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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday, 19 October 2004 at 7.00 p.m. at the Eric Liddell Centre 1.0 Chairperson’s Welcome Bridget Stevens welcomed those present : Desmond Hodges, Atholl Stewart, Chris Sharman, Derek Ainsley (Hon. Treasurer), Councillors Sue Tritton, Liz O’Malley and Marilyne MacLaren, and members of the public Eric Fèvre, Katie Hamilton, Charlie Morrison, Finola Meikle and four others. Bridget Stevens said that the meeting would be devoted to discussion, giving more opportunities for questions to be raised, and there would be no initial presentation on this occasion. 2.0 Apologies for Absence Robin Morris (Hon. Secretary), Janice Laxton (Minutes Secretary), James Geekie, Alison Elwell-Sutton, Frances Hawarden, William Mykura. Desmond Hodges agreed to take minutes. 3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on 21 September 2004 Councillor Tritton proposed and the Chairperson seconded approved subject to a request that under item 7.3 the Hon. Secretary should also express disquiet to the Planning Department regarding phone masts. 4.0 Matters Arising 4.1 Publicity Desmond Hodges reported that the “Communications” Sub-Committee were still checking on methods of distributing the “bookmark” and contacting local free papers “EH10” and “Edinburgh Times”. The appointment of a Publicity Secretary was necessary, and students at Napier University might also be invited to help with PR. The Sub-Committee would be meeting again in early November. 4.2 Community Planning Proposals A meeting of the Local Development Council was attended and reported on by Bridget Stevens who was concerned by some aspects of the new arrangements proposed by the City Council. Some people present had the impression that Council officials at the meeting did not really want to take on board the views of Community Councils and other members of the public. Councillor O’Malley had formed a similar impression but overall it was felt imperative that everyone should have a clear understanding of the proposals for Community Planning Partnerships. These proposals should include, it was agreed, making the boundaries co-terminous with Local City Council Wards. Three workshops organised by Scottish Mediation (contact: Petra Biberbach) are to be held on 21 October, 11 November and 25 November. Bridget Stevens would attend one of them. Other MCC members were strongly encouraged to attend also. Eileen Hewitt of the Corporate Services Department of the City Council will speak at the Eric Liddell Centre on 11 November at 7.00 p.m. and Chris Sharman undertook to attend. Bridget Stevens asked the members to volunteer to represent the Community Council at these meetings as it is vital that members have an informed opinion on the important changes which will be in place by April 2005. Boundary changes will occur in 2007. 5.0 Treasurer’s Report Derek Ainsley, Hon. Treasurer, presented his statement which showed a current credit balance of ₤1381.31. In response to an earlier request to meet the cost of distributing the “bookmark” he said that ₤700.00 could be available this year or, alternatively, he was prepared to request a grant from the City Council if he was given early instructions. Desmond Hodges explained that the Communications Sub-Committee had not yet decided on the need for this expenditure. In view of the wider interests of the Community Council, illustrated by the provision of new seats along the canal, it was agreed to invite the Friends of Harrison Park and the Edinburgh Canal Society to nominate representatives who would attend the Council meetings. 6.0 Other Reports 6.1 Police Report and South Edinburgh Crime Prevention Panel Copies of the newsletters dated 2 October for Ward 46 (North Morningside/ Grange) and Ward 45 (Merchiston/ Polwarth) were distributed, and will be available each month to post on the noticeboard at the Eric Liddell Centre. Police had been in attendance to advise on preventative issues at the stall during “Older People’s Week” at Morningside Library. Councillor MacLaren said that the police are constantly improving the response rate of their community officers. A forum had taken place, organised by the Police, at which representatives of Neighbourhood Watch schemes (including the one formed by MCC in the Napier/ Gillsland/ Polwarth area) had been able to question police officers on issues of concern. A report of the Crime Prevention Panel meeting on 4 October was circulated. 6.2 City Development and Transport Neighbourhood Group The next meeting on 20 October at the City Chambers will discuss the quality of street paving. William Mykura had agreed to represent MCC at this meeting. 6.3 Planning and Licensing Applications The problem of unauthorised garden sheds erected in front gardens in Conservation Areas was exemplified by those in Merchiston Crescent: Chris Sharman suggested that, to be fair, other similar streets should be examined to produce a balanced view. Councillor O’Malley reported that the application for 10A Greenhill Park had been withdrawn. It was also reported that the reported that the application for Merchiston Bank Avenue was under consideration, and that Professor Pennington has said that there are few adverse effects from phone masts. During comments on the attitude of the City Council to views expressed by Community Councils it was said that the response is patchy but sometimes, as in the case of noise from the Royal Ettrick Hotel, it can be effective. It was hoped that the new Community Planning proposals will be more constructive and allow Community Councils to have a greater influence. 6.4 Local Development Committees There will be an extra meeting on the Youth and the Anti-social Behaviour Act on 1 November (7.00 p.m. at Gracemount High School) and the next (full) meeting after that will be on 29 November (7.00 p.m. at James Gillespies High School). Bridget Stevens said that she planned to attend both of these meetings and hoped that other MCC members would join her. 7.0 AOCB 7.1 Churchill Theatre Rebecca Peppieta is working on plans with the Churchill Theatre to make it accessible according to the Disability Discrimination Act. MCC will be invited to comment. 7.2 Parking at Napier University Bridget Stevens introduced Mr Morrison, Facilities Services Advisor for Napier University, who is responsible for parking arrangements for staff and students. Mr Morrison also chairs Firrhill Community Council. He explained that in 2001 the University was obliged to adopt a transport policy which reserved parking spaces for staff and disabled students with any spare capacity to be available to students on payment of ₤48.00 per annum (₤1.00 per week). Spare capacity at Craiglockhart Campus amounts to 300 spaces, but there is nothing to spare at Merchiston where students tend to park on the adjoining streets causing congestion and noise. Residents concerned about these problems were advised to contact Mr Morrison (455 3747). A circular letter will be sent by Mr Morrison to adjoining residents and the University hopes that the situation will be improved by better management. Bridget Stevens thanked Mr Morrison for attending the meeting and for his detailed analysis of the parking problem. It was hoped that he would attend future MCC meetings as a representative of Napier University. 7.3 Tree Wardens Two members of the public, Eric Fèvre and Katie Hamilton, volunteered to act as Tree Wardens in the Merchiston Area and offered, if approved by the Community Council, to undertake the following tasks; a) make a survey of the types and condition of trees, b) watch for vandalism and disease, and report the evidence to the Community Council, c) make school children more aware of trees. This offer was accepted and the proposal by the chair was approved unanimously. Contact details would be put on MCC’s website. Derek Ainsley said that he will put Mr Fèvre and Ms Hamilton in touch with the Tollcross Tree Warden. Councillor Tritton suggested that the Tree Wardens should lead the Community Council on a walkabout of important trees in the Merchiston Area. 7.4 Open Spaces Planning This subject was deferred. 7.5 Memorial to Diana Dunthorne It was agreed that a tree would be an appropriate memorial to the late Diana Dunthorne. 8.0 Date of next meeting The next meeting on Tuesday 16 November at 7.00 p.m. will be held jointly with Morningside Community Council at the Eric Liddell Centre in order to hear a presentation on the Town Centre Improvement Plan. |
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