Agenda and minutes

Consider the appointment of a Vice-Chairman for the Cheviot Locality Committee from amongst the SBC Councillors.

1.0       VICE-CHAIRMAN

    1.1       Councillor Weatherston, seconded by Councillor Mountford, moved that Councillor Brown be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Locality Committee and this was unanimously approved.

         DECISION

         AGREED to appoint Councillor Brown as the Vice-Chairman of the Cheviot Locality Committee.

2.0      WELCOME

2.1      The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

            DECISION

            NOTED.

Note the Minute of the Meeting of the Cheviot Area Forum held on 1 February 2017.  (Copy attached.)

3.0       MINUTE

3.1       There had been circulated copies of the Minute of the Meeting of the Cheviot Area Forum of 1 February 2017.

            DECISION

            AGREED to approve the Minute for signature by the Chairman.

Presentation on the work of the Partnership.

4.0       SCOTTISH  BORDERS  HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION

4.1       The Chairman advised that this item had been postponed until the September cycle of meetings.

            DECISION   

            NOTED.

Consider report by Service Director Assets & Infrastructure seeking approval for the proposed new Neighbourhood Small Schemes.  (Copy attached.)

5.0       NEIGHBOURHOOD SMALL SCHEMES UPDATE

  5.1       With reference to paragraph 10 of the Minute of 1 February 2017, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Assets and Infrastructure which sought approval from the Locality Committee for the proposed new neighbourhood Small Schemes.  The Area Neighbourhood Manager advised that the allocated budget (£34,702) for small schemes was available through Neighbourhood Services for the Cheviot Area in 2017/18.  In addition, a budget of £20,000 was available for Quality of Life Schemes in the Cheviot Area in 2017/18.  It had previously been agreed that this budget would be split equally between Kelso and District and Jedburgh and District Wards. 

DECISION

(a)    APPROVED the following new Neighbourhood Small Schemes:-

(i)    Create a formal bus stop at Riverside Drive, Kelso            £1,225                                                 

(ii)   Form a pedestrian access into Stichill Play Area                £1,332                           

(iii)  Install 2 no. walker’s benches near Lanton Village             £     54

(b)       AGREED to delegate authority to the Service Director for Assets and Infrastructure  to allocate funds for Small Schemes in 2017/18 out-with the scheduled Locality Committee meetings when work was considered time critical, subject to consultation with all six Cheviot Members and approval by at least three Elected Members on Cheviot Locality Committee.

Consider an update from the local Police Inspector detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Cheviot area.

6.0       POLICE FORCE OF SCOTLAND – UPDATE FOR ‘J’ DIVISION

   6.1      Inspector Wood was present at the meeting to update the Cheviot Area Forum on performance, activities and issues across the Ward for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 May 2017.  The Ward Plan Priorities for Jedburgh and District were highlighted as Drug Dealing and Misuse, Road Safety, Anti-social Behaviour and Rural Crime.  During the reporting period, Inspector Wood advised that no persons had been charged with drug offences.  The Police would remain visible in the community to develop intelligence on people who dealt in and used controlled drugs and continued to receive intelligence from the public in relation to drug matters, whether persons being in possession or persons dealing drugs.  There had been three separate incidents of people being caught driving whilst under the influence of alcohol during the April and May.  A number of road checks had been carried out, which resulted in four drivers being given warnings for anti-social use of their vehicle, and one being issued with a conditional offer for speeding.  In addition a number of drivers had been charged with various driving offences following road checks, accidents or incidents.  In relation to rural crime, a female worker lambing at Edgerston Rigg, Jedburgh had disturbed two males who were on the property.  When challenged, one of them assaulted her, causing facial injuries and inquiries were continuing into this incident.  It was believed that travelling criminals from outwith the Borders were responsible.

6.2         It was reported that there had been one theft by housebreaking during the reporting period and enquiries were ongoing in relation to this incident.  A Drivewise Project was being run in partnership with the emergency services, the Institute of Advanced Motorists, Scottish Borders Council and supported by John Cleland and Volvo UK.  All Schools in the Borders were sending their young people to get a driving experience at the Charterhall airfield.  The driving programmes for young and old continued and Community Councils were asked to promote these across their areas.  In terms of drink driving offences, there had been one drink driving offence reported in the Kelso area and 2 drugs offences during the reporting period. 

6.3         The National Counter Terrorism awareness week was under way across all Communities.  Police Scotland, through their Counter Terrorism Security Advisors and in liaison with the National Counter and Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) had been busy working with those who run or were responsible for crowded places in order to keep people safe.  The current threat for International Terrorism to the United Kingdom was at SEVERE, which meant that an attack was highly likely and everyone should remain alert. 

     DECISION

     NOTED the report.

Consider update detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Cheviot Area.

0            FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE UPDATE

7.1         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 1 February 2017.  The report detailed that during the period of the report there had been 16 non-domestic Fires (10 x refuse/woodlands/grass, 2x vehicle, 4 x chimney )  – Special Services 8 and 27 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. 

7.2         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.

7.3         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.  These free 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; The living safely in the home (LSITH) initiative continued in the Cheviot locality, with a number of referrals made by the SFRS to community partners and an evaluation of the trial was underway.  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 identified 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. 

7.4         Road Safety Community Action Team (CAT) had delivered road safety awareness to secondary schools throughout the Scottish Borders with the support of the local whole time personnel from Galashiels and Hawick.  Fire Safety Audits provided a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.0         ENGAGEMENT WITH NHS BORDERS

8.1         As there was no representative present from NHS Borders, there was no update given.

              DECISION

              NOTED.

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

9.0         OPEN QUESTIONS

9.1         There were no issues raised.

     DECISION

     NOTED.

Consider any matters raised by Community Councils.

10.0       COMMUNITY COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT

10.1       Concern was expressed regarding the suitability of the room which had been booked as the meeting room.  As it was a classroom the layout was inappropriate and it was difficult to hear everyone.

10.2       Sprouston Community Council Representative thanked the Council for the work carried out to improve Dean Road.

10.3       The Floors, Makerstoun, Nenthorn and Smailholm Community Council representative raised the condition of the cycle route in Makerstoun and sought support in relation to Broadband, which had improved, although there remained some areas outstanding.   

DECISION

     AGREED:-

            (a)               that the Clerk investigate better meeting facilities within Kelso; and

            (b)               that Broadband be considered at a future meeting.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

11.1       The Chairman asked all present for future agendas items and the following was agreed. 

     DECISION

     AGREED that the following item would be placed on a future Agenda:-

·         Broadband.

The next meeting of the Cheviot Locality Committee is scheduled for Wednesday 13 September 2017 at 6.30 p.m.

12.0        DATE OF NEXT MEETING                    

12.1       The Chairman confirmed that the next meeting of the Cheviot Locality Committee was scheduled for Wednesday, 13 September 2017 in Jedburgh.

DECISION

NOTED the date of the next meeting of the Cheviot Locality Committee and that the venue was to be confirmed.

The meeting concluded at 7.30 p.m.