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Southside Community Council






Minutes of 98th meeting held on Wednesday 9th June 2010, from 7.00pm until 9.00pm, in the Nelson Hall, 5 Spittalfield Crescent, Edinburgh.

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: Hilary McDowell (HM);
Members: John Largue (Treasure, JL), Susan Brown (SB), Amy Williamson (AW), Keith Smith (KS), Bob Hodgart (RH), Deborah Charlesworth (secretary, DC), Colin Symes (CS), Lisa Sibbald (replacing Sandra McCormick as representative for the South Side Association).
City of Edinburgh Council: Councillor Gordon Mackenzie
Police representative: Graham Watt
One member of the Public was also present.

1. Welcome and apologies for absence.

HM welcomed those present to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Caroline Barr, Nikki Thompson, Keith Smith, Sandra McCormick, May Linton and Michael Strain

Note that due to the need for Cllr. Mackenzie and the Police representative to arrive later than 7pm, the order of items was slightly changed from that in the Agenda.

2. Minutes of the Community Council AGM held on 9th May 2010

The minutes of the CC AGM were approved. Proposed SB, seconded JL.

3. Matters Arising

We have still not received the list of pub opening times promised by Cllr. Perry, although HM has telephoned.

4. Minutes of the Community Council meeting held on 9th May 2010

The minutes of the CC meeting were approved. Proposed SB, seconded JL.

5. Matters Arising

Apologies for the minutes not being provided before the meeting itself. DC was away and a replacement had to do the job.

Sandra McCormick has stood down as the South Side Association rep on the CC. Our thanks to her for her participation in the CC and especially minute taking earlier in the year. Lisa Sibbald is replacing her and Tom King, who was also present, will deputise if necessary.

The cafe 10 to 10 in Delhi (67 Nicolson St) has been refused a licence, but is appealing.
There was a discussion of disorderly behaviour (aggressive begging, drinking in public places in a manner that inconveniences others). It was stated that most other cities have anti-begging laws. LM will ask the Neighbourhood Partnership to raise these problems with the City Council, as these are city-wide problems, needing coordinated action. We discussed whether drinking in the streets could be curbed, and whether police could use their judgement about whether a group of people drinking are behaving badly or not.
There will be a meeting on June 30th at Nelson Hall about the proposed pedestrian crossing at Bernard Terrace. This will be attended by several councillors, HM, Jo Scott, Mark Symonds (Safer Routes to Schools and also a council official), among others.
The kiosk in the Meadows was approved along with several in Princes St Gardens, without proper consultation of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Advisory Group (MABLAG), who would have preferred a different location. Cllr. Mackenzie will ask for information from Mr. Aldrich of the parks dept., but it is believed that the generator is a temporary arrangement until a power line is installed.

6. Police Report

Graham Watt introduced himself. His email address is graham.watt@lbp.pnn.police.uk. He is one of 3 beat officers for our area, with Ben Merrick and Jeanette McCulloch (more than any other area). Several of the senior officers have moved and been replaced. The new Inspector at St Leonards is Andy McLachlan. There are 2 sergeants (Alan Campbell and Scott Casey).
Graham reported that during the recent hot weather there were disturbances between Nicolson Square and the Meadows, involving large number of youths, and including some fights with bottles, a serious side-effect of drinking in the streets and parks. Operation Destiny (see May minutes) is to be continued, to deal with these problems, and some benches have been removed from Nicolson Square.
We informed Graham about an email we received concerning disturbances at East Parkside during the early hours of Sunday, 6 June, involving 30 to 40 young people believed to be Spanish. This may have been associated with partying in the Innocent Railway tunnel. Graham said that the police will monitor the tunnel more frequently during the coming weeks.
He asked residents to phone the police if intruders enter common stairs, as these may be drug addicts.
Graham was thanked for his report.

8. Treasurer’s Report (JL)

There have been two items of expenditure since the last report
1) Payment to W Scott—Auditing of Accounts £50.00
2 )Payment to The Meadows Festival Association Membership Fees plus Donation £95.00
This leaves a balance at the Bank of £1063.94
Petty Cash remains unchanged at £29.34

9. Secretary’s Report and Correspondence

See Appendix below.

10. Planning and Licensing Committee Report (JL)

• JL has seen the Festival Theatre plans
• The availability of plans for the Festival Theatre building previewed on March 17 was announced.
• JL had attended a presentation about changing the Old College Quad to grass from gravel, and installing benches and ramps for better disabled access. The University has a donation for the cost of this.
• Notification of applications have again been sent too late for consultation, sometimes even after the event has occurred.
• A large screen in Bristo Square for the World Cup was refused, as it would encourage drinking that would be impossible for the police to control.

11. Environmental Report (HM). See below.

12. Reports from Meetings attended.

• May 20th: Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (on Edinburgh Partnerships). BH and HM attended. The Edinburgh Partnerships is a 2 year old forum of the City Council with representative of the police, health authorities, fire department and the university, and Cllr. Mackenzie said that it is intended to have a relationship to the City Council similar to that of the Neighbourhood Partnerships with the Community Councils. . Although it has a budget, it is not clear what actions it can take.
• June 3-5: Causey consultation. HM showed some plans with ideas for West Crosscauseway, including removing pavements to make shared space, or ‘home zones’. BH said that this has been successful in Craigmillar. HM asked whether organisations for blind residents have been consulted, and BH replied that this would be done. HM invited the member of the public to comment, and we were told that the blind community hope that kerbs will be retained. Comments and responses to JL, HM or DC will be collated and transmitted to BH; they are needed by the end of July.
• June 5-6: Meadows Festival. HM, DC and Jo Scott manned a table with information about our area and activities, and a handout. Our table was lightly visited, and we should request that the tent should be sited in a less isolated place next year. Useful contacts were made with other CCs.
• South Side Association. LS attended.

13. Tree warden

SB will continue in this role, and has written to Keith Logie (Parks Development Manager) to tell him this.

14. Stair cleaning and common repair issues

JL discussed this with SB, and no general discussion took place at this meeting.

Item 12 of the Agenda, Formation of Publicity Group, Newsletter, was deferred to the next meeting, for lack of time.

15. Public Question Time

The question of the stepped pavement between the Kalpna restaurant and Edinburgh Fabric shop in St. Patrick Square was raised. HM said that the City Council have said that nothing can be done. However, several ideas exist, and we intend to pursue this. Cllr. Mackenzie will enquire about this.

16. Any other business:

SB asked about the opening hours for Councillors’ surgeries at the South Side Centre. She raised this several months ago, and had been promised feedback by Cllr Burgess.

17. The date of the next meeting will be 8th September 2010.

Appendix to Item 9. Correspondence

PAPER CORRESPONDENCE
• Step by Step Guide to common repairs
• Letter from Council approving cafe/takeaway at 51 Nicolson St
• Cockburn Association/Civic Forum (to be passed to BH)
         a) Invitation to AGM
         b) Site visits invitations
         c) Annual report
         d) Minutes of 16th March meeting
• SES plan document for consultation (May 31 to August 27) will be forwarded to CC members.
• Joint meeting of Community Councils on June 21st. Volunteers needed (must reply to HM by June 17). Susan Brown will attend the joint CC on 21st June. She has to get back to me on which workshops she would like to attend.
• EUSA letter asking whether the Community Council would like to suggest additions to the handbook for new students (How to live in Edinburgh). Secretary to request a copy of last year's handbook to see what is already there, and make suggestions.

EMAILS
• Sandra McCormick is unable to continue as the SA representative on the Southside Community Council, and Lisa Sibbald (with Tom King as a substitute if required) has volunteered to replace her.
• Donald Burgess (South Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnership) Edinburgh Town Centre Survey will be forwarded to CC members
• An email from Eileen Hewitt about VOICE (Training on Community empowerment) will be forwarded to CB
• An email from Eileen Hewitt requesting photos from community events over the next few weeks, to include in the CC Newsletter and at the CC Joint Meeting on 21 June will be forwarded to CC members.
• Shaun McGrath (South Neighbourhood Services for Communities) asked for comments on the proposal for Cycle Stands near the Meadows Tennis Courts and Playpark. The sites suggested by the MABLAG seem more appropriate than the ones originally proposed. Either version 1 or 2 would be suitable (it is not clear whether 2 sites are to be used, or just one of the 2).
• There was showing of the film entitled “Food Inc.” at the Community Church, 13/6/10.

Appendix to Item 11. Environmental Report (HM).

List of actions raised since the last Community Council meeting, and continuations from the walkabout held on 5th May.

1. Mike Shields, Parks Officer, has instructed a blacksmith to remove the tree guards round the mature trees at St Leonards Police Station.
2. I have asked for the pedestrian end of West Newington Place (Causewayside end) to be swept two or three times a week.
3. The Hard Landscaping Team has been working in the area to reset wobbly paving slabs.
4. Lighting defects at Tescos dealt with, and a replacement lamp installed at Dick Vet. A light survey to be carried out at Queens Hall.
5. Various defects reported and re-reported to Scottish Water and Fire Brigade.
6. Bill Bruce (Licensing) contacted about a noisy pub – once again the service was very efficient.
7. Stretch of pavement on Drummond St. reslabbed.
8. Signage blocking sightlines at the end of Salisbury Road at the Crags Pub removed.
9. Still a problem with blocked gullies – next on my list for concentrated efforts.
10. Work has started on the dropped kerbs by Dick Vet.

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