Welcome to Edinburgh's
Southside Community Council
Minutes of 79th meeting, held on Wednesday 8 October 2008, from 7pm until 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; DEG = Dumbiedykes Environmental Group; EACC = Edinburgh Association of Community Councils; EUSA = Edinburgh University Students’ Association; HMO = House(s) in Multiple Occupation; LA = Licence Application; L&BP = Lothian & Borders Police; LHC = Late Hours Catering; MMW = Multi-member ward; 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: Robert Beaton {RB};
Elected Members: Colin Christison (Secretary) {CC}, Linda Hendry (Vice-Chairperson) {LH}, Bob Hodgart {BH}, and Hilary McDowell (Environmental Spokesperson) {HM};
Local Interest Groups’ Nominated Members: Margaret Bagan {MB}, Kathleen Newis {KN}, and Stewart Reid {SR};
Co-opted Members: Keith Smith {KS};
City of Edinburgh Council: Councillor Steve Burgess {SB};
Edinburgh University Students’ Association: Ross MacRae{RM}(Academic Services Convenor);
Lothian & Borders Police: PC Ben Merrick; and
Members of the Public: Four.
1. Welcome, and apologies for Absence
Robert Beaton welcomed those present to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Mary Devine {MD}, Carol McHugh, Liz Mulligan, George Pitcher {GP}, Jo Scott {JS}, Justine Stansfield, Liz Walker, and Sarah Boyack MSP.
2. Police Report
PC Merrick said that there had been six recent unsolved instances of housebreaking. There had been 28 thefts of pedal cycles in the last nine weeks, with just one recovered. The cycles had been securely locked in well-lit places with lots of people around; it was thought that they were being dismantled and parts sold on e-bay. Plain-clothes officers were monitoring some off sales premises in the area following threats to staff. Heroin was being traded and injected in certain stairs in Clerk St, South Clerk St, and Buccleuch St; one arrest had been made. Events in the Broomhouse area in the city had meant temporary secondment of CID staff there. With reference to Item 5.3 (below) he said that the police had received no reports of needles being found in the gardens of Haddon’s Court (although not much drug dealing took place there as there were many people around). He stressed that reporting by phone, letter, and e-mail was imperative (using the expression ‘shy bairns get nae sweets’). Gifford Park suffered from spray painting over the weekend of 4-5 October, but there had been no witnesses. There was a discussion about the effectiveness of locks and chains for cycle racks.
3. Presentation by Lorraine McCauley, Project Officer, Switch On to Climate Change, SEAD (Scottish Education & Action for Development)
Robert introduced Lorraine, who gave a short talk on what communities can do to tackle climate change. She gave an explanation of the greenhouse effect, and other background information, including references to Scotland. Booklets entitled ‘Rising to the climate challenge’ were issued to members. One or two questions were asked, after which members thanked Lorraine for attending.
The following links give further information:
Where can I get reliable, well-researched information about climate change?
Climate Facts - WDM
Climate Jargon Buster - WDM
Climate Change controversies; a simple guide –The Royal Society, UK's national academy of science
What does climate change mean for Scotland?
Scotland environmental protection agency – Implications for Scotland from Climate Change
Scotland environmental protection agency –Observed impacts in Scotland
Scottish Climate Change Impacts Partnership
( was set up to help organisations adapt and plan their resilienceto the challenges presented by climate change.)
What can communities do to tackle climate change?
Check out what other communities are starting to do now.....
Haddington
Dunbar
Linlithgow
Stirling
UK wide –
Transition communities
Low carbon communities
Where can communities get support to tackle climate change?
Switch On to Climate Change project at SEAD
(Scottish Education and Action for Development)
Climate Challenge Fund
Changeworks
Energy saving trust
Transition Towns
4. Minutes of meeting held on 10 September 2008
Subject to the following change at Item 10.1 (CYP) where “There was quite a high turnover of staff” should read “There had been some personnel changes”, the minutes were approved; proposed by HM, and seconded by MB.
5. Matters arising
5.1 Item 8.6 (Odeon) – it was now understood that the planning application would come before the committee in late October or early November.
5.2 Item 11.2 (Nicolson Street Post Office) – the SCC had received an acknowledgement of its letter objecting to the proposed closure of the Post Office.
5.3 Item 12.2 (Haddon’s Court) – the problems associated with littering from refuse containers belonging to charity shops, and the ongoing anti-social behaviour, had been discussed by the SCC and other groups on a number of occasions. Two members of the Haddon’s Court Proprietors’ Association were present at the meeting, and the problems were outlined, including the charity shops’ refusal to take any responsibility for the mess, the fact that the Association’s gardener had refused to continue working there after his discovery of hypodermic syringes, and the gardens are being used a public drinking area and a toilet. It was noted that the City Council had agreed to undertake a programme of action to clear the litter on a regular basis, some bins would be relocated within the area, and an inter-departmental (Environmental Wardens, Cleansing, and Community Safety) meeting would establish an action plan to help resolve the problems. Members of the SCC expressed the hope that some positive results would be achieved.
6. Secretary’s Report
6.1 The next SCNP meeting on 13 October will be attended by RB.
6.2 Digital UK at BBC Scotland have advice on the forthcoming digital switchover on www.digitaluk.co.uk.
6.3 NHS Lothian remind eligible people about the annual flu vaccination programme in October and November; more info from GPs and at www.infoscotland.com/flu.
6.4 The Edinburgh University Students’ Association is keen to work with local groups and community councils in order to improve relationships between students and the rest of the community; Ross MacRae was welcomed to the meeting.
6.5 The CEC has commissioned a review of its existing parking standards document, and the SCC has been invited to comment by 28 November. More info from CC.
6.6 The CEC is also reviewing its Play Strategy; details of online questionnaire from CC. KS would complete on behalf of the Centre’s Youth Club, and RM requested more info.
6.7 The Annual Christmas Lights Ceremony will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 9 December at St Patrick Square. The boxer Alex Arthur has agreed to perform the switch-on. The two mature trees will be fitted with garlands of thousands of low voltage LEDs, and extra motifs will be fitted to the lighting columns.
6.8 The Neighbourhood Partnership website has been launched. The link to the South Central one is - www.edinburghnp.org.uk/page/South_Central.aspx where details of future meetings, and plenty other information may be found.
6.9 The Facilities Co-ordinator for the Nelson Hall had been appointed to another post within the CEC and her position would not be filled. CC invited KS to expand on the subject, and he explained that there was a freeze on all posts in the Children and Families Dept and spoke about the potential problems as he and his clerical assistant, with the two Service Supports Officers, would have to run both centres, necessitating unpredictable and intermittent closure of one or other of them, with disruption to the published programme. Temporary janitorial and clerical cover, amounting to 15-20 hours a week until Christmas, had been secured, but that, while welcome, is still insufficient to maintain the infrastructure support (which will not be noticed until it is lost) for the two Centres. The Chair of the Centres’ Management Committee has written to the CEC senior officers.
7. Treasurer’s Report
The bank balance at 17 September 2008 stood at £1367.13. It was proposed by LH, seconded by KN, and agreed that the SCC donates the sum of £50 towards the Christmas Lights Event.
8. Correspondence
The following items were circulated: Castle Edinvar Rock report for autumn, the MSP Gavin Brown’s Annual Report 2007/8, Postwatch Scotland’s final newsletter, and Tenants’ Voice October 2008.
9. Planning and Licensing Committee Report
9.1 24 St Leonard’s Bank (08/01850/FUL) – notification received about a revision to the original application. No comment made.
9.2 54a Clerk Street (08/03264/FUL) – change of use from shop to class 3 hot food takeaway: objection lodged.
9.3 66 Buccleuch Street (Archers’ Hall) (08/03150/FUL, LBC, CON) – erection of new archery butts and access building. Erection of 15 student housing units. Demolition of corner lodge, existing archery butts, and bowling pavilion. Objections lodged.
9.4 1 Parkside Terrace (08/03346/FUL) – “….formation of 1no parking space and turning area” – objection lodged, reinstatement of wall and railings requested.
9.5 22a Nicolson Street (08/03399/FUL) – alter and extend restaurant at rear etc. Objection to be lodged.
9.6 Planning Training for Community Councils on 1 November – member(s) wishing to attend contact CC.
9.7 HMO applications – seven received since last meeting.
10. Environmental Report
10.1 HM submitted the following report:
Flyposting Snapfax put up a big banner on the railings outside Pollock Halls. This was reported to the Environmental Wardens but before they could deal with it, it was removed by somebody else, who gave an assurance that it will not return.
Drains Some have been dealt with and three more were reported on 7 October. We were promised a rota of gully cleaning through the Environmental Forum, but it hasn’t happened. With a change of Chair, I have hopes that this sort of information may be forthcoming in future on a regular basis.
Bollards I brought this matter up at the August SCNP but have heard nothing. I contacted the chair of the SCNP meetings, Cllr MacInnes to tell him that I had had no response to this and the public question I had handed in. I phoned Derrick Roden a few days ago and was told that an order had been issued and the work was imminent, but not to hold my breath. (I have seen two new holes cut in paving slabs with parking cones on top, so that might be a good sign). CC had already informed the SCNP manager by e-mail of the long-term frustration about this matter.
Lighting A redundant lamppost outside the former Odeon has been removed at my request, but two lamps on Clerk St have been dark for several months despite several reportings.
Road defects There are still ponding and trip hazards left from the gas main replacement in Clerk Street and South Clerk Street. Could the SCC write to ask for these defects to be rectified, as my efforts are ignored? Agreed – CC to write.
Water leaks As a result of a report to Sarah Boyack’s office the water gushing out of the cover at the junction of South College St and South Bridge was fixed within a few days. Yesterday I contacted SB’s office again about the water leak at the corner of West Nicolson St and Nicolson St.
Meadows In order to try to make the Meadows look less of a mess, a quick fix is being tried – 1500 m2 of turf laid on the bog, some of the rest has been gardened with a JCB resulting in proper drainage of the soil, but exposure and damage to quite a few of the tree roots on Middle Meadow Walk. Seed has been sown on this area. Other parts have been left untreated other than spread with seed as a control, according to the contractor. I have not been contacted as yet in connection with the Green Flag status meetings. We are waiting to hear through local councillors when the full council is being presented with a report in connection with long term strategy for the Meadows and other parks. A group from the Friends of the Meadows plan to take a deputation to this meeting. It could be as early as next Thursday, 16th October. The FoMBL committee have a clear strategy in place to try to safeguard the Meadows. We have been told that nothing has yet been signed up for 2009. I have been in touch with Tollcross CC, and understand that in August they passed a motion very similar to ours last month in connection with the Meadows.
Roads capital funding This meeting was postponed until Monday 6th October. I was not present (but I did vote by post). I understand that it was quite lively. It was admitted that it had not been handled well, and changes will be made for the future. There was considerable disquiet that road repairs had been put in to the community project list. In the event the voting was such that all the projects chosen were from the community, with the first four below being pretty well guaranteed. Any money left over goes down the list.
No 9 Maxwell Street bus stop
No 1 Steps at Viewcraig Street
No 3 Recycling site at Thornybank
No 12 Footway at Viewcraig Gardens
No 2 Path at Cameron House Ave
No 10 Flags at Tollcross
10.2 Crags Sports Centre – environmental improvements. Community adult get-together on Saturday 1 November to prepare the ground for the following Thursday. A litter pick around the Crags car park, then spread the top soil over a larger area and prepare the flower bed for planting by P7 from Preston Street PS on Thursday 6 November. Volunteers please contact CC.
11. Reports from meetings attended
11.1. Canongate Youth Project Management Committee (29 Sep)
Attended by LH, who reported that the accounts of both charities (Canongate Youth Project, and CYP Training Services Ltd) had been passed. A new version of their alcohol and drugs misuse policy had been produced.
11.2 Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (20 Sep)
Attended by JS; report next month.
11.3 Nicolson Street Post Office (Possible Closure) (11 Sep)
Attended by JS, and KS, who said that there had been some pertinent comments from some of the 30 or so members of the public who attended. The outcome was awaited, but it was felt that the decision would be marginal.
11.4 South Side Community Education Centre Management Committee AGM (16 Sep)
Over 60 people (with 30 apologies) had attended the AGM at which office bearers and committee were appointed for the year ahead; Bob Cairns had taken a look back over his 30 years as a Southside councillor and discussed the changes in the area. MB expressed her disappointment that none of the four Southside Councillors had attended the AGM. The Centre’s café is continuing to be developed, and the walking group is soon to visit Dumfries.
11.5 South Side & Old Town Crime Prevention Panel (23 Sep)
Attended by MB, CC, and MD. Talk on community safety. Minutes available from CC or MD.
11.6 Southside Association (7 Oct)
Attended by CC, MD, GP, and BH. There was a useful question and answer session with Cllr Gordon Mackenzie, and BH discussed the Causey 2 project (see 12.1, below).
11.7 Access to Sport and Culture - Edinburgh Partnership in Conference (2 Oct)
Attended by RB (and CEC, NHS, Edinburgh Leisure staff, arts organisations, sports clubs, and community groups). Discussion centred on the strategic development of the Culture and Sport Edinburgh 'pledge' or what will essentially be a partnership agreement that sport and arts organisations will eventually sign up to. There were useful and lively workshops and a panel-led forum. This event launched the final phase of the consultation process to draft an Edinburgh approach to the proposed integration of delivery for sport and culture activities. There was great debate about certain segments of the sports sector leading ahead and developing ideas about strategic integration of sport and culture but leaving out diverse communities and ignorant of any understanding of the complexities involved across the sector and with other sectors.
11.8 Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Energy and Climate Question Time (6 Oct)
Attended by RB – this was part of the UoE’s green week, and there was a debate on critical issues by a panel of politicians and energy people, followed by a question and answer period.
11.9 Archers’ Hall (29 Sep)
Attended by JS, and LH who reported that the packed meeting held in the South Side Community Centre had been arranged by the SCC to consider the planning application outlined at 9.3 (above). Representatives from the Company of Archers and their architect had been present. There were numerous questions and comments from the public, and it was clear that there was a great deal of disquiet about the application. Minutes available from CC.
11.10 Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links (15 Sep)
Attended by JS, and HM who reported that a strategy was formed to try to ensure that the four big events were not held on the Meadows next year, or in future years if at all possible. The Head of Parks was informed that the group would not support the Green Flag Status application. The Green Flag Association had been informed that FoMBL does not consider that the CEC consults people properly. The eight local councillors had been sent photographs showing the poor state of the Meadows after the Fringe. Representatives from the group are to attend a full council meeting, with all 58 councillors to be e-mailed in advance, and MSPs and the press would be informed about the protest, to bring the problems to a wider audience if necessary.
12. Any other business
12.1 Causey 2 Project - Bob Hodgart, Chair of the West Crosscauseway Association outlined the latest news about ‘The Causey 2’ project, after describing the success and interest expressed after the first project in May 2007. It was hoped to draw in as wide a range of views and ideas as possible from individuals and groups in order to make a permanent improvement to the space at the west end of West Crosscauseway, including holding workshops to explore possible designs; funds were required to run workshops as fees are payable to artists, designers, facilitators, etc. The group has had a fair amount of success at fund-raising, and the first workshop for young people who live or work in the area will be held at the Canongate Youth Project in Infirmary Street on 21 and 22 October. A number of locals youth groups and schools had been informed about it. It was hoped to have a further workshop before Christmas, with involvement from the local Heritage Group.
Bob said that the next meeting of the West Crosscauseway Association would be in the Community Centre at 7pm on Monday 3 November, and new members would be most welcome. A website was in preparation.
12.2 MB complained about tables and chairs being outside various cafes in the area at times which contravened their licence agreement; she had informed the Council.
13. Open Forum
13.1 Ross MacRae from EUSA said that a lot more effort would be put into establishing good working relationships with the whole community, and the EUSA wanted to hear about any concerns or issues about students. A community guide for students was to be produced.
13.2 Jeff Haddow mentioned that the No 60 bus service had been taken over by Edinburgh Coach Lines, but with a reduced service. RB said that a previous suggestion that other Lothian Buses services be partially re-routed to serve the Dumbiedykes area should still be explored, and it was agreed that the SCC writes again to Cllr Wheeler and Lothian Buses.
14. Date of next meeting
Wednesday 12 November 2008 from 7pm until 9pm in the Nelson Hall.
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