Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council
Minutes of 74th meeting, held on Wednesday 12th March, from 7pm - 9pm 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; EACC = Edinburgh Association of Community Councils; HMO = House(s) in Multiple Occupation; LA = Licence Application;; L&BP = Lothian & Borders Police; LHC = Late Hours Catering; PA = Planning Application; SCC = Southside Community Council; MMW=Multi Member Ward; NP=Neighbourhood Partnership; SE = Scottish Executive; SP = Scottish Parliament; and other initials = members of the SCC, as below.
PRESENT - Chairperson: Robert Beaton (RB); Vice-Chairperson: Linda Hendry (LH); Elected Members: Robert Hodgart (RH), Hilary McDowell (HM), Jo Scott (JS), Treasurer Justine Stansfield (JSt).
Local Interest Groups’ Nominated Members: Margaret Bagan (MB), Mary Devine (MD)
Services for Communities: David Doig and Archie Enwood
Lothian and Borders Police: PC Ben Merrick
City of Edinburgh Councillor: Cameron Rose
Members of the Public: 11
1. Welcome and apologies for absence
Robert Beaton welcomed those present to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Colin Christison (Secretary), George Pitcher, Jean Downie Sarah Boyack, Liz Walker, Liz Mulligan, Carol McHugh, Kathleen Newis and Julia Wilding.
RB explained that CC was due to be admitted to hospital soon and would be out of action for some time. He asked if any member who felt able to volunteer take the minutes of meetings during CC’s absence would contact the Chair to arrange this. Jean Downie remains in hospital
Two extra agenda items were added. A presentation from the Salvation Army on the planning application for 25-29 Clerk Street and John Wilson with information on the San Diego dog ‘Bum’.
2 . Presentation from-
Salvation Army Major Robert McIntyre, Scotland Secretary, Alan Montgomery, Director of Social Work, and Beverly, an ex-client and now a member of Salvation Army Staff. All three spoke very eloquently about the work the Salvation Army carries out in the city with homeless people, by supporting, counselling and encouraging those with dependencies to work towards recovery. They described how their clients can eventually have accommodation in the Pleasance premises and can move on to flats to live more independently such as those in East Adam Street. Their lease in Bread Street is up and the owner does not wish to renew so new premises are needed. The Bread Street accommodation is not large enough and the Clerk Street shop is of a better size.
The presentation and information about the supportive work done by the Salvation Army impressed the Community Councillors and the members of the public present. The opening hours of the new premises during daytime hours would be tailored to meet the needs of the clients. Concerns were expressed and questions asked about groups congregating in a very busy street with residential accommodation in the tenements above. The easy access to the Meadows, the Magnet playground and Nicolson Square were mentioned, as was the possibility of people using the stair entrances for various inappropriate purposes.
The Salvation Army has been looking for new, larger premises for over a year. The Edinburgh City Council has been asked to assist in this search but no suggestions have been forthcoming. They would do their very best to avoid problems. Alan Montgomery suggested that it would be useful to have a representative from the Community Council on the Salvation Army Advisory Group.
RB thanked all three members of the Salvation Army warmly for coming to talk to the Community Council and for their very informative presentation and clear answers to questions, after which the speakers left the meeting.
The Community Council asked Councillor Rose to raise the question of suitable accommodation within the City Centre for the Salvation Army Homeless People’s Project with Council Officials.
Following discussion the Community Council decided to object to the application as a large number of residents had expressed their anxiety regarding this change of use in relation to loss of amenity to the area.
3. John Wilson, President Edinburgh San Diego Association
John reminded the Community Council that a suitable site to install the gift of ‘Bum’ the model of the San Diego dog is still required. As the model is a gift in exchange for a copy of Greyfriars Bobby the site should be near Greyfriars Church. There is now a blog site where suggestions can be made. John would be grateful if people would make use of it.
http://www.esdtwincities.blogspot.com/
4. Police Report
PC Ben Merrick reported that two troublesome criminals in the area have been locked up. Youth problems had been low possibly due to the weather. The two brothers who cause problems drinking on the street are no longer being served by a number of off licence premises and have not been seen in the area so often. Bikes are being stolen throughout the city. The Pleasance hostel is well managed and has a good relationship with the police. In the four years the East Adam Street flat have been open there have not been any problems with the residents.
Inspector Galbraith is moving to the Diversity Unit at Fettes to be replaced by Inspector Richard Horan. Ben is to go to West End for two weeks to deal with a group causing environmental damage.
5 Minutes of meeting of 13th February and matters arising
Amendment
1 9.3 should read ‘Dr Gilmour said that the City Council had informed him that the outstanding lighting improvements at East Parkside would be completed before the end of the current financial year’
Amendment
2 12 should read ‘AE replied that no decisions about the area had been made but upgrading would probably be done on a citywide basis if the council made the decision to go ahead with a digital upgrade’
The minutes were then approved, proposed by RB and seconded by J St.
6 Secretary’s Report
No report.
7 Treasurer’s Report
JSt reported that the bank balance on18th February was £944.68.
8 Correspondence
8.1 Information from the recycling advisory officer that CEC are now making replacement raincaps for blue and red recycling boxes available from local libraries.
8.2. Request from the Lord Provost for nominations for the Edinburgh Award, by 18 March.
8.2 Traffic management information in relation to Constitution Street in preparation for the tramway.
8.3 Invitation to SEPA seminar on thermal treatment of waste on 21st March.
8.4. Centrepiece March.
8.5 Warm Homes Update Issue 7.
8.6 Notice of meeting of Lothian Community Councils on 15th March ‘Talk together Talk to Your MSPS’.
8.7 Notice of Merchiston Community Council meeting on 18th March ‘How Planners Make Decisions
8.8 Copy of Tenant Participation Strategy.
8.9 Copies of The Community Councillor February 2008.
9. Planning & Licensing Committee Reports
Planning
9.1 25-29 Clerk Street see above
9.2 10 Chapel Street change of use from juice bar to restaurant number 08/00171/FUL 0bjection letter sent, overprovision, no number of covers, no evidence of fume extraction.
9.3 Application 17 Clerk Street shop to office 07///04975/FUL withdrawn
9.4 Application07/044995/FUL attic conversion too 12 128 Nicolson Street - refused.
9.5 65 Dumbiedykes Road Erect 10 flats.07/05063/OUT - approved
9.6 Enforcement 119 Nicolson Street under investigation
9.7 Enforcement 38-39 East Preston Street under investigation
Licensing
9.8 Street Trader licence application Buccleuch Street withdrawn.
9.9 HMO 50A East Crosscauseway objection sent receiving attention
9.10 Notice of applications for HMO 90 2F2 South Clerk Street, 3(1F1) Hope Park Terrace.
10. Environmental Report (HM)
10.1 After last month’s meeting some Freedom of Information questions were submitted to the Council about the way that the Council manages lighting faults. I have only, as yet, received an acknowledgement. Answers are due on Monday. Another Community Council chair has reported the same problem in their area. They said that their understanding was that Scottish Power has a contract to deal with lighting on the Council’s behalf. Since there is obviously a failure to fix 90% of lights within 7 days, as advertised on the Council website, Cllr Rose, was asked as councillor present at this meeting, to investigate on our behalf why Scottish Power is not fulfilling its contract in a timely fashion. None of the lights reported on 26th February had been fixed by 7th March, and neither have most of those reported mid January. (See Website News page for update on this item).
10.2 A-boards: The Archangel Michael Healing Centre, on West Preston St. had attached large advertising boards to three posts at eye level so the Environmental Wardens dept was phoned and asked to take action. A visit was made and the boards removed within 48 hours. A success! On Monday at the Neighbourhood Partnership meeting I asked another warden to take action over a 5 ft board outside Brown’s Stationers, and the proliferation on the corner of Salisbury Road.
10.3 Attempts have been made without any success to find out when the Brown bin collection starts. The department, it seems, haven’t decided. Last year it restarted on 6th March. At this point Cameron Rose informed us that the collection is due to start on 1st April. It was suggested that this information could be posted on the web site.
10.4 The Neighbourhood Partnership has been asked to inform the CC when major roadworks and closures, such as that on South Clerk St at present, are going to happen. We note that this gas main booster pipe is going down the centre of the street. If we ever get trams it will have to be moved. The main work is complete, but now each road junction needs to be dug up to make connections. How long it will all really take is not known, but there will not be major disruption for the whole of the 14 weeks.
10.5 Soon after the last meeting some more tarmac was put into the hole on the corner of Salisbury Road.
10.6 The railing opposite the Commonwealth Pool is missing again. Only the top rail is in place. This route is part of a ‘Safe Route to School’
10.7 Brown St railings have still not been repaired or the rubbish or fallen trees cleared from there and Braidwood Gate. A discussion took place as to whether the CC in association with Keep Edinburgh Clean and Starbucks could organise a clean up of the area.
10.8 There is as long length of cable on Nicolson St at the cycle rack outside Kentucky Fried Chicken. David Doig informed the meeting that this is a fine pipe containing water or gas, and so couldn’t be removed with bolt cutters. What action is being taken to deal with this was not known.
10.9 The missing bollards between Nicolson Square and South Clerk St. cannot be replaced at the present time because of the work on the gas main. Next month it will be a year since we were told that these bollards would be replaced.
10.10 It was suggested that a walkabout of the main street should be arranged with the Southside Association, one of our Councillors and officials, as it is eleven months since the last walkabout.
11 Reports from meetings attended
11.1 Canongate Youth Project: Nothing of note.
11.2 Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (23 February): Tom Buchanan spoke in the series of meeting with Councillors representing the different political parties. Councillor Buchanan is the cabinet member for Economic Development and Community Planning and is happy to hear from Community Councils on Community Planning. Southside to write to state their concerns about the lack of progress in Community Planning.
11.3 Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links (18 February): Successful public meeting where problems with events on the Meadows and Cycling on the Meadows and Links were well aired.
11.4 Meadows Festival Association (21 February): Festival planned for 6 and 7 June this year. Many volunteers required. A request for a donation was met with an offer of £50 which was gratefully received.
11.5 Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Short Life Working Group (6 March); is attempting to develop transparent pathways for application for events on the Meadows. L&B police together with Community Safety will monitor activity during August and deal with the annual problems of vehicle movement and large numbers of residential caravans that use the area during the Festival and Fringe period. There are to be increased bonds and charges and bonds are to be fully utilised to repair damage to the park
11.7 South Area Housing Board (27 February): Bus tour planned for 15 March to view projects. Project proposals for next financial year tabled to be voted on at next meeting on 26 March
11.8 South Central Neighbourhood Partnership (10 March): Update from Susan Bruce on Work Plan. Housing Board, Meadows Links and Tollcross Short Life Working Groups, and Local Community Plan Presentations from Robert Aitken of the Local Health Partnerships, CCTV in South Central Area, Counter Terrorism, Voter Registration. Report on Community Grants Fund.
11.9 South Side Community Centre Management Committee (11 March): Routine matters discussed. The leaking roof of the centre continues to give cause for concern.
11.10 South Side Association: Considerable concern expressed regarding planning application for 25-29 Clerk Street (see above) otherwise routine matters discussed.
12 Any other competent business
12.1 RB introduced his idea for placing some Ronald Rae sculptures in the area around Braidwood Gate. Members expressed interest in improving this area and installing some art works. An exploratory walk to be arranged in April/May when the days are longer. This project is intended to involve as many groups and individuals in the Southside community as possible.
12.1 Mary Devine Chairperson, of the Crime Prevention Panel said that the next meeting is to take place on 18 March in the Community Centre at 7.00 pm. The speaker will be Jim McGovern, Wildlife Police officer.
12.3 JSt asked it to be noted that April is National Spring Clean Month during which community ‘clean ups’ are encouraged.
12.4 Difficulty with the repositioning of bus stops because of the gas main work being carried out on Clerk Street South and South Clerk Street. The stops are now very far apart with no information to indicate where the stops are placed (JS to investigate).
13. Open Forum
No matters raised.
14. Date of next meeting
Wednesday 9th April 2008.
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