Scottish Borders Council

Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Newtown Street, Duns

Contact: Pauline Bolson Tel: 01835 826503  Email:  pbolson@scotborders.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome.

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed those present and introduced Susan Swan, Depute Lord Lieutenant for Berwickshire.

 

2.

Minute pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Minute of the meeting of Berwickshire Area Forum of 15 June 2017.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of 15 June 2017. 

 

DECISION

NOTED the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

 

3.

Berwickshire Flag

Update and discussion.

Minutes:

With reference to paragraph 4.1 of the Minute of 15 June 2017, the Chairman explained that discussions relating to the creation of a Berwickshire Flag had taken place over a period spanning more than three years.  Following recent communications, he was now pleased to welcome Susan Swan, Depute Lord Lieutenant for Berwickshire to the meeting to explain the work that she has been involved in relating to this subject.  It appeared that discussions between the Berwickshire Area Forum as was and Transport Scotland had not reached any conclusion, on the basis that no approval would be given by Transport Scotland without the production of a proposed flag, which would obviously incur costs, and the undertaking of a full public consultation exercise.  Mr John Marjoribanks and Mrs Swan had also been in discussions regarding the creation of a Berwickshire flag for use across the area and how this could be progressed.  Two main questions were discussed, namely the possible investment to enable the creation of a flag and the use of a Coat of Arms.  Following that discussion, it was suggested that Mrs Swan and Mr Marjoribanks meet again with a representative from Transport Scotland to clarify what required to be done going forward.

 

DECISION

 

(a)       NOTED the discussion.

 

(b)       AGREED to await the outcome of the meeting between Mrs Swan, Mr Marjoribanks and Transport Scotland prior to further consideration by the Berwickshire Locality Committee.

 

4.

Local Development Plan Main Issues Report pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Presentation by Mr Charles Johnston, SBC Lead Officer Plans and Research.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a presentation by the Council’s Lead Officer Plans and Research, Charles Johnston.  Mr Johnson was in attendance to draw attention to public events and workshops being held as part of the preparation of the Local Development Plan Main Issues Report (MIR).  He referred to the 5 year cycle to produce a Local Development Plan and confirmed that the Council was commencing work on a new Local Development Plan.  The first component part of the new plan was the MIR and the process would begin with public engagement to discuss and identify any issues that interested parties would wish to see included in the MIR.  Issues could include: housing allocation (new sites/removal of longstanding allocations); regenerating town centres; employment land provision; protection of greenspace; promotion of placemaking and design; wind farms; and changes to planning policies.  Mr Johnston detailed the timeline for the whole Development Plan process, including the public events across the area.  These included sessions in Eyemouth on Thursday 21 September 2017 and Duns on Thursday 5 October 2017.  The MIR was due to be prepared by Spring 2018 with consultation taking place throughout the Summer 2018 and the final adopted Local Development Plan being published in Spring 2021.  Discussion took place in relation to public transport issues, town boundaries and Mr Johnston confirmed that both of these were included as part of the Local Development Plan.  The Chairman thanked Mr Johnston for his presentation.

 

            DECISION

            NOTED the presentation.

 

5.

Scottish Borders Community Plan pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Presentation by SBC Communities and Partnerships.

Minutes:

There had been circulated copies of a presentation by the Council’s Lead Officer Plans and Research, Charles Johnston.  Mr Johnson was in attendance to draw attention to public events and workshops being held as part of the preparation of the Local Development Plan Main Issues Report (MIR).  He referred to the 5 year cycle to produce a Local Development Plan and confirmed that the Council was commencing work on a new Local Development Plan.  The first component part of the new plan was the MIR and the process would begin with public engagement to discuss and identify any issues that interested parties would wish to see included in the MIR.  Issues could include: housing allocation (new sites/removal of longstanding allocations); regenerating town centres; employment land provision; protection of greenspace; promotion of placemaking and design; wind farms; and changes to planning policies.  Mr Johnston detailed the timeline for the whole Development Plan process, including the public events across the area.  These included sessions in Eyemouth on Thursday 21 September 2017 and Duns on Thursday 5 October 2017.  The MIR was due to be prepared by Spring 2018 with consultation taking place throughout the Summer 2018 and the final adopted Local Development Plan being published in Spring 2021.  Discussion took place in relation to public transport issues, town boundaries and Mr Johnston confirmed that both of these were included as part of the Local Development Plan.  The Chairman thanked Mr Johnston for his presentation.

 

            DECISION

            NOTED the presentation.

 

6.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service pdf icon PDF 355 KB

Quarterly update report by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.  (Copy attached.)

Minutes:

6.1       There had been circulated copies of a report by Scottish Fire and Rescue informing the Locality Committee of activity in the area since 15 June 2017.  Station Manager Matt Acton was in attendance to highlight the main points of the report.  In summary, there had been 5 occurrences of fires in houses/buildings with no casualties recorded;4 other fire incidents with no casualties; 12 Special Service incidents resulting in 5 casualties; and 30unwanted fire alarm signals involving commercial/industrial premises.  Station Manager Acton advised that work continued with local businesses to reduce these incidents on an ongoing basis.  The report went on to inform Members of continued activity which had occurred and which was currently taking place in Berwickshire and the measures being taken to address issues identified within the area.  Crews were currently engaged with the Summer Thematic Action Plan which focussed on deliberate fires; summer safety; water safety; and wildfire and outdoor safety.  The report also provided an update on the recruitment of firefighters and it was noted that this was progressing well across Berwickshire with posts having been filled in Duns, Eyemouth and Coldstream.  Coldstream was now fully crewed with further vacancies available in Duns and Eyemouth.  Discussion followed and Station Manager Acton responded to questions raised by Members.  In addition, further consultations would take place over the coming months and Members were advised that, as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service moved through the transformation stage of development, it would be necessary to explore new ways of expanding the role of firefighters within the Service.

 

6.2       With reference to paragraph 6.2 of the Minute of 15 June 2017, Station Manager Acton again invited comment on the current Local Plan and explained that feedback received would inform the 2017 - 2020 Plan scheduled for publication in 2017.  The Chairman thanked Station Manager Acton for his attendance. 

 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

 

7.

Police Scotland pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Quarterly update report by Police Scotland.  (Copy attached.)

 

Minutes:

            There were circulated at the meeting copies of a report by Community Inspector John Scott updating the Locality Committee on Police Scotland performance, activities and issues across wards for the period up to 7 September 2017 and to look at events linking in with the ward priorities in the coming months.  The planning for local events across Berwickshire had paid off with the summer events held across Berwickshire posing little concern.  Communities had engaged with the Scottish Borders Council Safety Advisory Group (SAG) process to ensure that events ran safely and as smoothly as possible and Inspector Scott congratulated the organising committees and those involved in making this possible.  The report highlighted the Ward priorities in each of the two Berwickshire Wards and the work that Police Scotland was taking forward to address these issues.  In East Berwickshire the priorities were road safety, misuse of drugs, rural thefts, and antisocial behaviour; for Mid-Berwickshire, they included road safety, inconsiderate driver behaviour, and antisocial behaviour.  Inspector Scott advised that the Drivewise Project had opened again and young people from schools across the Borders were attending sessions at Charterhall airfield.  The Get Ready for Winter road safety campaign was also being developed and further information and advice would be publicised in due course.  During the current reporting period, there had been 11 drug offences, including 6 for supplying drugs and one for producing cannabis and Inspector Scott emphasised the importance of intelligence in detecting such offences.  He also noted that reporting had increased relating to suspected cannabis farms.  Rural thefts continued to be of concern with some thefts being carried out at properties that were remote or under renovation.  Recent hare coursing crimes had resulted in offenders receiving significant sentences and again, Inspector Scott reiterated the importance of public intelligence in detection.  In response to concerns raised previously in relation to the potential risks caused by long vehicles using the cement works junction to the A1, Inspector Scott confirmed that lorries should only move out of the junction when the road was clear in both directions.  The Chairman thanked Inspector Scott for his attendance.

 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

 

8.

Community Spotlight

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

Minutes:

8.1       Rail Action Group East of Scotland

            The Annual General Meeting of the Rail Action Group East of Scotland (RAGES) would take place in Reston Village Hall on Wednesday 20 September 2017 at 7.30pm and would provide an update on the re-opening of Reston Station.

 

            DECISION

            NOTED.

 

8.2       Floral Gateway Awards

The Floral Gateway Awards took place on 5 September at Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells and Berwickshire as a whole had a very successful evening.  Ayton was named third equal in the Champion of Champions category; Coldstream and Chirnside received first and third respectively for the Large Village; Coldingham and Greenlaw came first and second in the Small Village category; Westruther and Burnmouth were first and third for the Wee Village; Burnmouth won the Border Biodiversity award; and Coldstream were joint winners of the Quality of Life.  On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman offered congratulations to all the towns and villages that took part in this year’s awards.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

9.

Dates of Future Meetings

The schedule of meetings of the Berwickshire Locality Committee is as follows:-

 

            Thursday 30 November 2017

            Thursday 1 March 2018

            Thursday 7 June 2018.

Minutes:

Future meetings of the Berwickshire Locality Committee were scheduled for:-

 

30 November 2017;

1 March 2018; and

7 June 2018.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

 

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Scottish Borders Council

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