Minutes 24 08 22

DENHOLM FEUARS’ AND HOUSEHOLDERS’ COUNCIL

A REGISTERED SCOTTISH CHARITY: CHARITY NO SC042692

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD IN VILLAGE HALL, DENHOLM ON

WEDNESDAY, 24^th AUG 2022 at 7.00pm

PRESENT:  Adam Massey (Chair)Estelle Plaskett (Acting Secretary) John Biggar, Doug Crew, George Thom

APOLOGIES:  Scott Tait, Gordon Ferguson, Doreen Biggar

INATTENDANCE: 4 Members of the public

MINUTES OF MEETING held on the 29^th June 2022:

Proposed by John Biggar, Seconded by George Thom

ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING:

• Petanque:   D Crew has excavated by hand a 300mm deep trench along the boundary of the approved plot and has confirmed no tree routes are present, now confirmed by G Crew all planning conditions have now been disposed and approved by SBC for machinery to enter the site.

£8832 has been gifted by foundation Scotland, assuming correct insurance cover is in place, John to confirm – ACTION JB

• Plot 1 : Notification of acceptance received from submission of electrical safety certificate. Public consultation on use of plot 1 continues, no formal responses received at time of meeting.

• Car Boot: The car boot was a success raising £375. David Squirrel submitted comments in regards to the success of the event, and perhaps more volunteers required for car parking at subsequent car boots. Agreed by committee anther car boot will be held on 18^th Sept. John and David to discuss dates for 2023 – ACTION JB/DS

*** Lyne Ferguson joined the meeting ***

• Green Seating: S Mcleod will be delayed in carrying out the agreed works on the green due to mechanical issues with his vehicle, no completion date available however A Massey to chase up. Committee agreed to wait for S Mcleoud . ACTON AM

• Clearing of Cut Branches from path near school: John advised he had walked the path and that branches had been cleared away.  No further action required.

Dean update:

L Ferguson distributed copies of a very comprehensive report created by G Ferguson / C Ryde. Details of this report will be published in due course on the Feuars / Forestry Scotland websites. A discussion of the report ensued, the salient points and agreement as follows:

• Issues in access, a weak bridge, a private water supply, high voltage power lines
• A wildlife survey will require to be conducted
• The core pathways in the Dean will require closure during the works
• Unanimous agreement due to the stability / infestation of many of the trees the felling is now a priority due to the area becoming a safety risk to both core pathways and road users.
• Difficulty in finding contractors willing to take on the work due to issues noted above
• G Ferguson to work with Tillhill to further plans for felling the Dean
• High confidence of the timber returning some monetary income to the Feuars (to be ring fenced as per M Braithwaite deed of gift)
• Public to be informed via various methods in regard to committees plan
• Organisation of a open day to explain our decision making and answer questions

Action:

• LF/AM to complete felling licence application
• GF to approach Forestry Scotland Ranger r.e wildlife survey
• AM to draft public statement for committee approval

Electric Charging Points:

L Ferguson stated the community council is approaching many providers to ascertain how many chargers could be supported on the current village power supply. Discussion ensued in regards to the Feuars offering Fishermans Car Park / Plot1 or the corner of the green opposite the Fox & Hounds to assist in this project.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION:

• Use of green, Pat Sutton requested use of the green for a “fitness boot camp” Pat charges £25pp for the 6 week course. Discussion ensued regarding a suitable charge and whether public liability insurance would be a stipulation in this instance. It was agreed as to not deter users on the green in this case given the small scale of the event Pat would be asked for public liability insurance however it would not be a condition of use. It was also agreed to ask Pat for a donation to the Feuars in this instance as opposed to a set charge.
• Rugby event – Julie Patterson requested use of the green for a juniors rugby event on 21^st Oct. This was agreed
• Haloween – The group organising this years Haloween party requested use of the green to facilitate this on the 31^st October. This was agreed.
• Puffin Crossing – Gwen Crew stated there is a meeting being held in the lesser hall on 14^th September in regard to a proposed puffin crossing on the main street. Gwen also stated this may up bring the disagreement over the ownership of the unpaved “path” adjacent to the green.

OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PLACED ON AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING:

• Denholm Bonfire – The Cross Keys will be doing their firework display on the 4^th November this year due to both Kelso Races and the Folk Festival on the 5^th.

DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS: 11th October 2022 AT 7PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL, DENHOLM.

The meeting closed with a Vote of Thanks to the Chair.