Welcome: Chairman Eric McNulty welcomed everyone along to the meeting.

Present Cllr R Paterson, Cllr C Mabon, Cllr K Hanson, Cllr A McEwan, Cllr M Blackmore, Cllr B Jackson, Cllr H Cessford

9 members of the public were also present.

MinutesSecretary Gillian Byers

ApologiesScottish Borders Cllr A Nicol

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting on 16 November 2007 having been circulated were passed as a true record of events by Cllr Blackmore and seconded by Cllr Paterson and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

·Kelso Medical Practice – Surgeries In Morebattle To Close

Disappointed that no options were given to us at the public meeting.The only seemed to be to close the surgery and there were no alternatives.Similar questions were asked at the Yetholm public meeting.NHS Borders sent a note of the issued raised at the meeting and comments from the public were to be sent to them by 14 January 2008.KCC feel the closure announcement was out of the blue and the figures quoted in the consultation booklet are unrealistic.Derek Anderson who attended the meeting suggested setting up an action group of around 5-6 members to progress things further.This was agreed and Mr Anderson kindly offered to take this forward.A notice will be put up for volunteers to join the group.There may also be the opportunity to make a presentation to NHS Borders of the publics response.

·Broadband Services

A letter was received from John Lamont MSP regarding broadband services in the area.If you do not get a service he would like people to get in touch so that he can work with BT to make the service better.

·Website

All systems are go!

·Information Board

Ian Douglas has offered to either do a dry stone dyke wall for the board or it could be cemented.The dry stone dyke option would be more expensive and Mr Douglas has also offered to do the drawings for this.

·School Playing Field

No updates.

·Trees at Morebattle’s Graveyard

Ongoing.

·Christmas Lights

The tree has arrived but not received the bill as yet.The Games queen will switch on the lights and the collection from the carol service (6.30pm) will be sent to the Sick Children’s hospital in Edinburgh this year.

CORRESPONDENCE

Postwatch Scotland – looking for volunteers for postal survey over Christmas period

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

A letter was received from the Robert Davidson committee thanking KCC for the donation of £300 towards the publication of the poems.

An invitation was sent to the Cheviot Area Committee meeting on 12December in Kelso.Chairman was going to attend but another members were also welcome to come along.

Rubbish is still being left on the Toongate pavement.Not sure where exactly this is coming from.Agreed that further investigation is needed before a letter can be sent to the perpetrator.

The plans received for the new footpath in Morebattle are not clear as to the work to be carried out.There was not an accurate map supplied.Agreed that there should be a barrier on the edge of the pavement to stop the children running out in to the traffic.ACTION: Chairman to discuss with Ron Elliot.

MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT NEXT MEETING

Closure of Doctors Surgery

Information Board

Update on Playing Field

Trees at Morebattle Graveyard