Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council





Minutes of 46th Meeting, held in the Southside Community Education Centre, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 11 May 2005, at 7.30 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; TRO = Traffic Regulation Order; and other initials = members of the SCC.

PRESENT - Chairperson: Jo Scott; Elected Members: Derek Christie (Treasurer) Giulia Dawson, Jan Fraser, Linda Hendry (Vice Chairperson); Nominated Members: Colin Christison (Secretary), Jean Downie, and Sandra McCormick; Co-opted Members: Robert Beaton and Helen Butler; City of Edinburgh Council: Councillor Robert Cairns; Member of the Public: One.

Jo Scott welcomed everyone to the Meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Mary Devine, Carol McHugh, Claire MacGregor, Keith Smith, and Sarah Boyack MSP.

1. Police Report - None.

2. Minutes of meeting held on 13 April 2005 - Subject to the correction at Item 9.3 where ‘beeches’ should read ‘birches’, the minutes were approved; proposed by JF, and seconded by HB.

3. Matters arising

Item 5.1 - the Secretary said that he written a letter of thanks to Andrew Purves.
Item 5.4 - the Southside Conservation Area Character Appraisal had mentioned the paved area in Pleasance for which the SCC had obtained LDC funding to install planters, and JS said that she was trying to have the surrounding railings painted.
Item 5.6 - LH had attended the University of Edinburgh’s James Tait Black Prize Award ceremony at St Cecilia’s Hall on 21.4.05 and reported that the occasion had been interesting and enjoyable. James Naughtie had presented prizes for best novel and best biography. This is thought to be the oldest such awards scheme in the UK.
Item 10 (c) - re bins and black bags, Cllr Cairns said that he was involved in discussions with senior managers to improve procedures so that uplifts could be made within a short fixed time period. Item 12 - the work on the Thornybauk Steps was now complete.

4. Secretary’s Report

4.1 The Secretary circulated information he had received on the ECO Schools Programme in Edinburgh; any support that members could give would be appreciated by local schools.
4.2 He said that he and JS had submitted a brief response to CEC on the draft Civic Code.
4.3 With short notice, and incomplete details, information had been received on a conference on national standards for community engagement. This was disregarded.
4.4. He said that the next meeting of the Edinburgh Civic Forum was to take place on the following evening, and that JS would attend.
4.5 A request had been received from the CEC’s Trading Standards Service for volunteers, aged between 13 and a half and 16, to take part in an underage sales test purchase programme for tobacco and fireworks.
4.6 The entry form for the Calor Scottish Community of the Year had been received.
4.7 He had received details of the summer arrangements for the use of the Community Centre.
4.8 The Chief Executive of tie limited had written to say that the Tram Line Three Project would be transferred to the CEC at the end of May.
4.9 He had received the CEC’s Leader’s Report for May.
4.10 Nominations for the CEC’s Get up and Go awards for 2004/5 had to be submitted by 3 June. Members offered one or two suggestions.

5. Correspondence - Advertising material etc was circulated, as well as the following items:-

5.1 Lothian & Borders Police April Newsletter.
5.2 Information and a request for volunteers to help with the 3rd Edinburgh Marathon on 12 June.
5.3 Copy letter from Dr Gilmour on behalf of East Parkside Proprietors’ Association requesting the CEC to adopt the thoroughfare known as Thornybauk Steps, following the completion of safety repairs and alterations.
5.4 Re:Solution - Community Backgreen Initiative - a project for renovating tenement back greens in Gorgie and Dalry. It was wondered if the Southside could benefit - JS to contact.
5.5 Letter from Forestry Commission Scotland re its corporate plan (available on www.forestry.gov.uk).
5.6 Water Customer Panels - update on operational changes.
5.7 University of Edinburgh Advice leaflet for students leaving Halls of Residence for flats.
5.8 Information on proposed City Car Club bays in Buccleuch Place, and proposals to standardise parking restrictions in the Newington area.
5.9 Information on ‘Understanding New Structures for Service Delivery’ presentations arranged by Capital City Partnerships would take place on 17 May. RB would attend.
5.10 Centrepiece - the April edition of the City Centre Management Co Ltd.
5.11 Letter from the Scotsman, sent by the Cockburn Association to its affiliate members, offering to provide speakers for groups (or a combination of groups) numbering at least 50.

Further information on any of the above is available from the Secretary.

6. Planning & Licensing Committee Report - The Secretary reported on the following:-

6.1 An objection had been lodged for a PA for hot food consent at 8 Forrest Road.
6.2 PA for change of use to hot food takeaway at 13 West Crosscauseway, to which the SCC had objected, had been granted.
6.3 PA for change of use from retail to restaurant at 50-54 South Clerk Street, to which the SCC had objected, had been refused.


7. Environmental Issues, including Tree Warden’s Report

7.1 The diseased lime and sycamore trees in front of Longmore House had been removed, and immediate replanting of new replacement trees completed.

7.2 Hilary McDowell, Chair of Newington Residents’ Association, had sent a copy of an exchange of e-mails about the advisability and legality of taking photographs of people fly posting. Cllr Cairns said that he understood that Margo McDonald MSP was hoping to have a private members’ bill in the SP so that fines can be levied through the fixed penalty system.

7.3 CC had written to City Development regarding some damaged or missing pavement bollards in the Clerk St corridor, boards (which have been in place for months) covering a hole in South Clerk Street, the possibility of providing a Sheffield bicycle rack in Montague Street, and a plea to reduce the number of street signs/furniture in the Newington area.

7.4 Information on a free Waste Aware Edinburgh talk or workshop, and invitation to take part in the ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ Competition and Exhibition. More info from Secretary.

7.5 CMacG had sent a message to say that she hoped to attend a tree survey in the Leith Walk area on 15.5.05.

7.6 JD was concerned at the quantity of weeds appearing. RC said that the normal 2 sprays with weedkiller would take place as usual. There was some discussion about the quality of weedkillers and how they can affect the water supply.

7.7 LH said that a grey litter bin had been dumped in the back garden of 51 Clerk Street; she would contact the council.

7.8 SMcC said that a standard lamp had been thrown from a top flat window to the rear of 15 Clerk Street and it is lodged in a 40 ft high tree. It was doubted that much could be done to remove it without the expense of hiring a tree surgeon.

8. Reports from Meetings attended:-

a) Southside Association

Held at the School of Informatics, Appleton Tower, on 3.5.05, and attended by CC, RC, JF, SMcC, JS, and KS. SMcC and JF reported that after the AGM at which there were some changes to the office-bearers’ posts (Chair is Colin Christison, Vice-Chair is Sandra McCormick, Secretary is George Pitcher, and the Treasurer is Fiona Scott), members were given a talk on the some of the work carried out at the School, as well as information on the redevelopment of the car park at Potterrow, on which the new School would be built.

b) Southside Community Education Centre Management Report

Held on 10.5.05, and attended by CMcH, CMacG, and CC, who gave a brief report on the activities of the Centre. SCOOSH would move to Preston Street Primary School on 1 July. After the Fringe let, it was hoped to proceed with the refurbishment of the kitchen; a Central LDC grant of £5,000 had been awarded, and other grant applications were in hand. Staff, and cleaning problems were reported.

c) Central Edinburgh LDC

Held on 27.4.05. and attended by HB, RB, and CC, who said that a participative review of the LDC activity using electronic voting pads was the main topic of the evening.

d) Canongate Youth Project Management Committee - Meeting postponed.

e) Central Area Housing Board

Held on 10.5.05, and attended by JF and JS. Topics for the tenants’ project in Dumbiedykes included safety doors, play parks, youth shelters, allotments, and the general tidying-up of the area.

f) HMO Partnership Group

Held on 4.5.05 by JS, who reported that the main attendees were CEC staff. Minutes available.

g) Joint Community Safety Forum Meeting

Held at Fettes Police HQ on 23.4.05 and attended by JF, who reported that it had been a very well organised and informative day, with speakers from the Transport Liaison section, Crimestoppers, the Fire Brigade, and the Association of Chief Police Officers. There were workshops in the afternoon on the subjects of youth strategy and racism.

h) Meeting re Make Poverty History March with reference to the Meadows

Held on 28.4.05 and attended by DC, and CMcH. DC gave a very detailed account of the discussions by CEC Officials, the Police, members of community groups, and the public. Long-term planning appeared to have addressed many of the anticipated problems.

9. Meadows Festival

JS said that a small marquee for the use of the 3 local CCs would be available on Saturday 4 June. It was agreed that members liaise to arrange the staffing of the marquee from 10am until 5pm, and to provide literature, postcards etc. JS would provide a table, and the SCC banner.

10. Boundary Changes

Maps of the draft CC boundary changes were on display. Minor changes at Lauriston Place and Grassmarket had been suggested. There had been no alteration to the boundary in the Dumbiedykes area.

11. Any other competent business

JD wondered about a press advertisement showing that Newington Post Office was for sale. It was thought that the premises rather than the business was for sale. There was no notification of the closure of the Post Office.

12. Open Forum - None.

13. Date of next ordinary meeting - Wednesday 8 June 2005, 7 pm, Southside Community Education Centre.