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Southside Community Council






Minutes of 100th meeting held on Wednesday 13th October 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);
Elected Members: John Largue (Treasure, JL), Susan Brown, Keith Smith (KS), Bob Hodgart (RH), Deborah Charlesworth (secretary, DC), Lisa Sibbald (LS, (representative for the South Side Association)), Caroline Barr (CB), Nikki Thomson (NT), Michael Strain (MS), , Sandra McCormick (SM), May Linton (ML)

Council liaison officer: Shaun McGrath
City of Edinburgh Council: Councilors Cameron Rose, Steve Burgess
Several members of the Public were also present.

1. Welcome and apologies for absence.
HM welcomed those present to the meeting and introduced our new Council liaison office, Shaun McGrath. She also announced that Carline Barr is stepping down as vice-chair.
Apologies for absence were received from Colin Symes and Amy Williamson
2. Presentation by Alan Scobie (Elim Church) about the church’s plans to bid for the Odeon cinema, and plans for its renovation, to include a cafe, 2 cinema auditoria, and theatre, and also flats potentially to be built on the Bucchleuch St side. There are no current plans for an alcohol licence.
3. Police Report from Jeanette Clark: Nicolson Square problems have recurred, and there have been arrests. Some street drinkers have moved to Middle Meadow Walk, and there are plans to deal with this. Bike thefts have increased, and students are advised on precautions. Low level antisocial behaviour has been targeted. There is a direct line for non-emergency matters and not for reporting crimes): 662-5093/4. Phone numbers and emails are also in newsletters.
4. There were two amendments to the Minutes of the 8th September 2010 meeting. • The statement that the report of the ASCC Lothian regional meeting should read ‘with the draft minutes’.
• In response to SB’s informing us that the NP could be asked to set up a group to discuss stair cleaning and repair (see September minutes, meetings attended), DC has contacted other CCs to ask whether they are interested in forming such a group.

The minutes were approved. Proposed JL, seconded LS.

5. Matters arising
• Concerning the opening of the Southside Centre for councillors surgeries, HM has received a reply stating that the centre is always open just before 6pm, but that earlier opening is not feasible, and that the janitor’s hours of working have been shortened by one hour per week. Earlier opening would thus curtail other activities, and is not possible. A new system, allowing appointments to be made, will be started, and will be made clear on the notices announcing councillors surgeries, as these are renewed and replaced.
• Shaun McGrath told us that the white line outside the Kalpna restaurant will soon be done.
• Eilieen Hewitt is absent on secondment as a policy officer within the Community Safety Section (initially for one year, from 6 September). Michele Mulvaney will act as Community Engagement Manager.
• Evelyn Kilmurry has told us that £500 grants are available for a newsletter.
• HM has been told that provision for rubbish collection from the new kiosk in the Meadows is being investigated

6. Secretary’s Report - The secretary reported on correspondence received.
7. Treasurer’s Report (JL)
There is a balance at the Bank of £1730. A scout group have agreed to deliver a newsletter throughout the area for £250.
8. Correspondence
Petitions against closing the Crags Sports Centre and Dalry Swimming Pool.
George Pitcher heard that Edinburgh Tenants Association meeting discussed stair cleaning, and that a new contract is to start in the new year, which it is hoped will be a better service.
9. Planning and Licensing Committee Report
There were no major licensing issues this month.

10. Environmental Report (HM). See below.
The Meadows Green Flag report has been released. HM, DC. LH and LM will read it and meet to discuss it. DC to contact the others to arrange a date and time.

11. Reports from meetings attended and visits
• HM attended a meeting to discuss budget cuts. Excellent questions were asked, and these meetings will be followed by a city-wide summit on October 15th.
• An informal planning group had an interesting visit to the Commonwealth Pool.
• LM went to a the NP Business meeting and a meeting of the Dumbiedykes Environmental Group on antisocial behaviour.
• RH attended a workshop on the World Heritage site. Suggestions were made that city planning might make better use of this status in the draft Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site Management Plan. Comments on this plan are invited. RH also has a copy of the Southside Character Appraisal document.
• KS reported on the Southside Community Centre management committee meeting.
• JL visited Carnegie Court. Improvements are hoped for, but the residents need to be consulted. A possible area for raised beds for plantings was identified.
• JL spoke to Mike Shields about the possibility of a grant from Lottery funds of £500, which could be used to buy flowers for planting in Brown Street.

12. Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC)
HM outlined the letter that was received from the ASCC, threatening litigation in connection with the report of the ASCC Lothian regional meeting that had been on the web site along with the draft minutes of the September 8th meeting. The CC were shown the report, and the secretary of Craigmillar CC, who attended our meeting, as well as having been present at the ASCC Lothian regional meeting, informed us that HM’s account of the latter was accurate. After discussion by the CC and councillors, a text of our response was agreed by all CC members except one

14. Public Question Time: There were no questions

15. Any other business: None

16. Date of next meeting – November 10th 2010.

APPENDIX 1
Southside Community Council Environmental Report, October 2010

1. 50+ Tiewraps still on new railings of the Meadows left over from the Festival’s advertising hoardings. There had been a promise to clear up after the event, but this didn’t run to removing tiewraps. Last reported 16th September.
2. Continuing frustration with declining service from Scottish Water meant Sarah Boyack MSP contacted the Chief Executive on our behalf. A walkabout was proposed for me to show the problems to an engineer and the manager I keep contacting. I spent 1 ¼ hours pointing out 28 missing and broken toby covers, 5 defective fire hydrants, two water leaks, etc. I provided them with 4 maps and a list of all the addresses. The engineer was full of excuses. The situation is apparently the same all over Scotland. I insisted that the most dangerous hole in the pavement on West Crosscauseway should get urgent proper attention, not just the cone that he thinks is ok. The Roads Dept are delighted that we are applying pressure.
3. Asked for a date when Scottish gas will repair the sunken area West / East Preston St. junction.
4. HMO Dept. 469 3595 and Kathy Evans of Community Safety are very happy to receive reports of troublesome HMOs. Officers visit with police. Please report problems even if it is the following day.
5. New paving slabs being laid on East Preston St. to replace those broken by vehicles mounting the pavement.
6. A-board for “Happiness” of West Preston St. is being place on opposite side of road. I asked the resident who complained to report it to Environmental Wardens.
7. Meadows – The dead turf from the Ladyboys site has been scraped off and left as a pile on part of the area damaged by the student event and reseeded. The scraped area has been cultivated, and turf laying stated today. This whole area has now been out of use for 2 ½ months. Significant areas of the Meadows are already showing considerable sign of wear at a time of the year when we might have expected the grass to be at its best.

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