Kelso Community Council Minute

MINUTE of the MEETING of Kelso Community Council held in Kelso Town Hall on Tuesday, 10th February, 2009, at 7.00 p.m.

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

IN ATTENDANCE George Young, Secretary

Police Matters

Inspector Simpson was in attendance. He stated that the last month had been very quiet with only 18 crimes. 22 crimes had been detected in the same period. He went on to say that there was an increase in the number of potential bogus callers offering various services but on checking these they were found to be legitimate. The major incident had been the death of a 42 year old man which was being investigated. There had also been an assault in Maxmill Park but this had not been major. The road conditions caused by the weather had been a large part of the forces work and he paid tribute to the assistance which the force had received from Border Search & Rescue with their 4 wheel drive vehicles. A number of complaints had been received about snowballers but some of these had not been followed up as a result of the pressure of additional work at the time. Despite the weather there had been various incidents with boy racers and three Anti Social Behaviour Orders had been issued to young drivers. This could lead to the eventual loss of their vehicles if the Orders are not observed. Provost Riddell understood that there had been two incidents of cars being damaged and Inspector Simpson stated he was aware of these. Councillor D Weatherston asked if it would be possible for the police to make a reference to the potential bogus callers in Kelso Life as he understood that an elderly resident of the town had parted with a fairly substantial amount of money for services which were not fully carried out. Inspector Simpson agreed that this may be a path to follow but he did say that there was a distinction between bogus callers and callers who are providing a service not up to standard.

Minute

The Minute of the Meeting held on Tuesday 13th January 2009, was approved on the proposal of Councillor Brotherston, seconded by Councillor Little.

Matters Arising

Supermarket Development
Councillor T Weatherston stated that there was a date in June when Tesco had to be able to deliver the required package for a supermarket development but it was thought that they may find this impossible because of the ownership of the adjoining ground. Provost Riddell felt that Tesco were simply time wasting and she wondered if there would be any merit in Scottish Borders Council entering into negotiations with Tesco to drop their offer for the Keltek site. Councillor Nicol stated that Scottish Borders Council officials had to be very careful in how they dealt with Tesco because of the danger of legal action but he reiterated that they would have to come up in June with a package in line with the conditions set out in the Bill of Sale. A suggestion was made that Tesco may alter their position if they were purchasing one of the Co-op shops in the town as has been rumoured. It is understood that the Co-op will have to sell one of their shops in the town following the acquisition of Somerfield by the Co-op nationally.

Consideration of Plans

The Council considered the following plans:

a) From D G Beveridge for the siting of additional portacabin on top of the existing portacabin and erecting an external staircase on land at Sprouston Road, Kelso - the Council had no objections.
b) From the Director of Education & Lifelong Learning for an extension to provide two additional classrooms at Kelso High School. The Council had no objection and the Provost felt that this was a much needed addition to the school.

Provost Riddell stated that during the course of the month, an application had been received from M & J Ballantyne for the erection of 22 affordable dwellinghouses in land north of Broomlands Gardens. The Committee had considered this during the course of the month as it was felt that speedy approval of such a project would help to ease an employment situation. The Council did however have concerns relating to the fact that the site had access onto Broomlands Drive which would increase the volume of traffic around Broomlands School. The Community Council felt that if the Roads Department approved the access via Broomlands Drive, a pavement should be created on the right hand side of the road with a crossing nearer the school for the safety of children. Councillor Hutton stated that he had made representations that a new entrance should be created onto the Ednam Road via ground at Hendersyde. He reiterated the fact that the existing road at Broomlands was exceptionally busy at school times.

Councillor Weatherston added that a licence had been granted to William Hill Bookmakers for a betting shop in Horsemarket. It was felt that this was away from the immediate area surround The Square.

Correspondence

1. The Newsletter from Scottish Borders Elder Voice had been received.

2. The Annual Report of “The Bridge” had been received.

3. A copy of SEPA View had been received.

4. A copy of a Newsletter from Borders Health had been received.

5. A letter from Sainsbury’s had been received setting out Sainsbury’s proposals and how these had come into conflict with the Tesco proposals. It went on to fully outline the actions which Sainsbury’s have taken with regard to the securing of the adjoining sites to that owned by Scottish Borders Council stating that they see no reason why the process has to be delayed until June.

6. A letter had been received from Colin Stirling, President of The Border Province, thanking Community Council for the Civic Reception at the Town Hall when the Canadian Curlers visited Border Ice Rink.

7. A communication from Scottish Borders Council stating that Mill Wynd would be closed on 22nd February 2009 for one day for the laying of a new gas main.

8. Notices of Application for Licensed Premises had been received from Kwans, 10-12 Roxburgh Street; Victoria Wine, 19 The Square; The Red Lion, Crawford Street; and The Cobbles Inn, 7 Bowmont Street. Councillor T Weatherston stated that there will be changes to the licensing hours concerning Sunday opening for off sales later in the year.

9. A letter had been received from The Director of Corporate Resources regarding a proposed Traffic Regulation Order in Croft Road. This involved putting ‘no stopping on zig-zag’ marking restrictions in an area close to Kelso High School. The Council felt that this would cause considerable problems for some of the residents in that area as they would be unable to park their cars outside their houses and in some cases the houses consisted of blocks of three which meant that some of them did not have driveways to their houses. Suggestions were made that the buses should pick up children at the Inchmead Crescent entrance which is currently closed to school children. Children not using the school buses could exit the school from the back entrance near Croft Road. Councillor Weatherston stated that he understood that staff of Kelso High School would be parking in the Rugby Club and would be using the Inchmead Crescent entrance and that there was a proposal for an electronic gate. It is understood that the school favoured the restrictions in Croft Road and that they would be able to use the cul-de-sac as a holding area for children awaiting the buses. The Council felt that the Secretary should write to Scottish Borders Council stating that they were not taking account the needs of the residents of Croft Road.

10. A letter had been received regarding the administration of Common Good Fund but it was felt that this would not apply to Kelso when they did not have any moveable assets.

11. It was pointed out that a Community Council Network meeting would be held on Wednesday 11th February at 7pm in Scottish Borders Council offices.

12. A letter had been received from The Regeneration Officer of the Planning and Economic Development Department of Scottish Borders Council stating that a “Kelso Townscape Heritage Initiative Bid” meeting would be held on Thursday 19th February in the Cross Keys Hotel – Dickson Room. The agenda included the update on the Kelso THI Bid process together with an update on the Kelso Town Traffic Management proposals. It was agreed that Councillors Scott and D Weatherston would attend the meeting representing the Council.

13. A copy of Scottish Borders Community Council’s network newsletter had been received.

Secretary’s Report

The Secretary stated that as the four year term of the Council would end in May, an election would be held at that time. The Secretary was communicating with Scottish Borders Council to determine the exact procedures which are set out in a new “scheme”. He would report back at the next meeting.

Area Committee Report

As there had been no Area Committee meeting there was nothing to report.

Scottish Borders Council Report

Councillor Hutton stated that the Budget for the coming year would be set on 12th February. It is expected that there will be no change in the rate. Councillor Miller asked if there had been any progress with regard to the deposits with the Icelandic Banks. Councillor Nicol stated that a report had been made at that day’s Council meeting and the feeling was that they were quite certain that the money will be repaid but there may be some delay as the financial affairs of the company are being dealt with by an administrator. It was however understood there were more assets than liabilities in the banks.

Provost Riddell stated that there had been a complaint about the odours coming from the Coldstream Road sewerage works. It was agreed that the Secretary should write to Scottish Water in this connection to ask for guidance. Councillor Hutton stated that he was also drafting a letter to go to Scottish Water.

Councillor T Weatherston stated that the Council would be interested to note that a Hawick builder had been issued with an Enforcement Order to provide a play area at a housing development. He understood that a similar Order was close to being issued for sites in Kelso.

Chamber of Trade

There were no items to report.

Future Kelso

Councillor Nicol stated that there were still ongoing legal discussions regarding the agreement for the Bowmont Hall.

It was also understood that the bid for funds from Historic Scotland was successful.

Provost’s Report

Provost Riddell stated that she had attended the Edenside Primary School Burns Lunch. She felt that the School, the children themselves and the parents should be very proud of the standard of entertainment which was provided.

Provost Riddell stated that she would be meeting with a resident of Kerfield Court who was asking various questions about the progress of improvements to Shedden Park. Councillor Hutton stated that he was pursuing further information at the moment. Provost Riddell will report to Councillor Hutton the points made at the meeting at Kerfield.

Date of Next Meeting

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