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BLCC Minutes Jun 2019

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45 views4 pages

BLCC Minutes Jun 2019

Uploaded by

api-238439599
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council

Minutes of June meeting


Sports Pavilion, King George V Public Park, Bonnyrigg
Thursday 13th June 2019 at 7.00 p.m.

In attendance
Community Councillors: Jan Irvine (temporary Chair), Diane Easton, Sheila
Metcalfe, Darius Namdaran, Owen Proudfoot, Ruth Scott, Alison Thomson.

Police Officers: Christie Burnett, Owen Findlay

Visitors: Janet Clark, Flora Kenny, Lorna Miller, Gilbert Scott

Introduction and Welcome


The meeting opened with a discussion as to who would stand in as Chair since
Marnie Crawford had recently stepped down. Former Chair Darius Namdaran
noted that the constitution allowed for holding the meeting without a
Chairperson. After a discussion it was agreed there would be a rotating Chair
for the next few months and CC Jan Irvine agreed to chair tonight’s meeting.
Diane Easton and Ruth Scott also said that they would be willing to chair
meetings until a more permanent arrangement is found. Acting Chair Jan
Irvine then welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence


Apologies were received from Marnie Crawford and Rhona Matthews. There
was discussion about why there were no Midlothian councillors present with
the view expressed that there should be at least one present at Community
Council meetings.

Minutes of meeting of 9 May 2019 and matters arising from the minutes
It was noted that CC Owen Proudfoot has started to take the minutes and
Acting Chair Jan thanked him for the very comprehensive minutes that had
been produced. Ruth Scott commented that her name was missed from the
previous meeting attendance. Visitor Janet Clark was proposed by Diane
Easton as a new community councillor and everyone in attendance agreed.

There was discussion about the demolition of the old Scotmid building. It’s
believed that the building will be replaced by flats and dedicated car parking.

Minutes were proposed by Janet Clark and seconded by Darius Namdaran.


Police Report
In May 2019 there were 67 recorded crimes of which 26 had been solved (a
39% solvency rate). These included damage to a taxi, assaults, thefts,
vandalism and issues arising from youths congregating.

Community Councillor Sheila Metcalfe reported her concerns that some


people are riding motorbikes at speed on the railway walk down to Tesco.

Visitor Issues
Visitor Gilbert Scott wanted to talk about various parking issues and these will
be discussed in the agenda item for Roads, Pavements and Traffic.

Report from Midlothian Councillors


No Midlothian Councillors were present. CC Diane agreed to write to all 3
councillors to express CC concerns.

Appointment of BLCC Chair


Everyone present agreed that the issue had been resolved temporarily. To be
reviewed later this year.

Youth Shelters
There was some discussion around the table, mainly around possible locations
around Bonnyrigg and the possible impact of introducing youth shelters. Some
felt they would attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Chair Jan Irvine
said that once Community Councillor Bill McDonald was back there could be a
bigger discussion about the youth shelters issue.

Poltonhall Bowling Club Asset Transfer Request


At the last Community Council meeting a representative from Bonnyrigg After
School Club had presented the measures they intend to take to manage
parking if their application to take over the Poltonhall Bowling site was
successful. The Community Council was asked to consider withdrawing their
objections to the application on the grounds of parking. Former Chair Marnie
Crawford has written to Midlothian Council to advise that the Community
Council has discussed the matter and appreciates BASC’s plans to manage the
parking situation in the immediate future. However, there are still concerns
that parking will become more of an issue in the long term. CC Diane Easton
said that there are rumours about the site, for example that the Council had
possibly earmarked it for flats, or that the Council may have deferred their
meeting to discuss the asset transfer application. It would have been if a
Councillor had been present so the Community Council could get a clearer
picture. Chair Jan agreed that clarity is required from the Council.

Roads, Pavements, Traffic


Visitor Gilbert Scott wanted to talk about parking in Bonnyrigg town centre. He
complained that people are parking their vehicles all day long in the town’s car
parks which means that there is hardly any room for others who want to come
in to visit the shops or health centre. CC Darius suggested introducing parking
restrictions; Chair Jan agreed that it would be fairer to have a 2-hour maximum
parking with no return within two hours. The CCs also agreed that there
should be a permit system for residents who live near the car parks. Chair Jan
said she would write to the Council’s Highways team about this.

Planning
CC Darius wanted to talk to the Community Council about the housing
development that has started in the former market site in Bonnyrigg High
Street. He reported that the developer has submitted a revised planning
application and Darius would like the support of the Community Council in
objecting to the new application. He believes it contravenes planning
regulations. There is insufficient parking for the number of properties on the
site. Some of the parking spaces are not fit for purpose. There is a bin store
included in the site which will not be secured within the development and is
likely to cause problems for road users and pedestrians near the site. Also,
there is a lane at the back of the site which is a public right of way. The
developer has blocked the lane but they have no right to do this. CC Darius is
planning to write to the Council to object to this application and he asked for
the support of the Community Council. CC Diane agreed to send an e-mail
supporting Darius and his neighbours’ objections.

The only other planning matter is an application for the erection of two houses
and four flats on the site of the former petrol station at Elm Row, Lasswade.

Financial Report
The Community Council does not currently have a treasurer; one of the
Community Councillors who is not present at tonight’s meeting had expressed
an interest in taking on the role of Treasurer. This will be discussed at the next
Community Council meeting. The Community Council also needs to sort out
who will be signatories for cheques; CC Darius will continue as one of the
signatories.
Chair Jan Irvine is concerned that the money in the twinning account still
hasn’t been dealt with. The money would need to go to a registered charity,
preferably one with a similar ethos to the twinning association. This will be
discussed more fully at a later date.

Any Other Competent Business


CC Diane Easton reported that Community Councillors have been invited to
attend a consultation meeting to be held by the Scottish Government on the
issue of fracking.

The caretaker of the sports pavilion where the Community Council meets is
being relocated to Penicuik. There are rumours the building is to be taken over
by the rugby club. Also, no one is sure who will be providing caretaker cover.
It would be helpful if a Midlothian Councillor could provide more details.

CC Owen said he would be interested in volunteering at the local food bank.


CC Darius provided him with their contact details.

The exit from the car park at the back of Pia’s chip shop. The property on the
corner next to the exit has a fence which is blocking the view of drivers trying
to exit from the car park onto Dundas Street. CC Diane will look at it and
consider raising this at the next meeting.

CC Alison will send flowers to former Chair Marnie Crawford and a gift card for
Levi, the outgoing caretaker. Chair Jan wished everyone a good summer.

The meeting ended with a round of applause for CC Jan Irvine for acting as
temporary Chair.

Date of Next Meeting


Thursday 8th August at 7.00 pm in the Sports Pavilion in King George V Park.

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