Community Council
Minutes of Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council
Meeting of Wed 23 October 2019 at
St Catherine’s Argyle Church Halls,
Beaufort Road
Present: – Cllr Cameron Rose (Chair), Elinor O’Donovan (Minute Secretary), Karen
Neilson (Police), Anthony Holmes (Thirlestane Lane Association), Anne Laing (MSCC),
Brian Gilmore (MSCC), Shane Voss (MSCC), Alison Service (MSCC), Adam Stewart (MSCC),
Nigel Ayton (Grange Association), Susie Agnew (MSCC), Stuart Tooley (University
of Edinburgh), Cllr Mandy Watt (Edinburgh Council for Morningside).
Apologies: – Ian Murray, Douglas Rogers.
Police Report:
Karen Neilson:
In terms of youth issues, the policing
team have been quite busy. A youth, who was already known to the police, was
charged at Cameron Toll for quite a serious crime involving knives. There have
also been extensive patrols of the Morningside, Meadows, Bruntsfield, Southside
areas.
The police conducted road checks on
Grange Rd, with a result that 3 people were charged with speeding, and 6
warnings were issued.
This week is Autumn Awareness week,
during which the police raise awareness about crime prevention. An advice
session was held on the Meadows, and people who came to ask questions were
mainly concerned with house break-ins.
Several youths at James Gillespies High
School were charged for an incident involving knives. As they were pupils, the
school is also involved with tackling the issue.
The police have identified the suspect
from a robbery on West Richmond street.
Adam Stewart also mentions that over the
summer he noticed by the University of Edinburgh halls near Warrender Park Rd,
there were bins set on fire by youths. This has been reported to police.
Report of Election:
Cllr Rose:
There are eight members of Marchmont
Sciennes Community Council- (Susie Agnew, Brian Gilmore,
Anthony Holmes, Anne Laing, Douglas Rogers, Alison Service, Adam Stewart, and
Shane Voss) and the roles of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are to
be appointed by these eight. Cllr Rose asks everyone present to briefly
introduce themselves.
As MSCC is a statutory body, it operates
within Scottish government legislation, and must abide by the requirements of
this legislation as it proceeds.
There are grants available to the
Community Council, for example one grant of 2p per person on the electoral role
within the Community Council area (Alison believes this last grant amount was
circa £800), plus a grant to cover the cost of hiring a venue for meetings
Banking arrangements need to be made by
the Community Council, and it is the Community Council’s responsibility to
organise insurance.
Community Councils are required to hold
6 meetings per year, and there needs to be an AGM held in May or June (or other
times when required). The Community Council may also organise sub-groups and
assign additional responsibilities to its members.
Established groups approved by Edinburgh
Council may have a representative on the Community Council (for example, from
the Grange Association).
The time and location of the meetings
must be decided by the Community Council, and it is required that the minutes
and agenda are made publicly available and a copy sent to the Council.
There is a brief discussion on whether
or not MSCC would like to consider offering office-holder positions on an
interim appointment, or whether they should be offered as permanent positions.
It is agreed that if someone wishes to accept a
position on an interim basis, they may do so on request.
Appointments made:
Chair:
Alison Service proposes Brian Gilmore,
which is seconded by Anne Laing. Brian is appointed Chair.
Secretary:
In the absence of any immediate proposals,
Brian nominates himself on an interim basis, which is seconded by Alison. Brian
is appointed Secretary.
Vice-Chair:
Alison nominates Susie Agnew, which is
seconded by Brian. Susie is appointed Vice-Chair.
Treasurer:
Brian nominates Alison, which is
seconded by Anne. Alison is appointed Treasurer.
Cllr Rose suggests that the appointment
of any other posts (for example Transport, Planning) should be held off until
the next meeting.
From this point on, Brian Gilmore chairs
the meeting. Brian thanks MSCC members from last 3 years for their work.
Urgent Issues:
Draft Minutes from the last meeting, 25th September 2019, have
been circulated. These are approved by Alison, seconded by Shane.
Brian suggests that we contact Sciennes
PTA, and James Gillespies to be Community Liaisons on the Community Council.
Treasurer's report:
Has been circulated. At the end of September, the balance in bank
was £1077.25. Nigel points out a typo where the month mentioned in the report
was August, will be amended to September for audit. Nigel approves the report
subject to this amendment, which is seconded Shane.
Alison is still unable to contact the Meadows Festival Association
in order to give them their cheque.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Ceremony:
A report was circulated, and Alison is looking for volunteers.
The plan will be to meet at the Christmas tree and sing carols
with the brass band, and then the group will move to the hall for the children
and senior choirs.
Dates of meetings:
As previous, Brian suggests that there will be no meeting in December,
July, and August. Otherwise, meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday
of every month.
AOCB:
Anne will liaise with Alison about circulating notices and agendas
around the area in her absence. Anne also asks Brian to approve the copy on a
notice about leaving posters in Marchmont Hardware, which Brian approves.
There is a brief discussion about the noticeboards mentioned in
the last meeting. Alison has bought new Perspex windows for the noticeboard
outside Margiotta, along with a spray-on, peel-off cover. She has also found a
handyman, who will give a quote for the work to be done.
Anne is looking for volunteers to look after the upkeep of
planters in the area and suggests that this upkeep should be done in
springtime. Mike Shields has promised to re-do the planters. Adam mentions that
the Gardening Club in James Gillespie’s school may also be happy to volunteer
in the Spring.
Discussion about contributing some money towards erecting a
Dorothy Ryle memorial bench in the Grange Cemetery. Brian proposes a
contribution £50, and Alison will contact Nigel to arrange this.
Adam reminds MSCC that there is a City Plan 2030 meeting at the
Edinburgh Council on November 19th, and is attending if anyone else
wishes to attend.
Date of next meeting: 27th November 2019.
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