Date: Wednesday, 29th October 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: North Berwick Community Centre
1. Attendance
Present:
Kevin Gibson, Kathy Duncan, Lisa McLure, Brett Walker, Lauren Cowie, Kenny Miller, Kirsty Towler, Doug Haig (ELC), Nicky Fox (NBCCC), Katie Reid (ELC), Keith Malloney (NBCCC), Nick McCashin (potential new director)
Apologies:
Lisa McLure, Heather Gardener (NBCCC)
2. Minutes from previous meeting (1st October 2025)
Proposed, Kathy Duncan, Seconded, Kirsty Towler
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3. Matter Arising From previous meeting
not discussed
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4. Introductions and Conflicts of Interest
Kenny gave an overview of the Placemaking Project and the report findings.
Kenny – NB in Bloom, Community Centre Committee
Lauren – NBYP
Kathy – Herbspace
Nicky – Stepping Out
5. Presentation – CDC Mission and Purpose, 3 year strategy
Kevin delivered a presentation with an intro to the CDC, discussing the mothballing of the Lime Grove Project in 2018, Abbey Sale Community Asset Transfer bid in 2024.
Discussed the work CDC has done with a consultant over the past months to develop a Vision and Purpose mission of the CDC.
The full presentation can be seen using the below link.
- Insert link to slides here (Kevin, please send a link)
Station Toilets
After the removal of public toilets at the Train station in 1985, the community had identified a need for services on the site. Brett and Kenny of the CDC have been working on a Changing Places application to secure funds to start a build. Feasibility studies, meeting contractors, costing the work have been completed. Project drawings are the next step.
Coastal Path
Being completed in 3 phases with support from Nick Morgan, ELC access manager who is advising on drawings and support of the works going forward.
Learning from the Abbey
Kathy expressed that CDC Directors had gained a lot of learning from the Abbey CAT project, including a clearer understanding of CAT process, networking and building relationships with other organisations and how a CAT could be successful in future.
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6. Doug Haig (ELC) – Placemaking Project
Doug advises that the CDC read the proposals submitted to ELC, especially the Clear Futures report – full report here: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/17505/east_lothian_council
And to watch the meeting – https://eastlothian.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1031365
Doug advised that a new team will be employed to work with communities on Placemaking plans. They are expected to be employed in November 2025 and will be given time to imbed and to create a project plan before being available to the community in 2026.
The CDC should look to create a Business Plan / vision ahead of meeting with the ELC team early in 2026.
Timescales
ELC envisage that it will take up to 12 months for community groups have robust plans
Earliest proposals for those in strong positions may be Oct/Nov 2026
Capacity
Members of the CDC expressed concern over the ELC staff capacity and Doug explained that there will be a lot of signposting and support from the wider ELC workforce and outside organisations.
What will ELC be looking for
The CDC would hope to receive a guide from ELC outlining what needs to be in place eg, business plan, charging policy. Value of community benefit, stepped journey to independence.
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Nicky Fox – NB Community Centre Committee
Nicky updated the CDC on what the CCC have been looking at. They have visited other centres and models in Fisherrow, Dukes and Cockenzie House.
Fisherrow advised the CCC that they did not feel that the CC alone (excluding the ex nursery space) would generate enough income and that the nursery space would need to be included in a business plan – the CCC see this as viable and there is existing scope to join the two together with ease.
The CCC are keen to get all user groups involved as well as others in the community to work together.
Kirsty Towler agreed that she felt that the buildings needed to be joined.
The CCC recognised the need for the car park.
The CCC recognises that there will be huge expense in building maintenance.
The CCC expressed that it would be good to have dedicated indoor and outdoor space for early years work. They are keen to have youth work back in the centre. Disabled access needs to improve.
Keith pointed out that the CCC are interested in what happens in spaces and the CDC are there to secure spaces.
Architect Sandy Ford has been looking at structural options for the CC. Tommy Dale of FRM is also involved in advising about outdoor space.
Doug – reminded those present that Hilary Smith has created a SPACE AUDIT of spaces in NB and their uses. He reminded the CCC and CDC that lots of space is underused and to explore how much need there is for additional community space when there are so many underused.
He also urges the CCC and CDC to think ahead to future uses, keeping long term thinking at the heart of what is done.
Working together
The CDC asked the CCC to decide on how they want to collaborate, the CDC suggested taking over any possible transfer of the building to the community, with the CCC members joining sub groups to work on the project. The CCC were asked to go away and come back to the CDC with their thoughts.
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Website – Nick McCashin
Nick has donated his time to build a website for the CDC
Nick presented his work so far and suggests using online community ‘Skool’ to help connect members and do monthly consultation online. Barriers to participation were identified and the need for online forms to become a member as well as paper would remain important.
The Directors were asked to view the site and skool and give feedback to Lauren to share with Nick.
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DONM
Wednesday 3rd December, 7pm, NBCC Art Room