LCCC November 2024 minutes

Minutes of Leith Central Community Council AGM, at Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library, on Monday 18 November 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

Name 2023 2024
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May (AGM) Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Alan Dudley P P P P P A A P P A
Avril Ewing NA NA NA NA NA NA P X P P
Charlotte Encombe P P P P P A P P P P
Pierre Forissier P P P P P A A P A P
Luci Holland NA NA NA NA P A A P P P
Sheila Kennedy P P P P P A P A P P
Jed Milroy NA NA P P A P P P X P
Simon Preston NA NA NA NA NA NA P P P A
Harald Tobermann P P P P P P P P P P
John Wilkinson P P A A P A A P P P
Bruce Ryan P P P P P P P P P P
Cllr Jack Caldwell P P P P P P P P P A
Cllr James Dalgleish P P A P A A A P A P
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan P A A P P A A A A A
Cllr Susan Rae A P P A P A A A P
Ben Macpherson MSP X X X X X X X X X
Tracey Gilbert MP* NA NA NA NA NA NA X X X A
Others Numbers attending 7 18 13 11 7 15 4 3 6 6

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

* Ms Gibert had written to LCCC, stating she and her team have been taking on constituency business since the she was elected. She thanked LCCC for invitations to meetings, but has not been able to attend all the meetings she has been invited to, due to parliamentary business. She is happy to liaise with CCs. H Tobermann has replied on behalf of LCCC.

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

  • none

1.c to agree: order of business below

  • it was agreed to take item 10 (governance) earlier.

2 Approval of minutes of the ordinary LCCC meeting on 21 October 2024

  • Approved subject to noting (item 7.a) that overhanging trees need trimmed, and (item 10) adding detail about the ‘woodpile ‘. (proposed J Wilkinson, seconded H Tobermann, nem con)

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

Item Actor Action Progress
3 row 1 P Forissier, C Encombe Pursue return of CCTV to Dalmeny St In progress*
3 row 3 S Kennedy Notify CEC about co-options Complete
3 row 3 H Tobermann Castigate CEC over its poor systems for CCs, e.g. loss of A Dudley’s 2019 nomination form Done – awaiting reply
3 row 5 P Forissier Visit the Standwell St steps, then make an informed inquiry to the developer Complete
5.b.iv A Dudley Attend meeting of accessible streets commission on 26 November held over
5.c.i LCCC Take a joint approach with neighbouring Community Councils to work on Calton Square Done – awaiting reply
5.d H Toberman Pursue false reports of full parking enforcement, CCing CEC councillors see item 7
7.a.i H Tobermann Report on any response to his letter about needles in Pilrig Park to LCCC’s MP. awaiting reply
7.a.i B Ryan Check what is happening at Napier to design park-friendly sharps bins Complete
7.a.i FoPP chair Follow up H Tobermann’s request that CEC trims trees on the pavement side Complete
7.b Cllrs Caldwell, Rae Promote requests for help with finding a home for the Montgomery St park helter-skelter Superseded
9.a L Holland Attend the ‘Promotion of Community Councils’ meeting See item 10.d
9.b H Tobermann Write to CEC about this provision of IT and banking support etc to CCs see item 10.b
9.d C Encombe Add QR codes to posters advertising LCCC Complete

* It was noted that this is becoming more important due to increased drug dealing in Dalmeny St park. Dealing appears to have reduced in Pilrig park.

4 Policing matters

4.a to note: local (ward) Police report November 2024

  • noted

4.b to note: Thematic inspection of road policing in Scotland (HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland)

  • H Tobermann: the report states that 155 people were killed on Scottish roads last year, 29% higher than the previous year. There has been a drop since 2013 in detected road offences. Over the last 4 years, there has been a drop from 17,000 to 16,000 police. This drop in resources chimes with LCCC’s observations.

5 Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) developments in Leith

5.a to note: purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) developments in Leith, including four recommendations

  • A Ewing: this stems from LCCC needing to fire-fight PBSA developments comes from LCCC firefighting PBSA. There is no umbrella group to produce a city-wide strategy o J Wilkinson: we are not getting any social housing, and this seems to be insoluble. o H Tobermann: the paper names the problem and players, i.e. lines of attack, so we should be able to do something.
    • There was discussion of reasons for the increased amount of PBSA. (Economics was the principal suggestion.) It was noted that the Steads Place development was a joint venture between the developers and Edinburgh University.
    • It was suggested that the recently adopted CItyPlan2030 might help. However, it is not against PBSA.
    • A McIntosh: could inclusion of students help here?
    • Cllr Dalgleish: some students do not want PBSA. I will ask for relevant contact details.

5.a.i Actions in response to the report’s recommendations

  1. Organise a coordinated stakeholder meeting
    • Action: A Ewing to take this forward
  2. Engage with CEC and housing authorities
    • Action: LCCC to develop a strategy before reaching out to these bodies
    • Action: Cllr Dalgleish to obtain contact details for the relevant CEC and stakeholders group, and seek engagement with CCs.
  3. Consider OSCR complaint regarding charitable responsibilities
    • Action: H Tobermann to file a formal complaint to OSCR concerning the universities’ use of charitable resources for PBSA projects in Leith.
  4. Develop a position statement for LCCC
    • Action: A Ewing and C Encombe to pursue this

5.b to note: (for context) Edinburgh local housing strategy consultation survey results

  • noted

5.c to note: (for context) UoE response to FOI request regarding student numbers

  • It was noted that developers claim that investment for residential homes can’t be obtained, thus forcing building of PBSA
    • P Forissier: developers are splitting sites so they are less than the threshold that would mandate social housing. CEC is not holding developers to account over this and other regulations. However, the bingo hall development has been opposed by CEC.

6 Planning

6.a City Plan 2030

6.a.i to note: the new local development plan is live – context and policies here

  • Cllr Dalgleish: I am CEC planning convenor. City Plan 2030 (CP2030) was ratified by CEC recently. CP2303 sets the scope for development in private land. It fits with CEC’s business plans on poverty and equality, making Edinburgh a great place, net zero etc. For residential developments of 15 or more units, 35% must now be affordable housing. CP2030 aims to make new developments more climate-neutral, and has proposals on PBSA. CEC is now working on CP2040.
    • C Encombe: the policy (HOU5) on PBSA seems to be breached very often. What legal basis will there be for actions against PBSA? There is a significant typo in item 3.198 on page 124.
    • Cllr Dalgleish: CEC is developing guidance on what constitutes good travel links between PBSA and institutions, etc. CP2030 only applies to developments proposed after its adoption.
    • A resident: will there be consultations with CCs on this guidance?

6.a.ii to note: NE Edinburgh proposals map

  • noted: this is part of CP2030.

6.a.iii to note: Technical requirements for housing proposals

  • noted: this is also part of CP2030.

6.b to note: Home Quality Mark (developed by BRE)

  • H Tobermann: LCCC should challenge developers to hold to this mark, and get CEC to enforce it.
    • Cllr Dalgleish: CEC will factor PBSA convertibility into its design guidance.

6.c to note: correspondence relating to re-opened planning permission appeal: 14 Ashley Place Edinburgh EH6 5PX

  • noted. The developer originally obtained permission for residential development, but then wished to create PBSA. The developer eventually obtained a court decision against CEC and Scottish Government anti-PBSA decisions.

6.d to note: any other Planning matters relevant to LCCC area

  • A resident: Bangor Rd is zoned for housing but is on a flood-plain. The planned development (currently at PAN stage, for ~180 student flats) has inappropriate height and massing. A second consultation is due soon.
    • LCCC members advised how the resident could gain support against the planned development.

7 Transport and clean streets

7.a to note: incorrect parking enforcement – correspondence with CEC

  • Action: H Tobermaann to pursue this.

7.b to note: any other Transport and clean streets matters relevant to LCCC area

  • J Milroy: Drum workers are parking vans on Steads Place every day, and getting parking tickets. This at least helps with Edinburgh’s economy
  • S Kennedy/J Milroy: A bin-case on Iona St food bin has no container, so has been reported
  • H Tobermann: the communal bin review was approved by TEC today: locations will be considered under somewhat relaxed guidelines, which LCCC favours. However, there should be better (in-cab, instantaneous) reporting IT for the waste vans. CEC has not engaged on this, so I will pursue this.

8 Parks and green spaces

8.a to note: November update from Friends of Pilrig Park

  • J Wilkinson: the parkrun mentioned in the report now has CEC permission, but organisers now need to raise funds, so have applied for LeithChooses funds.
    • It was queried who/what Leith Runs Together (which is organising the parkrun) are.
    • C Encombe: it may be possible to obtain a replacement bench from a prison-related organisation.

8.b to note: update from Friends of Montgomery Street Park

  • no report

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

  • none

9 Licensing

9.a to note: any Licensing matters relevant to LCCC area S Kennedy reported two licensing items:

  • a second-hand dealer in Bangor Rd, which is unlikely to cause problems so LCCC will take no action.
  • a previously-granted license for JC ‘s (294 Leith Walk). It requested an extension to its opening hours via CEC’s planning portal. (LCCC had objected on grounds of noise and detriment to residents, but the permission/liquor licence was granted, with a statement that there would be ‘no adverse impact’.)
    • P Forissier: planning should not have even validated this application.
    • Action: Cllr Dalgleish and P Forissier to follow this up.

10 LCCC Governance

10.a to note: imminent vacancy of LCCC planning convenor and future management of our record of the ‘status of current planning applications’ in LCCC area

  • It was noted that P Foressier is moving outwith LCCC’s area, hence automatically resigning. He was thanks for his massive amount of work for LCCC. He stated that he is happy to continue giving LCCC informal advice.
    • Action: B Ryan to redirect the planning email address to the chair email address on 1 December.
    • Action: LCCC to appoint someone to manage LCCC’s planning spreadsheet in January 2025.

10.b to note: opportunity to shadow Acting Vice Chair’s agenda-making activity (substantial post is vacant – advice and support available)

  • noted

10.c to note: correspondence with CEC regarding IT and banking

  • noted: CEC is unwilling to help with these topics
10.d to note: report from ‘Promotion of Community Councils’ prior to Community Council elections in February 2025
  • noted: The meeting considered some potentially useful ways to promote CCs.
    • Action: H Tobermann to ascertain the exact date that CCs are dissolved prior to the election.

10.e to note: verbal report from ‘Breakfast briefing and panel event: visitor levy for Edinburgh’

  • no report – no-one from LCCC attended this briefing

10.f to note: any other LCCC governance issues

  • Action: LCCC treasurer to ensure payment of minuting, email etc expenses

11 Open Forum (local residents and businesses)

  • Resident: I have serious concerns that McGills will soon be running the 13 bus service. It has no facilities in Edinburgh.

12 AOCB (LCCC members)

  • Action: LCCC’s musician members to provide music at LCCC’s January 2025 meeting
  • Action: LCCC treasurer to pay amounts owed to The Spurtle

13 Future meetings and planned meeting topics/presentations

2025: 20 January, 17 February, 17 March, 21 April, 19 May (AGM), 16 June