Minutes January 2025

The January 2025 NCC meeting chaired by John Muir @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre.  The meeting captured community concerns and on-going issues, other issues discussed were Springfield development, Crawlees, Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: Jeremy Adderly, Bill Hunter, Clr. Kelly Drummond

1. Previous minutes –November 2024 minutes : accepted after minor amendments proposed by LA- seconded by IH
2. Merit for the departed – Silence observed for Maureen MacRae who passed away in December last year.
3. Matters arising
   
   1. No nomination for Vice Chair & Secretary position  
   2. Clr Bowen still waiting on confirmed details of consultation regarding school parking
   3. State of pavement on A7 by Ruts building before entrance to the Mining Museum (Pavement from crossing to entrance of Mining Museum. The condition of the pavement is thick with mud and silt). This has been reported. Road defect no. 586291
   4. Check proposed budget for the pool site modular house project of 6.4million figure. Clr. Scott to invite Clr. Mackenzie to next meeting. request visualizations of what the modular housing would actually look like (Clr S.)
   5. Regarding the size of the modular houses. There is a need to consider 1 bedroom houses and what defines affordable housing today for private housing? Can the 25% social housing requirement be increased to help residents on the waiting list and the Midlothian housing emergency.
   6. Action for NCC to keep agitating for getting the Lady Road Path tarred and accessible once more. There is a need for Midlothian Council to continue dialogue regarding collective action due to the nature of ownership of land in Newtongrange. An eg. ‘The Square’, where responsibility also lies with Places for People. The historic Lady Road path
   7.  LA quoted from Carrick “Bryans chapel was the church of the small parish of Maisterton, of which the massive baronial tower still stands, — an important landmark by sea and land. Some are of opinion that Bryans was even an older ecclesiastical foundation than Newbattle Abbey. The Marquess of Lothian has as one of his titles, — Viscount of Brienne or Brien. The old chapel stair with its foot-worn steps is still standing. The “Lady’s Tree” in the farm policies is a survivor of a number of great trees which shaded the churchyard. This path needs re-tarred and adequate lighting. Midlothian Council has co-ownership of parts of the Lady Road path with Lothian Estates. Could the building companies have any responsibility for essential improvements? The path is waterlogged, sewage in parts and areas are inaccessible and difficult to walk or cycle. Action for Councillors to have a look at tarring the path.
   8. School buses parked on double yellow lines on Easthouses Rd – Action for Clr. Scott to investigate
   9. JM mentioned that there had been obvious damage to a wing mirror of a car in 5th Street. He advised that due to the narrow nature of the roads for owners to push in wing mirrors to hopefully prevent damage 
4. Police report – Circulated to members by email and read out to attendees by Chair
5. Mining Museum & NCC collaboration discussion – N/A . Action for RA to liaise with NMMS
6. 1. Councillor’s Report –  Clr Bowen – Speed calming measures required with  pedestrians nearly getting hit by scooters on A7/Murderdean Rd crossing from Orchard Grange estate to The Newbattle Bowling Green road entrance. Action for Clr. Scott regarding making schools aware of need for children to wear reflective clothing while cycling as are often wearing dark clothes.  Also the difficulty faced by pedestrians of crossing Dalhousie Road quickly and safely  between Caravan Park/Garage and The Sun Inn
   2. Councillor’s Report –  Clr Scott – Issue with parking on the grass on the square. This is the responsibility of Places for People. The hoardings and shipping containers are still on site at ‘The Pool’ Action for Clr Scott to check when they are to be safely removed. Still a delay with NDT asset transfer of the bowling green lease. Clr Scott mentioned that other projects have taken up to 3 1/2 years. Look out for new Welcome to Gorebridge signs within the town. This could be something Newtongrange could consider to welocome locals and visitors alike.
   3. Treasurer –
      
      1. Financial figure – Still £1,582.68 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.
   4. MFCC – N/A – Action to look for volunteer to attend.
      
   5. Planning – Darlings change of use to a storage and distribution depot.
7. Pool Site –  Action for Clr. Scott to ask Clr Mackenzie to future meeting and to have a clear timetable for the development. Clr Scott noted that one of the mooted modular construction companies are now in administration.
8. Easthouses & Mayfield Primary Schools – Mayfield pupils are in Easthouses Primary. Parking issues with cars parking where the school buses were assigned and buses on double yellow lines. The new Mayfield Primary is delayed because of the cost. It will be on the same site as the old primary. No new news about a High School in Gorebridge
9. Crawlees – Crawlees sub committee which now includes Gael Robertson Chair of Gorebridge CC. were due to meet Midlothain MP Kirsty McNeill but this was postponed due to Storm Éowyn on 24/1/25. They are to meet officials at Midlothian House next month. Crossing Crawlees Road by foot at the junction for the Newbattle Health Centre is hazardous can there be speed calming measures put in place? A further question was raised about what school catchment the 63 homes? Robert Mackie asked what are the avenues for complaint.  Dr Grace Vickers  and Christine Grahame were also mentioned.
10. Newtongrange Garden Competition representative – RM kindly agreed to be representative with support from SM. A request for more pictures of plants not garden furniture this year.
11. Correspondence – Action for RA to respond to Veterans First Point Lothian contact after NCC members agreed to support funding issue raised. Also an email to raise awareness of Electrical Safety First
12. Next Meeting – Tuesday 25th February 2025 6.30-8.30pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit