Agenda and 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.

Minute of Meeting of 4 March 2015 for noting.  (Circulated).

2.1     There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting held on 4 March 2015. 

DECISION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   NOTED.

2.2     With reference to paragraph 11(a) of the Minute, Councillor Bell requested an update on the proposal to set up  an A72 Action Group.  The SBC Neighbourhood Manager (Tweeddale) advised he had fed the request to the Council’s network asset management team.   Members agreed that Officers of the network asset management team be invited to the meeting of the Area Forum to be held on 3 September 2015.

DECISION

AGREED that the SBC Neighbourhood Manager (Tweeddale) would invite Officers from the network asset management team to attend the meeting of the Area Forum to be held on 3 September 2015.

2.3     With reference to paragraph 12 of the Minute, Councillor Garvie advised he had received  a number of complaints regarding (a)  the cleanliness of the facilities at the Gytes Leisure Centre; and (b) the increased charges for the use of the facility.  

DECISION

AGREED that the Democratic Services Officer invite an official from Border Sports and Leisure Trust  to the meeting of the Area Forum to be held on 3 September 2015.

2.4     With reference to paragraph 10 of the Minute, the Chairman made reference to a pilot being undertaken at the Cheviot Area Forum in relation to “Localities in the Scottish Borders – a co-ordinated approach for local improvement”.  It was noted that this would assist in determining the way forward for all the Scottish Borders Council Area Forums.

DECISION

NOTED.

2.5     With reference to paragraph 3 of the Minute, the Democratic Services Officer advised that she had received information from First Scotland East Limited advising that  from  mid-October 2015 to Mid-March 2016 the 62 Bus Service would revert back to the bus station  and run on a 30 minute frequency on a trial basis.  

DECISION

NOTED.

Consider Minutes of Meetings of the Tweeddale Area Forum Sub-Group.

(Copies attached.)

3.1     Minute of Tweeddale Area Forum Parking Sub-Group held on 20 April 2015

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of Meeting of the Tweeddale Area Forum Parking Sub-Group of 20 April 2015.

DECISION

NOTED.

3.2     Minute of Tweeddale Area Forum Parking Sub-Group held on 13 May 2015

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of Meeting of the Tweeddale Area Forum Parking Sub-Group of 13 May 2015.  The Chairman of the Sub-Group briefed Members in relation to the reasoning behind the recommendations in the Minute. 

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)     to fund an Off-Street Parking Survey to gauge the effect of the changes to parking behaviour caused by amendments to parking charges made on 12 May 2014, at a cost of £1,950 to be paid for from the current surplus of c £13,500 available to Members from Pay and Display operations;

(b)    that a Nominal Charge of 20p be introduced to replace the free parking periods in the current scheme; and

(c)     that it be remitted to the Sub-Group to determine new signage replacing 5 no Pay and Display information signs at a cost of approximately £1,000 paid for from the current surplus of c. £13,500 available to Members from Pay and Display operations

Update by Inspector Hodges.

Inspector Hodges advised that the new Multi Member Ward plans for both Tweeddale East and West had been shared prior to publication with the Elected Members and had now been published on the Police Scotland website.  He would report directly in relation to these at future forums.   In referring to Common Ridings, Gatherings and local festivals he advised that Police Scotland along with the Scottish Borders Council’s Emergency Planning Team were pleased that all the main events in the Tweeddale Area had been subject to the Safety Advisory Group or SAG process. This not only allowed all services to provide support and assistance to event organisers but also went a long way to ensuring that local events were held with public safety at the forefront.   Police Licensing Officers were working closely with the Council’s Licensing Department and Licensees to ensure that all licensed events during festivals were run in a professional and safe manner.   He had liaised with Licensing Officers who had reported that they anticipated no issues for the events being held in Tweeddale this year.  The very nature of the Borders and in particular Tweeddale left the community  open to criminals travelling into the area to target isolated premises and the farming community.  These crimes often involved protracted enquiries across many boundaries and were difficult to not only to detect but also to deter.  Police Scotland had recognised this and saw Rural Crime as an area in which partnership working had to be developed.  Inspector Hodges advised he was now part of a group, meeting regularly with colleagues, from Mid, East and West Lothian to share best practice and work together regarding ongoing issues which affected rural communities.  Strong links were being developed with the NFU and local initiatives would take place in the coming months based on areas identified as causing concern.   Together with colleagues from the Fire and Rescue Service, the Police would be starting joint visits to farms to assist in improving security and safety.   Local community schemes such as the Sheep Worrying initiative in Cademuir demonstrated willingness for communities to assist in prevention of crime and would always be supported by  Police Scotland.  The impact of housebreaking, whether a business premises or a garden shed, was significant with those affected often feeling isolated and in fear of further crime. This had been the subject of recent national news coverage, which might have caused concerns.   In the Scottish Borders, Police Officers were working closely with the CID and Community Investigation Units in J Division to ensure thorough investigations were carried out into all such crimes.  Community Officers would ensure local follow up was always carried out in areas affected. The Police were planning a proactive initiative in Tweeddale which would take place later in the summer.  The Community Contact Vehicle for the north area of the Scottish Borders was based at Peebles for use by all the Tweeddale Community Officers.   The mobile stations predecessor was purchased after the sale of Broughton Police Station.  He was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Update report by Jeff Douce, Station Commander, detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Tweeddale Area.  (Copy of Multi Ward Operating Plan for Tweeddale 2014-15 attached.)

There was no report.

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

No open questions were raised.

Presentation.

The Chairman welcomed Julie Rankine and Fiona Munro, from Neighbourhood Services, to give a presentation on the introduction by Scottish Borders Council of a Food Waste Collection service.  Ms Munro referred to the background which led to the decision to introduce this new service.  The Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 required food waste collections to be introduced by 1 January 2016.    Food waste was seen as a valuable resource and a way of diverting more waste from landfill.  There was an anticipated increase in recycling rate of 1.5 – 2% in the Scottish Borders, based on an average of £1.5kg food waste presented per household.  In accordance with the regulations and Scottish Government urban versus rural classification the collection service in the Scottish Borders would involve approximately 24,500 households and businesses.  Phase 1 would see weekly kerbside food waste collections start in Galashiels, Tweedbank, Selkirk and Peebles during the week commencing 25 May.  Phase 2, involving Jedburgh and Hawick, would start during the week commencing 31 August.   Ms Munro had brought along examples of the caddies, together with biodegradable liners and guidance leaflets, which would be delivered to households during the week prior to the start of collections. Each household would have a 5 litre silver kitchen caddy and liners, in which to deposit daily food waste.  The tied bags of waste should then be transferred from the kitchen caddy to outdoor brown caddies of 23 litre for a single household or 140 litre for communal household. It was emphasised that the food waste collection service also came under animal by-product legislation and as such would be closely regulated. There would be no effluent or waste produced during handling.  Purpose-built collection vehicles would transport the waste to central skips from where it would be taken to the nearest food waste management site at Levenseat Ltd., Midlothian. From 1 January 2016, also under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012, there would be food waste collections from an estimated 140 businesses producing over 50 kg waste per week and from an estimated 520 businesses producing over 5 kg per week.  On behalf of West Linton Community Council, Community Councillor Tulloch expressed their anger at having the garden waste recycling removed to pay for the food waste uplift.    He asked (a)   what volume/weight of general waste had been recovered by the Council  since the garden waste service was stopped and how did that compare to the volume/weight recovered in a similar period previously, and (b)   what additional costs had been incurred by SBC since the garden waste service ceased,  landfill tax for example.   The answers to the questions would be researched and forwarded to the Community Council.  The Chairman thanked the Officers for the presentation. 

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.

Presentation. Jane Douglas (Principal Assistant Social Care & Health Group Manager)

8.1     Susan Manion, Chief Officer Health & Social Care Integration was  welcomed to the Forum to given a presentation on the Integration of Health and Social Care and the consultation currently taking place.  It was explained that in accordance with the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 the 14 Health Boards and 32 Local Authorities were required, by April 2015, to develop integration arrangements for each area and to establish a Joint Integration Board, Chief Officer and Joint Body.  By April 2016 there required to be developed a 3 year Strategic Plan covering the commissioning of adult care and health services.  The membership of the Borders Strategic Planning Group had come from all areas of Health and Social Care including service users, health and social care professionals, carers, related commercial and non-commercial organisations and from the third sector. The Group would be involved in all stages of developing and reviewing the Strategic Plan.  Copies of the initial Draft Strategic Plan were given to members of the Area Forum, and feedback was invited as part of the current consultation which would run until 5 June.  Consultation on a second draft, produced by the end of June, would end on 22 September, with a final draft by the end of October 2015 and new arrangements scheduled to be fully implemented by April 2016.

8.2     With reference to the Draft Strategic Plan, the presentation went on to look at the vision and aims of the Health and Social Care partnership.  Doing nothing was not an option. The case for change included an ageing population; rising demand for services; the cost of services; and the need to deliver better outcomes through improved joint working, better communication, reducing duplication and sharing information.  Lists were given of the current NHS and SBC services that would come within the scope of Integrated Services.  The objectives included making services more accessible; improving prevention and early intervention; reducing avoidable admissions to hospital; providing care close to home; optimising efficiency and effectiveness; and seeking to reduce health inequalities.  A case study was provided in the Plan giving a before and after scenario and demonstrating how the experience of the client, and efficiency, should be improved by the integration of services.  The presentation also looked at a profile of the Scottish Borders and some comparative statistics relating to the Tweeddale area.  Also shown were proposed locality arrangements within the Scottish Borders model which would be based on the existing five areas.    A request was made  to ensure links with the armed forces champion  were in place in the plan.   Members welcomed the presentation and recognised the importance of the public engaging with the consultation by submitting their views.   The Chairman thanked the Officer for the informative presentation. 

DECISION

NOTED the presentation

Presentation.

Mr James Welch, Vice-Chairman of Tweedsmuir Community Company gave a presentation on the Crook Inn Community Hub.  A timeline showed events from  2006 when the Crook Inn closed  until 2015 when the business plan was finalised.    Plans showed a new wing to the building and were of a multi-functional design so as not to restrict use, and the proposals would meet a whole range of needs in the community and regenerate and revitalise the Tweedsmuir Area.  An announcement would be made on 12 June 2015 in regard to the Scottish Land Fund decision in relation to the application for financial assistance to purchase land adjoining the Crook Inn.  Opportunities ahead in 2015 and beyond comprised of – August 2015:  Planning Permission; September 2015:  Big Lottery Stage 2 Application; December 2015:  Big Lottery decision; and April 2016:  match funding secured.  Members commended the plans for the Tweedsmuir Community Hub and thanked Mr Welch for his presentation.

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.

Presentation – Andy Tharme, Scottish Borders Council.

With reference to paragraphs 14 and 15 of the Minute of 5 March 2014, Mr A. Tharme, Ecology Officer, was present at Tweeddale 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 and through the development of mapping and extensive stakeholder engagement, a draft Framework had been produced which was approved by Scottish Borders Council in December 2014 for public consultation.  The presentation detailed the extent of consultation carried out in 2013/14 with regular meetings taking place of a key stakeholder group representing 20 organisations in addition to engagement with 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 should be used, the next steps 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 and 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 and the enhancement of water quality.  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.  The Chairman thanked Mr Tharme for his useful presentation and update.

DECISION

NOTED the presentation.

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

11.1   Community Councillor Faris referred to inconsiderate parking at the bus stops and on the pavements in Innerleithen and he asked that more attention be paid to this.

DECISION

NOTED.

11.2   Community Councillor Tulloch expressed concern at the bus from West Linton to Peebles parking on the A702 which was causing problems.

DECISION

NOTED.

Consider report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for proposals to deliver projects throughout the Tweeddale Area.   (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director – Neighbourhood Services seeking approval from Tweeddale Area Forum for proposals to deliver projects throughout the Tweeddale area using Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life budgets for 2015-16.  Furthermore, the report sought delegated authority to decide on Quality of Life and Small Scheme proposals be granted to the Service Director Neighbourhood Services, subject to consultation with and majority approval of Tweeddale members.  The following Neighbourhood schemes had been requested for consideration from quality of life budget (a) to fund costs associated with the creation of an additional bus service to meet the needs of children wishing to take part in after school activities on Fridays, between Peebles and West Linton, for a period of twelve months, commencing from June 2015 - £2,964; and (b) to support Vale of Leithen FC  with the costs of having a ground capacity assessment and access audit undertaken, to meet the needs of the licensing requirements of Scottish Football Association - £1,000.

DECISION

AGREED to:-

(a)     fund the costs associated with the creation of an additional bus service to meet the needs of children wishing to take part in after school activities on Fridays, between Peebles and West Linton, for a period of twelve months, commencing from June 2015 - £2,964, from the quality of life scheme;

(b)     support Vale of Leithen FC with the costs of having a ground capacity assessment and access audit undertaken, to meet the needs of the licensing requirements of Scottish Football Association - £1,000 from quality of life scheme;

(c)     delegate authority to the Service Director Neighbourhood Services to agree to proposals for Quality of Life or Small Schemes, subject to consultation with and majority approval by the Tweeddale Members.

Consider report by Service Director Commercial Services on the introduction of enforceable disabled parking bays within the Tweeddale Area. (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Commercial Services proposes to introduce enforceable disabled parking bays within the Tweeddale area to be included in The Scottish Borders Council (Disabled Persons Parking Places) Order 2015.  The report explained that 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 Tweeddale area in a region-wide Traffic Regulation Order to make the existing bays enforceable (omitting those which were no longer required since the beginning of consultation).

DECISION

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

NETWORK ASSETS UPDATES -

14.1   Cardrona – Subsidence of River Bank

With reference to paragraph 11(e) of the Minute of Meeting of the Area Forum of 4 March 2015, the SBC Neighbourhood Manager (Tweeddale) advised that both engineers working on the subsidence of the river bank at Cardrona were on holiday.  The engineers confirmed three weeks ago that they were checking the banking at least once per week.   As the fish spawning season had finished, the engineers were progressing the tenders in order to be able to confirm the cost at outlay.  The engineers confirmed that there had been very little movement or erosion in some time and as long as the works were carried out this summer, there would be no concerns before the winter weather returned

DECISION

NOTED.

14.2   Dirtpot Corner

The SBC Neighbourhood Manager (Tweeddale) advised the Council was planning to undertake some Ground Investigation works at Dirtpot Corner.  The works were being undertaken to obtain more information about the nature of the ground conditions in the area for future maintenance or possible improvement works.  Part of this investigatory work would require traffic control to be in operation but it was anticipated that any delays would be minor as traffic control should only be required for a few days.  Before undertaking the Ground Investigation works there was a requirement to carry out an Environmental Survey to check for protected species due to the sensitivity of the River Tweed area.  This Environmental Survey would be carried out within the next couple of weeks.

DECISION

NOTED.

14.3   Neidpath Corner

With reference to paragraph 11(a) of the Minute of Meeting of the Area Forum of 4 March 2015, the SBC Neighbourhood Manager (Tweeddale) advised that the estimated cost of the repair works to the wall at Neidpath Corner had been confirmed at £150,000.  This figure was made up of £115,000 for the wall repair and £35,000 for the take down and rebuild of an additional three identified sections within the length of the wall.   At a meeting on 26 May 2015, the Council's Executive Committee approved the allocation of the required funding to allow the repair works to proceed. However, the Committee also asked Officers to investigate and consider any possibility of the installation of the permanent traffic lights to be accelerated from its programmed date of 2016/17 so that both the wall repair works and traffic light works could take place this year. Officers would meet to discuss the Committee's request during the next two weeks and would then report back to Members on the outcome.

DECISION

NOTED.