Meetings attended JC March 2019

25 March 2019

Two Meetings attended by Joan Carter

1.South East Locality Committee, Joint Meeting of Newington/Southside and Morningside Sub Committee

Attendees: Ward Councillors, in this case Cameron Rose, Steve Burgess, Neil Ross and Mandy Watt; Reps from CCs, in this case Steve Gregory and me; and relevant officers; in this case Lesley Birrell of Committee Services; Hana Mackechnie, Community Grants Fund; Andrew Gallacher, Life Long Learning Service Manager; Steven Cuthill, Transport and Environment Manager, to present and answer questions on a report about Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP)

I believe this was the first of these meetings to be held- a new creation! (Tim was only informed a couple of hours before the meeting, due to an oversight. Luckily I could go. Hopefully that aspect of organisation will improve!)

In Sarah Burns’ absence, Neil Ross convened.

There were 3 agenda items.

1. There was some money left (£3,752) in our ward’s Community Grants Fund and there were two late but valid applicants, one being Canongate Youth for a summer programme, wanting £3723, and Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA) for their Northern Streams Festival wanting £1835. As this comes to a total of £5,558, we needed to decide if and which gets what of what we had.
   
   It was agreed to proportionately fund both partially, two thirds going to Canongate and one third to TMSA. Although only the relevant Ward Councillors get to vote, as we only had two there and they were not of the same mind, the Convenor had the deciding vote and agreed to be guided by me, who knows something about these groups, their applications, and the relevant community.
   
   
2. We were to consider a similarly late applicant for Morningside for their Community Grants Fund from Adult Learning Project (ALPS) for a discussion group in the public library. It was supported. Mandy Watt wanted to know if any unspent money from this fund could be diverted to a nursery in Bruntsfield that needs a new heating system within a Council building. It was suggested the nursery apply to the fund like any organisation.
   
   
3. Most important item was the NEP (Transport)report on projects from 2015/16 to date. This included a list of the projects supported (including our Zebra Crossing for Bernard Ter) with original and updated (after scoping and getting quotes for the work) estimated costs. Also, a useful budget summary was included. Some of the projects selected in 2017/18 were significantly underestimated initially so it was suggested that the money available for 2018/19 (as not already committed as it never came to communities to apply for) be used to cover the costs of the older projects promised to be done. We would all just skip a year of selecting new projects in order to complete 5 old, promised ones.
   
   These are:
   
   
   • Drainage at Newbattle Terrace promised in 2015. Melanie Main pushed hard on this, with all our support, for promise of swift and complete delivery. It was agreed this needed priority.
     
     
   • Nicolson St (Hill Place to West Richmond), promised in 2016, will progress in 19/20 (Hurray!)
     
     
   • Sorting the footway at East Mayfield, promised in 17/18, needed this committee to decide whether to, more efficiently, complete the job in one go at the higher cost, thereby using a big bit of the 2019/20 fund, or spread it, doing to in 2 parts over years and repeating logistics
     
     
   • Also, for Balcarres Street work, from 17/18, the same principle applies. We agreed that, as these are both projects ready to go, work should proceed but such work should not hinder Newbattle. We agreed that the money for 18/19 should be used for this work thereby losing a year of new projects.
     
     
   • Bernard Terr (17/18) is intended to progress in 19/20 also, probably to cost under the £30,000 initially estimated, but is delayed due to further design work needed. (?) Cameron and I had a good go at this. Steve Cuthill is to email me the contact details of the design person responsible so I can find out what design features are taking so darned long!
     
     
   There is also a Project Bank- a list of ideas, ready for assessing further when money comes available. These are ideas submitted by Councillors, CCs, community groups etc. Top of this list is Salisbury Rd.
   
   

2. South Central Neighbourhood Partnership- last ever meeting.

Thinly attended- Andrew Gallacher, Cameron Rose, Steve Burgess (first half) Neil Ross, Mandy Watt, Sue Tritton, Bridget Stevens, Steve Gregory, me.

An update on Neighbourhood Networks was presented by Andrew Gallacher as Sarah Burns was absent. The make-up of the Networks has been discussed with stakeholders and the results of this will be presented to the Edin Partnership Board this month so the Networks will be established in April. However, a report will have to be presented to the Corporate, Policy and Strategy Committee in May, and this will suggest what powers could be delegated to the Networks. It is likely to be similar to the Neighbourhood Partnerships, with CGF and NEP decision making part of it. Locality committees dissolve officially on 1st April.

At a Council meeting on the 2nd May the wider Council committee management system will be reconsidered, as will where police and fire scrutiny will take place.