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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 March 2005 at 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. The meeting was preceded by a short presentation on Fire Safety in the Home, by Fire Officer Bruce Nisbet of Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade (summary attached). 1.0 Chairperson’s Welcome Bridget Stevens (Chair) welcomed those present: Derek Ainsley (Treasurer), Ian Clement, Brian Cohen, James Geekie, Dawn Griesbach, Desmond Hodges, Frances Hawarden, Cllr George Hunter, John King, Robin Morris (Secretary), William Mykura, Karl Naylor, Chris Sharman, Atholl Stewart, Robert Stewart, Cllr Sue Tritton, Bruce Ward, Colin Young, Janice Laxton (Minutes Secretary). Bridget Stevens welcomed Charles Martin, of Duddingston House Properties Ltd, to the meeting. 2.0 Apologies for Absence Eric Fèvre, Charlie Morrison, Cllr O’Malley 3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on 15 February 2005 Cllr Hunter moved the adoption of these minutes, with the following amendment: 2.0 Add ‘Atholl Stewart’ 4.0 Matters Arising 4.1 Tree Memorial to Diana Dunthorne Eric Fèvre has received a list of available tree species and prices from the City of Edinburgh Council since the prices seemed quite high. It was agreed to ask him to ascertain whether we could buy a tree independently and obtain permission to plant it in Harrison Park. He will also enquire about getting a guard for the tree. 4.2 Advertising of MCC Meetings and Communication Desmond Hodges reported that 9,000 bookmarks, without the original typo, have now been printed. Please contact Desmond Hodges if you can help distribute these to local shops, libraries, etc. Also if you can correct some of the original print run. It is hoped to distribute the remainder to individual homes in Merchiston through the Fulfilment Factory at the cost of £400 plus VAT. A joint community notice board for Harrison Park has now been agreed with MCC, Friends of Harrison Park and the Canal Society, together with CEC. 4.3 Refurbishment of Church Hill Theatre Robin Morris and Desmond Hodges have looked at the latest plans, drawn up by the Council’s own Department. These plans are vague, however, and an objection has been put to the Planning Department on behalf of MCC. 4.4 The Lowlands Canal Scottish Litter Challenge Derek Ainsley asked that if possible people register in advance for the clean-up on Sunday, 20 March 2005.. As many volunteers as possible are asked to come. He explained that the Lowlands Canal comprises the Union Canal in the east and the Forth and Firth Canal in the west. The official re-opening of the canal basin will be held on Tuesday, 22 March 2005 at 2.30 pm. It will fully open on Saturday, 30 April 2005. 5.0 Treasurer’s Report Derek Ainsley reported a balance of £734.70. This includes the grant received for waste bins along the canal, which will shortly be used to pay the suppliers. It is hoped there will be enough money left at the end of the financial year to pay for the distribution of MCC bookmarks (see 4.2); however he will apply for a Council grant to cover this. Bridget Stevens thanked him for his work. 6.0 Other Reports 6.1 Police Report PC Max Hamilton distributed copies of the Ward 46 Police bulletin for March 2005. He reported that the introduction of six extra officers has already led to a marked decrease in car crime in the area. He asked that individuals report any youths they see with spray cans before graffiti becomes a major problem. Most recent house break-ins have occurred in flats with common stairs. It was pointed out that the panels in the front doors of most flats are very thin and can easily be broken with a Stanley knife. PC Hamilton urged flat owners to work together and be alert for suspicious behaviour. Many of the criminals are already known to the Police. Often, however, they are let off once their case goes to court. He acknowledged continuing problems with the Police Call Centre, but reported evidence of recent improvements. The public should see an even bigger improvement in response time once the beat manager takes over prioritising calls from the Public Assistance Desk. PC Hamilton urged individuals to write to Chief Constable Paddy Tomkins with any complaints. 7.3 South Central Edinburgh Local Health Co-operative Unfortunately, Frances Howarden was unable to attend the workshop held on 23 February 2005 due to the snow. She has asked for a report to be sent to her. 6.4 City Development and Transport Neighbourhood Group Bridget Stevens attended the meeting on 9 March 2005, at which a transport expert from the CEC gave a presentation on bus stops and shelters. Her summary of the meeting is in the MCC circulation file. William Mykura, MCC Transport Officer, will attend the Group’s next meeting on 22 June 2005. James Geekie will give him details of problems with local bus stops beforehand. 6.5 Edinburgh South Environmental Forum Frances Howarden reported that at the meeting on 9 March 2005, priorities for dealing with the range of topics discussed at previous meetings were set. The public is welcome to attend meetings of this Group. Next meeting: 18 May 2005, 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. 6.2 South Edinburgh Crime Prevention Panel A successful all-day exhibition was held at Cameron Toll on 12 March 2005. 6.6 Scottish Association of Community Councils The role of community Councils will be discussed at the next meeting on 18 June 2005. 6.7 Community Council Boundaries Meeting Robin Morris attended this meeting on 3 March 2005. It is difficult to make any decisions until the forthcoming changes to local and national government constituencies are known. MCC is unusual in including part of the wards of so many City of Edinburgh Councillors – six in total – in its area! A public consultation document on changes to CEC boundaries will be issued shortly. 6.7 Planning and Licensing Applications 19 Merchiston Place An objection has been lodged with the Planning Department for the breach of planning guidelines in building in the front garden of this property. Cllrs Tritton and Hunter confirmed that satellite dishes are not banned per se in conservation areas. They can be installed in attic spaces, etc but must not be visible from the street Redwood House, Polwarth Terrace/Gray’s Loan Desmond Hodges has looked at the detailed plans and, as a professional architect, was very impressed with the modern design of the proposed new flats for this site. Glass has not been used to an excessive extent and, although he has some reservations about how well the timber frontage will weather, overall he feels the building will blend well with the surrounding area. There has still not been any reply from Sir Michael Hirst to the letter Robin Morris wrote on behalf of MCC outlining a number of concerns about the plan (eg. traffic access from Polwarth Terrace). Bridget Stevens thanked Desmond Hodges for all his work on this item. Cllr Tritton and Cllr Hunter urged people to send their views to their Councillor, who can make sure the issue is raised at the Planning Committee and looked at in detail. Individuals should also copy to their councillor any letters sent direct to the Director of Planning. Edinburgh Local Plan The response from the Cockburn Association, that they have seen this plan and ‘have no comment to make’ was noted with disappointment, especially as MCC are members of this group. Ettrick Hotel The CEC have acknowledged receipt of MCC’s letter to them. So far, however, there has been no reply from the Ettrick Hotel or Festival Inns, the company which owns it. It has not been possible, therefore, to set up a meeting with them yet to discuss ongoing problems with noise. 7.0 AOCB 7.1 Gillsland Gate Road Markings Bridget Stevens met with residents of Gillsland Gate and John Gill of the CEC Development to pursue Cllr Andrew Burns’ undertaking, promised by the end of February, to have white lines, etc painted in this street. John Gill explained bad weather meant this work had to be postponed. He will investigate the lack of response to residents’ letters going back years. Bridget Stevens will keep in touch with the residents. 7.2 New Development at Holy Corner Charles Martin, of Duddingston House Properties Ltd, the property developers who own the former Garden Centre site at Holy Corner, reported on progress to date. The site is owned by Duddingston and will be leased to tenants. He confirmed that one of these will be a supermarket chain, but could not yet say which. Because the supermarket owners are only interested in the new build, Duddingston have submitted a new planning application for the traditional villa (a listed building). Interest has been shown in using the ground floor and open space outside for an unlicensed cafe, but, again, he could not give any names. This new planning application is for a change of use, not for the buildings themselves. The small car park at the rear would remain for the supermarket. He explained that a large part of the delay in developing the site has been the need for a Traffic Regulations Order, which did not come through until last November. Demolition/building work should begin in early April and it is hoped that preliminary building works will be complete within six to eight months. Duddingston are keen to keep the local community well informed and will keep in touch with MCC. It was suggested that, because of its proximity to three churches, there should be no Sunday working on the site. 7.3 Misuse of Disabled Parking Spaces Concern was expressed about the widespread misuse of disabled parking spaces by people using blue cards when not appropriate, or which did not belong to them. Cllr Tritton confirmed that unfortunately, disabled parking markings are only discretionary. Individuals were urged to report cases of misuse to parking attendants. Ian Clement will check that this is the correct course of action. 7.4 Extension to the 20mph Zone Leaflets on these plans, which may start to be introduced in Merchiston in April, have been distributed to houses in all the relevant streets. Comments are requested within four weeks of receipt of these. Individuals are encouraged to respond. 7.5 Community Grant for Neighbourhood Watch It was agreed that MCC submit an application to the Local Development Committee for a grant on behalf of a local Neighbourhood Watch, which, as an unconstituted body, is unable to apply itself. 7.5 Double Parking Cllr Tritton expressed her disappointment that, although the report she submitted to the CEC on double parking has now finally been tabled, it was so inadequate, it has had to be sent back for redrafting. 8.0 Date and Information of Next Meeting Tuesday, 21 June 2005, when it is hoped to have an update on the New Development at Holy Corner. The AGM will be held on Tuesday, 17 May 2005 at 7.00pm, when it is hoped to have a short presentation on the Extension to the 20mph Zone and on the Edinburgh Local Plan. There will be no formal elections this year (pending reorganisation of the MCC boundary), but nominations are invited for the post of Treasurer, since Derek Ainsley had intimated his resignation. Both meetings will be held at the Eric Liddell Centre. |
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