WelcomeChairman John Common welcomed everyone along to the meeting.
PresentCllr A McEwan, Cllr E McNulty, Cllr R Paterson, Cllr M Blackmore, Cllr H Cessford, Cllr C Mabon, Scottish Borders Cllr A Nicol
3 members of the public were also present.
ApologiesCllr B Jackson, Cllr K Hanson
The minutes of the previous meeting on 21 November 2006 having been circulated were passed as a true record of events by Cllr Paterson and seconded by Cllr McNulty and signed by the Chairman.
·Website
There are sites on the Internet that have sections with information on Morebattle.One is Border.net and another section appears as a link from the SBC site.Cllr McEwan is willing to help set up and teach people how to manage their own sections on the website (Morebattle.com or Morebattle .info) free of charge, which is greatly appreciated.Would be an idea to get all potential interested groups ie. Institute committee, Games committee together at a meeting to discuss this.
·School Playing Field
Plans have recently been made to show the new pitch.Unfortunately cannot progress much further until these plans have been approved.Some areas may need 5 meters of soil to make the pitch level, although getting the soil would not be a problem.Some planting has also been done, would need to find out who is responsible for this as this would need to be suspended until have agreed that the upgrade is going ahead.
·Information Board
Agreed that would like a sloping board set in to the wall around the Institute.Ideas for the board were:Map of village in the centre, info on – poet, Linton church and worm myth, Cessford castle, Cheviot Hills and St Cuthberts Way, Kelso Laddie/Jed Callant visit, Jubilee bridge, Kalewater Miscellany book, river Kale, farming in the area, the trysting tree, village website address.Thought an idea for future may be to produce a leaflet with directions on how to get to the various places on the board.Also discussed marking places such as the Templehall as they are local businesses.Board would probably be about 3ftx2ft.Clare Malster at SBC would be able to help with sources of funding for the project. ACTION:Ideas for the board to be sent to Guy Campbell.
·KCC Newsletter
Cllr Hanson has volunteered to make up the newsletter on KCC’s achievements over the last year.This would be given to each household in the area and would also inform them of the upcoming elections and the AGM.This is a cheaper alternative to putting an advert in the Southern Reporter.Some suggestions to be given at the next meeting for the newsletter are: new Grubbit bridge, twenty’s plenty signs, playing field is ongoing, village website idea, survey completed last year, new information board is ongoing, appeal for volunteers for events such as the Jed Callant visit.Newsletter will be drawn up before the March meeting and then distributed.
·Christmas Tree
Another beautiful tree this year.Cost £20 for the tree, £29.90 for 20 spare bulbs.There was an excellent turn out at the switching on of the lights and felt it was a good idea having the festival queen turning the lights on.An idea for this year was to put the tree up quicker.Also an idea to put lights round the eaves of the Institute would look more festive behind the tree.KCC could donate money to the Institute committee for these lights.Invoice for the Chairman was given to the treasurer for the purchase of the tree.
Planning Application – Mr & Mrs Fleming, Land South East of SunnybraesPlans seem to suggest that a layby will be put at the roadend.KCC still feels that this roadend is too close to the corner and could cause potential accidents.No problems with the property.Will make concerns regards the road entrance.
Eildon Housing ReplyStill seems to be confusion regarding the sewerage capacity in Morebattle.Reply stated there was no capacity left!Chairman had brought this issue up at a Cheviot area meeting with Brian Fraser, Head of Planning.Scottish Water are giving conflicting information so the planning department are approving applications as there is so much conflicting info.
CC Training Seminar – 21 February 2007No interest.
SBC Spending Priorities 2007/08 Seminar – 29 January 2007No interest
SB Licensing Board
Postwatch Scotland Consultation WorkshopsInvite to meeting in Edinburgh, reply by 15 January 2007- missed deadline.
Email from Cllr Nicol regarding free security and safety checks available for households.Poster to be put in the notice board with the telephone number.
Correspondence to be passed round members in pink file:
SBC Affordable Housing Report
Scottish Small Towns Report 2007-2013
Trading Standards Matters Newsletter Community
Council Scheme Review
Electoral Review Society Request for Volunteers
Renewable Energy In The Scottish Borders, Draft Supplementary Guidance
SEPA View Magazine
Kelso Area Pathways Minutes
SBCCN Newsletter
Alan Thomson cuts Land behind Renwick Gardens as the weeds get out of control in the summer.ACTION:Secretary to send a request to the council that this area is brought in to the grass-cutting schedule.
Trees at Morebattle churchyard have yet to be followed up due to the closure of the council over the festive period.
There are concerns with the road between Hownam and Nicki’s Ha.This road was overlayed in the summer but potholes are already appearing.Also concerns with the trees between Corbett to beyond Gateshaw farm.They are now further on to the road and large vehicles have to drive nearer the centre of the road to avoid them.ACTION:Secretary to contact Ronnie Pattenden regarding these issues.
A camera club has been suggested for the village.Would anyone be interested?Classes were suggested in the survey conducted by KCC.Agreed to put poster in the notice board informing anyone interested to give his or her names at the shop.
Information Board
Website
Update on Playing Field
Newsletter on Kalewater Community Council’s work in the past year
Cemetery Trees
Tuesday 20 February2007 at 7pm in Village Institute, Morebattle.
With there being no further business the meeting was concluded at 9:40pm