Agenda and minutes

Minute of the meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum of 17 May 2016 to be approved. (Copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 19 April 2016.   

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute.

With reference to paragraph 5.3(b) of the Minute of 17 May 2016, consider letter received from Chief Superintendent Ivor Marshall, Police Scotland.  (Copy attached).

With reference to paragraph 5.3(b) of the Minute of 17 May 2016, there had been circulated a copy of a letter from Chief Superintendent Ivor Marshall, Police Scotland. The letter advised that, Chief Inspector McLean, Local Area Commander, continued to provide as much additional crime/incident statistical and contextual information that was currently available to him, focusing on the priorities for the multi-member wards.  However, he stressed that his priority was the operational presence and visibility of officers in communities over the collation and preparation of statistical reports and that this might have a limiting factor in the volume and detail of data provided.   Councillor McAteer advised that collation and extrapolation of the data required would not be onerous and that if the Forum agreed, he would contact Chief Superintendent McLean and invite him to attend the next meeting of the Forum. 

DECISION

AGREED to request Councillor McAteer invite Chief Superintendent McLean to the next meeting of the Area Forum.

Presentation by Ian Tunnah, Licensing Standards Officer and  Michael Wynne, Licensing Standards and Enforcement Officer.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Ian Tunnah, Licensing Standards Officer and Mr Michael Wynne, Licensing Standards and Enforcement Officer, who were in attendance to give a presentation on raising concerns about alcohol in the community.  Mr Tunnah began the presentation explaining that the Licensing Scotland Act 2005, introduced in 2008, highlighted the importance of community engagement in decision making around licensing.   Alcohol was licensed as a high risk product and therefore subject to regulation.  The licensing system existed to regulate the sale of alcohol for the primary purpose of minimising harm to individuals and society, from the consumption of alcohol and this purpose should guide all decision making. 

Mr Tunnah continued that there was no longer public house licences, entertainment licences etc.  Instead there were three different types of licenses: Permanent licences (Premises); Temporary Licensing (Occasional) and Personal Licences (mangers/supervisors who manage the sale of alcohol).   Scottish Borders Licensing Board made the decision on licensing applications.  The Board comprised 10 elected Members, who acted independently from the Council in their decision making.   Community Councils must be consulted if a business wanted to sell alcohol and representatives were involved in the Local Licensing Forum.   Mr Tunnah emphasised that anyone could comment on alcohol licence applications or licensed premises applications. 

Mr Tunnah went on to explain the procedure followed when an application was received by Scottish Borders Licensing Board.  Applications for premises licence and persons’ licences were advertised for 21 days and neighbours and community councils were also consulted on the application.  However, occasional licences, of which there were approximately 1,500 per annum, were only notified on Scottish Borders Council’s website as there was a seven day turnaround.  In considering applications Scottish Borders Licensing Board ensured that the licensing objectives as outlined in the Scottish Borders Licensing Policy Statement 2013 – 2016 were met.  The objectives were: preventing crime & disorder; securing public safety; preventing public nuisance; protection and improving public health and protecting children from harm.    For anyone wanting to comment on an alcohol licence, it was important that the grounds for the objection were relevant and included supporting evidence.  Examples of relevant objections included: Children’s access/Family event, public safety, public health, noise, disorder/litter, extended hours.  Objections had to be in the name of an individual and be in writing or email.   Licensing Board hearings were held every month; officers, the applicant, their representative(s) and Board Members attended.

Mr Tunnah concluded by advising that Licensing Standards Officers would be pleased to provide advice, attend community council meetings or assist with any queries concerning licensing. The Alcohol Focus Community Toolkit, which detailed the decision making process, was available from the Licensing Standards Officers and on the website at www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk.    Contact details were – Ian Tunnah (07827 281 705 or Ian.Tunnah@scotborders.gov.uk) or Mike Wynne (0781 570 7443 or Michael.wynne@scotborders.gov.uk).

Members asked for clarification on a number of points.   Mr Tunnah advised that he considered that overprovision was due to the low cost of alcohol, the fundamental problem being that 75% of all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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

With reference to paragraph 4 of the Minute of 17 May 2016 there had been circulated a report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for proposed new Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life Schemes from the Area Forum.  The following Neighbourhood Small Schemes had been requested for consideration by Teviot and Liddesdale Members: Contribution to the removal of vegetation from River Tweed, Hawick (split equally between both wards); contribution to improve zebra crossing at Albert Road, Hawick; paint play equipment and erect fence and gate at Bonchester Bridge play area; repair steps and grouting at Trinity Steps; and paint hand rails at Trinity Steps. 

            The following Quality of Life schemes had also been requested for consideration by Teviot and Liddesdale members:- Supply and install security fencing at Mansfield Industrial Units and install fence and gate at Escape Youth Centre, Hawick.  The Neighbourhood Area Manager, Mr Dunlop, was in attendance and advised that the Pay and Display surplus was currently £3,500.00

Councillor Smith asked for clarification on the stretch of river for the removal of vegetation.  Hawick and Hermitage Members had suggested the Coble Cauld to Lawson Bridge which had been estimated to cost £4k.  However, it had been advised by the Asset Manager that there would be a contribution of £2k from the Flood Protection budget.  This would mean that £2k from the Hawick and Denholm budget could be utilised for vegetation removal on another section of the river.     It was also requested, by Newcastleton Community Council, that the location of the bus shelter be moved from Douglas Square to the verge adjacent to the entrance to Polysport at the south end of the village.   Mr Dunlop stated that he would investigate both queries and advise Members outwith the meeting. 

DECISION

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

            (i)         Contribution to the removal of vegetation from River Teviot

                        (split between both Wards)                                                             £4,000

            (ii)        Contribution to improve zebra crossing at Albert Road             £3,600

            (iii)       Paint play equipment at Bonchester Bridge play area                £1,171

            (iv)       Erect fence and gate at Bonchester Bridge play area                 £1,400

            (v)        Repair to steps and grouting at Trinity Steps.                             £2,500

            (vi)       Paint handrails at Trinity Steps.                                                     £   147

(b)       AGREED the following new Quality of Life Schemes for

Implementation:-

            (i)         Supply and install security fencing at Mansfield

Industrial Units.                                                                                £1,495

(ii)        Install fence and gate at Escape Youth Centre.                            £1,630

(c)        NOTED:-

(i)         the updates on previously approved Neighbourhood Small

                        Schemes as detailed in Appendix A to the report; and

            (ii)        the updates on previously approved Quality of Life Schemes

                        as detailed in Appendix B to the report.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Cllr Marshall declared an interest in the above item of business in terms of Section 5 of the Councillors Code of Conduct and left the Chamber during the discussion.

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

There was no report available for the meeting.

(Note: Following the meeting, the Police Scotland report was circulated).

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

Station Manager, Russell Bell, Hawick Fire Station presented information on response and resilience activities for the month of July 2016.  An update report had been circulated prior to the meeting.  Mr Bell advised that there had been two accidental house fires due to cooking; 13 unwanted fire alarm signals, from domestic and commercial properties; and one accidental open fire due to refuse.  There had also been seven special service occurrences with no casualties.   Mr Bell went on to advise that swift water rescue training maintenance was taking place, primarily with crews from Galashiels.  Mr Bell further advised that the high volume pump would leave Hawick as the swift water rescue skillset was realised.   Mr Bell concluded his report by informing that the summer season thematic period was now active and covered: Fire related anti-social behaviour; holiday safety and countryside & outdoor safety. 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

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

It was requested that Councillor Edgar, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, be invited to attend the Forum to discuss the cuts to the bus service.

DECISION

AGREED that the Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure be invited to attend the Forum to discuss the spending cuts to the bus service. 

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

Community Councillor Scott Wilson (Newcastleton) thanked officers and Members for their assistance with the planning application for the Newcastleton Community Hub.  

Community Councillor Tommy Stevenson (Upper Teviot and Borthwick Water) reported on the ongoing problem of timber transport and the subsequent damage to the roads was still causing concern.  Members agreed that a representative from Timber Transport be invited to attend the next meeting of the Forum.  Mr Stevenson further reported that there was an issue with motorcyclists, on the A7, exceeding the speed limit.  Police had attended during the week but their presence was required at weekends.  The Chairman advised that the community council should pass on their concerns to Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland.  Mr Stevenson further advised that he was retiring as a community councillor and this would be his last Forum as community council representative.  He thanked Members and officers for their support and wished the Forum continued success.  The Forum thanked Mr Stevenson for his years of attendance at the Forum and wished him a long and happy retirement. 

Community Councillor Philip Kerr (Southdean) reported that the broadband speed was still an issue as was the lack of mobile signal.  Mr Kerr advised that there had been a significant improvement to roads in the community following patching work.   The community council had held a successful meeting with VisitScotland, who would also be willing to attend an Area Forum to give a presentation.  There had been a meeting to discuss the proliferation of windfarms in the area and 75 community councillors had attended.  

Community Councillor Gwen Crew (Denholm) reported that there were still concerns regarding windfarm applications and that local views were not being considered when decisions were being made; Denholm Community Council would continue to support local residents and lobby their issues.  Mrs Crew further reported that there had been concerns regarding the effect of the Flood Protection Scheme on the river downstream.  An officer from the Flood Protection scheme had attended their meeting and had reassured that there would be no detriment.  However, the community still had concerns around the local sewage works and riverbank.  Councillor Marshall advised that a public meeting, on the Flood Protection Scheme, would be held at Hawick Town Hall on 23 and 24 August and encouraged the community council to attend. Mrs Crew concluded her report by advising that the annual Denholm Flower Show had taken place.

Community Councillor Cameron Knox (Hawick) advised that their Annual General Meeting had taken place and that the status quo remained.  The Community Council had received a presentation from Perryman’s Buses and had been encouraged to ‘use it or lose it’. Mr Knox further advised that the judging for the Floral Gateway had taken place on 27 July and they were awaiting result.   A Resilience Group meeting was taken place that evening to arrange the necessary equipment for the forthcoming winter season and the Chairman was attending.  Mr Knox concluded by advising that they had held fundraising events – a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The future meetings of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Forum would be as follows:-

Tuesday, 20 September 2016 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall

Tuesday, 15 November 2016 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall

Tuesday, 13 December 2016 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall

Tuesday, 17 January 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall

Tuesday, 21 February 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall

Tuesday, 20 June 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall.

DECISION

NOTED.