February 2026 Minutes

The February 2026 NCC meeting was chaired by Jeremy Adderley’ @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre.  The meeting captured community concerns and on-going issues, other issues discussed was the park centenary, police report, fence painting and maintenance issues, Springfield development, Crawlees, Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: John Muir, Bill Hunter, Marion Brown , Shauni Emmanuel, Linda Anderson, Betty Wilson
   2. Midlothian Council motion of £5k towards centenary passed

1. Previous minutes –January 2026 minutes : accepted – proposed by LL – seconded by IH
2. Matters arising
   
   1. Action for Clr Scott regarding pavement to ensure cleaning should be on a scheduled rotation rather than complaint-driven exercise, especially since street sweepers are too wide to access areas around bus stops and handrails. 
      
      
      • Ellen confirmed the immediate cleaning is resolved but noted it will require ongoing attention as rain causes regrowth. The council responds quickly to reports but a permanent scheduled maintenance solution is being requested.
   2. JM pointed out that the overgrown shrubbery near the old Legion building now extends approximately two feet from the wall, forcing traffic to swerve on a blind bend. This issue was first raised in previous meetings
   3. Water accumulation on Gowkshill Hill was reported, originating from the depot and requiring a trench to prevent runoff onto the road
   4. Invite for Holly Gillfether to next meeting March 2026.
3. Police report –   N/A RA to send to Members & Councillors when in receipt of report. Action for Chair to circulate Police report to Councillors. A query was raised about a school bus was involved in a crash on January 9th, 2026 at 11:03am at the corner of Crawlees Road when a car T-boned the bus. The bus was empty as it was en route to pick up students, and the car driver’s vehicle was damaged (are these recorded in official statistics)?
4. Twinning with Lewarde – NCC members are exploring a friendship with Lewarde, France and held a meeting with Mining Museum Trustee and Colin Beattie, Ray Lafferty, curator regarding the Mining Museum connection.The proposal is gathering momentum quietly with no objections from the community council. A future meeting with the Mining Museum could provide additional influence for the friendship initiative . Both parties expressed interest in developing the relationship, and the proposal is now being reviewed by the museum board. With proposed ferry link from Rosyth to Dunkirk this could be a perfect proposition.
5. Newtongrange centenary – 
   • Alun Williams, Public Safety and Resilience Officer at Midlothian Council
   • After further discussion there was a feeling that it would be better to hold an event away from the school holiday of Fri 11 & Mon 14 September and a Saturday was preferable. The group reached consensus on Saturday, September 19th as the event date, acknowledging it is not the exact centenary but prioritizing accessibility for the community, particularly families and children. AW asked us to think about what time of day; what about the kit in place, need to get people on board.
     
     • Traditional gala-style games were proposed including egg and spoon races, sack races, and tug of war, with discussion about adapting to available flat space, rather than the football pitch.
     • A coal mining theme was discussed to tie in with the mining museum and mining legacies eco museum, with creative ideas like mine cart races and a ‘strongman’ contest pushing carts. 
     • Small-scale children’s attractions were preferred over large fun fair equipment—discussion focused on one carousel or similar ride, small inflatables, paddling pool with ducks, and low-key activities suitable for younger children that would keep costs reasonable 
     • Midlothian Council Gala Hire Equipment Copy of gala hire equipment
       • Marquees and equipment from the council were discussed as weather contingency, with modern sturdy structures available (though rain and high wind remain risks). Side panels can be adjusted for ventilation while providing shelter for the band
       • The gala stage refurbishment status was questioned, with confirmation it will likely be ready for the Gala.
       • The council’s portable stage with roof remains an option that can be positioned anywhere in the park and could serve as a backup. 
       • The group requested that bunting be put up in the village over celebration
       • First aid cover and toilet facilities were flagged as essential basics to plan for.
       • The press release was identified as the primary tool for reaching community members not in direct contact with organizers, with urgency to get a date confirmed and release distributed quickly.
       • (From previous minutes) A permanent commemoration was proposed—either a tree planting or plaque in the park—to mark the centenary event and create a lasting memorial, with council staff identified who handle such matters. A stretch tent cover for the Gala area might be considered in the next environment fund applications.  An invite out to Rita Dalgleish who is one of the oldest members of the community to the event. Stan Gowrie mentioned approaching Loanhead regarding their waterproof event stand. There was a query about funding should we approach the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation. 
     •  
6. Pool Site 
   • A non-statutory community consultation is being held at Newtongrange Primary School Gym Hall, Sixth Street, Newtongrange, Dalkeith EH22 4LB on Thursday 5 March between 4pm and 7pm.

     The drop-in event provides the chance for Midlothian resident’s to look at the plans that will soon be submitted for planning permission, allowing for an opportunity to see how the site could look and understand what is being proposed by the council.

     This session is for information only. If you would like to share formal comments, you will be able to do so once the planning application is submitted and available on the council’s planning portal around mid-March.”

   • The construction program is targeting commencement in August, with a contractor (Ogilvy) already appointed who has significant local experience to move quickly from planning to physical construction. 
7. Mining Museum A7 pedestrian entrance – Concern about the extremely poor condition of the pavement when accessing the mining museum by public transport, resulting in visitors arriving with mud-covered shoes. This issue had been previously raised with Councillors and improvements had been made but situation is bad again. Other concerns include: • The path from the traffic lights at the village all the way to the mining museum was described as very uneven, “eaten away,” and in serious disrepair despite being a well-traveled route. 1
   • Report of significant flooding from clogged drains at multiple locations, including a corner where water covered half the road that morning, creating hazards for pedestrians and vehicles. 
   • Safety concerns about potential ice formation if standing water freezes, particularly on the hill coming down Gowkshill, where cars could slide uncontrollably into the wall. 
   • Serious concerns raised about the road placement relative to houses, particularly regarding a dangerous bend that creates safety hazards for residents. 
   • The specific flooding location was identified as coming down from the Recycling centre, at the junction where paths meet a grass section near the road, likely due to drain blockage. 
8. Meeting with Robin Patel, Development Mining Museum – Action for RA to explore dates in February with the  purpose of the meeting with Robin & Engagement Committee representatives to explore better integration between the mining museum and the village, including potential connections to events like the park centenary and improving overall community links.
   6. Councillor Reports Clr Bowens’s report sent to members prior to meeting and read by: Clr B.
      

       

      1. Lingerwood Development and Crawlees Road. Clr. B to hear back from Planning regarding traffic survey queries.

       

       

       

       

      2. Newtongrange former Pool Site. see 6 for event details

       

       

      3. Derelict Building at Station in Newtongrange. No movement with regards to the derelict building. Chair passed on details regarding correspondence at previous meeting

       

       

       

       

      5. Clr B pursuing addition of names to War Memorial in Welfare Park, Newtongrange. Still no confirmation of course of action to be taken. Will be decided by general purposes committee.

       

       

      7. Dean entrance work will commence soon.

      Clr Scott Report: read out by Clr S:

      Gorebridge Library relocating to the Leisure Centre as part of a £9 million upgrade.  

       

      Football facilities

                    Clr S has been contacted about the lack of football facilities for young people in Newtongrange.  This is a problem in Midlothian because of the population growth and there is no easy solutions to it, but having appropriate dialogue with some Clubs may be a way forward.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

       High School issues 1,309 students at Newbattle High School 

       

      Treasurer –  balance £1,831.24 in the bank, with £640 ring-fenced for painting, leaving £1,191.24. Defibrillator batteries and pads will require replacement in October at an estimated cost of £400, necessitating careful budget management or potential council funding to cover the expense.

9. Planning –  N/A. 
10. Next Meeting – Tuesday 31st March 2026 6.45-8.45pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit