Chairman's report for year end March 31st 2026

Community Council elections were held in October 2025; all members returned unopposed and a new member, Fiona Constable joined. Postholders for the year were: J Priest Chairman; A Cosgrove Vice-chairman, Eileen Gill Secretary and Haydn Thomas Treasurer.

In March Eileen Gill and Martin Askey resigned for personal reasons.

East Linton: discussions continued on dealing with antisocial behaviour at the Linn Rocks/Bridgend area.
The speed limit boundaries on Drylaw Hill were improved. We agreed the replacement of the ëwhite bridge' over the Tyne with a metal one.

Two noticeboards have been refurbished and benches painted by Robert Russel. We asked for Preston Road and East Linton High Street to be resurfaced.

We requested a new westbound bus stop at Overhailes (pending) Work has begun liaising with CAEL on Resilience planning.
We worked with ELC on a consultation for upgrading the Playpark We reported potholes, broken streetlights, fly-tipping, blocked drains and various other issues reported to us by residents.

We continued to contribute funds towards the upkeep of the village including the fountain, flowers and Christmas lights

Tyninghame: We have succeeded in having the 40mph on A198 extended north to the Lawhead junction. Working on 20 rather than 30mph in Main St.

Whitekirk: Fiona Constable has taken responsibility for Whitekirk and they have a funded defibrillator in the Hall. She checks this and is attending NB Coastal Area Partnership meetings. She expedited a long overdue streetlight repair.

Markle: Eileen Gill liaised with works on the new bridge and with Scottish Water making sure that everyone was kept informed and checking that signage and planting was done to plan. Balfour Beatty repaired Binning Wood car park and the path to Markle as Community benefits.

Whittingehame: concerns over large signs blocking views at junctions were dealt with.

Defibrillators: A new cabinet, batteries, pads etc. are in hand and Anne Pearson did regular checks and dealt with them when they were used or removed.

Footpaths: we produced a new Walks leaflet with a grant from the Community Rail Partnership. Two members are active in the Countryside Volunteers keeping paths, beach areas and so on clear of undergrowth, arranging footpath maintenance and rebuilding walls.

New picnic benches for Traprain and Pencraig layby have been grant-funded.

We responded to a number of planning/licensing applications, including the proposed Anaerobic Digester at Monksmuir and also some complicated consultations, many now concerning renewable energy projects. Two members are active in the group working towards Community Benefits from these projects.

We represent Dunpender on numerous groups such as the Joint Laws Advisory Group, JMuirCP, RAGES, Community and Police Partnership, two Area Partnerships (Allison Cosgrove now chairs Dunbar & EL AP), ELothian Community Benefits, Viridor Liaison Gp and the Association of EL Community Councils. All our activities, agendas and minutes, news of what's on in Dunpender, notifications of roadworks, public information notices were posted on our website,

www.eastlinton.uk.com. Many thanks as ever to Alastair Seagroatt for running this for us

Judith Priest June 2026