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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 21 September 2004 at 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. The meeting followed a presentation on the Public Consultation on Services in NHS Lothian by Dr John Stein GP and Mr David Bolton, Acting CE of Lothian Universities Hospital Trust. (Report attached.) 1.0 Chairperson’s Welcome Bridget Stevens (Chair) welcomed those present: Desmond Hodges, James Geekie, Cllr George Hunter, Derek Ainsley (Treasurer), Robin Morris (Secretary), Cllr Sue Tritton, William Mykura, Janice Laxton (Minutes Secretary) and around ten members of the public. Bridget Stevens noted with great sadness that Diana Dunthorne has died. She is remembered by MCC with gratitude and affection. 2.0 Apologies for Absence Cllrs Wilson and MacLaren, Chris Sharman, Atholl Stewart and Frances Hawarden. 3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on 15 June 2004 Approval of the minutes was proposed by Bridget Stevens and seconded by Cllr Hunter. 4.0 Matters Arising 4.1 Advertising of MCC Meetings and Communication Bridget Stevens thanked Desmond Hughes and his working group for the excellent paper they have produced. After discussion it was agreed that Bridget Stevens, Robin Morris and Desmond Hughes will co-ordinate distribution of bookmarks through local schools and doctors’ surgeries. Bookmarks might also be distributed through the re-launched EH10 newspaper. Bridget Stevens, Robin Morris and Janice Laxton will liaise re. posting information on the MCC website. Bridget Stevens and Robin Morris will attend the next meeting of the working group. 4.2 Association of Community Councils/Calor Gas Competition Bridget Stevens submitted an entry on behalf of MCC. Unfortunately it did not win a prize. 4.3 Fountainbridge Development Brief Bridget Stevens thanked Desmond Hodges and Frances Howarden for preparing a response on behalf of MCC and submitting it on time. 4.4 Community Planning Proposals for Edinburgh. Robin Morris and Bridget Stevens will attend the LDC meeting on 27 September 2004. A response will be prepared by 8 October 2004. 5.0 Treasurer’s Report Derek Ainsley’s reported that the accounts are in a healthy state. The balance of £1,415.05 will be reduced by marketing initiatives. 6.0 Other Reports 6.1 Police Report Inspector Nisbet distributed copies of the local bulletin which Howdenhall are still happy to produce. He emphasised again that the only sure way to prevent bikes from being stolen is to keep them out of sight, not in a common stair. A conference to promote Neighbourhood Watches/Associations will be held at James Gillespies High School on 4 October 2004, 7.00pm – 8.30pm. As information is now the basis of solving most crimes the work of such groups is vitally important. Inspector Nisbet acknowledged that notices re. towing cars away need to be put up more regularly. Getting through to the Police call centre, communication between officers and following up enquiries continue to be a problem. Inspector Nisbet urged individuals to complain to him. Bridget Stevens will write to Malcolm Dickson, Deputy Chief Constable, about this. She thanked Inspector Nisbet for his attendance and for the bulletin. 6.2 Friends of Harrison Park Minutes of last four meetings are in the circulation file. Bridget Stevens will invite Kay Smith to MCC meetings. Harrison Park might be the subject of a future presentation. 6.3 South Edinburgh Local Development Committee Bridget Stevens distributed a summary of the meeting she attended on 28 June 2004. It is hoped to apply for funding to reinstate hanging baskets in Merchiston area. 6.4 Local Environmental Forum Bridget Stevens distributed a summary of the meeting she attended on 9 September 2004. 6.5 City Development and Transport Neighbourhood Group Bridget Stevens distributed a summary of the meetings she attended on 23 June 2004 and 8 September 2004. 6.6 South Edinburgh Crime Prevention Panel Bridget Stevens distributed a summary of the meetings she attended on 23 June 2004 and 14 September 2004. 6.7 Central Edinburgh Crime Prevention Panel Colin Young has been attending these meetings on behalf of MCC. 6.8 Planning Applications Greenhill Park This has not gone to the Planning Committee yet. Changes to Merchiston Bank Avenue To be taken forward. Sue Tritton pointed out that a new planning application does not invalidate any previously approved planning permission. Garden Hut 61 Merchiston Crescent It was agreed that MCC would write objecting to this on the grounds that an almost identical hut in the same street had had to be dismantled. The owner of this latter hut who was at the meeting explained that they were unaware of the implications of their house being in a conservation area when they moved into the area. They suggested that MCC could inform new residents of the restrictions this imposes by means of a general comment on its website. Enforcement 5 Ettrick Road Some progress has been made. SueTritton pointed out that the Council cannot do anything unless someone makes a complaint. Parking Restrictions on Napier Campus These will be imposed soon. Details on file. 6.9 Licensing Applications No report. 7.0 AOCB 7.1 Churchhill Theatre The theatre faces closure if funding is not found soon to install facilities for disabled people. It is hoped that the theatre will be given longer to comply with the new legislation. 7.2 Open Spaces Planning Consultation 1 November 2004 Chris Sharman and John Lennie will be asked to represent MCC. 7.3 Phone Masts Polwarth Parish Church propose to allow Vodaphone to install another six masts in their belfry. Concerned neighbours attending the meeting circulated copies of an Observer article highlighting the possible dangers to health of mobile phone masts. Robin Morris will write to the Church Minister expressing disquiet. 7.4 Scottish Parliament Competition Winner Fiona Hollow, a pupil at Bruntsfield Primary School, won a postcard design competition to promote the opening of the new Parliament building. 7.5 Refurbishment of Eric Liddell Centre Garden An application for funding for this work has been turned down. It is hoped to find alternative funding to make this into a green space for the whole community. 7.6 Cockburn Association Information about their latest meetings is available in the circulation file. 7.7 Boundary Changes in Edinburgh Discussion deferred till next meeting. 7.8 Presentations at MCC Meetings It was agreed that, to allow more time for discussion of MCC business, presentations will only be arranged for alternate meetings in future. 8.0 Date and Information of Next Meeting Tuesday, 19 October 2004. |
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