Agenda and minutes

WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Minute of Meeting of Cheviot Area Forum held on 3 February 2016 to be noted.  (Copy attached.)

MINUTE

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting of the Cheviot Area Forum of 3 February 2016.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

Update on current position with the new Enforcement Officers & the ‘Green Dog Walker’ Initiative.

          UPDATE ON DOG FOULDING

          Mr Craig Blackie, Neighbourhood Area Manager (Eildon) was present at the meeting to brief Members ona new refreshed approach being taken to tackle dog-fouling in the Scottish Borders.  In 2014 the Scottish Household Survey rated animal nuisance, such as noise and dog fouling, as the most common problem.  Within the Scottish Borders there had also been an increase in the number of reports of dog fouling. This issue was being looked at by Scottish Borders Council in the wider context of responsible dog ownership.  The ‘Responsible Dog Ownership Strategy and Action Plan’, recently approved by Scottish Borders Council, set out what the Council would do to encourage and promote responsible dog ownership and the Council’s commitment to tackling the antisocial behaviour of irresponsible dog owners.  The approach outlined in the strategy included the objective to reduce the number of dog fouling instances through education, partnership working and enforcement.  Officers had been investigating options to enhance its environmental enforcement activities.  In this connection Council agreed to appoint a private company to carry out focused enforcement activity for a pilot period of twelve months.  As part of the strategy the Council would work with communities on developing local solutions; develop an ‘anti dog-fouling toolkit’ which could be used by local communities; and promote key initiatives such as The Green Dog Walkers.  Mr Blackie confirmed that the contract had been awarded to 3GS and two wardens had been appointed and commenced their duties with effect from 31 May 2016 for a trial period of 12 months.  It was confirmed that material to promote responsible dog ownership, in the form of posters, would be available to Community Councils from the Neighbourhood Services section of the Council.  There would also be regular updates to Area Forums and a consultation at the end of the trail period to decide whether to extend the contract.  The Wardens would also regulate littering and could issue an on the spot statutory fine of £80.  Mr Blackie answered members’ questions and, in response to questions about where the monies collected from fines went, Mr Blackie advised that profit from the schemes was shared once salaries and the cost of tickets and promotional material had been deducted.   The Chairman thanked Mr Blackie for his presentation.

          DECISION

          NOTED the presentation.

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

          POLICE FORCE OF SCOTLAND – UPDATE FOR ‘J’ DIVISION

          Inspector John Scott was present at the meeting to update the Cheviot Area Forum on performance, activities and issues across the Ward for the period up to 31 May 2016.  The Ward Plan Priorities for Kelso and District had been reviewed and amended and were highlighted as Dishonesty, Road Safety, Antisocial Behaviour and Drug Dealing and Misuse of Drugs.    The Ward Plan Priorities for Jedburgh and District had also been amended and were highlighted as Drug Dealing and Misuse, Road Safety, Anti-Social Behaviour and Rural Crime.  In relation to Rural Thefts, Police Scotland had launched a series of information documents to keep rural communities safe.  The rural communities of Scotland were safe places in which to live and work. However, the nature of the environment and way of life meant there were some crime prevention tips particularly relevant to rural life that were worth bearing in mind.

4.1.    Much of the crime prevention advice outlined in other areas of ‘Keep Safe’ was equally relevant to urban or rural area, but there were issues unique to rural communities such as:  Protecting Livestock; Securing Farm Machinery; Theft from fuel tanks; Securing tools and horse tack.  The information could be accessed at the following link  http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/rural-crime.  In terms of Road Safety, it was recognised that parking in Kelso was a concern and regular patrols were undertaken in the town and 11 parking tickets had been issued during the reporting period.  There had been an increase recently in the number of detections for drink driving in the Scottish Borders, with people being caught in rural, locations having been drinking at a village pub and then choosing to drive home.  The public were encouraged to report all drink drivers either directly to the police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 55 111.  A young driver’s event between 21 and 22 May 2016 had been held at Charterhall, Duns where about 90 young people experience driving, many of them for the first time, and had had a great experience.  The event allowed them to develop driving skills under the watchful eye of the Police, Fire and Ambulance services who were giving training throughout the day.  The aim was to encourage young people to engage with the long-term sustainable driver education and casualty reduction programme in the Borders.  During May and June the Skills for Life programme, which provided free driver training to 17-25 year olds, was running in Duns.  There were further courses being run during 2016 and these could be accessed through the Skill for Life page on Scottish Borders Council website.  In terms of new Police Powers to tackle the production, supply and importation/exportation of NPS, it was explained that the UK wide legislation aimed to tackle the harm posed by new psychoactive substances (NPS) which were marketed inaccurately as ‘legal highs’.  The consumption of NPS had been linked to a number of deaths in the UK.  The Psychoactive Substances  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

(a)                  Update report detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Cheviot Area.

(b)                  Launch of ‘ Living Safely in the Home project’

Mr Matt Acton, Station Manager explained that the purpose of the report circulated was to inform the Cheviot Area Forum on Scottish Fire and Rescue Service activity since the last meeting on 3 February 2016.  The report detailed that during the period of the report there had been 2 House Fires (cooking related) occurrences of fire – open 7, occurrence of Special Services 10 and 18 unwanted Fire Alarm Signals.  In relation to partnership working, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Community Action Team (CAT) within the Scottish Borders core work centred on the on-going delivery of the SFRS Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) policy.  The team continued to expand its partnership working with the Key agencies including Police Scotland, Health, Social care and Housing in order to focus on members of local communities at High Risk from fire and achieve outcomes in helping to reduce overall numbers of accidental dwelling fires. 

5.1         Fire preventionand protection activity over recent years had been key to reducing the number of fires, casualties and losses in Scotland thus minimising the economic and social impact of fire on communities.  The seasonal community safety calendar provided the catalyst for a number of initiatives and schemes throughout the calendar year.

5.2         Activity which was ongoing within the Cheviot Ward area included Scottish Fire and Rescue Service staffs in all local stations providing Home Fire Safety Visits all year round.  The visits provided the householder with a home visit, focussing on identifying and reducing the risks of fire in the home. Smoke detectors with a 10-year battery life were provided as part of this free service; Living Safely in the Home was part of the Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership Reducing Inequalities Strategy, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and the Scottish Borders Safer Communities Team would lead jointly on the ‘Keeping People Safe’ theme.  Within this theme, it had been identified that older people are more likely to suffer an accident in the home resulting in an A&E admission to Hospital; Firesharp was an initiative for Primary 6 pupils, providing face-to-face education within local Primary schools on matters of fire risk and prevention; The SFRS Safeguarding Policy and Procedure for Protection of Children and Adults at Risk of Harm was implemented to link into adult and child protection. The introduction of the policy had created closer ties with Social Services within Scottish Borders and ensured those people and families that fire crews identify as at risk were brought to the attention of Social Services and had resulted in joint visits to homes to reduce risk to those occupiers.  A strong partnership was being developed with the local Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service and involvement in MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference).  The Local Authority Liaison Officer (LALO) and Scottish Borders Station Manager for Prevention and Protection were fully involved in all local MARAC processes, attending the monthly conferences and all steering group meetings. 

5.3            Crews from Duns and Coldstream recently took part in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

                        An update on current activity was given by Carol Gillie, Director of Finance, NHS Borders.  Mrs Gillie reported on the Celebrating Achievements Awards which had taken place at Springwood, Kelso where candidates for the Awards were nominated anonymously.  

7.1                   A&E Waiting Times

          In relation to A&E waiting times, Mrs Gillie reported that the NHS Borders were meeting their waiting time target of 4hrs, 95% of the time, although this had been more challenging in recent weeks.  NHS Borders now published their performance against the set targets.  In response to questions, Mrs Gillie advised that all breaches were thoroughly investigated in order to understand the reasons behind the breach.

7.2                   The Health in Your Hands Survey and Engagement had been out for consultation between November 2015 and March 2016 and would be presented to the NHS Board on Monday, 23 June 2016. 

7.3                   The Health and Social Care – Joint Board became operational on 1 April 2016 and the new body would meet on 20 June 2016.

DECISION

NOTED the report.

Consider update on the progress of the planned programme of revenue and capital works, the work undertaken by the SB Local Squad and the proposed SB Local Small Schemes for the current financial year in the Cheviot area.  (Copy attached)

NEIGHBOURHOOD SMALL SCHEMES UPDATE

                 With reference to paragraph 8 of the Minute of 3 February 2016, there were circulated at the meeting copies of Appendices A and B which detailed the current position in terms of the Neighbourhood Small Schemes and Quality of Life Scheme previously approved.  The Area Neighbourhood Manager advised that the allocated budget (£47,099) for small schemes was available through Neighbourhood Services for the Cheviot Area in 2016/17.  There remained £25,311 for future schemes, although any budget remaining at the close of the financial year would be lost as there was no carry forward provision.  In addition, a budget of £31,072 was available for Quality of Life Schemes in the Cheviot Area in 2016/17.  It had previously been agreed that this budget would be split equally between Kelso and District and Jedburgh and District Wards.  There was a remaining budget of £11,422 in Kelso and District Ward and £14,372 in Jedburgh and District Ward for future schemes. 

DECISION

(a)      AGREED:-

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

(1)     Install dropped kerb at St Andrews Church, Kelso          £1,137

              (2)     Erect notice board at Nisbet Village                                   £   760

              (3)    Provision of carpet bedding display War Memorial,

                       Kelso                                                                                      £2,710

             (4)     Installation of additional telegraph pole at Ancrum     

                           Bottle Bank                                                                           £1,814     

    (5)     Resurface access to Crailing Church                                £2,970

(ii)          to delegate authority to the Service Director Neighbourhood

Services to allocate the funds for the current financial year to Neighbourhood Small Schemes, subject to consultation with and approval by all six members of the Cheviot Area Forum via email.

(b)       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.

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

9.         OPEN QUESTIONS

            There were no issues raised.

            DECISION

            NOTED.

Consider update on Skiprunningburn Flood Protection and matters of interest to Community Councils.

10.0     COMMUNITY COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT

10.1     Skiprunning Burn, Jedburgh (Flood Protection Scheme) – With reference to paragraph 10.2 of the Minute of 3 February 2016, the Area Neighbourhood Manager advised that the main contract works for formal Flood Protection Scheme were completed in February 2016 and the new water level sensors and CCTV infrastructure were fully operational.  A protocol document detailing the management arrangements for the flood protection infrastructure had been drafted by the project team and would be finalised in consultation with the Council’s Flood and Coastal Management, Neighbourhood Services and Emergency Planning teams.  The masonry repair work to the town culvert would be undertaken during the summer, when the burn was completely dry.  This was the last element of work associated with the Jedburgh (Skiprunning Burn) FPS.

DECISION

                        NOTED the report.

Consider Items for Future Agendas.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

The Chairman asked all present for future agendas items.  Councillor Stewart requested that a presentation be given by Mossburn Distillery, following submission and consideration of their planning application.

          DECISION

          NOTED.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 September 2016 in Jedburgh (Venue to be confirmed.)

DATE OF NEXT MEETING             

The Chairman confirmed that the next meeting of the Cheviot Area Forum was scheduled for Wednesday, 14 September 2016 in Jedburgh.

DECISION

NOTED the date of the next meeting of the Cheviot Area Forum and that the venue was to be confirmed.

Before proceeding with the private business, the following motion should be approved:-

“That under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the aforementioned Act.”

PRIVATE BUSINESS

            DECISION

            AGREED under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the business detailed in  the Appendix to this Minute on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part  I of Schedule 7A to the Act.

      SUMMARY OF PRIVATE BUSINESS

1.         DANGEROUS CHIMNEY AND MASONRY AND DEFECTIVE ROOF COVERING, RAINWATER GOODS AND DRY ROT AT 2 HIGH STREET AND 2 MARKET PLACE, JEDBURGH

          The Area Forum noted an update from the Lead Officer Enforcement.

The meeting concluded at 8.15 p.m.

Update by Lead Officer Enforcement