Prestonpans Community Council Meeting at
Town Hall on 26th Nov 2024 at 7pm
Present - Community Councillors: Elaine Anderson, Ferhan Ashiq, Prasun Barman, Emma Dodd, Tam Gibbons, DJ Johnston-Smith (Chairperson), Jane Park, Allan Sneddon, Andrew Stevenson, Janis Wilson (Secretary), Jess
Wilson.
Guests – Carla Allan (VCEL), Emma Brown (ELC), Steven Brown (EL Courier), Cllr Lachlan Bruce, Cllr Neil Gilbert
Apologies – Roger Bromley, Tony Leach, Michelle Ritchie
Update on works at former power station site - Graeme Marsden, development project manager at ELC, provided a short update on recent work at this brownfield site to remove the bunds around former coal store and fill hole left by demolition of the power station site. Work has been proceeding at pace and faster than scheduled.
Expect to remove the majority of bunds very soon. There will be a public drop-in event in February for local residents to find out more about work and potential developers for the wider site.
Members pressed him on the future protection of the community orchard. He guaranteed it was safe during “this” round of work but could make no promise for the future. Group were unanimous that this was unacceptable and urged Mr Marsden to take this matter back to their consultant with the clear request that the orchard be
protected from any future development plans.
Battery Storage Facility - Discussion was had by members and public guests about the the proposed battery storage facility at Inglis Farm (between Cockenzie and Prestonpans). There were considerable concerns about potential health and safety issues as well as the wider negative impacts of such a facility.
Action point – Community Council to respond to ongoing consultation against the proposal along same lines as neighbouring community council has done.
Minutes from the Oct Minutes – Jess Wilson proposed, Jane Park seconded.
Matters arising - Question about loss of resource for local services at surgery. Chair spoke to Dr Beedel at Pride of Pans. No further update about improvement in that regard.
Treasurer’s report – pre-circulated via WhatsApp. Ferhan Ashiq agreed to be new treasurer for one year only, while another member shadows. Proposed by DJ Johnston-Smith, seconded by Andrew Stevenson. The chairperson and members thanked Tony Leach for his work as treasurer for the last few years and wished him well for the future.
Councillor's report – Cllr Bruce reported that St Gabriels evacuated due to a gas leak which has now been repaired, Scottish gas to investigate further the following day. One partnership funding open until 2nd December. Monica Patterson is retiring as Chief Exec of ELC. Regarding Harlaw Hill House, a meeting will take place between the
council and lawyers Paris Steel to discuss way forward and Cllr Bruce to update as soon as he has information.
Cllr Gilbert discussed placements for 3 year olds in nurseries - families not getting places in the areas of their choice. Libraries have a problem with reduced hours, real possibility some may close. Suggestion made by members to work on a campaign to increase local use of Prestonpans library to ensure it isn’t lost – Cllr Bruce to look at
the statistics regarding the usage of libraries and send them to Secretary..
Michelle Ritchie pre-submitted a query regarding the long empty house on Dolphinston Way. Cllrs explained the difficulty of doing anything about a privately owned home. Chairperson asked if ELC had applied for any of the Scottish Government £80 million acquisition fund for councils to undertake compulsory purchase orders to
bring empty houses and “voids” back into residential housing stock? Members expressed a strong wish to see this money used to get this and other empty houses filled with families. Cllr Bruce is to investigate matter further.
Area Partnership Update - Emma Brown reported on 16 days of activism to end violence against girls and women in East Lothian event on 2nd of December at Port Seton Centre from 2:00 to 2:30. Martin Whitfield MSP has moved a bill to the Scottish Government regarding youth work in Scotland which is now open for consultation.
Hargreaves were at the last Area Partnership meeting - there is going to be a temporary shopping unit installed at Blindwells. Membership of the Area Partnership is being reviewed. New funding is open until the 20th of December. Balfour Beatty is issuing funding. Sustainable PSG struggling with membership. There has been a meeting with the bowling clubs regarding the maintenance costs of their greens.
VCEL Update - Carla Allan reported that the community mental health and well-being fund closes on Friday at midnight. The VCEL conference, which was good for networking, was well attended. Community training calendar is open - first aid, food hygiene, introduction to fund-raising courses all available.
AELCC membership request - The Association of East Lothian Community Councillors are looking for more attendees. Request made for a volunteer who may like to attend on behalf of Prestonpans CC. No one has capacity at this time.
Social Issues - Police report was pre-circulated to members. No discussion warranted.
Planning issues – Graeme Hutchison mentioned two applications of note, the house on Grant Road and the grey box to be installed on the power station site. Time was short, so members were requested to look at these in their own time and share any thoughts on WhatsApp.
AOCB – None
Meeting ends 9.05pm.
