Minutes of 99th meeting, held on Wednesday 8th September 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 QZ 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.
Abbreviations used as required:
ASCC = Association of Scottish Community Councils; CC = Community Council; 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; SSA = South Side Association; TRO = Traffic Regulation Order; UoE = University of Edinburgh; and other initials = members of the SSC.
Present: Chairperson Hilary McDowell (HM);
Members Caroline Barr (CB), Susan Brown (SB), May Linton (ML), Liz Mulligan (LM), Lisa Sibbald (LS), Amy Williamson (AW);
CEC Cllr C Rose (CR);
L&BP officer Reuben Merrick (RM);
And members of the public (2)
1. Welcome and apologies for absence.
HM welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies received from Deborah Charlesworth, Bob Hodgart, John Largue, Keith Smith, Colin Symes.
2. Police Report.
RM reported as follows:
Safer Neighbourhood Teams is being piloted in our area. This means an increased police presence on the street with 4 community beat officers, street surgeries, and dedicated phone lines.
Over the summer extra police were on duty at the weekends on the Meadows, and the University helped finance extra patrols over the festival period which ‘kept the lid on things’. It is not certain if this will happen again next year.
The police are developing good relations with the mental health professionals which is resulting better treatment for people in the community known to have mental health problems.
There is still a drug problem in the area, but the police are working hard to deal with it.
Antisocial drinking is to be banned from Nicolson Square, using a 2006 byelaw. Notices will going up next week.
£30,000 worth of bicycles have been recovered recently.
The police are aware of problems with people living rough in the woodland bordering Holyrood Park.
3. Minutes and matters arising.
The minutes of the June meeting were approved, proposed by SB, seconded by LS
Matters arising:
• Licenced premises opening hours have now been received from Cllr Perry.
• Bernard Terrace junction – 1 meeting has been held, another to be held. Land ownership in front of Nelson Hall is now known.
• Kiosk on the Meadows – An answer has been received to the FOI questions (see below, appendix 1). The kiosk does not have planning permission, and the CC has objected via the CEC councillors.
• Public question – The step in the pavement opposite St Patrick Square – the white line on this step is to be repainted by CEC personnel at the end of September.
• CEC Cllrs surgery opening hours – SB requested this be put on the agenda for the October meeting.
• Cycle stands – CEC has not accepted the CC’s suggestions for the location of cycle stands on the Meadows.
4. Reports from meetings attended.
Crags Sports Centre open day (HM) – Met the new manager, Stephen Speedy. Sad to see the destruction of the new flower beds because of excavations by Scottish Water. HM was able to used her contacts in Scottish Water to arrange for them to give the Crags £500.00 towards replanting at the appropriate time of year.
Southside Community Tea (JL, MS) – no report.
EACC (HM) – An interesting talk from Cllr Buchanan warning about budget cuts coming, and the danger of ‘salami slicing’. Decide on your top priorities.
NP Business meeting & NP (LM) – The CC has put forward a motion urging the CEC to take powers to curb antisocial behaviour associated with begging and drinking on the street. This has been well received, and has also gone to the Police Board and the Chief Constable. There was some discussion, pointing out that begging is currently legal. CB and SB expressed their unhappiness with the motion and asked for further discussion.
Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links AGM (HM) – FoMBL is having difficulty filling the committee, and needs new members.
Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Advisory Group (MABLAG) (HM) – Discussions at the meeting had been rather curtailed because CEC officers were reluctant to disclose information to the community representatives.
Environmental Forum (HM, LM) – Discussions included the pavement step opposite St Patrick Square and also the problems associated with begging and drinking on the street.
HM, JL & DC met with Susan Bruce, Neighbourhood Manager and Evelyn Kilmurry on 12/8/10 to discuss communications between NP and CC. As a result Shaun McGrath has been appointed as a liaison officer, and he is now sending useful information. CB commented that Shaun had been very helpful in getting some big bins moved recently.
“Voice”, (Visioning Outcomes In Community Engagement) (CB) – This computer based planning tool is going to be adopted by CEC, timescales uncertain.
ASCC Lothian Regional meeting (HM) – report with draft minutes.
NP workshop (SB) – Workshop on the rôle of subgroups within the NP. SB requested this go on the agenda at a future meeting. She informed us that the NP could be asked to set up a group to discuss stair cleaning and repair.
Health and Wellbeing NP subgroup (CS) – 3 priority areas were highlighted: mental health and wellbeing; drugs, alcohol and other dependencies; carer support.
EACC (LM) – Liz was given a warm welcome by Jenny Mackenzie, EACC Secretary. Much discussion about the ASCC Lothian regional meeting.
The Causey (CB) – There is to be a presentation about developments at the October meeting of the SSA.
5. Treasurer’s Report.
In John Largue’s absence, HM told the meeting that we had recently received the annual administrative grant from the CEC of £649.44, so funds now stand at £1713.38.
6. Secretary’s Report.
Correspondence: 50 emails and 31 items of post have been received since the last meeting. Some of these are the subject of discussions at this meeting. For full details contact the secretary.
Staff changes:
– at the Neighbourhood Partnership, David Doig has been seconded to other duties, so Shaun McGrath is acting Environmental Manager.
– At CEC, Eileen Hewitt, Community Councils Liaison Officer, has moved to other duties. We do not yet know who is replacing her.
7. Publicity Group.
There was some discussion about the need for a publicity group. It was agreed that there should be a Southside Community Council leaflet outlining the purpose of community councils, and giving some information about activities the council has been involved in. CB, LS and AW agreed to form a group and report back to a future meeting with some draft leaflets.
8. Planning and Licensing.
HM reported that representations had been made to the CEC about the new restaurant at 28 – 30 West Preston Street which had belatedly put in for planning permission for alterations they had made to the building. The “before” drawings do not reflect the true state of the building before work began, and the ventilation put in neither appears on the plans, nor complies with the conditions imposed when permission was given to change the use of the building to a restaurant.
HM also reported that Enforcement had been informed that Imam’s restaurant on the corner of Nicolson Square were operating a take-away without permission, and had tables and chairs on the pavement without a permit. They have since closed the take-away, and been granted permission for 3 tables and 6 chairs outside.
CB asked about the Café Diablo on West Preston Street. She was assured that they do have permission to operate a café in that building.
A member of the public raised concerns about Holyrood Road, being particularly concerned about noise nuisance from the introduction of a new Tesco store, new student accommodation (Brewhouse Close), and the commentary from the frequent tour buses.
9. Environmental Report.
HM presented the Environmental Report. See Appendix 2 below.
10. Public questions.
Concern was expressed about rubbish at the kiosk on the Meadows. Guide dog owners had been experiencing problems. HM agreed to contact CEC about this.
A question was asked about HMO applications. CR advised the questioner to contact CEC direct.
11. AOCB.
CR informed the meeting that the Southside is to be included in an area of the city chosen for trialling 20 mph speed limits on all side streets. A report is going to CEC’s Transport Committee, and it is expected to go out to consultation thereafter. Details should be available by 15/9/10.
LM raised some concerns about the refurbishment of the low-rise housing in Dumbiedykes. TV satellite dishes are currently supported on the scaffolding, but there appears to be no means of supporting them once the scaffolding comes down. The exterior rendering is being replaced, but some absentee landlords are reluctant to pay and the fear is that inferior rendering will be applied, leading to problems of water ingress.
12. Next meeting.
The next meeting of the Southside Community Council will be held on Wednesday, 13th October 2010, 7.00 pm at the Nelson Hall.
Appendix 1 – FOI questions and answers concerning the Kiosk on the Meadows.
The Questions: (Submitted on 25/7/10)
Does the new refreshment kiosk near the Magnet Playground have planning permission? If not, why not? If so, why did it not appear under Ward 15 on the weekly planning list?
Does this kiosk have a street trader’s or other licence? If not, why not? If so, why was the Southside Community Council not informed about the application?
For how long does the current licence run?
In March I wrote to the Licensing Department pointing out that East and West Meadows are within the Southside and Tollcross Community Council areas, and was promised that all application for licences would be sent to the appropriate Community Council. Why did this not happen?
Were any of the elected City of Edinburgh Councillors (Ward 15) informed of this application, and did any of them sign an appropriate permission? If so, who?
Has permission been given, and by whom, for the use of a generator so close to a children’s play area?
Has the operator been instructed to provide an alternative power supply, and in what timescale?
The Answers: (Should have been received by 23/8/10, actually received 7/9/10)
Subject: RE: SR Assignment - SR Ref: 151869, General Enquiry BO, Hilary McDowell, Target Date 09/08/2010
Dear Hilary McDowell,
I refer to the above and to your request for information regarding a street trader in East Meadows, Edinburgh.
An application for grant of Street Trading licence in the name Warren Mitchell Taylor was lodged in respect of the above location on 24 February 2010. This application was lodged following a successful tender bid by the applicant to the Councils' Estate department to allow trading at this location. The Estates Department have leased the use of this location from 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2011. The street trading licence has been granted until 30 June 2011.
Public notification was provided to the local Ward Councillors, the local library (Newington), as well as to our Community Council Liaison Officer on 25 February 2010. The notification outlines the means by which objections or representations can be lodged. I attach a copy of the notification email for your information.
Should you have any concerns regarding notification to Community Councils, please contact our Liaison Officer, Jackie Mcintosh (jackie.mcintosh@edinburgh.gov.uk & +44 (131) 529 6750) who will be glad to help.
A satisfactory response in respect of the unit, including the generator, was received from our Services for Communities and Public Safety Department on 9 April and 31 March 2010, respectively. The foregoing notwithstanding, I will pass your concerns regarding the use of the generator to our Services for Communities (Community Safety Team) for investigation.
I trust that the above information is sufficient but please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any additional information.
From: Jody Mackay [mailto:Jody.Mackay@edinburgh.gov.uk]
Sent: 25 February 2010 11:13
To: Cameron Rose; Steve Burgess; Ian Perry; Gordon Mackenzie; Jackie McIntosh; Newington Library
Subject: Civic New Licence Notice
New Street Trader selling hot and cold food and drinks in the Meadows,
alongside the Magnet Play Area.
N.B. This application has been lodged following a successful tender bid
by the applicant to the Councils' Estate department to allow trading
during the summer months.
Jody Mackay | Legal Support Officer | Licensing| Legal Services | CEC |
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
THE CIVIC GOVERNMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 1982
APPLICATIONS FOR NEW LICENCES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that applications for the undernoted licences have been received by The City of Edinburgh Council. Anyone wishing to object to the grant of a licence must lodge a written objection or representation specifying the grounds of the objection or the nature of the representation with the Council Solicitor, City of Edinburgh Council, Licensing Section, 249 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ, by 18 March 2010 ; The objection or representation must specify the name and address of the person making it and be signed by that person or an Agent. Copies of objections or representations will be sent to the applicant. Objections or representations can be delivered by hand or posted by Recorded or Registered Delivery Post so that they would normally be expected to arrive by the above date. Late objections or representations can be considered if a good reason is given but otherwise if the terms of this Notice are not complied with, the objection or representation will be disregarded.
All addresses are in Edinburgh unless otherwise stated.
Alastair Maclean
Head of Legal and Administrative Services
Name
Address
Category
Date and Time
Mitchell Warren Taylor
By The Magnet Play Area
The Meadows
Melville Drive
Edinburgh
Street Trader Food with Emp
MON to SUN
09:30 to 21:00
1 Year
Appendix 2 – Environmental Report.
1. Scottish Water still has not repaired any of the defects reported to them, so Sarah Boyack has been asked to chase things up. Excuses of winter bursts and festival embargoes are no longer valid.
2. Gully cleaning – I have continued to request problem gully investigations. The slow running ones on South Clerk Street have had some attention. The gully outside Nelson Hall front door is on “private land” but has been cleaned. As a side effect of pushing on this we now know who owns what land here. The CEC is responsible for the majority of the land, but the tenemental flats own a strip in front of them. Perhaps we could look to get some improvements in this area.
3. Green Flag – Once again the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links have failed to get a Green Flag. The report has not been released as an officer says it possibly has mistakes in it. He seems reluctant to allow CCs to see it, but promises that our rep on MABLAG will be able to, sometime. The head of parks was also asked for the report. Our rep can only represent us if we can see and discuss matters to inform her what the view of the CC is.
4. Kiosk on the Meadows – I put in a FOI question and didn’t get a reply by the designated date, 23rd August. I prodded and sent emails to all four ward councillors on the subject. FOI came in on 7th September, and is not a complete answer (see appendix 1 above). It says all four councillors knew of the licensing application. I will need to pursue and escalate this. Everyone knows we are all opposed to this kiosk.
5. There are ongoing problems with the pedestrian section at the end of West Newington Place, with the scaffolding obscuring the street light, and dumping of building rubble. The scaffolding boards have now been moved so the light shines through, but it is not getting swept enough.
6. Carnegie Court – I wonder if we could work with the residents and others to improve the interior courtyard. Grants and volunteer teams are available.
7. North Meadow Walk. The white line separating off the cycle lane by the toddlers play area has been repainted to give more room to cyclists, so that it complies with the guidelines.
8. Public toilets on the Meadows – We had a complaint from a member of the public who found them shut at 6.50 pm last Saturday. I was told by the CEC that they shut at 6.00 pm. This seems very early for the summer, especially during the festival.
9. Many communal bins are missing lids and litter flaps, so seagulls will break up bags and rubbish is likely to blow out. The advice is to phone 529 3030 and report them.
