Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, Hawick

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

Items
No. Item

1.

Mr David Nutall

Minutes:

          The Chairman, Councillor Turnbull, paid tribute to Mr David Nutall, who had sadly died.  The Forum stood in silent tribute.

 

2.

Order of Business.

Minutes:

The Chairman varied the order of business as shown on the agenda and the Minute reflects the order in which the items were considered at the meeting.

 

 

 

3.

Minute pdf icon PDF 82 KB

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

Minutes:

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

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute.

4.

Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life. pdf icon PDF 130 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services updating the Forum on previously approved Neighbourhood, Quality of Life and Pay & Display schemes in 2014/15 and seeking approval for a proposed new Neighbourhood Small Scheme to re-plumb the existing railings along Riverside Walk, Hawick at a cost of £1,180.00.   The Neighbourhood Area Manager, Mr Finnie, advised that all the schemes detailed in the Appendices, attached to the report, had been completed.   He would liaise with Hawick in Bloom to arrange installation of the planters at the appropriate time.

 

Mr Knox, representing Hawick Community Council, advised that the railings and the Langlands footbridge required maintenance and repainting.  Mr Finnie would establish ownership of the land with the Estates Manager and bring an estimate to the next Area Forum for Members’ consideration.  Mr Finnie advised that the installation of waste bins at the Williestruther Walkway, would be brought to the Forum for consideration as a possible scheme once appropriate locations and servicing arrangements had been identified

 

DECISION

(a)          AGREED to re-plumb the existing fence along Riverside Walk, Hawick at a cost of £1,180.00.

 

(b)          NOTED the updates on previously approved:-

(i)            Neighbourhood Small Schemes in 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix A to the report;

(ii)          Quality of Life Schemes in 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix B to the report; and

(iii)         Pay and Display Schemes in 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix C to the report.

 

5.

Disabled Persons Parking Places - Traffic Regulation Order pdf icon PDF 136 KB

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

Minutes:

There had been circulated a report by Service Director Commercial Services proposing the introduction of enforceable disabled parking bays within the Teviot and Liddesdale area, to be included in The Scottish Borders Council (Disabled Persons Parking Places) Order 2015.  The Disabled Persons Parking Places (Scotland) Act 2009 required the provision of advisory on-street disabled parking for disabled persons.  This report proposed to include those bays lying within the Teviot and Liddesdale area in a region-wide Traffic Regulation Oder (TRO) to make the existing bays enforceable (omitting those which were no longer required since the beginning of consultation).  The Assistant Engineer, Mr Haldane, and Road Safety Technician, Ms Elliot, were in attendance and advised that statutory consultation on the proposals had been carried out and the proposals had been advertised to the public; no objections or adverse comments had been received.  Mr Haldane confirmed that the TRO would be amended for disabled bays that were no longer required and signage and lines would be removed from the bays.  The costs associated with signs and lines had already been incurred and further maintenance costs would be borne by the Aids to Movement budget.  The Police would enforce compliance. 

 

DECISION

AGREED to approve the inclusion of disabled parking places in the Teviot and Liddesdale Area (as amended by removals) in the Scottish Borders Council (Disabled Persons Parking Places) Order 2015 as listed in Appendix A to the report.

6.

Police Scotland. pdf icon PDF 165 KB

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

Minutes:

There had been circulated at the meeting, copies of a report from Inspector Wood, Police Scotland, updating the Forum on the performance, activities and issues up to 31 March 2015.  Members reitereated their concern at the drop in solvency rates and requested a Police representative at the next meeting to address this issue.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

7.

Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. pdf icon PDF 258 KB

Update report by Russell Bell, Station Commander, detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale Area. (Copy attached).

Minutes:

There had been circulated, copies of a report from Russell Bell, Station Manager, Hawick Fire Station, updating the Forum on Scottish Fire and Rescue Service activity for the month of March 2015.  Mr Bell advised that there were policies in place to address unwanted fire signals which would result in a reduction in the number of fire engines attending a ‘repeat offender’.   The Service had submitted proposals for supporting the Burnfoot Community Futures strategy for the Hub and attended the multi-agency public meeting at Burnfoot School in March.  Mr Bell discussed the service delivery activity for the month and highlighted the assistance given to the Scottish Ambulance Service. The spring season thematic period was now active and focused on: grass and woodland fires, rubbish and refuse fires and derelict property.   Councillor Marshall advised that in Beattie Court there was an issue with stairwells being blocked and in one block of flats the cupboard containing the electric system was not accessible, Mr Bell would investigate.   

 

DECISION

NOTED.

8.

Engagement by NHS Borders

Update report by Dr Sheena MacDonald, Medical Director, NHS Borders.

Minutes:

          The Chairman welcomed Dr Sheena MacDonald, Medical Director and Dr Jonathan Kirk, Associate Medical Director, from NHS Borders who were present at the meeting to update the Forum on matters of interest and concern within Teviot and Liddesdale.  Dr MacDonald began by highlighting the Clinical Services Review - to ensure the provision of services that were sustainable within existing resources met the requirements of an ageing population, living with chronic conditions.   The in-patient service was presently being reviewed which included home care to allow discharge from hospital as soon as possible.

 

          The Chairman reported on the lack of consultation and effectiveness of communication between NHS Borders and local communities with regard to the closure of Crumhaugh House. It was hoped that in future decisions affecting the community would be open and transparent with an explanation of the rationale. Dr MacDonald responded that there was no intention of closing community hospitals and that they would be utilised for services that could be delivered locally. Dr Macdonald added that last year there had been over 1,300 minor injuries dealt with by Hawick Community Hospital.    Mr Grieve, Burnfoot Community Council, asked if the pharmacy would be part of the review, delays in discharge often caused by patients awaiting medication.  Dr Kirk responded that the pharmacy was not part of the review but would be considered separately.  He explained that it was often that the pharmacy was awaiting information from  a junior doctor that caused delays.  

 

Dr MacDonald went on to discuss the Out of Hours Service.   There was a national shortage of GPs and the Borders General had to change the model for providing out of hours service.  The service was now running with fewer doctors but with more nurses, the result being that response times had improved.  Dr Kirk added that results had been positive with in excess of 80% of service users completely satisfied.  Councillor McAteer highlighted that there appeared to be tension in that the service was treating more people at home but there were considerable fewer GPs to administer treatment.

 

Dr MacDonald went on to discuss the A&E department which had performed well above average.  During December, January and February there had been a slight dip in performance but this had now picked up and only 32 patients, out of 544, had waited more than four hours to be treated and discharged.  Dr MacDonald concluded her report by advising that there was now an additional car park at the BGH, with 38 spaces.    The Forum highlighted the danger to vehicles exiting the BGH on to the A6091, due to the excess speed vehicles were travelling.

 

The Chairman thanked Dr MacDonald and Dr Kirk for their informative report.   Dr MacDonald advised that a representative would attend Forum meetings on request andthat it would be useful to receive advance notification of any issues which the Forum wished to discuss as this would allow time for the correct representative to attend to present a report.

        

DECISION

(a)     NOTED the presentation.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Open Questions

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

Minutes:

(a)          A member of the public advised that he had submitted a Freedom of Information request to determine the amount paid to external bodies in relation to administration of taxi licensing. Councillor Paterson, Member of Licensing Committee, would investigate.

 

(b)          The member of the public also advised that he had asked for clarification on the 52 loans provided by SBC but had not been provided with this information.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

10.

Amey South East Trunk Roads Unit

Minutes:

Mr Garry Head, who had recently been appointed as Area Manager, Amey South East Trunk Roads Unit, was in attendance.  Mr Head advised that the A7 received weekly inspections for pothole repairs.  The Galalaw roundabout surface was breaking up and this would be patched in May and early June.   Lining works were scheduled for areas along the A7 and would commence in August.  The centre of the roundabout at the entrance to Hawick looked unsightly, a landscape architect would rework in the Winter. Mr Head continued, that he had met with Transport Scotland regarding the kerb alignment at Commercial Road and would take forward.  Mr Head then advised on the land slippage at the Dunk.  The lack of drainage in the embankment had caused the slippage; there had been no further movement in the past two to three months.  Amey were looking at a long term solution for this area which would be a major project.   Councillor Smith asked if the corner of The Dunk could have a non-slip surface installed. There was also an issue with the speed vehicles approached the corner, could the 30 mph limit be extended?   Mr Head advised that environmentally, Transport Scotland were moving away from the non-slip surfacing, however he would test the skid resistance and investigate extension of the speed limit with the Police Scotland.   Mr Head advised that if there were any issues to contact him direct at Garry.Head@amey.co.uk.

Amey could be contacted at Tel: 0800 042 0188, Transport Scotland at 0800 042 0188.  The Chairman thanked Mr Head for his informative report. Mr Head would attend meetings every quarter, when possible.

 

DECISION

AGREED that Mr Head be invited to attend Area Forum meetings every quarter.

11.

Community Council Spotlight.

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

Minutes:

Mr Stevenson, Upper Teviot and Borthwick Water, advised that the community grant from the wind farm development had been received and he encouraged groups to apply.  Grants were available up to £20k for suitable projects.   There had been an accident at Martin’s Bridge again.  Mr Finnie advised that scaffolding estimates were awaited but the works would commence in the near future and would be approximately two weeks duration.  Mr Stevenson asked if Inspector Wood could be made aware that pupils from the High School at lunchtime were crossing the road without due care and attention. 

 

Mr Roberts, Denholm Community Council, advised that the Council had amended their Constitution; elections would now be held every four years.  They had received an interesting presentation from CAB on the changes to the welfare and benefits system.  Windfarms continued to be of concern and the effect on the tourist economy.  Mr Roberts continued that the Community Council were concerned at the fate of Denholm & District under the review of electoral arrangements. Denholm’s natural links were with Hawick and they valued representation from the three Ward Councillors. The proposal was for a massive “super-ward” extending 40 miles. The community council questioned the basic premise of the proposal to sever the close ties between Hawick and Denholm and the level and quality of the representation, likely to be possible under the proposed arrangements.

 

Mr Knox, representing Hawick Community Council advised that the Williestruther Project was nearing completion.  A resilience meeting had not been well attended but the Community Council were keen to push the scheme forward.   The town clean-up had been effective and SBC were thanked for collecting the rubbish for disposal.  There would be a site meeting on Friday for the Remembrance Garden project.  Hawick Community Council also objected to the proposed boundary changes and agreed that the existing boundaries should remain. 

 

Mr Grieve, Burnfoot Community Council, advised that they had held a successful public meeting regarding anti-social behaviour. The Community Council would be discussing the boundary changes at their next meeting.

 

DECISION

NOTED the reports.

12.

Date of next Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum Meeting.

Tuesday, 19 May 2015 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Hawick.

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum would be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2015 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

 

DECISION

AGREED.

 

 

 

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