Food Bank – public meeting on 6 June, 2012 at 7.30pm in Town House, Haddington.
Consultation on the Integration of Adult Health and Social Care will take place in Edinburgh City Chambers on 19 July, 2012 from 2pm-5pm.
9:00 Date of Next Meeting: 26 June, 2012 in Innerwick Village Hall at 7.30pm. Please note there is a closed meeting for ELCC only and this would commence at 6.45pm.