Southside Community Council

Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council

Jan 10 Feb 10 March 10 April 10 AGM 10 May 10 June 10 Sept 10 Oct 10 Nov 10 Dec 10

Minutes of 96th meeting, held on Wednesday 14th April 2010, 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 www.edinscc.org
*Further information on any of the items below is available from the Secretary, by using the above postal address or web site.

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.

1. Welcome and Apologies
Present: Caroline Barr (CB), Nikki Thomson (NT), Liz Mulligan (LM), Michael Strain (MS), Ben Merrick (BM), Bill Bruce (BB) (C.E.C.), John Largue (JL), Bob Hodgart (BH), Colin Syme (CS), Sandra McCormick (SM).
4 members of public were also present.
Apologies from Keith Smith, Hilary McDowell, Deborah Charlesworth, Susan Brown and Amy Williamson.

2. Presentation by Bill Bruce (Licensing)
Bill Bruce introduced himself. He is based at Chesser but covers the south side of the city including Southside/Newington. He has the biggest “Pub Watch” group in Edinburgh and liaises with Police at Fettes. (Sue McDonald is in Licensing Section). Bill’s post is to support licensees in his “patch”. New Licensing Act now allows officers to remove certain aspects of the licence temporarily e.g. entertainment. The Act also deals with gambling, late hours, catering and health and safety. Someone is always available 24/7 to help with any concerns. John Largue asked about the Licensing Board where pub says they will be at a disadvantage if they don’t get the same hours as their local competitors. Bill replied that each premises produces an operating plan which outlines the hours they would like to open; the Board grants or denies the licence. JL raised concerns about the attitude of the Board... Bill Bruce replied that all licensing officers come from a legal or enforcement background. The Board receives only 2 days training but takes advice from the two city 2 licensing officers supporting the Board.
JL voiced concern about over provision of public houses in Southside especially around Newington Road, West Preston Street and Causewayside. Bill Bruce replied that under the new Act members of the public can put together a case to ask for a review.
CS asked if there was a database were the public can check opening hours for pubs and clubs. Bill Bruce replied. Not at the moment but he’s only a phone call away and can check.
CS raised the issue of the Junction Bar. The application to extend hours of operation had been opposed but the classic case of other pubs in the area being open late meant they should also be allowed similar hours of opening otherwise they would be disadvantaged.. Needless to say it was granted. Bill Bruce said if a pub wants to amend its core hours of business it must publish its application and the public have 21 days to respond. The Licensing Board has historically been very liberal in its licencing.
CB asked how someone can get on the Licensing Board? Bill Bruce replied the Board is made up of elected councillors.
LM expressed concerns about The Bongo Club (noise etc.). Bill Bruce replied there had been no complaints about the club recently but the premises had been referred to the police in the past. He said if people are drinking outside after 10 p.m. (outwith a garden area) the pubs/clubs are in breach of licence. He advised everyone, if they had a problem they should call 200 2000 and ask for Licensing Standards. Overall he felt that the majority of licenced premises in the Southside/Newington area were O.K., although he agreed there were the odd one or two that presented problems.

3. Police Report
Ben Merrick reported he was at present in “pathfinding mode”. He felt there were advantages in the new Safer Neighbourhood Plan. He told the meeting of an incident which had occurred where 3 persons threatened and robbed 3 young girls. He reported that there had been recent break-ins at the premises of Koko and Nation State. Pubs and Hairdressing establishments have also been targeted. The police had made arrests but some of the guilty persons had been released or given bail. He also reported that ‘persons’ who had been involved in car theft (used for ram-raiding) were on remand. In one recent incident a police officer had been hospitalised. Nicolson Square was quieter at the moment, but groups (?drinkers) were beginning to gather at Bristo Square, the Meadows and Forest Road. Ben encouraged everyone to complain if they saw any bad behaviour or trouble. Caroline said she had seen a man being rude to people although he had never been nasty to her. Ben asked her if the man had asked her for money. She said no. He then explained the difference between “begging” which is when a person sits still and asks for money and “pan handling” when the beggar follows you and asks for money. He advised everyone not to give money to beggars since the money was almost always used to buy illegal drugs. JL mentioned a “substance event” in Guthrie Street (this area is not within Ben’s remit so he did not comment.) Ben did mention that a shop on Clerk Street had been recently raided by police based at Fettes. Nothing illegal was found. Ben said in answer to a question from JL that the Pawn Shop which is to open on the site of the former Continental Jewellers will require proof of identity from anyone wishing to pawn items. A member of the public asked if there were many house-breaking incidents in the area including Nicolson Street. Ben said no.

4. Minutes of Meeting held on March 10th 2010.
Proposed - JL
Seconded - SM

5. Matters Arising
• Under Environmental report, March 2010, Kathy Evans asked for it to be made clear that she instructed the Environmental Warden to phone the joiner who was fly-posting, having been informed by HM that it was happening.
• JL read out the results of the election of the Edinburgh Rep. for the Association of Scottish Community Councils.
• H.M.O. Working Group Donald Burgess – Southside Community Council scheduled for early May. JL asked if someone from the SCC would attend. NT might attend but would find it difficult if the meeting is held during working hours.

6. Reports from meetings attended.
• BH reported on the unveiling of the Festival Theatre Plan which was held on 16th March. (See planning report).
• BH also attended a meeting of the Civic Forum which featured The Cockburn Association and concerns about the City’s Open Space Strategy. He said he found it interesting. Discussion had been about areas less well provided with open spaces. Rules were the area should have a green space available to residents i.e. within 400 metres walking distance. He pointed out that we in the Southside are lucky in that we have an abundance of open spaces.
• SM reported on the SSA meeting where the subject of a large stone with a brass inscription saying “Welcome to St Patrick Square” which had recently appeared on the grass just inside the open gate of the square on the bus stop side of the garden was raised by a member who also mentioned wooden toadstools and another engraved stone in the Pleasance area. Nobody had been informed about the Council’s intentions. Colin Christison had written to the Council on behalf of the SSA asking why no-one had been consulted.
• MS had attended the EACC Public Forum meting on transport. Trams were the main topic.
• BH had attended the Neighbourhood Partnership Business meeting. There was an issue about police liaison. Where should this happen? It was felt by the SCC that liaison in the Environmental Forums is inappropriate. Environmental Forums already have a great number of other issues to deal with. Police Inspector Ian Moffat will discuss with Susan Bruce, manager of Neighbourhood Partnership to see if a new body can be formed to deal with the new policing issues. Ian Moffat to continue liaising with Community Council.
Allocation of funds for Community Events by Students’ Association was also raised. There was some discussion regarding how much cash could be awarded to them from Community Grants Association. It had been suggested that money might be ringfenced. There is a total budget of Ł62,000. It was agreed that a sum of Ł5,000 might be appropriate and that a possible second grant might be made at a later date but this should be treated like any application and should be decided on merit and availability of funds at the time.
Proposal to extend streets with under 20 mile speed limit (not our concern).
• BH attended the Edinburgh Association Community Councils Exec. on 8th April. Election issue. A newsletter is to be produced.

7. Roads Proposals 2010 – 2011
• It was decided after considering options shown in the “Roads Capital Programme” South Neighbourhood brochure that our vote would go to Project SC10/05a, Traffic island to be created at the West Entrance to Blackford Pond.
Another priority would be steps in Dumbiedykes. LM voiced her concerns for the steps in her neighbourhood . She said there is an urgent need for new steps because the existing steps are collapsing. JL felt that Housing Revenue should be responsible for this. LM said Roadworks money had been used for recent stair replacement/repairs. JL said he would get on to Housing Management to see what could be done.
• A future choice would be to replace wooden steps linking Viewcraig Gardens to Bauks View nature area/Brown Street.. LM said that undesirables now use the garden so residents tend not to go there. Police do move the undesirables on.

2009 – 2010:
• Bernard Terrace – This project was voted for last year, but has yet to appear. The suggestion had been made that options be put to Neighbourhood Partnership but it was felt that this was not their remit but that of Southside Community Councils as we had previously obtained Ł6,000 of funding which has not yet been used. It is strongly felt that this is not an issue for Neighbourhood Partnership.

2008 – 2009:
• The removal of redundant poles and tidying of the junction at West Newington Place / Newington Road has not yet happened.

8. Secretary’s Report.
None

9. Treasurer’s Report
JL Treasurer, reported
Cash at bank Ł1208.94
Expenditure Ł20
Petty Cash Ł29.34
Audit to be carried out this month.

10. Correspondence received.
1. Community Council News for distribution – 1 copy each.
2. Health Link – for distribution – 1 copy each.
3. Tenants’ Voice – passed around.
4. Roads Capital Programme – passed around table and take to Environmental Forum meeting on 22nd April.
5. Letter of support re. Bernard Terrace from Sarah Boyack.
6. e-mail received on student housing (draft for consultation) 26th March - 11th May. (filed)
7. Open Space Strategy draft for consultation 26th March – 21st May (filed)
8. Southsider Magazine – e-mailed to members of SCC two paper copies for LM and MS.
9. Licensing on Sundays – consultation e-mailed out to members of SCC. Paper copies gone to Liz and Michael.

11. Planning & Licensing Committee Report
• JL said there were no grounds for refusing the pawn shop’s application to trade at the former premises of Continental Jeweller’s. There was some discussion about whether a pawn shop was non-retail, however it was agreed that these establishments often carried stock for sale and indeed this was often their main source of revenue. University Developments
• Student accommodation on Festival Theatre site. Concerns about the height of the proposed building and the architectural style were expressed. It was felt that the height should be restricted in keeping with the present skyline - 6 storeys is too high and we should aim to influence the design of development .
• Plans for student flats off Holyrood Road also raised concerns. This is not in our area but does border it. This in an Old Town issue. It was agreed that we should support any objection by the Old Town group to height and style. Plans were to be on show at the Godfrey Thomson Halls (near the Bongo Club) on Holyrood Road 12 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday16th April and 12 a.m. - 5 p.m Saturday 18th April.
• Linda Hendry continues to be co-opted to Meadows Advisory Group. She will attend Wednesday 19th May.

12. Environmental Report – April 2010 from Hilary McDowell
1. Water main/gullies – the area at the bus stop on Newington Road has been completed, and that at the East Preston Street bus stop which was initially excavated as the same time was finally finished on Wednesday, 7th April. Cllr. Rose has asked John Gill about the gullies on South Clerk Street which are still blocked. A freedom of information request has been lodged to find out what work has been done, when, and what is scheduled.
2. Meadows – The Meadows Advisory Group met, and a list of work scheduled has been included in the Green Flag submission. This includes designated bbq sites. The Urban Circus’s second event, probably the Chinese State Circus, has applied for a licence for Ocean Terminal as well, so we hope it will go there. All notification of events on the Meadows was only going to Marchmont/Sciennes CC, but after protests by Tollcross and ourselves, we are to be notified directly.
3. Noisy Party – At 109 Newington Road. This was reported to HMO department as it continued till 4 a.m. The staff informed me that I did not have to be able to locate exactly which premises was the source of the noise, as their staff would do that. Phone 311 3131 before 4 a.m. to get a speedy (20 minute) response from Council staff. After 4 a.m. it will probably take longer. I was told not to tolerate unreasonable noise at any time. Alcohol was apparently being sold to the party goers well after the permitted time of 10 p.m. This has also been reported, and the shop visited.
4. Newington Road/Preston St. Junction – A request has been made for the subsided area to be inspected and substantial repair made.
5. The new street lamps in Dumbiedykes have now been numbered, and in such a way that they are unlikely to get covered with other lamp mounted notices.
6. There is a new regime in place to repair faulty street lights when it is dark, so that it immediately becomes apparent if the fix has worked. The team is also inspecting for faulty lights, and has completed its first city-wide sweep.
7. Holyrood Park is now shut to road traffic until 5.30 p.m. on Sundays, except for the high road which remains open in daylight hours. A suggestion has been made that notices be put in place on all approach roads to the park to inform drivers of the new times.

13. Public Question Time

• Member of public informed the meeting that a “cafe” selling burgers etc. had appeared in the Meadows near the Tennis Courts and Toddler’s play park. John Largue to investigate.

14. A.O.B.
None

15. Date of next meeting – 12th May 2010. AGM followed by regular meeting.

Back to top