Merchiston Community Council meeting 17^th February 2009

7pm St Michael’s Church, Slateford Road.

In attendance: 

Bridget Stevens                      Chair MCC

Jenny Mackenzie                     Minute taker

John Lennie                             MCC Planning

Sue Gyford                             Evening News reporter

Cllr Andrew Burns                 CEC (Lab)

Cllr Alison Johnstone              (Green Party)

Cllr Paul Godzik                     (Lab)

PC Paul Scott                          Lothian & Borders Police

Mairianna Clyde                     MCC

James Geekie                          MCC

Ian Doig                                  MCC

Alison Elwell-Sutton              MCC    

Kay Smith                               MCC

Mrs C Dons                             Resident

Ian Clement                            Resident    

Helen Zealley                         Resident

Sue and John Burns                Residents, Harrison Road

Jeff Middlecote                      Resident

Gavin Corbett                         Resident

Ariane Loening                       Resident

Chairman’s welcome

Business Meeting

1.  Apologies for Absence:

Cllr Marilyne MacLaren CEC (SLD);  Cllr Jim Lowrie CEC (SLD) Convenor of Planning; Cllr Gordon Buchan CEC (Cons); Cllr Mark McInnes  CEC (Cons)

PC Alan Hopper Lothian and Borders Police; Ann Royden Secretary MCC;

Robin Morris   MCC Licensing; Beccy Brooks MCC

2. Minutes of last meeting  (20^th January 2009) and Matters Arising.

Approved by Ian Doig and Mairianna Clyde

Matters Arising

Capital Roads Fund Programme:  Chair had forwarded suggestions for road repairs to CEC.  A meeting will be held to prioritise the repairs.

CPZ:  Most residents are opposed to the relaxation of the CPZ in two streets in the MCC area. There have been a large number of objectors to the proposed changes, at least 60, with one on behalf of a block of 65 flats.  On 5^th May a delegation to CEC will make their case. 

Cllr Burns:  The May meeting will be held to consider whether to take this proposal forward.  Quite separately, there is a possibility of CPZ moving into the Shandon area.

Ian Doig:  The council claims that it is committed to opposing all day parking and to developing public transport. 

Gavin Corbett:  CPZ does not address the problem of double parking in the evenings.  Double yellow lines would do so and allow wardens to penalize offenders.  Different regulations are required for different parts of the area.

Cllr Burns: A report is going to the main Transport Committee.  A two-hour restriction in the middle of the day would deal with all-day parking.

Chair:  MCC could write to the Transport Committee after leafleting people in the area.

Public highway parking is not illegal if the vehicle is fully taxed.

Ian Doig:  We should be looking for solutions.  There should be different rules for cars belonging to those from outside the area and for local residents. 

Chair:  This is an important issue, so at the March MCC meeting traffic calming measures could be combined with parking issues. 

The council is in the process of developing a list regarding proposed new speed bumps.  This is also a matter that evokes some strong views.   

P6. Re Helen Zealley’s query about the responsibility for sweeping up leaves. Chair noted that no-one has given a definitive answer about this query three months after the initial request for clarification.

Cllr Alison Johnstone will look into this matter.  In some roads council workers do this duty.  

3.  Reports and Issues

The Chair presented a written report (attached).

Ward Cllrs

Cllr Alison Johnstone.

All four councilors have opposed the planning proposal at Greenhill Gardens.  The proposal is contrary to so many villa requirements.  We are constantly asking for

over-flowing recycling bins to be emptied.  The council is rolling out the red and blue box scheme to tenements.

Cllr Paul Godzik

With the passing of the budget, there are to be no further cuts to schools. The government has given a commitment for some further funding at some time in the future. 

Cllr Andrew Burns. The walkabout at the back of Harrison Gardens – officers are trying to get a padlocked gate so that access remains for walkers.  Re litter collection:  have been queries about overflowing bins – recycling bins seem to be emptied on an ad hoc basis. 

Police Report

A report from PC Alan Hopper was circulated.

Planning

John Lennie:  Re 11a Chamberlain Road.  There is a proposed extension from the wall of the house to the garden boundary wall.  The residents below are unhappy about this and the application was refused.  Now there has been an appeal.  MCC has reiterated its objection.  However, dialogue between the two parties seems to be more amicable now. 

A commercial car park sprang up in the gardens of Orwell Lodge, a hotel which has been closed for some time.  Recently a self-generating car wash business was operating there, but without the required street traders’ licence.  After a story in the Evening News, the individuals operating this business agreed to close it down. 

Chair:  A plaudit to the Evening News. 

Licensing

Re 32 Merchiston Avenue:  Several people wrote to the regulatory board, opposing retrospective HMO licence and MCC supported them.  But the views of the CC were dismissed.  MCC wonders if the Board has ever refused an application for a licence. 

A Neighbourhood Partnership meeting will be held on Monday 23^rd February at 7pm at the City Chambers.  A submission from Marchmont/Sciennes requests a review of the policy on HMOs.  CEC says it doesn’t have a policy.  CCs want an honest discussion.  A deputation is being organized.  Cllr Colin Keir chairs the Licensing Regulatory Board.  It is the CC’s view that the Board never says no to anyone applying for a licence. CCs would like to know if there are sanctions that can be imposed.  The majority of the Cllrs on the Regulatory Committee do not live in areas where there are HMOs.  While students bring vitality and vibrancy to a community, badly regulated HMOs, sometimes run by absent or disinterested landlords, create disturbance and inconvenience for local residents.  So far the Board has failed to address the problems.

Jeff Middlecote:  Members of the committee would be better chosen from areas where HMOs are operating. 

Cllr Johnstone:  Training is given to councillors.  They would have spent days being properly briefed.

Chair:  Committee members may be being trained and may be reading the papers, but perhaps their approach would be different if they were living in areas where the problems are being experienced.

Mairianna Clyde:  We should write to the group leaders requesting more informed membership. 

Chair:  Please send your views in advance of the meeting on Monday evening. 

Chair:  MCC received a grant of £870 for the notice boards on Holy Corner, and intends to apply for funding for a further notice board on the canal towpath between the Harrison and Ashley Bridges. 

Treasurer’s report. (attached)

The MCC balance sits at £1614.65., with no outstanding expenses. 

 Other:  Secretary’s report of recent meetings attended was submitted. (attached)

The SW Neighbourhood Partnership walkabout highlighted that youths are using premises as a gang hut in the basement of a tenement under a vacant flat beside the Harrison Bridge.  CBO Julie Cochrane to be informed. 

Chair noted that the police are helpful in supporting residents who wish to set up a Neighbourhood Watch (NW) scheme.  The Association of Scottish NW can also offer support.  Each scheme is supposed to cover only one or two streets.  Schemes now very effective in the area began with just three streets and three people.

AOB

MCC has been invited by the Lord Provost to nominate candidates for the Edinburgh Award.  Should Chris Hoy be the nominated candidate?  The matter will be raised again at the next meeting on the 17^th March.

Andy Devenport, chair of the Union Canal Society submitted a report to MCC.  He referred to a newly formed group which is interested in livening up the area at the end of the canal.  Anyone interested may join this group.  They plan an Edinburgh Canal Festival and Raft Race, scheduled for Saturday 27^th June.  It will be based between Viewforth Bridge and Edinburgh Quay, with boat trips coming further west to Harrison Park.  Funding has been allocated and some community related stalls will be at the event.  It is hoped that MCC will attend.  Several NP’s will be present.

Chair:  MCC was partly responsible for the millennium extension to the canal.  MCC to consider whether to send a representative to this group.  Alison Elwell-Sutton interested.

Re the towpath walls:  These are prone to graffiti and give the canal a closed in and unwelcoming feeling.  A suggestion to lower the height of the walls causes some security concerns for neighbours.  Perhaps reduced height with railings could provide for security while opening up the area.  The wall is in MCC area and the CCs views would be welcomed.  MCC has concerns that the wall is earth retaining and could not be removed, perhaps not even lowered.  Perhaps Cllr Lowrie could be consulted on this matter.

Jim Geekie:  Permission would have to be gained from every resident. 

A second proposal is to improve the brewery land by landscaping and removing the mesh fencing. 

The next meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 17^th March at North Merchiston Club, Watson Crescent.  Two main topics:

1. The Priority List for new traffic calming measures and 2.  Possible extension of CPZ into Shandon, the Harrisons, etc. and also establishment of Neighbourhood Watch.