WelcomeChairman John Common welcomed everyone along to the meeting.

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

5 members of the public were also present.

ApologiesCllr B Jackson, Cllr C Atkinson

Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting on 13 December 2005 having been circulated were passed as a true record of events by Cllr Mabon and seconded by Cllr McNulty and signed by the Chairman.

TRIBUTE TO BOB PRINGLE, DIED 16 JANUARY 2006

“There will be many tributes paid in memory of Bob over the next few days but for tonight I would like to pay tribute to his work in and for the community.

Bob was brought up in Morebattle with his five sisters and was intensely proud of his roots.He worked tirelessly to keep abreast of the many changes.He was one of the first to chair the New Community Council over 30 years ago.

No task was ever too much for Bob, he attended countless council meetings and village hall meetings, upgrading and boosting funds whether it be for lunch club or stocking the Kale with trout.

On holidays with Bob in Callander, Skye or Jersey he could be heard boasting with pride the on goings in Morebattle.

As he delivered prescriptions in the village he would do shopping or chop kindling for the elderly, with no thought of return for himself.Having said that he was a proud man on the day he went with his family to Bowhill to collect his BEM for services in the community.

He will be sadly missed but the village has gained so much from the warmth of Bob and Mary.”Cllr Helen Cessford

POLICE MATTERS

Attended by Inspector David Muir of Kelso station.Reassured that although there are not many officers seen in the village, it is a very low crime area.It is a large area covered (comprises Kelso, Jedburgh, Melrose, Tweedbank, St Boswells) so apologies for the non-attendance at some Community Council meetings by officers as depends on callouts on the night.Questions asked were on the times the station is manned.Open 9-5 weekdays and but there should be an officer there 24hrs but depends on callouts during the night.Also described how ASBOs work.Inspector Muir stressed the point that if anyone had anything they were worried about they are to call him at the station or email him.Secretary and Chairman have the email address.

MATTERS ARISING

·School Playing Field

Chairman had received sample copies of questionnaires from Rural Resource Centre.Agreed that need to find out what the school’s needs are and whether other facilities would be needed such as storage, toilets etc.Other questions that could be added in to the questionnaire were discussed which would also give the CC ideas on what general feeling is on issues affecting Morebattle and what the CC could do for the area.These questions could be on the wind farm, volume of traffic and parking, transport provisions, potential expansion of village/industrial estate, community composting, are there facilities for all ages in village?

• SB Local Plan

Mainsfield Avenue to Main St is to be protected from development.The southwest area of Morebattle can be developed after Renwick Gardens is completed.Agreed that the KCC has no objections to the plan.

• Borders Care & Repair

Agreed that we do not want a road show.

·Composting

Will be discussed at the flower show AGM in March whether a road show in the village would be worthwhile.

• Road Matters

The potholes at Heughhead have been filled in.Written reply received from Ronald Pattenden regarding concerns raised last month.Offlets have been cut as a temporary measure to the drainage problems on the Over Whitton road and drainage repairs at the Beirhope road end will take place in January.The various icy sections on the Eckford to Morebattle road are to be investigated.The sandpit corner is to be overlayed in March, improving the shape of the bend and the chevron signs are to be replaced with larger ones.The signs have already been replaced.Secretary had written to Crailing CC in regards to the sandpit corner but has had no reply.

• Condition of Path at Institute

The path is in need of repair, as disabled persons would have difficulty getting to the disabled toilets.Not sure who owns the path.

ACTION:Chairman to contact SB Local to see if they would do repairs.

• Scottish Executive Community Council Discussion Paper

Still to be read by some CC members.

ACTION:Chairman to deal with this.

CORRESPONDENCE

Cheviot Area Meeting, 18 January 2006.

ACTION:Chairman to attend meeting.

Vacancy for Kelso Area Substitute Representative of Cheviot Area Committee – Chairman has been nominated.Await results from SBC.

Planning Application – Douglas Brown, Plot 3 Morebattle Mains – No comments

ScotWays – Email regarding the route survey walks sent back in August

ACTION: Secretary to reply that no walks had been done as yet due to the cold weather, but would be done in the spring.

British Legion Invoice Remembrance Wreaths – Invoice not correct.

ACTION:Chairman to contact the Legion for corrected invoice.

NHS Reply to Kelso Hospital Costs – Reply did not give any more info into the cost of the catering.Decided not pursue this further.

SBC Outdoor Access Officers – Letter with names to contact.The right of way from Jubilee Bridge to Teapot Street is in need of repair, possibly due to a burst drain.ACTION:Secretary to write to ask this is investigated and repaired.

Scottish Water Winter Warmer Campaign – Leaflet to be displayed in shop.

Grubbit Footbridge Closure – Bridge has been closed.Council have written to ask if the community would support the bridge being repaired.

ACTION:Secretary to write to confirm that the bridge should be repaired.

Scottish Borders Licensing Board – No comments

Planning Aid Workshop, Allanton Village Hall 28 January 2006 – Invite to workshop that provides free advice, information and training on all aspects of planning system.

ACTION: To be attended by Chairman

New Ways Community Plan – To be passed around CC members.7 March 2006 is the deadline for comments, will be discussed at next meeting.

NHS “ Getting Fit for the Future” Notices of Public Meetings – Kelso 16 February 2006 4-6pm.

Kelso Area Pathways Minutes – No interest.

SBC Budget and Spending Priorities 2006/07 – Invite to meeting on 30 January 2006 at Tweed Horizons, St Boswells.

Southern Uplands Partnership Community Council Membership 2006 –

ACTION:Secretary to send for the membership option of no charge.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was suggested that community councils should perhaps be notified of the refuse collection dates over the festive period.

A sympathy card was sent to Mary Pringle and family signed on behalf of all in the community council in appreciation of Bob’s services.

Matters to be discussed at next meeting:

Report from Chairman – Cheviot Area Meeting

Report from Planning Aid Meeting at Allanton

Questionnaire for School Playing Field and Wider Issues

Book Fund – What to do with the money?

Date and time of next meeting:

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

With there being no further business the meeting was concluded at 9:40pm