Oxton and Channelkirk Community Council

‘Floreat Oxtona!’ – ‘Let Oxton Flourish!’

Minute

Meeting of Monday 31st August 2009

7:30pm Oxton War Memorial Hall

Present: Ian Robinson, Hugh Sloan, Malcolm Edgar, Geordie Dun, Douglas Slight, Cllr Nicholas Watson, Cllr John Paton-Day, Jim Harris, Ann Reid, Andrew Cunningham, James Caskie, Bob Ridley.

1. Welcome by Iain.

2. Apologies – Cllr. David Parker.

4c. Oxton Games

Presentation regarding resurrecting the Oxton Games, by Bruce Scott, Charlie Cochrane and Alan Thomson. BS and CC are involved with the Earlston Border Games which have been running for the last 3 years. These games are very well attended with around 1200 people there last year. They have local sponsors and fundraising in place and by keeping prize money modest, the funds are healthy with the numbers of runners and supporters. EBG would be willing to help with setting up and organising officials for the event as well as advice in the organisation. ME asked about a date and BS suggested either the 1st Sat. in July or the first Sat in Aug. IR asked what was required of OCCC - a separate Games Committee would need to be formed which ME asked AT if he would form and ME was prepared to be on the committee.

HS asked what kind of funding would be needed to stage the games. BS thought around £2000, but the entry fees would all go towards this; it would also need to be affiliated to Borders Athletics who are the governing body and would also help out on the day.

IR thanked those involved for the presentation.

Next step is for Alan to form and chair a committee with the help of Bruce & Charlie and report back at the next CC meeting with progress and draft plan for the day.

3. Notice of Motion

In accordance with the constitution, section 5b, IR moved and ME seconded a motion to co-opt Jim Harris, Heathfield, Oxton, to the OCCC with full voting rights. Everyone on Committee agreed. HS proposed JH and DS seconded his appointment as Treasurer.

4. Business.

a) Minutes of 27th July 2009 were adopted.

b) Tower Hotel

IR said that after the meeting on Thurs 27th Aug 2009 the general consensus had been to form a limited Co. which could then provide an option to buy the Hotel. ME suggested it be an Oxton Community Co. rather than directly tying it to the Hotel. IR had been trying to discover if we could take a lease on the building, but the solicitors had been unavailable to provide an answer at this time. An application for registration as a Ltd Co. would take around 7 days, then we would be in a position to declare an interest in the purchase of the Hotel. ME has concerns that if members of OCCC are directors of Co. it will be seen as only OCCC being involved, therefore other directors are needed. ME said that a minimum of 20 members are needed to get registration as a Ltd. Community Co. and from those 20 members, directors and a company secretary are chosen.

GD said that people are worried about the cost to themselves if they become involve; BR also wondered about the financial and legal responsibility to Co. and suggested that initially running costs may exceed income. HS said that the basic idea is to form a Co. to safeguard the asset and then keep it running. IR said that to start with it would be a Co. on paper. It was noted that the existing licence for the premises will expire on the 1st Dec this year. However there are people interested in buying the hotel so none of this may need to be implemented. IR when speaking to solicitors will ask if the hotel is officially on the market.

c) Oxton Games

Following on from the presentation about Oxton Games, it was agreed OCCC are fully in favour, with the possible addition of family entertainment alongside the games. It was confirmed that AT will form a Games sub-committee which will fundraise with OCCC helping where necessary.

d) SB Local Projects

Craig Blackie, SBC, has confirmed he will look at lightly scraping the surface and putting a membrane and planters along the main street on the Justicehall side.

IR suggested JH makes a list of things that need doing as he is in a position where he sees residents on a regular basis, and he will make sure that Craig Blackie gets the list. NW commented that anyone can phone SB Local at any time to see about a job that needs attention.

e) Toddleburn Windfarm Funding

Scottish Communities Foundation - HS said that a Nick Addington is the latest name to come forward from SCF despite the fact that the representatives who had given presentations in the past were meant to be the ones dealing with the Fund. However NA has met with Heriot CC and wants to bring reps from all the CCs involved together and confirm decision making. Cllr Sandy Aitchison had written to HS and offered to convene this meeting. HS wondered how one overall committee would work with different wind farms also being involved in the equation. SCF say it will be an advantage to be involved with the other communities to share information. DS and IR say that sharing information is fine, but the money was meant to be ring-fenced for each community. HS agreed the need to meet with the other communities and will arrange a date but agreed the principle that money for Oxton is ring fenced. AC asked whether the funds can be taxed as unearned income. IR confirmed that it can't be.

JPD asked what the individual wind farm companies actually say about the distribution of funds, but HS said that the OCCC haven't seen anything written down yet.

f) Planning Applications

Woodyard Planning Approval of 9 houses plus 2 affordable houses. IR was very disappointed that the comments from both individuals and the OCCC regarding this development had been completely ignored. NW said that although he had voted against the development it was recommended by the planning officers for approval and therefore the majority voted in favour. NW also said that OCCC should comment on the finish and surroundings of the development. IR confirmed he would be writing to the Council about this.

Erection of dwelling house, 42 Justice Park, Oxton. No adverse comments.

Erection of dwelling house, garden ground of Carfraemill House. No adverse comments.

g) Correspondence received during August.

By email

By Royal Mail

5. AOB

Anne Morris said that as there has been a complaint about the siting of the portacabin at the back of the Village Hall. As a result the Under 5's have to get retrospective planning for it, which will cost £145 which they can't afford. NW thought that if OCCC put in the planning application that it would be free of charge. IR agreed to do this.

Anne Morris also brought up the subject of the damage to the canopy above the door at the Tower Hotel which has resulted in barriers being put around it. The children walking to school have to walk in the road to get past it which makes the safe walking to school a nonsense. IR will record this in an e-mail to the Walker's solicitors.

JPD asked if anyone has a problem with noise coming from The Lodge at Carfraemill. AC and DS confirmed they sometimes hear it, but it isn't a problem. The noise is being monitored, but there are still a couple of people having a problem with it.

ME asked who runs the Oxton website as since March there have been no minutes from OCCC on it. It was confirmed that it is Mike Read, but HS said that he needs to send the minutes on to him. IR asked how well used the website is, but ME and HS think it should be publicised more.