MSCC Minutes

Wednesday 15 August 2007 at St Catherine’s Argyle Community Hall, Grange Road, Edinburgh

1 Sederunt and Apologies
Susie Agnew welcomed attendees to the meeting and noted apologies.

2 Minutes of meeting held 20 June 2007
The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record, pending the following amendments:
- Anne Laing’s name to be moved to sit under ‘Local Interest Group Representatives’
- The first sentence under item 8.1 to be changed to read ‘Concerns were expressed at the reduction of the number of non-residential parking spaces on Warrender Park Terrace.’
(Proposed: Linda Smith; Seconded: Anne Laird)

3 Matters Arising
3.1 Parking (item 8.1)
Hugh Leather reported that he had received an email from John Richmond at the Council:
A number of public parking bays on the Meadows side of Warrender Park Terrace are being converted to resident bays. This scheme was first advertised in September 2005 but due to objections in other parts of the peripheral area was not completed until the beginning of this year. Work is presently in progress to undertake the changes.
ACTION Councillor McInnes will speak to Council Transport officials, highlighting the need for quick action on the issue of visitor’s permits.
3.2 Blog (AGM item 5.3)
Paper copies of information recently posted on the MSCC blog will be made available at each meeting for those without internet access.
3.3 Facilities for people with hearing difficulties (item 8.6)
A hearing loop will be available at all future MSCC meetings.

4 Neighbourhood Partnership and Neighbourhood Management

4.1 Presentation by Susan Bruce
Susan Bruce, Neighbourhood Manager at the City of Edinburgh Council gave a presentation about Neighbourhood Partnerships and neighbourhood management.

There are twelve Neighbourhood Partnerships (NPs) in Edinburgh. Marchmont and Sciennes are part of the ‘South Central’ NP, the largest in the city. NPs are advisory groups and the expectation is that their recommendations should be followed through by the Council and Neighbourhood Managers. The role of NPs will be to:
- Identify and inform local priorities
- Produce a local community plan
- Ensure wide community engagement through community councils, NP sub-structure and consultation exercises

There will be further development and review of the NP system as time goes on. The membership of each NP Board will comprise:
- Local councillors
- The same number of community representatives as local councillors
- A nominee from Lothian and Borders Police
- A nominee from NHS Lothian
- A representative of voluntary agencies in the area of the NP
- Services for Communities Neighbourhood Manager (City of Edinburgh Council)
- Children and families Neighbourhood Manager (City of Edinburgh Council)
- Health and social care Neighbourhood Manager (City of Edinburgh Council)

The NP Board may also decide to invite representatives of other bodies able to make a specific contribution. However, only local councillors, community representatives and the voluntary sector representative will be able to vote. At an operational level, the NP Board will set up a number of groups or forums to do more day-to-day work. These might include, for example, a transport forum, a housing and environment group or an older persons service forum.

The South Central NP will hold 4-5 meetings each year and be convened by Councillor McInnes. Robert Aitken will be the NHS representative, Chief Inspector Donnie McKinnen will be the police representative, and a voluntary sector representative is being sought through Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC). A preliminary business meeting of the neighbourhood partnership has been held, and the first formal meeting will take place in the Eric Liddell Centre on 10 September 2007 beginning at 7pm, and be open to the public. ‘Service surgeries’ will be held before the NP meeting, at 6pm, where council officials from roads, parks, housing, street cleaning, etc. will be available for questions and discussion.

Susan briefly explained that her role as Neighbourhood Manager was to direct services for communities in the area, ensure the local community plan is implemented, work with other services and partners in the area, and support NPs. There are six Neighbourhood Teams in Edinburgh, and most key services are managed locally. Neighbourhood Managers and Neighbourhood Teams have been set up to provide more joined up, flexible services that will be responsive to local needs.

4.2 Special uplift
Several individuals expressed concern at the new system for special uplift that was introduced on 1st August 2007. Prior to this, residents could request free special uplift of rubbish as often as they liked. However, now residents are entitled to only one free special uplift each year, with further uplifts being charged at £17.20 for a maximum of six items. Concerns were expressed that this would lead to an increase in fly tipping which was unlikely to be addressed and that £17.20 was too expensive for the service. It was also suggested that an increase in the number of environmental wardens would be required.

Susan Bruce explained that the previous special uplift system had been very expensive. The £17.20 charge is being introduced after benchmarking against other local councils and reflects the cost of the service. There will be a small increase in the number of environmental wardens, and existing wardens will take on more responsibilities. The Council encourages residents to report fly-tipping.
ACTION
Alastair Philp will request for fly-tipping to be put on the agenda for a future NP meeting.

4.3 First meeting of Neighbourhood Partnership
Alastair Philp briefly introduced himself as the MSCC’s nominated representative on the NP. The minutes of the first, informal, meeting of the NP are on the MSCC blog. Alastair hopes to put a short article in the Meadows Directory explaining the NP, and individuals should feel free to contact him with any questions or suggestions relating to the NP.

5 Police Report
Sergeant Norman Towler informed the group the PC Bruce Burt, the local police officer for the Marchmont area, is currently on sick leave. He then provided an updated police report for the Marchmont area. There have been five house-breakings reported in the last month and Sergeant Towler re-emphasised the importance of using mortice locks. Six vehicles have been broken into. The police have charged two youths with several motorbike thefts and apprehended two potential house-breakers. Some large, heavy garden ornaments have been stolen, and Sergeant Towler asked anyone witnessing anything suspicious to contact the police.

Sergeant Towler emphasised his support for Neighbourhood Partnerships, with which the police works closely to problem-solve in the local area. This co-operation has resulted in mobile CCTV being placed on the Meadows, and police on high visibility beat on the Meadows from 6pm – midnight until the end of August.

There was brief discussion, and concerns were expressed about the crime on the Meadows. Sergeant Towler answered that there have been a few incidents recently, but no increase in crime.

6 Streetscape: Landscape Plans for Argyle Place and Roseneath Street
Sian Lovell, Project Manager with Edinburgh City Council, explained that the Council has funded this project to be undertaken within this financial year. She introduced Selby Richardson of Urban Design Futures, who have been commissioned to design the streetscape improvements.

Selby Richardson presented to the group. The project is looking at making improvements to the streetscape of Argyle Place and Roseneath Street. Due to budget limitations it is not currently possible to go further than this, although it is hoped that improvements to Warrender Park Road and Marchmont Road junction will follow at a later date.

The project began by auditing what is on the ground at present, and the following problems were identified:
-Narrow pavements in front of shops on Argyle Place and Roseneath Street
-Poor quality pavement surfaces
-Lack of short-stay parking
-Poor quality/unco-ordinated street furniture/street clutter
-Lack of unifying character/area focus

The following solutions were initially proposed by Urban Design Futures:
-Widen pavement on north side of Roseneath street by approximately 2m, and create ‘pavement build-outs’ at junction to create safer crossing points
-Extension and improvement of existing tree planting on Roseneath Street
-Creation of a focal point and ‘pausing place’ for pedestrians at the Roseneath Street/Marchmont Crescent junction, including an allocated spot for the Christmas tree
-Co-ordinated range of better quality bollards, bins, benches and cycle racks
-Centrally placed notice board
-Rationalisation of litter bins/ reduction of street clutter

The designers were also aware of MSCC’s ongoing dialogue with the Council regarding improved parking, and ensured that their designs were in-keeping with this.

The consultation process comprised:
-An initial walk around the site with MSCC, Traders’ Association and Residents’ Association representatives.
-A presentation of preliminary proposals to the MSCC.
-An exhibition of draft proposals at Fountainhall Road library for comment.
-A drop-in session
-This evening’s presentation to the MSCC

There was a good level of response to the consultation, with many supportive and constructive comments, including:
-The need to maintain cyclist crossing provision at pavement divider between Roseneath Street and Warrender Park Road.
-Concerns regarding vehicle turning movements and pedestrian safety at Roseneath Street/Argyle Place.
-Concerns that pavement widening on Roseneath Street might lead to further congestion.
-The need to resolve road drainage/ponding problems.
-The need to improve short stay parking for shoppers.
-The need for less visually intrusive recycling and waste bins.
-Concerns about type of seating to be introduced, with conflicting opinions on whether new benches should be metal or wood.
-Conflicting opinions on whether the notice board should be by the police box as suggested, or elsewhere.
-The need for flower tubs.

Urban Design Futures has already started to make changes to the proposals in response to some of these comments, including:
-Introducing some traffic-calming measures in the hope of slowing down traffic on Roseneath Place.
-Ensuring provision for cyclists is maintained or improved.
-Reducing pavement build-out at the Roseneath Street / Argyle Place junction from the original plan, so as to allow enough space for cars.

Next steps in the process will include:
-Producing a report of the consultation and reviewing all comments
-Amending proposals as necessary to take account of consultation comments and other findings, including the results of a road safety audit currently being carried out.
-Preparing detailed design drawings.
-Producing contract documentation and undertaking a tendering process.
-Starting work on site. It is expected that the work will take approximately 12 weeks, beginning before Christmas and finishing within the current financial year.

There was general group discussion:
-The view was expressed that the current pavement build-outs for buses are of little use. Selby explained that these are part of transport policy and therefore outwith the control of the current project.
-There was discussion of how to remove the ‘pinch-points’ on Roseneath Street. Options identified included moving trees into the parking area (which would result in the loss of one or two parking spaces), removing two trees, or leaving the proposals as they are.
-The new trees will be bigger than the current trees, and hopefully more resilient. It is hoped that they will be replaced if damaged.
-The consultants will consider whether it might be possible to introduce more bike racks for cyclists on Argyle Place.
-Ideally new pavements will be introduced over the whole of Argyle Place, though this will depend on how far the budget can stretch. If money is short, only certain sections will be replaced.
-There was disagreement on whether circular benches at the ‘pausing point’ were the most sociable type of bench to introduce, and concerns were expressed that they might prove a magnet for bird dirt.
-Concerns were expressed that there was an innate conflict in the idea of having a pedestrianised area with tracks for cyclists, though the group had mixed opinions on this. Selby Richardson explained that they are trying to strike a balance and the route for cyclists will not be intrusive.
-The group wished to know how soon the budget was likely to be made available to undertake improvements to other areas of Marchmont that were previously identified as being part of the same ‘shopping area’ as Roseneath Street and Argyle Place, and have already been considered as part of current plans. No clear answer was available at this time, though these possible improvements have been noticed and should remain on the city-wide programme for future improvements. This may be something that the Neighbourhood Partnership can influence, though discussions have still to take place regarding how the NP will influence budgets.
-It was clarified that no residents parking spaces will be lost as a result of the plans, although one pay & display space will be lost. Short term parking will not be free.
-Concerns were raised that currently people often double or triple park on Roseneath Street, and that narrowing the street will worsen the situation, and increase the risk of the bus getting stuck. There was some discussion and disagreement of whether the narrower street might actually discourage people from parking in this way and make it safer by slowing down traffic. Sergeant Towler clarified that if double parking is causing an obstruction the police can be called to deal with it.

7 Grange Cemetery
Susie Agnew informed the group that the Council have a policy whereby upright gravestones that are deemed to be a health and safety risk are periodically flattened. Extended to its natural conclusion, this policy will eventually result in no gravestones being left standing, effectively spoiling a site of enormous historic and cultural value. The MSCC have previously contacted the Council expressing these concerns, and Susan Bruce re-confirmed the answer given then, that the Council does not have the resources to maintain all the graveyards in Edinburgh.
ACTION
-Susie Agnew will approach Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund, making the case for the maintenance of Grange Cemetery.
-It is Council policy to contact the relevant family where possible before flattening gravestones. Susan Bruce will make enquiries to ensure this policy is being followed.

8 New Year Honour
Susie Agnew informed the group that Herbert, who has worked in Kings Chemist for 49 years, retires this year.
ACTION
Susie Agnew will look into nominating Herbert for the ‘Name your local hero’ and Council citizen of the year award, and start the process of nominating him for a New Year Honour for next year.

9 Roads and Traffic
9.1 Meadows Place
It was brought to the group’s attention that the Council proposes to make Meadow Place a no-through road for traffic. The MSCC has already objected to this and received several e-mails of support. There was brief discussion, and the following points were raised:
-Meadows Place currently takes pressure of the other junction.
-The current proposals would result in an increase of parking spaces.
-It was also suggested that the current proposals would be an improvement only if they were combined with improvements (extra traffic lights and a yellow box) to the junction at the bottom of Marchmont Road.
ACTION
Cameron Rose will liaise with the appropriate people at the Council reiterating the MSCC’s objection to the proposal as it currently stands.
Susie Agnew will send Cameron Rose a copy of the MSCC’s previous objection letter.

9.2 Pavement at Warrender Park Terrace
Local residents have been campaigning to get the whole pavement at Warrender Park Terrace covered with slabs. Having had no success so far, John Simon has spoken to local councillors and they are going to take this up.
ACTION
Susan Bruce will review this case with John Gill at Edinburgh City Council.

10 Planning and licensing issues
Monica Higgins, on behalf of the Traders’ Association, asked whether the café in the pavilion on the Meadows had required a license to put out street furniture.
ACTION
Susan Bruce will find out.

11 Reports of meetings
11.1 Meadows Festival
Cameron Rose updated the group. The Meadows Festival group has met numerous times, and envisions a medium scale event with a community focus, which will leave locals with positive memories and experiences. They are now considering how to go about getting this started, and are considering whether the process should be led by an existing organisation such as an individual community council, or whether a separate entity should be set up with representatives from interested organisations. They agreed that some kind of key person/event organiser/ key team will be required to take things forward. The group have managed to get in touch with the previous organisers of the festival and are exploring the possibility of taking over the existing Meadows Festival Charity. They have begun to explore possibilities of co-operation and sponsorship with local organisations and so far responses have been fairly positive.

12 Any other business
12.1 Seagulls
Concerns have been raised about seagulls nesting on roofs in Marchmont. The Council does have a service as part of pest control, but it would be the responsibility of individual owners to contact them about this. It was suggested that any attempts to get rid of seagulls would have to be made before nesting season. In Bruntsfield, individual proprietors hired a hawker to solve their seagull problem. The group agreed that there is little the MSCC can do on this issue since each roof is private property.
12.2 Edinburgh University Community Relations
Edinburgh University will not make available an electronic version of the minutes from the meeting between the MSCC and Rob Tomlinson but a paper copy is available for the group to share.

13 Next Meeting
The next meeting of the group will take place on Wednesday 12 September, beginning at 7.30pm, at St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road.

Council Papers Online

You can now view papers for the meeting noted below online at
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cpol

Members and officers of the Council can also view them by going to the
Council intranet home page and clicking on Committee Business.

Should you have any questions about the meeting, contact details are at
the end of the agenda.

If you have any problems accessing the papers or don't wish to be notified
about future meetings please contact council.secretary@edinburgh.gov.uk

Committee Name : Meadows/Morningside, Southside/Newington Neighbourhood
Partnership
Committee Date : 10 Sep 2007 19:00:00

Neighbourhood Partnership Development Programme

Dear Secretary

I have attached a booking form for the Neighbourhood Partnership Training Programme. The training on the Standards for Community Engagement will cover how we engage with our community to influence the business of the Neighbourhood Partnership over the next year.

The training sessions are primarily for NP members but other community council members are welcome to attend. Forms should be returned to Brigette Campbell at the address on the form.

Regards

Eileen

Neighbourhood Partnership Training Programme Booking Form

Full Name:

Standards for Community Engagement Please choose one of the following dates: Note – times in brackets are the later start time options for those who have already attended training in this area – see letter text for details.
Date	Times	Location	Please tick one only
Monday 27 August	2.00(2.40)pm - 5.00pm	Central	McDonald L
Tuesday 28 August	2.00(2.40)pm - 5.00pm	Central	McDonald L
Tuesday 18 September	6.00(6.40)pm - 8.30pm	Central	Waverley C
Wednesday 19 September	6.00(6.40)pm - 8.30pm	Central	Waverley C

Understanding and Using Area Profiles Please choose one of the following dates:
Date	Times	Location	Please tick one only
Thursday 20 September	6.00pm – 8.30pm	Central	Waverley C
Tuesday 25 September	2.00pm - 5.00pm	Central	Aberlour, 25 Greenside Place
Tuesday 2 October	2.00pm – 5.00pm	Central	Waverley
Thursday 4 October	9.30am - 12.30pm	Central	Waverley
Tuesday 16 October	9.30am - 12.30pm	Central	Waverley
Wednesday 24 October	6.00pm - 8.30pm	Central	Waverley

Please now phone, email or send your chosen dates to

Brigette Campbell at the contact details below:

ANGELA COLVIN

PERFORMANCE & QUALITY MANAGER

Waverley Court Level C4 4 East Market Street Edinburgh EH8 8BG

Tel 0131 529 7319 Fax 0131 529 6202

Brigette.campbell@edinburgh.gov.uk

Review of polling districts and polling places

From: Shona Macarthur
Sent: 22 August 2007 12:08
To: Eileen Hewitt
Subject: POLLING DISTRICT REVIEW
Importance: High

Dear Sir/Madam

Review of polling districts and polling places

You may be aware that the Council has a statutory requirement to review all polling districts and polling places before the end of this year.

It is planned to complete this work at the Council meeting in November, in time for publication of the new electoral register in December.

The attached notice will be published on 27 August. It will be the start of a consultation period during which any interested person or body can submit suggestions for change. You can view or download this material from the Council’s website.

Public access to this information is also available at all Libraries, at City Chambers, and the Council’s offices at Waverley Court and Chesser House.

Your comments must be submitted by Friday 5 October. Any comments that you submitted following the recent elections will also be taken into account.

Comments received during the consultation process will be analysed and reported to a Cross Party Working Group prior to finalising the report to the Council.

If you have any general questions about the review, or the maps please contact Mairi Cruikshank: (Ph: 0131 469 3863, e-mail: mairi.cruickshank@edinburgh.gov.uk) in the first instance.

Yours faithfully

Scott Macvean

For Council Secretary

Electoral Administration Act 2006
Notice of Review of Polling Districts, Places and Stations

Polling District Review

The City of Edinburgh Council has a duty to review all polling districts, places and stations by the end of 2007.

The Council must ensure that all electors have reasonable facilities for voting and that they are as practicable as possible. We must also make sure that, as far as is reasonable and practicable, the polling places are accessible to all electors including those who are disabled.

Where to find information about the review

Copies of the proposed polling districts, places stations and other supporting information can be viewed at:

• any Council Library in Edinburgh

• City Chambers (City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ)

• Council Headquarters (Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG)

• Chesser House (500 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh EH11 3YJ)

Alternatively, you can access and download any of this material from the Council website www.edinburgh.gov.uk

How to respond

If you want to have your say regarding your polling station, we would like to hear from you. If at all possible, please suggest a better alternative station. We can accept comments from you up to 5^th October 2007 and you can respond in the following ways:

By Post FREEPOST RRGY-RJKL-YJRT Polling District and Polling Station Review City of Edinburgh Council Level 2/1 Waverley Court 4 East Market Street Edinburgh EH8 8B	By Email pollingconsultation@edinburgh.gov.uk
	By Fax 0131-529-6220

If you have any questions about the review or require any further information

please call 0131-469-3863

What happens next

After 5^th October we will consider your comments and then put forward a report to the Council and it is our intention to incorporate these changes in the new electoral register published on 1 December 2007.

The Cockburn Association/The Edinburgh Civic Trust

Letter received from Moira Tasker, Director, re. the next meeting of
the Edinburgh Civic Forum.
This will be held at the Business Centre, City Chambers in the High
Street on Tuesday 18th September at 6.30pm. (Estimated finish 8pm.)

This meeting will focus on 'The Planning etc. [sic] (Scotland) Act
2006 - Proposals for better community involvement'. David Leslie from
Development Management, City of Edinburgh Council, will give a report
and there will be a question and answer session.

Anybody wishing to attend should email Ms Tasker at
cockburn.director@btconnect.com or phone 557 8686.

Tina Cumming.

Scottish Water

Bill Elliot, Regional Community Manager for Tweed Region (which covers
Edinburgh) has written to MSC giving his contact details which are as
follows:

Postal address - 55 Buckstone Terrace, EH10 6XH.
Mobile no - 0787 587 9159.
Scottish Water's Contact Centre - 0845 601 8855.
Email - Bill.elliot@scottishwater.co.uk.

If you/we have any queries about constituency matters or general
questions you/we can contact Bill at/on any of the above.

Tina Cumming.

Student City Forum

Changes to Legislation for Marches and Parades Carol Singing around the Christmas Tree, Marchmont

Marilyne sent this:

Children and Families Executive Summary

SSSC

Argyle Place, Melville Drive, Middle Meadow Walk - Traffic Changes

Meadows Festival Map

Here's a map of a previous year's Meadows Festival:

Seagulls

Sheena Ireland brings up an issue about Seagulls invading Marchmont:

I am concerned to know what measures are being taken to discourage seagulls from finding the roofs of Marchmont & Sciennes comfortable places to live. There has been a marked increase in the presence of these pests in recent years & the incipient roosting needs to be nipped in the bud before it becomes a major problem; unchecked, it will.

Time was seagulls were only on the Links occasionally & in small numbers. As they are now nesting on the roofs of Marchmont, this is clearly going to get worse & action needs to be taken sooner rather than later. We live near the sea in Hove & there are nests on quite a few roofs nearby (I make sure they don’t think my roof is a safe place to be!). The mess isn’t much fun and the noise is unbelievable: they yell at any time of the day or night, and the babies whine, a lot, for months. Adults with babies can be downright dangerous; unsecured rubbish is scattered (possibly not too much of an issue in Marchmont with the lidded bins); and they are not averse to snatching food from people’s hands, which can be very frightening.

South Central Neighbourhood Partnership - Minutes

Meadows & Morningside and Southside & Newington Neighbourhood Partnership

Note of the ‘Inaugural Business Meeting’ – 27 June 2007

Board Members Present:

Councillors: Steve Burgess, Ian Perry, Mark McInnes, Gordon MacKenzie, Cameron Rose and Alison Johnstone (joined at 8pm)

Community Council Representatives: (nominated and / or substitutes)

Bridget Stevens and Rebecca Brooks, Merchiston CC

Colin Christison and Robert Beaten, Southside CC

Ann Wigglesworth and Andy Devenport, Tollcross CC

Alastair Philp and Anne Laird Marchmont & Sciennes CC

Jean Thomson and Aline Haggart, Morningside CC

Others:

Robert Aitken, NHS Lothian

Inspector Tom Galbraith, Lothian & Borders Police

Non–Board Members Present:

Susan Bruce, SfC Neighbourhood Manager (NM)

David Wright, Children & Families Neighbourhood Manager

Mary Dunbar, SfC Performance & Information Manager (PIM) (interim)

Alan Stewart, SfC Customer Relations Team Leader

Ian Brooke, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC)

Item	Detail	Action
1.	Welcome and Introductions: Susan Bruce, Neighbourhood Manager (NM) welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked people to introduce themselves. Susan (NM) advised the Board about the status of the Business Meeting i.e. no formal decisions can be made and explained this is an informal meeting to discuss the practicalities of the Neighbourhood Partnership (NP) such as times, venues etc. The first formal / public meeting will be scheduled August / early September.
2.	Apologies: Councillors Marilyn MacLaren and Paul Godzik and Jo Scott, Southside CC, Frances Hawarden, Merchiston and Robin Morris, Merchiston CC.
3.	Neighbourhood Partnership Board Membership: Councillors: Burgess, Perry, McInnes, MacKenzie, Rose, MacLaren, Godzik, Johnstone Community Representatives: An equal number of community representatives to elected members (eight). Each Community Council is entitled to have one representative on the NP and a named substitute. There are five Community Councils already established in the NP area and a current proposal to establish an additional CC in the Prestonfield / Grange area. A report will be submitted to Council on 31 July 2007 to agree to run this CC election and, if approval is given, polling will take place 11 November 2007. Voluntary Sector Representative: Ian Brooke (EVOC) will work with the Voluntary Sector to seek a nomination to the NP Board. Ian confirmed that to date, pulling together information about the voluntary groups in the area has identified 90 voluntary organisations, however additional information would be welcomed. A process has been agreed to ensure a fair and transparent election of any representative to the NP Board. However, until a representative is identified Ian Brooke will attend the NP meetings and distribute information to and from the voluntary sector. Police: Inspector Tom Galbraith. (NB.Chief Inspector Dougie Lynch has moved on and will be replaced Chief Insp. Donnie McKinnon) NHS Lothian: Robert Aitken - Advised that the (CHP) Community Health Partnership is relatively new and NHS Lothian shares a joint Director with CEC Health & Social Care, providing a community service over five Local Health Areas. The health boundaries are very similar to the NP. Intend to develop local plans to link into and overlap with the work of NP. Co-opted members - The NP can choose to co-opt additional members from groups / businesses etc with a particular interest in the area e.g. Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA). Co-opted members will have voting rights. NP Support: Susan (NM) confirmed that Council officials will are accountable to the NP and will attend meetings, but they do not have voting rights. The Council is officially represented on the NP Board by the Elected Members.	EVOC NHS
4.	Name: (To be agreed at Inaugural NP Meeting) Following discussion the NP Board agreed that Meadows & Morningside and Southside & Newington Neighbourhood Partnership name was too long, therefore the Board recommended that the name ‘South Central Neighbourhood Partnership’ be adopted.	Recommended
5.	Constitution & Protocol Framework: The Constitution and Protocol are being covered at NP induction sessions and some NP members have already attended. Susan (NM) confirmed that members of the NP will be expected to sign the Code of Conduct, Declaration of Interests and NP Charter at the first meeting. Because the NP will be making decisions about resources signing the Code of Conduct and Charter makes clear that the same standards of behaviour and open decision making are expected by all Board members. Substitute members will sign the NP Charter etc, when they attend their first meeting to sit as a member of the Board. Jean Thomson advised that she and others previously had strong reservations about signing the papers, however after attending the induction event she is now aware of the reasons. Although still uncomfortable with the idea, she has withdrawn her objection. Andy Devenport advised the issue of signing the papers was discussed at the induction event on 26 June. It was suggested that because many parts only appear relevant to Councillors, changes could be made before signing. Rebecca Stevens confirmed the process will considered as part of the six month review. Mary (PIM) confirmed that the NPs will be established / constituted as Advisory Committees due to a current restriction in the Legislation. Cllr Perry advised this technicality might be amended in the future and that the NP can still make decisions and the Council will give it devolved power. Susan (NM) confirmed it was only the legislation that currently prevented NPs from being a full Council ‘decision making body’. The NP should expect to make recommendations to Heads of Service (Council and partner services) and to Council committees.
6	NP Operation and Business Arrangements: Frequency of meetings: NP agreed to meet formally five times annually and Committee Services will set the dates for meetings. Time and Venue: The Board proposed that all formal NP Board meetings will be held in the evening from 7pm and that Monday evenings would be the most convenient. Venues should enable circulation and have full disabled access. Suggestions include the Eric Liddell Centre, Nelson Hall, Pollock Halls, and Surgeon’s Hall. Public Sessions: All Formal NP meetings must be held in public. After discussion the Board agreed to: Hold a surgery before each NP meeting (6pm) Consider timed informal deputations at the start of the meeting Surgery to re-open at the end of the meeting No questions taken between times Clerking/circulation of Papers etc: Committee Services will service the formal NP Board meetings because they are sub-committees of the Council. Papers should be issued two weeks in advance. Agenda Planning / Business Arrangements: It was proposed that Agenda Planning Meetings are scheduled during the day, three or four weeks in advance of NP Board meetings. Agreed that it would not be essential for all NP members to attend, agenda items could be e-mailed and substitutes could attend. To ensure effective preparation for NP meetings, ‘Tabled Papers’ will be discouraged except in exceptional circumstances and by prior agreement with the Convener.	Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended Recommended
7.	Proposals for Nominations for NP Convener Elected members on each NP are responsible for deciding the Convenor. Cllr MacKenzie confirmed that agreement has been reached. Cllr Burgess advised that the chair will rotate annually between the four political groupings and Cllr Mark McInnes will be the first Convenor.	Recommended
8.	Setting Priorities & Forward Planning: Susan (NM) suggested the NP might wish to have an ‘away day’ to discuss and decide what their priorities should be. Possibly to take place after the first meeting. Papers will be circulated on the decisions that have to be considered but the identification of local priorities through the development of the Local Community Plan should be the focus.	NP /NM /PIM
9.	NP Support and Development Events: Half day sessions run by Communities Scotland on Standards for Community Engagement ware being scheduled. Details to follow.	PIM
10.	AOCB: Community Engagement: The need to look very carefully at community engagement was raised. Turnout for CC election in Tollcross was less than 2%. It is essential to build public interest in the work of CCs and NP to minimize the risk that CC reps will only be able to put forward their own views rather than those of the wider communities. Susan (NM) confirmed help will be available to support CCs to engage more with communities including local communities of interest such as older/younger/BME residents. Also expect to consider some different ways to engage with hard to reach local people alongside encouraging residents to link up with CC meetings. Anne confirmed this should be a priority for the NP Sub Groups to the NP: It was recognised that the sub structure of the NP will drive the work that the NP does, particularly the development of the Local Community Plan. It will build on existing community groups such as the Environmental Forums and the Housing Area Board. Also the developing service partnership groups such as the Police/ Community Safety led TAC (Tasking and Coordination Group) and the Children and Families led LCG (Local Coordination Group) SfC to look at presenting information to the NP on what groups etc already exist. Reducing duplication and overlaps will be helpful. Links with other NPs: It was asked whether there would be liaison between the different NPs.This could be valuable due to likely common issues between the different NPs, e.g. transport, education. All NPs will link to the Edinburgh Partnership however unaware of other structured arrangements to share experience at this stage, other than through events such as the induction sessions. Cllr Perry suggested these issues could be identified at the city wide CC meetings and fed back into the NP.	NP / NM / PIM NM / PIM
11.	Date of first meeting NP Board noted their preferred date as 10 September 2007, for the Inaugural NP Board Meeting, with the second meeting to be held during November.	Recommended

Agenda for MSCC Meeting on 15th August 2007

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held
On WEDNESDAY 15 August 2007 at 7.30pm in
St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road

All who live or work or are active in the area are welcome.
Hearing loop available.

1. Sederunt and Apologies.
2. Minutes of Meeting held 20 June 2007.
3. Matters Arising.
4. Police Report: PC Bruce Burt (if available)
5. Neighbourhood Partnership: Susan Bruce
   • Special Rubbish Uplift
   • NP’s First Meeting: Alastair Philp.
6. Streetscape: Landscape Plans for Roseneath.
7. Grange Cemetery.
8. New Year Honour.
9. Roads & Traffic.
10. Planning & Licensing Issues.
11. Reports of Meetings.
12. Any Other Business.
13. Next Meeting Wednesday 12 September 2007.

RE: TRO/06/131 MEADOW PLACE EDINBURGH

Anne wrote:

On behalf of Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council I wish to object to the proposed TRO/06/131 which prohibits motor vehicles from the northern section of Meadow Place for 24 metres.

Blocking access and egress from Meadow Place to Melville Drive will cause greater congestion and confusion. In particular we are concerned that the junction of Marchmont Road and Melville Drive which is already a busy junction will become more dangerous with more cars having to use that junction as the only viable alternative. There have already been a number of accidents and at least one fatality at that junction and increasing the use can only exacerbate the problem. In particular there is a difficulty in turning right onto Melville Drive. The traffic on Melville Drive is fast flowing and there is usually a queque of traffic trying to turn right into Marchmont Road. As well as dealing with a busy junction motorists have to deal with the pedestrian/cycle crossing less than 20 yards from the intersection in Marchmont Road and another to the east in Melville Drive at the foot of Meadow Place. A number of residents use Meadow Place to access Melville Drive because of these difficulties. We fear that there will be even more fatalities. The junction is seldom quiet and there already a dangerous mix of pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and motorists all trying to use the one area of the road.

If traffic lights with right/left filters and a yellow box were proposed this would help since crossing at the junction would be co-ordinated for all users. At present there are too many options on the one junction with motorists having to watch for gaps in the traffic to move, cars coming from all directions and two very busy pedestrian/cycle crossings being controlled by users.

Anne Laird

Vice Chair

Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council

2 August 2007

NP Training Events

Good afternoon

Please find attached a letter and booking form for the two Training Events that are scheduled:

• Standards and Community Engagement
• Understanding and Using Area Profiles

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards

Brigette

Brigette Campbell | Learning & Development Officer | Services for Communities | City of Edinburgh Council | Waverley Court | Level C:4 | 4 East Market Street | Edinburgh | EH8 8BG

Tel 0131 529 7319 | Fax 0131 529 6202

Date 3 August 2007

Your ref

Our ref NP-A

Dear Neighbourhood Partnership Member,

Services for Communities: Further Training for Neighbourhood Partnership Members

Following on from the Induction Event, there are three initial training courses planned to support Neighbourhood Partnerships. These are:

• Standards for Community Engagement,

• Understanding and Using Area Profiles and

• Equalities.

Here are the details for the first two of these. There are six dates for each course (see overleaf), including options to attend in the morning, afternoon or early evening. All of the events are being run at central training venues following feedback from the Induction Events.

Standards for Community Engagement

The Standards for Community Engagement training covers the key principles and information that all Neighbourhood Partnership members need to be aware of. Some members may already have received an overview of the standards and there is an option to avoid repeating this content by arriving 40 minutes later (these later times are also shown on the attached booking form). It can also though be seen as an opportunity for a refresher which might be useful, as understanding the content that follows requires attendees to have this foundation knowledge. The rest of the session will be very practical and focus on how the standards can be used to help Neighbourhood Partnerships become more effective in their role and operations.

Understanding and Using Area Profiles

You should by now have received Area Profiles covering your Neighbourhood Partnership area (if not, please contact Eileen Hewitt on 0131 469 3838). The Understanding and Using Area Profiles training course is delivered by Council and Scottish Executive staff. The course will explain the Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics and the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation information that is included in the Area Profiles and how this information can be understood and used. There is also a session on

Communities that Care research and this will be delivered by Neighbourhood Managers from Children & Families Department. The course is designed for people who have no statistical or research background or expertise.

Equalities

Some NP members will be involved in conducting equalities impact assessments for the work of their Neighbourhood Partnership and training support will be provided for this. Other equalities training may also be offered based on the feedback from the Induction Events and NP members via their Neighbourhood Manager. Details of further equalities training will be communicated later in the year.

Action Needed

Please contact me to indicate which date you prefer for each course. You can contact me by phone or email or by competing and returning the attached booking form – see below for contact details.

Yours sincerely,

Brigette Campbell

BRIGETTE CAMPBELL

Learning & Development Officer

Neighbourhood Partnership Training Programme Booking Form

Full name:

Standards for Community Engagement Please choose one of the following dates: Note – times in brackets are the later start time options for those who have already attended training in this area – see letter text for details.
Date	Times	Location	Please tick one only
Wednesday 22 August	9.30(10.10)am - 12.30pm	Central
Thursday 23 August	2.00(2.40)pm - 5.00pm	Central
Monday 27 August	2.00(2.40)pm - 5.00pm	Central
Tuesday 28 August	2.00(2.40)pm - 5.00pm	Central
Tuesday 18 September	6.00(6.40)pm - 8.30pm	Central
Wednesday 19 September	6.00(6.40)pm - 8.30pm	Central

Understanding and Using Area Profiles Please choose one of the following dates:
Date	Times	Location	Please tick one only
Thursday 20 September	6.00pm – 8.30pm	Central
Tuesday 25 September	2.00pm - 5.00pm	Central
Tuesday 2 October	2.00pm – 5.00pm	Central
Thursday 4 October	9.30am - 12.30pm	Central
Tuesday 16 October	9.30am - 12.30pm	Central
Wednesday 24 October	6.00pm - 8.30pm	Central

Please now phone, email or send your chosen dates to

Brigette Campbell at the contact details below: