Agenda item

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

(a)        Dog Fouling

Councillor Paterson, Executive Member for Environmental Services, responded to the recent Hawick Community Council meeting where concerns had been expressed about dog fouling.  Councillor Paterson advised that he was as frustrated as anyone about the impact that dog fouling had on communities.  Dog fouling was caused by a small minority of irresponsible dog owners who took little pride in the appearance of their town and villages and how their lack of action impacted on their neighbours’ lives.  SBC’s Responsible Dog Ownership Strategy outlined a range of measures which aimed to change behaviour and included engaging with communities and volunteers.   Enforcement was only part of the Strategy and an ongoing pilot was in place which focused on this.  Extensive intelligence held by the SBC was used to deploy enforcement officers.  However, with only two enforcement officers assigned to cover the whole of the Borders this was challenging.   With decreasing and finite resources the solution to the problem could not solely lie with SBC and enforcement.  Councillor Paterson advised that he was happy to meet with community councils to discuss the issue, share what was been done elsewhere and the role they could play.   He encouraged the public to continue to report instances of dog fouling and provide as much information as possible to allow the appropriate action to be taken.  This could be done via telephone or through SBC’s website.  Exact locations, times of day, descriptions of dogs and owners would assist to target enforcement activity to deliver results.  Mrs Short, Chairman of Hawick Community Council thanked Councillor Paterson for his response and advised that Hawick Community Council would take up his offer to work together to eradicate the problem.

DECISION

NOTED.

(b)        Great Tapestry of Scotland

a member of the public asked for Members and Hawick Community Council’s view on the Great Tapestry of Scotland?  With an increase to the council tax and Council savings to be made, the Tapestry model and business case appeared flawed and he asked that the project should not proceed.  All Members and the Chairman of Hawick Community Council advised that they were against the project.  Members explained the rationale for their decision which included the requirement for each Council department to make cuts to their budgets and this could be cuts to staffing; the cost of servicing the debt for the tapestry would be £260k per annum and they were not convinced that the business case was workable; and, the lack of Heritage Lottery funding towards the project. However, the decision to proceed with the project had been made by Council.   It was clarified that the removal of the trees at Tweedbank had been carried out as the trees had required maintenance; this had not cost £300k, this amount had been for the whole project.

DECISION

NOTED the objection of Members to the Great Tapestry of Scotland Project.

(b)        Bridge at Sunderland Hall

A member of the public enquired at the cost of works to the Sunderland Hall Bridge which had been reported as £3.2m.  It was felt that the cost could have been better spent on roads maintenance and the community hospital.   It was noted that the exact expenditure would be advised outwith the meeting.

(d)        A7 at Mosspaul

A member of the public complained about the delay in the repairs to the A7 at Mosspaul.

Councillor Paterson advised that the road was a trunk road and not the Council’s responsibility. However, he would pursue with Amey.

(e)        Wilton Hill Road, Hawick

A member of the public also referred to the poor road condition at Wilton Hill.  Councillors McAteer and Marshall would pursue. 

DECISION

NOTED.