Community Council Updates

Avoid burst pipes this winter

Submitted by graham on Fri, 11/12/2009 - 15:13

Beat the cold, wrap up this winter

Scottish Water's Warm Pipes campaign has been a great success in the last few years and you will see this being re-launched for winter 2009 in early December.

The key message of our campaign is to ensure that all householders are aware of how they can take steps to heat, insulate and protect their homes in this colder weather. Our Warm Pipes campaign offers a number of easy steps to help people beat the cold and wrap up their homes this winter.

Scottish Water’s Customer Service Delivery Director, Peter Farrer (pictured below with Bill) is calling on customers to protect their home this winter in order to avoid the misery caused by burst pipes:

“With Christmas around the corner, we are encouraging householders to wrap up their pipes as well as their presents. Winters have been milder of late, but there’s no telling when temperatures could suddenly plummet.

“The real problems start when temperatures begin to rise again after a cold snap. This can lead to pipes expanding and bursting. That’s why we want customers to get prepared now so that they can enjoy the festive season.

“There can be nothing more chilling than coming home to find your home ankle deep in freezing water and your furniture, carpets and beds all ruined because of a burst pipe. If people follow our simple steps now to heat, insulate and protect their homes, then they can enjoy peace of mind that their home is wrapped up for winter, which in turn will help to reduce the risk of any repair bills for burst pipes.”

For copies of our Warm Pipes leaflet, poster and contact card, which each provide advice and tips on how to protect your home visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/warmpipes.

We are keen that you are aware that this information is being made available to customers online or on request in hard copy. If you would like further information on this seasonal campaign visit the website or if would like hard copies of any of the materials so that you could make these available to householders within your community please feel free to email customermarketing@scottishwater.co.uk details of your request.

Members of your community will also have the chance to receive a free fridge thermometer magnet, if they are one of the first to request warm pipes information from Scottish Water direct.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish you and your community a safe and happy festive season.

Please click here to download a pdf of this message

Christmas Lights

Submitted by graham on Thu, 15/10/2009 - 12:33

It will soon be time to decorate the village with the Christmas lights again. In recent years the Community Council has purchased a number of festoon lights which have been well received. Additionally a switching on evening at which there is music, food and an opportunity to support local businesses with a spot of late-night shopping has been introduced.

The lights will be put up by volunteers on November 14th. If you would like to help this year please contact David Small on 660411 or any member of the Community Council.

The Planning System

Submitted by graham on Thu, 15/10/2009 - 10:04

There have been a number of changes to the Planning process recently.

To assist groups and individuals with the changes the Government have produced a series of publications on their web site; I provide the links to a few of these below.

A guide to the Planning System in Scotland

A guide to Mediation in the planning system in Scotland. Help on how to understand how mediation can be used to enhance the planning process.

Notification of Planning Applications

Circulars explaining the new provisions

Planning Aid: A charitable organisation which provides free, independent advice, information and training on planning and environmental matters for individuals and community groups.

SB Local Plan

Submitted by graham on Wed, 14/10/2009 - 23:43

The Scottish Borders Local Plan has been finalised and is out for consultation.

The Plan can be accessed in Council offices, local libraries and on line here

There is a statutory 6 week consultation period, during which comments will taken in written form.

Objections must be made in less than 2000 words before noon on the 27th November.

Reporting Faults to SBC

Submitted by graham on Thu, 01/10/2009 - 14:51

Scottish Borders Council has a web based system called Local View which allows members of the public to report various types of problems including Road and Road Lighting faults, Cleansing issues, Graffiti and Fly Posting in Public Places, Environmental Health and Fly Tipping etc.

Locations may be identified either by post code, address or by a point on a map. A brief description of the fault or problem with your contact details, if you require follow-up information, can be entered in the system in a matter of a few minutes at any time of the day or night (no need to wait until the office opens in the morning).

From experience, problems may take a week or two to be rectified but they are fixed.

Outdoor Recreational Space Open Meeting 20th May

Submitted by graham on Fri, 08/05/2009 - 19:20

At a recent Community Council meeting several people raised the need for additional outdoor recreational space at West Linton. To try and gauge the opinion of the wider community, the Community Council has agreed to facilitate an Open Meeting, to be held on Wednesday 20th May at 7.30pm in the Graham Institute.

All groups and individuals who use any outdoor space (eg Playing Field, Lower Green, Broomlee Camp etc) are invited to come along and participate in the discussion on the 'Need for additional outdoor recreational space at West Linton.'

If it is agreed there is such a need, then it is hoped interested groups/individuals would form a Sterring Group to co-ordinate the provision of new outdoor recreational space.

If you are unable to attend but want to comment please contact one of the WLCC committee mebers (a list of members is available here and on our Notice Board in the Post Office).

Community Facilities Research

Submitted by graham on Fri, 08/05/2009 - 18:16

The findings of the Community Council led survey into village facilities, social and past-time spaces, has been completed and a report written.

A summary of the main findings and the full report running to 68 pages can be found below.

Notes of the Open Meeting held on Monday 27th April 2009 in the Graham Institute have also been added for download (SCARF_minutes.pdf).

Login or register to post comments
3 attachments

Proposed Amendments to the Structure Plan

Submitted by graham on Fri, 08/05/2009 - 18:03

Scottish Borders Council submitted their proposed amendments to the Structure Plan to the Scottish Government who in turn have made more alterations.

The plan with links to the proposed amendments can be found here. You will have to scroll to the bottom of the page.

Alternatively you can use the Scottish Government's web site where there is an objection form download and an email address if you wish to comment on the alterations.

Any comments must be received by 1st May 2009