Meeting Minutes Thursday, 26th March 2015 at 7.30pm

Present: Caron McDonald (Chair), Cllr Willie Archibold, Andrew Clark, Marlene Davies, Bob Hunter, Robert Laird, Katy Miller, Ian Storie and Sara van der Vat Apologies: George Noble and Isobel Hunter

Presentations

1. Kevin Sewell, Emergency Planning Officer, SBC Kevin presented an update on the Resilient Communities project, of note:  Missing persons are very common in the Borders  Finding power faults with line walking (perhaps in exchange for generators)  Flood protection products and equipment/planning e.g. flood maps  Twice a year training  First aid equipment and training  Early weather warnings  Live time policing – “ Alert”  Exercises in coping with snow, flood, road, rail and fire events  Grants to protect properties - BH asked if there was a cross-border exchange as we are closer to S. - KS confirmed that we would still have Lanarkshire as a part of the East of partnership - KS suggested Skirling may become isolated if we don’t join the project

ACTION POINTS:

 Skirling needs a co-ordinator to liaise in emergencies and deputies to assist  KM and Helen Savage are happy to be co-ordinators, all community council members and co- opted members agreed to act as deputies

Skirling Community Council, c.o. Sara van der Vat | The Stables, The Smithy, Skirling, Biggar, MNL12 6HD | 01899 860 240 2. Kirstanne Mcdowall & Gillian Wilson, SSE Kirstanne and Gillian updated the CC on the build of the new wind turbines in the Clyde Extension Project. Of note:

 Project will be starting in June  Construction traffic will travel via the A701 and the turbines will go via the A702  Community Engagement will include a CC Liaison Group if enough people are interested – Skirling CC confirmed interest. To be held in the main site office.  A project mailing list is to be set up with regular updates on the project  Cllr WA requested further information on the new Sustainable Development Fund

ACTION POINTS:  SSE to let SV know re dates for Clyde Open Day, so SV can put up on website  Skirling CC to provide representative for liaison group o AC agreed to attend meetings on CC behalf o Kirstanne to confirm meeting dates  Project mailings can go via the Skirling database (KS to email to SV to circulate)  Kirstanne to send information about the fund to Cllr WA and SV to circulate (received)

Meeting Minutes 29th January 2015

 Approved by AC

Matters Arising

The Burn Inspection Bob Hunter reported back following an inspection of the burn in February with Duncan Morrison from SBC:  Concerns were raised about Kirkcroft and 2 bridges o There are 18 culverts in total o 8 houses are vulnerable, so we are not high in council flood management due to limited budgets o Duncan Morrison proposing to pull in technical consultants o Failed to raise £14k for study via the SSE funding  Cllr WA confirmed that the burn is council responsibility only where it goes under the road o The Cllr suggested it becomes a community project to get permission from owners and replace the bridges, perhaps using windfarm funding

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ACTION POINTS:

 Bob Hunter to consult with Ciara from SSE, who requested the study, and suggest instead using our local knowledge to deal with problem areas  The CC could then get costs and equipment (discounts via Resilient Communities) o Offer the solutions to the owners of the problem areas/vulnerable houses o AC to quote on costs for bridges and dredging o BH to get owner details  CC to contact SEPA with plans  CC agreed it was time to take the burn off the agenda and deal with it separately

Play Park CM confirmed that there was going to be a Play Park meeting on the 2nd April and she will report back in May.

Community Broadband No new updates. SV to stay in touch with Gordon Hughes.

Community Path to Broughton RL and IH are dealing with this and talking with Broughton.

War Memorial/Village in Bloom  We have 27 half barrels scattered throughout the village, most of which need replacing  We are not entering Village in Bloom this year

ACTION POINTS:  Half barrels are now very expensive, so Bob to look into raised beds (information sent)  Planning group to be formed (using gardening database – SV)

Defib Training RL to provide Heather’s contact details to SV.

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SBC Updates Cllr WA updated the CC on SBC matters:

 Cllr WA suggested strongly that the CC sends someone to attend the Forum Meetings: o Only held 4 x a year, from 6-9pm o Great way to find out what the council is up to and meet other CC activists o There are good presentations and opportunity to find out more about council spend on NHS etc. o Next meeting 27th May in Peebles  Cllr WA is Older People’s Champion and keeps an eye on the local care homes. Whim Hall doing well. ACTION POINTS:

 Cllr WA suggested CC co-opts a new member to attend meetings on CC’s behalf

Next CC Meeting:

 28th May (AGM)

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