{"id":763,"date":"2013-07-01T12:42:18","date_gmt":"2013-07-01T12:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eastlammermuircommunitycouncil.org.uk\/?p=763"},"modified":"2013-07-01T12:42:18","modified_gmt":"2013-07-01T12:42:18","slug":"minutes-of-meeting-held-16th-april-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourlocality.org\/elcc\/2013\/07\/minutes-of-meeting-held-16th-april-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Minutes of Meeting held 16th April 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

Minutes of Meeting of<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0East Lammermuir Community Council<\/p>\n

\u00a0held on Tuesday 16 April, 2013\u00a0in Spott Village Hall<\/p>\n

Present:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>Cllrs Margot Kirkland\/Peter Armstrong\/Donna Collins\/Janette MacDonald\/\u00a0Chris Bruce (Chair)\/Janice Hanvidge<\/p>\n

In attendance: <\/b>Cllrs Michael Veitch\/Norman Hampshire\/PC Lorna Scott\/Pauline Jaffray<\/p>\n

1:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apologies:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b>Cllr Barbara Wyllie<\/p>\n

2:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on 26 February, 2013.\u00a0 <\/b>The minutes were approved by Cllr Hanvidge, seconded by Cllr MacDonald subject to the following\u00a0amendment:<\/p>\n

6:00 Matters Arising (Current) \u2013 Wind turbines The Neuk:\u00a0 Permission from Scottish \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Borders Council has been granted for two 110m turbines and not 210m turbines as \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 stated.<\/p>\n

3:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any other business to be added to agenda:<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Morag Haddow from Sustaining Dunbar has commissioned and received the first draft for the project Connecting Innerwick to Dunbar and would like to bring this to our next meeting for discussion. The meeting agreed.<\/p>\n

A proposal regarding \u2018Sister Cities\u2019 Link between Dunbar and East Linton District and Marquette County, Wisconsin, USA.<\/p>\n

Street Lighting in East Lammermuir Villages.<\/p>\n

4:00\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Police Business:<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>PC Lorna Scott submitted the following report:<\/p>\n

During the period since the last police report there have been few incidents of note.\u00a0 There may be more incidents but due to the nature of these, or the ongoing investigation, details can not be disclosed.<\/p>\n

There was one anti-social behaviour type call.\u00a0 Two vehicle accidents, two thefts, four thefts OLP to caravans, one reckless damage to a gas tank at Thorntonloch caravan site and six lorries had their curtains slashed on the trailers.<\/p>\n

No reports re mud\/dirty roads and none seen. Two incidents between this time period and the last when a white van was seen with a couple of the Irish travelling fraternity, who were showing particular interest in horses and dogs.\u00a0 They were not traced.<\/p>\n

PC Lorna reminded everyone to be vigilant and if you see anyone acting in a suspicious manner, please call the police.\u00a0 For non emergency calls Police Scotland are now using the number 101.<\/p>\n

The next CAPP meeting will be held in Dunbar Police Station on Monday, 22 April, 2013 at 7.30pm.<\/p>\n

5:00 Treasurer\u2019s Report:\u00a0 <\/b>Cllr Hanvidge supplied a detailed breakdown of the current financial situation.\u00a0 The balance as of 16 April, 2013 stands at \u00a3302 and the annual ELC grant of \u00a3400 is due in June, 2013.<\/p>\n

6:00 Matters Arising (Current):<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>A proposed \u2018Sister Cities\u2019 Link between Dunbar and East Linton District and Marquette County, Wisconsin, USA<\/p>\n

Currently all of the East Lothian twinning links are with mainland Europe, except Dunbar-Martinez and are at a more formal level. \u00a0They are supported by EU money and ELC has a designated twinning officer. \u00a0They seem to have required ELC approval and are to\u00a0to establish and promote cultural, educational, social, economic, tourist, youth and sporting exchanges.<\/p>\n

Sister City links are less formal and do not need approval from higher authorities. Because of the distances involved there have not been many visits in the Dunbar-Martinez link, nor are there economic links other than tourism, although there are many cultural, educational and personal links. \u00a0In Dunbar\u2019s case, links with Martinez, California; Haines, Alaska: and Meaford, Ontario all came about because of connections through John Muir leading to friendships which have developed into sister city links. \u00a0Neither the Haines nor the Meaford links have developed the way they might have.<\/p>\n

The Muir family settled in the frontier state of Wisconsin, newly created the year before.\u00a0 There they became farmers and an integral part of a growing community of Scottish emigrants.\u00a0 The area remains mainly rural and proud of its connection with John Muir, with many also proud of their Scottish roots.<\/p>\n

In recent years, there have been links with Marquette County, Wisconsin, the area in which the Muir\u2019s created not one but two farms out of virgin territory with John, as the oldest son, the main source of labour.\u00a0 Links with Marquette County, WI, had existed previously but strangely petered out. This time is much more promising and \u00a0there was much to suggest that the link should not be with Dunbar only but the whole of the Dunbar and East Linton District.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>ELCC agreed to support the initiative.<\/p>\n

Street lighting<\/b>:\u00a0 Stenton resident, Ettie Spencer has requested a survey be carried out within the four villages of East Lammermuir to look at initiatives for reducing the carbon footprint of the area.\u00a0 One proposal is street lighting reduction which aims to reduce the number of street lights we leave on during the hours of darkness, when vehicles and pedestrians are least likely to be present.\u00a0 To ensure all street lights have lower emission bulbs. To consider part-night lighting, which means switching off the lights in identified areas between 12 midnight and 5.30am? Light dimming, which means that we reduce light levels in identified areas by about 50 percent?<\/p>\n

Councillors agreed to ask their villagers for their views as each village varied and the majority of people have to be in agreement if street lighting is to be switched off at a particular time.\u00a0 Cllr N Hampshire raised safety issues, particular in connection with speed limits.\u00a0 If there was no street lighting this negated speed limits.\u00a0 Cllr Kirkland suggested we should, in the first instance, possible turn our attention to Torness, which had a huge amount of street lighting.\u00a0 PC Scott advised this again was due to safety and security issues.<\/p>\n

Matters Arising (Previous):\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Action<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Wind farms: Blackcastle\/Cocklaw Hill <\/b>was still in the system and no decision had been reached.\u00a0 Blackburn<\/b> hearing session has taken place and no decision has been advised. The Neuk<\/b> \u2013 objectors are doing all they can to fight this development and ELC can not become involved as it is out with their area.<\/p>\n

Cllr Hampshire commented, ELC have been instructed by the Scottish Government\u00a0 approval for 50 megawatt capacity of community wind turbines must be given. There is no room in East Lothian for turbines over 12 megawatts \u00a0(small windfarm of large turbines).<\/p>\n

East Lothian Council have been consulted by SPNG Network (Scottish Power) re the installation of a new power line to be sited close to the sea, near Torness for an extension to create a large sub station to provide additional capacity for off shore use.\u00a0 However, ELCC are wary as this could also accommodate further windfarm capacity.\u00a0 Planning application is currently with the Scottish Government.<\/p>\n

An exhibition regarding this will be held in Spott Village Hall on 21\/22 May, 2013.\u00a0 ELCC ask Cllr Hampshire if the additional funding from Community Windpower new windfarm had been advised.\u00a0 Cllr Hampshire did not know.<\/p>\n

Stenton Bridge:\u00a0 <\/b>The mud has been cleared by a local resident and Cllr MV advised it will be cleared every six months by ELC.\u00a0 The village green verges<\/b> still require attention as does the wall at Pressmennan<\/b>. Cllr MV will continue reporting the matter to ELC.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MV<\/b><\/p>\n

Innerwick <\/b>school bus new contract is to be decided and Eve Coaches are temporarily operating this service. The Innerwick Parent Association are monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n

MV advised ELC are looking to make adjustments to local bus services in an effort to improve connectivity with rail services. \u00a0It was suggested this item be included in the Newsletter requesting views on the current bus service be forwarded to MV.\u00a0 JMcD\/MV<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>MV advised a white line would be painted between Innerwick Village Hall and Innerwick House on Innerwick Main Street <\/b>to help alleviate the parking problem on the occasions this was of concern. Parking concerns have also been raised at Crowhill and MV will visit the site and meet with ELC to see what action could be taken.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MV<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Spott<\/b> are currently putting together a programme for renovating the hall, which requires a great deal of work.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>Mobile Library <\/b>service. \u00a0MV is seeking confirmation from ELC as to the current situation.<\/p>\n

MV read out correspondence he has received from BT regarding the upgrading of the service in the Cockburnspath area.\u00a0 BT advised they will not be upgrading their service in the near future.<\/p>\n

Belhaven Forum:\u00a0 <\/b>NH advised due to the current financial situation no further developments are imminent.\u00a0 However, ELC & NHS, working in partnership are looking at all models to help improve the care service and the most favourable is to develop a 60 two-bed complex which includes a care team who will work within the community.<\/p>\n

Planning Applications:\u00a0 <\/b>Cllr P Armstrong advised there were no exceptional planning applications during the past six weeks for consideration. There had been two for Dunpender Council which would possibly affect East Lammermuir, but none of the councillors made reference to them.<\/p>\n

Torness Liasion<\/b> meeting held on 21 March, 2013:\u00a0 JH supplied the following report:<\/p>\n

Station Director confirmed Torness had had a very successful year giving credit to the Staff and Contractors on site.<\/p>\n