LCCC August 2023 minutes

Minutes of Leith Central Community Council AGM, at Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library, on Monday 21 August 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

No meeting

Alan Dudley

Charlotte Encombe

Pierre Forissier

Nick Gardner

Sheila Kennedy

Ian Mowat

Alex Ortiz

Harald Tobermann

John Wilkinson

Non-voting members

Bruce Ryan

Lucy Watters

Cllr Jack Caldwell

Cllr James Dalgleish

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan

Cllr Susan Rae

Ben Macpherson MSP

Deidre Brock MP

Number of residents/visitors attending

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

none

1.c to agree: order of business below

agreed

2 Approval of minutes of the ordinary LCCC meeting on 19 June 2023

Item approved as is (proposed P Forissier, seconded C Encombe)

2.a to note: AGM minutes 19 June 2023

approved as is (proposed Z Curry, seconded C Encombe)

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

In addition to the following, it was noted that a burnt-out car in Pilrig Park had now been removed.

Item	Actor	action	Progress
3 (row 1)	Cllr Rae	Contact CEC gully team about Abbeyhill colonies	Done but no substantive response, so Cllr Rae to chase
3 (row 3)	Z Curry	Raise planter issues as appropriate	Done
3 (row 4)	Cllrs Caldwell, Dalgleish, Rae	Monitor for issues relating to licence granted to former McColls shop	No issues apparent
4.a	H Tobermann	Write to LCCC’s MSP, expressing disappointment at this, and requesting reassurance from Police engaging with LCCC and showing their presence	in progress
5.a	H Tobermann/ P Forissier	Write to planning convenor about 139 Leith Walk	in progress
5.c	H Tobermann/ P Forissier	write to planning convenor, asking for transparency around objections, and for giving more weight to CC objections	in progress
6.a.i	H Tobermann	Write to CEC on behalf of Shaw’s residents about their ineligibility for parking permits	pending CEC response
7.b	Z Curry	Report to LCCC on the ‘thriving green spaces’ meeting	Done
7.b	S Kennedy	Write appropriate letters about dogs in parks	Cllr Caldwell contacted the park in question
8.a	S Kennedy	Advise CEC etc that she can be emailed at secretary@leithcentralcc.co.uk	Done
9.a	B Ryan, Cllr Caldwell, H Tobermann	meet to further changes to LCCC’s IT.	in progress
9.d	I Mowat/Z Curry	Change over bank-account signatories	Done
10	H Tobermann	Write to CEC about reduced number of bins on Leith Walk	in progress
11	Cllr Caldwell	Cllr Caldwell to provide links to information about Rossie Place cycle containers	Done

4 Policing Matters

4.a to note: local (ward) Police Report July 2023

A report for August also arrived just before the meeting started.

4.b to note: Edinburgh-wide Police Report April 2022 to March 2023

noted

4.c to note: 2023/24 Police Scotland Survey (closes 31 Mar 2024): opportunity for residents to comment on ‘local priorities’: Addressing violence; Reducing drug harm and targeting supply; Tackling housebreaking and crimes of theft and dishonesty; Dealing with disorder and antisocial behaviour; Making our roads safer.

noted

5 Planning

All points made by P Forrisier unless otherwise noted.

5.a to note: planning appeal ENA-230-2265 and LBE-230-2057 submitted by Apex Services for 11 Pilrig Street EH6 5AN

This is a retrospective application to operate a guest-house – CEC has already refused permission, but the owner has appealed to the Scottish Government. Meanwhile there is no enforcement of CEC’s refusal.

5.b to note: planning appeal PPA-230-2435 submitted by K Ross & D Pearce for 54 Rosslyn Crescent EH6 5AX

This is conversion of the former bowling club to a private house. Much community concern was raised, because bowling greens should be public places. Hence CEC refused permission, but the owners have appealed to SG.

5.c to note: further information and comments requested by DPEA in connection with proposed Local Development Plan (City Plan 2030) on affordable house and retail

CP2030 replaces the previous (2016) LDP. It will provide guidance on permitted development types across Edinburgh. It is very welcome that the consultation has been wider than for previous LDPs, that LCCC’s input has been addressed, and that the consultation is very transparent. Currently SG is asking CEC about for a clear definition of affordable housing, and about the minima CEC would require. SG also has raised LCCC’s concerns about ‘automatic’ granting of applications smaller than 2500 m². CEC has until the end of 2023 to finish CP2030.

5.d to note: status of current planning applications August 2023

It is welcome that this ‘substitute’ application (i.e. replacing normal housing with student housing) has been refused.

5.e to note: Scottish Parliament Scrutiny of the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill has been extended until 15th September

noted

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

A resident: there is a tendency to appeal planning refusals to SG, and local residents have no place in the appeals process.
Another resident: there are ways to contact the SG reporters.
P Forissier: the weekly lists of planning matters are overwhelming.

6 Transport and clean streets

6.a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) roll out in LCCC area

6.a.i to note: Strategic Review of Parking – Briefing No 5 Jul23 (cf March 2023)

I Mowat: changes have been implemented in some areas, but there is no sign of implementation in other areas.
S Kennedy: work in Abbeyhill is due to start on 4 September.
C Encombe: control of parking has been very successful in Pilrig St.
A resident: parking places on Leith Walk are restricted to ‘loading only’ at ‘bizarre’ times.
Cllr Caldwell: there have been some mistakes in setting up parking places.

6.a.ii to note: monitoring of permit uptake near Shaw’s Colonies (with adopted, non-adopted and no frontages)

A resident: CEC has stated it is monitoring the situation, but has provided no information on how it is doing this. CEC originally stateS that residents could not get permits, but has changed its opinion on one of the Colony streets. It is not know who owns the (unadopted) streets. There are issues with non-residents parking outside residents’ houses. There is a concern that parking permits are being used as a ‘cash cow’, while residents cannot part outside their homes.
Cllr Rae: because lanes are not adopted, CEC cannot act here.
Cllr McNeese-Mechan: local councillors are trying to get this situation resolved. Some ‘streets’ are merely dirt paths.
Cllr Caldwell: we are trying to use the change for one ‘street’ here as a precedent for desirable changes. All ward councillors will keep on pressuring for this.

6.a.iii to note: issues arising from phase 1 on parking, loading and communal bins

no points raised

6.b to note: location of communal bins as recorded in Communal Bins Atlas; this will be updated as soon as the imminently expected missing bin clusters on Leith Walk (e.g. north of Pilrig bus stop) have been installed

noted
A Dudley: there have been sustained calls to install tactile paving along the route, but such paving appears to have bene installed randomly (presumably with no consultation with people who would benefit from it). I will soon meet with the Edinburgh Access Group to discuss placement of paving – some is distant from actual kerbs. Then I will meet with Cllr Caldwell to discuss how to pursue improvements.
A resident: I have tripped over the kerbs between cycle-lanes and pavements. Have you?
A Dudley: yes. It is difficult because these kerb-heights vary.
Cllr McNeese-Mechan: we have raised this issue – I have tripped too. Fluorescent marking might help.
A resident: café tables and chairs add to such problems.
C Encombe: there is much snagging to be done as a result of such issues.

6.c to note: general update on contractual state of Trams to Newhaven project and outlook for next two years and beyond

C Encombe: there are over 600 snagging items remaining. There should be a meeting of CCTT to delve into this. CCTT is working on a list of outstanding issues where specifications have not been met.
There was discussion of the issues that should be on such a list.

6.d to note: outstanding issues after Dalmeny Street pavement renewal

S Kennedy: a resident has asked if anything can be done.
Action: SK to forward the linked item to the resident.

6.e to note: any other Transport and clean streets matters relevant to LCCC area

no points raised

7 Parks and green spaces

7.a to note: August 2023 report from Friends of Pilrig Park

noted

7.b to note: Parks and Openspace Investment Update (10-08-23)

C Encombe suggested tht the avaulble money will not go very far.

7.c to note: any Parks and green spaces matters relevant to LCCC area

A resident: please explain the issues with dog-fouling in Montgomery St park.
Cllr Caldwell: a bylaw was imposed in 1988, but CEC can no longer make bylaws. (Cllr McNeese-Mechan added that councils can make bylaws, but these then need Scottish parliament approval to be enforced.) However, there are ‘no dog’ signs on park entrances, yet people are concerned by dogs fouling parks and digging holes.
Cllr McNeese-Mechan: there are bylaws about play areas.
A resident: I have had difficulty contacting online Friends of Montgomery St park.
C Encombe: LCCC can try to contact N Gardner, who is a FoMSP office-bearer.
S Kennedy: dog-presences in MSP significantly increased during COVID. The play area is sealed off, and the signs appeared after people had used it as a dog-toilet.
A resident: the signs appear to apply to the play area only, not the grassed area. Responsible dog-owners clear up after their dogs, and deal with irresponsible ones.
A resident: there is now a Friends of Pilrig park, and the first litter-pick in this park in ages has taken place. Here has also been a meeting with the local PC about drug activities in the park, especially in wooded areas. There will be a public meeting on 5 December.

8 Licensing

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

S Kennedy: the only application is for a piercing parlour which already has a shop in Easter Rd. LCCC has no objections, but notes there are already three such shops in the area.
A resident: how can I raise concerns about noisy pubs?
Cllr McNeese-Mechan: CEC investigates suitability of applicants, potential nuisance etc when considering applications for new and changed licenses.

9 LCCC Governance

9.a to note: booking confirmation and costs for monthly LCCC meetings

noted

9.b to note: opportunity of co-option of a representative of CEC registered local groups

C Encombe: friends of parks’ representatives could become voting members of LCCC, via applications to CEC.

9.c to note: update on LCCC Transport and clean streets committee membership

I Mowat: I am stepping down from LCCC. The remaining committee members are H Tobermann, S Kennedy, C Encombe, and J Wilkinson.

9.d to agree: Leith gala stall financial contribution

I Mowat: this has already been paid.

9.e to note: any other LCCC governance issues

Z Curry: now I can make payments, I need to pay outstanding minutes fees.

10 Open Forum (local residents)^[1]

A resident: the streetscape installed in June contravenes Edinburgh Street Design Guidance in many ways. The Balfour St bench does not meet ESDG, despite comments by Trams to Newhaven that it does, obstructs customers and makes me feel unsafe such that I feel unable to continue my business. (NB I am for benches if they are in suitable positions.)
Cllr Caldwell: I have seen the bench in question, and have asked for it to be moved. Items that may have conformed with previous versions of ESDG may well not conform to the current version, so I will enquire about this at full council, and about other items that narrow pavements. This is not a snagging issue in that it matches a design. There were changes, e.g. locations of planters in response to community feedback.
A resident: this does not match any drawings of which I am aware.
C Encombe: CCTT will raise this as and when it can.
Another resident: cycle-paths along the route are still closed, yet are in use. Worse, cyclists are cycling in very dangerous manners. I am concerned about how long drivers are allowed to block roads.
Cllr Caldwell: action is in progress about delivery lorries blocking roads.
Another resident: there are outstanding concerns about Brunswick St. it will be unfair on residents if this street is opened but other left turns from Leith Walk are not. TTN/CEC has not been forthcoming. We have counted the large number of near-accidents caused by vehicles speeding here.
Cllr Caldwell: the 2006 Trams Act gives trams to Newhaven discretion on emergency closures. I am clear that there should be better management of such turns. TROs will be needed. I will chase up such issues at full council.
Another resident: this issue is having knock-on effects elsewhere, yet there has been no monitoring.
There was discussion of the potential impact from contracts moving from TTN contractors to CEC.
A resident: there is noise from drunks awaiting trams on Constitution St.

11 AOCB (LCCC members)^[2]

No points raised

12 Bulletin^[3]

12.a Edinburgh’s short-term lets policy changed after court ruling (MV, 04-08-23)

All STL owners will still need licenses, along with suitable certification and insurance.

13 Future meetings and planned meeting topics/presentations

2023: 18 Sep, 16 Oct, 20 Nov (no meeting in Dec); 2024: 15 Jan, 19 Feb, 18 Mar, 15 April, 20 May (AGM), 17 June (no meeting in July)

^[1] This agenda point allows members of the public to raise issues of public interest; during online meetings, please raise your virtual hand.

^[2] This agenda point allows LCCC members to raise issues not covered by the agenda.

^[3] This is for information only; any discussion to be brought to a future meeting.