MSCC Minutes 9 January 2008

1 Sederunt and Apologies
Susie Agnew noted apologies and welcomed attendees to the meeting.

2 Minutes of meeting held 12 December 2007.
The minutes were accepted as a true record. (Proposed: Ruth Stroud; Seconded Sarah Marchbanks.)

3 Matters Arising
3.1 Lunch club (item 3.2)
There has not yet been a meeting to discuss the lunch club, but this will be arranged shortly.
3.2 Water supply (item 3.4)
Susie Agnew has received a letter from NHS Lothian and it seems that they are aware of the implications of the plans to develop a poultry unit in the Scottish Borders.
3.3 Grant application (item 3.5)
Alastair Philp updated the group that the papers for the next Neighbourhood Partnership meeting indicate that NP members will be invited to approve a revised grant of £1985.50 for the MSCC. This should cover four planters with plants, a tree, and a notice board at Sciennes.
3.5 Cycle racks (item 3.7)
Susie Agnew passed on an update from Cllr Marilyne Maclaren, who has been told by the Head Teacher of James Gillespies Primary School that the cycle racks have now been moved to a better position with which she is happy.
ACTION
Susie Agnew will speak to Cherry Ledlie to find out parents’ views on this matter, and let Marilyne Maclaren know if the MSCC would like her to pursue this matter further.
3.6 3Ms Youth Partnership (item 7)
Susie Agnew has written to the appropriate people, voicing the MSCC’s support for continued funding for Lucy Howie’s role as youth worker, but has not yet received a reply.
3.7 Meadows Place
The next meeting of the Council’s Transport Committee will take place on 19 February.
ACTION
Anyone wishing to take part in a deputation to this meeting to emphasise concerns about the Meadows Place issue should contact Susie Agnew: susie@agnew.sol.co.uk

4 Police Report
An updated police report will be provided at the February meeting.

5 Grange Cemetery
Susie Agnew has obtained a printed list of the names on all the gravestones that have so far been flattened. There was general discussion, and it was agreed that creative ways should be found of obtaining funding for restoring some of these gravestones, perhaps including:
tracing local societies or individuals with links to or interest in the people buried in Grange Cemetery who might be able to fund restoration
creating a blog which could include photos of gravestones and a searchable database of names to allow members of the public to find out if a gravestone has been flattened
getting an article or series of articles in the Evening News to draw people’s attention to this issue
ACTION
Anne Laird will explore the option of using a digital camera to take photos of the gravestones and inform Susie Agnew of the outcome.
Susie Agnew will send an e-mail around inviting anyone interested to meet some time in March to look at the graveyard and think about what action to take.

6 New Secretary
Hugh Leather had previously informed the group of his intention to step down as secretary, and volunteers to take over the role had been invited by e-mail. Susie Agnew informed the group that Susanna Lacey had volunteered to undertake this role, and the appointment of Susanna to the role of secretary was approved.

7 Reports of meetings
7.1 South Edinburgh Community Health Partnership Forum meeting
Ruth Stroud informed the group that she had attended this meeting on behalf of the MSCC on 10th December, where she was informed of a proposal to suspend the group and put it under review. This has since been put into practice, with intentions to reconstitute the group in May. However, many members of the group have continued to meet informally in the absence of the Chair, and have agreed a consultation response to the Respite Care Guidance, and plan to meet again to discuss a further consultation response.

8 Any other concluding business
8.1 Quarter Mile
Alastair Philp updated the group that he had received invitation to attend a meeting at Quarter Mile on 16 January at 12.30pm. Dorothy Ryle has also received an invitation and will attend on behalf of the MSCC.
8.2 Neighbourhood Partnership Board
This group will meet at 7pm on Monday 14 January in the Methodist Central Hall, Tollcross. All are welcome to attend, and various council officials will be running a surgery from 6pm.
8.3 Environmental issues
ACTION
Susie Agnew will write to the Council Planning Department to find out their policy on double glazing in conservation areas. She will also raise concerns about the fact that the residents of some modern blocks of flats are not allowed to hang out their washing.
8.4 Gillis Centre, White House Loan
John Simon informed the group that the Gillis Centre has received a substantial grant from Historic Scotland for work on the outside of the building. This Centre apparently has excellent facilities which aren’t generally advertised or widely known of in the local community. There was general discussion of this grant, and it was suggested that the grant would have been given to this building because it is of historic interest, but that the recipient of such a large grant should ensure the local community is aware of the facilities it offers.
ACTION John Simon will write to ask for details of this grant application.
8.5 Council Contacts
ACTION A list of useful council contacts will be made available on the blog.

9 Next meeting
The next meeting will take place on 20 February, beginning at 7.30pm at St Catherine’s Argyle Community Hall, Grange Road, Edinburgh.

CC Training Survey

Dear Secretary

As you will recall the attached questionnaire was sent to community councils last year. So far, there has been a fairly low level of response and in an attempt to encourage more CC members to respond, the survey can now be completed on line by using the link below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=AiiLvdueGQE5YWluoHqacw_3d_3d

I would be grateful if you could circulate this information to CC members on your mailing lists. The closing date for completing the questionnaire is 21 Jan 2008.

Thanks to all those who have already taken part in the survey and best wishes for 2008.

Eileen

Agenda for the meeting on the 9th of January

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held
On WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2008 at 7.30pm in
St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road

All who live or work or are active in the area are welcome.
Hearing loop available.

1. Sederunt and Apologies.
2. Minutes of Meeting held 12 December 2007.
3. Matters Arising.
4. Police Report.
5. Grange Cemetery.
6. New Secretary.
7. Report of meetings.
8. A.O.C.B.
9. Next meeting 20 February 2008.

Minutes of MSCC Meeting, 12 December 2007

1 Sederunt and Apologies
Susie Agnew noted apologies and welcomed attendees to the meeting, especially Eriek Davidson from Grange and Prestonfield Community Council, and Reverend Karen Watson from Marchmont St Giles Church.

2 Minutes of meeting held 14 November 2007
The minutes were accepted as a true record. (Proposed: Linda Smith; Seconded: Anne Laird.)

3 Matters Arising
3.1 Meadows Place (item 5)
Marilyne Maclaren reported back that it would seem the pavements were widened at Meadow Place between 1993 and 1995. She had also made inquiries regarding the ‘conceptual plans’ for Argyle Place mentioned at the previous meeting, and apparently these are at a very early stage and there’s not much point seeing them at this stage. Council has noted that the MSCC has raised a strong objection to the Meadows Place plans and will re-examine this issue. She also reported that she and Cllr McInnes had raised this issue as a motion to Council:
“Motion to next Full Council to be remitted to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

That this Council notes that the proposal by the City Development Department to close Meadow Place in Marchmont to motor vehicles has attracted strong opposition from residents, and in particular the Community Council.

In view of this, Council calls for a report on traffic safety, including accident statistics for Meadow Place and Melville Drive, to identify a new traffic safety scheme for the local area, examining the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

This Report should also cover the current position of pedestrian/cyclist crossings and the potential requirement for further crossing places.”

This MSCC can make a deputation to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee if it wishes.
ACTION
Mariliyne Maclaren will find out when in January the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee will meet.

3.2 Lunch Club (item 6)
It may be possible to use Marchmont St Giles church as a venue for the lunch club.
ACTION
Susie Agnew, Mr Malik and Karen Watson will get together in the New Year to discuss the possibilities.

3.3 Marketing (item 7)
Hugh Leather reported that due to technical difficulties it had not been possible to distribute the questionnaires at the Christmas Tree party as planned.
ACTION
The Marketing Committee will look into other ways of distributing the questionnaires.

3.4 Water Supply (item 10.1)
Susie Agnew has written to NHS Lothian about this matter and not yet received a reply. The chicken sheds have been granted planning permission.

3.5 Grant application (item 10.6)
Alastair Philp had raised the matter of the MSCC grant application at the most recent Neighbourhood Partnership meeting and the NP has not yet decided whether or not to grant this application. Someone from the Council will be in touch to inform the MSCC which aspects of this grant will not be covered by the streetscape improvements.

3.6 Events on the Meadows (item 9.2)
Cllr McKenzie and Cllr Maclaren made the following motion to Council:
“In view of the strong community concerns about the use of the Meadows as a location for events throughout the year, Council calls for a Report detailing the effects and implications of overuse of this location, and reviewing how other city parks and spaces could be better used in order to minimise the impact of events on the Meadows.”

In response, new applications for use of the Meadows are currently not being signed. A working group of the Neighbourhood Partnership is taking forward the issue of better management of the Meadows, and John Simon is the MSCC’s representative on this group, which comprises Councillors, Officials and community members. John Simon reported that this group has met once, and at this meeting there was a presentation which failed to convince him that there is currently a strategy for management of the Meadows, and there are already eight events booked for next year. At the meeting there was a general recognition that these events shut off much of the Meadows for local use, and that the community and councillors need more clarity on how the Meadows is managed. Further meetings have been arranged for January, March and May.

3.7 Cycle Racks (item 10.2)
Cherry Ledlie report that two out of four of the bicycle racks outside James Gillespie’s Primary School have been moved, but not to a very good place. So far there has still been no feedback from the Council or from Cllr Johnstone as to why these racks were place here in the first place.
ACTION
Susie Agnew will write to the Council on this issue.

4 Police Report
PC Lindsey Thomson, community beat officer for Marchmont, provided an updated police report:
- There were 13 house breakings in November, which is slightly more than in October, but fewer than September. On two of these occasions, entrance was made to top floor flats through an unsecured ceiling hatch.
- Ten bicycles were stole in November, down from the October figure of 17. ‘Operation Adapt’ will be running until 21st December, whereby two plain clothes officers are in the area looking for people who might be stealing bikes. So far they have dealt with five incidents. This Monday evening there will be an open viewing session with the hope of reuniting recovered bikes with their owners.
- There have been nine assaults, roughly the same number as in October.
- There were 12 reported incidents of graffiti in November, 10 of which have been solved. 11 other vandalisms took place – six to motor vehicles (one of which has been solved) but these don’t seem to be connected.
- There have been two drugs incidents in the area, and both individuals have been charged.
- There continues to be a low number of report incidents of auto-crime.
- Operation Aura will be underway over the festive season to tackle underage drinking and antisocial and violent behaviour fuelled by drink.
- Operation Arctic is underway to deter shop-lifters.
- Operation Allegro has been working to detect and deter violence on the streets and seems to have been successful.

Group discussion followed:
- The police tape on a door in Roseneath Terrace was a prank.
- The police will look at a way of highlighting to the wider community the recent incidences of break-ins through ceiling hatches.

5 Grange and Prestonfield Community Council
Eriek Davidson spoke to the group about the newly established community council representing the Grange and Presonfield area. Although they have still to formally agree a name, the new community council of 16 members was elected in October 2007 and has had two meetings so far. The area it covers borders the area represented by the MSCC so we are likely to have some issues in common. So far issues raised include core paths and Project Argos (a police terrorism safety awareness project). They are looking for this group to be a positive and motivational force in the local community, and how they will work with the Grange Association has still to be discussed. They plan to set up a website in the near future, and still have to find a permanent place to meet, and think about a marketing strategy to inform the local community of their presence.

6 3Ms Youth Partnership
Rev Karen Watson gave a presentation to the group about the 3Ms Youth Partnership, which is a group that meets to support Lucy Howie, the local youth worker, in her work with local young people. Lucy currently works on various projects with vulnerable young people in the local area, and her work is very worthwhile and effective. A lot of what she does contributes to the safety of the local community, and she makes a big difference in the lives of a lot of young people. She also works closely with the local police on many issues. Lucy is the only youth worker of this kind in this area. However, funding is currently tenuous, and they won’t know until February whether or not the Council will continue to fund Lucy’s role. Rev Watson had come to seek the group’s support in gaining continuing funding for this project.

ACTION
Individuals should write to the following people to show their support for continued funding for this role:

Cllr. Paul Edie
Convener of Community Safety
500 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh EH11 3YT

Gillian Tee
Children and Families Dept.
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh EH8 8BG

Cllr. Mark McInnes
Convener Neighbourhood Partnership Meadows/Morningside
The City of Edinburgh City Council
City Chambers
High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1YT

Susie Agnew will also write letters to these individuals on behalf of the MSCC.

7 Neighbourhood Partnership (NP)
Alastiar Philp updated the group on the most recent meeting of the NP:
- There was a presentation about the Police Communications Centre. The police can arrange for community councils to be shown round the centre if they wish.
- It was agreed that Grange and Prestonfield community council should have a representative on the NP, as should the Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA).
- There was a presentation from David Wright of the Children and Families Services.
- There was talk about the Community Engagement Fund.
- The Edinburgh Joint Plan for Older People was discussed.
- There was discussion on how to do inter-generational work.
- There was discussion of ho the NP should handle planning matters, and it was agreed that NPs and community councils would look at these independently.
- There was discussion of who as the power to name new streets, and apparently the NP has some delegated powers in this area.
- They also discussed the MSCC grant application (as detailed earlier in these minutes)

8 Christmas Tree Party Report
The party went very well and had an excellent attendance. The organisers and any other interested parties will meet in early January to discuss this, and to brainstorm for next year. The MSCC expressed their appreciation to the organisers – Tina Cumming, Cherry Ledlie and Ken Dougall - for all their hard work.

9 New Secretary
Hugh Leather will be stepping down as secretary from January onwards and volunteers are sough for this role. Susannah Lacey has kindly volunteered, but it is important that this opportunity is offered to all elected representatives and put to a vote if necessary.
ACTION
Hugh Leather will e-mail elected representatives letting them know of the vacancy and seeking volunteers.

10 Reports of meetings
10.1 Health Forum
Ruth Stroud will update the group on a meeting of the Health Forum at the January meeting.
10.2 Meadows Festival
Susannah Lacey reported that the AGM for the Meadows Festival committee has been held and office bearers have been elected. The dates of the Meadows Festival have still to be confirmed, and may be either 31st May – 1st June OR 6-7 June 07.

11 Any other business
11.1 Quarter Mile
Alastair Philp updated the group that it looks like the Quarter Mile development will include a small Sainsbury’s supermarket.

12 Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 9 January 2008, beginning at 7.30pm, at St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road.

Agenda

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held
On WEDNESDAY 12 December 2007 at 7.30pm in
St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road

All who live or work or are active in the area are welcome.
Hearing loop available.

1. Sederunt and Apologies.
2. Minutes of Meeting held 14 November 2007.
3. Matters Arising.
4. Police Report.
5. Grange & Prestonfield Community Council.
6. Neighbourhood Partnership Report.
7. Christmas Tree Party Report.
8. New Secretary.
9. Report of meetings.
10. A.O.C.B.
11. Next meeting 9 January 2008.

Christmas Tree Lighting

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

and Carol Singing

Saturday 8^th December

4.30pm

Corner of Warrender Park Road and Marchmont Crescent

(Outside Scotmid)

Followed by carols, mince pies and mulled wine at the

German-speaking Church in Chalmers Crescent.

Look forward to seeing you there!

CPZ Changes

Trams for Edinburgh - Utility Diversion Programme

All,

The City of Edinburgh Council has given their approval to commence the next stage of our utility diversion work on Leith Walk, and affects the route sector from Jameson Place to Brunswick Street on the southbound carriageway.

This work will commence on Monday 7^th January 2008 and is expected to last until June 2008. We have spoken to Lothian & Borders Police, Lothian Buses, AMIS and the City of Edinburgh Council and arrangements are in place to maintain suitable access to bus stops and loading bays but parking restrictions will apply at various locations through this programme of works.

We will be delivering approximately 1750 communication packs to residents and businesses on and around the worksite. This communication pack includes a letter, traffic management sheet and special requirements card and I have attached a copy of the correspondence, which I hope you will find helpful.

In the meantime if you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact me or Mike Connelly, Stakeholder Relationship Manager at tie Limited.

Alf Orriell

Community Engagement Coordinator

tie Limited

Citypoint

65 Haymarket Terrace

Edinburgh EH12 5HD

Tel: +44 (0)131 622 8336

Fax: +44 (0)131 622 8301

Mob: 07973 696965

Email: Alf.Orriell@tie.ltd.uk

www.tramsforedinburgh.com

www.tie.ltd.uk

Documents are here:
http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/019+Jameson+Place+-+Brunswick+St+map.doc
http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/019+1b+Jameson+Place+-+Brunswick+Street.doc

tie Newsletter Winter 2007

All,

Please find attached the latest edition of the tie newsletter, the inside edge which I hope you will find informative.

If you have any suggestions on the content for the next newsletter, please contact jen.johnston@tie.ltd.uk.

Kind regards,

Alf Orriell
Community Engagement Coordinator
tie Limited
Citypoint
65 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh EH12 5HD
Tel: +44 (0)131 622 8336
Fax: +44 (0)131 622 8301
Mob: 07973 696965
Email: Alf.Orriell@tie.ltd.uk
www.tramsforedinburgh.com

www.tie.ltd.uk

You can find the document here:
http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/tie+Newsletter+Winter+07.pdf

The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links

Dear All

I am contacting you because their is considerable concern regarding the state of the Meadows and Links folowing the heavy use is poor weather conditions over last summer. The East Meadows is the most affected area.

Representatices of Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links are meeting with the City Councillors, council officials and Community Council representatives in an effort to have more thought given to use of the Meadows for events and 'happenings' This group is called 'The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Short Life Working Group'.

I t would seem sensible for the people who live around the Meadows and Links and those organised groups which use the Meadows to put together some information to put to the official and City Councillors regarding the types of activities we feel should and should not take place on this special green space. To this end I would like to invite two members from each Community Council to attend a meeting on 3rd January 2008. Dr Peng Lee Yap,chair of Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links, is contacting user groups to invite them to send representatives to this meeting .We should be able to put together some ideas to present to the council officials about a strategy or charter for use of the Meadows.

If you do not feel able to attend a meeting you could send to me your CC's views to be included with the views of others as a starting point and we can keep in touch by telephone and email. I do hope you feel able to respond to this in what way suits you best and look forward to hearing from you.

I feel we have to move ahead with this as it is important the views of the community are clearly represented and heard.

With best wishes

Jo Scott

Statement of Licensing Policy - City of Edinburgh Licensing Board

On 26 November 2007 the City of Edinburgh licensing board adopted the statement of licensing policy which is attached. This follows a period of consultation which resulted in revisions being made to the text. It is designed to remain in place for three years, to November 2010.

The policy will be made available on the licensing board pages on the City of Edinburgh Council website.

Kay Blaikie

Senior Solicitor, Licensing

Corporate Services

The City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh EH1 1PW

0131 529 4438

kay.blaikie@edinburgh.gov.uk

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/business/licensing

The document is here:

http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/Statement+of+Licensing+Policy.doc

Customer Service Strategy Consultation

Dear Secretary

I have attached the Customer Services Strategy and briefing paper. Community council members are invited to take part in a focus group to discuss the strategy on Thursday 10 January 2008 from 10 am - 12 noon in the Council Headquarters. CC members should contact Fiona Wood (details attached) by Friday 14 December if they are interested in attending.

Eileen

Eileen Hewitt I Community Council Liaison & Development Officer I Services for Communities I Waverley Court I Level C:4 I 4 East Market Street I EDINBURGH EH8 8BG I Tel: 0131 469 3838 I www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils

The Documents are http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/CSS+Briefing+paper.doc
http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/information+to+focus+group+participants.doc
http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/SfC+Customer+Services+Strategy+v0.5+FW.doc

MSCC Minutes: 14 November 2007 (Unapproved)

There will be an opportunity to approve these minutes at the December meeting of the group.

1. Sederunt and Apologies
Susie Agnew welcomed attendees to the meeting and noted apologies.

2 Minutes of meeting held 15 August 2007
The minutes were accepted as a true record pending two amendments to the attendance list. (Proposed: Alastair Philp; Seconded: Susanna Lacey.)

3 Matters Arising
3.1 Gillespie school building update (item 3.1)
Susanna Lacey read out a letter from Fiona Hyslop MSP which said that the Scottish Government had never promised any money to rebuild Gillespie’s school, and that it had never received an application from Edinburgh City Council for such funding. In any case, the Government does not fund individual schools.

Marilyne MacLaren updated the group that she has met with Fiona Hyslop and the Secretary for Education to discuss this issue, and ascertained that there never was any money for this project and it is unlikely that there will be in the future. The Council will therefore undertake a feasibility study on the James Gillespie’s project along with similar feasibility studies on five other schools in a similar situation. Each study will cost £10,000 and will be submitted to the Scottish Government. The Council feel that this is the most that they can do at this stage since the Council cannot find the £100 million required for these projects, and there is at present no other way of funding them.

3.2 Police Report
It was suggested that it might be useful to see comparative crime figures over several months.

3.3 NHS Consultation
Susanna Lacey reported that although the group had agreed that there wasn’t sufficient consensus to submit a response to Better Health Better Care on behalf of the MSCC, she had noted the points discussed at the October meeting and submitted them anonymously.

4 Police Report
PC Lindsey Thomson, community beat officer for Marchmont, provided an updated police report:
· Eight actual and attempted house-breakings took place in October, four of which have been solved. This is a decrease since September.
· Cycle theft has increased to 17 since September, mainly in communal stairs. Four of these have been solved, and a leafleting campaign is underway to educate cyclists about looking after their bikes.
· There have been eight assaults, roughly the same number as in September. One of these was an assault with attempt to ravish, which took place on Bruntsfield Links on 28th October. An investigation into this is ongoing by the CID.
· A recent RBS takeover has led to protesters putting glue in the locks of some local RBS branches.
· There has been no rise in youth activity.
· The police tackled recent trends for egg-throwing at Halloween by asking local shops not to sell eggs to youths and to stick up anti-egg throwing posters. There were two egg throwing incidents on Halloween.
· There have been some positive results to inquiries into graffiti, and several culprits have been found.
· One man has been found in possession of heroine, and this individual was also responsible for some house-breakings.
· Three vehicles have been stolen, including a dumper truck on the Quarter Mile site which was later recovered.
· There have been seven road traffic offences in the local area.
· The police are currently giving out vouchers (roughly £20) to local pensioners who may need financial help over the Christmas period. Last year the vouchers were given to 420 pensioners.

Group discussion followed:
Cyclists cycling without lights on their bikes can pose safety problems.
Some school-aged children were seen trying to blow up a ticket meter in Spottiswoode Street.
There was some discussion of graffiti and its possible motives and deterrants.
Groups of underage drinkers is an ongoing problem at the weekends and the police are trying to tackle this.

ACTION
Anyone who knows of local pensioners who might be appreciative of the vouchers should e-mail: lindsey.thomson@lbp.pnn.police.uk

5 Meadows Place
The MSCC had previously objected to the proposed closure of Meadows Place and Edinburgh City Council has agreed not to go ahead with the closure until the issue has been resolved with the MSCC. Caroline Burwell and Jonathon James from Edinburgh City Council had attended the September MSCC meeting, where there had been an emotive and lively debate.

Susie Agnew explained that Caroline Burwell and Jonathon James were unable to attend another MSCC meeting until January. Susie had therefore e-mailed some questions to the Council, and read out the e-mail she received from Jonathon James in reply:

When was the pavement widened in Meadow Place?
We were unable to find any information regarding the date of construction of the build outs on Meadow Place. By all indications the build outs have been in place for at least 12 years.
What accidents have happened before and after that?
Until we can ascertain an exact date of construction this information would be speculative at best.
When were the pedestrian lights put in Marchmont Road?
The Toucan Crossing was put in the latter part of 1997.
What accidents happened before and after that?
Marchmont Road/Melvilled Drive
1993-1997 28 accidents (8 cyclist; 7 pedestrian; 13 vehicular)
1998-2005 22 accidents (8 cyclists,5 pedestrian; 9 vehicluar)
Meadow Place/Melville Drive
1993-1997 6 accidents (2 cyclists; 1 pedestrian; 3 vehicular)
1998-2006 9 accidents (7 cyclists; 1 pedestrian; 1 vehicular)

The analysis of the Marchmont Road/Melville Drive Junction indicates that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic currently using Meadows Place.

What plans are there for Argyle Place?
There are conceptual plans to include a pedestrian phase at the Argyle Place and Melville Drive junction. The process is in its initial stages and is currently going through the Traffic Regulation Order procedures.

Further information about vehicular movements and accident types and locations was also provided.

Group discussion followed and the following points were raised:
- Susie had been trying to find out how many accidents took place before and after the pavement was widened, but the unavailability of information about when the pavement was widened prevented this.
- There was general consensus that the pavement was widened much more recently than 12 years ago.
- Fewer accidents have occurred at Meadow Place than at Marchmont Road, yet this is the area the Council intends to concentrate on.
- There was discussion of the possible causes and solutions to the problem, and general agreement that the area needs to be considered as a whole. There are genuine safety problems at the Marchmont Road junction, and it is important that Council money is spent on a rounded solution to solving these problems rather than simply focusing on the closure of Meadows Place.

ACTION
- Marilyne Maclaren will see if she can find out when the pavements were widened at Meadow Place.
- Mark McInnes will take this issue to the transportation committee and ask for a report on Marchmont Road.
- Marilyne Maclaren will ask to see the ‘conceptual plans’ for Argyle Place mentioned in Jonathon James’ e-mail.
- The MSCC won’t withdraw its objection to the Meadows Place closure, and will organise a deputation.

6 Lunch Club
Cameron Rose updated the group that Mr Malik currently runs a successful lunch club for older people from Asian Communities. He is looking to start a similar, multi-cultural lunch club and is currently exploring options and applying to the Neighbourhood Partnership for a seed-corn grant.

There was brief discussion and it was mentioned that:
· If the MSCC is applying for a grant the lunch club should be located in the Marchmont/Sciennes area, and Marchmont St Giles was suggested as a possible location.
· Lots of people currently go to a daily lunch club at the Eric Liddel Centre.

ACTION
Anyone interested in helping organising the lunch club or with any suggestions should contact Cameron Rose or Mr Malik.

7 MSCC Marketing
Ken Dougall explained that a sub-group of the MSCC has been set up to look at ways of attracting new people to MSCC meeting. The group has met twice and designed two questionnaires: one for MSCC attendees and one for the wider population. The sub-group will decide what to do next once the questionnaires results have been collated.

There was brief discussion of how the questionnaires should be distributed, including suggestions of using the wider MSCC e-mail list and distributing questionnaires at the Christmas Tree lighting party.

Ken then updated the group that the Traders’ Association is looking to raise its profile and is considering producing cotton or jute bags that say ‘Traders’ Association supported by MSCC’. He suggested that the MSCC might be willing to joint-fund this endeavour and requested £400. The group was positive about this idea and agreed to consider the funding request.

ACTION
- The Treasurer and Chair will look at the MSCC accounts with a view to providing some funding for the bags.
- Alison Johnstone is aware of similar community projects to produce bags and will keep Ken updated with information he might find useful.

8 Christmas Tree Party
Cherry Ledlie updated the group that preparations for the Christmas tree party are progressing as planned. This event will take place on 8th December at 4.30pm. Charles Stewart also mentioned that the Marchmont St Giles Christmas Fayre will run from 10am – 1pm on the same day.

9 Reports of Meetings
9.1 Meadows Festival
Susanna Lacey updated the group that the Meadows Festival steering group has been meeting monthly, and it has now been arranged that the group will take over the existing Meadows Festival charity. An AGM will be announced soon for election of office-bearers, and they will be looking for volunteers to get involved. Volunteers will be required to be vetted by Disclosure Scotland. A health and safety study has been undertaken and the dates of 6-7 June 2008 have been provisionally booked for the event. The group will be applying for a grant from the Neighbourhood Partnership and will also be looking for funding from other sources. A few bookings of bands and groups to take part in the event have already been made and plans are progressing well.

9.2 Friends of the Meadows
Marilyne MacLaren updated the group that she had attended a packed meeting of Friends of the Meadows on Monday evening. It was felt that there was a need for a strategy to better manage the number/length of events on the Meadows, and that while the Meadows being damaged by too many events, there are likely to be other city parks which would benefit from these kinds of events. Marilyne will be spreading this message around the Council, and feels there is a need for all departments to work coherently on this issue. The meeting also discussed car parking on the Meadows, fly-posting and possible deterrents.

Alastair Philp notified the MSCC that a sub-group of the Neighbourhood Partnership is taking forward the issue of better management of the Meadows, and John Simon will be joining this short-life working group.

ACTION
If anyone from the MSCC is interested in joining this sub-group they should let Alastair Philp know.

9.3 Student consultation meeting with the community
Ken Dougall updated the group that he had attended a meeting organised by Josh McAlister, President of the Edinburgh University Students Association. Various topics were discussed, including houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs), and it was an interesting meeting although no real consensus of opinion was displayed. It wasn’t clear what kind of follow-up there would be from this meeting.

10 Any other competent business
10.1 BlythBank Action Group leaflet on water supply
The BlythBank Action Group has produced a leaflet expressing concerns about a proposal to develop a poultry unit in the Scottish Borders. The unit would be built on top of an aqueduct which carries Edinburgh’s drinking water from Talla and Fruid Reservoirs, and the Action Group takes the view that this poses a threat to the integrity of the integrity and purity of the water.
ACTION
- Susie Agnew will write to Public Health and Lothian Health Board for their opinion and information about this development, and based on this information the group will decide whether further action is required.
- Marilyne MacLaren and Mark McInnes will look at gathering information on this from a Council perspective, including contacting Scottish Water.

10.2 Cycle racks at James Gillespie’s Primary School
New bicycle racks have been placed on the pavement outside the primary school and there are concerns that they make the pavements too narrow. The racks were placed there by the Council without any requests from cyclists or the local community, and there is strong consensus that these racks should be removed.
ACTION
Alison Johnstone will make enquiries at the Council.

10.3 Kilgraston/Grange Loan Intersection
Alastair Philp has seen some close and dangerous incidents at this intersection and wonders if the Council are going to consider improvements to this area.
ACTION
Susie Agnew will raise this point with Caroline Burwell and make sure she can come to the January MSCC meeting.

10.4 Blackford Avenue
It was mentioned that it has recently become very difficult to get past at Blackford Avenue.

10.5 Quarter Mile Neighbourhood Relations Group
No-one has heard any more information about future meetings of this group.

10.6 Grant Application
Alastair Philp informed the group that the Neighbourhood Partnership has decided not to grant the MSCC’s recent grant application since many of these aspects will be covered by the Council-funded streetscape improvements.

ACTION
Alastair Philp will find out what was in the original grant application to see if it contains aspects that aren’t included in the streetscape improvements. If so, he’ll try to get these aspects of the application continued.

11 Next meeting
The next meeting of the group will take place on Wednesday 12 December, beginning at 7.30pm, at St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road.

David Stay - an obituary

An obituary of David Stay appeared recently in The Scotsman - see http://living.scotsman.com/people.cfm?id=1838212007. He was known to many through his work for MAGPIE (Marchmont Action Group Promoting Initiatives for the Environment).

Firm foundations - future of housing in Scotland consultation

Can be found here:

http://groups.google.com/group/marchmontandsciennes/web/Green+Paper+Briefing+-+November+2007.doc

Trams for Edinburgh - Design Events

am writing to let you know that Trams for Edinburgh are holding a series of events to present a Preliminary and Landscape and Habitat Management design plan to members of the community.

These events are for specific route section of the Tram route design and invitations to attend these meetings have been delivered to residents and businesses on and around the tram route. I would therefore like to extend this invitation to committee members of your community council or organisation. The design plans will be on display and members of tie, Systems Design Services and the City of Edinburgh Council will be available to discuss the design.

There are 6 meeting scheduled over the next 2 weeks and I have detailed the meeting information including scheduled dates, times and venues below;

Event Sector	Venue	Date & Time
Murrayfield - Edinburgh Park	Stenhouse Baptist Church Hall 74 Stenhouse Place Edinburgh	Tuesday 27th November 18:00 - 19:30
Baird Drive	Kingdon Brunel Citypoint Office 65 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh	Wednesday 28th November 18:00 - 19:30
West Approach	Stenhouse, St Aiden's Church Chesser Avenue Edinburgh	Thursday 29th November 16:30 - 19:30
Balburnie Place - Roseburn Maltings	Kingdon Brunel Citypoint Office 65 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh	Monday 3rd December 18:00 - 19:30
Roseburn - Craigleith	Murrayfield Parish Church Hall 2b Ormidale Terrace Edinburgh	Tuesday 4th December 18:00 - 19:30
Craigleith - Crewe Toll	The Holiday Inn 107 Queensferry Road Edinburgh	Wednesday 5th December 18:00 - 19:30

We will be holding further events for the remaining sectors of the Tram route design in quarter one of 2008. There will be specific route sectors that you will no doubt be interested in; therefore; I will ensure that you are invited to these meetings.

If you are able to attend any of the above events then I look forward to meeting you on the night.

Kind regards

Alf Orriell

Community Engagement Coordinator

tie Limited

Citypoint

65 Haymarket Terrace

Edinburgh EH12 5HD

Tel: +44 (0)131 622 8336

Fax: +44 (0)131 622 8301

Mob: 07973 696965

Email: Alf.Orriell@tie.ltd.uk

www.tramsforedinburgh.com

www.tie.ltd.uk

Meadows Marathon Launch Night

Please email catherine@meadowsmarathon.org.uk if you expect to attend.

On behalf of the Meadows Marathon organisation team, I would like to extend to you an
invitation to the Meadows Marathon 2008 Launch Night.
7 - 8.30pm, Thursday the 29th of November.
Quartermile Sales & Marketing Suite,
1 Lauriston Place,
Edinburgh.
The Meadows Marathon, supported by Quartermile, is an annual charity half marathon
and 5km fun run taking place on 2nd March next year. Owing to the huge success of last
year’s event we have expanded the number of places available, enabling up to a
thousand people to get involved.
We are looking for organisations to enter teams of runners in support of their local charity
of choice. This is a fantastic chance for you to participate in what will be an exciting
community event as well as a great opportunity to raise valuable funds for charity.
Our Launch Night will be the perfect opportunity for you to learn more about the
Meadows Marathon, meet our team members and find out how you can get involved.
There will be a short presentation from the organsation team and plenty of wine, canapés
and Christmas spirit. We invite you to come and enjoy the refreshments, discuss any
queries with the team and liaise with directors of other organisations from the area.
Please RSVP to the above contact details. We look forward to meeting you,
Yours sincerely,
Alex Robertson
Project Manager
alex@meadowsmarathon.org.uk

Postwatch Scotland Delivery Study

From Irene Mitchell

Traditionally, 1st class delivery performance in the weeks building up to Christmas is substantially worse than the rest of the year. The number of letters being delivered next day falls from over 90 percent to under 70 percent. The good news is that during the same period the 2nd class post performance just dips a little. This year we would like to test if this is true for Scotland. To do this we need your help.

We are looking for 300 volunteers for this study and hope you will take part by monitoring your mail each day. The study itself is very simple. The only requirement is to record how many items of mail you receive on as many days as possible, throughout the month of December (1st to 24th inclusive). We will supply the forms on which you record all the relevant information. In the New Year simply return your results to us, so we can collate the results from across Scotland.

Full instructions are attached, and you can also see a sample of the form we would ask you to complete.

If you would like to take part in our study please telephone us on 0131 718 6508 or e-mail Scotland@postwatch.co.uk and we will send you the mail monitoring forms.

Please feel free to circulate this information to others who you think may be interested in taking part.

Yours faithfully

Tricia Dow

Director, Postwatch Scotland

Irene Mitchell

Postwatch Scotland Administrator

Postwatch Scotland

9-10 St Andrew Square

Edinburgh

EH2 2AF

Direct telephone number: 0131 718 6508

Main Office telephone number: 0131 718 6508

NSTRUCTIONS

You should begin to record results from the 1^st of December and end on the 24^th (the last delivery date before Christmas). Simply record the information outlined below, for each item of mail delivered.

Enter your own postcode in the top left hand corner as indicated in the sample below.

Your Postcode: EH2 2AF

(1) Date mail received by you	(2) Name of Postal Operator (if other than RM)	(3) First/Second Class, SD, RD etc	(4) Date of Postmark	(5) Postmark Town
02/12/07		1st	31/11/07	Aberdeen
02/12/07	UK Mail		28/11/07	Newcastle
03/12/07		1st	02/12/07	Glasgow
03/12/07		2nd	30/11/07	Edinburgh
03/12/07		SD	02/12/07	Manchester
03/12/07		2nd	Illegible	Perth
06/12/07		2nd	31/11/07	London
07/12/07		1st	Not present	illegible

• In column (1) enter the date that the item of mail was delivered to you.
  
  

• In column (2) enter the name of the mail operator, if it is other than Royal Mail. This information will be found on the envelope, most usually at the top right hand corner.
  
  

• In column (3) enter the type of service used, i.e. First Class, Second Class, Special Delivery (SD), Recorded Delivery (RD) etc. For First or Second Class this information can be found either on the stamp or within the postmark. (For Royal Mail the pricing for ordinary mail should be approximately as follows: First Class, Letters £0.34/Large Letters £0.48; Second Class, Letters £0.24/Large Letters £0.40. Other services such as Special Delivery should have a label appended to the envelope denoting which service it is.
  
  

• In column (4) enter the date which appears within the postmark. The postmark will normally be found in the top right hand corner of the envelope. If this is unreadable or is not present please indicate this as per the sample above.

• In Column (5) enter the town of where the item was posted. Again this can be found within the postmark near to the date of sending. If unreadable please indicate.