DENHOLM FEUARS’ AND HOUSEHOLDERS’ COUNCIL
A REGISTERED SCOTTISH CHARITY: CHARITY NO SC042692
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD IN DENHOLM VILLAGE HALL, ON
TUESDAY 20th JUNE 2023 at 7.00pm
PRESENT: Scott Tait (Chair), Chris Ryde (Vice Chair) Doreen Biggar (Secretary/Treasurer) John Biggar, Rae Cleghorn, Adam Massey, Vicky Oswald,
George Thom,
IN ATTENDANCE: Gordie Campbell, Doug Crew, Gwen Crew, Lynn Ferguson
APOLOGIES: None
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 24.05.2023:
These were approved after mistake of venue corrected. Proposed by Rae Cleghorn Seconded by Chris Ryde
MATTERS ARISING: There were no matters arising from last open meeting but minutes from council only meeting on 15.05.2023 had not been approved at an open meeting.
Matters arising from meeting on 15.05.2023:
E V CHARGING POINTS: Discussion on income wrongly minuted at meeting held on 15.05.2023 the proposal being any charges income derived should go into a Special Community Fund not Community Council as minuted. This to be corrected.
RIDE-OUT REPORT 2023
As Secretary & Treasurer of DF & HC I trust you all had a very enjoyable day, both villagers and our visitors from Hawick to which is affectionately termed the Denholm common Riding.
It was good to see everyone mixing on the Green, picnicking and enjoying the sunshine. The changed parking arrangement which allowed more space in the corner of the green used for viewing, presentations, pipe band and fun fair seemed to work very well with no complaints.
Financially the day was a success with Income from Gate & Gazabos £1,489
Traders 300
Refund for Toilet 120
£1,909
Expenses Toilets £ 984
Skip 285
General 102 1,371
This showing a surplus of £ 538
possibly slightly concerning given the perfect conditions. I know there has been plenty of talk in the past that the Common Riding Committee or the Ride Out Committee should be subsidising the Ride Out but reading this week’s Hawick Paper you will note they have their own problems regarding funding and costs. Even obtaining some funding from them would it help us? Or as I expect we would then be expected to reduce or not charge for parking which would leave us no better off with the same work involved.
Finally, and most important a thanks to the small but willing bank of helpers, Charlie, Scott, Chris, John, George, Rae, Christie, Vicky and Helen.
Thanks must also go to Sid, his part in organising presentations and to Fox & Hounds, Auld Cross Keys and Hawick Scout Pipe Band who all contributed to a successful day.
Further discussion ensued with Gordie commenting on many past issues. Gwen noted one problem which was Common Riding Officials ignoring No Parking Cones and parking in front of church. Better liaison with Common Riding Committee required for another year.
Doreen to simplify report and send for circulation in next village newsletter.
Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 20th June 2023 cont’d
E V CHARGING POINTS REPORT:
Dale Ploughman, Vice Chair of Denholm & District Community Council, gave an update via email on where matters stood with the E V Chargers Project.
Scottish Power is currently in the process of arranging for formal surveys to take place in order to get the designs and accurate pricing.
Once this has taken place, Scottish Power will then confirm whether the proposal is viable.
If proposal is a go, then Scottish Power will issue designs and lease agreements for the respective locations.
Scottish Power like to see the Title Deeds for the various locations. This will allow them to mark-up exactly which parcels of land Scottish Power would be leasing. Once the agreement has been reached, Scottish Power will register the leased parcels with the Land Register, so that they will be liable for business rates.
Once Scottish Power has assembled the team of civil engineers and electricians, they will let us know when they propose to visit the sites.
DEAN REPORT: Denholm Dean Sub Committee Notes – 12/06/23
Present: V Oswald, C Ryde, G Ferguson, T Sellar + G Wilson
Absent: J Patterson
AP1- C Ryde to contact SBC regarding core paths and check insurance includes dean.
-Insurances to be checked including an understanding of liabilities and maintenance.
-Secretary confirms dean is included in insurance. To be discussed at 15th meeting.
-Susan Gray SBC access officer contacted. A date has been set to meet with her on the green (26th at 2pm).
– Confirmation in writing that SBC are responsible for core path and a dialogue to be opened as to reporting issues to SBC for maintenance.
-Land is confirmed as not registered but as having been submitted back in 2019 by solicitor.
AP2- G. Ferguson to contact visitor services of FLS for advice.
-Kate Jarvis is contact at FLS and she also confirmed SBC are responsible for core paths. Its notes FLS grade their paths but SBC do not and would prefer not to.
AP3 – Signs to be produced for main access point- V Oswald and T Sellar working on this.
-Application form and 2 quotes must be supplied to CC, then approved by Foundation Scotland if over a threshold of £900.
-Sign will be approx. A1 in size and will be produced by us to reduce costs. Quotes being obtained likely cost £1000-£1200 from design supplied by us or c. £1500 if designed by sign maker.
-Quotes and type of finish to be discussed by subcommittee before funding application.
-also discussed just 1 sign at main entrance rather than 1 at each entrance.
– If anyone has any images of plants animals etc please pass these on.
– V Oswald’s niece is a graphic designer and has volunteered to help her with the sign.
-Examples provided by SBC of Bowden moor signs for comparisons.
AP4 -2 years accounts for application and confirm a contribution to be given by the council.
-C Ryde to discuss on Thursday 15th meeting and provide signed accounts for application.
AP5 – Benches to be included in application process.
-G Wilson raised the need for benches and subcommittee agreed.
-Number, location and style to be agreed by subcommittee and worked up alongside signs.
Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 20th June 2023 cont’d
Dean Report cont’d
AP6 – G Wilson agreed to engage with the school and intro with J Patterson
-School to be engaged so we can gain a comprehensive understanding for the objectives within management plan. An understanding of what they use dean for and desires going forward.
AP7 – C Ryde to discuss wider Community engagement with CC
-The event is called a ‘place maker/holder’ and is supported by SBC. It is agreed we should engage alongside other groups in the village and work together on this as we all should have same objectives.
-New date to be proposed for meeting as it clashed with 20th meeting.
-Wider community engagement to be undertaken to gain comprehensive understanding for the objectives within management plan
AP8 – V Oswald to research Community Woodlands Association.
-Membership to join is £10 but there is no real benefit to joining them yet.
-It was agreed a better relationship should be formed with BFT and will be taken forward.
AP9 – G Ferguson & C Ryde to lead on progressing felling of Sitka S.
– Sitka has formed only approx. 40% canopy cover and indicates these trees are dying due to Dinocton’s micans.
– the application and process to have these trees removed should be completed this winter.
-G Ferguson to liaise with Malcom and Scottish Power.
-G Wilson will produce a video with subcommittee members to tell community why this needs done and will be published on FB/website.
AP10 – local Red Squirrel group should be engaged.
-connection to be made with local red squirrel group.
Next subcommittee meeting for 24th July?
A general discussion followed. Gordie asked if follow up should involve Upper Dean.
Vicky answered that this matter would be considered when appropriate. She then passed round details of Draft Signage.
Chris also commented on various Forestry Commission Grant Schemes that may be available.
The work being carried out by Chris, Vicky and other Sub Committee members very much appreciated.
PLACEMENT MEETING: Denholm & District Community Council have organised a meeting for Monday, 26th June 2023 with Community Councillors in attendance.
It was agreed other bodies such as DF&HC should give input. Hopefully DF&HC office bearers will able to attend this meeting but unfortunately this meeting clashes with planned holidays. The aims and purpose of this briefly discussed.
CAR BOOTS REPORT 2023
The following Car Boot Sales are organised to be held on Village Green from 8.00am on Sundays. Charges are £10 per Car and £15 per Van except June Car Boot which is being held in conjunction with Jimmy Guthrie Run where charges are £5 per Car and £10 per Van.
June 18th Jimmy Steel organising Car Boot and Jimmy Guthrie Run
This has now been held and appeared to be very successful.
July 16th Being organised by ourselves
August 27th Being held in conjunction with Hizzy Run organised by Wendy Oliver. Car Boot being organised by ourselves. With regard to this it was pointed out that it was essential that Car Boots were not placed along School Side of Green. John agreed he would discuss this with Wendy.
Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 20th June 2023 cont’d
Car Boot Report cont’d: Many thanks to Julie for sharing post on facebook to:
Markets, Fairs, Car Boots and Crafts in the Borders: Scottish Borders Noticeboard
Car Boots & Markets in Scottish Borders Area: What’s on Scottish Borders
Also thanks to Gwen for her help.
OTHER BUSINESS:
PLOT 1: It was noted this needed Tidying up. This was being looked into and necessary work would be carried out soon.
Following on from this Gordie made reference to the whole area around Bottle Bank was a disgrace and required immediate work. Lynn also noted trees at top of path were seen as a problem and required checking.
Council agreed to investigate all these issues and also to check on any grants available.
Referring back to Plot 1 there was a brief discussion on future use and although village consulted on ideas no real suggestions were forthcoming which could also generate income.
PLOT 3: Doreen as Secretary & Treasurer reported that herself and John, past chair, discussed this with Vice Chair Chris and his wife Christie that this plot had been vacant since January and was badly in need of work. From this discussion as living nearby and not have a large garden they said they would be interested in tidying this up and lease for their use. This was agreed at Council Members Meeting as a problem solved in the continuing upkeep problems of DF&HC properties.
At this meeting, first Adam commented on conflict of Interest similar to problem he had two years back with plot 1. This was followed by comment from Gordie on how unethical this was and all leases falling vacant should be fully advertised. It was then agreed that this plot be advertised in next edition of Denholm Newsletter to see if there was any interest.
BONFIRE: With the knowledge that Auld Cross Keys, although willing to contribute to Fireworks they could not be fired as in the past from the back of the hotel. Further discussion took place and regrettably it was agreed the insurance cost and Health & Safety restraints made it impossible for Bonfire to be considered.
FIONA BENTON: It was noted a meeting with Fiona Benton from Borders Community Action was being arranged for early July.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
PUFFIN CROSSING: Gwen stated that SBC Officials and Councillors had cancelled this for various reasons. She also commented on that there was an ongoing situation about the pavement on the green side of road because of the continuing disputed ownership of it which would need to be resolved before any other possible measures considered. It was noted Jane Webster of SBC Legal Department was looking into this. (Following the meeting Scott has checked further and the understanding is that SBC have adopted responsibility for pavement round green. This also includes Douglas Drive.)
OTHER PROBLEMS: Gordie stated the following maintenance issues that required attention. a) Sign on Green near Main Road
- Monument Railings
- Monument Safety inspection and possible repairs
- Trees on Greens and Fisherman’s Car Park
- Path networks, particularly hedging in front of school
These matters all fully noted.
It was also stated by Gwen that Grants from £1,500 – £20,000 may be available from Community Led Local Development (CLLD) Fund.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
This to be confirmed at a later date.
Meeting closed with a Vote of Thanks to the Chair
