LCCC March 2023 minutes

Minutes of Leith Central Community Council meeting, at Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library, on Monday 20 March 2023 at 7:00pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision.

1 Welcome, introductions, attendance, apologies

1.a Present, apologies

Jun

(AGM)

 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Voting members Zoe Curry NA No meeting NA No meeting NA P No meeting P P A
Alan Dudley A P P P A P A
Charlotte Encombe A P A P A A P
Pierre Forissier P X P P P P P
Nick Gardner P A A X P X A
Sheila Kennedy P P P P P A P
Ian Mowat P P P P P P P
Alex Ortiz NA P P A X P A
Harald Tobermann P P P A A P P
Lucy Watters P X P X A X P
John Wilkinson P P P P P P P
Non-voting members Bruce Ryan P A P P P P P
Cllr Jack Caldwell P P P P P P P
Cllr James Dalgleish P P P A A P P
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan A A A A A A X
Cllr Susan Rae X X P A A P A
Ben Macpherson MSP X X A X X X X
Deidre Brock MP A A A A A X X
Number of residents/visitors attending 9 4 8 8 8 12

P = present, A = apology, X = neither present nor sent apology, NA = not applicable

1.b to note: declarations of interest in any items on the agenda

H Tobermann and C Encombe declared interests around item 5.h (11 Pilrig St)

1.c to agree: order of business below

agreed

2 Approval of minutes of the ordinary LCCC meeting on 20 March 2023

Approved subject to noting that LCCC will also maintain a watching brief on Montgomery St and Windsor St, as well as Brunswick St. (proposed I Mowat, seconded J Wilkinson, nem con)

3 Matters arising from previous minutes (and not included on agenda below)

Item Action Status
3 CCTT/Cllr Caldwell to take up resident’s questions about noise and vibration with trams team. In progress
3 C Encombe to chase N Gardner for a reply about his non-attendance of LCCC meetings In progress
3 C Encombe to engage with A Ortiz about him potentially becoming LCCC’s engagement officer In progress
4.a B Ryan to ensure that relevant police email addresses are on LCCC’s email list Done
6.a LCCC to maintain a watching brief on Brunswick St, Montgomery St and Windsor St, and observe if there are difficulties with deliveries following completion of tram works Ongoing
6.c Cllr Caldwell to raise dangerous signage with trams team Done
6.g Cllr Caldwell to alert CEC waste about changes to streets off Leith Walk. Done – a smaller truck is being used

4 Policing matters

4.a to note: local (ward) Police Report/s from 20 February 2023 to date

See PDF of report on LCCC website or text of report in appendix 1.

  • Some LCCC members expressed disappointment that Police did not attend today (‘due to operational requirements’).

4.b to note: Man charged following alleged assault at Leith Walk junction with London Road (EN 16-03-2023)

It was noted that the arrestee had turned left from Leith Walk onto London Rd – a now-illegal manoeuvre.

5 Planning

5.a to note: upcoming examination of Edinburgh Local Development Plan – Proposed City Plan 2030 by Ms Claire Milne, lead reporter (for reference: LCCC 2021 representation)

  • P Forissier: CEC published its draft CItyPlan 2030 in late 2021. There was then a successful consultation on this, leading to a diligent listing (arranged by themes) of issues raised by consultees. A Scottish Government (a senior planner) is now reviewing the current draft of CP2030. LCCC has some concerns about the draft, e.g. lack of definition of ‘affordable homes’ and ‘brownfield, vague writing, illegible maps.
    • Cllr Dalgleish: CEC anticipates SG’s response in ~6 months.
    • H Tobermann: it may be that developers game the changes between the current local development plan and CP2030.

5.b to note: outcome of hearing (Protocol Note 15-03-23) regarding 22/00745/FUL (Conversion of bowling club and bowling green to residential dwelling and garden @ 54 Rosslyn Crescent EH6 5AX)

  • J Wilkinson: Following P Forissier’s briefing, I gave a short presentation at the hearing. Other residents also gave presentations on why this property should remain a community space. The hearing chair and planning officer were minded to permit the proposed conversion but the hearing voted 6:4 to refuse it. The owner may appeal this decision.
  • Cllr Caldwell was thanked by LCCC for obtaining the hearing.

5.c to note: Short-term let Planning Applications – FOI response

  • H Tobermann: there are only 16 retrospective applications for STLs in Leith Walk ward.
  • Cllr Dalgleish: CEC planning is now taking on 6 more staff to focus on STLs and enforcement of STL decisions.

5.d to note: Short Report on Cockburn Mini-Conference – Student housing: crisis and opportunity?

See report by J Wilkinson in appendix 2.

  • It was noted that Scotland’s student numbers are capped by the Scottish Government, but it was suggested that universities are to blame for the rise in student numbers in Edinburgh.
    • B Ryan: it is surprising that only one Edinburgh university is mentioned – there are three other universities in the city.
    • A McIntosh: Edinburgh student numbers have grown by 17,000 over the last 7 years. There is insufficient purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) so PBSA developments are not reducing pressure on other accommodation.
  • A resident: current CEC policy is for student accommodation to be built close to good transport links.
  • L Watters: the co-op that is mentioned is tiny, and there are so few of these that they are effectively irrelevant.
  • H Tobermann: the common factor is private interests, e.g. PBSA developments/students do not pay council tax, but do use CEC services, and PBSA owners profit from summer lets.
    • Cllr Caldwell: there is no obvious solution to the lack of section 75 contributions from PBSA developments.
    • Cllr Dalgleish: CP2030 may help, in that while there cannot be a blanket ban on PBSA developments, any PBSA development larger than 0·25 ha must be 50% normal residential accommodation.
    • Cllr Caldwell: another way forward may be obtaining community opinions via place-brief processes. (P Forissier and a resident noted examples of Edinburgh place briefs being ignored.)

5.e to note: LCCC objection to 22/06119/FUL (The demolition of existing buildings and erection of purpose-built student accommodation with associated landscaping, and cycle parking @ 27 Arthur Street EH6 5DA)

P Forissier developers may obtain permission for normal housing, then submit updates changing the development to PBSA. This application is significantly deficient, but CEC does not bar such applications. It should have been determined on 10 March.

5.f to note: update on ‘BT street hubs’

  • H Tobermann: Cllr Scott Arthur (CEC transport convenor) was the first to respond to my letter noting that these hubs reduce pavement space, stating that one application has been rejected.
    • A resident: apparently CEC has not approved any such applications.
    • I Mowat: one near the commonwealth pool has been approved.

5.g to note: status of current planning applications in our area (March 2023)

  • J Wilkinson: The development of 50 Pilrig St is proceeding. The relevant contribution to the trams has been reduced.
    • This developer has also asked not to contribute to a GP surgery because the site is outwith the relevant area. This is not true, i.e. a mistake was made by the planning officer – further evidence of CEC planning staff being overworked.
    • Cllr Caldwell: section 75 contributions need to be reviewed, e.g. this application stated Pilrig Park cannot be improved.
  • P Forrissier was thanked for maintaining LCCC’s planning list.

5.h to note: any other Planning matters relevant to LCCC area

  • A resident: 139 Leith Walk’s owner plans to demolish a factory that has an asbestos roof. I asked to see the demolition plan, but CEC has stated that this is a building standards matter. There are recent precedents of lack of precautions. Please can councillors chase this immediately? I will email them if I see demolition starting [without a proper plan in place].
  • H Tobermann: conversion of 11 Pilrig St from residential has been refused, so it is operating illegally.
    • Cllr Caldwell: an enforcement notice to close down has been issued. I will follow this up.

6 Transport and clean streets

6.a to note: update on phase 1 CPZ roll-out: briefing and letter from CEC to residents

C Encombe: what happens when a road is in two zones? (There was discussion of exact locations of divides between zones.)

6.b to note: Trams to Newhaven: Leith Walk remedial works w/c 20 March and w/c 27 March 2023

  • H Tobermann: the northbound side of Leith Walk is temporarily closed again for repairs. The southbound side will also be closed temporarily for repairs.
  • H Tobermann: Picardy Place island renovations are delayed due to lack of agreement on the final design.

6.c to note: Tram Team report on walk-throughs with Community Councils

This report, and the time taken by the Trams Team to produce it, were noted.

6.d to note: tram works issues for local residents

A resident: signs that dangerously misdirected pedestrians have been replaced with ‘look both ways’ signs.

6.e to note: tram works issues for local businesses

  • L Watters: there are ongoing issues (e.g. insulation blocking routes, many ‘itison’ vouchers not being redeemed) at the Foot of Leith Walk, so there will be a meeting with Trams Team on 29 March. Some vouchers may be given to church community kitchens.
  • L Watters: local businesses in the controlled parking zones will only receive parking permits for liveried vehicles owned by the business and registered at the business address, not for staff/owners’ own vehicles. Other permits are costly.
    • Action: L Watters to obtain a concrete case of this problem.

6.f to note: any other Transport & Clean Streets matters relevant to LCCC area

P Forissier: Dalmeny St residents are grateful to Cllr Caldwell for keeping them informed.

7 Parks and green spaces

7.a to note: update on plans for re-invigorating and upcoming AGM of the Friends of Pilrig Park

H Tobermann: I have joined FoPP. Its AGM will be on 24 April, and will focus on reviving FoPP’s committee.

7.b to note: any parks and green spaces matters relevant to LCCC area

no matters raised

8 Licensing

8.a to note: any Licensing matters relevant to LCCC area

no matters raised

9 LCCC governance

9.a to note: update on LCCC IT migration

  • H Tobermann: LCCC’s existing email accounts were in danger of being switched off, so have been recreated using a different provider, and a new address for LCCC’s planning convenor has been created. This setup is free for 3 months.
    • Action: B Ryan to help office bearers to access their LCCC emails on their own devices.
    • Action: H Tobermann, B Ryan, Cllr Caldwell to review the new setup’s performance within the free period.
  • B Ryan: there are many [free] ways to undertake online meetings, if LCCC ever decides to meet online.

9.b to note: any other LCCC governance issues

no matters raised

10 Open Forum (local residents)

  • A resident: I thank LCCC for ensuring that some Leith Walk trees have been preserved from demolition by the trams team.
  • A McIntosh: I have been asked by a geographer researching attachment to places and spaces who is now looking for data that is not about heritage areas. Volunteers are welcome.
    • Two students: we are researching architectural conservation, specifically a new conservation plan for parts of Leith.
  • A resident: A watching brief for Brunswick St is not enough – action is needed now to curtail traffic on Windsor St.
    • Action: H Tobermann to raise this issue with the trams team
  • A resident: traffic travelling north on Leith Walk is performing U-turns to get to side-streets on the southbound lane.
    • H Tobermann: this has been raised with the trams team. A new TRO is needed to prevent these manoeuvres.
    • A resident: there is a sign banning U-turns further up Leith Walk.
    • L Watters: a TRO may be needed to ban U-turns at the Leith Walk branch of Sainsburys.
  • A resident: since Leith Walk has reopened, traffic is travelling well over 20mph at nights. Enforcement is required.
    • J Wilkinson: traffic is also speeding on Pilrig St.

11 AOCB (LCCC members)

No matters raised

12 Future ordinary meetings (usually 3rd Monday of the month) and meeting topics/presentations

12.a to note: future meetings on 3rd Monday of each month at 7pm (except July and December)

2023: 17 April, 15 May (AGM), 19 June

13 Appendix 1: text of police report

13.a Welcome to your LCCC Newsletter for March 2023

13.a.i Calls of interest to the Police in Edinburgh Leith Central area 20/02/2023 – 20/03/2023

Total number of calls between 20/02/2023 & 20/03/2023 728 Drugs misuse reports 35
Disturbance calls 30 Public Nuisance / Anti Social Behaviour 72
Crimes of Dishonesty reports 98 Road Traffic matters / offences / collisions 55

13.b Community issues

13.b.i Anti Social behaviour

Police officers identify and attend protracted neighbour disputes in the relevant areas. They triage and advice reports accordingly and link with City of Edinburgh Council FHS department or housing associations to resolve reported issues.

13.b.ii Road Traffic matters

Local community officers continue to monitor complaints from public regarding traffic restrictions around Brunswick Road and London Road. Proactive patrols continue to be carried out.

13.b.iii Community support

Community officers continue to engage with local communities via the community surgery meetings. Locations of the surgeries are McDonald Road Library and Dalmeny Drill Hall.

Local community officers continue to engage and support Ukrainian community hubs located across Leith Central area and Leith Docks.

An event is planned for 25/03/2023 – Emergency Services Day. The event aims to bring various emergency services working across Scotland closer to the local communities. Final planning stage is underway to deliver a safe and positive event for all.

13.c Notable community engagements in the Leith Central area:

Local community officers in partnership with Places for People are planning to hold a community surgery on 29/03/2023 at at McDonald Library, Mcdonald Road between 1200-1300. The surgery is an opportunity to speak to your local “bobby” about issues in your neighbourhood.

A warrant was executed in February 2023 in relation to a spate of thefts from within vehicles from the North East of Edinburgh. One person was arrested and subsequently charged. A number of items was recovered from the property including an unregistered air weapon.

Police officers responded to complaints regarding congestion and inconsiderate parking outside Broughton Primary School, Broughton Road during drop off and pick up times. Officers linked in with staff looking after children at crossings adjacent to the school. Advice was provided to motorists.

Constables from North East Special Constables Team (NEST) and CEC parking attendants carried out joint patrols along Leith Walk focussing on cars parked on pavements. A number of motorists were spoken to and enforcement action was taken against those falling foul of the regulations.

13.d Neighbourhood Watch Scotland in local wards

(This section contained text that was too small to OCR or copy-type.)

13.e Emergency Services Day 25th March 2023, 1100-1500 Scottish Government building, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

(This section contained text that was too small to OCR or copy-type.)

13.f About Us

Local Area Commander: Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal

Leith Community Policing Team based at Leith Police Station: Inspector Colin Fordyce, Sergeant Samantha Rose, plus 8 officers dedicated to community issues in Leith

13.f.i Contact Us

14 Appendix 2: report on student housing conference (8 March 2023)

A report on the Student Housing Conference facilitated by the Cockburn Association. On Wednesday 8 March 2023

This was introduced by Cliff Hague with an overview of the history of student housing. We now have 74,000 students in Edinburgh

Followed by Niamh Roberts the Student Representative who looks after and helps students with their problems. This is a paid post by the University.

Students are not to be looked at as a blob, each problem is a single issue with each student. Accommodation, couch surfing, and debt. And concerns over PBSA (private built student accommodation)

Richard Price Vice chair of the New town & Broughton community Council.

  • The number of PBSA is overwhelming.
  • Why do we dislike them.
  • Students are transient
  • There is over provision
  • Pressure on Doctors and Dentists
  • Noise and mess

Keith Anderson. A presentation via webinar

  • Housing has been in crisis for 25 years
  • When international students stop coming What then?

Prof Colm Harmon. An overview of Edinburgh University.

  • Students growth and well being.
  • Students are part of not the cause of the crisis
  • Students are the 4″ biggest export behind the financial sector
  • No growth for growths sake. The University is hoping to get back to 2019 student numbers. Below 70,000

Is PBSA a failed model with the university propping up the Market.

Question:- Is Edinburgh a Town with a University or a University with a town. A discussion ensued!!

Then a presentation from the student housing co-op. Students want to be involved in their own living.

This is a place for 60 students paying £360 a month. Very oversubscribed so there would be room for this model of housing for students.