SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting on Monday, 11th September 2017, 6.45pm

The Gray Room, Nelson Hall, 5 Spittalfield Crescent, Edinburgh, EH8 9QZ.

Present: David Benyon(DB), Bob Hodgart (RH) Kaaren Houghton(KH), Liz Logie(LL), Philip McDowell(PM), Tim Pogson,Chair,(TP), David Wood(DW).

Apologies: Joan Carter ( JC), Deborah Charlesworth(DC), Nicholas Oddy(NO), Scott Paterson(SP), Svetlana Repanova(SR).

Also present: Police Officer Christopher Harrison, Councillor Alison Dickie(AD), 2 members of the public

  1. Welcome: TP welcomed everyone back after the summer break.

  2. Police Report: Officer Harrison is awaiting the most recent crime figures. He was able to report on anti-social behaviour incidences and associated challenges, traffic issues, the success of Operation Summer City in place during the Festival period and proposed improvements in public relations.

  3. Minutes of the last Meeting. Accepted.

  4. Councillor’s Report. Councillor Dickie highlighted issues of general neglect at Carnegie Court, access in parts of the Pleasance and effects of the change of management of the Nelson Hall. Concerns about pavement conditions, commercial rubbish collections, weeds, graffiti and fly-tipping were raised.

  5. Reports: TP’s full report available on website. Locality improvement Plan due on October 1st. Causey Development. Further consultation by CDT had been welcome (DW). Edinburgh University have appointed a communities officer TP will liaise. Applications for food outlets change of use and of opening hours continue to cause concern and objections will be entered. Friends of the Meadows: KH reported the appointment of a new Chair and controversies about development and abuse of area by barbeque users. PM is producing the new leaflet for distribution.

  6. Licensing Applications: The application by the Mocking Bird Pub was highlighted as undesirable.

  7. Improved Walking/cycling route Calton Road to the Innocent railway tunnel. TP will liaise with Anna Rowell.

  8. Freshers Fair. Has been cancelled.
AOB. The erratic placement of street furniture, the effects of AIRBNB/very short term lets on the community and the continued detrimental existence of the refuse vehicle depot in Cowan’s Close were acknowledged.

Date of the next meeting: October 9th 2017