Minutes of meeting held on 19th September 2013 at Sports Pavilion, King George V park,
Bonnyrigg at 19:30 hours.
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In attendance:!
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Appologies: ! !
Jo Lee (Secretary)
Welcome:
The chairman welcomed the new visitors and stated the Community Councils statutory
responsibility: To express to local authorities the views of the residents of the ward.
Those present were informed that the public meeting is recorded for reference by the
secretary.
Lasswade High School Invitation
Head Boy or Girl were expected to share experience of school. At the last minute they
were unable to attend this month. Darius relayed discussion with Head girl: Pupils are very
happy with the new school and are also happy with the new open plan toilet arrangement.
Police Report
Issue: Concerns raised that community policemen may not be attending Community
Councils in the future.
Proposal: Secure reassurance from community police inspector that a representative will
attend meetings from 7:30pm to 8:15 pm each month.
Decision: Agreed.
ACTION- Darius will email community inspector and ask for assurances.
Previous minutes
Amendments:
TAPTAG to be deleted in reference to Isabel Hessler because she is attending in her
personal capacity.
Insert: We agreed to ask Ian (community policeman) about Golf Course Road
Amended minutes proposed and seconded by - Cameron and Janet.
Matters Arising.
Golf Course Road
Issue: How do we support Golf Course Road Residents?
Proposal: Write to Police and ask for a formal response to parking on golf course road.
Write a letter to golf club supporting residents complaining about parking.
Decision: General Agreement.
Action: Write to Police and ask for a formal response to parking on golf course road.
Action: Write a letter to golf club supporting residents complaining about parking.
High School Toilets
Issue: Will girls be comfortable using the new open plan design? Head girl and other pupils
confirm in practice they are happy with it.
Proposal: Drop this issue
Decision: Resolved. Consensus agreement
Action: None.
Lasswade High Engagement
Issue: Didnt turn up this month.
Proposal: Find out what happened and invite to next meeting.
Decision: Consensus agreement
Action: Darius will contact Deputy head again.
Newsletter:
Issue: Midlothian news rejected proposals to have a two page spread for Community
Councils to share. Instead articles must be submitted and accepted like a newspaper.
Otherwise we must pay for an ad if you want your own copy and space.
Proposal: Councillor Baxter to put pressure on Midlothian News to give Community
Council independent space in the paper, in light of last years discussions with SNP to keep
Midlothian News on the basis of more community content. He should request, at the
minimum, every edition to include the time and location of all the Community Councils and,
ideally, a page for each Community Council to take turns in producing its own newsletter
within the paper with full editorial control.
Decision: Consensus agreement
ACTION: Councillor Baxter will communicate with SNP and Midlothian News.
ACTION: Invite the editor of Midlothian News to visit the meeting for a Q and A.
Financial Report:
No transactions. Balance Current Account 1423.42 Twining account 1713.89.
Issue: Bank delays for new signatories
Action: Wait.
Commemorative Wreaths
Issue: Which one should we buy?
Proposal: Same wreaths as previous year.
Decision: Consensus agreement
Action: Elaine will order them.
BLCC Funding
Issue: Need to apply for next years funding
Proposal: Apply for 1000 instead of last years 670.
Decision: Consensus agreement
ACTION: Jo will give Elaine figures of current members of Community Council.
ACTION: Elaine will make application for annual grant from the Community Council.
Bonnyrigg Events Committee
Issue: Bonnyrigg Events Committee have not asked for money towards the lighting
ceremony yet.
Decision: Wait till next month for their request.
Action: None.
New Community Councillors
Invitation: New attendees invited to join as Community Councillors if they wished.
Proposal: The community council write to the CEO asking this seminar to be arranged so
the policy can be passed promptly.
Decision: Consensus agreement
ACTION: Chair will write to CEO asking seminar to be arranged so the policy can be
passed promptly.
Other:
Suggestion made to rename centre after David Dunn. No proposal made. No decision
made.
Concern raised about the 25 year lease advertised in the Advertiser.
A letter from Bonnyrigg Rose was received by Darius Namdaran saying they supported the
demolition because they wished to develop facilities on the footprint.
Newsletter for the Consultation.
Issue: Bonnyrigg residents need to know when the consultation is happening.
Proposal: Bonnyrigg Centre Initiative Proposed that Community Council create and pay for
a newsletter that invites all the residents to the open day on 13th October.
Decision: Consensus agreement.
ACTION: Newsletter Group formed Elaine, Janet, Cameron and Darius.
ACTION: 240 authorised to print 10,000 leaflets.
Delivering Leaflets:
Issue: Delivering leaflets to each house in Bonnyrigg.
Proposal: Leaflets be professionally delivered through the doors at cost of 240.
Decision: Consensus agreement
ACTION: Darius will coordinate the company to deliver.
ACTION: Darius will ask Poltonhall Community Council chair (Keith Fuller) for their
permission to deliver it in their ward at BLCC cost.
Neighbourhood Plan:
Reflections on the first meeting: Good meeting of local residents with nearly 30 people.
Gelling together. It was pointed out that a great deal of provision has been put in place
already. Important that we find small doable things that make a big difference for
residents.
Next Neighbourhood plan meeting advertised Wednesday at St Leonards.
Greater neighbourhood plan engagement:
Issue: Who should be informed of the Neighbourhood plan process?
Proposal: Each person write a list of individuals and groups:
Decision: Agreed. BLCC identified a list of 30+ groups and individuals to be informed of
the Neighbourhood Plan.
ACTION: Darius will pass list on to facilitators of the Neighbourhood Plan in the next
meeting.
Report From Councillor Baxter
20 mph zone proposals are ongoing.
Recordings of Midlothian Council meetings are probably going to be made public.