Seasonal Greetings

We wish you a 

Merry Christmas

and hope 2013 brings

Health & Happiness to you and yours

Coping with emergencies - building community resilience

The Scottish Government have sent us three paper copies of each of two leaflets:

• How you can help make your community more resilient
• Guide to emergency planning for community groups

Let me know if you want one of them.  

More details are available in the full Guide to emergency planning for community groups and at the Ready Scotland website.

Submit a petition – make a change

Do you have an idea for a new service or think the Council should make a change in the city? Then, this is your chance to have a say. All you need to do is: > submit a valid* petition either online or in writing > get 500 signatures. Your issue or idea could be heard before the Petitions Committee and result in changes being made to publicly-provided services. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/petitions

Marchmont & Sciennes Christmas Tree: lighting ceremony is at 4:30pm on 8 Dec

Agenda for meeting of MSCC on Wed 28 Nov at 7:30pm

The Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council will next meet on 28th November 2012 7.30 pm at St Catharine’s Argyle Church Hall, Beaufort Road

PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LARGE HALL TO ACCOMMODATE EXTRA PARTICIPANTS, and we are advised it will be available from 7.20 pm

All who live or work locally are welcome to attend!

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the previous meeting on 26th October.

3 Any matters arising from the minutes not listed below.

4 Treasurer’s Report

5 Police Report

6 James Gillespie’s Schools: Joyce Nisbet (City of Edinburgh Council) will give
information about the progress to date of the rebuilding programme and respond to
questions and discussion.

7 The present status and future plans for the temporary classrooms to be erected for
James Gillespie’s Primary School.

8 Items from South Central Neighbourship Parnership Report (Meeting on 26th November).
 -- Recycling
 -- Condition of the Meadows and Bruntsfield links
 -- Bicycle Parking

9 Proposals for Capital Roads Programme, 2013-14

10 HMO report

11 Christmas Tree Lighting - report on progress

12 Brief reports and notices
 -- Students in the Community
 -- Transport Forum
 -- LDP Training 23rd January 2013
 -- Scottish Health Campaigns Network

14 AOCB

15 Date of next meeting: 23 January

James Gillespie's Primary School Christmas Fair this Saturday (24th: 10-12:30)

The James Gillespie's Primary School Christmas Fair is this Saturday, 24th November, from 10am until 12.30pm at James Gillespie's High School. It will raise funds so that the 'Fun & Funds Group' can buy the school some new IT equipment.

There will be lots of stalls - all the old favourites such as cake and candy, Lucky Dip, books, toys, making crafts, the Smoothie bike and the Games Alley and many more... Or bid for one of the fabulous prizes in the SILENT AUCTION.

PLUS the arrival of Mrs Pockets - this glamorous lady has a cape with many pockets full of little gifts but the children must find her first!

ALSO, for the first time, Storytelling - some lovely Christmas stories to keep the children enthralled and entertained!

South Central Neighbourhood Partnership: 26 Nov at 6pm

The Edinburgh South Central Neighbourhood Partnership is meeting at 6pm on Mo 26 November in the City Chambers on the High Street.  

Members of the Public are welcome to attend.  

The meeting will discuss:

• Progress in sub-groups (including Environment & Town Centre; Children & Young People; Health/ Well-being; Meadows & Bruntsfield Links, and HMOs)
• BBQ on Meadows
• Public Toilets for Meadows & Bruntsfield Links
• Residential Bike Parking Pilot
• Students in the Community Event
• Community Grant Fund Applications
• Public Questions

If you live in Marchmont or Sciennes and have any points you wish to raise please get in touch with the MSCC representative, Alastair Philp.

Public meeting on 28 November: Progress and plans for construction: James Gillespie’s High & Primary Schools

edited 1 Nov to include correct date!

Notice of Public Meeting

Progress and plans for construction:

James Gillespie’s High & Primary Schools

2013 - 2015

Members of the project team will give a presentation

and answer your questions

Wed 28 Nov 2012 at 7.30pm

St Catherine’s Church Halls, Beaufort Road.

All welcome

[The regular MSCC meeting will include this business]

Drainage ditches being dug on the Bruntsfield Links

A mini digger was at work today digging ditches on the Bruntsfield Links and filling them with gravel. 

The driver told me that these were to aid drainage down to the rock. He said the ground had been compacted due to many years of walking on the grass and this combined with the recent heavy rain and dense surface roots in the turf had led to surface pooling.

Agenda for meeting of Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council on 24 Oct

MARCHMONT AND SCIENNES COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Meeting 24th October 2012 at 7:30pm

St Catherine’s Church Halls, Beaufort Road.

Note: This meeting will be chaired by Alastair Philp

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the previous meeting, circulated and amended

3 Matters arising from the minutes

(i) Programme for this and the November meeting
(ii) Christmas tree lighting - plans and progress
(iii) C.C. elections, submission
(iv) Response to planning guidance
(v) Quality Bike Corridor
(vi) Public nuisance in streets close to the meadows
(vii) Environmental issues: rubbish collection
(viii) Students in the Community  30th October

4 Police Report

5 Innovations at Barclay Corner, FOMBL (Heather Goodare),

6 Property Conservation - presentation by Libby Strong
(Nb: This matter should be taken at 8.00PM. It may be necessary to interrupt other
business and return to it later.)

7 Treasurer’s report (AS)

8 Planning Report (if any)

9 HMO Report (AL)

10 Neighbourhood Partnership Report (if any)

Meetings to note:
(i) Environmental and Town Centre Group 29th October
(ii)Design Guidance 6th November


AOCB

DONM November 28th

City of Edinburgh Council: New Petitions Committee

Members of the public and local businesses are being given a voice to influence Council decisions in the city by way of the new Petitions Committee.  The Petitions process went live on Monday 8 October 2012, and they are now accepting petitions.  Taking part in or creating a petition is one way that individuals, community groups and organisations can get involved in what the Council does. It allows people to raise issues of public concern and gives Councillors the opportunity to consider the need for change. 

There are a range of agreed criteria for a petition to satisfy prior to confirmation of validity and consideration by the committee.   Matters that can not be considered include those currently being considered by a committee,  matters in a work programme or those that relate to a council or committee decision that has been made in the previous six months.  

Petitions can be submitted online on a Petitions webpage, . 

Paper petitions can also be used and forms can be downloaded from their webpage or collected from Council offices or local libraries.  Please direct any enquiries to petitions@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Joint Commissioning Plan for Older People 2012 -2022

NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with Scottish Care and Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) are consulting on a draft joint plan. The plan explains how they wish to improve services for older people over the next ten years.

You are invited to make your views known by completing an online form.

If you prefer you can download the questionnaire, available as a full colour version or text only version, and post it to:

Freepost RTAA-RUSL-JAYL
Consultation plan older peoples services
Business Centre 1/8
The City of Edinburgh Council
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG

Views are sought by 21st December 2012.

Report from the Scottish Government Short-life Working Group on Community Councils

In December 2011, the Scottish Government established a short-life working group to consider and recommend how best to build the resilience, capacity and capability of Community Councils in the future.

The final report and recommendations, include consideration of internal operations; Community Councils’ engagement and relationships with local authorities; the wider public sector; the general public; and the communities that they strive to represent.

The Group agreed that in the spirit of partnership working and in recognition of the key role local authorities play in supporting Community Councils, its report should be presented to both the Scottish Government and COSLA to consider collectively and ultimately decide which recommendations should be taken forward. The Group also agreed that consideration of its recommendations would benefit from wider discussion and engagement with a range of stakeholders with an interest in the sector which will inform and support the future policy development of Scotland's Community Councils .

Agenda for Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council meeting on 26 Sep

The Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will resume meetings for the autumn at 7:30pm on We 26 Sep. 

The meeting will once again be at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls on Beaufort Place (Grange Road). 

All who live or work in the area are most welcome to attend and participate.





A G E N D A 

  1] Sederunt and apologies

  2] Minutes of the meeting on 27th June.

  3] Matters Arising from the minutes
            Recycling at JGHS
            MABLAG meeting (AS)
            Bruntsfield Farmers Market proposal  (SS)
            AAH survey report  (AP)
            Garden Competition cancelled
            New Leaf co-op.

  4] Police Report

  5] Financial Report and future plans

  6] Programme for 2012-13

  7] Christmas Tree Lighting

  8] CC Elections

  9] Edinburgh Community Council Scheme

10] Roads Capital Programme 2013-14

11] ECC Planning Training

12] AOCB

13] DONM   24th October.

Support the Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Barclay Corner project

Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links (FoMBL) have gained approval from the City of Edinburgh Council for designing a makeover of the corner of Bruntsfield Links adjoining Glengyle Terrace and Barclay Terrace (Wrights Houses): the Barclay Corner , by Barclay Viewforth Church.  

This is a major entrance to the Millennium Park from Tollcross and Bruntsfield Place, and is much used.  Since finance for the project cannot be provided by the Council, local support is necessary for our application to WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental), who fund community, conservation and heritage projects.  

If you approve of the idea (for which a Phase 1 design is on our website) please add your name to our on-line petition. 

Comments sought on revised planning guidance

City of Edinburgh Council are in the process of consolidating aspects of their planning guidance. The aim is to make it easier for applicants and their agents to identify what is required from them before they submit applications. The guidance also provides a basis on which to make planning decisions. 

They are currently seeking views (by 27 Sep) on three draft documents: 

* Guidance for Businesses
* Guidance for Householders
* Guidance for the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, 

Feedback can be provided either by filling out the online surveys (one linked from each documents webpage) or by emailing Aline Kirkland directly. 

If you have any queries please also contact Aline Kirkland (0131 529 3543).

African Children's Choir to perform at JGHS

James Gillespie’s High School are delighted to have the unique opportunity of hosting the 38th African Children’s Choir.  The choir will be performing on Wednesday 19th September 2012 in JGHS school hall at 7-9pm. On Thursday 20th September the choir are leading two interactive workshops with JGHS pupils sharing their culture, music and dance. 

The children are from Uganda and are between the ages of 7 -11 years.  We are hoping to fundraise for the JGHS South Africa Project on the night of the concert, and promote future fundraising events for the project.

The African Children’s Choir travels the world, acting as the ambassador for Africa’s most vulnerable children. Their goal is to raise awareness and show that despite the desolate circumstances they come from, they can have a bright future and reach their potential. The Choir is just one program operated by Music for Life Institute.  Music for Life Institute (MFL) is committed to ensuring that the children in the Choir, and thousands of others in Africa, receive love, care, and a quality education that will change their lives.  With programs in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, and supporting programs in Southern Sudan, Music for Life is “helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow.” 

New JGHS and JGPS Nursery and Gym

Work is planned to start on the new James Gillespie's Primary School nursery and gym hall after the Christmas Holidays. Work will carry on through to the summer with the new P6 classrooms being constructed during the summer holidays next year. All work should be completed by the start of session 2013-14.

There may need to be changes to entry and exit points but parents will be informed in
advance of any changes if they are needed.

[via newsletter from JGPS]

Progress with building a new James Gillespie's High School

A newsletter has been distributed to local residents in the vicinity of James Gillespie's High School.  


It summarises the preparation, demolition and tree felling work to take place on the James Gillespie's campus over this summer.

Puppets come to Meadows: 6-9 August

update (22 July): venue change - now at midpoint of Middle Meadow Walk, at intersection with Jawbone Walk

Update from The New Leaf Co-op

The New Leaf in Marchmont has been running as a wholefood business for 20 years, and has a loyal following in the local community. After 14 years of hard work, Linda and Derek who currently own and manage the shop are looking to move on. 


As members of the Edinburgh Wholefood Co-operative, Neus, Will, Sophie, Karen and Dee are working collaboratively with Linda and Derek to take over the business which they will soon be running collectively as a co-operative.

They plan to re-open the doors of The New Leaf at the beginning of September 2012. The New Leaf Co-op will sell good quality, considerately sourced and affordable staple foods. They're going to open up a currently unused back room and pack it full of tasty, unpackaged, loose wholefoods that you'll be able to scoop into your own containers. Pulses, nuts, fruits, grains, cereals... This will reduce waste and packaging and will also make things cheaper for you!

They have worked out that we need £40,000 to cover the costs of business purchase, refitting the shop, opening up the back room, and packing in a wider range of delicious wholefoods (oh and a cargo bike for delivery too, They hope). They have already secured £35,000 from supporters. They are hoping to draw on community support to raise another £10,000 through a larger number of smaller loans. Even though they only need £5,000, they’re aiming for £10,000 as it will help achieve more sooner. They have developed two routes for making loans:  Buzzbnk & Loanstock.

In short, Buzzbnk (http://buzzbnk.org/newleafcoop) is for making loans up to £500 in a quick easy way, and there are different rewards and discounts depending on the amount you lend. Loanstock is best suited for people wanting to lend more than £500, so that they can offer you more flexibility.

Please get in touch if you would like more information about either of these. They also have a Business Prospectus which outlines our plans for the business and our financial predictions. 

They are still working on a new website, but in the meantime you can visit their facebook page.

Can you help tend the Green Banana?

Everyone  will have seen the planting on the strip of land between Marchmont Crescent and Roseneath Place.  It is lovingly tended by a group of ‘Guerilla Gardeners‘ who  work for an hour at 11am on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of each month.   


There's tidying, weeding, planting to do, as well as, I'm afraid, dog-dirt to clear away, (for those with strong stomachs).  Plants and bulbs have been given, and it is looking much better that it has done. 

Sometimes people stop when we're working and say what a great job we're doing, but they never stop to  help!    The Council send the lawn mower to cut the grass when they can.   There's a special brown bin there for compostable stuff and it is put out out every fortnight.  


This is a real community effort but we do need more people to help.  Could you spare an hour once or twice a month? The next days will be 8th and 22nd July.                        

Agenda for June May meeting of MSCC (7:30pm on We 27 Jun at St Catherine's Argyle Church halls)

The Jun 2012 meeting of the Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will be on 27 Jun at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls. 

All who live and work locally are welcome to attend

AGENDA

1     Sederunt and apologies

2     Minutes of the meeting on 23rd May

3     Matters arising from the minutes, not otherwise listed
Update at Sciennes School
Mobile Phone mast
New shop at 129 Marchmont Road
Grange Cemetery restoration
Meadows Festival

4     Police report
Contacting the Police; Police questionnaire

5     Treasurer’s report

6     Planning issues; new spokesperson needed.
Recycling at Gillespies

7     HMO report

8     Neighbourhood Partnership Report
Astley Ainsley Site developments
Barbecues on the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links
Party Flats (for info)

9 FOMBL

10    Garden Competition

11    Christmas Lighting Event - new organiser needed

12    Cycle safety event

13   Constituency Office Local Day

14   Proposal for Farmers’ and Craft market in Bruntsfield

15   AOCB

16  Dates of next meetings:  26th September, 24th October, 28th November.

Survey seeks responses: policing and safety

Lothian & Borders Police would like to know your views about policing, safety and what it is like to live in our local area. The survey is now available for completion online.

The results of this survey will help to inform policing priorities and influence how they engage with the local community in future. Please be assured that the information you provide will be treated with the strictest confidence and anonymity.   If you have any questions regarding the questionnaire please call 0131 311 3131 where a member of staff will be happy to help you. Thank you very much for your time.

Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links AGM: 21 Jun at 7:30pm

Agendas for AGM and regular May meeting of MSCC

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its Annual General meeting on 23 May 2012 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls. 


The AGM will be followed (around 8pm) by our regular May meeting, at which we will be addressed by Nancy Jamieson from City of Edinburgh Council (on how we as a Community Council can engage with Planning). 


A G E N D A 
for AGM 


 1 Minutes of the last meeting 11.5.2011 


 2 Matters arising 


 3 Annual Report : Chair - Sarah Sandow 


 4 Annual Report : Secretary - Alastair Philp 


 5 Annual Report : Treasurer - Alison Service 


 6 Co - option of members 


 7 Demit of office-bearers and election of office bearers 


 8 Date of next AGM 


 9 Ordinary meeting dates for 2012 - 2013 

10 AOCB 






A G E N D A 
for regular (May) Meeting (around 8pm)


1 Police Report Sciennes School traffic 


2 SPEAKER: NANCY JAMIESON Group Leader, Development Management, Planning, Services to Communities. 


3 Questions to the Speaker 


4 Minutes of the last meeting 25.4.12 


5 Matters arising

•  Sainsbury’s letter 
•  Mobile phone mast 
•  Grange Cemetery 
•  Meadows Festival 

 6 Garden Competition 


 7 Notices 


 8 AOCB 


 9 DONM 27 June 2012

Want to take a stall? Or help at the Meadows Festival on 2 and 3 June

The Meadows Festival is still taking applications for stallholders to trade at the long-running event, this year to be held on 2 & 3 June.  Interest has been high, but there are still a few spaces remaining. From arts and crafts, through vintage clothing and antiques, to books, charities, and children's items, the Festival attracts a broad range of different traders.   

If you're interested in taking a stall, head over to the stalls page and download a copy of the stalls form.  

The Festival organisers tell me they have an exciting line-up planned, but need some help to make it happen - maybe from you? Please visit the Volunteers page if you can give a couple of hours over the weekend to make the Festival run smoothly - the festival is entirely volunteer run!

Crags Sports Centre Tips-off with Fresh Start

The Crags Community Sports Centre got a fresh start earlier this month at a ‘tip-off’ event to mark the re-opening of the Centre.


The ‘tip-off’ marked the official hand over from City of Edinburgh Council to a new community organisation set up specifically to run the Centre for the long-term. The new charity has a strong basketball theme with local club Boroughmuir Blaze and governing body basketballscotland teaming up with Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association.


The ‘tip-off’ event included the March round of the South-Central Primary Schools Basketball League which features eight teams from surrounding schools including league leaders St Peter’s and James Gillespie’s Primary School.


From basketball to break-dancing to roller derby, the Crags has a range of new and exciting activities.  Edinburgh residents can now get involved by attending one of the classes for kids or adults; or by joining one of the partner sports clubs.


The Centre has one of the largest games halls in Edinburgh, a dance/fitness studio, social reception area, changing facilities, kitchen, storage space, car park and an open-access outdoor kick-pitch.


Why not find out more for yourself by attending their Community Open Day on Saturday 21 April.

Agenda for meeting of MSCC on We 25 April 2012

The Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council will hold their April meeting on We 25 April at 7:30pm at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls on Grange Road

All are most welcome to attend.

Please note: representatives of Lothian and Borders Police will be in attendance from 7:00 pm, to respond to any specific queries about police matters you may have.

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the meeting on 28.3.12

3 Matters arising, not elsewhere considered.

                        Roads Capital programme 2012-3

                        NHS meeting 4.4.12

4 Police report.

5  SPEAKER:  ALAN MCKINNEY : restoration of local graveyards.

6  Treasurer’s report (Alison Service)

7 Planning Report            (Melanie Main)

           

                        Report from Planning subcommittee

                        Progress on LDP

                        Visit of Planning Officer

                        Sainsbury’s in Marchmont

                        The New Leaf

                        Phone Mast in Grange Road

8 HMO (Anne Laird)

9 Neighbourhood Partnership (Alastair Philp)

                        Election date change

                        EACC planning subgroup

                        MABLAG

10 Communications received:

                        Bulletin on Renewables

                        Transition Edinburgh St John’s Church 12.5.12

                        Care of older people

                        Report on Civic Forum

                        STV local website

11 DONM  23.5.12  AGM