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Council Minutes
The Royal Burgh of Lochmaben & District Community Council meeting held on Tuesday 6th November 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
Agenda
Present
Apologies
Minutes of the previous meeting
Treasurers Report
Rights of Way
Councillor Dickie’s Report
Police Report
Representatives from Loreburn – The Dumfries & Galloway Housing Association
Lochmaben Youth Project Group
Remembrance Sunday
Correspondence Received
Multiple Games Park Area
Any other competent business
Date of next meeting
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE ROYAL BURGH OF LOCHMABEN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 2nd October 07.
Present
Chairman Graham Mundell
Treasurer Sandy Grant
Pam Linton
Edna Allbrook
Leon Ward
Lesley Ross
Councillor Michael Dickie
Inspector A Cook
Katherine Elliot
Suzanne Storm
Apologies
Pauline Pennie
Ken Galloway
Constable Stephen Easthill
Minutes: The minutes of the 4th September 07 meeting were proposed by Sandy Grant and seconded by Pam Linton.
Treasurers Report
The Bank balance stands at £4,388. The paths and Christmas lights funds remain the same as minuted last month.
The Treasurer (Sandy Grant) stated that the coffee morning needed to be well attended to ensure enough funds for the Senior Citizens Christmas Party.
Police Report
Inspector Cook reminded everyone that the correct number to ring for the Police is not as minuted last month but 0845 6005701.
Property was stolen from a building under construction in Lochmaben. A male was apprehended for the window breakage to a shop in the High Street – he was not a local. The person who broke the window in the Town Hall is now serving a 3 month jail sentence. Other reports of vandalism are being followed up.
No instances of anti social behaviour were reported. The main problem for the whole area is drug abuse, Inspector Cook stressed that this is probably due to the fact that the Police are more vigilant rather than an increase.
The detection rate is 72%, which is an excellent percentage. Lochmaben itself has been relatively quiet.
Michael Dickie asked the Inspector if Lochmaben could have the usual support from the Police on 11th November, which would be Remembrance Sunday.
Councillor Dickie’s Report
A few residents were in attendance concerned over the Nethermill Road – The Old Paddling Pool. Councilor Dickie assured them that nothing would be decided without the residents being consulted. This would probably be up for discussion at the next Area Meeting held at Annan on 24th October, although there was no guarantee. The land in question is no longer a gift to the residents of Lochmaben since it was handed over to the council to maintain it. Residents were worried that the land could be sold off without consultation first with Lochmaben residents, Michael assured them that this would not happen. The residents thanked Sandy Grant for his correspondence so far in the matter. One resident asked if this could remain as hard standing for the children to use to play on. The Community Council advised that perhaps residents should attend the Area Meeting in case this comes up for discussion. The Community Council had not had a meeting when this came up so it had not been discussed by them.
Michael Dickie reported that his visit to the new Leisure Complex opening up in the New Year was very interesting. There was not only a huge swimming pool, but also a fitness suite, and sports facilities, along with conference rooms and a concert hall seating 1400.
Residents were also brought up to date on the Glebe Terrace development. One person asked how they could be kept informed of the latest news and were informed that minutes of the meetings were on Lochmaben website, and also posted in the library. One resident asked if they could be posted at the Town Hall, but Michael Dickie pointed out that this was not possible as the Town Hall is a listed building and therefore there are restrictions on posting.
Michael informed the meeting that he had been re appointed to the Health Partnership. He asked the community council to attend any meetings to do with community Hospitals. The invitation for the community council members to visit the Echo Deco site is still open and the council will be informed when a suitable time is available.
Trees have been cut down that were growing under power lines in accordance with Health & Safety rules as children had been reported climbing the trees. The stand pipe outside the local public convenience had been capped and a water meter will be installed.
Residents attending the meeting were brought up to date on the Glebe Terrace situation. The council advised them that so far Scottish Water had not been back in touch about the concerns over the drainage and sewage. Michael assured residents that all objections would be noted at the Area Meeting and discussed.
Lochmaben Youth Group
No formal report was submitted. John Brown has left Lochmaben.
Guest Speaker – Helen Freidrichson on Minsca Wind Farm
Helen informed the meeting that 21 councils attended the meeting on 4th September 07. Turbines arrive in October and will be erected in November. No one will be allowed on site while construction is underway, but when it is finished around March 2008 visitors will be welcome.
Solway Heritage is inviting councils to submit their plans for the money they will be receiving.
71 Turbines will be erected. Funding from Airtricity will be £1,700 per year minus the admin charge of 2.8%. Community councils will have to apply for their money. Ideas for using these funds were discussed one of which was ‘slow down’ traffic sign for Lochmaben; Sandy will enquire about prices for this. Helen advised that there will be a photo call on 15th October and would write to Suzanne Storm (Secretary) with further details.
Correspondence
Planning applications that were relevant were read out. Although Vendace Drive had an application for a dwelling discussions were still ongoing. The Moffat Weavers had written in to offer their band to play for the Senior Citizens Christmas Party, Sandy Grant will reply.
Three of the community council members were invited to attend the presentation of the garden awards on Friday 5th October. There will be a buffet, bar, and a flora demonstration. Sandy Grant will reply to them.
Multiple Games Park
Michael reported that a club has offered to take on Grummel Park Football Team and he would look into this further and report back to the council.
A.O.C.B.
The final details were discussed over the approaching coffee morning.
Pictures are on display in the CVS window of the winners of the gardens competition.
Suzanne was asked to write to the Landlord of the Railway Inn re the outside bar for the 6th December Party.
One resident at the meeting had concerns over plans he had seen involving Glebe Terrace, where the boundary seemed to go straight to the waters edge at Mill Loch. He was assured that this would in no way restrict the Rights Of Way. Michael Dickie would be keeping a close watch on this particular application.
Date of the next meeting will be 6th November 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
