Present: Mrs J Priest Mrs E Gill Mrs L Shaw-Stewart Mrs A Cosgrove Mr D Wight Mr M Askey
In attendance: John Kinnaird, Catherine Courtney, Cllr L Jardine, Cllr D Collins
1.0 Apologies: Ms A Pearson, Ms A Hunter, Mr R Russel, Mr H Thomas.
2.0 The minutes of the meeting held on 3 April were agreed.
3.0 Police Report/CAPP
Between 1st of April 2025 and 28th of April 2025 there were 37 calls to the area. This resulted in police recording 5 crimes, categorised as follows:
• Reducing Violence and Antisocial Behaviour
1 x Assault
1x Threatening Behaviour
1 x Drunk and Incapable
• Improving Road Safety
1 x Careless Driving
1 x Drink Driving
Following the CAPP meeting on 10th of April 2025, the following priorities were set:
• ASB at Linn Rocks, East Linton
• Vandalism/Fires at Markle Fisheries
• Vandalism at Belhaven Hospital, Dunbar
The date of the next CAPP meeting is 6pm on the 12th of June 2025 at The Bleachingfields
Mrs Gill reported that while the police report had referred to one incident at Linn Rocks there had actually been several incidents during April - although only the one that police were in attendance at. She mentioned that she had seen in previous minutes of meeting that there had been a proposal to make the area around Linn Rocks an Alcohol Exclusion Zone but that this had been turned down by Easy Lothian Planning. Mrs Priest explained the background to East Linton not having an overall ban on alcohol in public. Cllr Collins said that the reason it had been turned down was because it was private land and that complicated matters. Mrs Gill stated that while things had quietened at Linn Rocks since the police were in attendance she felt it was important that things are moved to prevent such incidents happening rather than having to simply react to them when they do. She also noted that the police report indicated that hens had been attacked and killed, presumably by dogs, on the East Linton to Hailes riverside path. As far as she was aware there had been no further incidents at Markle Fisheries and thought that the action taken by the owner in installing CCTV and other measures had helped.
4.0 Matters arising:
4.1 Meetings attended
Ms Cosgrove reported on a recent meeting concerning the possible transfer of ELC owned buildings. The buildings under discussion were the Bleachingfield Centre, Dunbar Town House and East Linton Library. She noted that the costs for East Linton Library were greatly in excess of the other two buildings but no breakdown had been supplied. Cllr Jardine was meeting an ELC representative the following day and Ms Cosgrove would supply a brief note of the meeting.
Ms Cosgrove also reported on the Viridor Liaison Group which had met recently but had been sparsely attended. The next meeting was on 22 July and she asked if a representative from DCC could attend, as she would be on holiday. Mr Russel had attended the John Muir Country Park Advisory Group, where it was noted that the planning application for Tyninghame Links Steading was still with the planning department.
4.2 Vacancies
Mrs Priest had approached a resident of Noble Gardens. A Residents Meeting was being called and this would be discussed then.
5.0 Area Partnerships
Mrs Cosgrove reported that the next meeting would be on 12 May. The East Lothian Plan (LOIP) was being prepared: Cllr Jardine advised that for the first time, elected members would be on the strategic group working on this.
6.0 Finance
The new Treasurer, Mr Thomas, was experiencing some difficulty in becoming a signatory to the bank account. It was agreed that the AGM would be postponed to September to allow the accounts to be prepared.
Dunbar & East Linton Magazine -- this was an Area Partnership project, organized by Jo Waddell. Although DCC had not been previously asked, it was agreed to look at whether DCC could contribute towards the delivery costs of £175 although this would cover East Linton only. No information had been received from ELC on the annual award to Community Councils.
7.0 Planning / Licensing / Consultations
7.1 Planning: Crystal Rig Solar -- ECU00004759 -- It was agreed not to submit comments.
7.2 Monksmuir Park -- Consultation on provision of an additional 7 units at the Park. Mrs Priest would contact a resident and ask for opinions. It was suggested that no addition or variation to the original planning permission be permitted until all the original conditions had been met.
7.3 Noted that the Gala had been successful in obtaining an Alcohol Licence on Gala Day.
8.0 East Linton/Preston -
8.1 Westbound bus stop A199 by Overhailes
Ms Cosgrove would be meeting Alan Stubbs, ELC, concerning roads priorities and would ask about this.
8.2 Playpark
The swing and the flying fox would be replaced. Mrs Priest would also request a No Dogs sign for the railings.
8.3 Bus Stop at the Mart The grass would be removed to allow buggies to use the pavement.
8.4 Complaints about Roadworks A senior roads officer had advised that the works would be completed that day, but they were still incomplete.
8.5 Preston Road Work was starting on the installation of the Robert Noble Memorial stone.
9.0 Tyninghame /Whitekirk -
9.1 The AGM for Tyninghame Village Hall Committee has recently been held. Mr Wight advised that there were issues concerning parking on the main street and the speed limit. The request from residents is to make the Main Street 20mph, make the A198 through the village 30mph, and to extend this 30mph zone to include the Lawhead Junction. He noted that this was an item in the Local Place Plan, which had been ratified
10.0 Markle/Traprain/Whittingehame
10.1 Mrs Gill reported on the works at Markle, advising that it was getting towards the end of the project. ELC had proposed that the U159 should continue to be closed at the level crossing to allow Network Rail to undertake the work they need to do to close the crossing. This would be a very significant piece of work involving 3 miles of the ECML track to remove cabling, signaling, electrical boxes and the erection of fencing etc. ELC were keen to move this on and not delay the overall project although it would mean that the level crossing would be closed ahead of the new diversionary road and bridge being open. The view of a significant number of residents of Markle, was that the Network Rail works should commence, which was in line with their original timescale for works, rather than be delayed into September or October. However there was a different view from the residents of Crauchie who wanted the U159 road to be kept open until the road and bridge was ready to be opened. This of course was one of the planning conditions. Mrs Gill stated that the matter was in the hands of ELC who were aware of the views of residents in and around the area. Cllr Collins indicated that an application was currently with East Lothian Planning regarding this matter.
Mrs Gill was thanked for her continued work on this project, which would be of great value to residents.
11.0 Projects
Walks Leaflet - Mr Wight advised that the text had been finalised, and Ms Pearson was organising the printing.
Fountain -- Mrs Priest had managed to contact the necessary tradesmen. The blacksmith was coming to fix the lamp collar and would install a new bulb. It was hoped this would be completed in time for the Gala.
12.0 Correspondence
12.01 SEPA: Consultation on Proposed EPAs
12.02 Scottish Govt: Application ECU00004759, Crystal Rig Solar
12.03 SPEN: Operational Flexibility Seminar
12.04 G. King: Bench
12.05 FORL: Crystal Rig Application
12.06 Civic Trust Scotland: My Place Awards
12.07 ELC: Play Park Repairs
12.08 ELC: Licensing Board Papers
12.09 K. Ingram: Roadworks at Phantassie & Pencraig/ Orchardfield
12.10 Scottish Water: Tell Us What You Think
12.11 ELCAN: Climate Hub Events
12.12 ELC: Council Papers -- 29 April
12.13 RiseAdapt: Changes Places Toilet Fund for Scotland
12.14 ELC: Implementation of the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
12.15 SPEN: Getting Your Community Project Connected
13.0 Any Other Business
D Hamilton and A Girling had requested to attend the next meeting to discuss the Glebe Project and the Skatepark respectively. This was agreed.
14.0 Date of next meeting: Thursday 5 June 2025 at 7.30pm