Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council





Minutes of the 75th meeting, held on Wednesday 9 April 2008 from 7-9pm 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 and 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 Southside Community Council, as below.

PRESENT - Vice chairperson: Linda Hendry (LH); Justine Stansfield (Treasurer) (JSt); Jo Scott, (Acting Secretary) (JS); Elected Members: Liz Walker (LW); Hilary McDowell (HM), and Robert Hodgart (RH); Local Interest Groups’ Nominated Members - Margaret Bagan (MB); Mary Devine (MD); Kathleen Newis (KN); and Elizabeth Mulligan (EM); Members of the public: Three.

1 Welcome and apologies for absence

Linda Hendry welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Robert Beaton (Chairperson), Colin Christison (Secretary), Councillor Rose, Councillor Burgess, Jean Downie, and Julia Wilding. JS informed the meeting that CC was now at home and that JD was still in the Royal Infirmary.

2 Minutes of Meeting held on 12 March 2008

Three amendments - Kathleen Newis had sent apologies for her absence from the last meeting; at 10.7 ‘Waste Aware’ should read ‘Keep Edinburgh Clean’, and at 12.1 ‘Robert Rae’ should read ‘Ronald Rae.’ Adoption of minutes was proposed by HM and seconded by JSt.

3 Matters Arising

Item 3 - A planning application to is to be made to place the statue of the dog ‘Bum’ at the West end of the Grassmarket near the entrance to Princes Street Gardens.

4 Police Report - No police present.

5 Secretary’s Report

Information had been received regarding the licensing forum. New members are to be sought in May/ June. The Community Council agreed to support Chris Wigglesworth who is likely to be proposed by Tollcross Community Council as a good representative for the inner city area. Southside Community Council would also encourage Old Town, Marchmont & Sciennes, and Merchiston Community Councils to support Chris as he is well versed in licensing matters and aware of the problems in the city centre area.

6 Treasurer’s Report

The bank balance stood at £905.08 on the last statement dated 29th February. The treasurer will prepare the accounts for the AGM on 14th May.

7 Correspondence

The following items had been received: Letter to our Chairperson, Robert Beaton from Peter Sharma Chairperson of Old Town Community Council suggesting a meeting to discuss the number 60 bus; Letter from the Forestry Commission informing that there is a Consultation on the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Draft Climate Change Action Plan 2008-2010 (Consultation to close on 6th June); April ‘Centrepiece’; Postwatch Scotland News issue 18; Letter from Traffic Control informing that formal submission should now be made regarding parking changes proposed for Simon Square (no action required); Copy of the ‘Rock Report’; Leaflets informing about ‘Care and Repair Edinburgh’; Copy of March ‘Tenant’s ‘Voice’; Copy of Spring Issue of the Southsider; Edinburgh Trams Fact Sheet for March; an invitation to become a Friend of Planning Aid Scotland at a cost of £25: the decision was made to become a Friend; and

An E-mail from Linda Hendry informing that there will be marquee space for the Community Council, along with FOMBL and the other Community Councils, at the Meadows Festival (we may have to provide chairs and a table). Volunteers will be required and stall holders are invited to make contact.

8 Planning and Licensing Committee Report

8.1 Application no 08/00175/FUL 24 St Leonard’s Bank: REFUSED
8.2 Application no 07/03424/FUL 67 Clerk Street: APPEAL DISMISSED
8.3 Application no 08/00171/FUL 10 Chapel Street: REFUSED
8.4 Application no 08/00365/FUL 25-29 Clerk Street: Site visit to take place.
8.5 Application no 05/04264/ FUL flat 1F 24 Nicolson Street: to be appealed
.

9 Environmental Report (by HM)

9.1 Tree Guards: Last month I forgot to pass on the information that the tree guards which needed removing from mature specimens on the Pleasance have gone. CC reported this to me. This is something that has been requested for some time. Those outside the Police station will need to be removed soon as well.

9.2 Lights: If you have been on the Bridges / Newington Road corridor at night very recently you will have seen that almost all the lights are functioning. I received the Freedom of Information reply shortly after our last meeting. It seems that a new type of bulb had been put in and it failed on average in 9 months instead of lasting 3 years. Replacement bulbs were no better, so at last a tried and tested type is now in our area. Communication with the department is now amazing. Emails are replied to within 24 hours and proper information is being passed on. There are ongoing problems with Nicolson Square, as the work there has damaged the power supply, hence no lighting at all. The temporary wiring doesn’t work and we are pursuing that.

9.3 Brown Street: After another very long campaign, we have a beautiful stretch of new straight and painted railings in a weed free stretch of pavement. This is part of an area which we were considering last time as a site of a potential sculpture park. The next thing I am hoping for this area is that staff with chain saws will come and clear the fallen trees and we could consider doing a litter pick as a Community Council, perhaps in association with the Dumbiedykes environmental group.

9.4 Bollards: A year ago we were told that those missing would be replaced soon. In September 07 it was by December 07. Now John Gill (Roads Manager) is saying the end of August 08 because of the Gas works. I have begged him not to leave it that long. We can try to add pressure on this through the “Walkabout” organised by the Southside Association.

9.5 The public toilets in Hunter Square are not to reopen. The toilets at the top of Middle Meadow Walk have been shut for some time as a result of a damaged sewer. Cllr CR is encouraging a speedy repair by Quartermile. The group who used to hang around outside there are now congregating outside the toilets on the Meadows at the Magnet Playground.

9.6 Fly posting: At an otherwise frustrating meeting of the Environmental Forum on 26/3/08 we heard of a very exciting initiative being implemented on fly posting by Kathy Evans of Community Safety, Paul Baxter of the Environmental Wardens, and the Police, working with the nightclubs and University of Edinburgh. All 31 of the central Edinburgh clubs have joined a scheme by which any band wishing to play in their premises undertakes not to fly post. If they break this they will be banned from all 31 for 3 months. This is part of a bigger initiative to also deal with trouble makers that you may have seen in the Evening News. 70% of fly posting comes from this source. The CCTVs are being used to monitor some areas. Our 2 most vigilant poster removers were at this Env. Forum and are going to report at what time and venues which posters were found, so that all this information can be collected and charges brought. It has been found that most fly posting is done on a Tuesday night. The University is joining in by providing boards and putting up posters given to them for display on approved sites.

9.7 A-Boards: Work has been going on for years to draw up a protocol on A-Boards. It has at last been approved to be used city wide. From my reading of it we should be able to get many of our streets clear of these completely. I spoke to the relevant officials 2 weeks ago and sent them details and hope to have more to report at our next meeting.

9.8 Drains: One of the frustrations of the Env. Forum was the failure to get information on the gully cleaning rota. We have been told that it is impossible to extract the details of when our area is due for attention from the 1000 pages of information. I have been asking for certain drains to be cleared for many months through various channels, to no effect, so I wondered if my next campaign on behalf of the CC is to get this information and get it implemented. After some discussion the decision of the group was to wait until after the walkabout on 25th April to see if the information we want is forthcoming there. If not the Freedom of Information route will be used by the Community Council in order to find out when particular gullies were last serviced, are next due for attention, and how the frequency of gully cleaning is managed. Members of the CC and the public present were invited to submit their particular concerns for inclusion in the list. A representative from Prestonfield and Grange CC asked that our CCs could work together on this as it was a concern for them as well. This was agreed.

9.9 Gas Works: JS has been pursuing this one while I have been away. She was promised that the noisy plates in the street would be gone by now, but they were still in place at lunch time today. Once these two joints are made, there will be 4 weeks of connecting the pipe to customers, which we presume will cause traffic chaos again.

9.10 Local Environmental Priorities: At the Environmental Forum we were given copies of forms which we had filled out 2 years ago, stating our priorities for the area, for updating. We were expected to complete them there and then, without consulting with you or anyone else. Members were asked look at these and contact JS or HM if you think we need to make changes, by Friday 18th April. One of the biggest problems with the Env. Forum is that when we ask for all the information to be given to us well in advance so we can read and consult with you, we do not get the information .JS had a meeting with Susan Bruce to explore some of our concerns with her and clarify certain issues. She encouraged us to go directly to the relevant official e.g. John Gill on roads, Mike Shields on parks, one of the task force managers on litter etc. where we have a name and telephone number and so speed up communication.

Environmental Walkabout: The Southside Association has organised a walkabout on Friday 25th April starting at 2.30 at Nicolson Square. This is to look at road defects, bins, fly posting, drains or anything else that needs attention. Inform HM or JS of any concerns.

10 Reports from Meetings Attended

10.1 Canongate Youth Project L.H. the project is at present seeking grant funding for its projects.

10.2 South Area Housing Board 26th March - no report.

10.3 South Side Community Centre Management Committee on 8th April - Routine matters discussed. SCOOSH have agreed to sign the lease for Nelson Hall subject to a few minor amendments.

10.4 Southside Association, 1April, the editor of the Evening News was the guest speaker. Concerns regarding environmental matters were discussed in preparation for the walkabout on 25th April. Next meeting is the AGM on 7th May.

10.5 Pre-planning application meeting for Cowgate fire site; disappointment expressed that no housing is to go on the site. Hotel proposed.

10.6 Nursing in the Community - meeting to confirm work to date on planned pilot projects in North and South East Edinburgh Local Health Partnership Areas.

10.7 South Side and Old Town Crime Prevention Panel 18th March. Very interesting talk by the Wildlife Officer, who reported that organised dog fighting is taking place in Lothian. Next meeting is on 20th May which will include a visit to Tollcross Fire Station.

11 Any Other Business

JS had met with Susan Bruce, Neighbourhood Partnership Manager to express the concern of the Community Council that the Neighbourhood Partnership was not really moving forward. We do not seem to be involved in preparing our Community Plan although council officials have been meeting to discuss this. We have also found it more difficult rather than easier to get maintenance work done. There is a feeling that the new ways of working should have bedded in by now.

KN noted and all present agreed that the spring flowers in the city parks, gardens and tubs have been especially beautiful this year. She also stated that Nicolson Square Church would not be having Sunday morning services in the church building from the middle of May. Evening services will continue as will all other Church activities.

RH informed the meeting that there is to be a public meeting to discuss the redevelopment of the Leith Dock area, organised by ‘Jump’, on Tuesday April 15th in the Thomas Morton Hall, Ferry Road. He pointed out that this redevelopment is causing concern to a number of groups and individuals.

MB expressed concern about the number of cigarette ends on the pavements outside public houses. This will pointed out on the environmental walk.

LH had observed sales from a local shop of fruit flavoured tobacco solution for use in hubble-bubble pipes. She was concerned about children purchasing this - JS to investigate.

12 Open Forum

The chair of Prestonfield Grange Community Council stated she hoped we would work together as we have many issues common and can learn from each other.

A member of the public pointed out that the consultation period on microrenewables and development would soon be closing and that the Community Council may wish to comment.

13 Date of next meeting

14th May 2008 – AGM, followed by business meeting.

Back to top