The garage fire in Dougall Place, Mayfield.
A spate of wilful fire raising is causing real concern within the Mayfield community. Last night a garage in Dougall Place was deliberately set alight destroying it and everything inside. A group of youths were seen nearby shortly before the fire was spotted.
Since November there have been a spate of bin fires and residents fear that the garage fire is an escalation of this activity.
Robbert Hogg Chair of Mayfield and Easthouses Community Council told Midlothian View
“I have real fears that this is getting out of hand as there were numerous waste bin fires at end of October/November 2022 in the community resulting in police patrols in the community but this is worse as more bins were set on fire this month and now the garages at Dougall place. What next? Local residents are concerned for their property rented from Midlothian council.
“It needs a joint approach from schools, the Police and the Fire Brigade to tackle this issue, including parents warning their kids before someone gets seriously hurt.
“It was reported by members of the public near the garages set on fire that there were 3 or 4 youths seen hanging around the garages before the fire was spotted.
“I know the Police and schools have raised this late last year with the youngsters but it is getting out of hand again and needs to be tackled once more
“It’s a hard core who are doing it and I would urge anyone to report any info they may have to the school or police asap so as to catch the ones involved.”
Midlothian Police are appealing for witnesses, the fire-raising took place around 4.45pm on Thursday, 12th January 2023.
Anyone with information regarding the fire, or those involved are asked to contact Police on 101, quoting incident number 2421, 12th January 2023.
Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
The inside of the garage after the fire.
Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Community Council and Poltonhall and Hopefield Community Council are to formally merge, at their own request, following a decision taken at a special meeting of Midlothian Council today.
The change to the new Bonnyrigg and District Community Council is aimed at better reflecting the nature of the communities represented and providing seamless support to the town’s residents.
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“The new community council will provide a more unified voice for the area and provide stronger representation to Midlothian Council and other statutory bodies,” said Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Community Empowerment.
“The decision follows a proposal which came from both community councils, and a statutory consultation which gave local people the opportunity to have their say. As there was no public opposition to the proposal, I am delighted that the merger will now proceed and we look forward to working closely with new Bonnyrigg and District Community Council.”
Robert Hogg, chair of the Midlothian Federation of Community Councils, says the work carried out by the organisations which are made up of volunteers from within the towns and villages can go unnoticed by residents.
A community council which has been fighting to help local residents for more than 30 years is facing being disbanded because of a lack of members.
Gorebridge Community Council faces taking the tough decision after not enough members turned up at recent meetings sparking moves towards dissolution.
Now it is appealing to local residents to get involved, warning it is the only organisation developers and the local authority have to consult when making decision about the community.
And other communities have been urged to get more involved with supporting their own community organisations before they are lost.
Robert Hogg, chair of the Midlothian Federation of Community Councils, says the work carried out by the organisations which are made up of volunteers from within the towns and villages can go unnoticed by residents.
He urged people across the county to get behind their local groups saying “we are the ears of the community and give them a voice.”
There are 16 community councils in Midlothian with the number expected to go down to 15 with plans underway to merge Bonnyrigg and Lasswade with Poltonhall and Hopefield.
Now Gorebridge Community Council has said it will have to dissolve unless new members can be found.
The group is holding an annual general meeting in May which will be open to everyone to attend.
But unless people come forward willing to represent the community it could be the last meeting it will hold.
Mr Hogg said: “Losing Gorebridge Community Council will mean Gorebridge has no statutory voice that has to be consulted about future decisions. It would be a real loss and I hope people will come forward to take up the torch.
“Being on the community council can be very rewarding and is a chance to get involved in community issues, shape future decisions and help organise community events.
“And people with all sorts of skills are needed, from social media to treasurer and secretary roles as well as people with a passion or their community.”
Cath McGill, the current chairperson of Gorebridge Community Council said often people do not realise the work its members carry out.
She said: “Remembrance day parades, Christmas processions and the lights are all provided by the community council with very little budget and involve a lot of work but it is also incredibly rewarding.
“It is worth it but without new people coming in this vital group will be lost and that would be a real loss to the community.”
Cath said while one of the community council’s most important roles is as a local representative in planning, which has a statutory duty to consult the group, there is much more involved in being a community councillor.
She said: “As well as representing the community to the local authority, we facilitate a wide range of activities which promote the well-being of our community.
“We bring local people together to help make things happen, and protect and promote the identity of our community.
“We advise, petition, influence and advocate numerous causes and cases of concern on behalf of our local community.”
Across the county community council meetings are attended by elected Midlothian councillors as well as community police officers offering an opportunity to raise issues and concerns.
Cath said: “If you have concerns about a local issue, get involved, community councils are the place to do it.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about joining Gorebridge Community Council can email them for more information with details of the time of the May 17 AGM, which will be held in the Gorebridge Beacon.
Contact details for all Midlothian’s community councils are available on Midlothian View at www.midlothianview.com/community-council.
