Minutes of a meeting of Directors held on Thursday 10th June 2021
at Dunbar Battery
Directors:
Alasdair Swan (Chair); Dave Dunbar; Paul Ingram; Tania King;
Eric Robertson; Yvonne Wemyss;
Apologies: Alastair Cook; Paddy Crerar; Kenny Maule; David Nairn;
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1 Minutes of the previous meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 13th May 2021 were approved. |
Matters completed –
Matters still in progress –
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2. Port Marine Safety Code Incident Log Review The harbour master reported that youths were using the net drying poles to climb up on top of the roofs of the new stores under the Maggie. He recommended that the relevant pole should be removed. Although there had been demand for these poles the harbourmaster was unconvinced that there was any significant use of them. The recommendation was accepted and will now be actioned.
Following the recent visit of the Fire Authorities to McArthur’s Store, the fire risk assessment was reviewed and updated, together with the fire policy and emergency procedures. The major risk to be addressed is the blocking of the corridor with tenants’ equipment and creels, and work will be done to improve procedures for those who might find it difficult to evacuate the building in a hurry. Safe refuges are to be identified.
Risk Assessment Review The following risks were assessed –
No changes are to be made to these risk assessments. |
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3 Finance Report
A. May management accounts: The May report had been circulated prior to the meeting.
B. Replacement van: The market for secondhand vans is proving to be difficult. It was agreed that a pick-up truck will be more useful for the harbourmaster and the Board will adjust the budget once an appropriate van has been sourced.
C. Year-end accounts The statutory accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021 have been independently examined. The Board authorised the Chairman to sign the accounts on behalf of the Trust and these will now be lodged with Companies House and OSCR. |
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4. Harbour Management Committee |
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Harbour wall survey |
This has been commissioned under the guidance of Robin Hamilton. Arch Henderson will do the work to ensure consistency of approach. An application is being made to Marine Scotland for funding to help with the wall repairs. |
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Wall paintings and drawings |
Artwork on the North Wall was discussed in the context of chalk drawings to celebrate Pride month. It was decided to stick to the agreed plan of using the North Wall to exhibit the paintings of the Primary 5 children (an example of which was circulated at the meeting) and to hold a competition for an Adult painter to exhibit at the start of the 2022 season. The plan would be to have an adult exhibition between April and June each year, followed by a Primary 5 exhibition between July and September. Thereafter, overtopping becomes a regular issue for any artwork. The offer of chalk drawings will be politely declined. |
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Smart meters |
Smart meters are to be installed on 11th June in the Harbourmaster’s Office and on the South Pier. |
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Dunbar against litter notice |
A Dunbar against litter notice has been submitted for consideration by Zero Waste. It was suggested that the Harbour Trust logo should be added to any such notice and that the matter should be referred to Yvonne to ensure that it is consistent with the Trust’s policy. |
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Double yellow lines |
The option of introducing double yellow lines at the entrance to Victoria Harbour will be discussed with East Lothian Council. |
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Bollards by the Broadhaven slipway |
A proposal is being developed to introduce better bollards to separate off visitors who are using the retail sites from passing traffic. The RNLI will be involved to ensure that they are comfortable with any such proposal. |
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Fisher Lassie |
Gordon Easingwood is retiring. Fisher Lassie is to be sold and an application from a new owner will be put before the Management Committee in due course. |
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5. Land Extension Committee |
The Land Extension Committee has met, not always together, and early thoughts were tabled at the meeting. The Chairman has been asked to give the Committee some additional information. |
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6. Retail |
Big Blu Sea Big Blu Sea has been operating successfully since Sat 22nd May. Chris has experienced a few minor teething issues. However, most of these have been business or equipment matters. He plans to install a larger, fixed, and lidded bin in the near future, which will be clad in the same wood as the container, to provide a secure and more suitable waste disposal area. |
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Blue Wild Alan Stewart has commenced business at the harbour and has reported business is doing well. One customer enjoyed her trip to Bass Rock so much that she delayed her return to Russia to enable a further trip the following day! No issues have been raised by harbour users. |
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Tasty Toastie Barry Buglass has twice notified the Chairman about his inability to pass with a vehicle on the South Quay at the Tasty Toastie, causing operational issues. This is due to cars parking whilst people order their takeaway, with prolonged chatting. It is known harbour users. Quentin has approached the individuals to ask them kindly not to park at this location. |
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7. Events
A. Harbour Festival (Sparkling Dunbar) Despite an enthusiastic response from potential participants, it has been decided to cancel Sparkling Dunbar 2021 post discussions with East Lothian Council. The associated requirements of the public event application were onerous, with a requirement to update regularly as Covid restrictions changed. All who would have been involved have been notified and although deeply saddened that this decision has been taken, have shown gratitude and an understanding of the challenges faced and all are greatly looking forward to 2022.
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B. RNLI Lifeboat Day The RNLI are currently discussing the proposed event at a local and national level. As with all events during the pandemic, the requirements are complex. The RNLI will update DHT in due course.
D. Battery Reservations and update Fit Form UK continue to hold regular fitness sessions every Tues and Weds with no issues arising. However, the changing Covid restrictions have brought about a drop in numbers, particularly on the Weds am. This is due to Enjoy Leisure and nearby gym halls re-opening post lockdown. Laura Ross, Fit Form UK Director, will monitor bookings over the month of June and discuss changes as required. We should recognise the challenges presented in organising any regular sessions in a time when Covid restrictions are changing regularly with the future is unpredictable and accommodate where possible and within reason.
Dunbar Voices, Youth Choir Dunbar Voices used the Battery on Tues 8th June 2021 for a choir practise. A summary proposal and full risk assessment were received. As this was a one-off, non-chargeable event, being held with an organised club with registered members, approval was granted with the permission of the Director responsible for events and the DHT Chairperson. Provisional Bookings have been made for the following dates as previous meeting update:
Further details can be found on the Battery Website available at: https://dunbarbattery.org.uk/
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E. Open Doors Day |
Alastair has submitted a quote for the production of a video for Open Doors Day in September. The Cockburn Society confirmed that few participants had the capacity or resource to produce such a film, and there was a discussion as to how well it would go down with those who contribute to the running of the harbour if we used general funds in this way. It was agreed that the first step would be to see whether Jeff Carter would help us out once again, as the quality of his past videos has been exceptional. |
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8 Harbour Improvement plan The next harbour walkabout will take place on Monday 28th June at 2pm. A report will be provided in advance of the next Board meeting. |
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A. Cromwell Harbour electrical point |
There is a plan to introduce a power point in Cromwell Harbour closer to where the fishermen need it. Final approval for the scheme will be sought from Barry Buglass. |
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B. Fishermen’s Monument |
A planning application has been submitted to East Lothian Council for the introduction of a hardstanding in front of the Fishermen’s monument. An application for funding has been submitted. |
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C. Maintenance Bay |
Robin Hamilton is helping with the revised plan for the maintenance bay. |
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D. Pontoons |
Paddy continues to investigate the subject of pontoons. |
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E. Fish hatchery |
In the same way, Tania continues to look at the demand, need and viability of a fish hatchery at Dunbar. |
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9 Any other competent business |
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Coastal Garden at the Battery |
Our chief Coastal Garden volunteer gardener has advised that the garden is in desperate need of some tender loving care. It is a tough area to maintain due to the harsh conditions and the number of visitors but has shown it can produce an area of great splendour when investment is made. A request has been made for finance to purchase new plants, make notices to alert people that this is a garden area, design a new walkway made of rope and to buy some new equipment (garden tools and brushes). Quotes are being sought and a funding application will be made to the Local Priorities Fund to seek financial support to assist in bringing our community garden back to life. Our thanks and gratitude are once again expressed to the harbour volunteers who give substantial time and commitment to maintain the coastal garden, along with their assistance to keep the Battery, and the harbour in general, in clean and tidy condition. |
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Campervans |
It was noted that campervan owners are often looking to find ways to contribute to the harbour. The noticeboard will be used to guide them, and the arrival of a donations box will also help. |
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Feeding the seagulls |
Feeding chips to the seagulls is an everpresent problem, and the education of visitors will continue, so that these pests can be discouraged from attacking others. |
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Environmental project |
Primary school children have already visited the harbour as part of the Environmental Project. |
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Increase in the number of creels |
It has been noted that there are a significant increase in the number of creels at the harbour and there is a need to understand more about the impact on sustainability of fish stocks as well as storage of creels during the winter months |
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Date of next meeting – Thursday 8th July 2021 |