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MINUTES OF MERCHISTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 15th May 2007 AT 7.00PM ERIC LIDDELL CENTRE, HOLY CORNER CHAIRPERSON'S WELCOME Bridget Stevens welcomed those present, including Cllrs. Mark McInnes Alison Johnston and Gordon Buchan; William Mykura, Robin Morris, Frances Hawarden, Desmond Hodges, Ian Doig, PC John Goodall, Mairianna Clyde, John and Belinda Lennie and around 12 members of the general public. (Kay Smith and Cllr. Paul Godzik appeared later) After having welcomed the new Councillors, Bridget asked that the meeting record its gratitude and appreciation for the contribution of the three ex-Councillors: Sue Tritton, Liz O’Malley and George Hunter who had worked hard for many years to support the MCC. Farewell also to Desmond Hodges (MCC's Planning expert) and Atholl Stewart (previous chair of MCC, and valued Deputy chair during the transition period). The MCC was most appreciative of the wealth of advice given by them and their support over past years. Lucy Howie, Co-ordinator of the 3M Youth Partnership, supported by Douglas Jeffrey from CEC Children & Families, delivered a brief presentation, illustrated by a video, on the 3Ms Youth Partnership operating from the Eric Liddell Centre. Lucy explained that the 3Ms (Morningside, Marchmont and Merchiston) assisted children to make the transition from Primary to Secondary School. The 3Ms run a thorough activity programme that includes painting, swimming, trampoline exercise, wall climbing and taking trips to places such as the Edinburgh Dungeon. These activities and others cater for ages ranging from P7 up to S2. The 3 Ms have recently applied for lottery funding to run a Youth Café. The first objective is to find suitable premises, and MCC's assistance in the identification of potential suitable premises would be much appreciated. Some of the young people had taken part in a video, illustrating some of the activities in which they participated. The comment from one of the children who had taken part in a 3Ms project was that is was "cool". Lucy received warm applause for her presentation. BUSINESS MEETING 1.0 Apologies for Absence had been received
from Cllr Marilyne MacLaren, Cllr Andrew
Burns, PC Alan Hopper, 2.0 Minutes of Last Year’s AGM 16 May 2006 were circulated Adoption moved by Desmond Hodges. 3.0 Chairman's Annual Report May 2006-2007 was circulated It was noted that the word
"Triennial" in the first item should have read " Bridget spoke briefly to her report and was warmly thanked on behalf of the MCC by John Lennie for all her hard and much appreciated work during the year. These thanks were echoed by all the other MCC members present. 4.0 Treasurer’s Annual Report 2006-2007 was circulated Frances Hawarden thanked Ian Doig for his valuable advice and sought approval from the MCC to ask Derek Ainsley once again to act as Auditor to MCC. This was approved by a show of hands. 5.0 REPORTS i Police Report P.C. John Goodall introduced himself as the Community Beat Officer for Polwarth/Fountainbridge, and presented a short summary of incidents that had occurred in the area: There had been thefts in flats in The National Car Park in There had been thefts of motor vehicles in There had been a case of assault and
battery along canal path to Graffiti: this problem continues all over the City. Bridget thanked PC Goodall for his report. ii Planning /Licensing Report Planning 6b The MCC had received numerous letters and e-mails from concerned residents in the area. These had been passed on to the Planning sub-committee. Mr Chetty of 6 2a Robin informed the meeting that Tesco had once again applied for an externally mounted "ATM" i.e. cash issuing terminal. He recalled that the MCC had objected to an earlier application, and asked if any one could find a copy of the original objection. There was general agreement that another external "ATM" in the vicinity was unnecessary, and that the MCC should examine this application with a view to objecting as before. John undertook to investigate and take action by 25th May 2007. Licensing The Polwarth Tavern is no longer part of Festival Inns and seems keen to work alongside MCC and local residents. MCC were still receiving reports of undue noise emanating from Orwell Lodge Nominations for the new Licensing Forum are being sought, and it was agreed that Robin Morris and Mairianna Clyde's names be submitted from MCC. 6.00 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING PARTNERSHIPS Various members of MCC had expressed willingness to have their names put forward as community council representatives on the two NPs concerned. In the end, it was agreed that the following should be submitted: South Central (Meadows/Morningside and
Southside/Newington): Bridget
Stevens. Main Sub/Alternate Robin Morris. Other Subs – Sighthill/Gorgie and Craiglockhart Fountainbridge: Ann Royden. Subs – Jim Geekie, Kay Smith. The main policies, action plans and strategies regarding the delivery of services in our area will be agreed by these Boards (and this is an important new responsibility for us), but much of the "real" work will be done in sub-committees dealing with particular topics such as licensing, planning, health, the environment etc. 7.00 ANY OTHER BUSINESS Robin suggested that the Councillors publicised their surgery dates. As there are now four Councillors it will be hard to know whom to approach on specific issues. John advised that Colin Cowan, previous chairman of the Greenhill and Churchhill Amenity Association had been very active in drawing the attention of CEC Parks Dept to the condition of the John Livingston Tomb site. It had been noted that the condition of the tomb and the garden ground in front of it had recently been greatly improved.. 8.00 Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 19 June 7pm at Eric Liddell Centre Presentation on the proposed re-opening of the South Suburban Railway (then no more meetings until September) |
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