WelcomeChairman John Common welcomed everyone along to the meeting.

PresentCllr A McEwan, Cllr K Hanson, Cllr B Jackson, Cllr E McNulty, Cllr J Weir, Cllr R Paterson, Cllr M Blackmore, Cllr H Cessford, Cllr C Mabon

1 member of the public was also present.

ApologiesScottish Borders Cllr A Nicol

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting on 17 October 2006 having been circulated were passed as a true record of events by Cllr Hanson and seconded by Cllr Mabon and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

·Website

It has been discussed at previous meetings the possibility of having a village website with a section to put the KCC minutes etc for the public.Cllr McEwan suggested that we could set up a website where people have responsibility for updating different sections, ie KCC section, Guild section etc.Chairman explained there is also a Community Council Association website that we could perhaps get a section on.Cllr McEwan also reminded members that if anyone in the village would like a free Morebattle.com email address, they were to get in touch with him and he would set this up.Will discuss the website further at next meeting.

·School Playing Field

The last meeting went well.Doug Folan from SBC attended.Informed if opted for multi purpose playing field the council would not maintain it.Agreed to keep the grass, as council would still cut this.Was suggested that the equipment shed could be changed to toilets and a changing room and one of the other play sheds converted to a storage shed.It has been decided to go for the levelling of the playing field.Should be able to get soil from some of the building companies, as they usually have to pay to get rid of soil from developments.The school is very enthusiastic about the possibility of the upgrade.Chairman has given information about grants and contacts to Cllr McNulty.The next meeting is to be held on 27 November 2007.

·Information Board

Chairman brought pictures of information boards in Yetholm and Langholm as examples.Will discuss this further at next meeting.

·Christmas Tree

Tree costs £20.Also need to order extra bulbs.Agreed to get 20 bulbs at a cost of £29.90.Gilbert Elliot has agreed to look after the tree and will replace any lost bulbs.Agreed to put up tree on 16December and will invite the Games Queen (Sarena Cook) to switch on the lights before the carol service.

·Parking At Primary School

Is still a problem.Photos have been taken, which the Chairman agreed to take to the school.Letters have already gone out to parents about the problem.

·Twenty’s Signs

The signs have not been working properly.They have been taken away and are now returned but they are still not working correctly.Council is aware of the problem.Concern was raised that the signs are not timed to come on when the nursery comes out of the school.Callum Hay at the council is the person to report this to.

·Trees on Morebattle Churchyard Boundary

Concern was raised at the Cheviot Area meeting about the trees that have been planted.SBC have been out to inspect and they do not feel the trees will cause any problems.On the original plans for the house there was no mention of planning these large trees, there was only screening mentioned.Suggested that should ask to see the original plans and ask the term “screening” to be clarified.ACTION:Chairman to follow up.

·New Footbridge at Grubbit

The frame for the footbridge has been erected and is almost complete.All are very pleased with the new bridge.

·Road Matters

The police have been notified of the mud on the road at Caverton Mill.Advice is to contact the police if feel mud on the roads is not acceptable.

CORRESPONDENCE

RAF Calendar

Access Maintenance Grants – Reminder of 08 December closing date.

Bus Services Reply – Read out

Planning Application – RW & MI Walker, Erection of dwellinghouse - Concern with access road, not suitable.

Planning Application – Mr & Mrs JK Bell – Change of use to form dwellinghouse – Concern with access road, not suitable.

Planning Application – Damon Rodwell, Change of use to form workshop and erection of dwellinghouse – Do not feel it is in keeping with the styles of houses in the area, also concern with access road – not suitable.

New Ways Leaflet – Pass round in pink file

Postwatch Scotland – Pass round in pink file

Various info on Community Councils – Pass round in pink file

Kelso Area Pathways Minutes – Pass round in pink file

Structure Plan Alteration Stakeholder Meeting 29 November 2006 – Cllr Paterson will try and attend.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

An auction for Children In Need was held in the primary school, which was a great success.Suggested that a note of congratulations was sent from the KCC.ACTION:Secretary to send note to school.

The books in the Institute will be replaced by new ones.The children’s books were taken to the primary school and the rest of the books will be swapped for new ones.

Peter Hogg, the taxi and school bus operator has died suddenly.Suggested that a condolence card be sent to his family as he has done the school routes for many years.ACTION:Cllr Cessford to send the card for KCC.

MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT NEXT MEETING

Information Board

Website

Update on Playing Field

Newsletter on Kalewater Community Council’s work in the past year

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 16 January2007 at 7pm in Village Institute, Morebattle.

With there being no further business the meeting was concluded at 9pm