LCCC September 2023 minutes

Minutes of Leith Central Community Council AGM, at Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library, on Monday 18 September 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 P No meeting P A
Alan Dudley A P P
Charlotte Encombe P P P
Pierre Forissier P P P
Nick Gardner X X X
Sheila Kennedy P P P
Ian Mowat P P NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Alex Ortiz P X X
Harald Tobermann X A P
John Wilkinson P A P
Non-voting members Bruce Ryan P A P
Lucy Watters X X X
Cllr Jack Caldwell P P P
Cllr James Dalgleish A A P
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan A P P
Cllr Susan Rae X P A
Ben Macpherson MSP X X X
Deidre Brock MP X A X
Number of others attending 11 11 3

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 21 August 2023

Approved subject to noting that the action in 6.a.ii was for all councillors, not just Cllr Caldwell (proposed P Forissier, seconded S Kennedy, nem con)

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

August Item Actor action Progress
3 (row 1) Cllr Rae Contact CEC gully team about Abbeyhill colonies Cllr Rae has asked for drains to be cleaned again. However, issue is with gullies. Hence Cllr Caldwell to chase this via Cllr Rae
3 (row 4) H Tobermann Write to LCCC’s MSP, expressing disappointment at this, and requesting reassurance from Police engaging with LCCC and showing their presence Done – awaiting response

4 Policing matters

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

  • noted, as was receipt of September report just before this meeting.
    • Hence H Tobermann to ask for reports to arrive in advance of meetings.

5 Planning

All points made by P Forissier 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

noted

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

noted

5.c to note: status of current planning applications September 2023

5.c.i Arthur St

  • The original application was approved some time ago, but has been replaced by an application to build student accommodation. This application is currently at appeal.

5.c.ii Ashley Place

  • DMSC will soon decide on this application, another ‘replacement’ application for student accommodation without due scrutiny of the second application and the arguments for and against it. There are also concerns about changed boundaries in the second application. It should be understood that student accommodation is not housing.
    • Cllrs Caldwell and Dalgleish: A hearing has been requested so that this application can be properly scrutinised. (This request will be considered at the next CEC planning meeting.) If a hearing is granted, it will occur in 2-3 months’ time, at which point a detailed presentation will be made.
    • There was discussion of significantly increased student numbers; lack of accommodation for ~20% of students already at Edinburgh University, yet new student accommodation is taking up space that could become housing; CEC ignoring CCs’ positions; lack of scrutiny of applications; that the UK benefits from overseas students’ fees.

5.c.iii Short-term lets

  • H Tobermann: there is currently a sustained media campaign in favour of STLs. Edinburgh University favours STLs as student accommodation.

5.d to agree: two draft letters to CEC Planning department

  • P Forissier: one serious issue is that case officers can approved changes to applications, with no public scrutiny.
    • A resident gave details of the increases in student numbers in the plans for Iona St. (See item 6 in ‘request for transparency’ letter.)
  • H Tobermann: I have seen public comments presented well on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar planning portal.
    • P Foressier: Such transparency is requested in our letters to CEC. Planning officers have discretion as to whether public comments are published.
    • Action: PF to add relevant data into letters to illustrate the scale of the problem, then submit them.
    • Action: B Ryan to add finished version of letters to website; LCCC to undertake public campaign.

5.e to note: Cityplan 2040 (sic) needs to take local place plans into account

  • H Toberman: CP2040 needs to take local place plans into account, which would help prevent, for example, the issues noted in 5.c and 5.d. However, LCCC (and other CCs) will need resources to contribute to the process. Despite the noted frustrations, LCCC (and others) should respond positively to such opportunities.
    • Cllr Caldwell: there was a small victory for place plans/briefs at 240 Leith Walk. LCCC members could make use of https://www.parish-online.co.uk/services/community-map-scotland to build a place plan.
    • H Tobermann: granting of planning permission increases the value of land considerably, without any physical changes to the land. A proportion of such ‘uplift’ should go to the local community and to environmental improvements.

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

no matters raised

6 Transport and clean streets

6.a Controlled parking zone (CPZ) roll out in LCCC area: N7 (Leith Walk/Pilrig), N8 (Leith/North Leith), N6 (Abbeyhill)

6.a.i to note: new issues arising from CPZ roll out and enforcement for local residents and businesses

  • J Wilkinson: Bonnington has not yet had its CPZ roll-out, so there is much commuter-parking here.
  • H Tobermann: the CPZ was inspired in part by the trams, to prevent parking near the line (and hence inconveniencing locals). It also enforced proper communal bins, albeit not always successfully, and may have helped reduce car-numbers.
    • However, the plans were created by a company that did not visit Edinburgh. Further TROs would be needed to change plans. Hence there are issues in the Shaw’s colonies, where many residents do not have street frontage. CEC stated that it will monitor such issues, then maybe issue more permits, but has not been transparent about this process.
    • Cllr McNeese-Mechan: CEC officers will monitor for spare parking capacity over the next ~3 months.
    • Cllr Caldwell: recently, 2 amendments to the overall parking plan were approved: (1) there should be an audit of the entire area; (2) any assessments (including for Shaw’s colonies) should be implemented within 2 months.
    • Cllr McNeese-Mechan/Cllr Caldwell: as well as the colonies issues, there are new developments on roads that have not yet been adopted by CEC, so their residents cannot yet obtain permits. Other new developments include their own parking places, so their residents should not need on-road parking. Flexibility is needed so all residents can buy permits. Unfortunately, there is currently no route for sharing planning information with CEC roads officers. Similarly, planning officials are receiving requests about subletting, a licensing issue, but information flows are not in place.
  • S Kennedy: Rossie Place still lacks white lines showing which parts are only for permit-holder parking, but these should have been painted when CPZ came into force. Enormous lorries are using this road, and there are other parking issues.
  • H Tobermann: some areas only allow residents’ parking, but this is not needed so much during daytimes. Hence such areas could host some parking for shoppers etc.
    • A resident: there is mixed parking in Windsor St, but there is also a lack of spaces for residents.
  • H Tobermann: there is an irrational abundance of poles with parking information, some of which impede pavement-users.
    • Cllr Caldwell: very few residents and business-owners agreed to have such signage on their buildings.
  • Action: Harald Tobermann to use the above points in a letter in to CEC.

6.a.ii to note: progress on issues reported in Dryden Terrace and Shaw’s Colonies

  • covered in 6.a.ii – Dryden Terrace is part of the Shaw’s colonies.

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

  • H Tobermann: this item is about the public realm. Over the last two years of construction, CCTT had engaged consistently with the CEC trams team (TT), but now TT has been reduced in number and the contractors have gone. (H Ross is still in her TT post but her hours, responsibilities and available resources are unclear.) Hence the need to monitor and push CEC. It would be beneficial for CCTT to continue, and for LCCC to delegate power to speak to CCTT over the next two years (the defects period). There are clear examples of the project not being completed or done well.
    • C Encombe: the main CCTT message is ‘the project isn’t finished’. CEC needs to ensure there is someone suitable in charge of the defects process. CCs should keep up the pressure on CEC.
    • J Wilkinson: the current layout at the Foot of the Walk is extremely dangerous for cyclists. This is exacerbated by extremely poor driving at times.
    • Cllr McNeese-Mechan: C Wilson is still available.
    • A resident: LCCC should stick to its guns.
    • H Tobermann: LCCC, through CCTT, should insist the TT remain and are funded to complete the project; to date, neither CEC Director of Place nor Cllr Arthur (TEC convenor) have sufficiently engaged with such suggestions.
  • Decision: CCTT and LCCC to act as noted above, including a media campaign (agreed nem con)

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

  • Rossie Place bins are not being replaced properly, so cars then park in ways that prevent proper bin-placement.
    • Action: Cllr Caldwell to chase this up.
  • Cllr Caldwell: there is no new news about the left turn from Leith Walk to Brunswick St. It was closed ‘temporarily’ under the Trams Act 2006 ‘emergency’ powers. Permanent closure would require a TRO, which would be consulted on.
  • J Wilkinson: work at the top of Dryden St is now complete.
  • A Dudley: tactile paving is still not in the right place.
    • Cllr Caldwell: all side streets should receive tactile paving. I will press further.
  • J Wilkinson: Bonnington Rd is being dug up again. The traffic here is awful.

7 Parks and green spaces

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

  • J Wilkinson: thistles have been removed, so that the park can host wildflowers. 5000 bulbs are due in the autumn.

7.b to note: any Parks & Green Spaces matters relevant to LCCC area

  • Cllr McNeese-Mechan: the Montgomery St park helter-skelter is being assessed for potential conservation.
  • H Tobermann: I have submitted an FOI request to Network Rail about any engagement with CEC on the Powderhall green corridor. The feasibility study undertaken some time ago has not yet been published.
    • Cllrs McNeese-Mechan and Caldwell: a sublease was signed by NR in spring 2022. Cllr Arthur has been mandated to express dismay to NR, who are being unresponsive.

8 Licensing

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

  • S Kennedy: no new alcohol applications have been made, but there is an application for a street-trader license near the Elm Row pigeons. It is not possible to object to such applications.
    • H Tobermann: this would impede pedestrians, and take business from existing nearby businesses.
    • C Encombe: it is possible to object on overprovision grounds. The CEC licensing process lacks transparency.
    • Action: S Kennedy to submit objection

9 LCCC Governance

9.a To note: Ian Mowat’s resignation from LCCC

  • Ian was thanked for his work for LCCC.
    • B Ryan: LCCC has room for other voting members.
    • There was discussion of attendances and potential new members.

9.b to note: opportunity for new or aspiring LCCC members to ‘shadow’ the chair and vice chair (including agenda preparation)

noted

9.c to note: Community Council Scheme and Boundary Review 2023 and CC Elections 2024

  • noted
    • H Tobermann: it would be better if CC, council ward, Holyrood and Westminster boundaries were congruent.

9.d to note: any other LCCC governance issues

none

10 Open Forum (local residents)[1]

  • A resident: the same architect has designed several ‘replace housing with student accommodation’ plans.
  • H Tobermann: if so, this architect should be named more publicly.
  • S Kennedy: CEC road asset management team is not responding to enquiries about when Alva St and Mayfield will be upgraded. What can be done?
  • Actions: S Kennedy to forward her email to Cllr Caldwell; Cllr Caldwell to chase this
  • A resident: A Windsor St, Elm Row, Leopold Place and Montgomery St Association has been formed. See welm.org.uk.
  • A resident: it is not clear how locations of bin-hubs were decided.
    • Action: Cllr Caldwell to engage with this.

11 AOCB (LCCC members)[2]

All points raised here are reported under headings 5.d (transparency in planning) and 6.c (Bonnington Rd).

12 Bulletin[3]

BT urged to ‘refurbish phone box’ as digital hub plans rejected (STV, 30-08-23)

13 Future Meetings and planned meeting topics/presentations

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

[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.