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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL Draft Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 16 September 2003 at 7.00pm at the Eric Liddell Centre 1.0 Chairperson's Welcome Bridget Stevens (Chair) welcomed those present: Edith McLean, Atholl Stewart, Frances Hawarden, Colin Young, John Lennie, Diana Dunthorne (Bruntsfield Traders), Wies Robertson, Alison Elwell-Sutton, Cllr Sue Tritton, Derek Ainsley, Desmond Hodges, Oliver Shipp, Robin Morris, Janice Laxton. She welcomed Cllr Fred Mackintosh (Convenor) and Mary Dunbar (Coordinator) of South Edinburgh Local Development Committee as well as PC Scott Mackenzie (Lothian and Borders Police) to the meeting. Bridget Stevens also welcomed Janice Laxton as the new Minutes Secretary. 2.0 Apologies for Absence Rev John McMahon, Chris Sharman, Cllr George Hunter, CllrDonald Wilson. 3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on 17th June 2003 Adopted, proposed by Atholl Stewart, as a correct record. 4.0 Matters Arising 4.1 South Edinburgh Local Development Committee Cllr Fred Mackintosh and Mary Dunbar presented a talk on planned changes to the role and function of SELDC. (Report attached) On the basis of past experience, several members were cynical about the proposed improvements but supported the SELDC in their efforts. It was requested that SELDC meetings be more widely advertised, and more information on agenda items made available in advance. Mary Dunbar sends posters to a limited circulation list, including libraries, but Cllr Mackintosh explained that they have no budget for advertising beyond this. A report was requested on how the SELDC budget for last year had been allocated. Cllr Mackintosh said that this is now available. The next meeting of SELDC will take place at James Gillespie's School on 29 September 2003. Cllr Mackintosh assured those present that Council officers are willing to attend LDC and other meetings if invited. A case in point was Mary Dunbar at this meeting! Bridget Stevens thanked Cllr Mackintosh and Mary Dunbar for their contribution. 4.2 Canal Seats The MCC canal seats and litter bins are now being installed. 4.3 Litter There was a lengthy discussion on this persistent problem. Diana Dunthorne pointed out that only food retailers could be fined (up to £1,000) for litter outside their shops, even if, as in her own case, it originated elsewhere. Diana has to sweep the pavement outside her shop four times a day, mostly because of the litter dropped by school children from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie's High School. In light of this, it was AGREED that Bridget Stevens should not write a letter of complaint to Bruntsfield Traders, as originally intended. Instead, she would remind the head teachers of both local secondary schools of the littering problem when writing to inform them of the forthcoming annual anti-litter competition run jointly run by MCC and the City Council. It was suggested that the Council could be asked to provide more or larger litter bins. There was general agreement that the best way to deal with the problem of littering is through discussion, cooperation and liaison. 4.4 Ian Finlayson Everyone present was glad to hear that, although still unwell, Ian Finlayson is presently at home. All wished him well. 4.5 Polwarth Parish Church The November meeting of MCC will be held there. The venue is free of charge and will have improved access for disabled people. It was AGREED that MCC meetings should be more widely spread and better advertised. Desmond Hodges offered to publicise the November meeting by word of mouth in the Polwarth area. He will also ask Rev John McMahon if he could notify his parishioners. To be discussed further at next meeting. 4.6 Parking Restrictions Omission Correction of the omission of parking restrictions in some local streets is in hand. 5.0 Treasurer's Report Derek Ainslie reported that the canal seats have now been paid for. The Council grant for this year has already been received. 6.0 Other Reports 6.1 Police Report Presented by PC Scott Mackenzie (attached). In response to questions, PC Mackenzie explained that the Police have no power to deal with double parking unless someone makes a complaint and that only young children are allowed to cycle on the pavement. Bridget Stevens thanked him for his contribution. 6.2 City Development Neighbourhood Group This group, working alongside the SELDC, provides an opportunity for more detailed scrutiny of planning proposals, etc. There have been two meetings since MCC last met. (Papers distributed.) The next meeting will take place at the City Chambers on 29 October. Everyone is welcome to attend. 6.3 Planning Applications In Chris Sharman's absence John Lennie introduced a discussion on the planning application for a 'basket' Marks and Spencer food store on the site of the Mulhearn and Brotchie Garden Centre. This application was welcomed by some, but a packed public meeting organised by MCC on 27 August, at which the developers were also present, had raised many concerns, eg the impact on local food shops and traffic in the surrounding area. Bridget Stevens had written to the Planning Department reflecting the views expressed at that meeting. Many local residents are strongly against the application, and are organising a petition. The Committee cannot take into account the possible effect of the proposed development on other retailers. It could, however, put restrictions on opening hours or licensing hours. Wireless Mast, Whitehouse Loan There are strong objections from local residents to installing this mobile phone mast, 40-45 feet in height, on the pavement. It was feared that should this application be accepted it might set a precedent. Cllr Tritton explained that the Council will not site a mast on its own property and cannot refuse an application for a public highway. She pointed out, however, that telephone companies often find an alternative site for their mast if an initial application is rejected. Application for a Swimming Pool in the Garden of Polwarth Cottage Those present accepted Chris Sharman's stance that MCC cannot object to this application because only a few local residents would be affected by it. Other Planning Enforcements for the Area Being pursued by Cllr Tritton. Bridget Stevens thanked her for her work. 7.0 AOCB 7.1 Parking Zones Cllr Tritton reported on the consultation on controlled parking zones in Edinburgh. 7.2 South Edinburgh Local Development Committee - Next Meeting Robin Morris or Frances Hawarden and Alison Elwell-Sutton will attend their next meeting on 29 September. 7.3 Bruntsfield Christmas Street Party Diana Dunthorne expressed the hope that the community would take on the task of resuscitating this event, which was previously organised by the Bruntsfield Traders. It proved so popular it became too expensive to recruit professional stewards, and unfortunately not enough volunteers came forward from the community. Diana Dunthorne asked if MCC would consider organising this event jointly with the Bruntsfield Traders for 2004, perhaps on a smaller scale or in a different format. Robin Morris, Oliver Shipp and Diana Dunthorne AGREED to form a working group to look into this possibility. There may be a grant available from the Council. 7.0 Date and Information of Next Meeting Tuesday, 21 October 2003 at 7.00 pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. The topic to be discussed is provisionally The Controlled Parking Zone Extension. POLICE REPORT PRESENTED BY PC SCOTT MACKENZIE AT THE MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING ON 16 SEPTEMBER 2003 June 2003 Over 30 crimes in the area Housebreaking (including attempted) 4 recorded, 3 solved Theft OLP motor vehicles 2 Theft motor vehicles 2 recorded, 1 solved Theft - others 17 Other dishonesty (fraud) 2 Theft of pedal cycles 4 Vandalism 2 July 2003 Over 30 crimes in the area Housebreaking 2 Theft OLP motor vehicles 6 Robbery 1 Assault 3 recorded, 1 solved Theft motor vehicles 4 (2 attempted) Theft - others 12 Theft - pedal cycle 4 Vandalism 4 August 2003 43 crimes in the area Housebreaking 1 Theft OLP motor vehicles 13 Robbery 1 Serious Assault 1 Theft - others 12 recorded, 1 solved Theft - pedal cycle 4 Vandalism 7 recorded, 1 solved The rise in crime figures for the Merchiston area over the past few months, particularly August, reflect a general rise in the level of crime throughout the city. It was not clear how much of an influence the Festival had. Thefts from vehicles were mainly prompted by valuable items being left clearly visible inside. An auto crime prevention initiative was run this summer. The Police do not know of any criminals living in the Merchiston area, but suspect that some individuals are targeting it from outwith the area. Most crimes are committed at night, and the Police are pressing for 24 hour shifts for police officers on the beat to be reinstalled in Merchiston. The public are encouraged to be vigilant and inform the Police of any suspicious behaviour. Anyone reporting a crime may choose when and where to give a fuller report. The Police welcome the Operation Capital initiative, although there are still problems with it to be resolved. PRESENTATION BY COUNCILLOR FRED MACKINTOSH Cllr Mackintosh has recently taken over from Mike Pringle as Convenor of South Edinburgh Local Development Committee. Along with Coordinator, Mary Dunbar, he is keen to revamp the role and function of SELDC in order that the views of local people are better heard and the delivery of Council services to South Edinburgh is improved. Future meetings will focus on particular themes and suggestions are invited from community groups and individuals. Issues already suggested are: parking; local bus services; health; MHO enforcement; repair and allocation of Council houses; antisocial behaviour and local policing. The topic for the next SELDC meeting, to be held at James Gillespie High School on Monday, 29 September, will be the environment. By consulting more closely with the community in this way, SELCD hopes to be able to better gauge their concerns. Cllr Mackintosh will then raise these concerns with the Council Officers involved, who will in turn have to report back to SELDC. On City-wide issues over which they have no direct influence, SELDC will still be able to play an advocacy role. Individuals are encouraged to continue to contact the Council directly with particular complaints. Cllr Mackintosh distributed copies of the Council report on Extended Environmental Task Force Working. Task Forces were set up some time ago in order to coordinate the work of different Council departments more effectively. This 'joined' up approach has improved the cleanliness of the City, but there is still room for improvement. A pilot expanded Environmental Task Force has, therefore, been set up in South Edinburgh as part of the European-wide DEMOS project. The expanded Environmental Task Force will coordinate the efforts of the three existing Task Forces operating within the South Edinburgh area. The project is expected to last six months and will deliver an Environmental Action Plan for the area in time for the November SELDC meeting. A working group of elected members and community representatives will be set up to work with the Task Force during that time, and Cllr Mackintosh asked for a representative of MCC to join it. Frances Hawarden expressed an interest in taking on this role. The SELDC will have an important role in monitoring the work of the expanded Environmental Task Force and the effectiveness of the Edinburgh South Environmental Action Plan. The Environmental Task Force Manager will have to respond to complaints even if he is not directly responsible for them. Cllr Fred Mackintosh and Mary Dunbar can be contacted at any time on the SELDC e-mail address at: south.ldc@edinburgh.gov.uk Copies of documents can be distributed through this address. |
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