A regular monthly report has been provided to the Currie and Balerno News, highlighting matters of interest. The Council's Website has grown steadily into a useful reference work on Currie past and present. Thanks are due to Stan Zachary and Heriot -Watt University for respectively maintaining and hosting the site, which is edited by Graham Dane.
Planning Convener Derek Henderson has kept watch for threats to the Green Belt or the amenity of Currie throughout the year and is now relieved by Archie Clark, who proposed the 'Character Statement for Currie' and also supported the idea that a local plan should give priority to providing local employment over building houses for incoming commuters.
David Bertram's sterling work over the year has ensured a grand display in the flower tubs which have beautified our village - many thanks.
The contributions by Mark Paxton & Scott McDonald, our two members representing young people, have been greatly appreciated. They have now been replaced by Christina Mann and Natalie Doyle, drawn by lot from volunteers at Currie High School.
Representing the Council on Currie High School Board, Arthur Hilton has been a very helpful link. We also thank him for the many letters he has written on behalf of the Community Council over the year. Derek Henderson becomes the new Education Convener.
The Council subscribed to Friends of the Earth for the year
The Council hopes to move to a different pattern of activities, inviting more outside speakers to address meetings, which will be open to the public. Suggestions for people to invite should be made to the Chair (tel 449 2771).
Our Secretary Freda Morrison has resigned after a year's valued efforts, and nominations are sought of anyone, whether or not presently a member of the Council, who may be interested in taking on this position. Informal enquiries are welcome. There are also two vacancies for ordinary members of the Council, so expressions of interest are invited for these as well.
We plan to mark the millennium by planting cedar trees and some bulbs in George V Park. Brenda McGovern is to be congratulated on seeing this project through. This is designed to upgrade and enhance the east end of the park. The City of Edinburgh Council will re-seed the grass. The west end of the park will be left as it is in order to accommodate community activities such as fireworks and fetes.
Views are now being sought sought on the issue of fluoridation of water supplies, so a contribution could be made to the Scottish Parliament's consideration of this issue.
Finally, may I say that I hope we can
revisit the issue of facilities for young people in Currie. It is not
satisfactory that many have to socialise by standing outside in
groups, even in winter. More low cost, safe, local places for them to
be together are required. As always, suggestions are welcome.
Graham Dane
Chair