QUEENSFERRY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL  REPORTS     BACK

 MINUTES OF MEETING – MONDAY 24 AUGUST 2009

 Present: Community Councillors:  Tom Martin (Chair), Terry Airlie, Caitlin Airlie, Willie Hardie, Janet Finlayson, Diane Job, Jimmy Brown, David Steel, Doug Ross, David Wragg, Martin Gallagher, Keith Giblett, Jim Ferguson, June Jansen, Peter Fitzgerald, John Beaton, Fiona Christie

Local Councillors : Kate Mackenzie, Norman Work

Others:  Diane Brown (Queensferry Police)

Apologies:  George Grubb, Kay Blair, Laura Sexton, Affroza Haider

1.   CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

Tom welcomed those present; before proceeding with the evening’s agenda Tom proposed a vote of thanks for Keith Giblett, in recognition of his long and valuable service to the CC in the various roles which he has undertaken.  All present duly joined in a traditional vote of thanks.

2.   APOLOGIES

Noted as above.

 3.   POLICE REPORT

Diane had circulated her report by email; hard copies were passed to those who had not received it.  Diane asked everyone to note that in the final paragraph referring to the number of calls in Almond Ward during the period covered by the report the figure “500” should read “in excess of 500”.

4.   MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Proposed, accepted as a true record, David Wragg and seconded by Peter Fitzgerald.

5.   MATTERS ARISING

5.1 Appointment of community liaison person for FRC contract:  David W had taken this up with TS.  Such a person will not be appointed until the contract has been awarded following which a liaison officer will be appointed by the contractor.  In the meantime we deal directly with the contacts we have at TS.
5.2 Queensferry Mural and potential locations:  June is working on this.
ACTION – JUNE

5.3 Wish List:  A document was produced and circulated by Laura, amendments have been made in accordance with feedback from CC members and the list will be passed to CEC Director of Finance by Tom.  Martin will pass the paperwork to Tom.
ACTION – MARTIN/TOM

5.4 Manor Estates responsibility for footpath etc maintenance:  this is ongoing; Norman continues to liaise with Manor Estates to reach a conclusion.
ACTION – NORMAN

5.5 Cycleway flooding:  June reported that flooding continues to affect this; in fact on the day of this meeting areas were flooded.  Norman and Kate are still working on this.
ACTION – NORMAN/KATE

5.6 Toilet facilities at Hawes:  No progress to report.
ACTION – DAVID S

5.7 Parking and traffic problems, Hawes area:  David S commented that as there had been recent serious concerns regarding traffic and parking problems throughout the centre of the town including the Hawes area this has become a much more important issue than to warrant one person looking at solutions.  David S had proposed that a working group be set up under the auspices of the Transport sub-committee to look at this whole subject, Tom stated that we would agree on this under Any Other Business (see below).

5.8 Queensferry Cemetery – anti-social behaviour:  Diane J had met with Inspector Duthie at the cemetery where Diane indicated the problem areas.  The police will keep a close eye on the cemetery, Diane B said that she would shortly be back in the Ferry full-time and would be giving this issue priority.

5.9 Balfour Beatty Rail Engineering, excessive noise and pollution:  Keith has been trying to arrange a meeting with senior management from Balfour Beatty; he has also discussed the issue with Newton CC.  He reported that WLDC Environmental Health had taken an interest.  Doug noted that when Linn Mill residents had reported their concerns to CEC the response was that it was a matter for WLDC and the distinct impression was that CEC were not interested in becoming involved.  Keith continues to seek to meet with Balfour Beatty, Tom said that he would raise the issue with the Neighbourhood Partnership as although the site lies in West Lothian it is largely Queensferry and District residents who seem to be affected.
ACTION – KEITH/TOM

5.10 Signs at Ferrymuir roundabout:  Tom had taken up with CEC; the matter is being dealt with.  Keith noted that various signs, advertising businesses, events etc, appeared at the roundabout from time to time, some of which could be hazardous for sight lines for traffic.  Tom continues to liaise with CEC on the subject.
ACTION – TOM

5.11 Police reports:  generally speaking the only time we have not received a report is when Diane has been on leave.

5.12 QBA reports and presence at meetings:  either Kay or Fiona will attend CC meetings; reports will be submitted where possible.

6.   CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Already circulated.

7.   COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Already circulated as appropriate.  Issues raised by both Norman and Kate have been or will be covered under other headings.

8.   TREASURER’S REPORT

Already circulated.  Annual accounts will be circulated to members by Diane for formal adoption at the next meeting.
ACTION – DIANE J

9.   SECRETARY’S REPORT

Already circulated.  Martin had also circulated a document giving information about the forthcoming CC elections which take place on Thursday 15 October.

10. CONVENORS’ REPORTS

10.1 Care in the Community:  Peter reported that discussions with CEC on funding are ongoing.  He also noted that the Home Support Service will be put out to tender, CinC is committed to the provision of this important service.  The John Carrie memorial plaque in the Haven garden had been unveiled recently.

10.2 Environment:  June reported that the GreenFerry group had been represented in the Ferry Fair parade. Favourable comments were made regarding the refurbishment works carried out on Jacobs Ladder. it was agreed that Tom would write an appropriate letter to the Neighbourhood Partnership.
ACTION - TOM  

10.3 High School:  Jim gave an up-date on various issues, including noting that High School students had performed very well at last terms exams.  He also circulated information regarding the Real Radio involvement with the school; there will be a Talent Showcase in the school on Friday, 11 September for which tickets will shortly be available.  The school is now entering the third and final year of the School of Ambition programme.

10.4 Planning: Keith had circulated his report, noting that the application to erect a wind turbine at MacDonalds on Builyeon Road had been approved.

10.5 QBA:  Minutes of the recent QBA meeting had been circulated.

10.6 Tourism:  David S had circulated his report; there was a short discussion about the issue of CEC’s failure to provide Mills Barriers as required for the High Street on Ferry Fair Friday/Saturday.  This had been resolved but only following numerous phone calls to various CEC officials and with intervention from Norman.  The matter will be raised at the de-briefing meeting with the FF committee and the police to which EPOG will be invited.

Whilst not specifically concerning tourism, there was a discussion about the arrival of travelling people on a site opposite MacDonalds on Builyeon Road.  It was agreed that Norman would investigate this.
ACTION – NORMAN

10.7 Transport:  David W had circulated his report together with a note of a meeting held with FETA attended by David and Martin.  The issue of the location of the compound for the FRC was discussed, specifically the request that it be located further to the west.  This would impact on Linn Mill residents as it would then be closer to their properties.

10.8 Publicity:  Tom had circulated his report.

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11.1 Comments had been made by residents to CC members regarding recent firework displays at Dundas Castle, one in particular which was excessive and continued beyond 11pm.  It was agreed that Norman would check what the regulations stated, following which the CC would decide what if any action is required
ACTION – NORMAN

11.2 Utility Works:  Following a discussion about utility works on Kirkliston Road and in general throughout the district it was agreed that Tom would write to CEC to establish exactly what the policy is with utilities and their responsibilities to the community.
ACTION – TOM

11.3 Christmas in Queensferry:  Keith gave a brief up-date on plans for Christmas in Queensferry explaining that there will shortly be a public consultation on proposals for new lighting.

11.4 CC members contact details:  it is apparent that not all members are using the up-to-date list of email contact details.  David S agreed to distribute the current list to all.
ACTION – DAVID S

11.5  Communications – Neighbourhood Partnership:  there are concerns over unsatisfactory communications between CEC bodies, particularly the West Neighbourhood Partnership, and the CC  This was particularly noted when the NP (and Waste Aware) had a presence in Queensferry on Ferry fair Saturday but the CC was unaware that this was happening.  Tom agreed to take this up with the NP.
ACTION – TOM

11.6 Traffic/Parking problems:  as noted above, Tom asked interested members to give their names to David W if they wished to participate in the group to be set up to look at this problem.  The group would then agree on a course of action.
ACTION – DAVID W AND OTHERS AS APPROPRIATE

12. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Monday, 28 September 2009, 7.30pm, CC office in the Burgh Chambers.

There being no further business to be discussed, Tom thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.

David M. Steel
Minute Secretary
Queensferry and District Community Council
27 August 2009                                                                                                                                BACK