Minutes of meeting of Dunpender Community Council
held on Thursday 2nd April 2026 at 7.30pm in The Stables

Present: Mrs J Priest Mrs A Cosgrove Mr D Wight Mr H Thomas Mr R Russel Mrs F Constable Ms A Pearson Mr M Askey

In attendance: Ms A Hunter (minutes), John Kinnaird, Verity Sinclair

1. Apologies: Cllr L Jardine, Mrs L Shaw-Stewart

2. The minutes of the meeting held on 5th March were agreed.

3. Matters Arising & New Matters

3.1 Vacancies
Mrs Gill has resigned leaving 3 outstanding vacancies. It was recognized that she made a highly beneficial contribution on behalf of the residents of Markle and as Secretary. Mr Askey informed the meeting of his intention to resign as he has sold his house and is leaving the area at least temporarily. He will attend the meeting in May.
3.2 Playpark Upgrade

Mrs Priest reported that the ELC consultation on East Linton playpark is underway. At the request of Mr Thomas she will attach the details to the playpark gates to alert users who may not be aware. A suggestion to install an all-weather pitch has been received.
A possible location by the tennis courts was discussed. The possible inclusion of a padel court was also discussed but it was acknowledged that these can cause noise issues.
3.3 Community Resilience Plan Mrs Constable will contact Jo Gibb to obtain contact details for CAEL members who are leading the subgroups set up at the last CAEL meeting with a view to incorporating any work into the resilience plan. She will contact representatives from Eyemouth about their resilience plan. She is also planning to meet with Scott Kennedy (ELC) and Sustaining Dunbar representatives to establish the scope of the plan and to clarify responsibilities.

3.4 NB Charity Laws run September Organisers of the Breaking the Laws charity run on 13th September have confirmed the route through East Linton from North Berwick heading for Traprain. Runners will enter via the John Muir Way at Drylaw Hill, they will run down Dunpender Road, Rennie Place and Longstone Avenue entering the park where there will be a water/changeover station. They will leave via the underpass and the Mart and continue to Traprain along the river.

4. Report back from meetings attended -

4.1 Joint Laws

Ms Pearson reported that the ponies on Traprain are now over 20 years old and replacements will be sought. The use of collars rather than fences was discussed. Approximately 8,000 visitors access Traprain Law from the north. The use of the south side by climbers canít be quantified as the counter at the south side has been out of action for part of the year. Three peregrine falcons fledged and one raven. Newts were identified in ponds. Gorse removal is ongoing at both Traprain and North Berwick funded by Nature Scot. A draft Management Plan for North Berwick Law is available on ELC website. The safe route to school path is now open on the north side of NB Law and concerns were expressed over the expectation that permission would be sought for the installation of lights which would adversely impact local wildlife.

4.2 Defibrillator maps

The North Berwick Together in Health charity are currently mapping all defibrillators in the North Berwick and Coastal area with a view to supporting the guardians of these devices. East Linton devices are registered with The Circuit (BHF national network) which allows members of the public to find devices and reminds guardians to check devices. Ms Pearson suggested adding a pack with scissors, cloth and razor and instructions for use to each cabinet. She will submit funding applications to DELAP for new pads and batteries and a new cabinet for East Linton Surgery.

4.3 Tree Planting

Ms Pearson was involved in interplanting a mix of native broad-leaved trees and shrubs at the Hedderwick plantation including experimental deer deterrent strategies.
Further information is available at https://balancedhorizon.org/roots-of-renewal-the-restoration-of-the-john-muir-country-park-has-begun/

4.4 No Mow May.

Mr Wight reported on the presentation by a Plantlife representative who explained the rationale of the movement as based on the restoration of hay meadows lost as farming became mechanised. Not mowing in May is akin to leaving land for hay production. Plantlife will return in June for judging of the competitions prizes for which will be awarded during Gala week on Thursday 11th June. Participating gardens will be open on Sunday 14th June.

4.5 Planning Aid Scotland

Mr Wight and Ms Pearson attended a webinar about incorporating renewable energy in planning. A recording is available which may be useful for future involvement in these types of application.

4.6 RAGES Mrs Cosgrove reported that RAGES have objected to removal of the East Linton stop for the 5.49am southbound TransPennine service. Discussions are underway with Scotrail to determine if the early empty train bound for Dunbar can stop at East Linton to take passengers to Dunbar for onward southbound journeys.

4.7 Community Council Training

Mrs Constable attended Data Protection training on retention schedules for various types of documentation held by Community Councils. Mrs Priest confirmed documentation has been archived at the John Gray centre. Mr Thomas confirmed that community councils are not subject to Freedom of Information requests.
Mrs Constable attended training on alcohol licensing provided by Carlo Grilli (ELC) who confirmed that all breaches should be reported to the police so they have evidence if action needs taken. Mrs Constable reported on the Common Good and Community Benefit training. The register for Common Good properties in East Linton identifies the council chamber at
30 High Street. In theory the rent accrued from the shop could be used for the common good in East Linton but there is no Common Good fund through which this could be administered.

5. Police Report / CAPP meeting

Linn Rocks is a police priority and on that basis, with lighter nights and warmer weather, patrols will be carried out in a bid to deter any youth anti-social behaviour. Between the 1st and 31st of March there were 35 calls to the area. This resulted in police recording 11 crimes categorised as follows:

Protecting the most vulnerable (Missing Persons, Elderly, Hate Incidents, Domestic Abuse.)
• 3 x Miscellaneous

Reducing Violence and Antisocial Behaviour
• 3 x Threatening and abusive behaviour
• 1 x Vandalism
Reducing Acquisitive Crime (Crimes of Dishonesty)
• 1 x Fraud
• 1 x Theft by shoplifting
• 1 x Theft

Improving Road Safety
• 1 x Fail to stop after a road accident

Mrs Constable will attend the next CAPP meeting on 9th April.

6. Area Partnerships

Mrs Cosgrove reported that the DELAP AGM was held on 23rd March. All groups now have representatives. Mrs Constable represents CAEL and a new representative has joined from theSpace Dunbar. The meeting in May will look at funding applications.
The next NBCAP is at the end of April.

7. Finance

7.1 2025 - 2026 Year End

Mr Thomas confirmed a closing balance of approximately £2200 which is similar to end of last year. It was noted that there†were payments for two editions of Dunpender News within this†financial year.

7.2 Plan for 2026 - 2027

Mr Thomas has had no confirmation of the ELC grant for the coming year so has assumed the same amount as last year.
Support for the Xmas lights to the sum of £300 has been added as a planned commitment and the minute secretary stipend has been increased to £45 per meeting. Costs for the next Dunpender News will be updated to include delivery. This planning has highlighted that regular commitments are just covered by the grant. Any surplus is due to previous underspending and additional funding from other sources.
Mrs Priest will ask Mr Shaw-Stewart to check the accounts.

8. Planning / Licensing / Consultations

8.1 Planning: Public Inquiry Newland Hills Wind Energy hub 12th to 16th October
Mrs Shaw-Stewart has this date noted.

9. East Linton/Preston

9.1 Stewart Milne Wall

Cllr Jardine is trying to set up a meeting between Tom Reid (ELC ñ Head of Infrastructure), DCC and the Orchard Residentsí Association to discuss options for resolving the remaining issues. Ms Pearson will attend and has provided the residents with work carried out by Mrs Gill. Mrs Constable highlighted the need for residents to have an official organisation in place rather than an informal group.

9.2 Underpass Mural

Mrs Cosgrove has provided photos of the underpass to Network Rail.

9.3 Stories Park Flooding

Work is continuing at the Water Treatment Plant to deal with a blockage. Local resident Chris Muirhead is liaising with Scottish Water and Paul McLennan.

10. Tyninghame /Whitekirk

10.1 Speed Responsive Sign not working

This has been reported to Alan Stubbs (ELC). There is no timescale for the repair.

10.2 Tyninghame Village Hall AGM

This will be held on Friday 10th April. The biggest source of tension in Tyninghame is parking. Consideration has been given to creating resident spaces which ELC are open to suggesting a chicane arrangement which would also have the benefit of slowing traffic. Residents are not keen to lose green space to a car park behind hall.

10.3 Whitekirk

Mrs Constable reported that the defibrillator has been checked and her contact details are on the refurbished noticeboard.

11. Traprain/Markle/Whittingehame

11.1 Markle signage and planting.

Mrs Gill has written to ELC again re the various signage matters mentioned in previous minutes. Balfour Beatty and ELC have been contacted re the planting scheme around the new road, bridge and the SUDS as well as some of the previous hedgerow that has not been replanted. Areas of planting included in the original design have not yet been planted and she has asked when this will be done and have also sought assurances that any trees etc that die off will be replaced.

Fibre Broadband - there is still no definite date for this though there is underground cabling to be installed near to the t-junction with the East Linton road on or around the 5th May. Connection to Markle will follow shortly after the necessary underground cabling is complete.

11.2 Whittingehame

Flooding issues at the entry to Papple Steading continue. Mr Kinnaird confirmed this is a long-standing issue and ELC have attended in the past to look at drainage.
Mrs Shaw Stewart has contacted Keith Scott (ELC) about the new Papple steading sign added to existing signage at the A199 junction with the C130 at the underpass which causes problems for tractor drivers who have no sight of traffic on the A199. A resident contacted Mrs Shaw-Stewart about the possibility of an off-road cycle path to East Linton from Whittingehame. They were advised this is unlikely to proceed.
12. Projects

12.1 Facebook page
Mrs Constable offered to investigate the DCC Facebook page.

13. Any Other Business

Mrs Shaw-Stewart communicated her preference for the use of community benefit funds in East Linton to contribute to double glazing for the community hall. She can provide details of a company who retrofit glazing to listed buildings.

The next Association of East Lothian Community Councils meeting is on 27th April.
South of Scotland statement calling for a pause on all energy developments in the region without amendments being applied. Other community councils expressing unwillingness to agree to the statement in its current form have not received invites to further meetings.
Mr Wight asked whether it would be clear that DCC has not signed up to the statement.

14. Date of next meeting: Thursday 7th May 2026 at 7.30pm