Minutes May 2025

The May 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 police report, litter-picking and maintenance issues, Springfield development, Crawlees, Pool Site, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: Jeremy Adderley Linda Anderson, Willie Darling, Bill Hunter, Marion Brown, Shauni Emanuel, Sandy Howden, Clr Ellen Scott and Clr Kelly Drummond
   2. Congratulations to Newtongrange Star in getting promoted to the EoS Premier Division.

1. Previous minutes –Apr 2025 minutes : accepted after minor amendments proposed by LL- seconded by BW
2. Matters arising
   
   1. Still looking at option to repair an improve Newtongrange Park iron gates. Victor Quested to get in touch with Clr. Cassidy. Action to get in touch with Matthew Kelly, Midlothian Council.
   2. Reminder to get in touch with SEPA regarding any concerns regarding the dust/dirt and air quality @ Crawlees Road.
   3. SM has actioned locksmith to get new barrell for noticeboard.
   4. To address the Community Councillors who have missed more than 3 consecutive meetings and remove them from membership at June meeting.
   5. NCC wanted to know the specifics regarding Midlothian Council announcement Newtongrange Primary School a total of £35,334,15 will be spent extending the playground and adding new play equipment that will be available to the public outwith school hours. Action to ask Councillors for further information @ June meeting
   6. Action to look at a later start to meeting either @ Newbattle Community Centre or back to Dean Tavern, Heriot Lounge after July break. Action for SM to check whether we can use Community Centre till 9pm.
   7. Action for JM to have meeting regarding Newbattle Community Learning Centre access procedures.
3. Police report – Circulated to members by email. Chris Howarth – Police Scotland discussed anti-social behavior and dangerous riding of bikes. CH said there are national issues regarding off-road bikes and the inability to engage with riders without a helmet. It was pointed out by CH that former colleague Michele Lindsay, Engagement officer, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland are looking into a DNA spray rollout. CH advised meeting that if you are aware of the perpetrators get in touch: Contact Police Scotland – Police Scotland. Othe issues such as anti-social behavior on the buses and concessionary bus pass removal were discussed and noted recent youth disorder around Gorebridge e.g damage to Gorebridge Library.
4. Crawlees Road
   
   1. JR pointed out that the Midlothian Council road survey is not up to date. The survey needs to be independently assessed. Traffic is still horrendous. The white paint in the centre of the road is fading fast and the warning signs have been knocked off. the Lingerwood project is current in limbo due to the sale from Lingerwood to Redwood-Barrett. Action for SM to check point regarding SH mentioning Miller homes in previous correspondence on development.
   2. BW mentioned that near Crawlees Road at the Bryan’s (past bus stop at prefab hose/bridge) the pavement/road surface has broken up and is hazardous and difficult to access. There is also overgrown grass/hedge at the bottom of ‘The Path’ which is providing visibility issues for drivers. Action for Clr B to pursue.   
5. NCC Garden Competition–  A last push for entries. With a flyer push and visits to local nurseries, St Anne’s and local gardens planned before deadline on 1/6/25.
6. MTRAP – Need for a representative to attend online meetings of this group.
7. Committees –  SM to recirculate Committee groups. June meeting we will look to discuss priorities, roles and responsibilities for progressing the Committees.
8. Newtongrange War Memorial name omissions – JR and RA attended a Local History month talk provide by local historian John Duncan at Newtongrange Library. After a vote NCC wish to pursue the addition of the names Barrie Jones and George Noble who died after the WW2 but have a CWGC memorial.

   Jones https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2228640/barrie-jones/

    

   Noble https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2812706/g-d-noble/

   SM is happy to write a letter on NCC’s behalf to the Lord Provost regarding the matter. We will liaise with the Deputy Provost Clr. B in the first instance. The VE Day 80 event at the War memorial there was 42 people in attendance.
9. Tennis update – Clr B confirmed that Midlothian Council are still to announce tennis plans for the three courts recently refurbished.
10. Reports
    
    1. COUNCILLOR REPORT – Douglas Bowen – attended training sessions for Educational Placement Appeals and have 7 appeals to attend this week. He is continuing to chase various issues including the proposed site for the Gorebridge High School,  Newtongrange village centre and library,  various dilapidated buildings, drainage problems  and road crossing safety.
       Clr. Ellen Scott –  report sent to members by email
    2. MTRaP – Action looking for representative to attend online meeting 
    3. MFCC – Action looking for representative to attend online meeting
    4. Treasurer – Now £1,330.29 in the bank.  An amendment will need to be added into the balance sheet after £671.76 of legitimate expenses was paid out. The Treasurer requests that if you have an expense claim please request it asap.
    5. Planning – Commercial: Alterations to hot food takeaway shop frontage including; display of illuminated signage, replacement windows and door (retrospective) 136, Main Street, Newtongrange, EH22 4PF & Residential: 8th Street dormer window and ramp 
11. Correspondence – Inconsiderate parking due to limited parking space by the junction of Galadale with cars parked to close to the junction, disability parking spaces and yellow lines are all creating restrictive viewing and creates a blind bend for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike. The area is already blighted with cars travelling up the very narrow Newbattle Road. Concerns over the yellow lines on 7th Street, making it difficult to turn in and out of street was also mentioned. Another issue appears to be the disparity with regards to parking fines for cars parked up on the pavements. Traffic wardens appear to be targeting Gowkshill Crescent but missing many other areas. Why not a bigger range of streets.  Concern raised that such a road needs to have access for emergency vehicles to move freely. 
12. AOB: Conservation Update: JM located a map of Newtongrange Conservation area within a Midlothian Council publication that directly mentions that Line Dyke pathway is included in the area. This relates to a repaired wall that NCC felt is not appropriate to the existing character of the wall. Action for JM to discuss matter with Clr. B
13. Next Meeting – Tuesday 24th June 2025 6.30-8.30pm @ Newbattle Community Centre – IT Suit