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Council Minutes
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE ROYAL BURGH OF LOCHMABEN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 3rd April 07.
Present
Chairman Graham Mundell
Sandy Grant
John Brown
Edna Allbrook
Constable Stephen Easthill
Pauline Pennie
Suzanne Storm – Secretary
Ken Galloway
Leon Ward
Pam Linton
Lesley Mitchell
Apologies
Councillor Michael Dickie
Katherine Elliott ? Reporter
The chairman opened the meeting and welcomed the members.
Minutes: The minutes of the March 6th meeting were proposed by Lesley Mitchell, seconded by Pam Linton.
Treasurers Report
Community Council accounts stand at £4,454 and will now be forwarded to the auditor.
The coffee morning helps to fund the Senior Citizens Christmas Party, and this year with numbers rising more funding will be needed.
A raffle was suggested, and members were asked to put forward any other money making ideas as at least £700 would be needed.
Christmas lights also need funds.
Rights of Way
Paths account still holds funds. The new gates are now in place at Mill Loch, as well as hard core footing.
Scottish Heritage has estimated £3,500 to continue the paths upkeep.
The Bridge needs lifting and S. H. will be approached for their agreement to this.
Gardens account largely depends on the George Hunter Trust and donations. This year the winners from last year will be asked to do the Judging with a final Judge still to be selected.
Police Report:
Constable Easthill reported one assault, eight A.S.B.I?s, one theft, one arson attack, 3 vandalism incidents, and one breach of the peace. There is a new number to ring for the Police to attend non emergencies:
0845 600 5701
There will be an advertisement appearing shortly to recruit cadets over the age of 16 ½ years.
The council reported that Robson Park fence has been knocked down.
Youngsters who were asked about speed restriction notices advised they would ignore speed cameras, but might pay more attention to a flashing sign.
Councilor Dickie?s Report
Sandy Grant read out Michael Dickie?s report in his absence.
The Town Hall will take another month to complete.
Grummel Park ? The Area Committee will be discussing this at their next meeting.
A lot of money would be needed to bring the park up to standard for playing football. Turf Trax are submitting a full report to the Area Committee.
Castle Street drainage will be carried out and some work has already been completed.
Queen Street and High Street will be re surfaced in due course.
Youth Group Project
There will be a coffee morning this Saturday (April 7th) starting at 10.30 ? 12.30, and plenty of fun stalls have been organised.
The Summer Programme will run again this year with Keep Fit, and a Theatre Trip planned. John will be meeting with Gus to discuss funding.
Twinning Towns
Graham had contacted June Purves to gather information about what is involved with twinning. It would seem that the idea was not popular due to the amount of funding required. It was decided that Pauline should reply to the French Town who had shown an interest in twinning with Lochmaben to explain our position.
Correspondence
Planning correspondence was read to the council, along with other correspondence received.
Suzanne to action further correspondence to Mr. D Suttie, and to reply to Ronnie Dempster?s letter with the contact names and telephone numbers that Mr. Dempster had requested.
AOCB
John advised the meeting that he would be standing for the Scottish Youth Parliament and if elected he would be required to attend meetings 6 times a year. Any ideas from the Council would be appreciated.
Sandy Grant reported that the Scottish Executive Rural Fund were offering grants to communities, and if the Council were in agreement then ideas for Lochmaben could be put forward.
17th May 2007 is the deadline. The Council agreed their support.
Lochmaben in Bloom ? the School would be contacted in connection with this event.
Suzanne reported that the vandalism to the 2 flower tubs at Kirk Loch had resulted in them both being badly damaged and beyond repair. Suzanne was advised to ring Combined Services in Annan and request their removal.
Meeting closed at 9.00pm.
Date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 1st May 2007 at 7.30
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE ROYAL BURGH OF LOCHMABEN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 6th February 07.
Present
Chairman Graham Mundell
Sandy Grant – Treasurer
Suzanne Storm – Secretary
Councillor Michael Dickie
Constable Stephen Easthill
Ken Galloway
Leon Ward
Pam Linton
Pauline Pennie
Lesley Mitchell
Katherine Elliott – Reporter
Apologies
Edna Allbrook
John Brown
Sandy Grant opened the meeting by expressing sadness over Ian Elliotts untimely death. Ian had many excellent ideas, which he had put forward to the community council whilst serving on the committee.
Minutes: The minutes of the January 9th meeting were proposed by Ken Galloway and seconded by Pam Linton.
Treasurers Report
Christmas lights balance stood at £308.89.
Paths & Gardens were the same as last month.
Community Council had the administration grant approved for £719.50. Making a total held of £4,588.47.
Police Report:
Constable Easthill advised the meeting that 5 anti social behavior, 2 vandalism, and 1 breach of the peace had been dealt with.
Window damage: – A lady has been charged with this offence
Golf Club Wall: – A gentleman is helping the Police with their enquiries.
The detection rate stands at 67%.
The council reported that a scramble bike was causing a nuisance by being ridden on the pavement.
Speeding in Bruce Street in the early hours of the mornings. Constable Easthill said he would report this to the Traffic Police.
Large vehicles are taking up more than their ½ share of the road, and to get evidence someone needed to be sent out specially equipped with a camera. Large vehicles laden with rubble are far too big to be using Lochmaben as a through road to their destinations. Constable Easthill would be checking on the rules for HGV?s and will report back at the next meeting.
A diversion has been discussed avoiding Lochmaben and Suzanne was asked to write to Inspector Cook on this matter with a copy to go to Ronnie Dempster.
It was suggested that removing the parking from outside the Post Office might help the traffic flow more freely past the Town Hall. It was also noted that despite no parking outside the Town Hall this was regularly ignored by drivers. Constable Easthill suggested he would contact Debra with a view to her visiting Lochmaben in her capacity as Traffic Warden to advise drivers to obey the road markings, etc.
Graham Mundell, thanked the Police for their visible input in the Town.
Councilor Dickie?s Report
Michael Dickie reported that although he had been informed that Ian Elliott was not well, he was shocked at his death. Michael said the funeral was well attended and the SMP made an excellent tribute to Ian. Ian was also a leading light in the campaign to save Lochmaben?s library.
The Area plan for the next 10 years is now printed and Lochmaben will be having affordable housing built.
There are millions of pounds being cut off budgets, and 3.7% rise in council tax could be expected as a result. Money is needed for regeneration. The policy this year is to sell off property to balance the books. We do have the lowest council tax in Scotland at present.
February 14th will be the Elderly Forum, and there will be the Police present, along with the Fire Brigade, and other services.
Michael Dickie advised the council that they will be consulted about Lochmaben Hospital, the beds are needed there especially as the population is getting older, and if they are expected to be cared for at home by carers, then eventually the hospital will need more beds not less. There is a public consultation at Lochmaben Hospital on March 5th and Michael hopes this will be well attended.
Work has begun on the Town Hall.
Drop kerbs are being discussed for some areas in Lochmaben.
The Flag Pole needs repair and this is being dealt with.
Michael has organised photocopying to be done at the Town Hall now and Karen will be the person to contact there.
White lines on the road in a couple of places need re painting reported Graham.
Concerns were raised over the proposed housing in Glebe Terrace due to the narrow road there. ? Suzanne to action
Planning has been approved for 52 houses behind Lochmaben Hospital.
David Mundell was in the local paper bringing Lochmaben to prominence by having his photograph printed and advocating his support for the idea of widening the A709. The community council would like an update Suzanne to action
Graham suggested that a sub committee be set up to meet and discuss the consultation process, put their ideas forward and then write in with their views over the Lochmaben Hospital bed situation.
Correspondence
A letter was read out about hanging baskets being allowed on lamp standards, several points were raised over this, and the reply as to why this was not viable was also read out.
The reply to Suzanne?s email re switching over to digital was read out, this advised that there would be no problem for viewers who wished to watch BBC Scotland when analogue was turned off in 2009. This information is also on the Lochmaben website.
AOCB
Turftrax ? Meeting at Grummel Park is being held on 7th March to review the situation.
Sandy Grant will be contacting Solway Heritage for further information on the Wind Farms.
Pauline has been in contact with the French town interested in twinning with Lochmaben. Sandy would like further information on the finances. Graham advised that he would contact Jean Purves and come back to the meeting with the information gained.
Meeting closed at 9.00pm.
Date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 6th March 2007 at 7.30
