Minutes October 2025

The October 2025 NCC meeting was kindly chaired by Linda Anderson in Jeremy Adderley’s absence @ 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: Jeremy Adderley, Shauni Emmanuel

1. Previous minutes –September 2025 minutes : accepted after minor amendments proposed by LL – seconded by IH
2. Matters arising
   
   1. Action for RA to ask Keith Smith why are the courts called Abbeylands not Newtongrange Park?
   2. Action for Clr. S to email image of the school play equipment.
   3. Newtongrange Primary School Centenary event Friday 14th of November 2-3:30PM
   4. RA resent a message composed by JR to meet Jilly Davis, Land Manager @ Barratt for discussion 3-4 max. 
   5. Hybrid offer still required for MTRAP/MFCC who prefer face to face meetings.
   6. Action for update on noticeboard next meeting (Nov 2025)
3. Police report – N/A (Action for RA to get report from 1/10/25 onwards for next meeting) & follow up on willful fire raising issues.
4. Newtongrange Park fencing project – JM met th Colour Sergeant of the Royal Regiment of Scotland regarding the painting of 600 metres of fencing in time for the centenary in September 2026. He has also had an offer of paint from Crown Paints through Keith Thomson, The Paint Shed. The aim is to look for posssible donations of cash & wire brushes. There is a suggestion that we look to get volunteers to commit to manageable amount of painting per person. JM, LA & JR alos had a meeting with Graham Anus, Manager at MacDonald;s, Hardengreen who said he would be willing to help with the project. Clr S will provide a contact within the council regarding what is required to do the job properly. It cannot simply be repainted the removal of old paint is essential. Action to keep this on the agenda for Nov meeting.
5. War Memorial names
   
   1. Clr B has been informed that Midlothian Council have no authority regarding the addition of names.
   2. Clr B to discuss matter with Bob Atack & report back Nov meeting 
   3. RA to contact John Duncan & War Memorial Trust & report back Nov meeting.
6. Defibrillator map for noticeboard and shops – JM showed meeting the maps with 16 defibrillators in and around Newtongrange. Action to check with Newtongrange Star. JM is looking to get them laminated and distributed in noticeboards and shops.
7. Main Street railing – JM discussed previous correpondence regarding railings that cut into the footpaths. This brought up a bigger discussion regarding what is geeting passed without official planning consent.
8. Remembrance – LL collected wreath and will represent NCC along with SE on 9/11/25.
9. Newtongrange Church opening service of worship and rededication is on 2/11/25, Contact details: office@newbattleparish.org & 07903 412 759. The congregation is now called Newbattle St. Nicholas Buccleuch. 
10. Newtongrange Pool site  – modular houses
    • Clr S informed that they did not have plans but would share once they were available.
    • NCC unsure of the process of how they could put out to tender without indicitive plans/ images. 
    • Chair highlighted the importance of the housing to be inkeeping with the character of the village.
    • Need for red brick appearance on cottages.
    • JR shared an article in recent Private Eye magazine regarding mining cottages in Horden, County Durham.  Where there is a plan to demolish mining cottage stock on numbered streets (just like Newtongrange) The main concern raised was that public consultation surveys might be cherry-picked and not a true reflection of comments.

    10b. Crawlees

    • Groundwork tests has already started in fields beside Crawlees Road
    • It was felt that Active Travel measures should have been added along Crawlees Road. It is incredibly hazardous for cyclists and pedestrians. There should be a pedestrian island and considered for a safe walking area to the new schools.
    • RM has asked for drawing plans for his section of Crawlees Road but to no avail.
    • RM provided figures that on 26/9/25 he recorded 1,480 vehicles in 1 hour (btwn 3:30-4:30pm)
    • RM provided further documentation regarding  Crawlees Road and Safety Issues scan_randerson_2025-11-11-12-20-08‘
    • A resident has already had his front door and walls repainted due to the dust/fumes. The houses are also prone to cracks due to the state of the road and closeness of the houses to the road.
    • Consideration for the road to be re-pointed away from the houses but this suggestion has been refused. A roundabout should be considered as a traffic calming measure.
    • Crossing by prefabs up from Bryan’s Road really hazardous for pedestrians.
    • A new traffic survey is required and Midlothian Council are in agreement with this point.
    • Action for Clr S to check about permission requirements for number of skips around NWH premises.
    • NCC meeting were shown Neighbour Notification scan_randerson_2025-11-11-12-18-16 which is due by 14/11/25

     

11. Correspondence – Leisure Centre refurbishment date TBC – Lamp post flag reportedto Clrs and to be removed. Flag/Flag Pole was deemed not appropriate for Newtongrange Park as it is a Field In Trust. Chair agreed that Information Commissioners registration should be pursued. Concern raised over how dangerous the Stobhill Road/A7 turn-off is. Should there be traffic lights in place as traffic calming measure. Newbattle Road wall up from Masonic has a massive hole and large amounts of ivy growing around it. Action for Clr. Scott to investigate if hole can be repaired. SG will be selling poppies for Poppy Scotland in the Newongrange Coop on Saturday 1st of November. Then Mayfield the week after.
12. Reports Clr. Bowen’s report was sent to members.

    Clr. Ellen Scott

    Line Dyke repairs

    Lothian Estates looking to make safe and repair part of the Line Dyke wall.

    Newtongrange Vennels

    Places for People will get back to Clr. Scott regarding the ownership/responsibility of the vennels. NCC understood that 1st-5th Street Castle Rock – 6th-10th Grange Estates Estates.

     

     

    Treasurer –  balance £1,292.68 – JM will be geetting the balance sheet ready for AGM. Please get any last minute receipts in by the end of the week.

13. Planning N/A
14. AOB: JA & Clr. S offers apologies for next meeting. LA hopes to be Chair TBC. The AGM will be in November 25th and the need to prepare appropriate information. Action for RA to add on next months Agenda.
15. Next Meeting – Tuesday 28th October 2025 6.45-8.45pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit