Comments sought on revised planning guidance

City of Edinburgh Council are in the process of consolidating aspects of their planning guidance. The aim is to make it easier for applicants and their agents to identify what is required from them before they submit applications. The guidance also provides a basis on which to make planning decisions. 

They are currently seeking views (by 27 Sep) on three draft documents: 

* Guidance for Businesses
* Guidance for Householders
* Guidance for the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas, 

Feedback can be provided either by filling out the online surveys (one linked from each documents webpage) or by emailing Aline Kirkland directly. 

If you have any queries please also contact Aline Kirkland (0131 529 3543).

African Children's Choir to perform at JGHS

James Gillespie’s High School are delighted to have the unique opportunity of hosting the 38th African Children’s Choir.  The choir will be performing on Wednesday 19th September 2012 in JGHS school hall at 7-9pm. On Thursday 20th September the choir are leading two interactive workshops with JGHS pupils sharing their culture, music and dance. 

The children are from Uganda and are between the ages of 7 -11 years.  We are hoping to fundraise for the JGHS South Africa Project on the night of the concert, and promote future fundraising events for the project.

The African Children’s Choir travels the world, acting as the ambassador for Africa’s most vulnerable children. Their goal is to raise awareness and show that despite the desolate circumstances they come from, they can have a bright future and reach their potential. The Choir is just one program operated by Music for Life Institute.  Music for Life Institute (MFL) is committed to ensuring that the children in the Choir, and thousands of others in Africa, receive love, care, and a quality education that will change their lives.  With programs in Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Rwanda, and supporting programs in Southern Sudan, Music for Life is “helping Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow.” 

New JGHS and JGPS Nursery and Gym

Work is planned to start on the new James Gillespie's Primary School nursery and gym hall after the Christmas Holidays. Work will carry on through to the summer with the new P6 classrooms being constructed during the summer holidays next year. All work should be completed by the start of session 2013-14.

There may need to be changes to entry and exit points but parents will be informed in
advance of any changes if they are needed.

[via newsletter from JGPS]

Progress with building a new James Gillespie's High School

A newsletter has been distributed to local residents in the vicinity of James Gillespie's High School.  


It summarises the preparation, demolition and tree felling work to take place on the James Gillespie's campus over this summer.

Puppets come to Meadows: 6-9 August

update (22 July): venue change - now at midpoint of Middle Meadow Walk, at intersection with Jawbone Walk

Update from The New Leaf Co-op

The New Leaf in Marchmont has been running as a wholefood business for 20 years, and has a loyal following in the local community. After 14 years of hard work, Linda and Derek who currently own and manage the shop are looking to move on. 


As members of the Edinburgh Wholefood Co-operative, Neus, Will, Sophie, Karen and Dee are working collaboratively with Linda and Derek to take over the business which they will soon be running collectively as a co-operative.

They plan to re-open the doors of The New Leaf at the beginning of September 2012. The New Leaf Co-op will sell good quality, considerately sourced and affordable staple foods. They're going to open up a currently unused back room and pack it full of tasty, unpackaged, loose wholefoods that you'll be able to scoop into your own containers. Pulses, nuts, fruits, grains, cereals... This will reduce waste and packaging and will also make things cheaper for you!

They have worked out that we need £40,000 to cover the costs of business purchase, refitting the shop, opening up the back room, and packing in a wider range of delicious wholefoods (oh and a cargo bike for delivery too, They hope). They have already secured £35,000 from supporters. They are hoping to draw on community support to raise another £10,000 through a larger number of smaller loans. Even though they only need £5,000, they’re aiming for £10,000 as it will help achieve more sooner. They have developed two routes for making loans:  Buzzbnk & Loanstock.

In short, Buzzbnk (http://buzzbnk.org/newleafcoop) is for making loans up to £500 in a quick easy way, and there are different rewards and discounts depending on the amount you lend. Loanstock is best suited for people wanting to lend more than £500, so that they can offer you more flexibility.

Please get in touch if you would like more information about either of these. They also have a Business Prospectus which outlines our plans for the business and our financial predictions. 

They are still working on a new website, but in the meantime you can visit their facebook page.

Can you help tend the Green Banana?

Everyone  will have seen the planting on the strip of land between Marchmont Crescent and Roseneath Place.  It is lovingly tended by a group of ‘Guerilla Gardeners‘ who  work for an hour at 11am on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of each month.   


There's tidying, weeding, planting to do, as well as, I'm afraid, dog-dirt to clear away, (for those with strong stomachs).  Plants and bulbs have been given, and it is looking much better that it has done. 

Sometimes people stop when we're working and say what a great job we're doing, but they never stop to  help!    The Council send the lawn mower to cut the grass when they can.   There's a special brown bin there for compostable stuff and it is put out out every fortnight.  


This is a real community effort but we do need more people to help.  Could you spare an hour once or twice a month? The next days will be 8th and 22nd July.                        

Agenda for June May meeting of MSCC (7:30pm on We 27 Jun at St Catherine's Argyle Church halls)

The Jun 2012 meeting of the Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will be on 27 Jun at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls. 

All who live and work locally are welcome to attend

AGENDA

1     Sederunt and apologies

2     Minutes of the meeting on 23rd May

3     Matters arising from the minutes, not otherwise listed
Update at Sciennes School
Mobile Phone mast
New shop at 129 Marchmont Road
Grange Cemetery restoration
Meadows Festival

4     Police report
Contacting the Police; Police questionnaire

5     Treasurer’s report

6     Planning issues; new spokesperson needed.
Recycling at Gillespies

7     HMO report

8     Neighbourhood Partnership Report
Astley Ainsley Site developments
Barbecues on the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links
Party Flats (for info)

9 FOMBL

10    Garden Competition

11    Christmas Lighting Event - new organiser needed

12    Cycle safety event

13   Constituency Office Local Day

14   Proposal for Farmers’ and Craft market in Bruntsfield

15   AOCB

16  Dates of next meetings:  26th September, 24th October, 28th November.

Survey seeks responses: policing and safety

Lothian & Borders Police would like to know your views about policing, safety and what it is like to live in our local area. The survey is now available for completion online.

The results of this survey will help to inform policing priorities and influence how they engage with the local community in future. Please be assured that the information you provide will be treated with the strictest confidence and anonymity.   If you have any questions regarding the questionnaire please call 0131 311 3131 where a member of staff will be happy to help you. Thank you very much for your time.

Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links AGM: 21 Jun at 7:30pm

Agendas for AGM and regular May meeting of MSCC

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its Annual General meeting on 23 May 2012 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls. 


The AGM will be followed (around 8pm) by our regular May meeting, at which we will be addressed by Nancy Jamieson from City of Edinburgh Council (on how we as a Community Council can engage with Planning). 


A G E N D A 
for AGM 


 1 Minutes of the last meeting 11.5.2011 


 2 Matters arising 


 3 Annual Report : Chair - Sarah Sandow 


 4 Annual Report : Secretary - Alastair Philp 


 5 Annual Report : Treasurer - Alison Service 


 6 Co - option of members 


 7 Demit of office-bearers and election of office bearers 


 8 Date of next AGM 


 9 Ordinary meeting dates for 2012 - 2013 

10 AOCB 






A G E N D A 
for regular (May) Meeting (around 8pm)


1 Police Report Sciennes School traffic 


2 SPEAKER: NANCY JAMIESON Group Leader, Development Management, Planning, Services to Communities. 


3 Questions to the Speaker 


4 Minutes of the last meeting 25.4.12 


5 Matters arising

•  Sainsbury’s letter 
•  Mobile phone mast 
•  Grange Cemetery 
•  Meadows Festival 

 6 Garden Competition 


 7 Notices 


 8 AOCB 


 9 DONM 27 June 2012

Want to take a stall? Or help at the Meadows Festival on 2 and 3 June

The Meadows Festival is still taking applications for stallholders to trade at the long-running event, this year to be held on 2 & 3 June.  Interest has been high, but there are still a few spaces remaining. From arts and crafts, through vintage clothing and antiques, to books, charities, and children's items, the Festival attracts a broad range of different traders.   

If you're interested in taking a stall, head over to the stalls page and download a copy of the stalls form.  

The Festival organisers tell me they have an exciting line-up planned, but need some help to make it happen - maybe from you? Please visit the Volunteers page if you can give a couple of hours over the weekend to make the Festival run smoothly - the festival is entirely volunteer run!

Crags Sports Centre Tips-off with Fresh Start

The Crags Community Sports Centre got a fresh start earlier this month at a ‘tip-off’ event to mark the re-opening of the Centre.


The ‘tip-off’ marked the official hand over from City of Edinburgh Council to a new community organisation set up specifically to run the Centre for the long-term. The new charity has a strong basketball theme with local club Boroughmuir Blaze and governing body basketballscotland teaming up with Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association.


The ‘tip-off’ event included the March round of the South-Central Primary Schools Basketball League which features eight teams from surrounding schools including league leaders St Peter’s and James Gillespie’s Primary School.


From basketball to break-dancing to roller derby, the Crags has a range of new and exciting activities.  Edinburgh residents can now get involved by attending one of the classes for kids or adults; or by joining one of the partner sports clubs.


The Centre has one of the largest games halls in Edinburgh, a dance/fitness studio, social reception area, changing facilities, kitchen, storage space, car park and an open-access outdoor kick-pitch.


Why not find out more for yourself by attending their Community Open Day on Saturday 21 April.

Agenda for meeting of MSCC on We 25 April 2012

The Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council will hold their April meeting on We 25 April at 7:30pm at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls on Grange Road

All are most welcome to attend.

Please note: representatives of Lothian and Borders Police will be in attendance from 7:00 pm, to respond to any specific queries about police matters you may have.

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the meeting on 28.3.12

3 Matters arising, not elsewhere considered.

                        Roads Capital programme 2012-3

                        NHS meeting 4.4.12

4 Police report.

5  SPEAKER:  ALAN MCKINNEY : restoration of local graveyards.

6  Treasurer’s report (Alison Service)

7 Planning Report            (Melanie Main)

           

                        Report from Planning subcommittee

                        Progress on LDP

                        Visit of Planning Officer

                        Sainsbury’s in Marchmont

                        The New Leaf

                        Phone Mast in Grange Road

8 HMO (Anne Laird)

9 Neighbourhood Partnership (Alastair Philp)

                        Election date change

                        EACC planning subgroup

                        MABLAG

10 Communications received:

                        Bulletin on Renewables

                        Transition Edinburgh St John’s Church 12.5.12

                        Care of older people

                        Report on Civic Forum

                        STV local website

11 DONM  23.5.12  AGM

Transition Edinburgh event on 12 May 2012

Transition Edinburgh are holding an event:

* Developing future lifestyles

* Working towards City Sustainability

St John’s Church, Princes Street on 12 May 2012 from 2-4pm.

Scotland’s centre for social innovation launches Incubator Award Programme.

The Melting Pot is calling on new and emerging social innovators to apply for a fully funded scholarship on their Social Innovation Incubation Award.


As part of this year’s Award, up to ten non-profit organisations will be provided free access to a range of practical resources including workspace, dedicated learning and support, mentoring, and advice sessions as part of a 12 month programme.


Recipients of this Award will be able to choose a location for a professional work base in Edinburgh, Midlothian or Fife, and will be receive practical support in a range of subjects covering legal, financial, IT, business planning and marketing. This will be complimented by leadership and governance support including working with volunteers.


The closing date for applications is 8 June 2012 and the programme starts in July this year. 

Agenda for meeting of MSCC on We 28 Mar 2012

The Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council will hold their March meeting on We 28 March at 7:30pm at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls on Grange Road

All are most welcome to attend.

Please note: representatives of Lothian and Borders Police will be in attendance from 7:00 pm, to respond to any specific queries about police matters you may have.

A G E N D A

1   Sederunt and Apologies 


2   Minutes of the last meeting 


3   Matters arising, not elsewhere listed in the agenda 
     -- 20 MPH limit 

4   Police report 


5   Treasurer’s Report - Alison Service 
      --  Insurance progress 


6    Planning Report - Melanie Main 
      --  Current proposals 
      --  Palmerston Road 
      --  Peckhams 
      --  Telephone mast, Whitehouse Loan 


7    HMO meeting - Pam Masters 


8    Neighbourhood Partnership Meeting - Alastair Philp 
      --  Astley Ainsley Hospital 
      --  Barbecue Slabs on the Meadows Roads 


9    Capital Programme 2012 -13 (Roads)


10  Grange Cemetery - Dorothy Ryle 


11  Discussion: Planning Questions 
      --  New format for representation 
      --  Listing 
      --  Transmitting views from residents and Historic Scotland 
      --  Other matters of concern 


12   Meetings
      --  EACC Criminal Justice Meeting 3rd March 
      --  Meeting with Ian Murray MP and STV 24th March
      --  Transition Edinburgh Community Meeting 22 March



13  Other forthcoming Meetings and events
      --  Public involvement in NHS 4th April Edinburgh Uni 5.00
      --  Climate Change 3rd April 3 5.Rose Street
      --  Meet the Funders 26th March City Chambers.
      --  Rock and Roll Marathon 15th April
      --  Olympic Torch relay 13th June
      --  Video on Community Councils available


14  AOCB


15  DONM April 25th 7.30 PM

Olympic torch to run past on 13 Jun 2012

As the BBC News website reports, on the 13th of June the Olympic Torch will travel (PDF of timings) through  Merchiston, Bruntsfield and Tollcross.

Video to raise awareness and understanding of community councils

A short video has been produced to raise awareness and understanding of the role of community councils. 

It is available on the Neighbourhood Partnership website.

FoMBL Spring meeting: 19 Mar at 7:30pm

The Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links are holding their Spring meeting in the Lauriston Hall of the Lauriston Jesuit Centre (28 Lauriston Street) at 7.30 p.m on Monday 19 March.

All are welcome!

Professor Graham Stone (Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh) will give a talk entitled: How do we make cities better habitats for pollinators?