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MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2007 AT 7.00PM Venue: Polwarth Parish Church Hall CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME Bridget Stevens, Chairman of MCC, chaired this meeting and welcomed those attending. Present: Bridget Stevens, Ian Doig, Barbara Doig, Bryce Morrison, Beccy Brooks, Robin Morris, Stephen Meyer, Gavin Corbett, Cllr. Andrew Burns, Linda Young, Elizabeth Baillie, Cllr. Mark McInnes, Ian Clements, James Geekie, Frances Hawarden, Alison Elwell-Sutton, William Mykura, Cllr. Marilyne MacLaren, Mairianna Clyde. Cllr. Gordon Buchan joined the end of the meeting, as he had been attending another meeting; he was able to discuss a number of issues informally with MCC members and others. Discussion Session: Cycling in the Merchiston Area – Blessing or Curse? The Chairman opened the discussion by outlining some current issues about cycling. SPOKES had recently launched a campaign entitled Bike Polite. The SPOKES campaign was intended to educate cyclists about safety issues and about cyclists’ responsibilities to other road users and to pedestrians. Information and free reflective armbands were available from bike shops. MCC welcomed the SPOKES Bike Polite campaign. SPOKES had been invited to attend this MCC meeting but were unable to provide a representative at the last minute. SPOKES were due to hold their own public meeting the next evening, i.e. 21st November. The Chairman noted that there were strong feelings both for and against cycling. Many residents were at different times pedestrians, cyclists and car drivers. There had been a growing number of complaints from residents in Merchiston about reckless and inconsiderate cyclists, particularly in relation to the Union Canal footpath. Various members of the audience raised issues and concerns. These included a growing minority of cyclists who ignored the laws laid down in the Highway Code; specific complaints included cyclists cutting through red lights, cutting through green man pedestrian crossings, riding in specific ‘no cycling’ areas (Meadows Jawbone Walk, Hermitage Park and Craiglockhart Park were mentioned specifically), riding on pavements, no lights displayed during darkness, cycling wrong way in one-way streets, no bell warning of approach etc. It was difficult to report incidents because cyclists had no registration number. A growing number of ‘near misses’ had been observed. It was noted that a pedestrian had recently been killed in England by a speeding cyclist on the pavement, who hit the pedestrian at full tilt and caused severe injuries from which the pedestrian died. There had also been several incidents in the Merchiston area where cyclists had injured dogs being walked by residents and, in one case, a dog had been killed by a speeding cyclist. - The Union Canal footpath had generated a large number of ‘incidents’ and complains about inconsiderate and speeding cyclists. British Waterways has a speed limit of 5mph throughout the footpath but the speed limit was not publicized or enforced. British Waterways had attempted to reduce problems caused by cyclists by installing chicanes at pinch points and ‘speed bumps’; it was reported that speed bumps did not reduce the speed of cyclists and were therefore not effective – it was reported that some cyclists actually speeded up at speed bumps. The meeting concluded that complaints about irresponsible cyclists were caused by a minority ‘hard core’ number of reckless cyclists. The meeting then focused on identifying action points to improve harmonious co-existence between residents and cyclists. These included: • Education and mutual tolerance by all parties was agreed to be the key • Encourage SPOKES in their campaign to improve cycling politeness and standards • MCC to write to British Waterways to request: - Awareness signs for cyclists (note: ‘cyclists should give way to pedestrians’ is already a BW condition for the footpath but is not displayed clearly) - Speed limit signs for cyclists – 5mph suggested - More chicanes and gates to reduce speed of cyclists at key points • A national speed limit for cyclists on paths which are shared with pedestrians • Enforcement by the Police of the laws governing cyclists, as set out in the Highway Code • MCC to identify approximately 6 ‘black spots’ in the local area where cyclists frequently break the law and report these to the Police for enforcement and deterrent action. BUSINESS MEETING 1.0 Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Ann Royden, John and Belinda Lennie, Cllr Alison Johnstone and from PC Alan Hopper (post- meeting note: PC Hopper later advised that he had been called away suddenly to detain a man suspected of theft). 2.0 Minutes of the previous MCC meeting held on 16th October 2007 were circulated. Adoption of the minutes was proposed by James Geekie and the minutes were adopted as a correct record. 3.0 Matters Arising 1. Licensing Policy – MCC had submitted its comments to the City of Edinburgh Council, in response to the consultation paper; these comments incorporated issues and views discussed at the MCC meeting on 16th October. 2. Public Health – MCC had submitted its comments in response to the Scottish Government’s consultation paper ‘Better Health; Better Care’. Dr Helen Zealley had advised and assisted MCC in drafting appropriate comments and her expert advice was much appreciated by MCC. 3. There were no other matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting, apart from topics which were covered in the various reports discussed later and reported below. 4.0 Reports and Action Points i. Police Report: PC Alan Hopper was unable to attend but his monthly Police Report has since been circulated. ii. Planning Report: • 6B Merchiston Park – Cllr. MacLaren and Cllr. McInnes updated the meeting on progress. The Planning Committee of the City of Edinburgh Council, at which all four local councillors (Godzik, Johnstone, McInnes and MacLaren) had been present, had considered this application, and had refused planning consent on grounds that it breached planning guidelines, despite an astonishing recommendation from officials to accept. However there may be an appeal by the applicant. • 10A Greenhill Park – Cllr McInnes reported that this application was to demolish and extend an existing a ‘B Listed’ building. MCC had been asked by the next door neighbour to lodge an objection. The Chairman stated that MCC would discuss the matter with her and would then wait to see if other objections come forward. • 40 Colinton Road –Reported that the address of the applicant is Saddlers Mews. Cllr McInnes said that further developments were awaited. • 100 Morningside Road – Application for HMO for 10 people had been approved by City of Edinburgh Planning Committee. iii. Licensing Report • Licensing Policy – MCC had submitted its views to Edinburgh Licensing Board, in response to the consultation paper discussed at the previous MCC meeting. Robin Morris updated the meeting that nearly 40 letters were to be considered by Edinburgh Licencing Board at its next meeting on 26th November • Food Cart at Union Canal Footpath - The applicant for a food licence had been refused by City of Edinburgh Regulatory Committee. The support offered to neighbours by Cllrs Buchan and Burns had been much appreciated. • Strategic Policy for Licensing – South West Neighbourhood Partnership is to formulate a strategic licencing policy for the whole area. The objectives were to produce guidelines for consistent licensing decisions and to avoid problems with precedents. MCC welcomed this initiative. iv. Treasurer’s Report - Frances Hawarden, the Treasurer, circulated a financial report. She reported that MCC’s finances were in a healthy state. The current bank account balance at end of September 2007 was £1,418, of which £500 was due to be paid to City of Edinburgh Council. Report noted. v. Chairman's report – The Chairman circulated a written report, detailing meetings she had attended. Report noted. 5.0 ANY OTHER BUSINESS • The Chairman reported that City of Edinburgh Council had a budget available for community projects. Robin Morris proposed that an application should be made for funds to provide bicycle racks at the side of the Eric Liddell Centre at Holy Corner. It would be preferable to make a joint application with the Eric Liddell Centre. (Note – this fund is quite separate from another for which community councils would be invited to apply in connection with their membership of Neighbourhood Partnerships.) • MCC Membership – Problems arising from non-attendance at meetings by two MCC Members were discussed. The Chairman had written to ask the members concerned to clarify whether they would be in a position to attend future meetings or if they would prefer to resign. This may result in vacancies on the MCC Committee, and several local residents were understood to be interested in becoming involved. • Mairianna Clyde reported she had attended a meeting between students and community representatives to discuss environmental and housing (HMOs etc) issues. MCC was keen to encourage student involvement with the Community Council on planning issues etc. It was suggested that MCC should consider having a student representative. • MCC Website – Ian Doig reported that good progress was being made by a small working group in developing the MCC website. It was clarified that, following personal donations from two members of MCC, a budget was available to assist in this task, if appropriate. • Beccy Brooks reported noise nuisance and disturbance currently being caused by bottles being collected from Napier University as early as 7am. Local councilors were investigating. • Street Lighting – PC Hopper had reported that there was a continuing problem of inadequate street lighting in some areas, such as Polwarth Terrace and Napier Road. City Councillors were reported to be taking up the issue of improving street lighting, with the objective of reducing crime risks. • Polwarth Grove – Designated ‘no through road’ but problems being caused by vehicles attempting to drive through. City of Edinburgh Council has agreed to erect a sign. It was not known how long this would take. • Satellite Dishes – Kay Smith had complained about satellite aerials erected near Bryson Road. There was a need for more effective enforcement – previous aerials had merely been repositioned, rather than removed. • Polwarth Tavern - Complaints from residents about sound pollution continue, despite sound insulation measures by Polwarth Tavern, which seem to be less than 100% effective. 6.0 Date of Future Meetings • Tuesday 22nd January 2008. Venue: Eric Liddell Centre. Time: 7pm. Topic – The Future of Education in our Area– Update and Budget Issues. Cllr MacLaren said she would attend in her capacity as Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee of the Council, and suggested inviting also an official from Children and Families. • Tuesday 19th February 2008. Venue: St Michael’s Church. Time: 7pm. Topic – Public Health Issues and Patients’ Rights. |
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