Lochmaben community website
News
Council Minutes
MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE ROYAL BURGH OF LOCHMABEN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY 4th September 07.
Present
Chairman Graham Mundell
Treasurer Sandy Grant
Pam Linton
Ken Galloway
Edna Allbrook
Pauline Pennie
Liam Ward
Constable Stephen Easthill
Apologies
Lesley Mitchell
Councillor Michael Dickie
Suzanne Storm
Minutes: The minutes of the 5th June 07 meeting were proposed by Sandy Grant and seconded by Pam Linton.
Treasurers Report
Balance at present £4774
Paths account £262
Christmas Lights £309
The treasurer explained that the Christmas lights account is kept separate and acknowledged the donations from the community.
Rights of Way
All the paths and rights of way have been maintained. Mill Loch pathway is a marked improvement.
Councillor Dickie’s Report
Read by Sandy Grant:
The paddling pool/tarmac area at Nethermill Road. The Community Council have been asked for their views of the proposed disposal of that area, which was included on the Area Committee’s agenda last week. Mr. Dickie stated that the community groups had not been consulted and so this will be considered again next month. A petition with 236 signatures was presented against the disposal of that area.
Grummel Park
Searches for an alternative site for a football pitch were ongoing. Annandale & Eskdale Sport and Leisure trust have offered to help. Mr. Dickie expressed the idea of a MUGA for the top end of the field near the School and Community Centre.
Work should be completed by next week on the Town Hall Clock.
Further resurfacing of the Dumfries Road over the next few weeks will be carried out.
Castle Street drains are on the list for improvement, there is a problem with soak away in that area.
Ravenhill & Whitehills area have become very overgrown and DGHP have advised that this will be cut back in the near future.
Community Hospital
Further consultations will be held and the Community Councils hope to be included.
Police Report
Constable Easthill advised that there were 3 thefts, 9 reports of anti social behaviour and 1 report of vandalism to the Church Hall, the culprit was caught and has been dealt with. Members of the public complained that calls were unanswered by the Police on 3 occasions during the past 2 weeks, and Constable Easthill advised he would investigate this.
Constable Easthill reminded everyone that the number to call is: 01387 252112
Flashing Speed Signs
Members of the Public suggested signs to be erected in order to curb speeding through Lochmaben. Constable Easthill advised that discussions over the signs and the funding for these were ongoing.
Lochmaben Youth Group
No formal report was submitted. The Youth Club will commence at the Youth Centre and will be putting together a Winter Programme.
Guest Speaker – Mr. James Shirazi – From DGHP
Mr. Shirazi was accompanied by Area Architects. The topic was the New Housing in Lochmaben at Glebe Terrace.
A larger number of local residents attended the meeting.
Mr. Shirazi introduced himself as the Director of Investment and Regeneration for the DGHP, & gave a Power Point presentation giving the following information about the organisation.
- Formed in April 2003 with 11,887 houses
- There are four operating areas
- Run by a Board of Management
- Customer Service Centre
- New Offices
- 25% social rented housing.
- DGHP owns 80% of that social rented housing.
The Promises made to Tenants were:
All bathrooms, kitchens and doors would be completed within the first 10 years, and Tenants have strong control.
Figures were presented for the business plan and targets for 5-10 years to complete the following:
- 75% Bathrooms £25 million
- 25% Kitchens £10.5 million
Central Heating £11 million
Detailed figures for Repairs
Responsive repairs £4.25 million
Gas servicing repairs £0.75 million
Solid fuel servicing £0.20 million
Grounds, maintenance, recycling works £1.45 million
The Community Council explained that Lochmaben is the highest demand area for social housing in the whole of Dumfries & Galloway.
The houses to be built:
Single 2 storey dwellings all with enclosed gardens. High levels of insulation, and central heating.
Family houses with front and back doors, wheel chair accessibility, no steps and wide corridors.
It was stated that the planning department were in discussions over these proposed 20 houses.
The Chairman invited questions from the floor and the following views and concerns were expressed.
The approach road from Glebe Terrace presented poor visibility, and it was a narrow road.
The road to and from Glebe Terrace to the Dumfries road would need upgrading.
Assured parking for existing Glebe Terrace residents.
The proposed widening of the entrance to Glebe Terrace from the Dumfries Road, residents had been led to believe that land would be purchased from tenants to enable this? No such arrangement has been in place.
The current pavement is too narrow; it does not meet the requirements, and would need to be widened.
Considerable concerns were voiced over the water and sewage and the capacity to cope with the extra housing including the Woodlands site at the Hospital and the project at the Old Dairy all exiting to the same drain.
Concern about the water quality and pressure
Suitability of the roofing materials – (Aluminium).
It was also noted that the area of concern had been previously deemed an industrial Unit and a previous application had only been granted for security reasons- house tied to the business.
The question asked then was when had this changed?
What is the allocation policy? Would preference be given to local people?
The planning application was not registered? If so then doubt existed as to its suitability.
At the conclusion of the meeting it was agreed to invite a representative from Scottish Water to a future Community Council meeting.
The Community Council agreed to post details on the Lochmaben Website, the Town Hall, and the Library.
Disposal of land at Nethermill Road – The Old Paddling Pool
Isobel Laurie represented the residents of the Mill Loch and explained the history of the above land, which had been donated by a local builder – Mr. Bluey Wills. Through local funding it was transformed to a recreational area for children and the Council maintained it. The Community Council reported that it had been a play area for the past 50 years. It was safe and low maintenance.
The petition accrued 262 names in 2 days.
Extracts from the structure plans were quoted in relation to Open Spaces and the sense of removing a play area were queried, especially with an 80% increase in housing and the loss of a football pitch. On behalf of the Mossvale residents support was requested of the Community Council to preserve that area as an amenity.
The Council agreed to compose a letter to Mr. Steve Southam and a copy to be distributed to concerned relatives.
Another member of the public suggested checking the ownership of the ground from Dumfries County Council and the Community Council could apply to have it as Community Land.
Noted the next area meeting would be 26th September.
Correspondence
Request from Area Management – Annandale & Eskdale – Lockerbie & Lochmaben Common Good Funds Sub Committee – for a representative
Arts Festival with Lochmaben being a venue was suggested. We could invite a representative from the Arts Festival to come along and explain what would be involved etc. It could be advertised on the Lochmaben Website.
A.O.C.B.
Multiple games Park Area – Robson Park – Grummel Park. To be included for the next month’s Agenda.
The coffee morning has been organized for Saturday 6th October.
Date of the next meeting will be 2nd October 2007 at 7.30 p.m.
