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 the meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Locality Committee of 20 June 2017 to be approved.  (Copy attached).

There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the meeting held on 20 June 2017.

DECISION

AGREED to approve the Minute of the Meeting held on 20 June 2017. 

With reference to paragraph 10.1 of the Minute of 20 June 2017, the Chairman advised that a report to Council in September would detail the application process for the Localities Bid Fund.  It was hoped that the first tranche of funding would be dispersed in November.  

3.2       With reference to paragraph 6.7(b) it was noted that Crimestoppers had agreed to attend a future meeting, although a suitable date and time needed to be agreed. 

3.3       With reference to paragraph 9.6(b)(ii), the Neighbourhood Area Manager was awaiting further details to progress the works at Ettleton Cemetery.  He suggested that a site visit would be appropriate and would arrange with Newcastleton Community Council. 

DECISION

NOTED.

Presentation by Chief Social Work Officer.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Elaine Torrance, Chief Social Work Officer, to the meeting, who was in attendance to give a presentation on the Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership.  Mrs Torrance began the presentation by referring to the consultation on Locality Plans for Health and Social Care Services.  There were five Locality Plans, including one for Teviot and Liddesdale. The Locality Plans detailed key priorities with an action plan for each of the five areas.  The consultation on the Plans was ongoing until 14 September and she encouraged participation.

4.2       Mrs Torrance then discussed the progress made with the Health and Social Care Partnership since the last briefing to the Forum.  Membership of the Integration Joint Board had changed slightly and there were now four NHS representatives and five Scottish Borders Councillors on the Board, including the Council Leader.  The priorities identified for the Teviot and Liddesdale area were: to increase the range of care and support options to enable people to remain in their own homes; improve the availability and accessibility of services; increase the availability of locally based rehabilitation services; increase the range of housing options and develop robust preventative services and early intervention for long term conditions.  The Annual Performance report 2016/17 had been published in July 2017 and outlined the Partnership’s performance against the nine local strategic objectives. The report set out the Partnership’s achievements, priorities and the development of a joint workforce.    Mrs Torrance advised that there were challenges around home care provision with the need to attract younger people into the social care profession. There was also a need to ensure technology was utilised in order that different models of support could be provided.

4.3       Mrs Torrance then drew attention to three principle initiatives.  The first of which was the  Matching Unit which was operational in Hawick, Peebles, Galashiels and Kelso.  This Unit enabled the coordination of social care centrally.  On the first day of operation the Unit had enabled a reduction on the waiting list in Tweeddale from 12 to 3.  It was now planned to roll out the model and to include hospital discharges.   The second initiative was the ‘What Matters’ Hub.  There were three Hubs located in Hawick, Ettrick & Yarrow and Galashiels.  The Hubs’ aims were to improve access to services, reduce the need for formal care services, improve customer satisfaction and increase staff morale. The Hubs made health and social care more visible in local communities and had proved successful.   A full evaluation on the Hubs would be carried out in September with plans to roll out the Hubs Borders wide. There were also plans for a series of roadshows to advertise the Hubs.  The final initiative was the Transitional Care Facility, currently provided within Waverley Care Home in Galashiels.  This facility provided multi-disciplinary care for people leaving hospital who would have remained in hospital or been discharged too early with a risk of further hospital admission.  The facility had been successful with 80% of people able to return  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Chairman was of the opinion that the item dealt with in the following paragraph should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to keep Members informed.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Douglas Scott, Senior Policy Advisor, who was in attendance to discuss the recent incidence of fly tipping at Burnfoot and Mansfield Road.  Mr Scott advised that officers would visit the affected sites on Thursday to try to identify the offenders and obtain evidence which might assist in legal proceedings.  Staff would also be in attendance to clear the area.  With reference to the travelling community which had recently vacated the sites, he advised that the Council engaged with the travelling community locating on unauthorised sitesand encouraged them to move on in the context of toleranceand the Council’s responsibilities in relation to Equalities legislation. This approach was considered to be a best practice approach, nationally.  He explained that there was one designated authorised site for travellers in the Scottish Borders at Innerleithen.  However, the travellers might not wish to locate to a designated site.  Mr Scott advised that the Council had not received any complaints until recently but when they had, acted robustly to resolve the matter.   Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland, added that the police engaged with the travelling community and had processes to adhere to when managing sites.    The level of proof was referred to and Inspector Wood advised that Police Scotland had received appropriate guidance.    The Chairman thanked Mr Scott for his attendance and briefing the Committee.

DECISION

NOTED the report.   

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

There had been circulated a report from Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland, updating the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Locality Committee on performance activities and issues in the area during June and July.  The Ward Plan priorities for Teviot and Liddesdale were highlighted as Drug Dealing and Misuse, Road Safety, Violent Crime and Antisocial Behaviour.  In summary, with regard to the Drug Dealing and Misuse priority, Inspector Wood advised that during the period there had been 10 drug related arrests, the majority relating to the possession of Class B drugs (cannabis and amphetamines). There had also been an arrest for the possession of amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy.

7.2         In terms of the Road Safety priority, Community Officers continued to give attention to areas when they received complaints of speeding or inconsiderate driving.  In certain circumstances, motor vehicles could be seized by police where there was evidence that the vehicle was being driven carelessly or off road.  Vehicles continued to receive parking tickets and drivers were warned for parking longer that they should.  Inspector Wood advised that following an incident in Havelock Bank a male had been charged with careless driving, no insurance and road traffic offences. Similarly in Hassendean a male had been charged with no insurance and other road traffic offences.  Also in July, following the report of an abandoned vehicle in Newcastleton, a male had been charged with a drink driving offence.  Following accidents on Branxholme Road a male had also been charged with numerous road traffic offences. 

7.3         In respect of the Violent Crime priority, the police continued to work in close partnership with licensed premises to tackle issues of drunkenness and disorderly behaviour to reduce incidents.  Police patrols were focused on areas where violent crime had been reported.  During the period under consideration, there had been one reported serious assault and one reported assault to severe injury; both investigations were ongoing.  Also during the period, following a report of an assault in a take-away outlet in the Howegate, a 44 year old male had been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.  In addition, there was an assault by a 27 year old male when being presented to Hawick Custody Centre.  This assault had also been reported. 

7.4         With regard to the Antisocial Behaviour priority, two 13 year old male youths had been reported for throwing stone at vehicles in Fraser Avenue.  A report for Culpable and Reckless Behaviour had been submitted to the Youth Justice system.  There had also been a number of teenage male youths arrested on Common Riding Friday and Saturday whilst heavily under the influence of alcohol.  

7.5         Inspector Wood went on to advise that there had been a number of thefts to business premises in the area.  These were being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department.  Over the period there had also been several shoplifting thefts reported by retailers and the reported use of forged currency.   A male had been since been arrested for tendering forged twenty-pound notes in the town.

7.6         The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of 20 June 2017, there had been circulated a report by Service Director Neighbourhood Services seeking approval for the following new Neighbourhood Small Schemes from the Locality Committee: mark parking area at Silverbuthall Road, Hawick; mark four parking areas at Chay Blyth Place, Hawick; mark parking area at Fraser Avenue, Hawick. The following Quality of Life Schemes had also been requested for approval: supply and install noticeboards at Bonchester Bridge; paint handrail between McLagan Drive and Burnfoot Road, Hawick; provide financial contribution to Hawick Welcome Initiative.  

DECISION

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

            (i)         Mark parking area at Silverbuthall Road, Hawick                                      £325

            (ii)        Mark four parking areas at Chay Blyth Place, Hawick                   £552

            (iii)       Mark parking area at Fraser Avenue, Hawick                                 £368

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

            (i)         Supply and install notice boards in Bonchester Bridge              £1,052

            (ii)        Paint handrail between McLagan Drive and Burnfoot Road         £313

            (iii)       Contribution to Hawick Welcome Initiative                                   £1,500

(c)        NOTED:-

(i)         the updates on previously approved Neighbourhood Small Schemes in 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix A to the report; and

(ii)        the updates on previously approved Quality of Life Schemes in 2017/18 as detailed in Appendix B to the report.     

Update report by Station Manager detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale Area.

There had been circulated a report from Station Manager Russell Bell, Hawick Fire Station, presenting service delivery activity in the Teviot and Liddesdale Area for the month of July 2017.  In summary, the report detailed that during the period of the report there had been one accidental house fire, one woodland/grass fire, one effect entry special service occurrence and 10 various unwanted fire signals.    The report also highlighted that the specialist high volume pump had been redeployed to Dundee to allow training to take place.  The report also detailed ongoing activity within the area including: Drivewise - a driving instruction initiative for secondary pupils which allowed pupils to drive cars in a controlled and safe environment under close instruction;  and, Road Safety Awareness Training – classroom based consequence lectures demonstrating a road traffic collision scene and detailing the Fire Services’ responsibilities, actions and techniques.   The report also advised that the Summer season 2017 thematic plan was current during the period and the Fire Service were required to report their success level against a range of indicators to reduce the number of deliberate primary and secondary fires.  

DECISION

NOTED the report.

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

A member of the public asked if the Committee could investigate the feasibility of installing a roundabout at the junction between Commercial Road and the Common Haugh, Members agreed to arrange a site visit and Councillor Ramage, as representative on the A7 Action Group, would raise at their next meeting. 

DECISION

AGREED to investigate the feasibility of a roundabout at the junction between Commercial Road and the Common Haugh.

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

Mr Roberts, Denholm Community Council, advised that the last community council meeting had been on 19 July.  During the interim, they had held a by-election for four vacancies.  Two valid nominations had been received, therefore no ballot was required.   Once the withdrawal period had passed appointment letters would be issued.    With regard to the Hawick Flood Prevention Scheme, Mr Roberts stated that Denholm Mill residents had met with Council officers, the meeting had been informative and the residents had been reassured.    The Community Council had received the first tranche of funding from the Langhope Rig Community Fund which had been used for the production of a printed community newsletter.  Mr Roberts went on to express concern that the Cross Keys Hotel in the village, had received a 200% increase in their commercial rates.  It was hoped that the appeal process would result in this rate being reduced.  To conclude his report Mr Roberts advised that on 27 August, Denholm would host the Steve Hislop Memorial Run.  This year the proceeds from the event would be donated to Motor Neurones Disease Scotland. 

11.2     Mrs Knight, Burnfoot Community Council, advised that Burnfoot Carnival on 8 July had been a success and had raised £4k.  Mrs Knight further advised that the Border Bus windows had been broken and she hoped the police would follow up.  Mrs Knight also raised concerns as to the play area at Sleepy Valley.  Mr Dunlop explained that the problem to the paving slabs had been caused by tree roots; a small area had now been repaired. However, it would be the autumn/winter season before the works could be completed and barrier fencing removed.

11.3     Mrs Elborn, Newcastleton Community Council, advised that they were presently holding elections to the community council, there were 12 vacancies.   With reference to paragraph 9.3 of the minute of 20 June, she advised that there had still been no contact with the community council regarding the closure of the mobile dental service. Mrs Elborn further advised that the community council and the development trust had attended the Transport Feasibility meeting and requested that freight transportation should be considered as part of the railway extension.  Mrs Elborn reiterated the concerns raised at the last meeting regarding the need to change the planning policy for forestry planting to ensure that planting did not affect flood management and line of site for broadband connectivity.   Mrs Elborn then referred to the introduction of a 30p charge to use public conveniences.  The community found this unacceptable, people were refusing to pay and it was affecting tourism. The Newcastleton Business Forum has suggested, as an alternative, that toilet facilities should remain free but that a £1 charge could be levied for the use of the shower facility.   Members discussed the issue and noted the concerns, the Chairman advised that public conveniences were not a statutory requirement and that the charging policy would be reviewed after six months.    Mrs Elborn concluded her report by advising that Newcastleton Holm Agricultural Show would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Tuesday, 19 September 20176 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

The next meeting of the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Locality Committee would be held on Tuesday, 19 September 2017 at 6.30 pm in the Lesser Hall, Town Hall, Hawick.

DECISION

NOTED.