Map of where you can barbecue on the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links (and where you shouldn't)

click on the map to see a larger version

Grange Fair on 11 May: Can you help?

BBC2 Series: The Great Interior Design Challenge

Live in Marchmont? Want to be on TV, and have a home-swap holiday

BBC One are looking for people who live in interesting homes in Marchmont and across Edinburgh and would be happy to try a home swap holiday for a new TV series.

Do you live in an interesting home you’d be happy to swap with someone elsewhere in the UK for a short break?

It could be anything from a charming cottage, a period house, to a modern apartment!

IF SO THEN GET IN TOUCH NOW!

For an application form please email Kieran.mccarthy@bbc.co.uk with your contact details

Agenda for MSCC meeting on We 26 March 2014 at 19:30

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its March meeting on 26 March 2014 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls on Beaufort Road/ Grange Road. 

This will be our sixth meeting of 13/14.  Further meetings will be on the fourth Wednesday of April, May and June 2014.

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

A G E N D A

 1            Sederunt and apologies

 2            Draft Minutes of last meeting, 26 Feb 2014

 3            Matters arising from the minutes 

·            Marchmont Crescent Noticeboard/ possible relocation to Scotmid

·            Jawbones removal/refurbishment

·            Trees and bench

·            Crossing of Kilgraston Road at Dick Place

·            Flooding outside Earl of Marchmont

·            Edinburgh Planning Concordat 2013

·            Time to respond to major planning applications

·            Events on the Meadows

4            Police Report

Items for discussion

 5           Meadows and Bruntsfield links: ranger hours and short hole golf

 6           Grange Conservation Area Character Appraisal

 7           Marchmont Playgroup

 8           Statutory notices: plan for future meeting (who to invite)

 9           Treasurer’sReport

10          Assembling Agenda for April meeting

11.         Waste Collection leaflets

Items mainly for information

12           Planning matters

·            Local planning applications

·            Local Development Plan Engagement Workshop

13           South Central Neighbourhood Partnership

14.          Pavement Repairs

15           AOCB

16           Date of next meeting: 23 April 2014

Spokes Spring Public Meeting on Mo 24 Mar at 7:30 at Augustine Church on George IV Bridge

Closure of Warrender Park Road/ Marchmont Street Junction (from 3 to 30 March)

A Temporary road restriction and traffic regulation has been circulated informing us that Warrender Park Road and Marchmont Street will be closed at their junction with one another (and diversions will be in place) from 3 to 30 March 2014. 

This is to allow a new sewer connection.

A Plan is available showing the affected area and the diversion routes.

Agenda for MSCC meeting on We 26 February 2014 at 19:30

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its February meeting on 26 February 2014 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls on Beaufort Road/ Grange Road. 

This will be our fifth meeting of 13/14.  Further meetings will be on the fourth Wednesday of March, April, May and June 2014.

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

A G E N D A

 1            Sederunt and apologies

 2            Minutes of last meeting, 22 Jan 2014 (revised following meeting on 26 Feb)

 3            Matters arising from the minutes 

·            Marchmont Crescent Noticeboard/ possible relocation to Scotmid/ Community Grant application?

·            Jawbones removal/refurbishment

·            Trees and bench

·            Local Development Plan Engagement Workshop

·            Crossing of Kilgraston Road at Dick Place

·            Flooding outside Earl of Marchmont

·            Community Empowerment Consultation response

·            Christmas Tree collection

·            Time to respond to major planning applications

4            Police Report

Items for discussion

 5             Events on the Meadows

 6             South Central Neighbourhood Partnership - 2014-2017 Local Community Plan

 7             Treasurer’s Report

 8             Edinburgh Planning Concordat 2013

 9             Local Development Plan Engagement Workshop

Items mainly for information

10              Planning matters

·            Local planning applications

11              Publicity: Meadows Directory

12             AOCB
                - Network Rail
                - Statutory Notices & Communal Repairs
                - MABLAG report
                - W Pk Rd closed at March St
                - Beat Doorstep Crime
                - Students in the Community event

13            Date of next meeting: 26 March 2014

Speak up Speak out about keeping safe online and on your phone

The harmful effects of cyber bullying and “sexting” are being highlighted by the latest phase of the Speak up Speak out public protection campaign. The campaign launched on Tuesday 11 February, to coincide with Safer Internet Day 2014.

It’s the fourth in a series of campaigns by the City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland and NHS Lothian highlighting public protection issues. This phase focuses on keeping safe online and on your phone. It’s a topic relevant to everyone but particularly to:

•        children (spotlighting the issues of cyber bullying and sexting)
•        parents/carers (for advice on how to keep children safe online)
•        vulnerable adults
•        older people
•        domestic abuse situations.

To coincide with Safer Internet Day, Police Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council have arranged a series of events in schools, community venues and libraries across the city.  In addition, a range of posters will be seen in venues across Edinburgh to spotlight the main issues and directing people to these contact points for help:

•       ChildLine (0800 1111) or ParentLine Scotland (08000 28 22 33)
•       ThinkUKnow
•        GetSafeOnline
•       Saferinternet
•       edinburgh.gov.uk
•        Social Care Direct, The City of Edinburgh Council’s social work service (0131 200 2324).

A radio advert will be aired on Forth One and Two for one week from Tuesday 11 February and a series of child-friendly posters have been developed for primary and secondary schools.

If you’d like to hear more about the campaign or would like some campaign posters, please contact ann.duff@edinburgh.gov.uk

ECONOMY WATCH from City of Edinburgh Council

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.

The council would like to have your views on the new look of Economy Watch. You can provide feedback by taking the ongoing Economy Watch Survey.

Household rubbish collection: Download or order your 2014 collection calendars

http://www.nicolabarry.com/edinburgh-waste-collection/

...from the City of Edinburgh Council website...

If you would like to download a printable version of your household rubbish collection calendar for 2014, please put your street name into the directory search page and follow the instructions.

Please note that your collection day should stay exactly the same for 2014 as it was in 2013, so if your bins were collected on a Wednesday in 2013 then they will continue to be collected on a Wednesday.

If you are unable to download a copy online, or prefer to receive a hard copy, then just call us on 0131 529 3030 and we will send one to your address. You can receive a copy via email by sending your address to waste@edinburgh.gov.uk

Visit www.greenboxday.co.uk to check the collection days for blue and red recycling boxes.

Agenda for MSCC meeting on We 22 January 2014 at 19:30

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its January meeting on 22 January 2014 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls on Beaufort Road/ Grange Road. 

This will be our fourth meeting of 13/14.  Further meetings will be on the fourth Wednesday of February, March, April, May and June 2014.

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

A G E N D A

 1            Sederunt and apologies

 2               Minutes of last meeting, 27 November 2013

 3               Matters arising from the minutes 

·            Marchmont Crescent Noticeboard/ possible relocation to Scotmid/ Community Grant application?

·            Zebra Crossing on Marchmont Road

·            Jawbones removal/refurbishment

·            Involving local traders

·            Laminated sign to show where meeting is taking place

4            Police Report

Items for discussion

 5             Christmas Tree Lighting

 6              Vacant Chair

 7              Treasurer’s Report  & Proposals from all for how to spend accumulated money

 8             Edinburgh Planning Concordat 2013

 9             Local Development Plan Engagement Workshop

10            Edinburgh Fire and Rescue Plan 2014-17 Consultation

11            Safe crossing of Kilgraston Road at Dick Place

Items mainly for information

12              Planning matters

·            Local Development Plan

13              Footway Re-surfacing Works - Melville Drive

14             AOCB

15            Date of next meeting: 26 February 2014

Some advice from Trading Standards...

As part of continuing action against Doorstep Crime, The Trading Standards team at City of Edinburgh Council would like to pass on some advice.  

They discourage residents from contracting with cold callers at the door, and along with their partners in Police Scotland urge residents to be cautious when dealing with any doorstep callers.

·         Check ID

·         Use door chains or bars

·         Close the door when you are making telephone calls to check ID.

·         DO NOT call mobile numbers (Starting 07...) to verify ID.

If you are in any doubt regarding the person, then call Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

The Trading Standards team advise that you get multiple quotes for work from traders that you trust – Do not engage someone who has called at your door saying that your property needs work.

Some residents can also take advantage of the Care & Repair scheme: 0131 220 7630  and the Garden Aid Scheme:  0131 529 7881 or email Garden.aid@edinburgh.gov.uk

Essential contract information leaflets are available here, which detail what you should establish for many home maintenance contracts. For large projects you should ensure that you engage with a professional who is able to provide the necessary expertise.

'No Cold Calling' Zones can be set up in suitable locations, with agreement from the majority of residents. This indicates to those who would wish to call at your door that you do not accept cold callers, and repeated violations of this can constitute a criminal offence. More details are available here, and the council can supply stickers and signs as required.

They also provide updates to partners at Neighbourhood Watch Scotland. You may wish to consider whether your area would benefit from a neighbourhood watch.

Members of the Trading Standards team are happy to receive any information which you believe may be of use in targeting criminal activity. They routinely target activities relating to Doorstep Crime, Counterfeit tobacco and alcohol and Product Safety. If you have any information which you believe may be of use please get in touch.

You can get further information about Trading Standards here.

Draft Masterplan for the Edinburgh BioQuarter and South East Wedge Parkland – consultation.

At its meeting on 5 Dec 2013 the City of Edinburgh Council Planning Committee approved in final form  supplementary guidance for the Edinburgh BioQuarter and the South East Wedge Parkland. It also approved for consultation a draft masterplan which defines development areas, points of access, principal movement routes, main areas of public realm, lines of principal facades and activation, and key areas of landscape retention. In addition, the masterplan sets out further detail in regards to placemaking, density, building heights, landscape impact, flexibility, transport and connectivity and flooding and drainage.

As part of the public consultation exercise the Council is holding two drop-in consultation events on the draft masterplan on:

·        Monday 13 January 2014, 4pm - 8pm at Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road.

·        Wednesday 15 January, 4pm - 8pm at Moredun Library, 92 Moredun Park Road.

This is an opportunity to view the draft masterplan and tell us your views on the planning framework for the Edinburgh BioQuarter and SEW Parkland.

You can view the draft masterplan online at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/supplementaryguidance or at your local library. Responses to the draft masterplan should be submitted to the Council by 28 February 2014 to lesley.porteous@edinburgh.gov.uk or Waverley Court, G:3, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG.

Help save the Jawbone Arch on the Meadows

The recent closure of the path under the Jawbones under the Meadows has increased the urgency of finding money for a repair. 


Heidi Pearson, who grew up in Shetland but now stays near the Meadows, has advertised these three ways to give to the renewed appeal (on Facebook):

• Online: www.justgiving.com search for the Meadows Jawbone Arch. You can give by credit or debit card and if you are a taxpayer your tax can be reclaimed.

• Cheque: Please send to Edinburgh World Heritage, 5 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR. Please mark the envelope 'Jawbone'.

• Text: Send a message from your mobile to 70070 with the appeal code EWHT27 and the amount (up to £10). You will receive a reply with a link to allow reclaim of tax.

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council contributed to the original appeal last year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council 
wish you a joyous festive season

note revised start of 6:15pm - Important date for your diary: 14 Jan 2013 MSCC/ local traders social evening

At their November meeting MSCC agreed to hold an event in January to which we would invite as many local retailers as possible to meet with us and, hopefully, develop closer relations.  That event has now been fixed for 

JANUARY 14TH AT 6.15PM*  at the GERMAN SPEAKING CHURCH, CHALMERS CRESCENT 

There will be drinks and light refreshments.  

We need as many Community Councillors, City Councillors and MSPs  as possible to make this event a success. So please put it in your diary and join the party.  

RSVP please to Sarah Sandow or telephone 229 9950

* note revised start time of 6:15pm

Changes to bin days over the festive season from Wednesday 25 December 2013 to Tuesday 7 January 2014

Please note that special arrangements are in place for collection of refuse and recycling over Christmas and the New Year. 

Green, brown and food waste bins and red and blue box collections

Bins will not be collected on 25 December and 1 January but will instead be picked up on Saturday 28 December and Saturday 4 January respectively.

If the Council don’t pick up the bin on the day listed above, they are asking residents to leave it out until we collect it.

Please note that unlike previous years collections that fall on Boxing Day 26 December and Thursday 2 January will happen as normal. Residents should ensure that their bins are out by 6am on the collection day.

Christmas tree recycling

Christmas trees can be recycled at any of the three Community Recycling Centres, which will be open throughout the festive period (except for 25 & 26 Dec and 1 & 2 January)

The Council will also be providing a kerbside Christmas Tree recycling collection. If residents have a brown bin or live in a brown bin area, they are being asked to place their tree at the kerbside, next to the brown bin, by 6am on the next garden waste day.

To enable trees to be recycled residents are reminded to:

·         Remove all decorations from the Christmas tree

·         If the tree is 6ft tall or more, please cut it in half

·         Do not place trees in plastic bags, as this means we cannot recycle it

·         Remove any tree stands

Trees will also be collected from communal bin areas during January. Residents can go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/recycle for more details.

2014 collection calendars

There are no changes to collection days for 2014. Residents can download their collection calendars at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/recycle or call 0131 529 3030 for a copy.

Special uplifts

There will be no special uplift service between Tuesday 24 December and 7 January. Normal service will resume on Tuesday 7 January.

Have your say: Edinburgh Policing Plan 2014-17

Police Scotland are currently undertaking a program of public consultation in order to inform the creation of their next Edinburgh Policing Plan for 2014-17. 

This program has included face-to-face street surveys, local community engagement sessions, a bespoke online business survey and now a general online survey. 

This general online survey is aimed at the general public and will remain open until Tuesday 24th December.