Agenda item

Consider matters of interest to Community Councils.

Community Councillor Scott Wilson (Newcastleton) thanked officers and Members for their assistance with the planning application for the Newcastleton Community Hub.  

Community Councillor Tommy Stevenson (Upper Teviot and Borthwick Water) reported on the ongoing problem of timber transport and the subsequent damage to the roads was still causing concern.  Members agreed that a representative from Timber Transport be invited to attend the next meeting of the Forum.  Mr Stevenson further reported that there was an issue with motorcyclists, on the A7, exceeding the speed limit.  Police had attended during the week but their presence was required at weekends.  The Chairman advised that the community council should pass on their concerns to Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland.  Mr Stevenson further advised that he was retiring as a community councillor and this would be his last Forum as community council representative.  He thanked Members and officers for their support and wished the Forum continued success.  The Forum thanked Mr Stevenson for his years of attendance at the Forum and wished him a long and happy retirement. 

Community Councillor Philip Kerr (Southdean) reported that the broadband speed was still an issue as was the lack of mobile signal.  Mr Kerr advised that there had been a significant improvement to roads in the community following patching work.   The community council had held a successful meeting with VisitScotland, who would also be willing to attend an Area Forum to give a presentation.  There had been a meeting to discuss the proliferation of windfarms in the area and 75 community councillors had attended.  

Community Councillor Gwen Crew (Denholm) reported that there were still concerns regarding windfarm applications and that local views were not being considered when decisions were being made; Denholm Community Council would continue to support local residents and lobby their issues.  Mrs Crew further reported that there had been concerns regarding the effect of the Flood Protection Scheme on the river downstream.  An officer from the Flood Protection scheme had attended their meeting and had reassured that there would be no detriment.  However, the community still had concerns around the local sewage works and riverbank.  Councillor Marshall advised that a public meeting, on the Flood Protection Scheme, would be held at Hawick Town Hall on 23 and 24 August and encouraged the community council to attend. Mrs Crew concluded her report by advising that the annual Denholm Flower Show had taken place.

Community Councillor Cameron Knox (Hawick) advised that their Annual General Meeting had taken place and that the status quo remained.  The Community Council had received a presentation from Perryman’s Buses and had been encouraged to ‘use it or lose it’. Mr Knox further advised that the judging for the Floral Gateway had taken place on 27 July and they were awaiting result.   A Resilience Group meeting was taken place that evening to arrange the necessary equipment for the forthcoming winter season and the Chairman was attending.  Mr Knox concluded by advising that they had held fundraising events – a film night and bag packing at Morrisons’ supermarket.   

DECISION

(a)        AGREED that the Chairman write to Timber Transport inviting them to attend the Forum.

(b)       NOTED the reports.