Meeting of the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council
Thursday 16 October 2014 at 7:30pm Sports Pavilion, King George V Park, Bonnyrigg Minutes (of first part- Skatepark) Attending Community Councillors: Darius Namdaran (Chair), Elaine Ferguson (Treasurer), Mike Moore, Cam Scot, Brian Scott, Gibby Scott; Ruth Scott, Dougi Stewart, Moira Wilson. Visitors- a number of visitors attended the following provided their names: Paul Glynn; Ian Baxter; Bob Constable; Jordan Paterson; Connor Nelson; Pearce Sheridan; Declan Henderson; Joseph Brennan; Leigh Miller; John Fisher; Stuart Bruce; John White; PC Ian Hutchison Apologies: Apologies were received from Jo Lee, and Derek Milligan. Welcome and Introductions The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised visitors that the Community Council is made up of concerned citizens and its purpose and chief role is representative; to consult the local community and to make known to the local authority and other public bodies the views of local people on all matters affecting them. Discussion about the Skate Park The meeting recognised that Bonnyrigg Skate Park was becoming an increasingly important facility for the young people of Bonnyrigg but that it was not without its teething problems and the Community Council was anxious to find ways to support its safe development for the future. A number of concerned residents, including a number of users of the Skate Park, attended the meeting. In addition, the Community Council had received a number of written representations from local residents who were unable to make the meeting. In general the consensus view was that the Skate Park was a very welcome addition to the facilities provided for young people but that something had to be done to tackle the anti-social behaviour that was being displayed by a small number of young people. Points from residents living close by the park and by parents of young people who use, or might use, the Skate Park:
The young peoples who used the Skate Park added the following points:
The local Councillors were invited to give their views. Bob Constable indicated that he was there to listen to the community views. He reminded the meeting that the Skate Park took a long time to set up, costing significant amounts of money and was a welcome addition to the facilities for young people in the area. He was pleased that so many people had come along to the meeting as he wanted the Skate Park to be a positive thing for Bonnyrigg. Ian Baxter expressed his anger at the way things had turned out. In his view the short sighted decision made by the Council about the future of the Leisure Centre and its refusal to allow the Bonnyrigg Hub was unforgiveable. The decision was not yet final and he urged concerned citizens to write to the Leader of the Council demanding that the building be handed over to the community. In his view, the use of this building in the way envisaged would go a long way to supporting the young people using the Skate Park. The proposal for the Hub would have been cost free to the Council; instead the Council was having to spend untold sums of money sorting out the problems at the Skate Park. Derek Milligan had given his apologies for the meeting but had send a message indicating that there were plans to pressure wash the graffiti, the area would be inspected weekly and there would be extra litter patrols. Police: PC Ian Hutchison indicated that the police were aware of the problems at the Skate Park and that Police Scotland was working in partnership with other agencies (Community Learning and Development; Mid and East Lothian Drug and Alcohol Partnership; Local Councillors and the Land and Countryside Manager for Midlothian) to tackle the issues. He tabled the attached paper detailing the action which was already in hand, including improved lighting which was expected to be in place by the end of October. However, he indicated that, according to police statistics, the Skate Park was an area of reducing problems over the last few months. He reminded residents that they needed to report problems to the police when they happened so that they were aware of the extent of the problems that needed to be addressed. The following action points were agreed:
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AuthorBonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council Archives
September 2021
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