Minutes October 2024

The October 2024 NCC meeting chaired by Jeremy Addeley @ Newbattle Community Learning Centre.  The meeting captured community concerns and on-going issues. Police and Councillor’s reports were offered and discussion regarding the Masterplan, Crawlees, Community Garden, local issues and correspondence.

1. Welcome and introductions – 
   1. Apologies: Maureen MacRae, William Darling, Rob Joyce
   2. State of footpath at bottom of the village Ideal Store to The Dean tabled.
   3. State of pavement beside Ruts sill not improved after numerous phone calls tabled
   4. State of Carrington Road (btwn. Cockpen Church & A7 “an absolute disgrace” tabled. Action Clr. Scott will take issue back to officers
   5. Action for Secretary to announce date of AGM on Nov 26th

1. Previous minutes –August 2024 minutes : proposed by JM- seconded by SM
2. Matters Arising – 
   
   1. Replacement Vice Chair remains an action. (JA)
   2. PC Jason McFarlane wants to know what are the priorities for commuity policing in the area. Action for NCC members to email SM secretary@newtongrange.org with suggestions..
   3. The Crawlees Road hedging has been done but it is still very high in places.
   4.  Action for NCC to suggest 3 key roads or paths that need to be included for next meeting. 
3. Police report read out by Mayfield Community Policeman PC Ally Livingstone on PC McFarlane’s behalf  & circulated to members – 145 calls to the police over period 25/9/24 – 29/10/24.  Key points: Dalkeith assault case prioritised officers time with additional officers btwn 3-5 October 2024. Other issues from report: theft of tools from car, vandalism, driving without license and under the influence of drink/drugs, youths on the roofs of public buildings, St Anne’s manhole – not a criminal act, throwing of eggs and other projectiles, roof slates and caravan damage, Lothianburn accidental caravan park fire – British Transport Police had to be involved due to size of fire. A query about whether there had been a report regarding a gentleman stopping traffic with the intention to open car doors on the A7 Friday 25/10 approx. 5pm.
4. Councillor’s Report – (see below 9. Reports)
5. Crawlees – RM 
   • • Traffic level data is out of date and incorrect. Growing traffic issue and now a very dangerous road for pedestrians to cross the road and get to the surgery.
     • 2024 plan is no different from 2021
     • Need to reconsider Bogwood distribution road, as safeguarding route should always be there. Clr. B confirmed that at Planning Commitee 29/10/24 Clr. Peter Smaill stated ‘there is still and opportunity to change the road structure’ , once the builders must come with a full traffic application. Need to wait for full application. Planners suggested it might be Spring 2025 TBC.
     • Gorebridge CC agree of the need for road improvement. Could they consider realigment of the road, perhaps a loop like in another local development in Gorebridge.
     • The signpost is in an obscured position
     • SG stated that over school holidays there were 700+ vehicles in approx. 2hours 20 mins
     • Clr. Scott confirmed that nothing will change in the short term until  full planning is submitted.

      

      

6. Engagement Committee: RA feedback regarding NCC meeting with Gillian Rankin, Marketing @ National Mining Museum Scotland on 27/9/24 to discuss future big local events and create better networks. 
7. Moving Around Committee sub. group: IH joined by Clrs to look at the paths and other walkways in and around the park. JM concerned about two issues:  9th St./Anderson Avenue and 6th street hedges.
8. Newsletter: Acton for the newsletter to still be called the Newtongrange Flyer. Commitee to arrange for copies to be circulated via Newtongrange Primary School with one copy per family. £100+ for b&w 
9. Any members updates – Rebecca McCosh will lay the NCC wreath on Remembrance Sunday 10/11/24. Action for JA to send around email to note successes and achievements in 2024 for Chair report. NCC members to see if any members of the public might be interested in joining the various committees. Look to see what kind of skills NCC need to draw on. 
10. Correspondence – Resident raised issue regarding additional rubbish and inconsiderate parking in Welfare Park while local football matches are being played. 
11. Reports
    1. Councillor’s Report –  Clr Bowen – Regarding the Pool site/Village redevelopment Councillors are waiting on Midlothian Council Economic department to raise there proposal. Councillors are fighting for their respective communities best interests.  Concern raised about hazardous hoardings in the area and the rotting trees in the pop-up park. NC 1 are holding Halloween event on 31/10 and Xmas event planned in ‘The Pool’ space. Community Asset transfer through NDT might have to be an option, with 2 architect firms and approx. 4 public consultations. Regular discussions had with other 5 ward councillors regarding Lingerwood dev./Crawlees Road and look to see what councillors and officers can achieve. still conjecture as to when the planning notification formally arrives and building starts possibly 2026. Clr B continues to chase the derelict building issue on Murderdean Road (currently at Land Tribunal) and Morris Road lock-ups and garages. Action for Councillors to look at whether The Sidings building, 23 Murderdean Rd, could be used and accessed by the community again? Action for Councillors to see if a Midlothian Council Planning representative might be for next meeting 
    2. Councillor’s Report –  Clr Scott – Reminds the meeting of the importance of completing the budget consultation online or in Newtongrange Library before it closes on 20/11/24. A container currently in ‘The Pool’ site will be transferred to Arniston Rangers after Xmas 2024. Action for NCC to keep agitating for getting the Lady Road Path tarred and accessible once more. Action to look at the Paths for All fund.  Clr Scott walked with Judy Thompson along Lady Path Road and could not recommend it as safe walking route to the new Easthouses Primary in its current state.
    3. Councillor’s Report –  Clr. Drummond – N/A
    4. Treasurer –
       
       1. Financial figure – Still £1089.18 in the bank. Need all bills accounted for by 8/11/24. Action to get battery receipts from Andrew Marshall. 
    5. MFCC – N/A
       
    6. Planning – JM resumed role nothing other than residential house extentions and dormers this month.
    7. AOB -Tennis update – MR, Progress is being made regarding the 3 Midlothian courts n(newtongrange/Beeslack/Kings Park) .However, Kris Henderson leaves LTA on 12/11/24 and the purchase order has not yet been signed. Surface will be relaid first with temporary surface and hten the likely blue/green scheme. Looking for more interested in the Park Activator scheme with 5 or 6 ready to go. Connecting up with schools and consider pickleball lines. Court will be purely for tennis/pickleball. Possible connection with Springfield who were responsible for the Murray Sports Centre, Elgin. Intention is for any charges to be at the lowest rate. Consider what other communities tennis for participants with  dementia/walking tennis. Donald Park in Falkirk uses its pavillion and has floodlights . Could bookings be run by Active Schools Midlothian?. Chair has purchased an engraved item for former chair.
12. Date of Next Meeting – AGM 26th November 2024 at 6:30-7:00 pm,  General Meeting 7:00-8:30 pm, Location Newbattle Community Learning Centre and Zoom – register here
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