WelcomeChairman Eric McNulty welcomed everyone along to the meeting.

PresentCllr R Paterson, Cllr L Riseam, Cllr C Mabon, Cllr K Hanson, Cllr A McEwan, Cllr M Blackmore, Cllr B Jackson, Cllr J Weir, Cllr M Scott, Cllr S Di’Lorenzo

3 members of the public were also present.

MinutesCllr H Cessford

ApologiesCllr K Hanson, Cllr A McEwan, Secretary Gillian Byers

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

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

MATTERS ARISING

·Kelso Medical Practice – Surgeries In Morebattle To Close

Public meeting to be held on 23 November 2007.Chairman spoke of his disbelief that consultation papers were still not to hand.Help will be needed to distribute before the meeting.As a large crowd is expected the venue will now be the Village Hall and Cllr Nicol will act as Chairman.

·Website

Cllr Riseam enquired as to how many would need Ability Net – charitable trust who could be approached for funding.Feeling was that this would not really apply to our area.

·Information Board

Stonemason Ian Douglas has given a quote of £300-£500 to incorporate the notice board in stone on the wall surrounding the Institute.Will be able to give him further details when we have a plan of the board.

·School Playing Field

Not yet received plans.

·Trees at Morebattle’s Graveyard

Cllr Cessford reported that Simon Wilkinson (Tree Officer) proposes to visit the site with Mr Hurst.Cllr Nicol suggested he obtain initial plans to ascertain what type of planting was agreed.

·Christmas Tree and Lights

John Wight to be asked if he could supply approx 12ft tree which could be put up on 15^th December.Help will be needed to erect the tree.Cllr Mabon to invite the Games Queen to switch on the lights prior to the carol service on 16 December.

CORRESPONDENCE

Planning – Erection of dwellinghouse land south of Kirkgate, Morebattle – Acknowledgement of our comments.

Plans for pavement in Main Street, Morebattle – Bollards were suggested to refrain the public from parking on the new pavement, after discussion this was not considered an option.Agreed that a better plan would be to erect a circle barrier adjoining Cllr Hanson’s corner.

The Robert Davidson Committee – Sent letter seeking a donation to help publish the Morebattle Poet’s poems.Cllr Jackson proposed £300 which was seconded by Cllr Di’Lorenzo and agreed by all present.

Series of Public Engagements “Putting Health at the Heart of your Community” Abbey Row, Kelso 29 November 2007

Reply from John Dellow regarding bus services – Chairman had sent an email to John Dellow regarding the bus service that did not operate on 8 Novemeber as the bus companies blamed SBC for not informing them that this was an in-service day for the school.Appears to have been a misunderstanding and Cllr Nicol suggested that the issue is raised with the bus companies involved.

Letter from John Lamont – Will invite him along to a CC meeting

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Cllr Paterson requested that half of our total in the KCC bank account be transferred to a playing field account enabling the CC to still receive the annual grant.This was agreed by Cllr Mabon and seconded by Cllr Scott and agreed by all present.

Cllr Weir had received a letter from a Hownam resident pointing out that only BT phone cards can be used in the phone box in Hownam.Agreed that would be unlikely that much could be done about this as it is lucky that there is still a phone box there.

Cllr Blackmore pointed out that there is a residence at the top of the village that appears to be accumulating rubbish.Cllr Weir to approach the resident.

Cllr Scott requested that the KCC boundary be changed to lose Blakelaw and have this included in Yetholms CC area.Will need to approach Clare Malster at SBC to find out if this is viable.

MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED AT NEXT MEETING

Closure of Doctors Surgery

Information Board

Website

Update on Playing Field

Christmas Lights

Trees at Morebattle Graveyard