Marchmont & Sciennes
Community Council
Minutes of Marchmont &
Sciennes Community Council
Meeting of Wed 23rd
March 2022, 7.30pm by Zoom.
Present: Brian Gilmore (Chair, MSCC), Rhianna Robinson (Minute Secretary),
Nigel Ayton (Grange Association), Alison Service (MSCC), Anne Laing
(MSCC), Cllr Ian Perry, Tim Pogson (Potential Council Candidate), Michael
Shields, Alistair Philp (Resident), Bob Gates (local resident)
Apologies: Cllr Melanie Main, Susie Agnew (MSCC)
Matters Arising:
Minutes have been circulated; approved
by Nigel and seconded by Anne.
Police Report:
No Police Report provided.
Meadows and Bruntsfield Links:
Mike:
Mike provided an update regarding the temporary toilets that are
to be installed in the Meadows, similar to last year given their success. He
attended a meeting regarding this as it is approaching the time of year they
are due to be installed, however there has been no set date agreed as to when
they will be installed as they are currently being procured. Mike also met
onsite with Underbelly as these temporary toilet facilities will have to be
shared with Underbelly for a period in late July/August. As the same utilities
are to be used, agreement was sought on this with Mike reporting he is confident
that this can be done. Moving forward, he plans to meet with both the Council
plumber and Underbelly to agree the site and provision of water, sewage, and
other utilities. This is progressing but there is still no set date as of yet, however
he acknowledges good progress has been made thus far.
Secondly, Mike referenced the Jawbones and the ongoing discussions
regarding what will replace them, if anything, as has been discussed in
previous MSCC meetings. It is now clear that nothing will be installed on the
Meadows in the immediate future. He therefore explained that he will arrange
for the temporary Heras fencing to be removed and this will also enhance the
look of the area.
Alistair queried the provision and source of water that was
available in the Meadows for watering the new trees put in by FOMBL. Mike acknowledged
that this has been an issue as it can be difficult to gain access to the water
source on the meadows. There is a hydrant onsite, however there would need to
be someone there to supervise as the hydrant would need to be uncovered and
properly recovered given the health and safety concern that this would pose.
Moving forward, it has been stated that access to the hydrant would need to be prearranged
as someone needs to be in place for safety etc to ensure no injuries are
caused. Mike stated that water has been accessed from the Pavilion by the
Meadows’ Tree Planting Group before. Alison queried whether Mike had liaised
with the Tree Planting Group on this to which he said he has not.
Anne queried whether Mike and his team would be able to provide
additional flowers in the tubs at Marchmont Crescent when the ones that are
currently there need replaced. More plants will be required further into the
Spring. Mike asked a reminder nearer the time her to send. Anne also asking
about new edges along Lovers Loan which look bare and has suggested planting
her own wildflower seeds to brighten up the area, to which Mike approved. Anne queried
about a tree stump in Sciennes Road, which was left from a tree cut down some
time ago which looks unsightly. She was wondering if it were possible for plants
to be put round this to smarten it up. Mike has acknowledged her concern
however noted that tree stump stuff is not their top priority, and they are
focusing on shrubs and pruning given the restricted number of staff. Mike has
helpfully suggested that he can get branches picked up if anyone is willing to
do the cutting back themselves.
FOMBL
Report has been circulated.
Alison stated that there has
not been a meeting this month. FOMBL has received a £5000 grant from the Council,
but she is unsure what it is for and will provide an update at the next meeting.
There was an email regarding
the Perspex on notice board on Middle Meadow Walk, as the Perspex needs to be
replaced. Mike reported that his Park Rangers have measured this noticeboard
and are waiting to receive a quote from a business on Easter Road who will provide
the replacement, however he is waiting until his new budget to move forward
with this. It is expected to cost around £100 and FOMBL will provide Mike with
this money to purchase the Perspex, then the Park Rangers will fit this to the
noticeboard.
City Councillor Report on topical local issues:
Cllr Ian Perry:
Cllr Perry has acknowledged that given this is the period running up
to the election, some of the usual council activity is currently suspended. He
has provided an update that a budget was agreed which will take the form of a
standstill budget, which means that there will be no service cuts next year.
This year, the Scottish Government provided extra money in the budget within
the last two weeks of the financial year. Normally this is a small amount,
however this year it constituted £9 million. Given the two-week period to spend
the budget, there was not a consultation period as this had to be agreed in a
short timeframe. Brian has not yet received anything from council of how this
money was spent but Cllr Perry has stated he will ensure this be sent out to provide
insight as to how this additional money was distributed and spent. However, it
is important to note that this cannot be changed.
Cllr Perry provided an update regarding COVID-19 given that the
most recent strain of the virus is very infectious, with infection rates going
up, but not so much hospitalisation and deaths. The council’s work force has
been affected with schools being particularly hard hit. Dumfries and Galloway
have had to close some schools due to staff shortage. However, Edinburgh Council
have central staff and other staff who can be moved into schools so it is
hopeful that school closures can be prevented or be minimal. To date, only Portobello
High School has had to close on one afternoon, however if this keeps increasing
some schools may have to be closed and go back to blended learning. Cllr Perry
is hoping to avoid closures like in the Highlands; however, it is noted that
rural councils suffer from staff shortages to a larger degree.
There were no questions for Cllr Perry. MSCC is thanking him for
his time and attendance of various MSCC meetings and wishes him a happy retirement.
Publicity/new ideas
Kayleigh has noted that there has not been any drastic change on
the social media. She uploaded a post which was acknowledged by MSCC members
about how to report overflowing bins on council website, which took some time
to prepare but was quite popular. She will continue to develop a similar
‘how-to’ post for other things that are able to be reported to the council. Kayleigh
has proposed creating another useful post given the seasons are changing with BBQ
spots on meadows with a map as this would be useful for students etc.
Kayleigh reported on her idea for a general website which would
provide basic information on what MSCC do, how to get in contact with us and
what we can do to help. The idea is that the website would serve as a first
port of call and first point of contact. It is felt this would be a useful tool
for those who do not have social media and useful as it would come up in a
Google search. There is an online forum which can be linked to the website. The
proposal is that the rest of the social media such as Facebook would be kept
more updated with day-to-day information and the website to be used as a
starter. Kayleigh would like to add a team section as it makes MSCC seem more
approachable. The cost of this would be £8.50 per month (this would be reduced
to £6.50 if a subscription was purchased) but Kayleigh has proposed an idea to
seek sponsorship from local business.
Alison supported this proposal and thinks that it would be useful for
parent associations of Sciennes and James Gillespie’s as they can link with us
if they have queries and if there are any child safety concerns in our area. Kayleigh
has created a forum for schools, but she needs to check if its working and how
to navigate it and she will send Alison a draft email to copy and paste to
provide information to parents and the schools on this.
Anne queried how to access this forum, which can be done online. She
also stated that she was impressed by Morningside’s Community Council’s website
and feels this could be similarly helpful to us.
Kayleigh will proceed with the creation of the website and report
back when further progress has been made. Her help is greatly appreciated.
Sick Kids Hospital Site Redevelopment
No mention of any further developments.
Anne stated that she was hoping for an update but was
unfortunately not provided with one in time for this meeting. She has however
noticed a new noticeboard that is facing Sciennes Road however acknowledged it
was extremely small and difficult to read and will communicate this to them in
the hope for an improvement.
Alistair queried whether part of the site in the end got sold and
what changes that is likely to bring. Anne replied that she has not heard
anything further on this matter and the last information she was provided with
was that there were two interested parties, but no further information has been
provided since. Cllr Perry stated that if anything wanted to be changed then
they would need to bring it to the planning committee, and this would need to
be consulted which acts as a safeguard. Brian stated that he saw an email stating
that it was nearly sold to a developer which is not unusual as the landowner
gets planning permission to know what the value of the land. If they want to
change any of the planning or design then it gets brought back to Planning at
that stage.
Kayleigh raised concerns regarding the signs saying school safety
zone, no construction traffic as there was construction traffic (a large lorry
carrying rubble) between 2.40pm and 3.30pm. This is obviously concerning given
the abundance of small children and the children’s safety should be priority.
Anne is going to pass this on as a concern in the hope this will be addressed
immediately.
Astley Ainslie Hospital Redevelopment
Nothing to update, with Nigel receiving confirmation there is
currently no further progress.
Planning (Applications & Consultations)
No further updates as MSCC can only discuss what has been reported
as a concern.
Grange Cemetery
Monthly Report has been circulated.
Nigel:
Discussion of the report which acknowledged the leaflets and work continued
to be done to restore the monuments. Another 7 headstones have been committed
to be restored, with another £4,600 supporting this. In addition to what is
outlined in the report, Nigel thanked Kayleigh, who set up the initial meeting
with Andrew Purves. This has proved a very beneficial connection, not just
financial support but the history and knowledge that can be provided by that
firm which has been around for many decades.
Update on Sewer Flooding Project
Anne stated that she forwarded an email which came in a few days
ago about changes to the sewer flooding. Nigel confirmed that this email was
from the Scottish Water representatives recording what was discussed in the
minutes of the previous MSCC meeting. The works are not yet approved but
waiting assessment, which may not occur during elections which may delay the
work. Tim queried with Cllr Perry as to whether the development subgroups going
ahead as they are not political. Cllr Perry confirmed such groups are Quasi-Judicial
as they are not political as such but will confirm whether they are still in
operation.
Treasurer’s Report
Monthly report has been circulated. The bank balance is currently £1608.11.
The outgoings this month were on the Minute Secretary and purchasing
of noticeboard magnets.
Meetings attended
None.
AOCB
Kayleigh informed Alison that there was graffiti on an MSCC
noticeboard and that some of the traders were upset about posters being put up
on windows and safety signs. Alison has since cleaned the graffiti and taken
down a number of these posters however the residue of the glue used to put them
up is still remaining. Alistair queried what the posters were advertising, and
it was confirmed that they were for an environmental march in a few days’ time.
Kayleigh spoke to the hairdresser on Marchmont Crescent who first notified MSCC
of this issue. They had been in touch with the environmental group who claim the
posters were not put up by them but likely taken from their flyering event at
Summerhall and put up by people in support of the cause. They have apologised
for any damage or disruption caused as this was not their act or intention.
Tim raised that this issue, in more general terms, has bothered
him in the past with posters from the likes of the Meadows Funfair. He
questioned whether it may be more appropriate for the bodies who approve such
events (The Police/Council) to withdraw permission if defacing of property and
local areas occurs. Cllr Perry stated that it is a more complex issue legally, as
the event will say we gave this to a company/group of individuals and told them
not to do it illegally. If this is desired to be prevented then the Scottish
Government would have to pass a motion to ban this as the current issue lies
with who is liable.
Nigel pointed out that the next meeting should be held on
Wednesday 27th April, not Wednesday 20th April.
Alison provided an update regarding the Christmas Tree Event. She
stated that all schools are happy to participate as groups such as the JG senior
choir, A capella choir, JB Brass Ensemble and the Pipers have started to meet
and practise again. She will liaise with the schools after the summer holidays
to confirm this in more detail. The Church Hall has been booked for 3rd
December 2022 so the Christmas event will definitely be going ahead this year.
There was discussion as to whether the next meeting should be held
on Zoom or in person. Brian has suggested at least one more meeting to be held
on Zoom given the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases that Cllr Perry
detailed.
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 27th
April 2022 at 7.30 – to be held on zoom.
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