Ron Smith

Over the past year, I’ve been trying to promote changes to Drumlanrig Square and to the upper part of Beaconsfield Terrace, for safety reasons. These are described earlier on this blog. Progress has however been slow! At Beaconsfield Terrace, more signage has been erected, and has been refreshed on the road surface, to highlight the 20 mph speed limit. Initially it had been hoped to extend the pedestrian barrier futher down the hill to restrict casual crossing at the wide junction , but this was said by locals to have the potential for creating problems, especially on the days when refuse or recyclates were to be uplifted. Comments more recently seem to suggest that greater police involvement is needed at this point, as it is the speed and style of driving which is being highlighted, as well as the number of drivers using mobile phones. Speed bumps are also being looked for but the advice from Roads officials is that these would be unacceptable at this particular location, as they create noise problems for adjacent residents but also because drivers in turning the corner would be crossing them at an angle and therefore four wheels would be individually bumping across them rather than two sets, again adding to the noise disturbance.

At Drumlanrig Square, the road layout plans are pretty well finalised and it is the parking situation which is causing the delay. Residents and business proprietors have made clear that they do not want any less parking than was previously available. On the east side of the Square, two scenarios are possible and these are being examined to decide which would allow maximum parking while allowing deliveries to businesses and the free movement of buses. I feel it is better to take longer to study the scheme than to make mistakes and have to go back to the drawing board!

So what’s been happening? It’s been a bit quieter recently as Council has had a summer recess, and therefore there has been no need to go across to Newtown St Boswells several times each week. That’s allowed me to catch up in several ways with outstanding business and other things. Much appreciated as I don’t like to feel I’m always running to catch up!

Two ongoing issues have been noticeable: flooding and planning.

There have been several scares over flooding – once in Hawick itself but the others in Newcastleton, along the B6357 between Hewisbridge and Saughtree, and in the Teviothead – Carlenrig area. The reasons for the incidents have been quite varied – heavy rainfall, blocked drains, felled trees washed down and blocking bridges – but the outcomes of immediate distress and ongoing anxiety are identical. Plans are progressing quite quickly for action on the drains and intervening ditches in Newcastleton, but the division of costs has still to be finalised. Plans in the Hawick area focus on lower Mansfield and include the removal of the remains of Weensland Cauld, as well as progressing flood alleviation channels, higher level routes between bunds, to catch floodwater and send it further downstream instead of spilling over surrounding land. Where rivers go through farmland, responsibility for protection lies with the landowner, although SEPA is likely to have a view! Discussions I’ve attended recently seem to be reopening the possibility of upstream action on floods, catching the water in land which can safely be flooded, to reduce the peaks arriving in towns and villages.

Planning matters are also varied. Permissions have already been granted for many blocks of housing in the Hawick area, but others arrive in the system every week. Naturally neighbours of the sites are usually very concerned at the potential changes to their situation. If an application meets the requirements of planning policies there can be little scope for withholding permission, as this would just be overturned later on appeal. The most common grounds for refusal are loss of amenity for neighbours, overdevelopment of a site, or parking and access problems. Possibly the most frequent issue is an application for new housing in the countryside, where very specific rules apply. Recently a Reporter appointed to handle an appeal against refusal of permission to develop an eight-apartment block in Oliver Crescent made points very strongly against the (in)appropriateness of the planned building which would be in a Conservation Area, commenting also on the parking problems. The strength of his opposition to the proposal might provide a precedent which would support Councillors in turning down schemes which they might consider unacceptable. Approval by SBC’s Planning Committee of the Sports & Leisure Club building conversion to ten flats has made front page news, but here different policies apply in that conversion of existing town centre buildings is favoured (compared to demolition and new build). No parking will be provided however and that will threaten to put pressure on nearby on-street spaces. I tried to engineer a condition of approval which would state that advertising of the flats must emphasise that parking was not available so that buyers were fully aware of the situation.

On 4^th July Ron was one of a delegation of council representatives from both sides of the Scottish border who were joined by the Bishop of Carlisle for a meeting in London with ITV’s regional director Michael Jermey, director of public affairs Nigel Warner, regional director of Tyne Tees and Border Graeme Thompson, and executive director of ITV Border Paddy Merrall.

All parties agreed that the meeting was a constructive one and gave an opportunity to clarify the reasons for ITV’s proposed changes and their potential impact on the region. Tim Stoddard, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said:
“Lookaround is one of the most valued and well-loved of any of ITV’s regional news programmes. The depth of support for its local coverage is proved time and time again in both the audience viewing figures and our own surveys of local people. Losing Lookaround would have a major impact on the identity of the region. Today’s meeting has helped quantify some of the economic and social effects of the proposed ITV changes and has also been an extremely useful guide to the rationale behind the proposed regulatory changes. We have agreed to meet again with ITV so that we can prepare a fully-informed response once the next stage of Ofcom’s consultation begins in September.”

Ron felt this was a useful meeting. It gave an opportunity for these councils to come together making common cause to protect their own regional news programme. The plans envisage a 6 minute opt out at 6.05 pm from the Gateshead originated news programme. This opt out would cover the whole of South of Scotland, while Cumbria would have their own opt out at this point. The group were promised that any major story for the area – i.e. of wider regional interest - would be covered in the remaining 24 minutes of the programme. Similarly there would be a 9 minute news programme for each area at the close of the national 10.00 pm news. The success or failure of the proposal would be measured by local residents in Teviotdale or Liddesdale by the amount of news coverage of Newcastle or Middlesborough for example, which would be of little interest within the Borders.

While the greater scheme of amalgamation of Border and Tyne Tees seems to be established (led by cost savings), Ron, who was accompanied by Douglas Scott from SBC’s Chief Executive’s office, believes that the points for pushing are

• an increase in the opt out allocation from 6 to 15 minutes (as this will include both Borders and Dumfries & Galloway

• the retention of a news-gathering facility in the Borders are, responding to local events

• a commitment by the amalgamated company to producing feature programmes of Borders interest, such as in the Reivers series.

Further meetings will be taking place.

Five of Hawick’s councillors sat down on Wednesday 2^nd July to consider their response to the news from Pringle of the proposed shutdown of manufacturing. They each reacted with dismay and expressed concern for the impact on the affected workers and their families but also felt that the news was just the next step in a long history of contraction in the company.

After extended discussion, the team of councillors, in association with Bryan McGrath of SBC’s Planning & Economic Development staff, had prepared an action plan which lays out their points of concern as well as areas where they are demanding supportive action from Scottish Borders Council and from Scottish Government.

1. Assurances are sought from Pringle that Head Office and Design functions will remain in the town.

2. The councillors stressed their intention that the Glebe Mill site should remain zoned as employment land in the future.

3. They emphasised the need to make additional employment land available, whether brownfield or greenfield, and that additional financial resources would be required to deliver this.

4. They agreed that the redevelopment of Commercial Road should be accelerated, with appropriate land transactions completed, development briefs agreed and planning applications lodged.

5. The councillors felt that further investment in infrastructure was critical, and look for work being brought forward on Borders railway, the A7, broadband etc., and on the investigation of biofuel and other energy projects: all of which aimed at making the Borders more competitive.

6. They demanded that Government consider locating Government jobs in the town, particularly for any new agency being set up.

7. Within the textile sector, and to support remaining businesses, they seek to develop new marketing approaches, building on the success of the cashmere Club – targeting export markets. They also look to Higher and Further Education institutions to work with local industry to provide required skills for the workforce and to help spin-off businesses.

8. They finally stated their wish to be part of the Government’s Small Towns Support Initiative which supports the regeneration of small towns, and focuses particularly on town centre investment.

This discussion, and the ensuing Action Plan, was all preparation for the five councillors – Zandra Elliot, Stuart Marshall, Davie Paterson, Ron Smith, and George Turnbull – to meet later on Wednesday afternoon with Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney, who was accompanied by Christine Graham MSP and John Lamont MSP. David Hume, Chief Executive of SBC, and two Union representatives were also present.

Councillors opened by stressing the ongoing history of job losses in Hawick and in the surrounding area, and invited Mr Swinney to comment on the position. The Minister stated there were three aspects to consider: could closure of Pringle manufacturing be resisted, could the affected workers be absorbed elsewhere in the industry, and could a wider programme of support for employment in the area be developed? The first was not thought to be feasible. The second aspect would be explored through Union and SBC / SEB support teams. Cllr. Marshall and the Union representatives examined these points in detailed questioning with the Minister.

Mr Swinney began looking at the wider picture by emphasising that it was not beneficial to have an overheating Edinburgh economy while the remainder of Scotland was in ‘the deep freeze’’. He said that steps had to be taken to support the remaining companies in the textile sector, through skills development, access to support services, and through cooperation within the Textile Forum. It was also necessary to encourage other employers to move into the Borders, for example through the reshaping of programmes for capital investment, and through SEB initiatives, and he mentioned that the recent reduction in small business rates should help. Cllr. Smith commented that the threshold for businesses to benefit from this scheme was set too low and should be reviewed, and Mr Swinney and Ms Graham accepted that the scheme would be revisited.

Mr Hume pointed out the potential for innovative development work, combining textile technology with that in other Borders industries, and the Minister responded that the Government did indeed want to give local authorities incentives to take innovative action on business development.

In considering the points raised on the councillors’ Action Plan, he stated that the Scottish Biomass Scheme might allow the Government to make a contribution if this was pursued, and that he hoped to work with the Scottish Public Pensions Agency at Tweedbank to extend the range of work being covered, bringing potential for more employment there. He also emphasised the importance of the college infrastructure.

Cllr. Turnbull, in the chair, thanked the Minister for his visit, which Cllr. Paterson had helped to arrange. Cllr. Elliot then obtained a commitment from Mr Swinney to return in a few months time to consider progress. In conclusion, Mr Swinney said he had wanted to come for a first hand view, that he had a list of actions to take away. Proper support was required for those affected, other textile companies should be supported through the Textile Forum, and developments in other sectors of the local economy also required support.

Ron was present at Holyrood on the evening of Wednesday 25^th 2008 for a reception for South of Scotland textiles firms, hosted by South of Scotland Lib Dem MSP Jim Hume. The networking event was attended by the Enterprise Minister, Jim Mather. Ron had the opportunity to speak with representatives of the local factories, and of Scottish Enterprise, and was told of their successes and of some points which they would like addressed. It was an excellent evening, with many of those present commenting that it was good that politicians were showing interest in the industry.

Jim said “Organising the reception was a great pleasure and hugely important because we need to constantly highlight the excellent quality of the textiles industry in Scotland. The textiles industry represents a significant part of Scotland’s economy and this is particularly true in the South of Scotland whose economy is more reliant on manufacturing and land based activities than in the national context, and so it’s crucial to support, retain and develop this traditional industry.

“It’s clear that there are challenges – other parts of Europe and markets further a field are more cost competitive. Scottish design talent and the range of innovative and high quality textiles being produced in Scotland continues to go from strength to strength. Therefore competing on quality and design would seem a sensible conclusion. In the same way that Scotland produces some of the best quality food and drink in the world, I hope that the textiles industry will further excel on the already excellent range and high quality of products sold in and out of Scotland so that we build on our international renown.

“And we need to make sure that our marketing is spot on so that we take every advantage to build on opportunities at home and abroad. I know that Scottish Textiles has been doing a lot of work in that area and I saw quite a few companies from the Cashmere Club, an excellent initiative started in 1998. This initiative recognised that it’s not two companies competing against each other in the same town that we have to address, but the challenge of World competition, as the world becomes smaller with globalisation and competitive advantage of nations.

The MSP continued: “I was delighted to see Hawick and Langholm firms displaying a selection of their excellent products. The House of Cheviot, Peter Scott, Lochcarron, Johnston’s and Hawick Knitwear all from Hawick and Reid & Taylor of Langholm each had tables displaying their products and it was wonderful to see such top quality items on show. It’s really important to keep the focus on the textiles industry and I’ll be taking every opportunity to do so through representations to the Scottish Government.”

For some time, I have been concerned about road safety in the Drumlanrig Square area. Nearby residents have spoken to me on the subject, and it has also cropped up in connection with Drumlanrig School’s Safer Routes to School discussions.

Problems are mainly at the upper end of the Square, and are likely to become worse when the new housing development there is completed.

• On the eastern side of the Square, there is a Give Way arrangement at the bottom, but not at the top. Neither side has ‘Right of Way’ at this point.

• Unofficial parking happens on the lined triangle at the top of the garden, creating blind spots for drivers, who may not be able to see other traffic approaching up the other side of the Square.

• It is difficult for pedestrians to cross the Square at the top, as it is such a wide area.

• The developments at the West Port and at Drumlanrig Hospital at present each have their own outlet to the wide area at the top of the Square. There are therefore five roads coming together at this point.

• Children walking up through the Square to get to school have to cross a wide opening at this point without the safety of a pavement.

• Parking in the area is important and therefore any suggestions for change had to deliver at least the same number of parking spaces.

I have met several times with the Council’s Roads officials to look at what might be done to make the area safer. Proposals have been amended two or three times to try to deliver a workable scheme which would help road safety while hopefully maintaining an attractive appearance for the Square.

The map shows a possible design for such a road layout. The key point is that it confirms the main route through the Square as being on the west side. The east side would still be entirely accessible for deliveries, buses and for parking, and the West Port and Drumlanrig Hospital developments would meet to give only one junction with the road through the Square.

Please let me know what you think . . . . . .

Do you think this layout is workable, or would you like to suggest changes?

I have delivered a leaflet around homes and businesses nearest to Drumlanrig Square, have spoken to the Hawick News and the suggestions will then be brought to meetings of Teviot & Liddesdale Area Committee and Hawick Community Council.

Constructive comments will be considered as they are received and the proposals ‘tweaked’ where appropriate.

Comments will therefore be welcomed and can be sent by e-mail to rsmith@scotborders.gov.uk

or by post to Cllr. Ron Smith, Scottish Borders Council, Newtown St Boswells, Melrose, TD6 0SA

The 2008 Common Riding has come and gone, and, in the local phrase, it was ‘the best ava”.

The year 1979 saw Ron’s first outing as a mounted follower (behind Cornet David Brown) and his last foray was behind Cornet Bruce Richardson in 2000. The newly appointed Councillor in 2007 then saw things from a different perspective, but this year, as one of the four Bailies, the situation was again very different. Much closer involvement emphasised the traditions and the responsibility of those, like himself, in privileged positions. This was felt most of all at the Singing of the Song in front of the farmhouse at St Leonards after the Friday morning Hut, and at the return of the flag to the Council Chambers on Saturday afternoon. This last is always a sombre occasion when sympathies go out to the Left Hand Man in particular who is ending his association with ‘The Big Three’, but Ron felt that it has also to be seen by the LHM as a moment of success! The time when he takes leave, having completed his mission successfully, and with tremendous credit for a job very well done.

Common Riding time is always special, but the feel-good factor was added to this year by an excellent Cornet in Ben Graham and by the splendid summer weather. The Moor was indeed the location for the best party in the world. Ben had been taken to their hearts by the people of the town, and he will be a tremendous ambassador for Hawick at all the other Borders Ridings and Civic Weeks across the summer.

Meanwhile Ron can look back on a wonderful week. Thank you.

In January, Ron was informed that the minibus service which had been running from Kielder to Hawick on Wednesdays and Saturdays for several years had been withdrawn. This left residents in the Saughtree, Riccarton, Steele Road areas in particular without a link. He had several meetings with those responsible within the council for promoting bus services to press for a replacement service, and arrangements have now been made with Peter Hogg of Jedburgh to provide demand responsive transport between Saughtree and Hawick on Fridays only commencing 6 June. Passengers will have to contact Peter Hogg by telephoning 01835 863755 the day before to request the transport operates. DRT is possibly more commonly referred to as a ‘taxi bus’ service.

The service will leave Saughtree at approximately 11.15 to Hawick arrive 11.55. Return transport will leave from Hawick Mart Street at 13.50.

A leaflet will be produced showing the above information.

A response sent by those council officers to John Lamont MP who recently queried the situation states: ”We have been actively supported …. by Councillor Ron Smith who has provided valuable information at a time when information is at a premium”.

This has been a good outcome, but the service will only succeed if it is used. Please help by spreading news of it.

Hawick & Hermitage councillor Ron Smith met earlier this week with representatives of the Parks and SB Local staffs to work out a Management Plan for the Millers’ Knowes parkland. The hilltop attraction has suffered in recent years from financial cuts and environmental constraints which have seen paths become impassable in wetter conditions and gorse bushes leaving wide areas off-limits. The BMX track, the result of much work by enthusiasts and their parents and once well patronised, has also come to be overgrown by broom plants.

Ron has asked council staff to develop a programme for cutting back the overgrowth and reopening paths. In addition the proposals would see some paths resurfaced with environmentally friendly materials, more litter bins provided, and picnic tables placed at a range of suitable spots. It’s also hoped to extend the steps which already lead part of the way uphill from the Weensland Road gate.

No consideration was given to more formal facilities as the Millers’ Knowes is a natural parkland and it would be inappropriate to introduce artificial features, although the way would still be open for cycling enthusiasts to come forward with a plan for rejuvenating the former BMX track in some form in the future.

The central areas would remain as open grassland, while around the outskirts there would be linked paths for dog walkers and for those seeking exercise.

Ron did however sound a note of warning that users should accept some personal responsibility for keeping the parkland attractive. He stated: ‘ Youths were clearly camping on the hill one Friday evening recently and, while no one would argue with that, the remains of two tents, food containers and broken glass bottles ruined the football field area until council workmen cleared the debris on the Monday’. He went on: ‘Litter can be a major problem, especially when young drivers leave the evidence of their fast-food and their drinks where their cars have been parked on the crest of the hill’.

SB Local staff later took advice from the Council’s Wildlife Officer who advised that extensive cutting of the gorse on the hillside should wait until the end of the breeding season in August. Management of the overgrown pathways can be done now however if completed carefully and with no disturbance of nests.

Recently the main topic has been the Education cuts (or ‘efficiency savings’ as the jargon goes!). Ron worked at Hawick High School for 30 years, the later 18 as assistant headmaster, responsible among other things for liaison with the Primary schools. This also meant that he was closely involved with pupils who were transferring from Wilton’s Special Class into High School, and could then note their progress there. Reductions in DSM (Devolved School Management) budgets, and the threat of closure to Wilton Primary School’s pool, are therefore issues which cause him major concern.

At Council, Ron supported, along with fellow local councillors Zandra Elliot and Stuart Marshall, Davie Paterson’s amendment to the budget which would have seen around half a million pounds taken from reserves to support the schools, and reduce the impact of cuts. This move failed. However the drive for savings was reassessed. Hawick High School still has to make 2% cuts / savings amounting to £86557 (and this must impact on the service to be provided), but the local Primaries saw their position improve, with for example the planned saving of £14918 at Drumlanrig Primary becoming £8951, and £13428 at Trinity becoming £6983. At the smaller schools in Hawick & Hermitage ward, the amounts to be saved are proportionally smaller (but this was always said to be the original intention). At St Margaret’s RC Primary, £380 has to be saved, and at Roberton £181.

Ron has been consistently concerned that the amount which headteachers have been allowed to carry forward from year to the next has stood against them. To drain completely the budget for one financial year by the end of March would require commitments to be made by January, and this does not allow for the unexpected event in February or March. Also, headteachers have perhaps saved from their budgets towards particular projects, such as redecoration of the school, or re-equipping of classrooms, and this ability to manage their budget is being taken away from them. It has been said that, if they can carry forward a large amount of money, they obviously do not need that much in the first place!

It now seems likely that the pool at Wilton will reopen in mid-May and this is to be welcomed. This is very much part of a facility for the Special Class pupils at Wilton, and at Hawick High and for other identified children with particular special needs. The most important thing is to have this pool reopened to meet those needs. The facility is very specialised, and the plans for its reopening identify very specific improvements which are aimed at the needs of the disabled etc. The hoist, the Kiefer board and the general issue of the water temperature are more focused on the disabled. If other young children get to use Wilton Pool, for example to learn to swim, that’s great and is a bonus. Several voices are being heard calling for the pool to be available for a much wider range of children but let’s get it opened, and available as a therapy pool for those in most need and then take it from there.