MSCC - Minutes for January 2026

 

Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council

Minutes of Meeting of January 28th, 2026 at St. Catherine’s Argyle Church Hall

 

Present: Brian Gilmore, Chair, Susie Agnew – MSCC, Alison Service - MSCC Treasurer, Anne Laing - MSCC Secretary, Douglas Rogers - MSCC Inclusion Officer, Anthony Holmes – MSCC, Kate McNairney – SMAG, Richard Shillcock – MSCC, Peter Olech – MSCC, Geoff Parsons – MSCC, Cllr. Steve Burgess, Cllr. Mandy Watt

Margaret Coughtrie, Francis and Paul Hamilton, Joanna Storrar, Sara Kondricki, Jim Sorrell, Sally Swann – Local residents,

Meeting began at 19:30pm

 

Apologies

Lianne and Kayleigh Gordon - MSCC Publicity

 

Draft Minutes of last meeting Nov 26th 2025: Suzie wanted it noted that she had asked Cllr Pogson to check into the problem of bins with no tops but she’s not yet heard back from him.

The minutes were approved by Anne and seconded by Alison.

 

Matters arising: Lianne had asked Anne Laing to raise the subject of shoplifting which is a growing problem. This was discussed generally. CCTV needed in the area and shops.  Cllr Watt said she attended a Police local meeting about this and they advise traders to inform them asap and make their CCTV available for tracking the suspects and catching them. Also said a Traders Phone Chain was helpful with traders letting others know in advance of thieves around.

Anne said that the Defibrillator signage would soon be up on the noticeboards.

Suzie said that they’d not heard from Cllr Munro about parcels going to Falcon Rd depot instead of Russell Rd – Anne to check with her. It was noted that there’s an automated post box for small parcels at the top of |Marchmont Road.

 

Sciennes School Space Plan:  Caroline McKellar of the Sciennes School Parents Group  spoke to the meeting on the subject of the full road closure during school hours giving background on why it is needed and how and when this will be put into operation. All funding is provided by the parents to ensure a secure and pleasant looking area with foldable gates and bollards operating, clearer signage, and attractive planting/fencing. The ETRO (Experimental for 18 months) will hopefully be approved soon and work to start in Easter holidays to be in operation by mid to end April.

 

Meadows & Bruntsfield Links:  The naming of the new path was discussed with a vote taken on the two most popular path names.  5 votes for Kinghorn Way against 8 votes for Hamish Henderson Walk.  Alison to inform FOMBL of the MSCC choice.

The next Fombl meeting is on 3^rd March.

 

Publicity:  No report

 

Councillors Report:  Cllr Burgess:  reported that he’d been told by a local resident about speeding in Chalmers Crescent and that he’d raised this with Road Safety who’d carry out a speed check to catch culprits.  It was agreed generally that speed bumps in the area would be helpful.

He also reported that the Roseneath St rough tarmac pavement saying it is due soon to be replaced by paving slabs.  The Grange Rd gas work diversions were affecting much of the area but would be finished by mid-end Feb. 

He met with Police Sergeant Rachel Lumsden now the new local community officer who intends to hold quarterly meetings with residents and urges CCs to send a representative or two to raise their concerns. Main concerns seem to be anti-social behaviour, e-bikes, shoplifting. Invites to be sent to locals and Ccs. Cllr Burgess urged to suggest that the meetings be in various Southside areas and not always in the same venue.

 

Cllr Watt:  reported on the above Police meeting last held in Morningside Library. Q: Tony had contact Sgt Lumsden re going to the Police meeting but never heard from her. A: If anyone wishes to attend or be represented, they should let their CC or local Cllr know.

Also reported on the application for c.46 short term lets to be approved in Rillbank Tce and Cres which is being massively objected to by local residents. Notification period to be extended to at least mid-Feb.

Reported that the Transport & Environmental meeting is tomorrow with bin hubs on the agenda and SMAG deputation to speak on this.  Also reported on this being the Budget period with the visitor levy starting soon. Q: how much expected to be raised by this? A: C. £50m pa with c. 6m to go to improving local services like street cleaning, graffiti cleaning.

Q: Why can’t at least half of the tourist levy go to Edinburgh services? A: Scottish Parliament has ruled that most is to go to improving the “tourist experience”.

Bike Storage: Joanna Storrar, a local bike owner, raised this problem.  Eight people in her block have bikes and no room within the stairwell and not enough bike storage in the area. When requesting more bike stores has been told this can take around 2 years to be implemented what with Planning etc. Cllr Watt asked that she contact herself or Cllr Burgess to help speed up her request for more bike storage.

 

Inclusion Officer’s report:  Douglas spoke on the paper he’d circulated. The Grange Home Energy Group holding a meeting on Tues 3^rd Feb at St Catherine’s Church Hall 7pm with Changeworks giving a talk on the new EcoCosi scheme that is being trialled in Edinburgh, and urges people to attend.

Community Space:  Plans are stalled at the moment as they need a revenue stream as present needed, is costly and without plans are extremely restrictive on permitted uses. Sound deadening the space, which is it you can’t use it.

Astley Ainslie Plan: now published and is much as was hoped for, clearly proposing that this central green space is as far as possible preserved.

Banzai organised Local place plan: three People’s Assemblies to be held at St Oswalds by the Pianodrome:

1.Saturday 31st January – Discover, explore – free lunch from 1pm discussion 2pm-4pm

2. Saturday 28th February – Discover, explore – free lunch from 1pm discussion 2pm-4pm

3. Saturday 28th March – Refine, Validate – free lunch from 1pm discussion 2pm-4pm

Douglas urges everyone to go to learn about this exciting place plan.

 

Planning:  New Planning Application to convert the properties in Rillbank Tce and Crescent to services apartments/short-term lets.  After discussion it was unanimously agreed that the MSCC lodge a strongly worded objection to this proposal.  Douglas and Alison to liaise on it.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  £1666 total in both banks (BoS and Virgin) at end Dec-25. BoS account due to be closed (at last!) quite soon.  £183 raised for Children 1st Scotland from the Christmas Event (thanks due to Crispin Agnew his collecting skills!).

 

SMAG Report (South Meadows Action Group): Have received a lot of comments on the Bin Hub situation and deputation attending tomorrow’s Transport & enviro meeting. Urges locals and MSCC members to attend and support.

 

AOCB:  Anne raised the problem of speeding in Chalmers Cres. As per letter received from a local resident. This had been previously discussed and speed survey to be done. She will contact the lady in question to indicate that her concern is being dealt with by Cllr Burgess. Also noted that she receives quite a few notices about events on the Meadows and asks if she should circulate them around. Alison said she gets them as does FOMBL who would challenge any that were of concern. Agreed that Anne doesn’t need to circulate them.

 

Date of next meeting:  Wednesday 25^th February 2026 7.30pm

 

Meeting closed at 9pm.