Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council
Minutes of 106th meeting held on Wednesday 13th April 2011, from 7.00pm until 9.00pm, in the Nelson Hall, 5 Spittalfield Crescent, Edinburgh.
Meetings are held from 7pm until 9pm on the second Wednesday of the month, from
September until June, in the Nelson Hall, 5 Spittalfield Crescent, Edinburgh, EH8 9QZ
Telephone: 0131-667 8838
*Further information on any of the items below is available from the Secretary,
by using the above postal address or web site: www.edinscc.org
Abbreviations used as required:
ASCC = Association of Scottish Community Councils; CEC = The City of Edinburgh Council; CYP = Canongate Youth Project; DEG = Dumbiedykes Environmental Group; EACC = Edinburgh Association of Community Councils; EUSA = Edinburgh University Students’ Association; HMO = House(s) in Multiple Occupancy; LA = Licence Application; L&BP = Lothian & Borders Police; LHC = Late Hours Catering; NP = Neighbourhood Partnership; PA = Planning Application; SCC = Southside Community Council; SCNP = South Central Neighbourhood Partnership; SG = Scottish Government; SP = Scottish Parliament; TRO = Traffic Regulation Order; UoE = University of Edinburgh; and other initials = members of the SCC.
PRESENT:
Chairperson: John Largue (Treasure and vice-chair, JL, in the absence of Hilary McDowell)
Elected and co-opted Members: Susan Brown (SB), Bob Hodgart (RH), Deborah Charlesworth (secretary, DC), Nikki Thomson (NT), Michael Strain (MS, representative for the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church), Lisa Sibbald (LS, representative for the South Side Association), Colin Symes (CS, representing Community Church Edinburgh, South Clerk St), Liz Mulligan (NP representative), Tom King (TK).
City of Edinburgh Council: Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, Shaun McGrath (SMcG, City of Edinburgh Council liason officer and Local Environment Manager).
11 members of the Public were also present.
1. Welcome and apologies for absence. JL welcomed those present to the meeting and announced the resignation of Caroline Barr. Apology for absence was received from Keith Smith, May linton and Hilary McDowell.
2. The possibility of co-opting Tom King to the CC. After a discussion, a vote was taken, with 5 in favour and 2 opposed.
3. Police report. PC Zoe Martin reported, in the absence of Jeanette McCulloch, who is on leave. She reported that there have been several burglaries and recommends precautions against break-ins, and also recommends good bicycle security. Fire-raising at Haddons Court is being investigated, and the usual problems with street drinkers at Nicolson Square are being taken care of. The public have helped with information that has led to arrest of some drug dealers, and she encouraged people to continue such actions.
4. Discussion led by Alan Campbell (Police, sergeant for our area). Sergeant Campbell also emphasised the importance of the public reporting incidents to the police, and promised that such complaints will be investigated. This was a theme of the entire discussion, which covered anti-social behaviours including inconsiderate cycling, drug dealing in some stairs, noise in tenements and in the streets after pubs and night clubs close (with specific concern expressed by RH and CS about noise badly affecting residents near the Roxy in Roxburgh St, which may re-open in the festival season). There was a brief discussion of the specific problems of the dangerous cycle path in East Parkside (the danger was raised by a member of the public, and confirmed by LS and TK). It is hoped that this will be corrected when the holidays are over. A member of the public asked whether police presence in the area (which appears to be increased, and JL welcomed this) will be reduced due to government cuts, but this is so far not occurring. CS thanked the police for coming to meet us.
5. Minutes of meeting held on March 9th 2011. The minutes were approved with one correction (LS, NT).
6. Matters arising
• RH enquired how an individual acceptable to all parties will be chosen, should mediation be required in order to resolve problems. JL answered that we hope to be able to resolve problems among ourselves, and clarified his statement in the March meeting that he is willing for CC members to approach him, if they wish to discuss perceived problems. SMcG also repeated his similar offer.
• SB requested that the minutes should state that the May meeting should discuss procedures, including a code of conduct.
7. Odeon/Save Our Cinema campaign. LS and NT reported on the very successful campaign against demolition, and for the repair of the building and its sale to an organisation that will bring it back into use as an arts venue. Large numbers of letters and postcards have been sent to the council, as well as objections on the planning web site. The open-air film show and brief firework display were successful in bringing public and press attention to the threat to the building.
8. Trees in the Meadows. SMcG reported on the MABLAG meeting of April 14th. There are several ideas that may allow some cherry trees (initially) to be replaced.
9. Treasurer’s Report.
• There is £1361.36 in the bank, and £7.29 petty cash.
• Printing costs for posters for the Odeon film show were £62.00, and £45.02 was spent on upgrading the CC’s web site.
• New indemnity insurance is now agreed. The CC discussed the change to a different insurer. SB expressed the wish to try and remain with ASCC, and JL explained that it will be simpler to handle our own insurance and deal directly with our insurer. A vote was taken (8 for, 1 against, 1 abstention).
10. Newsletter. DC reported that the Newsletter is being revised in order to include the Odeon campaign. The revised version will be emailed to all CC members to ensure that it is satisfactory before being printed and circulated.
11. Secretary’s Report. The file of emails and correspondence received was made available. DC outlined the current consultations about HMOs and options for changes in the fire service (closing date 5 May 2011).
12. Correspondence.
i) A letter was sent to the Planning Department objecting to demolition of the Odeon.
ii) An email was received about the worrying increase in the number of Class 3 planning applications in West Nicolson Street, which already has several such establishments and appears well above the proportion agreed to be suitable (apparently 11 at present, out of 18 businesses operating, much greater than the number counted by a recent planning survey). Objections were submitted to the two latest applications. The senders attended the meeting and JL assured them that the CC routinely objects to such applications. However, the problem may be one that cannot be dealt with purely by such objections, as the number of class 3 premises can increase by owners being granted changes in the level of license, initially having permission for non-objectionable trading, but then changing to be able to sell takeaway food, for instance. The councillors should be asked for help to prevent this.
13. Reports from meetings attended
1) HM attended the Selection meeting for the South Central NP Roads Capital Programme 2011/12. SMcG told us that in our area work will be done at Viewcraig Gardens, and the road repaired in a small section of Pleasance.
2) LM attended a Joint Environmental forum meeting, which discussed the bad weather actions (about which SMcG reported to the CC in February).
3) The Hustings for Scottish Parliament elections at City Chambers 7th April was cancelled, to the surprise and disapproval of many CC members.
14. Forthcoming meetings
1. MABLAG (8 June).
15. Public Question Time:
• A member of the public asked about the Crags Sports Centre, and Cllr Mackenzie told us that he will enquire about this.
• Another question for SMcG was how to get more grit bins. SMcG told us that he can arrange this, where appropriate, but that it is also planned to have bags of grit available next time there is bad snow and ice, and that these will be dropped in suitable locations.
• A member of the public asked whether the CC had made an application to the lottery for funding.
16. Any other business:
• SMcG informed us that he will be replaced as Local Environment Manager during the next year by David Lovie (David.Lovie@edinburgh.gov.uk). He will do the job for the next 2 months. It is not yet known who will replace him as our CC liason officer.
17. Date of next meeting – May 11th 2011.
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