Meeting No: 266

Minutes of the Community Council meeting held on Tuesday 11th January in Roslin Community Hall.

PRESENT

Council
D. Hogg Chairperson
M. Gordon Vice Chairperson
J. Collins
A. Fleming
F. Renton Transport
M. Ewart Secretary

Public
J. Sharp, M. McFadyen, P.C. L. Murie, F. Waller, C. Penman, Cllr K. McIntosh, Cllr R. Imrie

1 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the January meeting were proposed by D. Hogg and seconded by M. Gordon.

2 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from S. Kay.

3 STATEMENT ON LAST MEETING

3.1 A statement was made by J. Collins with regards to conduct at the previous meeting. A copy of this statement is attached and the chairperson wishes all members of the committee to take it into consideration
3.2 Cllr K. McIntosh made an apology to the committee and also made a personal apology to J. Collins with regards to conduct at the last meeting.

4 POLICE REPORT

4.1 During the month of December there were 7 reported crimes. 4 of these were in Bilston and the remainder in Roslin. 5 of these crimes have been solved.
4.2 P.C. Murie provided at breakdown of crimes in the area over the last year. Overall there were 132 crimes with 37 being solved. Compared to 2003 there was a 10% fall in reported crimes and a 5% fall in crimes solved.
4.3 D. Hogg informed P.C. Murie of a black labrador that is running stray in Bilston. P.C. Murie is aware of the dog and is looking in to the matter.
4.4 M. Gordon informed P.C. Murie that people leaving Bilston Church at night are receiving hassle from some local youth.
4.5 P.C. Murie left a copy of the Midlothian Rural Voice booklet for the committee to look at. This is to be returned to her.

5 MIDLOTHIAN LOCAL PLAN REVIEW

5.1 The date for consultation forms to be retuned to Midlothian Council has been extended to 21 January 2005. This is due to new sites being identified in the area.
5.2 F. Renton attended a travelling workshop at Greenbank. The following main issues were noted;
" More land was proposed than was required
" The development is to be spread out across all of Midlothian not just our area
" The development would require two new primary schools and a secondary school
" Council have no influence over pressure on public transport
F. Renton will be attending a meeting with Archie Pacey on 19 January 2005.

6 TREASURERS REPORT

The balance on 24 December 2004 was £585.27.

7 TRANSPORT REPORT

Nothing to report.

8 ENVIROMENT REPORT

Nothing to report.

9 PLANNING

9.1 Grosvenor Technopole Investment Ltd, 22 Alva Street, Edinburgh. Alteration to existing building at Bush House, Bush Farm Road, Bilston. No opposition.
9.2 Mr and Mrs Sinclair, erection of porch at 36 Pentland View Terrace, Roslin. No opposition.
9.3 Mr and Mrs G Walker, erection of front porch at 54 Rosabelle Road, Roslin. No opposition.
9.4 Mr and Mrs Norrie, erection of porch and sunroom at 18 St Clair Crescent, Roslin.

10 CORRESPONDENCE

10.1 Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe - Promotional Calendars
10.2 Midlothian Council - Midlothian Schools Plus Programme Newsletter
10.3 Scottish Executive - Rights of Appeal in Planning
10.4 Midlothian Council - Minutes of Cabinet Meetings
10.5 Midlothian Council - Freedom of Information Act in Midlothian Council
10.6 Bilston Clinic, Practice Manager

11 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11.1 The matter of dog fouling was raised. R. Imrie advised the committee to compile a list of suggested sites for dog fouling bins and send the list to R. Page, Midlothian Council. Sites to be noted at next meeting.
11.2 F. Renton raised to matter of the increasing number of potholes on the Langhill road and pavement. M. Ewart to write to R. Page, Midlothian Council suggesting complete re-surfacing.
11.3 F. Waller informed the committee that a new Sunday café will be running in Bilston Glen on the last Sunday of each month.

12 NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on 1 March 2005 at 8.00pm in Roslin Community Hall.

The meeting closed at 9.35pm

CONDUCT AT DECEMBER MEETING
Statement by J. Collins made on Tuesday 11 January 2005

I would like, before we proceed with tonight's meeting to discuss with yourself and other members of the community council, last months meeting which tool place in Bilston.

As far as I was led to believe we as elected community council members has a duty to act in a responsible and professional manner and as representatives of the community to treat members of the public with courtesy and respect whether we agree with their point of view or not. Sadly there was a lack of both shown at last months meeting.

Certain members of the committee displayed what I considered to be unprofessional behaviour during conversation which at points contained what I believe to be disparaging remarks. These remarks served no purpose other than to generate an atmosphere entirely non conclusive of rational debate.

I think we all could use a little work on our committee skills particularly our non verbal ones. I find that sighing; throwing oneself back into a seat; rolling eyes; whispering to other members causes major distraction from the point being discussed and leaves people thinking that no-one is interested or that no-one on the community council can conduct themselves appropriately. Members of the public must walk away remembering only that part of the meeting, not what was being discussed and believing that their own point of view was not considered. I am talking from a personal experience because that was how I left the meeting feeling. I can also state that the other emotion I felt was embarrassment - both to myself and for the community council as a whole.

No-one likes to be patronised and I certainly refuse to be now or in the future. I have five children which some of you have met because I have to bring them along to the meeting because I have no other form of childcare, but these children are members of our community and have a right to be their.

Because I have five children I have the ability to listen to 5 different conversations at once, remember the pertinent points of those conversations and make appropriate decisions almost immediately. This is a skill that I certainly utilise well in recent community council meetings, particularly last months.

I also have 20 years experience as a psychiatric nurse and have attended, family meetings, union meetings, support group meetings, need I go on. In those 20 years I can honestly say I have never left any of those meeting feeling as I did last month.

My initial decision was to resign but I was persuaded not to do so as this was felt to be an extreme reaction. Some of you may feel that standing here before you is an extreme reaction but I feel a duty both to myself and to the members of the community I represent to bring this up for discussion and the following points;

1 All points of the meeting are to be directed through the chair.

2 To conduct the meeting in an appropriate manner.

ROSLIN AND BILSTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTICE OF MEETING

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 1 February 2005 at 8.00pm in Bilston Pavilion.

AGENDA

1 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

2 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received in advance from M. Ewart, S. Kay and P.C. L. Murie.

3 POLICE REPORT

4 MIDLOTHIAN LOCAL PLAN REVIEW

Report from F. Renton about meeting with A. Pacey.

5 TREASURERS REPORT

6 TRANSPORT REPORT

7 ENVIRONMENT REPORT

8 PLANNING

9 CORRESPONDENCE

10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11 NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 1st March, 8.00pm in Roslin Community Hall.

End.