Minutes of the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council
Thursday 17th June 2017, 7pm
Sports Pavilion King George V Park, Bonnyrigg
Present - Marnie Crawford (Acting Chair) , Darius Namdaran (Community Councillor), Jennifer Gad (Minute Secretary) Ruth Scott (Community Councillor), Sheila Metcalfe (Community Councillor) Owen Proudfoot (Member of Public), Dianne Easton (Member of Public), Ed Angus (Member of Public), Dougie Stewart (Member of Public),Gail Maguire (Member of Public), Derek Milligan (Councillor), Dianne Alexander (Councillor), Derek Hall (Member of the Public), Ian Sprott (Community Councillor), Cam Scott (previous Community Councillor)1. Welcome and Introduction- Meeting was attended by enough Community Councillors to hold election.
2. Apologies- Bill MacDonald, Janet Lay-Douglas (Midlothian Councillor), Ian Baxter, Ann Morrison, Glen (Manager of Bonnyrigg Co-op)
3. Co-option of Community Councillors- Election overseen by Derek Milligan. New Councillors Dianne Easton and Gail Maguire elected. Dougie Scott, Bill Macdonald and Ann Morrison re-elected. Two Associate members elected- Jennifer Gad (Minute Secretary) and Ed Angus (Special interest in roads/pavements). No permanent Chairperson elected- Marnie Crawford to continue on as Temporary Chairperson.
4. Minutes- Previous meeting's minutes adopted as a true record.
5/6 Matters Arising and Roles within the Community Council- New roles created and defined comprising - Planning person, Treasurer, Minute Secretary, Facebook Admin, Survey Person, Correspondence Secretary, Website Person, Chairperson and Consultation Person. All roles expected to take approximately 2hrs work out with the monthly 2 hour meeting (of which there is an expectation that volunteers also attend). CC's asked to consider if they would like to undertake any of these roles and to feedback at the next meeting.
7. Police and Crime Report- No Community Police in attendance. No crime report given.
8. Reports from Midlothian Councillors- Derek Milligan - There is a new administration within the Council who will have to find budget cuts of approximately £35 million over the next 5 years. There will be difficult decisions ahead as to how to make these savings. Once Councillors have had time to discuss and plan, there will be a public consultation on spending cuts within Midlothian. Infrastructure is required within Bonnyrigg and Lasswade to support the housing development within the area. Indeed Bonnyrigg is expected to be the fastest growing area in Scotland over the following 25 years. Both Derek Milligan and Dianne Alexander note that all Councils are facing challenging budget cuts and that Midlothian Council are not in the worst position. Dianne Alexander agrees that there are financial challenges ahead but is hopeful for the future work of Midlothian Council.
9. Planning- Consultation on 19th August for the Hopefield Expansion. CC note that Rosewell CC should be included in this consultation. Paper Mill- Most recent application was withdrawn. Planners would like to consult with complainants. 9 Houses at Laird and Dog- Application has been rejected as the plan is not 'in keeping' with the conservation area and is an overdevelopment of the area. An appeal is expected. HMO Application, Waverley St- No complaints thus far. Market Site- Plan has been passed.
10. Financial Report- Balance of £4654.58. Signatories have been changed. Midlothian Council has been paid £2500 for contribution to fitness trail.
11. Correspondence- Tommy Goldie is meeting with all CC's in relation to roads and pavements. A group will be started to look at road planning and maintenance. Ed Angus will attend and report back.
12. AOCB- Dianne Alexander highlighted the work of WASPI (Women against State Pension Inequality), an issue which affects some women who were born in the 1950s. CC noted that Dianne might like to put this information onto the resident's forum.
Dougie Stewart asked what had happened to funds raised by the public for the purposes of the Bonnyrigg 'Fun Day'? Advised that CC will need to ask Claire Laurenson.
Federation of Community Councils- It was noted that there is no BLCC representative who attends meetings at present.
Cameron Scott was presented with a Quaich in recognition of his contribution to the Community Council.
13. Date of Next Meeting- Thursday 20th July, 7pm.
Thursday 17th June 2017, 7pm
Sports Pavilion King George V Park, Bonnyrigg
Present - Marnie Crawford (Acting Chair) , Darius Namdaran (Community Councillor), Jennifer Gad (Minute Secretary) Ruth Scott (Community Councillor), Sheila Metcalfe (Community Councillor) Owen Proudfoot (Member of Public), Dianne Easton (Member of Public), Ed Angus (Member of Public), Dougie Stewart (Member of Public),Gail Maguire (Member of Public), Derek Milligan (Councillor), Dianne Alexander (Councillor), Derek Hall (Member of the Public), Ian Sprott (Community Councillor), Cam Scott (previous Community Councillor)1. Welcome and Introduction- Meeting was attended by enough Community Councillors to hold election.
2. Apologies- Bill MacDonald, Janet Lay-Douglas (Midlothian Councillor), Ian Baxter, Ann Morrison, Glen (Manager of Bonnyrigg Co-op)
3. Co-option of Community Councillors- Election overseen by Derek Milligan. New Councillors Dianne Easton and Gail Maguire elected. Dougie Scott, Bill Macdonald and Ann Morrison re-elected. Two Associate members elected- Jennifer Gad (Minute Secretary) and Ed Angus (Special interest in roads/pavements). No permanent Chairperson elected- Marnie Crawford to continue on as Temporary Chairperson.
4. Minutes- Previous meeting's minutes adopted as a true record.
5/6 Matters Arising and Roles within the Community Council- New roles created and defined comprising - Planning person, Treasurer, Minute Secretary, Facebook Admin, Survey Person, Correspondence Secretary, Website Person, Chairperson and Consultation Person. All roles expected to take approximately 2hrs work out with the monthly 2 hour meeting (of which there is an expectation that volunteers also attend). CC's asked to consider if they would like to undertake any of these roles and to feedback at the next meeting.
7. Police and Crime Report- No Community Police in attendance. No crime report given.
8. Reports from Midlothian Councillors- Derek Milligan - There is a new administration within the Council who will have to find budget cuts of approximately £35 million over the next 5 years. There will be difficult decisions ahead as to how to make these savings. Once Councillors have had time to discuss and plan, there will be a public consultation on spending cuts within Midlothian. Infrastructure is required within Bonnyrigg and Lasswade to support the housing development within the area. Indeed Bonnyrigg is expected to be the fastest growing area in Scotland over the following 25 years. Both Derek Milligan and Dianne Alexander note that all Councils are facing challenging budget cuts and that Midlothian Council are not in the worst position. Dianne Alexander agrees that there are financial challenges ahead but is hopeful for the future work of Midlothian Council.
9. Planning- Consultation on 19th August for the Hopefield Expansion. CC note that Rosewell CC should be included in this consultation. Paper Mill- Most recent application was withdrawn. Planners would like to consult with complainants. 9 Houses at Laird and Dog- Application has been rejected as the plan is not 'in keeping' with the conservation area and is an overdevelopment of the area. An appeal is expected. HMO Application, Waverley St- No complaints thus far. Market Site- Plan has been passed.
10. Financial Report- Balance of £4654.58. Signatories have been changed. Midlothian Council has been paid £2500 for contribution to fitness trail.
11. Correspondence- Tommy Goldie is meeting with all CC's in relation to roads and pavements. A group will be started to look at road planning and maintenance. Ed Angus will attend and report back.
12. AOCB- Dianne Alexander highlighted the work of WASPI (Women against State Pension Inequality), an issue which affects some women who were born in the 1950s. CC noted that Dianne might like to put this information onto the resident's forum.
Dougie Stewart asked what had happened to funds raised by the public for the purposes of the Bonnyrigg 'Fun Day'? Advised that CC will need to ask Claire Laurenson.
Federation of Community Councils- It was noted that there is no BLCC representative who attends meetings at present.
Cameron Scott was presented with a Quaich in recognition of his contribution to the Community Council.
13. Date of Next Meeting- Thursday 20th July, 7pm.