Minutes February 2025

The February 2025 NCC meeting chaired by John Muir @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre.  The meeting captured community concerns and on-going issues, other issues discussed was the housing planned for The Pool site, Springfield development, Crawlees, Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: Jeremy Adderly, Linda Anderson, Willie Darling, Bill Hunter, Marion Brown

1. Previous minutes –November 2024 minutes : accepted after minor amendments proposed by LA- seconded by IH
2. Matters arising
   
   1. SM mentioned that £408 had been paid to NCC by Midlothian Council Small Grant. JM to check with bank to ensure payment has been made  
   2. SM asked meeting of the name of a reputable locksmith to fix lock barrel for the noticeboard in the park.
   3. The State of pavement on A7 and crossing has improved.
   4. Crawlees Road and pavement is filthy near NWH due to the failure of sweeping the mud & dust. 
   5. Riders on off-road electric surron style motorbikes are intimidating & dangerous with no lights on & often wearing balaclavas.
3. Police report – Circulated to members by email and read out to attendees by RA
4. Councillor Report
   
   1. Councillor’s Report –  Clr Scott – Looking to re-instate pedestrian access to Gorebridge rail station which has been closed for a number of months. Clr Scott and Bowen visited the Nairns Oatcakes site @ Unit 15 Butlerfield Ind. Est, Bonnyrigg, EH19 3JQ. Clr Scott mentioned that they are often on the look out for new employees info@nairns-oatcakes.com. Clr Scott will be looking at introducing a safety campaign and will be discussing safe cycling/visibility with Gillian Bathgate and Colin McLean of Midlothian Council & escalating it with safety officers. 
   2. Treasurer –
      
      1. Financial figure – Still £1,588.15 in the bank. SM mentioned a small grant of £408 has been received from Midlothian Council . Action need to sort locks at the Newtongrange Park noticeboard barrel issues.
   3. MFCC – Action for SM to see if NCC needs to arrange for individual I.S.O  Request for all voices on Midlothian housing requirement issue.
   4. Planning – N/A
5. Pool Site –  The aim is to move the  shipping containers in the spring. There is still materila belonging to the church. A new contractor will be required to move the containers. Clr. McKenzie (Clr. M) Cabinet member for housing discussed the plans for modular housing in the site. Noted that one supplier Wee Building Company went bust. This will not directly affect plans going forward. The total build cost is for 18 social housing units @ a current planned cost of £300,000 per unit. There is planned to be 5 houses on other side of the road. Clr M is looking to get cost per house down with an aim of 200,000-215,000 approx. per house. At the current stage detailed design work is getting worked up amd  the paper is with Senior officers in the council. A progress report and then indicative plans will then be created and made public with planning & procurement wit a current time line of 12 to 14 months. Clr. M felt that best gains were incurred once you do the preparatory groundwork a large amount of the building work will be done off sites, time savings, less waste and pre-constructed pods will get delivered. JM highlighted the company Scotframe from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire RM asked about thermal value. Clr M mentioned that Passivhaus housing had been worth trying but there is a huge amount of subsidy involved. There was a plea to consider the red brickwork and the importance of the site and to be in-keeping with the heritage & character of the rest of Newtongrange. Midlothian Council are currently in the process of looking at buying back house. JM asked about the listed Carnegie Library in Bonnyrigg. The new temporary hoardings when replaced with new ones with text/images that would advertise the new development.   
6. Springfield – Barrett Redrow homes sale SH mentioned after having initial contact with Graham Patrick regarding plans for  parking spaces around Smithy Cottages on Crawlees Road. He recently received a letter informing him off the sale of Springfield plots to Barrett Redwood.
7. Crawlees – Robert and Crawlees sub committee met workers at the constituency office of Midlothian MP, Kirsty McNeill, looking to make contact with Midlothian MSP, Christine Grahame next. Planning Aid Scotland might also be an option to consider.  It is true there has not been fatalities on the road but there has been a large number of accidents & near misses. Concerns raised about the already dangerous crossing points & viability of a potential cycle way & path with roads narrowing fro 7.3m to 5.4m & below.  RM pointed out the ignominies in the Midlothian Council vehicle figures for 22/11/23 btwn 7-8am & his own compiled on 21/2/25 btwn 12-13PM especially regarding capacity especially the passenger car unit conversion see attachment scan_randerson_2025-03-17-14-39-27.  The safe guarding route must be reconsidered. Be interesting to see how the Barratt sale will effect the development. NCC former Vice-Chair offered this:  – It’ll slow down the process and likely mean the plots have to back in for detailed planning. – The over approved master plan won’t change I don’t think. – The new owner will have slightly different house types to Springfield, so some specific reworking might be required. – It may mean that more detailed developer discussions with MC planning is necessary, should the new owners wish to change previous agreements made with Springfield. Bit unknown and depends on their approach – could be wide reaching, might be minimal. Depends how quickly the new owners want to get cracking! 
8. Midlothian Council Budget discussion & implications – The council tax to rise to 10% 2025/26 (projected 9, 8 & 5% following years. The Scottish Executive provided £6 million funding that will alleviate the pressures of employeers paying higher national insurance contributions . Clr.s raised concern over the Helath & Social care budget that is still £2m in deficit. The current cost of care packages is so high. There will be extra investment in roads & road repairs. 
9. Concern raised about closing sport centres over the weekend. SE asked if committed volunteers could be considered to keep the Leisure Centre open. This proposal appears to go against aims to improve mental health and improve fitness that helps alleviate the early need for hospital treatment. Once again Newtongrange will have no place to meet. The places that will remain open like Newtongrange Library do not have a public toilet and the building has an uncertain future. A question was raised when the church will open? Action for a RA to find out. Ward Clr’s were united in the need for building Gorebridge High School. Previous schools have received LEIP funding & recently received £20,000, Concern once again raised about the lack of a direct bus to central Edinburgh, servicing Bryan’s road especially those with accessibility issues. Could LRT consider reinstating the old 3A service.  Clrs Mackenzie and Cassidy held a meeting with LCT.  Clr D still waiting on the suitability report of each school in Midlothian. Discussion regarding how 4/5 bedroom houses are still being built in Midlothian. The Scottish Government targets need to met and Midlothian Council can be overuled & as a result will have less influence regarding development contributions etc. which can be beneficial in getting community facilities built.  It has been mentioned that Midlothian is a town short with so many people unable to find a suitable house or property. 
10. Repeat prescription ordering @ Newbattle Surgery – It would appear that the majority of residents are no longer getting printed out repeat prescription slips and being asked to write them out by hand (or re-oder online).
11. Tennis update – Meeting wanted to know latest position after social media posts and NCC members getting asked about when courts were opening for bookings. The courts have had initiall surface laidand once they get confirmation  will get final repainting of court next 2/3 months. MR informed meeting that there was a Tennis Scotland Parks Tennis, Attraction & Retention for Local Authorities & Leisure Trust’s  meeting on Teams 11/3/25 (Action for NCC representative to attend). The LTA funding meant that it was for tennis (rackets) sport use only. Derek Oliver & Kate Murray from Midlothian Council are still decide on models of delivery. The LTA Clubspark booking system is a requirement and the use of floodlighting facility in pavilion. MR has mentioned there are already a number of keen volunteers to become a Free Park Tennis Activator
12. Locksmith suggestion for noticeboard – Any recommendations contact SM on secretary@newtongrange.org
13. Newtongrange Garden Competition representative – SM & RM to meet up regarding 2025 competition
14. Correspondence – Issue with Newtongrange Primary School staff parking on surrounding streets (6th/7th Streets?). SM to respond to correspondent regarding new temporary road closure on specific roads near school over drop-off times. A resident suggested having a Medicinema in the Child Health Clinic, 75 St Davids, EH22 4LD. 
15. AOB – Phonebox removal on Main Street. Action for RA to contact Paul Johnson on matter.
16. Next Meeting – Tuesday 25th March 2025 6.30-8.30pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit