BONNYRIGG & LASSWADE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Meeting to be held on Thursday 16 November 2017
In Sports Pavilion, King George V Park at 7 pm
A G E N D A
1. Introduction and Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of Meeting of 19 October 2017
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes
5. Police Report
6. Report from Midlothian Councillors
7. Issues Raised by Members of the Public
8. BLCC Response to Midlothian Council Budget
9. Roads and Pavements Group and Other Transportation Issues
10. Planning
11. Financial Report
12. Correspondence
13. Admin Matters
14. A.O.C.B.
15. Date of Next Meeting
Meeting to be held on Thursday 16 November 2017
In Sports Pavilion, King George V Park at 7 pm
A G E N D A
1. Introduction and Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Minutes of Meeting of 19 October 2017
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes
5. Police Report
6. Report from Midlothian Councillors
7. Issues Raised by Members of the Public
8. BLCC Response to Midlothian Council Budget
9. Roads and Pavements Group and Other Transportation Issues
10. Planning
11. Financial Report
12. Correspondence
13. Admin Matters
14. A.O.C.B.
15. Date of Next Meeting
BONNYRIGG & LASSWADE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 16 November 2017
1. Present: Marnie Crawford (Chair), Ian Sprott (Treasurer), Community Councillors Diane Easton, Bill MacDonald, Sheila Metcalf, Ruth Scott, Ann Morrison, Darius Namdaran, Associate Ed Angus, Members of the Public Alan Waugh, Gordon Lawson, John Gilchrist
Ex-officio PC Jonny Cassidy, Councillors Dianne Alexander, Janet Lay-Douglas
2. Apologies: Apologies had been received from Councillor Derek Milligan, Owen Proudfoot, Jen Gad and Jan Irvine
3. Welcome The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming all present and particularly the three members of the public.
4. Minutes of Previous Meeting of 19 October. The adoption of the Minutes was proposed by Sheila Metcalfe, seconded by Ruth Scott and duly accepted as a true record of the meeting unanimously.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
A) Letter from Dr Hamish Reid of the Health & Community Care Partnership in Midlothian The Chair reported that Miles Briggs, MSP, had asked questions of the Health Secretary Shona Robison, MSP, followed the Chair asking him to help clarify why Midlothian Primary Care funding is falling on a per capita basis as the population grows. A reply had been received from the Health Secretary which gave a lot of information on the formula used but no comfort on the matter of access to Doctors.
B) The Bonfire on 5th November run by the Hub had been a great success. It was a great family event with sparklers available for the small children.
6. Police Report PC Jonny Cassidy gave the report. Solvency of crimes over September and October averaged 53%. 80 crimes in September and 85 in October. The calls to Police Scotland numbered 308 in September and 346 in October. Over the period break-ins to sheds and garages to steal tools or bikes was the perennial issue with anti-social and youth disturbance continuing. As always there was some driving offences and housebreaking. PC Cassidy advised it was desirable to have a shed alarm if sheds were vulnerable and these could be purchased from the local Police by ringing 101 (asking for Community Police) or by calling at the Bonnyrigg Police Station. Anti-social behaviour has been particularly prevalent in Mayfield recently but the CAT personnel would begin operations shortly and this should support the Community Police service.
7. Report from Midlothian Councillors This was the first time Councillor Jane Lay-Douglas had been present at a BLCC meeting so she informed the meeting of her interests and responsibilities. She also explained Usave had lost its licence to sell alcohol as sales to underage persons had been common. The Conservative Group proposals to improve the Budget situation were being raised at Business Transformation. Councillor Dianne Alexander gave information on her interests and a conversation on dog fouling followed. A number of ideas from giving out poop bags to biodegradable spray paint were suggested. Problems with parking in Bonnyrigg were also discussed with Councillor Alexander keen to see a Park and Ride at Cockpen. The anticipated decriminalisation of parking will allow the Council to employ their own Traffic Wardens and may impose more discipline on local drivers.
8. Issues raised by Members of the Public As all three guests wished to raise questions on parking issues the discussion moved on to Public Matters. Alan Waugh from Waddingburn raised the issue of fast traffic driving through Waddingburn. He asked for support to get speed limit signs, also giving the name Waddingburn as this would raise consciousness that this was a settlement area. It was hoped the police would help with more presence. The Community Council was in agreement that signs should be tried. Gordon Lawson from School Green had come along to ask for help with the Parking in School Green. The Nursery there brings in adults dropping off children and there was limited parking available. This led to double parking or gate blocking while the children were taken into the Nursery. The meeting found it difficult to suggest easy solutions to this problem but the Chair said these issues would be added to the list BLCC were going to take to a meeting with Transportation. The Councillors would also take up these issues and Councillor Lay-Douglas suggested the meeting could be held in Midlothian House which might allow more Council officials to attend. Ed Angus would take up arranging this meeting for the New Year. The third member of the public present John Gilchrist from James Leary Way wanted to raise the issue of the traffic exclusion zone around Lasswade Primary School. He was very concerned this zone was leading to safety issues for children. A lengthy discussion ensued and a number of dangerous situations described. Councillors would help with the issue and it would be added to list for Meeting with Council staff. BLCC concerned about this trial exclusion zone and it could not be allowed to continue for long if it was creating new dangers for the children.
9. Roads, Pavements, Traffic The three issues raised above were to be taken up by the CC and taken to the meeting being arranged by Ed Angus. Ann Morrison raised the issue of the retirement and non-replacement of the Lollipop Lady at the Broomieknowe/Hillhead junction. Children walking from the village of Lasswade to the Primary School could not be expected to add ten minutes on to their commute by having to walk to the Co-op to get a safe crossing. To be followed up. Ed Angus confirmed he would, with Councillor’s help, arrange the meeting in Midlothian House with a member of Council staff. He had had the preliminary results of the NO2 levels and been told they were within permitted limits.
10. BLCC Response to Midlothian Budget As the meeting was running over time the budget response would be drafted by MC and consultation with CC members would be by email. 14 December deadline
11. Planning MC had circulated report before Meeting. Only new items was the observation that the 6 houses for the gap site in Elm Row, which had Planning Permission, looked imminent as an estate agent was advertising them for sale. The Snow Dome was to stay where it is after public concerns re traffic, smells etc at Burnbrae.
12. Financial Report MC had had contact with the previous Treasurer Elaine Fergusson who still had the petty cash. It was agreed Elaine Fergusson would be given an Honorarium of £100 for her work as Treasurer over many years with the thanks of
the CC. All the information required to finalise the auditing of the 2016 Accounts was now available so MC hoped these would be available by the December meeting.
13. Correspondence, Admin and AOCB were all quickly wound up as the meeting had overrun.
The Red Cross had written starting a register for volunteers in the event of a large disaster. The link had been put on the Facebook page.
The Bonnyrigg Duck Race was to be publicised.
14. Date of Next Meeting It was agreed there would be a short meeting in December to cover urgent matters only on 21 December 2017. Any subsequent time for discussion would be to team build and discuss ongoing admin issues.
Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 16 November 2017
1. Present: Marnie Crawford (Chair), Ian Sprott (Treasurer), Community Councillors Diane Easton, Bill MacDonald, Sheila Metcalf, Ruth Scott, Ann Morrison, Darius Namdaran, Associate Ed Angus, Members of the Public Alan Waugh, Gordon Lawson, John Gilchrist
Ex-officio PC Jonny Cassidy, Councillors Dianne Alexander, Janet Lay-Douglas
2. Apologies: Apologies had been received from Councillor Derek Milligan, Owen Proudfoot, Jen Gad and Jan Irvine
3. Welcome The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming all present and particularly the three members of the public.
4. Minutes of Previous Meeting of 19 October. The adoption of the Minutes was proposed by Sheila Metcalfe, seconded by Ruth Scott and duly accepted as a true record of the meeting unanimously.
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
A) Letter from Dr Hamish Reid of the Health & Community Care Partnership in Midlothian The Chair reported that Miles Briggs, MSP, had asked questions of the Health Secretary Shona Robison, MSP, followed the Chair asking him to help clarify why Midlothian Primary Care funding is falling on a per capita basis as the population grows. A reply had been received from the Health Secretary which gave a lot of information on the formula used but no comfort on the matter of access to Doctors.
B) The Bonfire on 5th November run by the Hub had been a great success. It was a great family event with sparklers available for the small children.
6. Police Report PC Jonny Cassidy gave the report. Solvency of crimes over September and October averaged 53%. 80 crimes in September and 85 in October. The calls to Police Scotland numbered 308 in September and 346 in October. Over the period break-ins to sheds and garages to steal tools or bikes was the perennial issue with anti-social and youth disturbance continuing. As always there was some driving offences and housebreaking. PC Cassidy advised it was desirable to have a shed alarm if sheds were vulnerable and these could be purchased from the local Police by ringing 101 (asking for Community Police) or by calling at the Bonnyrigg Police Station. Anti-social behaviour has been particularly prevalent in Mayfield recently but the CAT personnel would begin operations shortly and this should support the Community Police service.
7. Report from Midlothian Councillors This was the first time Councillor Jane Lay-Douglas had been present at a BLCC meeting so she informed the meeting of her interests and responsibilities. She also explained Usave had lost its licence to sell alcohol as sales to underage persons had been common. The Conservative Group proposals to improve the Budget situation were being raised at Business Transformation. Councillor Dianne Alexander gave information on her interests and a conversation on dog fouling followed. A number of ideas from giving out poop bags to biodegradable spray paint were suggested. Problems with parking in Bonnyrigg were also discussed with Councillor Alexander keen to see a Park and Ride at Cockpen. The anticipated decriminalisation of parking will allow the Council to employ their own Traffic Wardens and may impose more discipline on local drivers.
8. Issues raised by Members of the Public As all three guests wished to raise questions on parking issues the discussion moved on to Public Matters. Alan Waugh from Waddingburn raised the issue of fast traffic driving through Waddingburn. He asked for support to get speed limit signs, also giving the name Waddingburn as this would raise consciousness that this was a settlement area. It was hoped the police would help with more presence. The Community Council was in agreement that signs should be tried. Gordon Lawson from School Green had come along to ask for help with the Parking in School Green. The Nursery there brings in adults dropping off children and there was limited parking available. This led to double parking or gate blocking while the children were taken into the Nursery. The meeting found it difficult to suggest easy solutions to this problem but the Chair said these issues would be added to the list BLCC were going to take to a meeting with Transportation. The Councillors would also take up these issues and Councillor Lay-Douglas suggested the meeting could be held in Midlothian House which might allow more Council officials to attend. Ed Angus would take up arranging this meeting for the New Year. The third member of the public present John Gilchrist from James Leary Way wanted to raise the issue of the traffic exclusion zone around Lasswade Primary School. He was very concerned this zone was leading to safety issues for children. A lengthy discussion ensued and a number of dangerous situations described. Councillors would help with the issue and it would be added to list for Meeting with Council staff. BLCC concerned about this trial exclusion zone and it could not be allowed to continue for long if it was creating new dangers for the children.
9. Roads, Pavements, Traffic The three issues raised above were to be taken up by the CC and taken to the meeting being arranged by Ed Angus. Ann Morrison raised the issue of the retirement and non-replacement of the Lollipop Lady at the Broomieknowe/Hillhead junction. Children walking from the village of Lasswade to the Primary School could not be expected to add ten minutes on to their commute by having to walk to the Co-op to get a safe crossing. To be followed up. Ed Angus confirmed he would, with Councillor’s help, arrange the meeting in Midlothian House with a member of Council staff. He had had the preliminary results of the NO2 levels and been told they were within permitted limits.
10. BLCC Response to Midlothian Budget As the meeting was running over time the budget response would be drafted by MC and consultation with CC members would be by email. 14 December deadline
11. Planning MC had circulated report before Meeting. Only new items was the observation that the 6 houses for the gap site in Elm Row, which had Planning Permission, looked imminent as an estate agent was advertising them for sale. The Snow Dome was to stay where it is after public concerns re traffic, smells etc at Burnbrae.
12. Financial Report MC had had contact with the previous Treasurer Elaine Fergusson who still had the petty cash. It was agreed Elaine Fergusson would be given an Honorarium of £100 for her work as Treasurer over many years with the thanks of
the CC. All the information required to finalise the auditing of the 2016 Accounts was now available so MC hoped these would be available by the December meeting.
13. Correspondence, Admin and AOCB were all quickly wound up as the meeting had overrun.
The Red Cross had written starting a register for volunteers in the event of a large disaster. The link had been put on the Facebook page.
The Bonnyrigg Duck Race was to be publicised.
14. Date of Next Meeting It was agreed there would be a short meeting in December to cover urgent matters only on 21 December 2017. Any subsequent time for discussion would be to team build and discuss ongoing admin issues.