MARCHMONT & SCIENNES COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
MINUTES OF
MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2022
7:30 P.M. AT ST. CATHERINE’S ARGYLE
ATTENDANCE
PRESENT:
Brian Gilmore (Chair, MSCC), Alison Service
(MSCC Treasurer), Anthony Holmes, Emma Willson (local resident), Cllr. Neil
Ross, Nigel Ayton (Grange Association), Susie Agnew (MSCC), Margaret Coughtrie
(local resident)
APOLOGIES: Anne Laing (MSCC Secretary),
Kayleigh Gordon (MSCC Publicity), Liane Phillips (MSCC Publicity), Douglas
Rogers (MSCC)
IN ATTENDANCE
Modupe
Ojo (Minutes Secretary)
DISCUSSIONS
The meeting began at 7:33. Brian introduced
Modupe, the new Minutes secretary.
Brian apologized for the error of including the
presentation by Catherine Henderson from Scottish Water on the agenda for that
day’s meeting. He noted that Catherine would be coming for the next meeting
(Wednesday, 23 November 2022).
Nigel pointed out that the date on the draft
minutes of the previous meeting was wrong and it was noted for amendment.
Alison proposed the adoption of the minutes of
meeting and it was seconded by Nigel.
Police
Report:
The Newsletter
sent by the Police had been earlier circulated. Brian noted that the Police
sent a cover letter with the newsletter stating that the police would not be
routinely attending the meetings except if there is a specific request for
their presence. The police quarterly newsletter would serve as feedback. Brian
noted that the lesson to be learnt from this cover letter is that if anyone
thinks there is a need for the police to attend the meeting, the secretary
should be informed prior to the meeting so the police can be invited.
Scottish
Water:
Brian
noted that Marchmont Crescent would be closed as a through road for
approximately 7 months. Cllr. Ross clarified that the closure would happen in
phases and the northern part would be closed first.
Emma
Wilson asked about the right person to contact if residents had suggestions
about how the Northern end of Marchmont Crescent could be made more attractive.
She said that several of the residents there would like to see some sort of
street-scaping as it was a lovely corner which could be greatly enhanced with
their various ideas. In the resulting discussion Cllr. Ross suggested that
since Scottish Water had said they would be prepared to make some financial
contribution to the community, they could be approached to make a monetary contribution for this proposal. The council could in turn
use this contribution for any ideal project in the area. Brian noted that the
timing might be the issue and it would be best to work with a concrete
suggestion.
It was
put to Emma that she and the other residents put together an actual plan of
their ideas for improving the area and present it to the MSCC in the November
meeting. After that, the MSCC could approach Scottish Water for some financial
aid, after which it would be put to the Council for implementation. Now was the
time to do it as the whole area is going to be dug up over the next few months.
Meadows & Bruntsfield Links: Including FOMBL
report
There
is currently no new report on FOMBL. Alison however noted that she would be
attending a public meeting on 23rd with a speaker giving a
presentation on the history of how Hibs and Hearts used to play matches on the
Meadows. FOMBL and various other organisations had been planning something
special for Mike Shields’ retirement. However, Mike is planning his own event for
sometime in December. She would update the community council when she gets the
definite date and the number of representatives from MSCC to attend.
Susie pointed out that the Born Free “Lions and
Safari” installation on The Meadows is wonderful and attracting hundreds of
people to view it. However, the ground around it is already horribly muddy and
there are still 2-3 months to go. Cllr
Ross said he would notify the correct people to hopefully remedy the situation
with some plastic ground covering to protect both the grass and the viewers’
boots!
Publicity
No
report.
City Councillor report on topical local issues
Cllr.
Ross updated that consultation is live on the website for raising the standards
of HMOs, and the conditions surrounding granting licences to landlords for
interim properties. One of the
initiatives is a best practice guide for landlords because none currently
exists, and would encourage better practices by the landlords. Cllr. Ross said that one area to improve is
the requirement that emergency contacts are provided to near neighbours on an
annual basis instead of the present 3-year basis as those who are new to the
building may not know who to contact. He
encouraged everyone to respond and comment on this consultation.
Margaret Coughtrie asked about cases where letting
agents were not known and the apartments were mostly occupied by students who
weren’t long-term tenants. Cllr Ross said neighbours should be informed once a
year as a condition of licence.
Cllr
Ross went on to update the meeting about the new licensing arrangements for
Short-Term Lets (STL) in Edinburgh. The
City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) is taking advantage of recent Scottish
Government legislation that enables local authorities to designate STL Control
Areas. Edinburgh has applied for the
entire city to become a STL Control Area.
This means that all STLs must be licensed. One of the licence conditions is that a
property must hold the appropriate planning consent for its use. If a property is not occupied by its owner
but is used solely as a commercial STL, then the planning status of the
property must be “Short Term Let”, and not “Residential”. Therefore, many owners of properties that are
currently operated as STLs are applying now for planning permission for change
of use, before the deadline of 1 April 2023 for all such existing STLs to have
applied if they are to be allowed to continue in business prior to having their
STL licence application assessed. CEC
has issued draft changes to its “Guidance for Businesses” that includes
criteria by which planning applications for change of use to STL will be
assessed. The proposed changes are open
for public consultation until 22 December 2022.
Sick
Kids site update:
The
report from Downing has been circulated. Douglas met the Home Group and his report has also been
circulated.
Astley Ainslie Hospital Redevelopment:
No update
Condition of pavements:
Alison mentioned that one of the Councillors had been to look into the
pavements issue at the junction of Chalmers Crescent and Roseneath Street and
liaise accordingly. Brian said it was best to carry this issue over to the next
meeting in case Kaleigh and Lianne have an update on it.
Proposed defibrillators:
Alison said she went to see the Earl of Marchmont who started the fund
for three defibrillators for the area.
Twice now she has left her contact details to be passed to the manager
and owner, but hasn’t heard from them. She will try again.
Energy/insulation
Alison said she had tried to get someone from Home Energy Scotland to
come to speak at the November meeting but they are currently really busy and
would not be able to take any speaking engagements. She was sent videos for a
presentation but Douglas didn’t think the video’s quality is of a high standard
and he is prepared to himself put together a presentation instead.
Resolution: If Douglas agrees, then his presentation will take place in the Jan-23
meeting since Catherine from Scottish Water would be speaking at the meeting in
the Nov-22 meeting.
Planning
applications
Nigel followed up on the comments earlier by Cllr Ross about CEC’s
consultation on changes to the Guidance for Businesses that relates to planning
applications for change of us to Short Term Let (STL). The Grange Association is itself consulting
its members on its proposed default position that it will object to any
planning application for a STL in a shared stair with residential properties or
any STL that shares an entrance with a residential property. This appears consistent with the proposed CEC
changes to its guidance.
Grange
Cemetery update:
The
update on this has been circulated. Nigel said it is necessary to send someone
on a training course for heavy lifting and handling to be able to supervise the
restoration of the gravestones.
Resolution: Cllr. Ross would look into this.
Christmas
Tree event:
According to Alison, the electrics in the normal
Christmas tree hole outside ScotMid have been dug up by council workers in
error. However, a 24-foot Christmas tree would be delivered with its own heavy
base as there is no time to fit new electrics before the event so lighting will
be fed from the street lamps she thinks.
The A Capella Kids and various JG choirs and bands will all be
participating. The Acapella Kids will sing with the community at the tree, but
they prefer to do their wee show at the hall where they are heard better. The charity collection will have to be done
at the hall as the council now charges £500
for a permit for a street collection. Cllr Ross found this surprising and said
he would check that. (Cllr Ross subsequently reported the charge is for
‘closing’ a street, not having a collection).
Treasurer's
report:
The report
has been circulated. The council has a bank balance of £1972.93.
Meetings
attended:
No
meeting attended
AOCB:
Anthony inquired
about the charging of electric vehicles, especially considering the health and
safety aspect to the ad hoc trailing of cables across pavements by vehicle
owners using sockets in their own homes. The Thirlestane Lane Assoc own the
wall opposite the wee houses and do not allow charging points to be put on the
wall. Cables running from houses to cars are a danger. It was pointed out that there are eight public
charging points at the west end of Thirlestane Road just round the corner and they
should be used instead.
Margaret
Cloughtrie said camper vans were parking right in front of her flat and obstructing
her view of The Meadows. She wanted to know the rules about camper vans parking
and what can be done about this. Cllr. Neil said that there would have to be a
change in the law so the best method would be to get on to her MSP. At present
caravans and camper vans can park just like cars.
Anthony
asked about when the renovations and repairs would be completed at the
Warrender Swim Centre, and Cllr. Neil said there are positive indications that
it would be done soon.
Date
of next meeting: Wednesday 23rd November 2022
