MSCC Minutes June 2019

Marchmont & Sciennes

Community Council

Meeting on Wed 26^th June 2019 at 7:30pm

St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls, Beaufort Road

Minutes of Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council

Meeting of Wed 26 June 2019 at St Catherine’s Argyle Church Halls, 

Beaufort Road

Present:  – Stuart Irvin (St. Catherine’s Argyle), Sophia Coyne (Minutes Secretary), Brian Gilmore (Chair), Ann Laing (MSCC), Catherine Jenner, Shane Voss (MSCC), David Scott (Police Scotland), Euan Mackay (Police Scotland), Nigel Ayton (Grange Association), Cllr. Ian Berry, Alison Service (MSCC) 

Apologies:– Cllr. Mandy Watt, Ian Murray MP, Susie Agnew (MSCC)

Matters arising:

Draft minutes from May have been circulated and amended. Minutes approved. No outstanding actions from May. 

Police Report: 

Officers David Scott and Euan Mackay gave the report. 

Police officers have been conducting patrols of Nicholson Square and the surrounding areas.  There has been alcohol and drug misuse in these neighborhoods. Stair checks have been performed as there are certain tenancies linked to anti-social behavior.  There have been community meetings with residents who are concerned about antisocial behaviour from youth, some of who live in the area.  A former Nicholson Square resident is trying to work with the council on the issues.  House break-ins were reported in the  Southside of Edinburgh and local officers have been working with the University with regard to issues of rough sleeping and drink and drug misuse.  Surgeries are also addressing alcohol and drug abuse issues for this area, particularly with regard to young people, who tend to populate the area.  

Matters arising:

Mike Shields is on holiday. 

FOMBL (Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links) report see below.  

Meadows & Bruntsfield Links

City Councilor report on topical local issues: 

It is observed that the instances of antisocial behavior reported in Nicholson Square and the surrounding area pose no direct threat presently. There was concern expressed about displacement into the Meadows where substance abusers could congregate.   

It is a difficult issue to tackle.  Discussion concerning possible remedies with job placement for the individuals involved, assistance with rehabilitation from substance abuse, increased housing for those without shelter.  

Other issues discussed include fly-tipping or illegal dumping of rubbish, and the intrusion of hedges onto the pavement area. Private hedges need to be measured particularly and they cannot protrude onto the sidewalk beyond what the allowed measurement. However, overgrown hedges can be reported to the council and they will prune it for a small fee. Brian will pass this one to a resident who had an inquiry about this. 

Election of Secretary: (repeat)

Items for discussion: 

Royal Hospital for Sick Children Redevelopment:

Move set to commence between the 5th and the 15th of July. Developments to begin soon. 

Astley Ainslie Hospital Redevelopment: update 

There was a helpful note passed around to those in the engagement list. 

There was a meeting on the 27th of May, NHS Lothian, Community Council, and AA Community Trust.  The good news is that there was more engagement.  The council gave an undertaking.  A planning committee meeting is scheduled for 2nd October. 

The Grange Association will have another meeting with them in early July when the draft gets the seal of approval.  

Planning (Applications & consultations):
An email was circulated by the Grange Association. There were no applications discussed.  

Items for Information: 

Treasurer's report: 

£515 in the bank.  There has been very little activity.  

There will be a new auditor as of March next year - the name of the auditor is announced.  

There was discussion concerning the Meadow’s Festival Association donation. 

Meetings attended: 

City Vision – Focus Group Report: 

Nigel Ayton attended this meeting and reported. 

FOMBL: 

 There was discussion concerning rubbish collection, street development, need for housing law, and tourist taxes. Further discussion concerning funds raised at the Meadows Festival for the benefit of Edinburgh residents. 

AOCB:

South East Locality – Planning Partnership Representative and other Neighbourhood networks as mentioned in the prior meetings.  

Two items have been circulated with requests for involvement in upcoming elections/meetings – Tim Pogson (from Newington side), there have been no nominations for Morningside yet, Brian has been nominated to vote on behalf of the community council. 

Short term letting – so many in the tenement areas (does not affect the Grange and Marchmont).  Key safes outside demonstrate that short term letting is happening in the places nearby. There was discussion concerning an EU Court case involving the stipulation that the short-term lessor is merely an internet service provider and not a letting agency.    

There was discussion concerning the debate in Scottish Government on zoning policy, restriction/curtailment of the number of flats.  Also, the Scottish government is consulting a survey on short term letting. Alison will provide the link for the survey, and Brian will put the link on the full mailing list. 

With respect to Lee Ann who had operated Marchmont Hardware, sadly, her partner passed away.  Alison will send a card on behalf of the Community council.  

As concerns the planters on Marchmont crescent at the bottom, PTA (Gillespie’s) - everyone is keen to see something done with the planters.  Perhaps it is worth putting a notice up, some soil and some plants, planters are becoming full of rubbish, cigarettes, and beer containers etc.

Reminder that the election for the community council is coming up in September, the papers are not out to apply until the 9th of September. 

Date of next meeting: 

25 of September 2019.   

The meeting closes at 8:17 PM.

DRAFT Agenda for the September Meeting

Marchmont & Sciennes

Community Council

Meeting on Wed 25^th September 2019 at 7:30pm

St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls, Beaufort Road

A G E N D A

 1             Sederunt and apologies

 2            Draft Minutes of last meeting, 26th June 2019, and matters arising (not otherwise on Agenda)

 3             Police Report

 4             Meadows & Bruntsfield Links

 5             City Councillor report on topical local issues

 6             Election of Secretary (repeat)

Items for discussion

 7             Royal Hospital for Sick Children Redevelopment

                                – Current position

 8             Astley Ainslie Hospital Redevelopment: update

                                Report on consultation meetings

 9             Graffiti Issues

10           Planning (Applications & consultations)

·         Any others

Items for information

11           Treasurer's report
12           Meetings attended

                                Any?

13           Elections for the Community Council – deadline for nominations 30 September

14           AOCB

15           Date of next meeting: 23rd October 2019 (Provisional, depends on the elections)

All who live or work locally are welcome to attend.

MSCC is online at: https://www.facebook.com/MarchmontSciennesCommunityCouncil

Community Council Elections

The time for the Community Council elections for the next 4 years is now upon us.

This is a self-nomination process and the timescale for returning a nomination form opened on the 9th September and closes at 4pm on Monday the 30th September.

The process itself is a very easy one, the nomination form can be found on the Council website under 'Community Councils' but I have provided a direct link to Marchont & Sciennes here:

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/12722/marchmont_and_sciennes

Basically you require two people to back you, a proposer and a seconder, and all 3 of you must live within the MSCC area.

The completed form can be scanned and returned to Councillor Rose who is our returning officer or the paper version can be returned to Councillor Rose at the Council.

I will bring spare copies to the normal meeting of MSCC on the 25th September.

We are allowed to have 14 members and an election would be held if the were more nominations than that but this has never happened in our history!

I really would encourage you to consider nominating yourself, the process is very easy and I would really expect you to find being a Community Councillor a rewarding and sometime challenging experience.

Brian Gilmore

(current chair of MSCC)

MSCC Minutes of the May 2019 Meeting

Marchmont & Sciennes

Community Council

Meeting on Wed 22 May 2019 at 7:30pm (including AGM)

St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls, Beaufort Road

Present:  Brian Gilmore (Chair), Sophia Coyne (Minute Secretary), Alastair McInnes (4/5 Livingston Pl.), Stuart Fraser (Police), Shane Voss (MSCC), Anne Laing (MSCC), Alison Service (MSCC), Nigel Ayton (Grange Association), Cllr Mandy Watt (Morningside), Gavin Donoghue (University of Edinburgh, Stakeholder Relations ), Anthony Holmes (Thirlestane Lane Association, MSCC), Cllr Cameron Rose (Southside / Newington)

Apologies:  Susie Agnew, Cllr Neil Ross, Mike Shields (Edinburgh Council Parks) 

Matters arising: 

Draft minutes have been circulated and amended. 

Nigel proposes an amendment to the April minutes to correct the record to reflect that the planning application for the RHSC had been passed, but that the Mortuary Chapel Building was excluded. Additionally, the record should be amended to reflect Historic Churches Scotland’s interest in receiving ownership of the chapel building.  

 Police Report: 

Alcohol related incidents in the Meadows, and several break-ins reported.  

Caution issued to make sure things are locked to create a level of protection. 

There was one serious assault reported - the victim was attacked with a bottle in the Meadows.  

There have been reports of cycle theft.  Additionally, there have been telephone scams reported – people phoning up pretending to be the fraud department at the Royal Bank of Scotland.  Caution issued to the community.  

There have been complaints concerning noisy student parties.  

Police have been working with Edinburgh City Council, Castle Rock to resolve neighbour disputes.

Police advise of drug possession arrests in areas neighbouring Marchmont.  

Police have been going around to schools to engage in discussion with pupils about how to behave and respect the community.  

Suspect identified in connection with several break ins.  New doorbell camera technology assisted in identification of suspect.  

Police caution that while drinking alcohol in public is not an offence, unsocial behaviour is.  

Police report that a drunk driver was apprehended.  Speeding drivers have been ticketed.    

A homeless man, known locally as ‘organic Jim’ has been seen in Marchmont and neighbouring areas.  

There have been observations concerning graffiti on bins. Cllr Rose commented that the council has the resources to record the graffiti tags and try to identify perpetrators 

A caution was issued that in repeated unauthorised visits by DCM Builders, the lugging of heavy materials over the wall, in the privately-owned Thirlestane Lane, may result in damage as the wall is not that well-constructed. DCM builders have figured in community council concerns in other areas.

There was a report of an altercation between a builder and a member of the community in his lane.  The building is otherwise accessible but the builders choose to use the lane. 

Police advise that while “trespassing,” as defined in English legislation, does not exist in Scottish law, “being in a building with the intent of theft” is against the law.  

Meadows & Bruntsfield Links: 

Mike Shields – apologies.  

Underbelly scheduled a community meeting which was cancelled due to lack of interest possibly as most concerns have been answered.  A contact number will be provided for any issues or incidents.  

City Councillor report on topical local issues:

Cllr Rose reports working with the local police and with the council senior officer to get a local operation on graffiti as there has been a spike in graffiti incidents in the area.  

Cllr Watt reports concerning activity in Morningside Ward.  There were proposals regarding Braidburn Terrace and Braidburn Crescent, to make traffic one way and to make things less congested.  

Items for AGM: 

Approve Note of last year's AGM - 

Brian has circulated last year’s minutes and they have been approved.  

Matters arising from the AGM minutes - 

None.  

Annual Report - Chair (Brian Gilmore) 

Brian extends thanks to the police, local councillors, Mike Shields, Anne Laing, Alison Service, and for Douglas’ work on Sick Children’s site, Nigel Ayton.  Activities planned include the Christmas tree lighting event in Sciennes, and attending to planning issues with respect to Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Astley Ainsley.  

Annual Report  - Secretary  

None. 

Annual Report and presentation of audited accounts - Treasurer (Alison Service)  

Annual Treasurer Report not yet circulated. 

Alison reported on the 2018/19 audited accounts.  The balance sheet shows £515.43 remaining.

Income and expenditure- the main Income is always a grant from the council.   Expenditures include hall hire, minutes secretary, memberships, Christmas tree event, Grange association.  

The year to March 2018 had been a difficult year due to a shortage of funds resulting from earlier outlays in connection with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.  Savings were made in 2018 to resolve these issues and replenish the funds.  The year to March 2019 had been more secure financially, allowing the restoration of customary subscriptions and services.

A full financial plan for the coming year (2019/20) will be outlined in the next meeting in June. 

The Current Auditor, Gordon McRobert, is stepping down after 9 years of being the MSCC auditor.

Co-option of members  - 

This will be considered after the elections. 

Election of Officers

Nominations as follows:  

Chair: Brian. 

Secretary - to be determined.  

Treasurer – Alison. 

There are no more officers. 

Date of next AGM  - 

Brian proposes that it will be a year from now in May 2020. 

Ordinary meeting dates for 2019-20 - 

Proposed: 4^th Wed of each month except no meeting in July, August or December.

AOCB  - 

A thank you is given to Brian. 

Elections for community council are coming up this year – nomination papers will be out on the ninth of September.  

Items for discussion: 

Royal Hospital for Sick Children Redevelopment 

Apologies from Douglas who sent a note with an update that there are no significant changes since the last meeting. 

Astley Ainslie Hospital Redevelopment: update

Meeting on Monday 27^th of May with NHS Lothian, CEC planning department, and the Astley Ainslie Community Trust (AACT).  

Discussion was had concerning frustration that main players – NHS and the council -have not produced any visible deliverables since Christmas.  There were public events held by AACT in March for gathering ideas and working it up into a vision.  AACT is currently working on a spatial strategy for presentation on Monday 27^th May meeting.  A lot of survey work remains to be done.  The meeting on the 27^th is the next step.

Cllr Rose asked for the best estimate for the final vacation.  The final patient is not now expected to leave the site until 2025.  However, the NHS has not committed to changing its previously stated timetable for marketing the site, which contemplates an initial approach to the market in 2020.  The site will take years to develop and it is feasible that some parts of the site could be released for redevelopment while patients remain in other parts.  The NHS remains committed to awaiting approval by CEC of the Place Brief for the site prior to any approach to the market.  Hence the Place Brief must be drafted and approved by early 2020.   

Planning matters (Applications & consultations): 

There was discussion concerning application for 48A Lauder Road to create hardstanding in the front garden.  This is a listed building. A previous application for hardstanding in front of the bay window had been refused.  The revised application now includes removal of a tree and the installation of an electric vehicle charging point.  The Grange Association is minded to object to this revised application also, notwithstanding the inclusion of a vehicle charging point.   The Association would be supportive of community wide discussion about on-street placement of electrical vehicle charging points. It is an environmental dilemma to eliminate trees and gardens for private off-street electrical vehicle charging points. It is not yet feasible to connect multiple charging points to street lights without major upgrade of the electrical distribution network. 

Southside Neighbourhood Network  - Report on 1^st Meeting

Neighbourhood partnership groups reported to a body called the Edinburgh Partnership. 

Decision to create neighbourhood networks – meeting of the Southside next was held on Monday night which Brian attended. There are going to be 13 of these neighbourhood networks in Edinburgh as a whole reporting to four Locality Community Planning Partnerships.  This matches the old neighbourhood partnerships.  This is space for community groups to improve quality of life in the community.  There are neighbourhood networks for both Southside and Morningside.  The Morningside meeting is coming up next week.  

Attendance at the Southside meeting included 3 out of the 4 ward councillors and a wide-ranging set of community organisations.  Community grant money to be settled at the meetings.  The emphasis of the meetings will be planning.  

Cllr Watt stated that issues to be discussed at the meetings will include community development, community initiatives, and the community grants fund.  Cllr Rose commented on the powers of the council, and legislation dealing with community planning.

Treasurer's report:

Completed as part of the AGM. £515.43 with one unpresented cheque. 

Meetings attended: 

None.

AOCB: 

Short term lets – Edinburgh residents are putting together recommendations and feedback concerning Airbnbs and short term let issues.   

Street and pavement decluttering project - identification and removal of obstructions for pedestrians.  Discussion had concerning Edinburgh’s narrow pavements and obstructions. 

Edinburgh shared use parking upgrade – discussion was had concerning shared use parking, review of parking ticket and resident permit parking, spaces available to permit holders.  

Edinburgh University – community relations.   Discussion was had concerning providing access for the community if there any issues and concerns.  An issue has arisen with respect to the quantity and concentration of student accommodation that has been built.

Date of next meeting: 

26 of June 2019.   

The meeting closes at 8:56 PM. 

Minutes of the April 2019 meeting of MSCC

Minutes of Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council

Meeting of Wed 24^th April 2019 at St Catherine’s Argyle Church Halls, 

Beaufort Road

Present:  Brian Gilmore (Chair), Sophia Coyne (Minute Secretary), Mike Shields (MSCC), Shane Voss (MSCC), Douglas Rogers (MSCC), Nigel Ayton (Grange Association), Alastair McClunes (Resident), Anne Laing (MSCC), Cameron Ross (Cllr), and Neil Ross (Cllr).

Apologies:  Alison Service (Treasurer), Susan Agnew (MSCC), Anthony Holmes (Thirlestane Lane Assoc). 

Minutes from March’s meeting have been circulated, with a minor change regarding the apologies, and were subsequently approved and seconded by present members.

Matters arising: 

Brian circulated the agenda, apologies, and noted an action for item 7 on the agenda.  He also commented on a misunderstanding about the planning applications regarding the Royal Sick Hospital from March’s meeting but the minutes are strictly correct.. 

Police Report: 

None. 

There are a number of ongoing activities that have rendered the police unavailable to attend tonight’s meeting. 

Meadows & Bruntsfield Links

There was a discussion concerning the effort of Parks to raise funds from commercial units, and to nominate certain units for this purpose, rather than raising income via cuts.   

An inquiry was made concerning the source of power for energy intensive mobile units.  Power for big events cannot run off lamp posts.  Use of generators was discussed.  

The Meadows Festival Committee challenged fees charged in connection with the festival.  They were successful in obtaining a reduction in charges from £5,000 to £1,000.  Organizers of the event said the event might have been cancelled had the discount not been attained. 

The arbitrary redrawing of boundaries in the Meadows in 2017 placed the event in the city centre council ward and resulted in increased licensing fees.  

An inquiry was made concerning repairs conducted in the Meadows.  There is usually no warning when the repair is urgent.

City Councillor report on topical local issues:

Edinburgh City Council’s planning committee approved proposals for a concert hall in St. Andrews Square today.  The venue will be the base for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and will have a range of other uses.  It will be built behind the Royal Bank of Scotland at St. Andrew’s Square.  the campaign to build the concert hall was backed by a number of sources including charitable trust Impact Scotland and a generous donor who put up £30 million.  

There was discussion concerning planning applications for a flat in the attic at 100 Thirlstane Road.  

Considerations such as the extent of impact on a conservation area influence whether the council will refuse the application.  

In evaluating what constitutes “development” the council considers “material changes in principal elevation” and insertion of roof windows among other things.  

Consistency in comments and evaluation on submitted planning applications in Marchmont is the aim.  

Election of Secretary (repeat) 

None. 

Royal Hospital for Sick Children:                                        

It was reported that the planning application passed, and the Mansfield Chapel Building was approved although the final document sent to Downing Group has not yet been seen by Douglas.  

Concern was expressed regarding protection of murals inside the space if flats were allowed above it.  

There have been discussions between Downing Group developers and community groups including the neighborhood watch group.  MSCC should continue to be involved regarding community space.  Level of participation has waned.  Church historic trust group want to take space as well.  Community council and school involved blocked the idea of community space being a joint community space/school.  

The concept of housing, one and two bedroom flats, at the site is debated.  

There was uncertainty as to moving date for the nursery.  There was uncertainty as to the Lease transfer date to the Downing Group.  There was no clarity as to road closures, widening of pavement and parking arrangements.  

The premises for the Boroughloch Medical Practice is potentially threatened.  

Emphasis was placed on keeping lines of communication open with various players here.  

Astley Ainslie Hospital Redevelopment: update

There have been no further updates. The Astley Ainsley Community Trust held a feedback session with approximately 100 people. A leaflet of combined preferences was prepared.  

A May 27th meeting has also been scheduled.  The NHS have been slow to advise of updates. 

Agreement must be reached concerning next steps and status of community engagement by the council on this issue.       

Review of Community Councils Scheme: 

There was discussion concerning the new draft scheme distributed.                      

Planning matters (Applications & consultations): 

New School on Canaan Lane 

Objections have been raised and there is a campaign against a new school on Canaan Lane.  Traffic issues appear to be the main objection.  

Treasurer's report: 

 Apologies from the treasurer but the books are currently with the Auditor ahead of the AGM. 

Meetings attended: 

An event was held examining Climate Change in Scotland: Meeting Emissions Reduction Targets.  

A new Climate Change Bill is being considered in Parliament.        

There are long term targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2050 .  

Issues examined include space heating, transport, foods people eat, and lifestyle changes.  There was discussion as to whether there is any role that the community council could play.  It is worth considering the problem with heating, insulation and environmental impacts in Marchmont.  Environmental benefits of renewable energy such as wind power, and tidal power were discussed.   

AOCB:

Brian has circulated information concerning tri-annual elections to the members. 

            9^th of September - start of nominations.

            30^th of September - close of nominations.  All forms must be received by then.      

This CC has a maximum number of Councillors of 14, so more than 7 will need to be nominated..  

If there are sufficient nominations, a meeting will be held on the 10^th of October.   

If the number of nominations is higher than the number of places available, an election will be held on the 31st of October.  

Date of next meeting: 

22nd of May 2019.

The meeting closes at 8:38 PM.