Agenda for Community Council Meeting - 7:30pm on We 27 Feb

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will meet on: 

January 23rd 2013 at 7.30 PM 

at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls, Beaufort Road

Please Note: This meeting will be in the Large Hall

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the meeting on 23rd January

3 Matters arising from the minutes, including: planning, police priorities, Civic Trust nomination, HMOs, Road works South Meadow Walk, Lothian Buses, Craiglockhart, Planning application withdrawn

4 Matters for Information, including

            Royal Mail sorting office,  Property maintenance meeting 28.2.13 Royal Garden Party

5 Police Report including: Police National Strategic Plan

6 Neighbourhood Partnership Report (AP) including: Transport Strategy, City Centre Posters, Community Safety event, Public Urination

7 Treasurer’s report (AS)

8 Planning matters

9 HMO report

10 MABLAG

8pm

11            Meeting to discuss pressure to increase James Gillespie's Primary intake

(with JG Primary School Council)

·                John  Beattie, JGPS Council

·                Lindsay Glasgow, Service Manager Asset Planning CEC,

·                Paul Godzik Convenor for Education, Children and Families

followed by questions   

12  Any other competent business,

13  Date of next meeting: March 27th 2013

Spring Fling for over 50s on 9th March

Public meeting on 27 Feb about pressure to increase James Gillespie's Primary intake

The main item at the next Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council on 27 Feb will be a Public Meeting (starting at 8pm) about plans concerning James Gillespie's Primary School to cope with rising school rolls in South Edinburgh.  This Public Meeting (held jointly with the Primary School Council) will follow the regular business at the standard Community Council meeting which will start as normal at 7:30pm

The meeting will take place at: St Catherine of Argyle Church 61 - 63 Grange Road. EH9 1TY.

Text of the flyer circulated to primary school pupils reads as follows:

City of Edinburgh Council believe that by asking JGPS to keep the temporary portakabin classrooms, which they had previously agreed to remove, they have found a solution for the rising school roll in the area.  This 'temporary' solution of squeezing more pupils into James Gillespie's could affect our children's education and welfare. Parents are becoming concerned that decisions may be made without transparency or consultation.

What could this mean for our children?

• Loss of General Purpose rooms - drama room, music room, ICT suite (vital resources in a small open plan school) to make room for more classes.

• Less space in shared areas of school - lunch hall, playground, cloakrooms, toilets.

• Less access to shared teachers and resources - music resources, Physical Education provision, after school clubs.

• Negative impact on the experience our children have at school - the school is already utilising every inch of space in the school to ensure the needs of every child are met.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Come to the meeting!  Have your say, ask questions, get some answers!  

The City Council and local councillors have been invited so we can have an open discussion and demonstrate that we are prepared to safeguard our children's education and welfare. 

For more information contact: jgpshuts@yahoo.co.uk or talk to any member of the Parent Council.

Consultation on Edinburgh’s new Local Transport Strategy: Issues for Review

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting you to have your say on a new Local Transport Strategy consultation document: 

 * 'Developing the New Local Transport Strategy – Issues for Review’. 

To comment you can:

* fill in a stakeholder online questionnaire; 

* submit a written response to localtransportstrategy@edinburgh.gov.uk; or

* attend a drop-in event on the 6^th March 2013 at Central Library, Edinburgh from 9am-8pm.  

 
Comments are requested by 17 Mar 2013

Vision for Schools Consultation

City of Edinburgh Council Children and Families Department is seeking views (by Friday 22 March 2013) from partner organisations and community groups on a new vision for schools.  

Schools face a number of challenges in the coming years, with changes in the curriculum, the impact of new technology and a range of other issues.  The vision is an attempt to take a longer term view on where we want to be and how to get there.  It includes ideas for rotating head teachers in schools, an increase in co-operative learning and a commitment for all children to have access to early learning, childcare and family support from the age of three (and from birth for vulnerable children).

The task now is to make sure that everyone with an interest in learning gets a chance to contribute to the vision.  That means pupils, parents and carers, communities, organisations we work with, employers, further and higher education providers and others.  They want to know what people think of what’s in the draft vision already and what needs to be added or changed.

The consultation will use a range of methods: an electronic survey for partner agencies and community groups, classroom based discussions and a roadshow (see below).  Schools will be heavily involved in the process, consulting with their pupils, parents/carers and staff.

A consultation will also be held for parents/carers, school staff and partner organisations to discuss the vision and contribute ideas for its development.  One local-ish event will be at The City Chambers from 1.30 to 3.30pm on Wednesday 6 March 2013.  Places (limited so book early) can be secured by contacting Angie Arthur.

Agenda for MSCC meeting on We 23 Jan at 7:30pm

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will meet on: 

January 23rd 2013 at 7.30 PM 

at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls, Beaufort Road

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the meeting on 28th November

3 Matters arising from the minutes

         Temporary classrooms at Gillespie's Primary School (A Philp)

         Recycling facilities

         Planning notifications (A Service)

         Capital Roads Programme

         Christmas tree lighting report (A Service)

4 Police report

5 Treasurer’s report

6  Update on Recycling  (Justine Taylor)

7  Review of Community Council Scheme

8  Nomination for My Place Award (Sarah Sandow)

9   Sundry informations

Improvements to South Meadow Walk                  Environmental workshops

Changes to public entertainment licences              Public participation forum 30th January

RBS Bank closure.                                              Rock and Roll Half Marathon 14th April

Recycling calendars for 2013                                Police priority setting

Scotmid waste on Warrender Park Road               Cycle path to Pollock Halls 

Local Development Plan booklet                          MP's newsletter

Floodline

Next meeting on February 27^th

Joint with James Gillespie’s Primary School Parent Council:  

Discussion of City of Edinburgh Council plans for additional school places in South Edinburgh, and consequences for James Gillespie’s Primary School. 

Proposal for development of nursery in Tollcross

The City of Edinburgh Council Children and Families Department has agreed to consult on proposals to relocate Grassmarket Nursery School to Tollcross Primary School from August 2013.  If the proposals were to go ahead those children currently attending Grassmarket Nursery would be offered a place in the relocated nursery at Tollcross Primary School.

Consultation on the proposals will be carried out from today until 28 February 2013.

A public meeting has been arranged so that members of the public can express their views.

6pm to 8pm               7 February                             Tollcross Primary School   

Questions raised will be considered and answered at the public meeting. Free childcare and/or translation services can be provided at the public meeting if requests for these services are made to 0131 529 3103 no later than 30 January 2013.

Copies of the consultation paper will be issued directly to parents and others involved and  are available at Grassmarket Nursery School or Tollcross Primary School.  Reference copies are also available at  Fountainbridge  Library.  

Written comments on this proposal should be sent by by email or by post to: Director of Children and Families, City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court Level 1.2 (Grassmarket Nursery  Consultation), 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG by 28 February 2013

 

New edition of Edinburgh Economy Watch is now available

The new edition of Edinburgh Economy Watch, compiled by the City of Edinburgh Council is now available.

 

The Edinburgh Economy Watch presents and analyses a range of economic indicators to describe the impact that current economic conditions are having on the capital and benchmark Edinburgh's economic performance against similar-sized UK cities. 

From the start of 2013, the look of Economy Watch has been updated for tablet viewing and more content provided too. The editors would like to have your views on the new look of Economy Watch. You can provide feedback by taking the ongoing Economy Watch Survey.

 

Seasonal Greetings

We wish you a 

Merry Christmas

and hope 2013 brings

Health & Happiness to you and yours

Coping with emergencies - building community resilience

The Scottish Government have sent us three paper copies of each of two leaflets:

• How you can help make your community more resilient
• Guide to emergency planning for community groups

Let me know if you want one of them.  

More details are available in the full Guide to emergency planning for community groups and at the Ready Scotland website.

Submit a petition – make a change

Do you have an idea for a new service or think the Council should make a change in the city? Then, this is your chance to have a say. All you need to do is: > submit a valid* petition either online or in writing > get 500 signatures. Your issue or idea could be heard before the Petitions Committee and result in changes being made to publicly-provided services. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/petitions

Marchmont & Sciennes Christmas Tree: lighting ceremony is at 4:30pm on 8 Dec

Agenda for meeting of MSCC on Wed 28 Nov at 7:30pm

The Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council will next meet on 28th November 2012 7.30 pm at St Catharine’s Argyle Church Hall, Beaufort Road

PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LARGE HALL TO ACCOMMODATE EXTRA PARTICIPANTS, and we are advised it will be available from 7.20 pm

All who live or work locally are welcome to attend!

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the previous meeting on 26th October.

3 Any matters arising from the minutes not listed below.

4 Treasurer’s Report

5 Police Report

6 James Gillespie’s Schools: Joyce Nisbet (City of Edinburgh Council) will give
information about the progress to date of the rebuilding programme and respond to
questions and discussion.

7 The present status and future plans for the temporary classrooms to be erected for
James Gillespie’s Primary School.

8 Items from South Central Neighbourship Parnership Report (Meeting on 26th November).
 -- Recycling
 -- Condition of the Meadows and Bruntsfield links
 -- Bicycle Parking

9 Proposals for Capital Roads Programme, 2013-14

10 HMO report

11 Christmas Tree Lighting - report on progress

12 Brief reports and notices
 -- Students in the Community
 -- Transport Forum
 -- LDP Training 23rd January 2013
 -- Scottish Health Campaigns Network

14 AOCB

15 Date of next meeting: 23 January

James Gillespie's Primary School Christmas Fair this Saturday (24th: 10-12:30)

The James Gillespie's Primary School Christmas Fair is this Saturday, 24th November, from 10am until 12.30pm at James Gillespie's High School. It will raise funds so that the 'Fun & Funds Group' can buy the school some new IT equipment.

There will be lots of stalls - all the old favourites such as cake and candy, Lucky Dip, books, toys, making crafts, the Smoothie bike and the Games Alley and many more... Or bid for one of the fabulous prizes in the SILENT AUCTION.

PLUS the arrival of Mrs Pockets - this glamorous lady has a cape with many pockets full of little gifts but the children must find her first!

ALSO, for the first time, Storytelling - some lovely Christmas stories to keep the children enthralled and entertained!

South Central Neighbourhood Partnership: 26 Nov at 6pm

The Edinburgh South Central Neighbourhood Partnership is meeting at 6pm on Mo 26 November in the City Chambers on the High Street.  

Members of the Public are welcome to attend.  

The meeting will discuss:

• Progress in sub-groups (including Environment & Town Centre; Children & Young People; Health/ Well-being; Meadows & Bruntsfield Links, and HMOs)
• BBQ on Meadows
• Public Toilets for Meadows & Bruntsfield Links
• Residential Bike Parking Pilot
• Students in the Community Event
• Community Grant Fund Applications
• Public Questions

If you live in Marchmont or Sciennes and have any points you wish to raise please get in touch with the MSCC representative, Alastair Philp.

Public meeting on 28 November: Progress and plans for construction: James Gillespie’s High & Primary Schools

edited 1 Nov to include correct date!

Notice of Public Meeting

Progress and plans for construction:

James Gillespie’s High & Primary Schools

2013 - 2015

Members of the project team will give a presentation

and answer your questions

Wed 28 Nov 2012 at 7.30pm

St Catherine’s Church Halls, Beaufort Road.

All welcome

[The regular MSCC meeting will include this business]

Drainage ditches being dug on the Bruntsfield Links

A mini digger was at work today digging ditches on the Bruntsfield Links and filling them with gravel. 

The driver told me that these were to aid drainage down to the rock. He said the ground had been compacted due to many years of walking on the grass and this combined with the recent heavy rain and dense surface roots in the turf had led to surface pooling.

Agenda for meeting of Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council on 24 Oct

MARCHMONT AND SCIENNES COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Meeting 24th October 2012 at 7:30pm

St Catherine’s Church Halls, Beaufort Road.

Note: This meeting will be chaired by Alastair Philp

A G E N D A

1 Sederunt and apologies

2 Minutes of the previous meeting, circulated and amended

3 Matters arising from the minutes

(i) Programme for this and the November meeting
(ii) Christmas tree lighting - plans and progress
(iii) C.C. elections, submission
(iv) Response to planning guidance
(v) Quality Bike Corridor
(vi) Public nuisance in streets close to the meadows
(vii) Environmental issues: rubbish collection
(viii) Students in the Community  30th October

4 Police Report

5 Innovations at Barclay Corner, FOMBL (Heather Goodare),

6 Property Conservation - presentation by Libby Strong
(Nb: This matter should be taken at 8.00PM. It may be necessary to interrupt other
business and return to it later.)

7 Treasurer’s report (AS)

8 Planning Report (if any)

9 HMO Report (AL)

10 Neighbourhood Partnership Report (if any)

Meetings to note:
(i) Environmental and Town Centre Group 29th October
(ii)Design Guidance 6th November


AOCB

DONM November 28th

City of Edinburgh Council: New Petitions Committee

Members of the public and local businesses are being given a voice to influence Council decisions in the city by way of the new Petitions Committee.  The Petitions process went live on Monday 8 October 2012, and they are now accepting petitions.  Taking part in or creating a petition is one way that individuals, community groups and organisations can get involved in what the Council does. It allows people to raise issues of public concern and gives Councillors the opportunity to consider the need for change. 

There are a range of agreed criteria for a petition to satisfy prior to confirmation of validity and consideration by the committee.   Matters that can not be considered include those currently being considered by a committee,  matters in a work programme or those that relate to a council or committee decision that has been made in the previous six months.  

Petitions can be submitted online on a Petitions webpage, . 

Paper petitions can also be used and forms can be downloaded from their webpage or collected from Council offices or local libraries.  Please direct any enquiries to petitions@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Joint Commissioning Plan for Older People 2012 -2022

NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with Scottish Care and Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) are consulting on a draft joint plan. The plan explains how they wish to improve services for older people over the next ten years.

You are invited to make your views known by completing an online form.

If you prefer you can download the questionnaire, available as a full colour version or text only version, and post it to:

Freepost RTAA-RUSL-JAYL
Consultation plan older peoples services
Business Centre 1/8
The City of Edinburgh Council
Waverley Court
4 East Market Street
Edinburgh
EH8 8BG

Views are sought by 21st December 2012.

Report from the Scottish Government Short-life Working Group on Community Councils

In December 2011, the Scottish Government established a short-life working group to consider and recommend how best to build the resilience, capacity and capability of Community Councils in the future.

The final report and recommendations, include consideration of internal operations; Community Councils’ engagement and relationships with local authorities; the wider public sector; the general public; and the communities that they strive to represent.

The Group agreed that in the spirit of partnership working and in recognition of the key role local authorities play in supporting Community Councils, its report should be presented to both the Scottish Government and COSLA to consider collectively and ultimately decide which recommendations should be taken forward. The Group also agreed that consideration of its recommendations would benefit from wider discussion and engagement with a range of stakeholders with an interest in the sector which will inform and support the future policy development of Scotland's Community Councils .

Agenda for Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council meeting on 26 Sep

The Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will resume meetings for the autumn at 7:30pm on We 26 Sep. 

The meeting will once again be at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls on Beaufort Place (Grange Road). 

All who live or work in the area are most welcome to attend and participate.





A G E N D A 

  1] Sederunt and apologies

  2] Minutes of the meeting on 27th June.

  3] Matters Arising from the minutes
            Recycling at JGHS
            MABLAG meeting (AS)
            Bruntsfield Farmers Market proposal  (SS)
            AAH survey report  (AP)
            Garden Competition cancelled
            New Leaf co-op.

  4] Police Report

  5] Financial Report and future plans

  6] Programme for 2012-13

  7] Christmas Tree Lighting

  8] CC Elections

  9] Edinburgh Community Council Scheme

10] Roads Capital Programme 2013-14

11] ECC Planning Training

12] AOCB

13] DONM   24th October.

Support the Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Barclay Corner project

Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links (FoMBL) have gained approval from the City of Edinburgh Council for designing a makeover of the corner of Bruntsfield Links adjoining Glengyle Terrace and Barclay Terrace (Wrights Houses): the Barclay Corner , by Barclay Viewforth Church.  

This is a major entrance to the Millennium Park from Tollcross and Bruntsfield Place, and is much used.  Since finance for the project cannot be provided by the Council, local support is necessary for our application to WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental), who fund community, conservation and heritage projects.  

If you approve of the idea (for which a Phase 1 design is on our website) please add your name to our on-line petition. 

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]