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Southside Community Council





Minutes of 44th Meeting, held in the Southside Community Education Centre, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 9 March 2005, at 7 pm.

Abbreviations used as required:
ASCC = Association of Scottish Community Councils; CEC = The City of Edinburgh Council; CLG = Community Liaison Group; CPOL = Council Papers on line; CYP = Canongate Youth Project; EACC = Edinburgh Association of Community Councils; E&CS = Environmental & Consumer Services; HMO = House(s) in Multiple Occupation; LCPP = Local Community Planning Partnership; LDC = Local Development Committee; LEEP = Lothian & Edinburgh Environmental Partnership; LHC = Late Hours Catering; PA = Planning Application; SCC = Southside Community Council; SE = Scottish Executive; SP = Scottish Parliament; tie = Transport Initiatives Edinburgh; and other initials = members of the SCC.

PRESENT

Chairperson: Jo Scott; Elected Members: Derek Christie (Treasurer), Jan Fraser, and Linda Hendry (Vice Chairperson); Nominated Members: Colin Christison (Secretary), Mary Devine, Jean Downie, and Robert Hodgart; Co-opted Members: Robert Beaton, Helen Butler, Claire MacGregor (Tree Warden); Lothian & Borders Police: Inspector Steven Gibb; and 1 Member of the Public.

1. Welcome, and apologies for absence

Jo Scott welcomed those present to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Keith Smith, Cllr Cairns, and Sarah Boyack MSP.

2. Police Report

Inspector Gibb reported that 2 arrests had been made following a spate of break-ins to cars in the Holyrood Park area, and that over 100 plastic card frauds had been linked to the individuals concerned. Notices warning about car theft had been placed on lampposts in Pleasance, Holyrood Road, and Buccleuch Street. There was little crime in the area at the moment, and there had been a reduction in problems caused by youths in the Holyrood area. The solve rate in Wards 33/4 was 42.36% (LY=34.2%). During a general discussion mention was made of cars and lorries parking on pavements, particularly near the Siglo Bar in Cowgate, and in Hill Place. Following a question from the member of the public, it was established that police do have the powers to ask shopkeepers to remove items which obstruct the public footpath.

JS thanked Inspector Gibb for attending the meeting.

3. Minutes of Meeting held on 9 February 2005

Approved; proposed by JF, and seconded by RB.

4. Matters arising

Item 6.8 (visit to L&B FCC). CC asked for names, and most members said that they were able to attend. He would liaise with the police to confirm attendance, and enquire about transport, although it was thought that we would have to provide our own.

Item 6.9 (first meeting of the new Central Edinburgh Area Housing Board, which JS attended on 7.3.05) - A Chairperson was appointed; Community Council members would be formally co-opted at the next meeting, which JF would attend with JS.

Item 11.g (University Community Forum) - next meeting is on 14.03.05.

5. Secretary’s Report

The Secretary reported on the following: -

5.1 The ASCC had given details of all Scottish CCs to an organisation called Local Channel, which hoped to run individual websites for CCs, and benefit from advertising revenue (10% of which would be given to CCs). DC to examine.
5.2 The conclusions from the SE consultation on Maintaining Houses & Preserving Homes had been received; CMacG to read.
5.3 Information and leaflets from the SE on ‘Standing up to antisocial behaviour’ awards scheme.
5.4 Information and application form on the 2005 Keep Edinburgh Growing gardening competition.
5.5 Freedom of Information Act booklet entitled Your Right to Know.
5.6 Fund-raising guidance meeting - information to be forwarded to Dumbiedykes Environmental Group.
5.7 He said that he and JS had been invited by Merchiston Sciennes Neighbourhood Group to attend a meeting that evening. Topics to be discussed would include bus stops and bus boarders. He had asked to be kept informed.

6. Treasurer’s Report

DC reported that the bank balance stood at £769.23. Income of £13.50 from the sale of postcards would be added to the petty cash. The LDC grant of £200 for the planters in Pleasance had been received, and JS gave an update on the progress of this and the new trees for the site. DC would arrange for the annual audit of the CC’s accounts.

7. Correspondence

Sundry advertising material etc was circulated, and the following items read, distributed or circulated as appropriate:

7.1 Newsletter from Postwatch Scotland.
7.2 Scottish Outdoor Code from Scottish Natural Heritage.
7.3 Lothian & Borders Police Newsletter for February 2005.
7.4 February edition of City Transport newsletter.
7.5 Letter from Scottish Water about increased charges
7.6 E mail from Dr Gilmour advising that builder work on Thornybauk steps would start on 14 March; exclusion fences at the top and bottom of the steps would be in use for the period of work.
7.7 Reminder of the Fair Trade Fortnight in Edinburgh.
7.8 Results of the Lothian Health NHS Consultation
7.9 Letter from City Development of proposed amendments to the controlled parking scheme - local one to redefine the location of public parking bay in S College St.
7.10 Letter from Cllr Cairns re the Keep Edinburgh Growing gardening competition, and a copy of the Keep Edinburgh Clean Awards leaflet.


8. Planning & Licensing Committee Report

8.1 Objection lodged and considered material for change of use to hot food takeaway at 13 East Crosscauseway.
8.2 PA for alterations to external premises of 85 Nicolson Street (objected to previously) had been refused.
8.3 Objection lodged to PA for demolition of cinema to form 240-bed student residence at 7 Clerk Street.
8.4 An objection would be lodged to PA for extended hours of hot food takeaway at 87 Grassmarket (Cowgatehead).
8.5 An objection would be lodged for an application for a drinks licence at 107 Newington Road.

There was a discussion about the PA for the new build at 7 Clerk Street, and JS suggested that she try to arrange a public meeting so that Duddingston Properties could explain their plans for the site.

9. Environmental Issues, including Tree Warden’s Report

9.1 JS and CMacG had delivered copies of the Keep Edinburgh Clean Awards leaflet to all the shops in South Clerk Street, and had a mainly positive reaction.
9.2 JS reported that the child’s pink bicycle had been removed from Lutton Place, but there now appeared to be 2 abandoned adult bikes there.
9.3 JS had attended the Environmental Scrutiny Panel. Cllr Cairns was endeavouring to obtain official time slots for the emptying of waste containers from commercial properties. There was a general discussion about containerisation, and it appeared that CEC was paying some attention to problems associated with it.
9.4 CMacG reported that some new railings had been installed at Montague Street, following her successful bid for funds from the CEC/Historic Scotland’s South Side Town Scheme for grants for the restoration and reinstatement of doors, railings, etc.
9.5 It was reported that a fridge/freezer had been thrown from a top flat into the rear garden at an address in Montague Street at 4 am recently.
9.6 It was noted that special uplifts were taking considerably longer than usual (about 3 or 4 weeks).
9.7 LH expressed concern about the quantity of discarded rubber bands by Royal Mail staff.
9.8 It was wondered if Homebase could be persuaded to plant some trees in the vacant space on their land.
9.9 CC said that he had heard from Environmental & Consumer Services about his letter on the subject of refuse containers not always being properly fixed to stanchions after collection; collection crews had been instructed to make sure that this was done.
9.10 CC said that, in response to his letter on the subject, City Development had written to say that the CEC does not issue permits for containers on the roads and footway.

10. Reports from Meetings Attended:-

a) Southside Association

Held on 1.3.05 and attended by CC, MD, JF, CMcH, and JS. A presentation had been given by Iona Beaumont, Education Officer from the CEC’s E&CS Waste Aware section. Other routine matters were discussed.

b) Southside Community Education Centre Management Committee

Held on 8.3.05, and attended by CC, MD, CMacG, CMcH, and KS. Normal business matters were discussed, and it was confirmed that restoration work had started on the Nelson Hall, which had had an increase in funding of £50,000 to £700,000. It was thought that work would now take 28, and not 24 weeks, to complete. Various repairs and improvements had been carried out in the Centre.

c) Central LDC

Held on 2.3.05 at St Thomas of Aquins’ School, and attended by CC, LH, and JS. The theme of the evening was new developments in technology, and presentations were made by the CEC, Tollcross CC, and L& B Police.

d) Edinburgh Civic Forum

Held on 17.2.05 at 1 Cockburn Street, and attended by CC and JS. Presentations on the City Local Plan were given. Minutes will be available.

e) Canongate Youth Project Management Committee

Attended by LH, who reported that staffing problems had again arisen. An enjoyable presentation by 2 members of the Girls’ Club had been given.

f) Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links

Held on 21.2.05, at Archer’s Hall, and attended by CC and JS. After routine matters, Malcolm Cant gave an illustrated talk on Morningside, Bruntsfield, Marchmont, Sciennes, and the Meadows to the 50 or so members who were present.

g) Dumbiedykes Residents’ Association

Held on 15.2.05 at the Braidwood Centre, and attended by CC and JS. After routine business, Canongate and Southside Community Councils outlined their functions and activities, and their views on which CC Dumbiedykes in its entirety should perhaps join. No decision was made. More info on CC was requested and sent by JS.

h) Boundary changes proposals

Held at the City Chambers on 3.3.05, and attended by CC and JS. There was a summary of the review of the Community Council scheme, and a mapping exercise in which the various CCs present outlined their hopes for the adjustment of boundaries. Southside CC was happy to hand over the Lister Buildings at Lauriston to Tollcross CC (as discussed on several occasions), and it was felt that time must be allowed for residents at Dumbiedykes to decide whether they wished to be with Canongate or Southside CC. Canongate CC had proposed a number of amendments to their area, and those which affected the Southside (apart from Dumbiedykes) would mean a major loss of the existing area of responsibility defined by the section from the Grassmarket south to Kerr Street, Lauriston Place, Bristo Place, Drummond Street, Richmond Place, West Richmond Street, and Brown Street. They also wished to be renamed the Holyrood, Canongate, and Old Town CC.

Members unanimously felt that this was unacceptable. It was considered that in order for all of the Grassmarket to be in one CC area (Canongate) it would be reasonable for the SCC to move its boundary slightly to the south of the south part of the Grassmarket. Written comments had to be made by 14.3.05 to the appropriate department and JS/CC would do this.

i) EACC Meeting

Held in the City Chambers on 5.3.05, and attended by JS, RH, and CMacG, the theme being on transport matters after the congestion charging referendum. It was emphasised that the CEC’s base strategy on transport would continue, and that there were other ways of dealing with congestion and pollution.

j) Tackling Climate Change

Held at the Scottish Parliament on 6.3.05 and attended by MD and LH. Various ideas and measures had been put forward by Sarah Boyack MSP and others.

11. Any other Competent Business

11.1 It was considered that the presence of scaffolding could reduce the effectiveness of street lighting, mention being made of Drummond Street. It was decided that a letter should be sent to City Development asking if it would be possible to have temporary lighting on scaffolding which was likely to remain in place for a considerable period.

12. Open Forum

12.1 The member of the public asked about the provision of waste bins at a bus stop in South Clerk Street, and JS said that one would be installed soon.

12.2 The member of the public asked if the SCC had thoughts on proposed legislation to ban begging, drinking and spitting in the street, and so on. This had not been discussed so there was no view at the present.

13. Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday 13 April 2005, at 7 pm.