SCC CHAIR’S REPORT, for meeting of January 8, 2018

1. Traffic Islands – Following our discussion at the last meeting, I wrote to Tony Booth (Edinburgh City Council Traffic Signals) restating our opposition to the removal of traffic islands during the resurfacing of the A7.

2. ATM Illumination Planning Applications – I submitted two objections to ATM illumination retrospective planning applications at 136 Nicholson Street and 80 Newington Road. The former was refused. A decision on the latter is pending.

3. Causey – Following the withdrawal of the previous TRO to facilitate the development of the Causey project, SCC was offered the opportunity to comment on a new draft TRO. I submitted a response broadly welcoming the proposed traffic amendments, but also mentioning some members’ views that some elements of the Causey project could be achieved at less expense.

4. 72 South Clerk Street – Following our report that conversion work was going on at the former Fresh Choice grocery to create a new food outlet, Planning Enforcement reported that they could find no evidence to support our report. A number of witnesses challenged this statement and I reported our ongoing concerns on 2 December but no further response has as yet been received.

5. Licensing Policy Consultation - I submitted a response to this consultation, as discussed at our previous meeting.

6. A-Boards – Following a request from Living Streets to support their call to ban A-boards, I wrote on 28 December to our ward councillors and also the convenor of the Transport and Environment Committee expressing our support.

7. Gordon Hunter – As agreed at a previous meeting, I invited Gordon Hunter of CEC to our January meeting to discuss private rented sector issues with us. He reported that he was unable to attend as our meeting was outwith office hours. I felt that officers should offer more flexibility in order to be able to support the work of community councillors. Cllr Rose is following this up for us.

Tim
January, 2018