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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL DRAFT Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday, 16 May 2006 at 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. 1.0 Chairperson’s Welcome Cllr Sue Tritton, as returning officer for the recent MCC elections, chaired the first part of the meeting. She welcomed those present, who included: Derek Ainsley, Ruth Aylett, Rebecca Brooks, Brian Cohen, Jacqueline Couder, Les Dodd, Ian Doig, Alison Elwell-Sutton, Tony Finlay, James Geekie, Desmond Hodges, Frances Hawarden (Treasurer), Cllr. George Hunter, Rob Jones, John Lennie, A Morris, Robin Morris (Secretary), Michael Morris, William Mykura, Ann Royden, Chris Sharman, Kay Smith, Bridget Stevens, David Snowden, Mike Talbot and Janice Laxton (Minutes Secretary). 2.0 Apologies for Absence Alister Cant, Ian Clement, Anne Klepper, PC Alan Hopper, Cllr L O’Malley, Mike Pringle MSP, Cllr L Shiels. 3.0 Presentation to Retiring Treasurer Bridget Steven, on behalf of MCC, presented Derek Ainsley with a retiral gift and thanked him for his years of service to MCC, principally as Treasurer. He had been a tower of support both to her and to the new Treasurer, Frances Hawarden. 4.0 Annual Report Bridget Stevens distributed a summary of MCC activities during the past year (attached). She explained that it is only possible to respond to some of the ever increasing number of consultation papers MCC receives each year. One of the most important roles of MCC is to scrutinise and respond to planning applications, for which a new Planning Sub-committee has been set up. Desmond Hodges is part of this sub-committee, and he gave a brief description of some of the most important applications dealt with over the past year. These included the new Tesco metro at Holy Corner, the former Redwood House in Spylaw Road and new office block at Edinburgh Quai. Emphasis now seems to be put on ‘change and growth’ rather than conservation. He welcomed a new member to the Planning Sub-committee, Rebecca Brooks. 5.0 Election of New MCC Committee Applications were received from: Rebecca Brooks, Brian Cohen, Desmond Hodges, Ian Doig, Alison Elwell-Sutton, James Geekie, Frances Hawarden, Ann Klepper, John Lennie, Robin Morris, William Mykura, Ann Royden, Chris Sharman, Kay Smith, Bridget Stevens, Atholl Stewart and Colin Young. No election was necessary, and all names were accepted. Office Bearers: Chair – Bridget Stevens Nominated by Robin Morris and seconded by Frances Hawarden Bridget Stevens took over chairing the meeting at this point. She thanked Cllr Tritton for her work in the recent MCC elections. Vice Chair - Robin Morris Nominated by Ann Royden and seconded by Ian Doig Secretary – Ann Royden Nominated by Bridget Stevens and seconded by Chris Sharman Treasurer – Frances Hawarden Nominated by Bridget Stevens and seconded by Desmond Hodges. William Mykura will continue to represent MCC in local and city-wide transport groups. Bridget Stevesn will ask him to submit written reports of the meetings he attends. Bridget Stevens thanked everyone for all their hard work over the past year, with special thanks to Robin Morris as Secretary and Atholl Stewart for his wise guidance and support, which were very much appreciated. 6.0 Minutes of AGM held on 17 May 2005 Adoption of these minutes was proposed by John Geekie and seconded by Alison Elwell-Sutton. 7.0 Matters Arising 7.1 Proposal to Create a Conservation Area in Bruntsfield A consultation is currently being undertaken on the proposal to create a conservation area in Marchmont and the Meadows. Cllr Tritton will ask if any decision on this could be held back until 18 May 2006 in order to give Bruntsfield a chance to be included in the proposal. 7.2 MCC Bookmarks These have now all been corrected where necessary and distributed. 7.3 MCC Website This has now been up and running for over a year and has received very favourable comments. 8.0 Treasurer’s Report Frances Hawarden presented the annual accounts, which show a current balance of just £23.98. Some expenses and Minutes Secretary fees are outstanding. Cllr Tritton pointed out that community councils are legally obliged to keep a balance of approximately £300 in their account to cover the cost of holding an election if necessary. The previous Committee had been unaware of this requirement. Several steps have been taken to reduce expenditure. These include appointing the new Secretary to keep the MCC website up to date, and take action points from the preparatory meetings instead of the Minutes Secretary. The option of finding a different venue for main MCC meetings was also discussed (see 9.1 below). Frances Hawarden thanked Derek Ainsley for setting up the accounts in computer form. In future she will make the distinction between MCC Secretary and Minutes Secretary clear. Now that he is no longer a member of MCC, Derek Ainsley offered to audit the accounts. This was gratefully accepted. Cllr Tritton suggested that MCC may wish to organise a fundraising event to supplement its annual CEC grant of approximately £900. Bridet Stevens thanked Frances Hawarden for her work as Treasurer and for giving this report. 7.0 Other Reports 7.1 Police Report Pressure of work prevented PC Alan Hopper from attending this meeting. He has, however, contacted Bridget Stevens to confirm that cycling on the pavement is an offence and that he himself has processed a number of cases involving this offence. Drugs are a growing problem in the area, as well as car break-ins, which are largely drug-driven. The Police know who one or two of the offenders are, but are unable to do anything unless they catch someone actually committing a crime. The Police urge people not to leave anything visible in their car, whether it seems to be of worth or not. Bridget Stevens urged people to at least try to phone the Police if appropriate, in spite of the recent problems in getting through to the new Call Centre. PC Hopper will be sending the latest Poice Bulletin as soon as possible. 7.2 Planning and Licensing Applications City Structure Plan The Planning Sub-Committee will look at this and respond. Bridget Stevens urged people to give their views to MCC or the Planning Department directly (which can be done through their website) if they have a view. Desmond Hodges invited anyone who is interested in reading through the planning reports to contact him. Bridget Stevens and Robin Morris continue to deal with complaints about noise from licensed premises in the area. The proposal by the Students Union at Napier University to reapply for a licence for their bar in Merchiston Place has already caused local residents alarm. Again, Bridget Stevens urged members of the public to contact MCC if they would like them to complain on their behalf. 9.0 AOCB 9.1 Venue for MCC Meetings Given MCC’s limited funds, consideration was given to finding an alterative venue for at least some of the public meetings. Cllr Tritton will investigate whether it would be possible to rent a room at the Eric Liddell Centre for less than the current £40 per meeting. Bridget Stevens will find out about Craiglockhart School and Polwarth Church and Ann Royden about Viewforth Church. William Mykura and Rebecca Brooks will investigate other venues. It was agreed that choosing other venues might encourage people from different parts of the MCC area to attend meetings, although it would require putting up more posters and leafleting houses. It was agreed to continue to hold MCC meetings on the third Tuesday of the month. 9.2 Discussion on Arrangements for Handling future MCC Business To be deferred till the next meeting of MCC elected members only. 9.3 Central Edinburgh Local Development Committee To be held on 17 May 2006. The topic will be Scottish Parliament Boundaries. 9.4 Edinburgh South Local Development Committee To be held on 12 June 2006 at St Peter’s Primary School. It was noted that Pentland Local Development Committee might be of interest to members of MCC, too. Meetings of all LDCs are open to the public. 9.5 Edinburgh Core Paths A consultation paper has been received on this topic, which covers paths for walking, cycling and horseriding. 9.6 Memorial Tree for Diana Dunthorne A tree in memory of this former, esteemd member of MCC is now ready for planting. Desmond Hodges will arrange for a plaque to be made, paid for by Chris Sharman. Bridget Stevens will contact Diana’s widower and family and arrange a suitable time for the planting ceremony. 9.7 Freedom of Information – Consulation Paper Bridget Stevens will ask Ian Clement to prepare a response. 9.8 Edinburgh Association of Community Councils MCC is a member of this association. 9.9 Association of Scottish Community Councils It was decided to rejoin this association, which it is hoped is now better organised than in the past. 9.10 MCC Publicity Group Rebecca Brooks and William Mykura will set this up. 9.6 Vote of Thanks to the Chair Frances Hawarden proposed a vote of thanks to Bridget Stevens for all the work she has done and continues to do as Chair. It was enthusiastically endorsed. 10.0 Date and Information of Next Meeting Tuesday, 20 June 2006 at the Eric Liddell Centre. Cllr Tritton will ask Cllr Shiels to recommend a speaker for the proposed topic, the Redevelopment of Fountainbridge. Topics for future meetings might include Edinburgh Quai and the Local Plan. |
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