QUEENSFERRY AND DISTRICT
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORTS
BACK
MINUTES OF MEETING – MONDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2009
Present:
Community Councillors:
Tom Martin (chair), Laura Sexton, Willie Hardie, David Steel, Janet Finlayson,
Diane Job, Martin Gallagher, Jimmy Brown, Fiona Christie, June Jansen, Jim
Ferguson, Doug Ross, John Beaton
Local Councillors:
Kate MacKenzie, Norman Work
Others:
Melanie Ross, Juliette Summers (local residents representing BRIGS)
Apologies: George Grubb, David Wragg, Keith Giblett, Terry Airlie, Caitlin Airlie, Peter FitzGerald, Affroza Haider
1. CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
Tom welcomed those present and following introductions indicated that he had a couple of items to mention prior to proceeding with the evening’s business. Queensferry had been given a Silver Award in the recent Beautiful Scotland competition; congratulations are therefore due to the local environmental groups and all the residents/businesses who contributed to the town’s success. Congratulations are also due to John Beaton who has been elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament.
2. APOLOGIES
Noted as above.
3. POLICE REPORT
Diane Brown had prepared a report which Martin had circulated to members. David S commented on the high number of incidences of vandalism to cars, Tom agreed to discuss this with Inspector Duthie to establish what, if any, steps would be taken to deal with this.
ACTION – TOM
4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Proposed, accepted as a true record, Jimmy Brown and seconded by Martin Gallagher.
5. MATTERS ARISING
5.1 Queensferry Mural and potential locations: June reported no progress with this.
ACTION – JUNE
5.2 Wish list: Martin reported work in progress, in consultation with Laura.
ACTION – MARTIN/LAURA
5.3 Manor Estates and responsibility for footpath etc maintenance: Norman continues to liaise with Manor Estates.
ACTION – NORMAN
5.4 Cycleway flooding: Norman and Kate progressing this.
ACTION – NORMAN/KATE
5.5 Toilet facilities at Hawes: David Steel has written again to CEC requesting a copy of the previously mentioned report, a response is awaited. David will monitor and chase if required.
ACTION – DAVID
5.6 Parking/traffic problems: David Wragg has produced and circulated a paper summarising the comments/suggestions put forward. This issue is carried forward for consideration by the new Community Council which will be officially formed at the October meeting.
5.7 Balfour Beatty Rail Engineering, noise and pollution: Tom reported that he had met with representatives from Balfour Beatty, WLDC, Newton CC and others to discuss this issue. Tom explained that the smell from the plant was due in the main to the process by which metal is melted and reformed into railway lines. Balfour Beatty stated that if it was agreed and accepted that there was a serious problem then they would take steps to eradicate it. A further meeting has been arranged to take this forward to an acceptable conclusion. Tom will report back in due course.
ACTION – TOM
5.8 Signs at Ferrymuir roundabout: Tom reported this is on-going.
ACTION – TOM
5.9 Annual accounts: Diane had circulated the audited accounts as agreed. David Steel proposed that they be formally adopted, Jimmy Brown seconded, Tom confirmed that the accounts were adopted accordingly.
5.10 Travelling people: they are now located at Ferrymuir, behind the NHS 24 building. Evans are aware and presumably are taking the necessary steps to have them moved off the site. Norman is monitoring this.
5.11 Firework displays at Dundas Castle: Norman had investigated the general position with regard to the regulations governing firework displays, these state that such displays must be over by 11pm. In addition, Norman had established that Dundas had a self-imposed deadline of 10pm and had categorically refuted that they had allowed firework displays beyond 11pm at any time. It was agreed that no further action is required.
5.12 Utilities and their community responsibilities: Tom had written to CEC as agreed, response awaited.
6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Already circulated.
7. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Norman had circulated his report; Kate gave a verbal summary of her activities. There followed a discussion regarding the recently announced fare increases on the 43 service by FirstBus and the dissatisfaction which this had caused, not only the cost rise but the way in which the travelling public had been made aware of the increase. Laura agreed to discuss the issue with David Wragg to formulate an official CC response. The matter of missing timetable details at bus stops, specifically the one at Springfield Crescent, was raised by David Steel. Martin agreed to speak to David Wragg on this. On the subject of bus fares it was also agreed that Norman, Kate and George should take up with FirstBus.
ACTION – LAURA, MARTIN, DAVID WRAGG, NORMAN, KATE AND GEORGE.
8. TREASURER’S REPORT
Diane had circulated her report which she summarised to the meeting. Tom reminded members of their entitlement to claim out-of-pocket expenses.
9. SECRETARY’S REPORT
Martin had circulated a report but apparently some members had not received it: Martin agreed to re-send it. Correspondence had been received from the Neighbourhood Partnership and Newton CC, Martin will reply as agreed.
ACTION – MARTIN
10. CONVENORS’ REPORTS
10.1 Environment: June commented that the Silver Award from Beautiful Scotland had come about as a result of a highly commendable community effort involving many dedicated individuals and it was important that this be recognised.
10.2 High School: Jim gave a brief report on recent and on-going activities including the Real Radio Talent Show, the Annual Public Speaking competition due in November and increased efforts in community involvement.
10.3 Boat Club: Janet mentioned that the boats would be coming out of the water on Friday, 16 October and this would require the usual official suspension of parking bays opposite the Stag Head Hotel for most of the day.
10.4 Tourism: David Steel gave a brief verbal report including noting that tourist activity continued at a reasonable level with traders, especially bars and restaurants continuing to report satisfactory levels of business. David also reported on the Homecoming Parade and Ceilidh event which proved to be a success apart from problems caused due to lack of barriers, barriers being placed in the wrong locations and a failure to control the parking restrictions on the Hawes Promenade. The organiser, Alan Potters of the Forth Bridges Accordion Band has taken these matters up with the relevant authorities.
10.5 Transport: David Wragg had circulated his report, also a paper on traffic/parking problems (see above, 5.6). There was a discussion regarding BRIGS and the CC involvement, it was agreed that Martin would represent the CC on BRIGS. Both Diane Job and Doug Ross offered to assist Martin with this. Laura agreed to prepare a paper outlining how the relationship between BRIGS and the CC should work. Tom agreed to look at potential funding sources as BRIGS has no operating budget.
ACTION – MARTIN WITH ASSISTANCE FROM DIANE/DOUG AS REQUIRED, LAURA, TOM
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
11.1 Lamppost replacement: It had been noted that at various locations new lampposts had been put in place and was this a rolling programme by which eventually all lampposts in the district would be replaced. Norman reported that yes, this was the case.
11.2 Echline play park: apparently one of the large swings had been removed from the play park and no one seemed to know why nor where it had gone. Tom agreed to investigate.
ACTION – TOM
11.3 Road sign at Dalmeny: It was agreed that there was a need for a warning road sign in Dalmeny before the Main Street/Dark Entry junction to warn drivers of the severe bend. Martin agreed to write to CEC.
ACTION - MARTIN
11.4 Youth Parliament: John Beaton expressed his thanks to everyone involved following his election to the Scottish Youth Parliament.
11.5 Public bench, The Loan: Tom had noticed that the bench on The Loan opposite the Church was in a very bad state of repair. David Steel reported that this had been brought to his attention some time ago by parishioners of St Margaret’s Church, the matter had been referred by David to Norman and confirmation had recently been received from CEC that the bench would be replaced and the site cleared up properly.
11.6 Tom reported that as part of the Forth Road Bridge’s Open Week, CC members had been invited to a guided tour of the bridge including a trip to the top of the south tower, this to take place on the afternoon of Thursday 29 October. Tom will send out an email to members with the details.
ACTION – TOM
12. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Monday, 26 October 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
1 October 2009