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MINUTES OF MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2007 AT 7.00PM VIEWFORTH PARISH CHURCH HALLS, 104 GILMORE PLACE 1.0 CHAIRPERSON'S WELCOME Bridget Stevens welcomed those present, who included Cllrs. Sue Tritton and George Hunter; William Mykura, Robin Morris, Frances Hawarden, Desmond Hodges, Ian Doig, Jim Geekie, PC Alan Hopper, Becky Brooks, Belinda and John Lennie, and around 16 members of the general public. 2.0 Oral History Project - James Gillespies School Donnie Henderson Shedlarz, Researcher and Historian described to those present an Oral History Project she was researching on James Gillespies School (funded by the James Gillespie Trust).She is collecting memories both from those who had attended the school and those in the community who had been affected by it in one way or another, including nearby residents and others involved in the operation of the school. STV for Local Authority Elections in May 2007 Dr James Gilmour of the Electoral Reform Society (Scotland) presented a succinct account of the new Single Transferable Vote (STV) system which is to be employed in the forthcoming elections of Councillors to Scottish Local Authorities. He explained the differences between the proportional representation system (the Additional Member System) used to elect List MSPs and that to be used on 3 May (the Single Transferable Vote) to elect City Councillors. In the case of AMS for the Scottish Parliament, the political parties prioritise their candidates, whilst with STV the councillor candidates from all parties are listed in alphabetical order and the voter puts them in order of preference. Dr Gilmour also provided informative leaflets to enable those present to refresh their memories at leisure 2.1 BUSINESS MEETING 3.0 Apologies for Absence Ann Royden, John Cooper, Cllr. Liz O'Malley, Kay Smith 4.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on January 16th 2007 were circulated Adoption moved by Cllr. George Hunter, seconded by Desmond Hodges. 5.0 MATTERS ARISING See item 5.ii in last Minutes: we have now heard that our application for a Community Grant to purchase a lap- top and printer doubling up as a scanner/copier, has been successful. See under AOB in last Minutes: Meeting on Primary Care: Ian Clement reported on the meeting held on 31/1/07 in the Assembly Rooms. It had not been well attended as it had been poorly advertised. Starting on 1st April 2007, there are to be extensive changes in health care. e.g. there is to be self-referral for physiotherapy; also, the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and the Astley Ainslie Hospital will in future not be exclusively NHS. Ian stressed that those wishing to contribute to the proposals for change in health matters, should get involved. There is to be a further meeting at the Gillies Centre on the 29th March 3.30pm to discuss proposals for the Eye Pavilion and the Astley Ainslie Hospital. 6.0 REPORTS 6.1 Police Report P.C. Alan Hopper circulated his report. He referred to the increase in graffiti in the Merchiston Ward: there had been a high rise in offenders, particularly in the Bruntsfield and Boroughmuir school area. He passed on the news that a graffiti initiative team had been set up. Double parking in Temple Park Crescent and the surrounding area was an ever increasing problem. PC Hopper assured the meeting that as soon as the parking restrictions were in place, any offending cars would be removed. Cllr. Sue Tritton gave details of her efforts to make double parking a police offence. Elspeth Boyle recounted that Merchiston Grove is presently an extremely bad area for cars being vandalised. There appeared to be a lack of police presence in the area, and insufficient people reporting problems. PC Hopper promised to pass on this concern. Becky Brooks asked if it was known who had been responsible for the removal of graffiti along the canal. (Plenty of graffiti remained.) Bridget thanked PC Hopper for his detailed report. 6.2 Planning /Licensing Report Planning Dundee/Tay Street : Bridget had heard from Kay Smith that the planning application had not yet been presented to the Committee. Apparently several people had submitted objections. Desmond Hodges and John Lennie had worked hard on MCC’s submission regarding this project. Tesco: Cllr Sue Tritton said that the recent application detailing trolley rack, signage and spiral access stair had been referred to the committee. Robin Morris intimated that he would be writing to the Chief Executive on behalf of Christ Church to object to the application. Redholme House Hotel: it is understood that the building is now to be converted into flats. Refurbishment has apparently commenced, judging by signs of activity e.g. removal of rubbish outside. As this is a listed building, an enquiry will be made to the Planning Committee regarding approval. Licensing: It was noted that Greig Firth, the hairdresser (at the corner of Bruntsfield Avenue and.Place) had closed. An application is being made for a licence to incorporate a betting shop in these premises. There was some discussion as to whether or not the MCC should formally object to this proposal, the deadline for submissions being 27/2/07. It was subsequently agreed that MCC would not object to the granting of a betting licence in the Bruntsfield area per se but would object to the use of these particular premises in that connection, given the proximity to two schools, the prominent corner site and the traditional shop frontage. Ettrick Hotel: the proprietors have decided to dispense with the Function Suite. A planning application to build a second storey for new bedrooms was expected to follow. The Polwarth Tavern: ongoing problems of noise from within and outside the pub continue. In addition, there have been complaints that the pub has been trading outwith its permitted licensing hours. It has been reported that there may have been an error in the recording of the Licencing Board's decision. The Police, the Licensing Section and the pub landlord had all been alerted. 6.3 Treasurer's Report was circulated It was noted that expenses in February were the highest since August last year. This was largely owing to the City Council claiming back community council election expenses after making the current year's grant. In MCC’s case there had been no election (contest), but the City Council reserved the right to claw back £75 anyway. Also, there was one item that had been charged to MCC in error. This would be corrected. 6.4 Meetings attended by the Chair A written report was circulated. 7.00 ANY OTHER BUSINESS i. Resident Nisbet Gallacher referred to parking in Gillsland Road. Many meetings and discussions with City Council staff had taken place in the hope of getting section S3 extended into the Gillsland Triangle. It was understood that formal consultation with MCC would take place shortly, to be followed by consultation with individual households in the area. The City Council had been concerned about overflow car parking following the CPZ extension, and double yellow lines have been painted on long sections of Polwarth Terrace, Colinton Road and Grays Loan. It is hoped that this will relieve obstruction in the vicinity. ii. Jake Butcher, who is doing a study in ecology, referred to shops and buildings leaving their lights on all night. He suggested that the City Council should be urged to promote the use of energy saving bulbs for night time illumination as a matter of policy. MCC agrees with this idea and will write to Director of City Development Andrew Holmes accordingly. 8.00 Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 20th March at Eric Liddell Centre Panel Discussion on HMO's There would speakers representing different interests (landlords, tenants, neighbours etc). Someone from the Scottish Executive/City Council to be invited to attend and possibly also the Edinburgh Stair Partnership |
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