Kelso Community Council Minute

MINUTE of the MEETING of Kelso Community Council held in Kelso Town Hall on Tuesday, 13th January, 2009, at 7.00 p.m.

PRESENT Provost Riddell; Councillors Brotherston, Bassett, Little, Robeson, D Weatherston and Dawson; Scottish Borders Councillors T Weatherston, Hutton and Nicol

APOLOGIES Councillors Scott and Miller

IN ATTENDANCE George Young, Secretary

Police Matters

Inspector Simpson was in attendance. He informed the meeting that the Christmas and New Year period passed quite peacefully. There were 60 crimes of which 58 were detected. The police did have extra resources during that period which was of benefit. He went on to say that there were no serious issues apart from one incident when a male threatened a neighbour with a knife. There was also an incident where a youngster was stopped by police for cycling a bicycle with no lights and was found to have a dangerous knife in his possession.

Inspector Simpson informed the meeting that consultations were continuing with the taxi licensing officer and local businesses regarding the dedicated taxi rank in The Square. Provost Riddell asked Councillors if this issue could be pushed forward. Inspector Simpson also reported that he had been investigating the lack of parking signage in the central area. It transpired that as far as appeals against parking tickets in the Division were concerned, Kelso had the second largest number of appeals lodged against offences. The officer dealing with this aspect would be visiting Kelso and would be meeting with the Inspector and a representative from the local council to determine if there is a lack of signage in the central area. He also informed the meeting that the police along with the Local Authority were looking at solutions for the congestion caused by buses in Croft Road behind the High School.

Inspector Simpson handed over a two page document regarding the regulations surrounding invalid carriages. These were quite complex and took into consideration potential speeds and the weight of the vehicle. Inspector Simpson felt that it would always be necessary to inspect the vehicles to see if they did in fact need a licence.

With regard to the proposals which were discussed at the previous meeting regarding the Jim Clark Rally, Provost Riddell stated that a further meeting had been held with the organisers of the Jim Clark Rally. Provost Riddell had approached Somerfield and Hogarths Mill regarding the potential use of Mill Wynd and both organisations felt that this was impractical. Provost Riddell stated that the organisers were not now pushing for the international event and it was felt that the 2009 event will be in a similar format to the previous year. In the future it may be that the Jim Clark Rally will be using Perth as a venue in 2010 and it was understood that they were receiving funding for this.

Provost Riddell thanked Inspector Simpson for his contribution.

Minute

The Minute of the meeting held on Tuesday 9th December 2008, was approved on the proposal of Councillor Bassett, seconded by Councillor Little subject to the fact that Councillor Weatherston stated that he did not feel that the third paragraph on the police matter relating to the disabled vehicles was entirely accurate. He stated that he did not complain about them causing an obstruction but that he was concerned about the wellbeing of the drivers of the carriages.

Matters Arising

a) Replacement Member for Community Events Committee
Councillor Bassett agreed to join this Committee. Provost Riddell stated that membership of this Committee involved the attendance at meetings and helping with the Community Events. She would inform the Chairman of the Committee.

b) Supermarket Developments
Provost Riddell stated that a meeting of members of Community Council, the Chamber of Trade, local Councillors and the Amenities Society together with representatives of surrounding Community Councils was held on Thursday 8th January in the Town Hall. The Southern Reporter had advertised this as a public meeting and this had caused problems when the general public were not admitted because of the limitation of numbers in the Town Hall. There will however be a public meeting on 26th January in the Tait Hall. The meeting had been a very useful meeting with Sainsbury. Councillor T Weatherston stated that he had been concerned about the inference that officials and councillors were getting backhanders from supermarket firms. It is understood that an apology will be published in the Southern Reporter to the people of Kelso and the organisers for the mis-information which was published regarding this as an open meeting.

Councillor Nicol pointed out that he had met with the Chief Executive to express his concerns about the anonymous letters which had been published in the Southern Reporter and the Council will be making representations to the Editorial Board of Johnston Press regarding this.

Provost Riddell stated that Tesco had declined to come to a similar meeting to that organised with Sainsburys.

Councillor T Weatherston stated that he understood that Sainsburys will be settling the transaction with Forbes Plastics and the other interested landowners in the next few days.

Consideration of Plans

The Council considered the following plans:

a) From T Frame for the part change of use from office/storage on 1st and 2nd floors and alteration to form 4 flats at the current George Henderson Limited premises at 36-40 Horsemarket – the Council had no objections but the Secretary was asked to query how the development would deal with designated car parking.
b) From E Woodhead for the extension to the existing shop and the erection of shop with flat over at 18 Horsemarket, Kelso. The Council felt that this building would protrude and overlook the garden of the adjoining premises particularly because of the fact that there were windows on that side thus causing the adjoining property to lose any privacy. It was also felt that the property was not suitable for the conservation area.

Correspondence

1. The Secretary informed the meeting that he had received an acknowledgement from Scottish Borders Council about the comments which the Kelso Community Council had made regarding the racecourse field being considered as part of the consultation into the amendment to the Local Plan.

2. A letter had been received from David Scott Aiton who ran a composting business at Mellerstain who wished to come and tell the Community Council about composting. Councillor Hutton wondered if this was appropriate as it may open the floodgates to other private businesses wishing to make presentations to the Council.

It was felt that it would be more appropriate for a representative from Scottish Borders Council to address the community council on the issue of recycling. The Secretary was to contact Julie Rankine at Scottish Borders Council.

Secretary’s Report

The Secretary had nothing further to report.

Area Committee Report

At the recent meeting of the Area Committee only two planning applications had been considered and both of these related to the Jedburgh area. Provost Riddell had questioned Councillor Wise on the question of the distribution of dog bins in the Borders. It is understood that a survey is being carried out of the location of bins throughout the Borders and that they will, as a result, be looking at how these bins can be placed more appropriately.

Scottish Borders Council Report

Councillor Nicol reported that the Council do have a tenant in the unit in Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate previously occupied by Neve. This was leased to an Iranian Company who anticipated utilising it as a cashmere processing unit. They do have some equipment in it but the general feeling of the officials at Scottish Borders Council is that the development won’t be taken any further.

Chamber of Trade

There were no items to report.

Future Kelso

Councillor Nicol stated that with regard to the Bowmont Hall, the officials in the Property Department of Scottish Borders Council were currently looking at a form of words for transferring to Future Kelso the Bowmont Hall. This is tied in with agreements being considered for the transfer of other public halls in the Borders being transferred to similar organisations as Future Kelso. As the council were effectively disposing of a public asset, the officials had to be very careful as to how such transfers are made. Once the arrangements for the transfer of the Bowmont Hall are firmer a further meeting of Future Kelso will be called.

Provost’s Report

Provost Riddell reported that the hounds had met in The Square on New Year’s Day and the event had been well attended both by the public and by riders on horseback. Unfortunately the riders and the hounds had not been able to hunt that day because of the weather conditions.

Provost Riddell stated that she was going to Edenside School to meet with delegates from foreign countries who were visiting the school in connection with potential projects with these countries. She informed the meeting that a reception will be held for the visiting Canadian Curling Team in the Town Hall on Sunday 25th January at 4.30pm. Councillor Hutton will be officiating at the event.

Provost Riddell stated that a meeting of the Pathways Committee will be held on 27th January.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Kelso Community Council will be held in Kelso Town Hall on Tuesday, 10th February 2009 at 7.00 p.m.