Oxton and Channelkirk Community Council

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

1. Welcome by Hugh (in absence of Chairman).

2. Apologies – Iain Robinson, Geordie Dun, Cllr. Nicholas Watson, Cllr. John Paton-Day, Cllr. David Parker

HS proposed the AGM process be postponed in view of the missing OCCC members and no councillors being available.

These were not available to adopt.

5. Reports from Community groups.

Frances Dickman presented a report listing monies that has been applied for and distributed in the past year. A total of £31,500 has come in to the trust since inception, and £29,260.08 has been distributed. Money has gone to Channelkirk After School Club, the Wednesday Club, Under 5's, the Bowling Club, the Football Club, the Community Council, the Manse, the MacMillan appeal and a request for work done in the school playground is under discussion.

Following this report, CR brought up the subject of Toddleburn Wind Farm and the split of money available from there. DS suggested that it was a discussion for another time.

Cathy Rooney thanked FD for the £500 from Dunlaw Trust for the Horticultural Soc. The Flower show is very well supported, but the £500 kept them in credit. It paid for rosettes, amongst other things, which have to be bought in bulk but will last for some years. They try to be self funding and with the plant sale in May this helps to fund the show. The format of the schedule has changed for this year with a better design layout. There are novice classes for fruit and veg as well as professional classed and hopefully there is something to appeal to everyone.

Ann Morris reports that there are about 13 to 14 children attending the Under 5's. It is important to keep the numbers up with 6 children going up to school this year. A newsletter is now being produced and this has brought a few children in from Lauder. Unfortunately there is not enough money coming in to pay the hall fees. Fundraising enabled them to buy the Portacabin for storage and other use, with thanks to the Dunlaw Trust for funding.

Margaret Smith sent apologies for her absence, but FD gave a brief report. The hall was given a £4000 grant for repairs to enable the floor to be sanded, the roof repaired as well as it is being painted at present. Lauder Rotary handed in a donation which will be used to buy new curtains.

ME asked who actually owns the Portacabin, is it the hall committee or Under 5's, as questions had been asked about it being painted? AM confirmed it was the Under 5's and there were no plans to have it painted.

The subject of numbers at the school were raised. From wanting the school to close just a few years ago with the Education dept.'s projected numbers for this year being 33, they actually have 80 children. CR urged OCCC to contact Paul Docherty regarding the "Bill - Presumption Against Closure For Rural Schools" as the school will be up for review again in 2011.

CR asked about the change of use of the Woodyard. HS confirmed that it is classed as a brownfield site, but under the new local planning amendments it could come into outline planning area which would challenge the brownfield status. OCCC has challenged this. CR commended the OCCC on a very successful firework display and Burns Supper. FD commented that community events are very important as the pub is no longer the hub of the community. The pub is a community asset, but no longer seems to be, and concern was raised over the subject. OCCC will raise awareness of this. CR thanked members of OCCC for their work.

Not available. Carried forward to next meeting.

b) Floral display update.

As IR is away, this will be carried forward to next meeting.

c) SB Local Projects.

Again in IR's absence, this will be carried forward. ME asked if the grass verges could be cut through this funding. They are so overgrown that road safety is becoming an issue. DS confirmed that SBC only cut them once a year.

d) Planning Applications.

Bowerhouse - reduction of proposed sites from 3 to 2. No comments.

• SBC Agendas.
• Notification of Blocked Gulleys.
• CC Funding Review Update. HS confirmed that although this was looking at the reorganisation of funding, OCCC will get the same amount.
• Transition Scotland Support / South Eastern Gathering Update.
• Our Zero Waste Event - Galashiels - 11th June 09.
• Community Safety Panel. New Members recruitment.
• Village SOS, new initiative from the big lottery fund and the BBC
• Action Earth Funding
• CC Funding Review Papers.
• New Ways Seminar - 6th July, Banking in the Borders – exploring different solutions.

• SBC Eildon Areea Committee Agenda - Mon 18th May
• SBC Eildon Area Committee Minutes - Mon 20th Apr
• SBCCN Newsletter
• Foster Carers Campaign

AM asked whether the Summer Fun Day could be linked to the Annual Fives event. DS said it was looked into this year, but there was not enough space to do it at the same time, and it might have spoilt the pitches if it was the day before. Members will find out about any local shows coming up to see what they do and report back.