Draft Minutes of meeting of Dunpender Community Council
held on Thursday 13th May 2021 at 7.30pm via Zoom

Present: Mrs J Priest Mrs A Cosgrove Mr J Swift Mrs L Shaw Stewart

Mr E Martin Mr B Craighead Mr R Russel Mr C McWhannell
Mr D Wight

In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes) Cllr S Kempson Cllr P McLennan

1. Apologies: Ms V Hoban Ms A Pearson

2. Minutes of meeting held 1st April - agreed

3. Police Report

Enquiries are ongoing into three thefts reported in the last month. Preston Mill has been included in the police patrol matrix due to possible anti-social behaviour and littering.
Mr Craighead reported an increased focus on traffic speeding and passed on thanks for the £60 contribution from DCC to purchase a replacement for Jemima.

4. Matters Arising

4.1. Finance

£3753.02 remains of last yearís funding. Cllr McLennan confirmed the same budget would be available this year. It was agreed to provide £500 to Whitekirk village hall and Tyninghame hall were invited to apply for similar funding. Funding for a visitor leaflet was discussed but will be held over until a detailed estimate of cost is available.

4.2. School

Mrs Hoban will take up a position on the Parent Council (PC) as a co-opted member. Mrs Cosgrove reported that a letter has been sent from the PC to ELC regarding the station expressing concerns over insufficient consultation with the school and the community, the visual impact of the lift towers and the dangers to children of open access to the platform. Mrs Cosgrove confirmed that the towers were required and that the underpass cannot be used due to the Equalities Act legislation. Cllr Kempson reported that she had been contacted by Lyn Jardine for assistance following a response from Keith Dingwall which indicated the date for submissions regarding the station had passed before the letter was received.
Cllr McLennan committed to find out when the consultation on the school would take place. Indicative dates had been for mid-May. Mr Swift confirmed that the park is designated for education but in addition is part of East Linton conservation area and rated at the highest level within the Green Space Audit.

4.3. Roads

Mr Russel contacted Morag Haddow regarding road markings on Preston Road and was informed they would not be in place earlier than late summer.
Cllr McLennan will confirm a date for Peter Forsyth to visit Preston Kirk to discuss possible solutions to the difficulties of the narrow pavement and road. Mrs Priest reported on an e-mail from Peter Forsyth where he undertook to ask for a condition survey of the entrance to The Mart to establish the level of deterioration and to review the planning application to determine if there has been an intensification of use of the site not covered by the original application. A discussion about the entrance to The Mart determined that deterioration is not the issue the problem is the entrance is narrow with poor sight lines of pedestrians and traffic. Mr Craighead and Mrs Shaw-Steward both reported near collisions with unsighted mobility scooters at the entrance. Mr Swift reported that Andrew Meikle Grove Association had raised the issue of the pavement being half grass and difficult for mobility scooters. Cllr McLennan suggested that Peter Forsyth could cover these issues on his visit.
Cllr Kempson asked that the disability parking outside the Co-op be included in the visit as it has been reported as poorly defined and not respected.

Mrs Priest reported there had been a number of calls from residents objecting to wheelie bins stored on the pavement and taking up an entire parking space in the Square. Mr McWhannell looked into this last year but no-one was available due to COVID. Cllr Kempson agreed to raise it with Tom Reid, the Head of Infrastructure.

4.4. Paths

Mr Swift reported on the proposal for a new path on Drylaw Hill. Nick Morgan has agreed to look at it when he has time as he wants to ensure any signage erected does not confuse anyone using the John Muir Way. Mr Swift confirmed there is access from the Markle Road round the field down to Dunpender Road.
Mr Swift also raised the reported issue of the condition of the path at the black bridge and Nick Morgan suggested it is a local issue to be taken forward with either the landowner or conservation volunteers. Nick Morgan reported progress is being made of the path from Tyninghame to Binning Wood.
Mr Craighead reported that the access gate bypassing the cattle grid at the entrance to Smeaton has jammed and there was an accident to a pedestrian crossing the cattle grid. Mr Swift agreed to contact Kenneth Gray to ensure that it is fixed.

4.5. Visitor Numbers

Mr Wight contacted ELC on behalf of DCC to suggest options for managing visitor numbers at Tyninghame Links. Option 1 was to restrict overall usage and for visitors to be channeled into distinct paths through the woods and the sensitive area round estuary protected. Option 2 was to extend car parking and provide portaloos and possibly a campsite in summer. No response has been received. The current situation is that ELC employ 2 men to stand half way down Limetrees Walk to stop traffic when the car park is full and to operate a one-in one-out policy. There was a suggestion that a barrier at the entrance to Limetrees Walk regulated by the number of spaces taken up would be more effective. Cllr McLennan reported that ELC is working with Edinburgh University on a system to monitor traffic and direct it appropriately depending on visitor numbers at various sites. He also asked for the options to be sent to him and he would try to get a response. Mr Wight suggested that for holiday periods there is potential for a bus service linking the train stations and hubs to coastal spots which would avoid car parks being over-crowded. Mrs Cosgrove highlighted an issue at East Barns car park where someone paid 95p for parking on his phone only to discover that heíd signed up for a subscription service and was charged a further £24.99.

4.6. Projects

4.6.1. Fountain

Mr Craighead reported that there has been no progress on the installation of the lights despite numerous attempts to contact Mr Govan via several different channels. Mrs Priest agreed to write a letter to Mr Govan from DCC and will ask that Mr Craighead be informed of any planned work in order that he can attend.

4.6.2. Benches

Mr Russel has painted Jimmy Allenís bench in the memorial park, 2 benches around Smeaton Lake, the Noble Notice Board and Town Map and the notice board at Pencraig. He has agreed to paint the notice board at council buildings.
He noted that the benches at the JP Mackintosh memorial stone need varnished. A question was raised over Jimmy Allenís bench and Mr Swift confirmed that ownership lies with ELC. He also confirmed that thanks were raised at the local access forum for the work done in installing and maintaining the 32 benches.

4.6.3. Pharmacy sign

Mr Craighead confirmed that the sign is in storage after being taken down in poor condition. The chemist has no plan to reinstall the sign. Mr Craighead will discuss it with the building owner.

4.7. ELDA article

Mrs Priest agreed to write the next article.

4.8. Area Partnership and other meetings attended

Mr Martin attended the North Berwick Area Partnership where Scottish Government funding of £270,000 was announced to promote children and family activities in summer. He invited submissions on small projects that could benefit the community.
There was a general discussion about DELAP and frustration over reduced funding and lack of influence over ELC. The original intention was for 1% of ELC funding to be determined by the community but that is not what is happening. Education funding which was originally used for summer schools aimed at reducing the attainment gap is now being removed from DELAP and the majority of applications are now for funding of small projects to fill gaps between what ELC delivers. It was suggested this could be done more efficiently by ELC. Mr Wight reported on the Local Good Food Alliance which is partly funded by DELAP and distributes food to those in food poverty and facilitates access to food growing space. Mr Craighead suggested applications for a new chair of DELAP be considered as the current chair is leaving in October. Mr Swift chaired the Local Access Forum on 28th April. Discussion focused on the number of complaints from the public about lack of access due do private landowners shutting car parks. Local issues centred on the Biel Estate where a local ex-policeman is advising people that they are not welcome and have no right to be there. Mr Swift confirmed that a right of access exists from Pitcox through the Biel Estate to the A199 but it is not acceptable to park a car in the estate.

5. Planning Matters

5.1. Monks Muir

Mr Swift confirmed to ELC to confirm that DCC objections will stand until they are addressed.

5.2. Markle Quarry

Mr Swift reported that trees and shrubs have been planted on the new northern edge where the quarry has been extended. There are still no sign of the trees on the east and west edges which should have been planted 20 years ago.

6. Tyninghame/Whitekirk

Mr Wight will contact ELC to retrieve the findings from the traffic counter which has been in place in Tyninghame. He reported that the residents are delighted the hall is now back in use for weddings and that significant effort from volunteers was required to ensure the toilet refurbishment was complete in time for the booked weddings.
Mr Martin reported that one of EV Chargepoints in Whitekirk is now working and he will chase ELC about the other one which is not working.

7. Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame

Mrs Shaw-Stewart will contact Peter Forsyth to clear up clods of earth left on the road at Whittingehame after a dangerous rut was filled. Mr Swift reported 2 visits from Network Rail and ELC regarding the proposed new over-bridge at Markle. Cllr McLennan committed to contact Peter Forsyth for details on progress. Mrs Cosgrove asked about progress on the planning application for the station. Cllr Kempson confirmed that it has not as yet come to the planning committee.

8. Correspondence

8.1 April ELC, S Baptie: Snow shovels
(Day Centre funding)

8.3 28/04 Community Councils: consultation on draft Community Justice Local Outcome Improvement Plan 2021-24

8.4 29/04 Community Councils: Tesco Community grants

8.5 04/05 Community Councils: Survey on Volunteering and the Third Sector Response to COVID-19

8.6 030/5 N Morland: Info on Markle Steading Residents Assn

8.7 15/04 D Warren: request for funding from Whitekirk Village Hall

Mr Russel has collected and distributed 8 large snow shovels. Mrs Priest asked the councillors if they had any detail on the proposal to put running of the Day Centres out to competitive tender. Cllr McLennan is attending a meeting of the Health and Wellbeing group on Monday and will request details. Mrs Priest confirmed that Alison Cargill House had received money from Tesco Community Grants for work relating to disabled access. Mrs Priest has responded on behalf of DCC to the Survey on Volunteering and the Third Sector Response to COVID-19. Mrs Priest has had contact from the Markle Steading Residents Association who expressed an interest in having a member on DCC.

9.0 Any Other Business

It was noted that Cllr McLennan will continue his council duties until the next elections.

Mr McWhannell recommended the CAEL Tool Library which can be accessed via the following link https://www.eastlintontoollibrary.org

Mrs Priest confirmed the AGM will be held in September at a face to face meeting.

10.00 Date of next meeting: 3rd June 2021