Merchiston Community Council meeting 18^th November2008

7pm St. Michael’s Parish Church,

 Slateford Road

In attendance: 

Bridget Stevens                      Chair MCC

Robin Morris                           Vice-chair MCC and Licensing

Frances Hawarden                  Treasurer MCC

Jenny Mackenzie                     Minute taker

William Mykura                      MCC Transport

John Lennie                             MCC Planning

Mairianna Clyde                     MCC Planning

Paul Swan                               South Central Neighbourhood Partnership Link Officer

PC Julie Cochrane                   Community Beat Officer, West End police station.

Sgt David Conally                  Bruntsfield police station

James Geekie                          MCC

Ian Doig                                  MCC

Alison Elwell-Sutton              MCC

Kay Smith                               MCC

Beccy Brooks                          MCC

Cllr Gordon Buchan               Cons (Arrived 8pm).

Cllr Mark McInnes                  Cons   

David Boffey                          Local resident

Ian Clement                                 “        “

Walter Crosby                              “        “

Eric McCosh                                “        “

Graham Crombie                          “        “

Ann Ferguson                             “         “

David Reid                                 “         “

M.E. Miller                                  “         “

David Spaven                                         “          “

Alan Laidlaw                             “          “

Heidi Bibenbach                        “          “

Tom Rye                                    “          “

John Husband                                        “          “

Chairman’s welcome

The Chair welcomed all residents to the first part of the proceedings ­ a Presentation on Parking, the Parking Standards Review to be given by Phil Noble, from the ECC Transport Policy Team.   Chair noted that MCC Transport officer William Mykura would chair this first part of the meeting, which would run for approximately one hour, and invite questions. 

Phil noted that he was here to talk about car parking standards and the review of them.  These standards are applied to all new developments in the city, and relate to the amount of car parking allocated within sites.  Those currently in operation have been in force for nine years (since 1999) and some lessons have been learned from experience.  Standards exist partly to control the overspill of parking on to the roads and also to restrict the amount of traffic that is generated from the new sites.

The issue is complex.  There are pros and cons for more or less parking on new sites. More parking facilities make developments more marketable; peoples’ expectations also drive the decision making.  Other factors can drive the allocations; less provision would be made immediately adjacent to a bus stop for example.  Decisions are affected by the availability of public transport.

A workshop was held recently attended by developers and members of the Planning Committee. Some ideas have developed and informed the changes being considered.  Re residential standards:  Maximum one space per dwelling, but there are suggestions that the variation should be responsive to the size of the dwelling, for example for bigger dwellings outside the city.  Rather than applying a flat rate, such as X amount of expansion being given X amount of parking, we will need to asses each case on its merits.  Also being considered is the issue of residents’ permits once the development has been completed.  Some factors affect the decisions – sheltered housing residents often own a car, private residents often don’t.  Temporary car parks may be created in areas where changes will take place in the public transport provision, for example, on tram routes, but this consideration does not really apply to this part of the city. 

Bicycle storage will be toughened up.  Bicycles will need to be stored in either underground car parks, or indoors.  In response to a query from Helen Zealley re bicycle parking at offices, Phil noted that new office developments are now required to provide secure underground storage for some bicycles.  The number of trips taken by bicycles has doubled in the last 10 years.  

William Mykura asked about provisions when a villa is converted into flats – yes, the provision does often change.  For example for three residents, there would be three spaces. 

Ian Doig noted that before Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) were created in the area last year, residents had a big problem with parking.  The council said they would hand the streets back to the residents.  The CPZs did make a difference and our streets were quiet. Now, without consultation, there are new plans in some areas of S3 to extend the permitted stay again for up to nine hours while considerably reducing the price.   This is totally contrary to what the council said about ditching all-day parking.  Ian asked for councillors’ responses.

Phil noted that he could not comment on what has been said publicly, but he is aware that there is a trial scheme to slightly ‘soften the edges’ of the CPZs and permit some all-day parking. 

Cllr McInnes noted that he too is concerned about the lack of consultation.  He and Bridget Stevens had had a meeting with senior transport officials where they expressed their disappointment and significant opposition from residents to the possible re-launch of all-day parking in the area.  A deputation should be organized by local residents to attend the Transport Committee meeting on 4 February 2009.  Cllr McInnes expressed the view that an awful lot of council resources are going into something that will hopefully not be implemented.   

Responses to the Spylaw Road proposals can be submitted up until 2^nd December.

In response to Frances Hawarden’s question re proposed plans to lower the ratio of parking in social housing, Phil noted that most developments of this kind are constructed by housing associations and so consultation with them takes place.  Parking provision increases the cost of the development and housing associations must consider this. 

Mairianna Clyde asked about the policy for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). With two permits available for each dwelling, what if there are four people in a flat?

Phil noted that “this is one of the tensions that we face but we normally allow for two cars per flat”. 

On the proposed relaxation of CPZ rules in Spylaw Road, resident David Reid of Spylaw Road asked ‘what is a successful trial?’   Phil admitted that he couldn’t describe the criteria, but he was aware that if it were difficult for residents to park in their own street, then this would be an issue for the council.

Ann Ferguson, also of Spylaw Road noted that the road is already congested, before these more relaxed regulations are implemented – there is no space for trades people and medical people to park.  Another Spylaw Road resident noted that ‘we now have nine-hour parking back without consultation’.  Phil said that resident parking will still be available in Spylaw Road.

Professor Tom Wright of North Merchiston asked other residents what should be the maximum parking level in streets.  Why should it be one level in Spylaw Road and less in other roads?  He noted that residents in his road now have the problem that other residents in other streets once had. He said that this discussion was just moving the problem around from one place to another.   

Responses were that the main point of grievance was that none of the residents have been given their rights of consultation or consideration.

Phil noted that the council takes the approach that parking needs to be managed, rather just moving the problem around.  The goal is to get a fair deal for residents, both within and without the CPZs.  The objective is to soften the edges of the zones, but the question remains ‘where is the ultimate edge?  Mairianna said that residents have never been given the opportunity to discuss this concept. 

The chair noted that most ward councillors have committed to supporting the residents, and urged all present to write in with their objections.  Copy letters to Ian Doig.  Use the reference TRO/07/77C, mark it Transport and send to Waverley Court in Edinburgh, giving the name of the street to which you are referring.

David Speight, a resident of Polwarth, and David Spaven of Yeaman Place noted that very shallow speed bumps do not support the supposed 20mph speed limit they are meant to enforce.  It was agreed that this will be the topic of a future MCC meeting, either January or February 2009, whenever the new CEC priorities list is published.   Paul Swan to get back to MCC regarding this.

William Mykura thanked Phil Noble for an interesting presentation and debate.

Business Meeting

1.  Apologies for Absence:

Cllr Marilyne MacLaren (SLD).

Cllr Alison Johnstone (Green Party)

Cllr Paul Godzik (Lab)

Cllr Jim Lowrie (SLD)

Ann Royden (Secretary)

PC Alan Hopper, Lothian & Borders Police

2. Minutes of last meeting and Matters Arising.

Addition made to item 2 Minutes of Last meeting:

‘Also Jim Geekie asked that the following sentence be added to Councillor MacLaren’s statement under Councillors’ Reports: “Councillor MacLaren admitted that the budgets of both Boroughmuir High and James Gillespie’s High would each be cut by £6800 for the current session and that pro rata cuts would be made to the budgets of local primary schools.” The meeting agreed to this. 

Adoption of minutes proposed by Frances Hawarden

Matters Arising

Re Christmas celebrations.  The Chair noted that MCC is sponsoring a sing-a-long at 6.00pm on 11^th December at 6pm outside the Eric Liddell Centre, and inside if is raining.

Re the Consultation on a Patients’ Rights Bill, the Chair reminded the meeting that comments should be sent to Helen Zealley by the end of November. 

3.  Reports and Issues

No written Chair’s report 

Police Report

Report from Sgt David Conally for the Fountainbridge area.  Emphasized the need for vigilant home security following a spate of housebreakings which occurred because of the Yale locks being slipped.  Sgt Conally urged the use of mortice locks also.

Plain clothes policemen have been targeting bicycle thieves.  Owners are urged to use chains when leaving bicycles in stairwells.

For the Fountainbridge beat there were 284 incidents recorded, 15 of which were graded ‘1’ or emergencies, with 91 graded ‘2’ – should be responded to within one hour --  and the remainder dealt with by Community Beat Officers (CBOs) or patrol officers. 

PC Julie Cochrane of West End police station, deputizing for PC Alan Hopper, reported for the Bruntsfield area.   There were 162 incidents logged, with 10 classed as emergencies, 36 graded ‘2’ and the remainder dealt with by CBOs or patrol officers. 

Because of a severe double parking problem in Bryson Road, on the morning of 29^th November the police will be working with the parking department of the council.  They have the right to uplift cars that are double parked and will do so on that morning.  Double parking prevents the bins being lifted and makes the road inoperable. 

Forty crimes were charged to two youths aged under 16 years who had been damaging cars and breaking windows.  Though reported, they are too young to be dealt with in the courts.

PC Cochrane mentioned the interest of an artist who proposes to recruit local “at risk” children to do some special artwork in areas plagued by graffiti, perhaps around the Union Canal.  The artist is looking for support from local councillors and residents.   

William Mykura noted that the Telford subway was considerably brightened up by public art of this kind.  Suggestion that the artist should perhaps be invited to a MCC meeting.

Cllr McInnes noted that the canal area is an ancient monument and that this proposal amounts to ‘sanctioned vandalism’.  John Lennie noted that considering the Old Brewery site would be more suitable.  This would be an amenity.  Helen Zealley noted that well within the Telford tunnel might be appropriate, but not on the canal. 

The chair summed up responses from the floor – that there are serious reservations about the proposal.    She will write to the artist suggesting she look elsewhere.

Ian Doig asked PC Cochrane if unmarked skips need to be highlighted by cones.  Cones are used less because they are stolen.  Residents are encouraged to report skips that are considered to be causing a danger to the companies concerned.

Ward Councillor Reports

Cllr McInnes

Re Boroughmuir School – Parents have indicated that they would prefer refurbishment of the present site, rather than relocation to the Scottish Water site at Fairmilehead.  The final business case will be agreed by the 20^th December.  The Fountainbridge area for relocation is no longer being seriously considered.

The councillor is working to regulate the times of deliveries and emptying recycling bins at Napier university. 

Cllr Gordon Buchan

Urged residents to have their say and make their comments known about the CPZ at the side of the canal. An informal consultation to cover the Ashley area will be conducted at a public meeting on the 26^th November. 

There has been a spate of car vandalism and graffiti in the area.  With regard to the Post Office issue – both Shandon and Warrender Park are to be closed and queues will now be much longer for those remaining.  There have also been some tenement issues, primarily relating to messy front gardens. 

The Chair noted that the MCC has pictures on the web page of messy front gardens and advice about reporting these. 

Helen Zealley queried whether sweeping up leaves is the householders’ responsibility, or if help were available from council services.  Paul Swan said that he will email a response to this query.  Certainly snow on pavements in front of the home is the householders’ responsibility and the same ruling may apply to leaves.   

Planning

Robin Morris noted that an application to develop Orwell Lodge that was withdrawn has been resubmitted and approved apparently in identical form.   There has been a lot of comment locally about the plans. John Lennie noted that the plans have been almost universally approved by residents, but that ‘we will have to keep our eyes open’. He agreed that he will speak to the Head of Planning regarding the precedent of planning applications being re-submitted without consultation with interested parties. 

Licensing

Robin Morris noted that nothing of concern has been raised.  The Forum is to meet before the end of November, for the first time in six months. 

Treasurer’s report.

The MCC balance sits at just under £800 with no outstanding expenses. 

Transport

Chair urged members to think about projects in the area for which a case can be presented by MCC at a Roads meeting to bid for funding.  Items considered can include pot-holes in roads, pathways and bus shelters.  Each council nominates what they would like and votes are counted.  William has already attended one of these meetings and notes the competitive nature of the bids.  Helen Zealley noted that some pavements are like obstacle courses.  The deadline for projects to be considered at the next meeting is 25^th January.  Members are encouraged to email the Chair with suggestions, being specific about areas of pavement for example and exactly where they are.    

AOB

Reminder of the ASCC conference to be held on Saturday 22^nd November.  No MCC members able to attend, but minute-taker Jenny will attend in her capacity as Leith Central co-opted member and secretary to the EACC.  Will provide feedback at the January meeting.

Bids for waste recycling environmental projects will next be considered on 18^th March. 

Spokes AGM will be held on 3^rd December.

All members urged to support the Christmas event on December 11^th at 6pm, outside the Eric Liddell Centre.  

Next meeting – There will be no meeting in December, the next MCC meeting will be held on 20^th January 2009 in the Eric Liddell Centre, Holy Corner.   A reminder that the AGM will be held on 26^th May 2009, not the 19^th as previously described. 

The meeting concluded at 9.30pm.