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Merchiston Community Council meeting Tuesday 16th
June 2009 7pm at In attendance: Bridget Stevens Chair
MCC Ann Royden Secretary Frances Hawarden Treasurer Jenny Mackenzie Minute
taker Robin Morris MCC
Licensing William Mykura MCC
Transport Cllr Jim Lowrie CEC
(SLD) Convenor for Planning Cllr Gordon Buchan CEC
(Cons) Craig Dunlop CEC Paul Swan CEC
Steve Gilligan Friends
of PC Sheree Ian Doig MCC Kay Smith MCC Renata Edge The
Canal Society Linda Dunbar Polwarth
Church minister Margaret Anderson R. Marshall Resident
Ariane Loening Resident
Gavin Corbett Resident Nisbet Gallagher Resident
John Higinbotham Resident Kate Stewart Roper Resident E.K. Dons Resident Ian Clement Resident Chairman’s welcome Presentations: The Canal Society –
Renata Edge. The Waterways Trust One item of interest is a plan developed by CEC, Waterways Trust Scotland
and the Friends of Harrison Park to provide improved access to the canal from
the park. Landscape architects have been
consulted. Residents views are being
sought. A cycling consultation is currently being conducted on the Scottish
government website. If you have
something to say about how cyclists use the canal tow-paths, and how the
etiquette could be improved, there is still time to have your say. Items noted for consideration by British Waterways Scotland:
This year the Edinburgh Canal Festival falls on 27th
June. The festival includes heritage
walks. See www.feetfirstcanalwalks.com A Canals of Scotland exhibition will be held at Edinburgh Quay on 13th,
18th, 19th, 20th, 25th and 26th
of June. Thanks were expressed to Renata Edge for agreeing to give this
presentation at very short notice following the last minute cancellation by the
planned speaker from Waterways Trust Scotland. The Patchwork Project. The church has a small congregation of approximately 300 people, but
faces a repair bill for replacement leaded windows, new roof and heating system
costing up to £1m. A viability review
will be conducted next year. In the
meantime, Dr Dunbar is working hard to encourage more people to make use of the
church. The church also has a five year
plan, with tea dances, blether clubs, family adventure days, and more social,
educational and political group activities in mind. The church acknowledges that it needs to work
with groups linked to the canal. “Joined-up working” said Dr Dunbar. “That’s what it’s all about.” Dr Dunbar has until June 2010 to prove
viability of the Church. Local groups encouraged to make use of the Church’s
premises. See www.Polwarth.org.uk for all
the community centric activities planned. Business Meeting 1. Apologies for Absence: Cllr Marilyne MacLaren CEC
(SLD) Cllr Mark McInnes CEC
(Cons) Cllr Andrew Burns CEC
(Lab) Cllr Alison Johnstone CEC
(Green) Jim Geekie MCC Mairianna Clyde MCC Helen Zealley MCC
(Health) Beccy Brooks MCC
(Planning) Bob Rendall Eric
Liddell Centre 2. Minutes of last Business
Meeting (21st May 2009) and Matters
Arising. Corrections to the
minutes: Under Matters Arising page 4 Re: Parking on the pavements Paragraph beginning: Line beginning ‘Cllr Buchan noted that it is
illegal to drive on the pavement but not to park on the pavement.’ To the next
sentence ‘A detailed CPZ consultation …. Add ‘phase of the’ i.e. A
detailed phase of the CPZ
consultation should resolve these matters Under AOB Messy front gardens. Mr Easton of Ogilvie Terrace wanted his complaint
about a particular property recorded.
With the help of CEC, there has been a huge clean-up of the front garden
of a home owned by an absent elderly property owner. The chair noted .that, difficulties
notwithstanding, efforts should be made to keep the gardens of properties
tidy. Approved by Ian Doig. Matters Arising With reference to Cllr Buchan’s remarks, under Cllr’s Reports, top of
page 5.. With regard to ‘discussions taking place with Network Rail and Freight
company about railway land at Shandon which is currently landlocked waste
ground’. Cllr Buchan noted that Network Rail came back with their ‘default’
response, which is ‘No’. but Cllr is
hoping to set up a meeting to encourage some further face to face
dialogue. Under Matters Arising page 5. Re The question was raised: Is this
CPZ decision a final one? It would be
helpful to have this matter settled once and for all and confirmed in writing. Reports Chair’s report On June 1st the
Chair (Bridget Stevens) and Treasurer (Francis Hawarden) attended a Joint CCs meeting
on Engaging with Communities. However
much of what was delivered on ‘community empowerment’ has been said many times
before. Impassioned plea by Jenny
MacKenzie of EACC for CCs to be taken seriously by council officials -more than
money is required. An interesting
workshop was attended at the event on community use of public libraries. A suggestion came forward that MCC and
Morningside CC could hold a joint meeting in Morningside library to discuss the
planned refurbishment programme. The
chair raised concerns about the cost of these CEC ‘endless workshops’. On June 12th the
chair attended the Short Life Working Group on The Meadows and Bruntsfield
Links. A new Events Strategy is
proceeding through the necessary stages of CEC approval. Consultation with local groups will take
place. A Code of Conduct for cyclists is to be displayed. Meadows toilets will be open longer. Glass recycling facilities have been
requested. Ward Cllrs Cllr Gordon Buchan Cllr had hoped that his motion for powers to deal with unkempt gardens
could be passed outright, but the matter has been referred to Cllr Eadie’s
committee for Health and Social Care. A
working group will be established very shortly, which will work with local
officers.. The first part of the
discussion will look at a review of council powers. Cllr noted that it is sometimes difficult to
get hold of owners. Francis Hawarden
asked if the working group will be liaising with Edinburgh Back-Greens
Association, as this could be a ‘bad neighbour’ issue. Cllr Lowrie The new planning legislation becomes active on 23rd August
and will place greater powers and demands on CCs. Training sessions will be available. A meeting on June 23rd will detail
the new procedures. (Robin Morris or Francis Hawarden may be able to attend for
one hour). Re the old factory site at Primrose Terrace. For those concerned, it is important to
object formally when the application is lodged Re a proposed two storey extension at Police There were 34 reported crimes. Thieves
sometimes used scaffolding in place for work on a building to break in. Residents are encouraged to keep windows
closed during the summer months Electronic engineering in modern cars makes it increasingly difficult to
hot-wire cars, consequently thefts from
vehicles has increased. Taking Sat Navs
right out of the vehicle when not in use is important. Putting them in the glove box is not
sufficient protection. Of 164 incidents
of anti-social behaviour, only eight were Grade 1. Ian Doig asked if any progress is being made with controlling
graffiti. PC Tombs admitted this is an
ongoing problem, with ‘tags’ changing with the age of offenders. The secretary noted that there have been no reports, updates or
apologies from the two other Community Beat Officers responsible within the MCC
area. Regarding the assault on the
Harrison Woodland walkway, information from officers about similar cases would
be helpful. Planning The sale of Orwell Lodge in Polwarth Terrace has failed again. A
rumour that Licensing Police were recently called to the Ettrick Hotel by the hotel management
to deal with a 21st birthday party that had got out of hand. Daytime complaints about noise can be reported on 0131 2002000 or 0131
5293030 between 11pm and 5am. The call
reports to a switchboard and a Noise Unit officer will call back and respond. Treasurer’s report. A balance of £298 is recorded. Transport No report. Other. Open Access Barbecues on the Links and the Meadows.
Cllr Buchan notes that it is illegal to light fires in a park. If sighted, PC Tombs encouraged a call to the
police Force Control Centre 0131 3113131. A query raised about the legislation in place. Resident commented that setting up designated
areas would be appropriate – this is preferable to banning them
altogether. The police have received two reports of anti-social behaviour on The
Meadows and are aware and monitoring the site.
Aggressive cyclists are also a concern.
AOB and Public
Question Time Canal Fun Day 27 June. MCC will
have a presence at Edinburgh Quay. Chair
offered to be there; other volunteers sought. A concern raised by Ian Clement about the proposed merger of Lothian
Buses with a potentially less profitable concern, the tram project. Cllr Lowrie noted that this matter is under discussion and a new board
is being set up. Secretary Ann Royden will raise a formal query about this matter at the
next SWNP Transport Forum meeting. The chair noted that the EACC AGM will be held at City Chambers on
Saturday 20th June. The betting shop which opened in Bruntfield in spite of much local
concern and opposition has closed and been replaced by a hairdressing
salon. Contact has been made with the
new owner. The meeting concluded at 9.30pm. The next meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 15th
September 2009 at the Eric Liddell Centre, Holy Corner. |
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