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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 November 2005 at 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. 1.0 Chairperson’s Welcome Bridget Stevens (Chair) welcomed those present, who included Derek Ainsley, Ian Clement, Brian Cohen, Alison Elwell-Sutton, Frances Hawarden (Treasurer), James Geekie, Desmond Hodges, PC Alan Hopper, Cllr Hunter, Janice Laxton (Minutes Secretary), Robin Morris (Secretary), William Mykura, Atholl Stewart, Cllr O’Malley and Cllr Tritton. Bridget Stevens welcomed Charles Martin of Duddingston House Properties Ltd to the meeting. 2.0 Apologies for Absence John Lennie, Cllr Wilson. 3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on 18 October 2005 Moved for adoption by Cllr Hunter. 4.0 Matters Arising 4.1 Tree Memorial to Diana Dunthorne Desmond Hodges is pursuing the purchase and location of a site for the tree in Harrison Park with the City of Edinburgh Council. Bridget Stevens has written to the CEC to confirm that MCC will contribute up to £150 towards the cost. 4.2 Proposal to Create a Conservation Area in Bruntsfield Chris Sharman and Desmond Hodges represent MCC on the Bruntsfield Conservation Area Support Group, which had their first meeting with the Planning Department on 28 October 2005 and are now at the stage of detailed discussions with them. CEC is extremely supportive of their proposal and plan to include it in the forthcoming review of conservation areas in the city. 5.0 Treasurer’s Report Frances Hawarden presented her report based on the latest bank statement for September 2005, showing a balance of £719.05. She explained that there should be no unforeseen expenses, and, that although £600 will be paid out towards the cost of notice boards for Harrison Park, this money will be refunded through a grant from the Local Development Council. It was decided that MCC should renew its subscription to the Cockburn Association. Bridget Stevens will write to their Director, inviting him to keep MCC up to date and asking for more notice of their meetings plus initiatives in Merchiston Area. Bridget Stevens thanked Frances Hawarden and Derek Ainsley for all their work. 6.0 Other Reports Police Report PC Alan Hopper distributed copies of the Police bulletin for Ward 45. He reported a disappointing rise in crime, particularly housebreaking, over the last month. It is hoped that the recent launch of Operation ARRIS – specifically aimed at this type of crime – will soon begin to make an impact. One man has already been remanded pending further enquiries. PC Carlyn McGhee has just been appointed to the Police Youth Action Team covering the south of Edinburgh. Her role is largely educational, dealing with youth-related disorder and anti-social behaviour. In response from a question from the floor about the forthcoming anti-smoking legisation, it was decided to wait until this has been implemented before discussing further. Charles Martin will email MCC details of the anti-smoking policies relating to the new retail units planned for Holy Corner. Redevelopment of Garden Centre Site at Holy Corner Charles Martin confirmed that all the modifications made to the orginal plan are non-material and in accordance with planning permission. He assured the meeting that the large steelwork currently on site is as planned and some is for tempory signage. He still could not give the names of all the tenants, until the legal paperwork has been completed, but confirmed that all their retail outlets would provide access and toilet facilities for disabled people. The ‘plant realignment’ referred to on the plans refers to the requirement to build an aesthetic enclosure around it. The loading bay will be painted with a single or double yellow line, and Mr Martin was confident that local traffic wardens would ensure that it would not be misused. Tesco have already held shopper meetings in the area. It was agreed that Charles Martin will invite the manager of the new Tesco store to speak at the MCC meeting on 21 February 2006. He will also attend. MCC will leaflet people in the surrounding streets to advertise the meeting. Robin Morris will arrange for the elevation plans to be posted on the MCC notice board at the Eric Liddell Centre for local people to view. Bridget Stevens will ask the Planning Department for details of the modifications made to the orginal plan after it received final approval. 7.0 Planning and Licensing Applications Desmond Hodges will look at the following applications: 3 Merchiston Gardens Alterations to windows and doors. Bingo Hall, Fountainbridge Demolition of these premises, which form one side of the Lochrin Basin. 9 St Peter’s Place Demolition of old church and erection of flats and bar/restaurant Montpelier Park Attic conversion It was noted that MCC are still awaiting acknowledgements of objections they have made to several previous applications. Cllr Hunter explained that these should be routinely issued by the case officer involved, but that, unfortunately, not all case officers were as efficient as they should be. The online objections method did not yet inspire total confidence. If any member of the public has evidence of not having received an acknowledgement from the Planning Department, they should notify their Councillor. Morningside Place It was noted that Morningside Community Council have objected to a planning application for a detached house in this street which borders MCC’s area. Ettrick Hotel In response to objections made by MCC and local residents, the Licensing Board have curtailed the licensing hours for these premises to 11.00pm Sunday through Thursday, and 12.00 midnight on Friday and Saturday. These new hours will apply for the next six months. The hotel may apply for an extension for pre-booked functions, however. It is hoped that this will set a precedent for other premises owned by Festival Inns in the area which also cause disturbance to local residents through noise and anti-social behaviour. Environmental Officers are unable to physically turn down music systems; they can only report to the Licensing Board. It was emphasised how important it is to keep a record of any problems as evidence for the Licensing Board. Polwarth Tavern The situation continues to be monitored. Campaign to Conserve the Cameo Cinema, Tollcross This will be discussed at the next MCC Planning Group. Scotmid, Bruntsfield Place Application to renew their 24-hour licence will shortly be coming before the Licensing Board. Some complaints have been received about rowdy behaviour nearby. If anyone has any evidence of disturbance related to these premises, please report to MCC. Gillsland Road Proprietors have written to thank MCC, and Desmond Hodges in particular, for their recent support re. 37 Spylaw Road. 8.0 AOCB 8.1 City Development and Transport Neighbourhood Group The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 16 November 2005 at the City Chambers. 8.2 Polwarth Grove Bridget Stevens and Robin Morris had met with a group of local residents who suffer the effects of frequent flash flooding of the adjoining road. Although this problem – which has gone on over twenty years – is caused by an inadequate sewage system, neither Scottish Water nor the City of Edinburgh Council will deal with it. Mike Pringle, MSP, will arrange a meeting with local residents and Scottish Water. MCC give their full support to the residents. 8.3 New Bus Shelters, Princes Street The installation of new bus shelters in Princes Street for buses serving Merchiston was welcomed. 8.4 Online Planning Applications CEC has written to inform MCC that planning applications can now be submitted online. 8.5 Morningside Heritage Group The group hope to stage their play on the history of Morningside in September 2006. 8.6 People Against Litter (PAL) This group now have their own website. 8.7 Consultation on Future of Community Councils The Scottish Executive have published a consultation document online, which individuals can also obtain directly by writing to their MSP. It poses interesting questions which MCC plan to discuss at a future date. 8.8 Canal Society Their AGM will be held on at 7.30 pm Tuesday, 6 December 2005. 8.9 Tenement Issues CEC has just launched Letwise, a new initiative to accredit landlords in Edinburgh. Edinhurgh Stair Partnership is a CEC factoring service for owners of tenement flats. They charge £58.75 per year for their services. 9.0 Date and Information of Next Meeting Tuesday, 17 January 2006 at 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. There will be a presentation on Tenement Law. Cllr Tritton will recommend a speaker and James Geekie will advertise this meeting in the Gorgie Dalry Gazette. Anyone wishing to receive notice of this and future meetings should give their name to Robin Morris. |
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