Minutes August 2025

The August 2025 NCC meeting chaired by Jeremy Adderley @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre.  The meeting captured community concerns and on-going issues, other issues discussed was the police report, litter-picking and maintenance issues, Springfield development, Crawlees, Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: Linda Anderson, Betty Wilson, Sarah Matthews, PC Hason Mackenzie
   2. Welocme to Paul Guz who wished to discuss the state of the Line Dyke Wall.

1. Previous minutes –May 2025 minutes : accepted after minor amendments proposed by JR- seconded by WD
2. Matters arising
   
   1. JR wished to ask Councillors about the pot-holing machine (Agenda item for September)
   2. Line Dyke wall to be discussed 4.
   3. Action for Clr. Scott to source Welcome Signs for Newtongrange when money/funds are available.
   4. Action for JA to get in touch with Judy Thomson to see whether a space such as Easthouses Primary School or Newbattle Community Centre could be made available for a couple of representatives to access MTRaP or MFCC together.
3. Police report – Paper copies circulated to members by hand by JA.  – RM concern about little mention of perceived arson attacks at Newton House. Other incidents involved arson attacks in and around the premises of Newton Cottage. Action for JA to ask PC Mackenzie about this willful fire raising issue.
4. Line Dyke wall
   
   1. PG mentioned that the wall is buckled and leaning against the lampost @ top of 7th Street. Action for RA to send pictures to Clr. S
   2. The meeting highlighted since the top soil was moved after Cruden’s built the Wester Suttislea houses that the wall has been penetrated where “bricks have just come away” and water flows out. With the risk of flooding to neighbouring properties. Concern raised that the wall with fall away and cause serious injury to passersby. Action for Clr. S to address this due to the serious nature of the problem. It was pointed out that Midlothian Council has a duty of care – despite the wall being the responsibility of the owner Lothian Estates. Real concern that when the top soil is removed for the Lingerwood development the lack of sufficient drainage will result in further flooding. Serious consideration of blue sink zones and suds required. PG also mentioned how the Lady Road path was also unwalkable during the Easthouses Primary School build. 
   3. Could planners make protective measures or sympathetic wall repairs a prerequisite for the new developers  
   4. Lighting issues need addressed as it is an official walking route to school
5. Newtongrange park – Members felt that Borders Council were creating good environment in their playparks. The state of the park fences were raised. With the worst areas demeed around Bryan’s Road entrance. With such a large amount of linear metres of fencing,. A small ask might be to address areas closer to the entrances of the park. and JM has action to contatct the Army regarding a possible community project in time for centenary.
6. Crawlees and other road issues –  Signage on Crawlees Road is deemed in the completely wrong place, The Z bend sign is knocked over & still obscured from sight in the hedge. GCCC have an action to address the safety on Crawlees Road. Concern raised after a pedestrian nearly getting knocked down about the state of the zebra crossing on Bryan’s Road (next to Petanque piste) which need repainted. The double roundabout at the bottom of the village was also mentioned.All these are (This is clearly a road marking issue. Action for JA to send an email asking members to provide images of the crossings/road issues (approx. 5-6) that needs highlighted to Midlothian Council. Which in turn leads to a social media post from RA addressing Crawlees Road question with text provided by JA.
7. Garden Competition event 2025 – RM highlighted that there had been an increases number of participants and the level of entry was of an extremely high standard. The awards ceremony was held in the Community Garden and was well attended. This year there was a large amount of press interest and public engagement with the competition. Lessons from previous years have helped figure out the best time to hold the event. JA wished to thank RM and others for all their efforts with newspaper/magazine outputs highlighting event which tied in to anniversary of the original competition. LL mentioned that the leaflet drop-off needed to be continued as well as online publicity. Action for RM to create an agenda for 2026 competiton.
8. Remembrance Day volunteers – LL & SE will represnt NCC in the wreath laying ceremony on Sunday 15th of November 2025.
9. Newtongrange Library – NCC wished to thank Clr S and the Estates department/Contractors for the improvement work to the outside of Newtongrange Library. Concern was raised that there needs to be a proper maintaince plan looked at every year.
10. NCC response to Lingerwood planning application – Action for JA to send Community Council response to Councillors.
11. Tennis pavillion – Action for Clr S/JA to look at whether a lease similar to the bowling pavillion can be resurrected. There needs to be a full audit of the building. Clr S advised that on the matter of Newtongarnge Park there has been been complaints about parking, the behaviour and the mess in the park. In considerate parking is a concern all over the village. 
12. Reports
    
    1. COUNCILLOR REPORT – Ellen Scott –

       Speeding issues

       Newtongrange Library outstanding repair.

       Newtongrange Pool Site tendor – end of the month deadline

       Gladhouse Reservoir overcrowding issues.

       St Anne’s residents meeting – Issue about service charges and if they could be considered reasonable. The residents are asked to pay a lot for services that are anot all being completed.

       1.  
       
       Clr. Ellen Scott – 

       Newtongrange Library

       I have met with Officers to ask that all the maintenance in the library and the outside is completed as soon as possible.  I am very unhappy about the lack of maintenance of both Newtongrange in libraries and will continue to pursue this as a priority.

       Education Placement Appeals

       During June, there are Education Placement Appeals to be heard.   These can be very emotive for parents/carers, but panel members try to ensure a friendly and open environment to put people at ease.

       Education Exclusion Appeal

       I took part in an Education Exclusion Appeal.  Exclusions are not taken lightly and parents/carers have the opportunity to appeal any decision taken by the school if they feel it is warranted.

        

       Treasurer –  balance £1,292.68. Action for JA to ask about £500 COOP voucher repayment.

13. Correspondence – Inconsiderate parking due to limited parking space by the junction of Galadale with cars parked to close to the junction, disability parking spaces and yellow lines are all creating restrictive viewing and creates a blind bend for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike. The area is already blighted with cars travelling up the very narrow Newbattle Road. Concerns over the yellow lines on 7th Street, making it difficult to turn in and out of street was also mentioned. Another issue appears to be the disparity with regards to parking fines for cars parked up on the pavements. Traffic wardens appear to be targeting Gowkshill Crescent but missing many other areas. Why not a bigger range of streets.  Concern raised that such a road needs to have access for emergency vehicles to move freely. 
14. AOB: JA asked for if anyone would be willing to help with the vacant NCC Secretary/NCC emails.- Action for JM to create Newtongrage defibrillator map with approx. 14 in the area. – There has been reports of rats on Lingerwood Road and 3rd Street reported to Councillor. – Picnic tables in the park were deemed a fire risk – The railings by old cinema were deemed not original.
15. Next Meeting – Tuesday 30th September 2025 6.45-8.45pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit