Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and advised that there would be a presentation on Crumhaugh House by Dr Cliff Sharp, Ms Karen Maitland and Ms Carol Gillie, NHS Borders.

Minute of the meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum of 21 April 2015 to be approved. (Copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 21 April 2015.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute.

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.

Update report by Mr Warwick Shaw, NHS Borders Executive Board member.

Ms Carol Gillie, Director of Finance, Dr Cliff Sharp, Consultant Psychiatrist and Ms Karen Maitland, Project Manager, were in attendance and gave a presentation on NHS Borders’ proposals for Crumhaugh House.   Dr Sharp began by explaining that currently there was a 16-bed, mental health, rehabilitation inpatient unit located at Galavale, Galashiels.  Galavale was built on two floors and was no longer suitable to accommodate an ageing population and presented challenges for effective patient observation.  A project team had been established in July 2014 to consider an alternative location and, following an Options Appraisal, Crumhaugh House, Hawick, was identified as the preferred location for the relocation of the unit.   A planned £2m investment would refurbish Crumhaugh House into a 13-bed inpatient ward and would address the existing issues of patient safety and an ageing client group.   Patients from 18 to 69 years with severe and enduring mental health problems would be treated in the ward.  Ms Maitland added, that consultation had taken place with NHS Borders Governance Groups and SBC Leaders.  Engagement would now take place with Community Councils, local MPs and MSPs.  Neighbouring properties to Crumhaugh would also be invited to a drop-in session to discuss the project and be reassured about any concerns.   The next stage would be for the proposal to be taken to the Health Board in August 2015 with the relocation taking place in the Summer 2016. The Chairman thanked NHS Borders representatives for the comprehensive report and the Forum unanimously welcomed the project and the investment in Crumhaugh House.  In answer to questions, Dr Sharp advised that in the future, the second floor of the building might be utilised for office accommodation for the community team. Clients over 69 years were referred to the Older Adults’ Mental Health Team.  The unit would employ a full-time Consultant Psychiatrist, Speciality Doctors and Duty Doctors; local GPs would not be required.  Third sector involvement would continue.

DECISION

NOTED.

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

There had been circulated copies of a report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services updating the Forum on previously approved Neighbourhood Small Schemes and seeking approval for proposed new Quality of Life and Neighbourhood Small Schemes.   The following Neighbourhood Small Schemes had been requested for consideration:- Contribution towards purchase of shrubs, O’Connell Street, Hawick, and drainage works at Ettleton Cemetery, Newcastleton .   A donation from the Quality of Life Scheme, towards the purchase of two defibrillators, had also been requested for consideration by Members.   The Neighbourhood Area Manager, Mr Finnie, advised that the shrubs to upgrade the beds had already been purchased and agreement was required retrospectively.  The Ettleton Cemetery works would address the drainage issues and Buccleuch Estates had agreed to erect a single barb fence to prevent cattle from entering the area.  The contribution to Avril’s Trust would enable the purchase of a further two defibrillators to be located within Hawick Town.  The initial costing overheads would be £2,895 and Avril’s Trust would fund the balance.  The Trust would also be responsible for the additional costs of maintaining the machines.    The contribution would be split equally between both Hawick & Denholm and Hawick & Hermitage Wards.  Mr Finnie advised that an additional small scheme, for grass cutting at The Moat, at a cost of £400.00 required approval.

DECISION

(a)          AGREED the following new Neighbourhood Small Schemes for implementation:-

(i)            Contribution towards purchase of shrubs, O’Connell Street              £500

(ii)          Drainage works at Ettleton Cemetery                                                     £285

(iii)         Crass cutting at The Moat.                                                                      £400

(b)          AGREED the following new Quality of Life Scheme for implementation:-

(i)            Contribution towards purchase of two defibrillators, Hawick town. £1,185

(c)          NOTED the updates on previously approved Neighbourhood Small Schemes as detailed in Appendix A to the report.

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

There had been circulated, copies of a report from Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland, updating the Forum on Police Scotland activity up to 30 April 2015.  Inspector Wood began by referring to the lack of police presence at the last meeting; this had been the only meeting there had not been a police officer in attendance. Inspector Wood clarified that if an officer was not in attendance there was a genuine reason.  Inspector Wood went on to discuss the issues raised at that meeting:  The disabled parking bays were presently being consulted on through other Area Forums.  Extension to the 30mph zone at The Dunk was awaiting a response from Amey.   The Locality Officer had informed the school of the road safety issues, spoken to pupils and carried out sporadic checks.   The drop in solvency rates was, in the main, due to the increase in reports of vandalism during the last year.  Although in 2013-14 there had been a marked drop in solvency rates compared to the previous year, and the figures for 2014-15 were similar to those reported two years ago.  Encouragingly, there had been a reduction in the number of violent crimes reported as well as sexual crimes and the detection rates for both of these crimes had increased over the last year.   Inspector Wood advised that Police Scotland faced the Scottish Borders Police, Fire & Scrutiny Board on a quarterly basis where senior Police Officers were held to account over a number of issues, including performance.  Inspector Wood concluded by referring to the ward priorities and other incidents of note in the report.   The Chairman commended Police Officers for tracking down the family in Durham responsible for rural thefts in the area. Members had visited Bilston Glen and noted the improvement to the service and welcomed the recruitment and training programme presently underway.

DECISION

NOTED.

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

There had been circulated, copies of a report from Russell Bell, Station Manager, Hawick Fire Station updating the Forum on Scottish Fire and Rescue activity for the month of April 2015. 

DECISION

NOTED.

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

(a)          A member of the public expressed concern at the Boundary Commission’s proposed boundary changes and the detrimental effect on Hawick & Hermitage Ward and Hawick & Denholm Ward.    The Chairman advised that the decision to reduce the number of Ward Councillors from six to four had been made and the number of Councillors would reduce to four.    With regard to the boundary changes, the Commission had based their proposals on areas of deprivation and number of electors.  Certain areas in Scotland would have their Councillor numbers increased and other areas decreased.    Members had been working with SBC’s officers on a counter proposal to retain Newcastleton with Hawick.  The Forum highlighted the conflict in the Boundary Commission’s proposals, which had not taken into consideration traditional historical and national geographical boundaries.   There was concern that the existing proposals, which moved Hornshole into the new Ward, would affect the Common Riding.   The Boundary Commission’s proposal for changes to existing Ward boundaries would be considered at the Council Meeting on 21 May 2015.     Local Members would be attending the meeting and propose an alternative proposal,  retaining Newcastleton, Denholm and Hornshole with Hawick.   Following the Council meeting, there would be public consultation on the proposed changes.  It was important that organisations and individuals engaged with this process. 

DECISION

NOTED.

(b)          A member of the public representing Hawick Steering Group, advised that the results of a survey completed by traders, showed that 54% of those surveyed, felt that the one way system through the town, was travelling in the wrong direction and resulted in a loss of trade (26% felt that the direction was correct and 20% had not responded).  The Chairman advised that the Council had made the decision on the direction of traffic flow following consultation with a stakeholders group which included representatives from the public, NHS and traders.   However, a request would be made to bring a report back to a meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum to review the workings of the decision for the traffic flow direction for Hawick’s one-way system. 

DECISION

AGREED to request a report on the workings of the decision for the traffic flow direction in respect of Hawick’s one-way system.

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

(a)          Mr Griffiths, Hobkirk Community Council, advised that the newly elected Community Council had held their first meeting and approved their Constitution.

(b)          Mr Stevenson, Upper Teviot and Borthwick Water, advised that logging vehicles were causing potholes at the Common Side Bridge.   Motorbikes were exceeding the 50 mph limit on the A78 and he requested that the Police investigate.  There had been ten applications to the Community Fund, six had been approved.   

(c)        Mr Grieve, Burnfoot Community Council, advised that there had been a successful walkabout with Hawick Police and an enjoyable Coronet’s night.

(d)        Councillor Smith reported that there was a replacement windows policy consultation document on SBC’s website to 26 July 2015. 

DECISION

NOTED the reports.

Tuesday, 16 June 2015 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Town Hall,  Hawick.

The next meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum would be held on Tuesday, 16 June 2015 at 6.30 pm in Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

DECISION

NOTED.