Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Room 205, Tower Mill, Hawick

Contact: Judith Turnbull Tel No. 01835 826556  Email: Judith.Turnbull@scotborders.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Minute. pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Minute of the meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum of 17 February 2015 to be approved. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

1.           There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 17 February 2015. 

         

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute.

 

2.

Presentation: Land Use Strategy (LUS) Framework

Presentation by Mr Andy Tharme, Scottish Borders Council.

Minutes:

2.       PRESENTATION     

LAND USE STRATEGY (LUS) FRAMEWORK

With reference to paragraphs 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Minute of 4 March 2014, Mr Andy Tharme, Ecology Officer, returned to the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum to give an update presentation on progress in respect of the regional Land Use Strategy (LUS) Framework.   He explained that, following the examination of opportunities and constraints through the development of mapping and extensive stakeholder engagement, a draft Framework had been produced which had been approved by Scottish Borders Council in December 2014.   Mr Tharme detailed the extent of the consultation, which had included engagement with over 44 organisational representatives and 36 Community Councils.  The draft Framework set out the key land uses in the Borders and how these might change.  Further sections dealt with how the Framework would be used and monitoring and assessment going forward.  The Framework identified the important goods and services delivered by the Borders landscape as follows: the provisioning of crops, livestock, renewable energy and timber; the regulating of water quality, flood risk, soil erosion, sediment risk for watercourses, soil carbon resource and vegetation carbon resource; supporting biodiversity and pollination; and cultural considerations such as sense of place, game and sporting, historic sites and landscape designations.  There were seven opportunities for change identified and mapped indicatively in the Borders at present: mitigation of flood risk; expansion of timber provision; native woodland expansion; biodiversity enhancement; improvement in agricultural production; water quality enhancement; and enhancement of soil carbon storage.  The presentation went on to look in more detail at where the information and maps could be used in respect of natural flood management, biodiversity, water quality and soil carbon storage.  Mr Tharme stressed that the Framework was a non-statutory strategy for the Scottish Borders.  It would assist and support decision-making about land use that was currently undertaken through existing processes.  It provided new information as a web-based tool which could be used to evaluate different land use options in an integrated way at sub-catchment or farm/estate level.   Mr Tharme concluded the presentation by advising that the Framework was available on the Scottish Borders website and the web-based mapping tool would be available on SBC Local View Fusion.  In answer to a question, Mr Tharme advised that the increase in woodland was a business choice for landowners.  The Chairman thanked Mr Tharme for the informative presentation. 

 

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.

 

3.

Traffic Regulation Order - One-Way, Langlands Road, Hawick pdf icon PDF 360 KB

Consider report by Service Director Commercial Services. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

3.       There had been circulated copies of a report by Service Director Commercial Services, requesting authorisation to make permanent the experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for one-way traffic operation along a length of Langlands Road, Hawick.  In response to ongoing concerns from residents relating to speed of traffic on Langlands Road, an investigation was carried out in 2014 into the extent of the problem.  The study resulted in a recommendation to implement an experimental one-way order in an attempt to counter the negative effects of excessive speeds.  This was agreed with affected residents, elected Members and Police Scotland and approved by this Forum on 17 June 2014.  This experimental TRO came into effect on 20 July 2014.  Its extents were shown on the plan included in Appendix A to the report.   Mr Yates, Assistant Engineer, advised that in addition to the formal consultation, householders were asked to complete a short questionnaire with their views on the scheme.  The result of the questionnaire was that the majority (65%) of householders believed the scheme to be beneficial  Of those not in favour of making the scheme permanent, a variety of issues were raised: including problems with parked cars at Rosalee Brae; the need to improve signage to provide clarity on the traffic arrangement, and limited visibility at the junction.  The Forum unanimously agreed that the experimental TRO should be made permanent.  However, Councillors McAteer and Marshall advised that they would meet with Mr Yates to discuss the issues raised.

        

         DECISION

  AGREED the amendment to The Scottish Borders Council (The Borders Regional Council) (Various Streets, Hawick) (Regulation of Traffic) Order 1988, as amended to include one-way operation of:-

           

         Langlands Road, from the Roadhead junction eastbound to the Rosalee Brae junction in Hawick.  As detailed in the plan attached in Appendix A to the report,  and in the extracts from the relevant draft Traffic Regulation Order in Appendix B to the report. 

 

 

4.

Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life.

Updated spreadsheet on the progress of the Neighbourhood and Quality of Life Schemes will be circulated at the meeting.

Minutes:

4.       Director Neighbourhood Services updating the Forum on previously approved Neighbourhood, Quality of Life and Pay & Display Schemes.  The Neighbourhood Area Manager, Mr Finnie, advised that the upgrade to the Waverley Walk footpath would be completed by the end of the month.  The bench at Melgund Bridge and installation of fingerpost signs at Newcastleton was on target.  The regrouting of whin setts on the High Street had been scheduled. The permanent patching in the Stirches area would commence next week.  The repairs to the flagstones at the Civic Space and purchase of defibrillator for Hermitage Hall had been completed.   The planters had been delivered and were awaiting installation. Mrs Short, thanked the Forum, on behalf of Hawick in Bloom, for the planters.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

5.

Engagement by NHS Borders

Ms Susan Manion, Chief Officer Health and Social Care Integration.

Minutes:

The Chairman, Councillor Turnbull, welcomed Ms Susan Manion, Chief Officer – Health and Social Care Integration, to the Area Forum.  Ms Manion explained that she had a background in NHS management and was now jointly employed by SBC and the NHS.  Ms Manion gave a brief outline of the Health and Social Care Integration process. The population and health needs were changing.  More people were living longer, with a number of, often complex, health conditions.  It was recognised that there were too many people in hospital when they could be cared for at home by their GPs or in community hospitals.  Preventative services, management of medicines and assistance for carers, might also have avoided a hospital stay.  Presently, nurses and social workers assessed people separately and there needed to be a single point of access providing joined up care. From April there would be an Integrated Joint Board (IJB) established.  The Health Board and SBC would devolve responsibility to the IJB to provide a Strategic Commissioning Plan.  The Strategy would outline how services would be delivered more efficiently by the new Health and Social Care Partnership, with joined up teams, devolved budgets and areas.  Local plans would identify the health needs for a community.  Ms Manion went on to explain that there would be three phases of engagement: Consultation had taken place on the Scheme of Integration.  The next phase would be consultation on the Strategic Commissioning Plan.   The final stage would be a formal consultation on the draft plan and it was hoped this would be completed by the end of October. The finalised Plan would be presented to the IJB for agreement in October.  Ms Manion concluded by advising that there would be efficiencies from joint integration but the priority was how best to provide care for the people who needed it most; reducing complexity and providing a single point of access.  In response to questions,   Ms Manion noted the request that the consultation document should be in plain English.   The waiting time for prescriptions, when patients were being discharged from hospital, was highlighted.  Further consultation would take place and Ms Manion confirmed that the team would be available to attend community council meetings if requested.  Councillor Turnbull thanked Ms Manion for the informative presentation.

 

DECISION.

NOTED.

 

 

6.

Police Scotland.

Update report by Police Inspector detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale area.

Minutes:

There had been circulated, copies of a report from Inspector Wood, Police Scotland, updating the Forum on the performance, activities and issues up to 17 February 2015.    Sergeant Noble was in attendance and highlighted that there had been 616 incidents of recorded crime and 333 solvency rates an 8% increase and 9.86% reduction respectively, compared to the same period last year.   Sergeant Noble highlighted the ward priorities:   There had been two positive drug searches.  There had been three road checks, one conditional offer for a seatbelt offence and one driver was warned regarding Anti Social Driving.   Sergeant Noble continued that there had been a constructive meeting and a plan formulated regarding dog fouling, individuals had been identified for enforcement action and there had been a reduction in the number of calls.  Sergeant Noble went on to report that there had been a suspicious fire in Hamilton Road, Hawick. A shed attached to kennels, housing racing greyhounds had been set on fire.  The shed and its contents had been completely destroyed, fortunately, the dogs escaped unharmed. The police continued to appeal for witnesses to the incident.   Sergeant Noble concluded by reporting that the ward plans had been revised and would be sent to councillors for feedback.   Members again noted, with concern, the drop in solvency rates.  The requirement for a crime analyst to analysis crime patterns was requested.  In answer to questions Sergeant Noble advised, that incidents of domestic abuse were dealt with seriously.  The Forum then discussed dog fouling in detail, including the requirement for dog fouling bins, increasing penalties and the need for changes to the way in which the Police dealt with incidents.   Mr Finnie, Neighbourhood Area Manager, advised that Ms J Craig, Service Director Neighbourhood Services, had met with Neighbourhood Services and the Communications Team.  Consultation with other local authorities and schools had commenced.  It was hoped that feedback would result in new initiatives and policies to deal with the problem.

 

         DECISION

         NOTED.

 

 

7.

Scottish Fire &Scottish Fire & Rescue Service.

Update report by Mr Russell Bell, Station Commander, detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale Area.

Minutes:

 

There had been circulated, a report from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which updated the Forum on activity for the month of February 2015.   Mr Bell, Station Commander, was in attendance and reported that there had been five house fire occurrences, two open fires, one special service and nine unwanted fire signals.   The Service had been active within the local Resilient Communities groups and had submitted proposals supporting the Burnfoot Futures strategy for the Hub.    Mr Bell continued, that there had been a chip fan fire.   The smoke detector  in the property, had been activated and a passer-by had heard the alarm and alerted the Fire Service.  Mr Bell reminded the Forum that the Fire Service provided smoke detectors free of charge.  The Service was also available for fire safety visits, which focused on identifying and reducing the risks of fire within the home. 

        

DECISION

NOTED.

                        

8.

Open Questions

Opportunity for members of the public to raise any issues not included on the agenda.

Minutes:

(a)  In response to a question regarding the rats in Loch Park, Mr Finnie, Neighbourhood Area Manager, advised that Environmental Health had been informed. Pruning work would be carried out to allow access and the area fenced off to keep out pets.  The Pest Control Officer would then take the appropriate action. 

 

         DECISION

         NOTED.

        

         (b)   Mr Finnie would report the missing street lights along the High Street. 

 

         DECISION

         NOTED.

 

9.

Community Council Spotlight.

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

Minutes:

Mr Griffiths from Hobkirk Community Council advised that the new community council had held their first meeting.  Mr Griffiths reported that there was concern that when there was a diversion on the A68, HGVs were not using the diversion and taking the B6357 through Bonchester Bridge and were unable to negotiate the bridge, and, in one instance had damaged the bridge at Hallrule.   Signage needed to be in place directing HGVs to the alternative route away from the village. Sergeant Noble advised that he would take forward with Amey.  Councillor McAteer added that SBC’s Asset Manager had been notified. 

 

Mrs Short, Hawick Community Council advised that the date for the Annual Spring Clean-up was 19 April 2015. 

 

Mr Grieve, Burnfoot Community Council reported that a new member had been co-opted on to the Council. 

        

DECISION

NOTED the reports.

 

10.

Any Other Items which the Chairman Decides are Urgent.

Minutes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOCALITIES IN THE SCOTTISH BORDERS  The Chairman advised that a report on a co-ordinated approach for local improvements would be considered at the Executive meeting, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 24 March 2015.  The meeting would be held in the Town Hall, Jedburgh and was open to the public.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

11.

Date of next Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum Meeting.

Tuesday, 21 April 2015  at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Hawick.

Minutes:

 

Agreed that the next meeting be held on Tuesday, 21 April 2015 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

        

              

 

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Scottish Borders Council

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