AGM 2025 Minutes

The in-person and hybrid AGM was an opportunity to meet and consider the changes to the Newtongrange Community Council and community this year, reflect on the major contributions and collaborations of NCC and look to increase membership as more in the community want to support the village’s development. The venue was held in the Newbattle Learning & Education Centre Centre. NCC wish to thank the Centre staff for being so helpful.

6:45pm-7:45pm Tuesday 25th November 2025

1. Welcome
   1. Apologies:  Clr. Ellen Scott, Shauni Emmanuel, Stan Gowrie, Willie Darling, Bill Hunter
   2. The previous minutes from 2024 were accepted as present: proposed by LA and seconded by JR.
   3. NCC Committees – In connection with the Local Place Plan (LPP). Progress has been made and groups have been formed. Action to tie our priorities to the LPP. Need to embed sub-committee structure and bring external expertise. 
2. Chair’s Annual Report 
   1. The report was read out to attendees
   2. BW mentioned the importance of bikers to wear high-viz 
   3. Very few actions relating to work & economy in the report.
   4. Note Harry Evans not Robert Evans.
   5. Esk Valley Rotary project for Newtongrange Primary outdoor spaces
3. Treasurers Submission: Accounts
   1. Treasurer’s Submission John Muir presented the Treasurer’s Report for 2024/25. The current balance rests at £1,187.17 as of 13/11/25. (Independently verified by Patricia Thom).
   2. SM mentioned that the engraving price for the Gardening trophiers are going up. NCC currently use Apache, Dalkeith.
   3. JA noted that we no longer have to pay for individual ZOOM accounts.
   4. Financial Accounts proposed by: June Robertson and Seconded: Betty Wilson
4. Nominations for new members 
   1. A note on Office Bearers: With resignations from roles by AM and SM. A new Vice Chair and Secretary is required, no formal nominations/expressions of interest in the roles during the meeting. There is also  an NCC rep. required to attend the online MFCC meetings that are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
   2. Nomination of Councillors All who were required to stood down, then completed a form & as on electoral roll were unaminously accepted.  A 1 year term. (ii) Current councillors are; Jeremy Adderley (re-elected Chair Proposed by JR – Seconded by JM), John Muir (re-elected Treasurer Proposed by JA – Seconded by LL), Ross Anderson (re-elected Minute Secretary Proposed by JA – Seconded by LA)), Linda Anderson, Betty Wilson, Rebecca McCosh, Sandy Howden, Lorna Leslie, Ian Hogg,  Marion Brown, Shauni Emmanuel, Willie Darling and Marion Brown . (iii) The constitution limit is 16 Councillors. Elections to the Community Council held at every third Annual General Meeting (next due AGM 2026)
   3. Those no longer NCC Members: Sarah Matthews, Sita Anderson, Maureen MacRae, Catherine Johnstone, Laura and Robert Joyce
   4. MFCC Representative The position is currently vacant.The meetings occur the 3rd Wednesday of the month 7pm start. Action for JA as JM would like to represent but not online i.e Zoom.
   5. MTRaP Representative No NCC representative currently. Action for JA as RM would like to represent but not online i.e Zoom.
5. Schedule of Regular Meetings Regular NCC meetings will continue to be held on the last Tuesday of every month (no July or December meeting) @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre 6:45-8:45pm after 5/4 vote in favour.
   1. Action to progress Year Aim Committees in January 2026 
   2. SM to add RM on to the Traffic & Parking Committee.
6. Date of Next AGM –  Tuesday 24th November  2025 at 6:45pm