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MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on Tuesday, 18 November 2003 at 7.00pm at Polwarth Parish Church. (The meeting followed a presentation on Parks and Open Spaces by Michael Shields, Development Officer, City of Edinburgh Council, Department of Culture and Leisure which was attended by approx. 75 members of the public. Report attached.) 1.0 Chairperson's Welcome Bridget Stevens (Chair) welcomed those present: Edith McLean, James Geekie, Atholl Stewart, John Lennie, Chris Sharman, Wies Robertson, Cllrs. George Hunter and Sue Tritton, Derek Ainsley (Treasurer), Desmond Hodges, Oliver Shipp, Robin Morris (Secretary) and Janice Laxton (Minutes Secretary). Bridget Stevens thanked Rev John McMahon for kindly allowing use of the Church premises. 2.0 Apologies for Absence Frances Hawarden, Colin Young, Alison Elwell-Sutton and Cllr. Liz O'Malley. (Other members may have been unable to send their apologies to Robin Morris due to problems with his computer.) 3.0 Minutes of Last Meeting held on 21 October 2003 Adoption of these minutes was moved by Atholl Stewart, with the following amendment: 2.0 Apologies sent by Atholl Stewart. 4.0 Matters Arising 4.1 Litter Competition Bridget Stevens announced that the Children's Litter Competition, jointly organised by MCC and CEC Environmental Services, has now been launched. Workshops, sponsored by local businesses, will be run by writer Ron Butlin and sculptor Karen Clulow. Entries will be judged by Edinburgh Makar, Stewart Conn, and winners presented with their prizes at an Awards Ceremony at the City Chambers on 13 February. 4.2 Bruntsfield Street Party Robin Morris reported that there is a lot of interest among local people in reinstating this event. The working group will progress in the New Year. 4.3 Paid Parking Bays, Bruntsfield Place Bridget Stevens has received a letter from the City of Edinburgh Council Transport Planning Manager saying that nothing can be done until the spring. She has copied the letter to Diana Dunthorne of Bruntsfield Traders. 5.0 Treasurer's Report Derek Ainsley reported that £60.45 has been paid in rent, and 43p received in interest since the last meeting. £6,390 for installation of the canal seats, will be spent in this financial year. The litter competition awards will reduce the balance further. 6.0 Other Reports 6.1 Police Report PC Scott Mackenzie was unable to attend but sent the attached report. Cllr Tritton has received a number of complaints about young people breaking into tenement closes and back greens in the early hours of the morning and causing disturbance. She encouraged people to report complaints to the Police, or the Environmental Consumer Services Department. The problem may to be related to the re-opening of nightclubs at Fountain Park. 6.2 City Development Neighbourhood Group Two CEC consultations were discussed at the meeting on 28 October 2003: Extensions to the Controlled Parking Zone Everyone is invited to comment, including those who live outwith the area. A public enquiry will only be held if enough objections are made. Changes will not be implented before 2005 at the earliest. Cllr Tritton confirmed that all revenue earned by the scheme must be channelled into enforcement; the Council is not allowed to make a profit from it. An exhibition of the proposed changes is displayed in local libraries. It will also be displayed in James Gillespies High School from 6.00pm on 25 November. There will be a meeting of South Edinburgh Local Development Committee there at 7.00pm, at which the scheme will be discussed. Congestion Charging Scheme This scheme will be used to partly fund the 20-year transport improvement initiative for Edinburgh and south east Scotland. Input is invited from the public before the final proposals are put to a Public Inquiry in April 2004 and a subsequent referendum is held in Edinburgh. Neighbouring local authorities are threatening to sue the CEC if the proposed scheme goes ahead. If 51% of votes in the referendum are against it, the scheme will be abandoned. Robin Morris reported that strong opposition to the scheme was expressed at a meeting of Community Council representatives at the City Chambers on 17 November, similarly at the Central Local Development Committee he attended on 19 November. . 6.3 Edinburgh South Local Development Committee Bridget Stevens attended the last meeting on 17 November at which there was a presentation on the new Environmental Improvement Action Plan. Oliver Shipp volunteered to take part in a survey forum, to monitor and record local environmental 'black-spots'. Progress will be monitored and published. 6.4 Planning Applications Chris Sharman pointed out that the weekly list is now available online. Wireless Mast, Whitehouse Loan No final recommendation Royal Ettrick Hotel, Licensing Application Measures have been taken to reduce noise within the hotel. The Council has decided to renew the late license for the hotel for three months only. The situation will be reviewed after that. 5 Ettrick Road Planning permission has been refused to allow use as a business but owner believed to be continuing business regardless. 2B Merchiston Crescent Owner of the new house has failed to dismantle the wooden fence and to remove the caravan/portacabin outside his other premises at 4-6 Merchiston Avenue. An appeal has been made to the Scottish Executive and a report is due soon. Ettrick Hotel The Planning Officer has still not persuaded them to apply for planning permission for the unauthorised signage. Trees have still not been replanted Cllr Tritton said that Planning Department officers are attending training sessions by the Scottish Executive on how enforcement works. She encouraged people to write to their MSPs about the underfunding and staffing of the Planning Department and the resultant deficiencies in enforcement initiatives. 7.0 AOCB 7.1 Advertising of MCC Meetings Mr Geekie objected to MCC being advertised in the Citizen, a Liberal Demoncrat newsletter. BS assured him that MCC is apolitical, and only chose this publication because it was the only one regularly delivered free to every house in the area. MCC would be happy to advertise in publications produced by any political party and to welcome to its meetings any Councillors whose Wards came into the MCC area. Although the Herald and Post has an erratic distribution in the area, Robin Morris will look into advertising in this and The Metro. 7.2 Wheelie Bins Many complaints were made about the colour and design of wheelie bins, and the fact that their lids often flap in the wind causing disturbance to local residents. Also the fact that they are never cleaned. Cllr Tritton said that the orginal proposal to introduce wheelie bins included the condition that they would be cleaned regularly. She will continue to pursue this issue with the Council. In the meantime, individuals can request their bin be cleaned by phoning the Council. Complaints may be made to Mike Drewry, Director of Environmental and Consumer Services. 7.3 British Waterways MCC welcomed the marked increase in the use of the canal over recent months, in particular a rise in the number of motor launches to and from Glasgow. Lochrin Basin should be in operation by the Festival next year. Derek Ainsley referred members to the BW website. 7.4 Neighbourhood Watch Cllr Tritton advised anyone interested in setting up a neighbourhood watch group in their area to contact the Police for guidance. 7.5 Canal Development There was general agreement that the Planning Department needs to take the lead in involving British Waterways and the three relevant Community Councils in drawing up a development plan for the Leamington area. Community Councils need more notice of planning applications. 7.6 Advertising on MCC Website There was unanimous agreement that a request by Fraser Paterson, Independent Financial Adviser, to advertise on the MCC website should be refused. 7.7 Frontline Scotland - Case Study Request A letter has been received from the BBC inviting individuals to provide case studies on neighbour disputes for a forthcoming edition of Frontline Scotland. Anyone wishing to apply should contact Bridget Stevens for the address and phone number. 7.8 MCC Notice Board at Eric Liddell Centre Robin Ellis will apply to South Edinburgh Local Development Committee by the end of the month for a grant to buy this. 8.0 Date and Information of Next Meeting Tuesday, 20 January 2004 at 7.00 pm at the Eric Liddell Centre. The topic to be discussed is provisionally Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMO's) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PARKS AND OPEN SPACES Presentation by Mike Shiels Development Officer, Department of Culture and Leisure, City of Edinburgh Council 18 November 2003 Mike Shiels introduced himself and apologised on behalf of Jim McKay, Head of Parks and Sports, who had orginally planned to give the presentation. Mike Shiels explained that the Culture and Leisure Department is responsible for designing and implementing improvements to parks and open spaces, including the designing of playgrounds; routine maintenance of these areas is the responsibility of the Parks Department. East and West Harrison Parks are now due for upgrading, and the Council has allocated approx. £60,000 for this purpose. (Cllr Tritton said that she was almost certain there is a separate budget for playgrounds.) Details of how this money will be spent are still to be approved by Councillors. Although some of the improvement work is planned to begin as soon as possible - Mike Shiels will be contacting contractors next week - the views of local people are still being sought, partly through meetings such as this one, and also through local children's groups and schools. In addition, it is hoped that a Friends Group can soon be set up, based on the informal working group already formed this summer. In order to be able to apply for most Council grants, a Friends Group would be need to be formally constituted, but Cllr Tritton pointed out that Local Development Committee grants are available to more informal groups too. Suggested improvements to Harrison Park include: · Repair to footpaths · Planting of new trees and rose bushes, as well as spring bulbs · Improvement of drainage (including area with football goals) · Removal of unnecessary fencing and replacement of new fencing were necessary · Building of new playground (perhaps to extend into the old tennis court) · Demolishion of old bowing pavilion · Reinstate (rather than replace) old toilet block · Provision of more bins and 'bag it and bin it' facilities for dog owners The budget does not allow for the maintenance of bowling or putting facilities. However, the Department intends to make holes in the grass for an improvised putting green next summer. The Council recognises that vandalism continues to be a major problem in the park. Park Wardens (who cover Harrison Park and the Meadows) will be 'on the beat' more, and wear easily recognised uniforms. It is hoped that the recent appointment of Environmental Wardens will also help reduce vandalism. The Council strongly supports children playing football in city parks. Problems with balls being kicked onto the road will hopefully be overcome by moving the goal posts further away from the road once the area has been better drained. Mike Shiels confirmed that there are no parking facilities within Harrison Park, although vehicles can be left temporarily for particular functions. In response to a question from the audience, Mike Shiels confirmed that there is no long term, strategic plan for the park. One member of the audience wished to register the fact Harrison Park should be higher on the Council's list of priorities. Mike Shiels said he would take that back to Jim McKay. He encouraged individuals to send their comments and suggestions directly to himself, at the Department of Culture and Leisure (Tel No:672 1589) or indirectly through the Merchiston Community Council. A list of individuals interested in joining the working group/forming a Friends Group was collected at the meeting and MCC will forward these to Mike Shields. Individuals in joining this group should also contact Mike Shiels on the above number. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLICE REPORT TO MCC NOVEMBER 2003 Merchiston Area Crime figures for October 2003 Total crimes for October 2003 : 39 Domestic Housebreaking There were 4 thefts by housebreaking in October. Two of these thefts were to domestic properties at Abbotsford Court, where entry was gained by forcing the front doorlock and to Temple Park Crescent where access to an insecure window was gained by climbing scaffolding. Two further thefts occurred from a garden hut and a garage both at Merchiston Mews. Business Housebreaking A theft took place from within a room at the Ettrick Hotel where access was again gained to an insecure window and property stolen from within. Assault There were 2 assaults reported. Both assaults were 'domestic' assaults occurring within addresses at Bruntsfield Place and Viewforth. In each case a male has been reported for the crime. Vehicle Crime Vehicle crime still accounts for a high proportion of reported crime. There were however no thefts of motor vehicles in October. There were four break ins / attempted break ins to vehicles. There were two thefts from motor vehicles which were left insecure. Theft of bicycles There was on theft of a pedal cycle, which was left insecure and unattended. Drugs There were two recorded drugs offences in October. A 16 year old male and a 38 year old male have been reported for this. Other Crimes There were nine reports of vandalism / malicious damage in October with one solved to date. There was one incident of threats over the telephone, one incident of fraud and one incident of counterfeit currency. There were eight incidents of other thefts whereby persons are still leaving property / handbags / mobile phones unattended only to discover a theft at a later time There were three incidents whereby persons attempted to pervert the course of justice with a male reported for one of these offences. |
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