Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council




Minutes of 52nd Meeting, held on Wednesday 11 January 2006, from 7pm - 9pm in the Southside Community Education Centre.

Abbreviations used as required
ASCC = Association of Scottish Community Councils; CA = Cockburn Association; CDP = City Development Dept; CEC = The City of Edinburgh Council; CPOL = Council Papers Online; CYP = Canongate Youth Project; EACC = Edinburgh Association of Community Councils; E&CS = Environmental & Consumer Services; HMO = House(s) in Multiple Occupation; LA = Licence Application; LCPP = Local Community Planning Partnership; LDC = Local Development Committee; L&BP = Lothian & Borders Police; LEEP = Lothian & Edinburgh Environmental Partnership; LHC = Late Hours Catering; PA = Planning Application; SCC = Southside Community Council; SE = Scottish Executive; SP = Scottish Parliament; TRO = Traffic Regulation Order; WREN = Waste Recycling Environmental; and other initials = members of the SCC.

PRESENT - Chairperson: Jo Scott; Elected Members: Linda Hendry (Vice Chairperson), and Carol McHugh; Nominated Members: Colin Christison (Secretary), Mary Devine; and Robert Hodgart; Co-opted Members: Robert Beaton, Helen Butler, and Claire MacGregor (Tree Warden); Lothian & Borders Police: PC Alistair Mackenzie; Members of the Public: Two.

1. Welcome, and apologies for absence

Jo Scott welcomed those present to the meeting, and wished them all a Happy New Year. Apologies for absence were received from Giulia Dawson, Jan Fraser (Treasurer), Jean Downie, Keith Smith, Cllrs Cairns and Cunningham, and Sarah Boyack MSP.

2. Police Report

PC Mackenzie gave a detailed report of crimes in Wards 33 (Southside) and 34 (Holyrood) for December and the early part of January. Over the period, crime levels were relatively low, with reports of vehicle crime and vandalism. There had been a theft of a motor vehicle from Homebase, one from Dumbiedykes, and a van from Cowgate. There had been a report of a car being broken into in Parkside Terrace (and 3 in East Parkside, previously). Tyre valves had been stolen from a car in St Leonard’s Lane. There had been a serious assault in the Cowgate, and an indecent assault, and minor assaults elsewhere in the area. Housebreaking had occurred in New Arthur Place, and in a local hotel.

He said that he had been keeping in close contact with members of ethnic groups. The Southside area has the largest percentage of ethnic groups in the city.

There were one or two questions from the floor, including a query about how to deal with the persistent problem of people chatting noisily in groups after they leave clubs in the small hours; the advice was to call 999, as there would likely to be police patrols in the area concerned.

3. Minutes of Meeting of 14 December 2005

Approved; proposed by RB, and seconded by HB.

4. Matters arising

4.1 (Item 7.2) Derek Christie had contacted Clare Newlands with the information about running the SCC’s website. The SCC now had a link on the website to the Local Channel.

5. Secretary’s Report

5.1 The Secretary distributed copies of the Edinburgh Community Council News, December 2005 issue, to members.

5.2 He said that he had heard from the Community Council Liaison and Development Officer that, following the Special Meeting (attended by JS) of the City of Edinburgh Council on 15 December 2005 at which the proposed amendments to the Community Council Scheme were considered, provision was made in an amendment that further consideration be given to explore co-terminosity with the proposed multi-member wards. The Southside Community Council was included in the list of CCs which would discuss proposed boundary changes with the City Council. After some discussion it was agreed that JS and CC would contact Cllr Cairns to seek his views.

5.3 He said that he would advise members of the date of the postponed South LDC Environmental Forum meeting (due to take place week commencing 30 January).

5.4 He said that he had registered with the Scottish Executive’s on-line information-consultation system called seConsult, in order to receive weekly bulletins and newsletters on various matters. He said that other members were welcome to register as well.

5.5 He said that the next meeting of the EACC would be held in the City Chambers at 10am on Saturday 28 January, when the National Review of CCs would be considered. JS and RB hoped to attend.

5.6 He circulated notes from the SACC November conference.

5.7 He said that the Canongate Community Forum had invited interested parties to attend a meeting at 7.30pm on 16 January at Old St Paul’s Church, on proposals to redevelop parts of the Canongate.

5.8 Victim Support Scotland now received the SCC monthly minutes. They would be happy to give members a short talk at a future meeting.

5.9 CC said that Claire MacGregor was unable to represent the SCC on the Management Committee of the South Side Community Education Centre, and asked for a volunteer to replace her. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month, at 6.30pm.

6. Treasurer’s Report

Not given, as the Treasurer was absent.

7. Correspondence

Various items of an advertising nature were circulated, as well as the following items:-

7.1 Issue 1 (December 2005) of the Scottish Health Council News.
7.2 Scottish Water’s Winter Warmer Campaign information
7.3 Volume 2, Issue 2 of the Edinburgh Partnership News.
7.4 L&BP ‘A’ Division, December Newsletter
7.5 ‘letwise’ help and advice for landlords in Edinburgh - Training programme details for Feb-Apr 2006.
7.6 Warm Homes update, December 2005
7.7. Royal Lyceum Theatre Community Newsletter, January 2006 edition.
7.8 Information on City Literacy and Numeracy (CLAN) courses (www.clanedinburgh.org).

8. Consultations

8.1 CEC Parking Strategy Review - some copies circulated for members to complete and return.
8.2 Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 Consultation from SE; reply required by 31.3.06. JS/CC to consider a response.
8.3 HMO revised planning guidelines - a response would be submitted shortly.
8.4 SE Review of CCs - a response would be submitted shortly.


9. Planning & Licensing Committee Report

P = Planning issue, L = Licensing issue, H = HMO issue.

9.1P The CA had sent a copy of their objections to the revised PAs for the Quartermile project on the former Royal Infirmary site.
9.2P PA for change of use from restaurant to hot food takeaway (to which the SCC had objected) had been granted on 14.12.05.
9.3L 10 Forrest Rd LHC Licence (previous objection by SCC) - refused.
9.4L 44 South Clerk St LHC Licence (previous objection by SCC) - refused.
9.5L The list of various liquor licence applications had been received. It was decided not to comment on a LA for the former Odeon cinema premises.
9.6L LA for public entertainment licence for the Crags Sports Centre - more information to be sought.
9.7L A letter had been sent to the Licensing Dept pointing out that the licence holder of the second hand dealers at 47a South Clerk Street was not abiding by the conditions of the licence by displaying some of his goods on the pavement.
9.8H 5 HMO Licence applications had been received since the December meeting, as well as decision lists.

10. Environmental Issues, including Tree Warden’s Report

10.1 CMacG circulated various maps and drawings showing St Patrick Square at different stages since 1793. She felt that the planting of a lime tree might be a suitable replacement for the tree which had been damaged. CC had written to the Director of City Development asking for guidance on how to improve the square.
10.2 She mentioned that a damaged bicycle had been left on the bicycle stand at Lutton Place; and it was suggested that she phone ‘Clarence’ to report this.
10.3 CC said that there had been reports of rats around the Hermits Croft area. Bread was often left out here for birds, and there was usually other rubbish including foodstuff, lying about.
10.4 Hilary McDowell from Newington Residents’ Association had sent the SCC a copy of an e-mail which she had sent to Mark Turley about the serious concerns she and others had about environmental services.
10.5 There was discussion about the reluctance of some tradesmen to work in the area as they were inclined to receive parking penalty notices. It was thought that they could get permission to park at certain locations providing that they were genuinely working there. More information to be sought by JS.
10.6 There was a damaged or an improperly placed manhole cover outside the JFK hair salon in South Clerk Street. It rattles noisily when vehicles pass over it, to the annoyance of residents. JS to report to ‘Clarence’.

11. Reports from Meetings Attended:-

11.1 Southside Association (10 January)

Attended by CC, MD, and CMcH. There had been a general discussion about local issues, and about the future programme. CC was in the process of compiling an action plan for the Christmas lights ceremony etc.

11.2 Edinburgh Partnership (15 December)

Attended by JS, who said that there had been an interesting meeting about the Voluntary sector.

11.3 Justice & Peace Meeting (11 January)

Reported by CMacG to have been an interesting meeting about the Single Transferable Vote system.

12. Any other Competent Business

12.1 RB expressed his concern that some motorists were jumping the red lights at the pedestrian crossing outside the Police station in St Leonard’s Street. He and other members had observed this happening at other sites.

12.2 MD said that the traffic lights at Potterrow/Marshall Street had been out of action for at least 48 hours. ‘Clarence’ to be contacted.

12.3 It was noted that there was no action at Thornybauk House in St Leonard’s Bank following the withdrawal of the planning application some time ago. JS will ask the Planning Dept.

12.4 JS asked for contributions for an article for the March edition of the Southsider.

12.5 JS said that Cllr Mackenzie (Prestonfield ward) had written to the City Development dept asking for action to improve the vibrancy and attractiveness of the shops in the Newington, especially Salisbury, area. There was a discussion about the subject, and it was suggested that reinstatement of the gardens and the relocation of the shops on the south-east of Newington Road would be desirable.

13. Open Forum

None.

14. Date of Next Meeting

This will take place on Wednesday 8 February, in the Nelson Hall, Spittalfield Crescent, from 7pm until 9pm. It will be held in the Gray Room, upstairs. LH asked that her objection to the use of this venue until the meetings on the advertised list of dates are over, be recorded.