WelcomeChairman John Common welcomed everyone along to the meeting.

PresentCllr A McEwan, Cllr J Weir, Cllr H Cessford, Cllr E McNulty, Cllr C Mabon, Cllr C Atkinson, Scottish Borders Cllr A Nicol

7 members of the public were also present.

ApologiesSecretary G Byers, Cllr J Sudlow, Cllr M Blackmore

Minutes of previous meeting

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

MATTERS ARISING

·Presentation from Primary School Pupils

Teacher Mrs Susan White and parent Mrs Anna Rodwell came with pupils Emily Thomson and Ellie Moran from the Primary School’s Eco School Committee.Pupils gave a well prepared presentation of what the committee had done so far eg litter prevention, environmental studies, wild flower areas etc to benefit fellow pupils and the community.The school would like to keep in contact with the community council on future projects and all members of the CC gave support.

Public should be reminded that the school still collect newspapers for school funds.

• Eilean Woodward

Attended meeting to inform of a meeting that took place 07 December 2005 where Mr David Welsh from Sprouston gave details of poet Mr Robert Davidson (1778) who wrote many poems about this area.From the interest a committee has been formed who have proposed to erect a plaque in the village.

• Cheviot Area Meeting (18 January 2006)

Report given by Chairman to CC members.Main items were a presentation by NHS Borders and discussion on changes to refuse collection arrangements.

·Planning Meeting, Allanton (28 January 2006)

Report given by Chairman to CC members.Workshop with advice for community councils who deal with planning applications.

·Questionnaire for School Playing Field

After discussion, all members agreed that it was too long and not all questions relevant.No questions asked about the playing field, which is the main reason for questionnaire!

ACTION:Chairman to request a revised questionnaire.

·Book Fund

Could be approx £600.No definite use of the fund was proposed.Suggested that the money be put in a separate account and not included in CC funds.

CORRESPONDENCE

Calendar from Scottish Borders Rural Partnership

CC Core Funding – Change of Address to Send Accounts - Noted

Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for Biodiversity – Comments by 13 March 2006 ACTION:Chairman to respond.

Questionnaire from Derek Brownlee, MSP on Community Councils Discussion Paper – ACTION:Secretary to reply.

SEPA View Magazine

Info for CC’s on Scottish Executive Consultations

News Release from SBC – Free Bus Travel for Over 60s

Following Correspondence Received But Deadlines Passed Before Meeting:

Consultation on Private Sector Discussion Paper “improving the quality, management and supply of properties in private sector” Comments by 06 February 2006

Meeting of Scottish Borders Transport Forum 11 February 2006

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Election 2006.Cllr Cessford and Cllr Stenhouse have completed their 4 years service.Jenny Flannigan to be asked if she would act as the returning officer and distribute the forms.

Morebattle Institute Committee to be invited to next meeting as a number of issues have been raised which may be the remit of the Institute Committee.Would need to be discussed with them.

Matters to be discussed at next meeting:

Revised Questionnaire

Election of New Members to CC

Date and time of next meeting:

Tuesday 21March 2006 at 7pm in Village Institute, Morebattle.

With there being no further business the meeting was concluded at 9:30pm