Minutes January 2026

The January 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, litter-picking 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, Robert Mackie, Betty Wilson

1. Previous minutes –November 2025 minutes : accepted after Barratt meeting updated proposed by IH – seconded by WD
2. Matters arising
   
   1. Hybrid offer still required for MFCC who prefer face to face meetings. In person MTRAP meeting February 17th from 6-7pm and action to see if Robert Mackie wishes to represent NCC and IH also expressed an interest in attending..
   2. Action for Chair to update on noticeboard next meeting (February 2026)
   3. Stan Gowrie shared CWGC material with Clr Bowen regarding War Memorial names 
   4. Invite for Holly Gillfether to next meeting Feb 2026.
   5. Twinning with Lewarde for agenda next meeting
3. Police report –  Emailed around members prior to meeting. An observation that a large number of the incidents were drug related and the involvement of unregistered bikes. The meeting wished to know more about the car fire opposite St Anne’s on Main Street. Action for Chair to circulate Police report to Councillors.
4. Newtongrange centenary – The meeting focused on planning the upcoming centenary celebration for Newtongrange Park scheduled for Friday, September 11th.  With the ambition to desire to bring together as many people and groups from the village as possible to create the best possible event. The park had the first children’s play centre in Scotland. The group discussed various elements for the celebration including musical performances from the Junior Band (requirement for 30 chairs) and perhaps an evening performance in The Dean by the senior band on Thursday, September 10th (Action for JR to get in touch with David Knox from the Midlothian Community Band), historical games (white lines for the races 7 an old carousel) , historic floats such as the Trojan Horse, tree planting ceremony to permanently mark the event, voluntary group promotion, use of bowling pavilion and potentially recreating the original opening ceremony with a golden key. Need for a marque and stalls for band and volunteer organisations. The fact that Friday 11th September is a school holiday may mean groups such as the Girls Brigade might be away, however, but leaders could attend to promote their organization.  Alun Williams, Public Safety and Resilience Officer at Midlothian Council was unavailable. Action for RA to get back in touch with contact. Stan Gowrie mentioned the ATS & the Poppy Scotland Bud van. There is a further action to get a great big banner 100 years banner to visibly promote event. 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. Action for JA & RM to create a hit list of assets with ideas for the Welfare Park centenary celebration will be compiled in a separate document rather than in the meeting minutes, t
5. The group discussed dividing responsibilities to firm up planning for the centenary event, with specific focus on organizing historical games and determining which organizations should be involved
6. Newtongrange Park grass verges
   • Action for JR/LA to ask Tam Findlay about grass cutting programme and grass edges. This will help litter-pick dates for Newtongrange Park Life as often lids and other material is crushed, smashed into shards and firmly embedded in the ground.
7. Tour De France – Newtongrange part of the route on 2nd July 2027
8. Twinning with Lewarde – SH announced that JR, LA, Steve Halley, Ray Lafferty and MSP Colin Beattie there will be a meeting on Friday 13th of Febraury to discuss how to move forward with connections already made.
9. Pool Site 
   • A non-statutory community consultation is planned for February before the planning application is lodged by end of March. The consultation will likely include preliminary plans and visual representations. 
   • 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. 
10. 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. 
11. 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.
12. Reports Clr. Bowen’s report was sent to members & key points read out

    Cl. B attended meetings of the Dean  , wreath laying ceremonies in Newtongrange , the induction of the new minister for the local parish church and the 100thBirthday Party for the local Primary School.

    1.      Lingerwood Development and Crawlees Road.Continuing to assess proposed work to roads structure.

     

    2.    High School for Gorebridge.   No further developments but progress with site identification being monitored.

    3. Still awaiting work commencing at North Middleton quarry with view to traffic monitoring.

    4. Chasing progress with development in Newtongrange village centre.  Still awaiting to hear from Economic Development department but project included in all relevant plans etc

    5. Pursuing addition of names to War Memorial in Welfare Park, Newtongrange. It is a possibility that there is no approved “mechanism” such action to be taken.

    6. Awaiting progress with new safety barriers on A7 near bowling green in Murderdean Road but heard that work on pedestrian crossing near Sun Inn will commence early in the New Year.

    7.    Still chasing Miller Homes and Scottish Water regarding drainage and open space management on Lady Victoria Estate.

     

    8. Dealing with some personal problems for constituents and  on behalf of the local pharmacist in Newtongrange.

    Treasurer –  balance £1,335.58 – 

13. Planning –  The Dean Tavern has submitted plans for exterior modifications including raised gardens, gates where old gates used to be, railings, festoon lighting, and wall raising, intended to maintain the heritage of the property. The proposed modifications include leveling the ground with new internal wall height of 1.11m and external wall heights between 1.5-1.6m, topped with black metal railings with vertical styling. The planning commitee would need more careful consideration of the plans before deciding whether to object, noting the Dean Tavern is considered one of the “crowns of Newtongrange” and its historic appearance should be preserved. Concerns also raised that the building is completely inaccessible for wheelchair users who cannot open the doors independently, despite being used monthly by trustees and committee members.  Suggestions for accessibility improvements included ramps and potentially an automatic door based on lived experience feedback from attendees. 
14. AOB: Newtongrange Silver Band Valentine concert @ NMMS 12/02/26; Action for JA to pass on contact information regarding 5-11, Murderdean Road, Newtongrange | Buildings at Risk Register.
15. Next Meeting – Tuesday 24th February 2026 6.45-8.45pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit