This blog is where you will find community council information, including meeting times, minutes and agenda. Do please comment on postings.

Monday 30 November 2009

Edition 12 of Edinburgh Community Council News


An electronic version of
Edition 12* (Nov 09) of the Edinburgh Community Council News is now available.

* 1.96Mb .doc file - paper versions available from MSCC Secretary

Thursday 26 November 2009

From Cameron Rose’s newsblog: new parking proposals for Grange

Cameron's blog carries a post published yesterday reading...

Following the fall of the extension of the controlled parking zone in Grange/Newington earlier in the year new, more limited, proposals are being brought forward. These include a first for Edinburgh - placing short sections of yellow line which prohibit parking for a one or two hour period during the day. This will prevent long term parking in these otherwise uncontrolled areas and ensure a turnover of use.

Maps showing these (and other proposals) can be viewed at a public meeting at 7.00pm on Tuesday 1st December in the Royal Blind School (Craigmillar Park). The draft plans will be on view from 6.30pm, and Council staff will be on hand to explain the proposals and to answer questions. A formal question and answer session will commence at 7.00pm.”

For more details (including links to the three plan documents) see Cameron’s blog post.

Website giving contact details for registered landlords






Tina points out that the recently delivered Edinburgh Outlook South features a website where you can search for contact details for (registered) landlords.

Application for Public Entertainment licence: New Gentle Touch in Argyle Place

The New Gentle Touch (sauna and massage parlour) at 40 Argyle Place has submitted an application for a Public Entertainment Commercial Operation Licence. City of Edinburgh Council notified us of this today in a letter that continues:

"Anyone wishing to object to the grant of a licence must lodge a written objection or representation specifying the grounds of the objection or the nature of the representation with the Council Solicitor, City of Edinburgh Council, Licensing Section, 249 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ, by 17 December 2009 ; The objection or representation must specify the name and address of the person making it and be signed by that person or an Agent. Copies of objections or representations will be sent to the applicant. Objections or representations can be delivered by hand or posted by Recorded or Registered Delivery Post so that they would normally be expected to arrive by the above date. Late objections or representations can be considered if a good reason is given but otherwise if the terms of this Notice are not complied with, the objection or representation will be disregarded."

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Consultation on draft statement of principles for gambling licensing

Under the Gambling Act 2005, the City of Edinburgh Licensing Board is required to publish a Statement of Principles every three years, outlining the procedures it intends to follow in discharging its statutory responsibilities and functions under the Gambling Act 2005.

The existing policy is now in its third and final year; therefore, in accordance with the requirements of the Act, the Board has undertaken a review of the current policy and has prepared a draft Statement of Principles. The draft ‘Statement of Principles’ has now commenced a period of consultation which will expire on Friday 18 December 2009.

Anyone wishing to make representations or offer comment on the draft Statement of Principles should do so in writing to liquorlicensing@edinburgh.gov.uk. Upon completion of the consultation period, the Board will consider any representations which may have been made and will publish the finalized Statement of Principles.

Thursday 19 November 2009

Cameron Rose: Parking proposals for Grange, Newington

Cameron Rose's newsblog carries an item this evening about parking proposals for Grange, Newington:

"Following the abandonment of the extension of the controlled parking zone in the Grange area, new more modest local proposals have been brought forward for local comment".

Read more...

Marchmont & Sciennes Christmas Tree Lighting Sat 5 Dec 4.30pm

Saturday 5th December 4.30pm at Warrender Park Road (outside Scotmid)

Listen to the pipers, see the tree being lit, sing some carols with the local school choir and brass ensemble, then accompany us along to the German-speaking church in Chalmers Cresecent for mulled wine and mince pies*, music and a raffle with prizes donated by our local traders!

We are, as ever, looking for volunteers to help on the day, particularly with the stewarding of the event. We have two police officers in attendance and two MSCC stewards but we could do with a couple more.

If you could help out please let Tina know on 229 0819. Thank you - see you there!

*kindly donated by Haddows.

Zero Waste: Edinburgh and Midlothian– Pre Application Public Consultation Process

Edinburgh and Midlothian Councils have set up a joint project - Zero Waste: Edinburgh and Midlothian - to reduce the amount of waste that is being sent to landfill.

Both Councils recently agreed to purchase a derelict site in the Millerhill area of Midlothian, on which a waste treatment facility could be built. A planning application will be lodged seeking planning permission in principle for the site so it can be offered to contractors as an area on which to build a waste treatment facility.

Zero Waste: Edinburgh and Midlothian are now undertaking a period of pre application consultation. As part of this process they will be hosting two public events to be held at Danderhall Community Centre, Newtonchurch Road, Danderhall, EH22 1LU.

The events are open to all and will take place on 28 November 2009 (11am to 4pm) and 1 December 2009 (7pm to 9pm).

Comments or requests for further information please to zerowasteteam@midlothian.gov.uk

Wednesday 18 November 2009

Consultation on Edinburgh Parks Events Manifesto: comment by 31 Jan 2010

The first draft of the Edinburgh Parks Events Manifesto has now been completed and is out for consultation until 31 January 2010.


The aim of this Manifesto is to provide a framework within which a balanced and sustainable events programme can be achieved, whilst ensuring the quality of the land is maintained to the highest standard possible. It uses eight key principles, the first five determine whether an event will be given permission, the following three are aimed at the successful management of an agreed event. Each principle has a section giving background information and comments are invited on each of these principles.


A questions template is available to assist responses. Comments should be sent to parks@edinburgh.gov.uk by 31 January 2010.


Update: Three briefing papers have been prepared by Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links to help consultees and give them some background information. They are available (all as PDF) from the FOMBL website: Briefing Paper 1 | Briefing Paper 2 | Briefing Paper 3

BT Community Connections scheme

The BT Community Connections scheme offers a free laptop & broadband connection for a year to voluntary groups.

The next deadline for applications is 7 January 2010.

Friday 13 November 2009

Edinburgh Civic Forum meets on Tu 8 Dec at 4:30pm

The next meeting of the Edinburgh Civic Forum will be held on Tuesday 8 December 2009 at 4.30 pm in the Business Centre, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh. The Forum is an opportunity for community councils, local street associations, amenity and partnership bodies to discuss issues of common interest and keep up to date with local and national planning policy. The Civic Forum aims to strengthen the dialogue between civic groups in the capital and the City of Edinburgh Council. It also aims to encourage greater interest and involvement in planning.

Tea and coffee will be available from 4.00 pm. The agenda will include: a report on current planning issues by John Bury, City of Edinburgh Council; a progress report on the Urban Design Initiative by Riccardo Marini, Design Leader, City of Edinburgh Council; and discussion of 2010 meetings of the forum.

Attendance at forum meetings is not open to the public but if anyone would like to go on behalf of Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council could they please contact the MSCC secretary.

If you have a question regarding the Edinburgh Civic Forum please contact admin@cockburnassociation.org.uk

Monday 9 November 2009

Quartermile: hotels and eateries

The Edinburgh Evening News today has a story entitled Two hotels get ready to book their place at Quartermile site. A gym will open later this month and the public square featured in a recent posting here is set to feature cafes, restaurants and bars.

October Community Beat Police Newsletter for Tollcross, Marchmont and Meadows

Yocksan Bell's October Community Beat Newsletter (PDF) for Tollcross, Marchmont and Meadows areas (covering issues for September 2009) is now available.

Saturday 7 November 2009

Waste Action Grant Celebration Event on We 2 Dec 09 at 6pm

A drop-in celebration event to share the success of waste projects that have been funded through the waste action grant programme will be held at the City Chambers (Main Hall) on We 2 Dec at 6-8pm. During the evening, there will be short presentations from local groups highlighting examples of a reduce, reuse and recycling project. The presentations will be followed by a performance from TRASH music company http://www.trashmusic.org.uk/site/.

This informal evening will help raise awareness of local waste initiatives and inspire people to take action by showcasing successful grant applications. There will also be plenty of time for nibbles and networking.

If you have any questions or you'd like to attend please contact Anita Duffy as soon as possible by calling 0131 469 50 70.

Capital City Partnership’s electronic newsletter - Social Inclusion News - Nov 09

Issue 65 (November 2009) of the The Capital City Partnership’s electronic newsletter, Social Inclusion News is now available.

The Capital City Partnership (CCP) is a key strategic partnership within Edinburgh's Community Planning Framework, leading on the delivery of the regeneration targets of the city's Single Outcome Agreement. It brings together key statutory, voluntary, community and private sector organisations to promote change and joint working for community regeneration.

Friday 6 November 2009

Warrender Swim Centre is temporarily closed

The following notice is on the Warrender Swim Centre website:

Warrender Swim Centre
is temporarily closed (5 Nov 09).

We are very sorry that we have had to close the facility.

We have encountered a glazing fault at Warrender Swim Centre which has resulted in the closure of the pool and cancellation of all swimming lessons and club use. The gym is also closed at this time. We are curently investigating the cause of the fault and we will reopen the centre as quickly as possible.

In the meantime you can continue to be active with Edinburgh Leisure, the closest alternate venues are Gracemount Leisure Centre and Dalry Swim Centre.

They will keep this page updated. Alternatively call 0131 447 0052.


update: Edinburgh Evening News story - Pool shut after glass panel falls on swimmer

Thursday 5 November 2009

Agenda: meeting of Community Council on We 11 Nov 09 at 7:30pm

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on Wednesday 11 November at 7.30pm in St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road

A G E N D A

1. Sederunt and Apologies.

3. Matters Arising

4. Police Report

5. Reports from meetings and CCouncillors

6. New business

7. Community Councillors (introductions including areas of interest and general discussion)

8. Our Community (discussion to generate list of community groups and interested parties)

9. A.O.C.B.

10. Next Meeting