The Friends of Montgomery Street Park (the official ‘Friends’ group) are hosting their annual Summer Fair tomorrow from 12pm – 4pm. Pop along for music, a bouncy castle, a fire engine, five-a-side football, music and local food stalls.

The Friends of Montgomery Street Park (the official ‘Friends’ group) are hosting their annual Summer Fair tomorrow from 12pm – 4pm. Pop along for music, a bouncy castle, a fire engine, five-a-side football, music and local food stalls.
Re!Create Scotland and Leith Community Education Centre are hosting a “help yourself” event on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2019. Interested parties are encouraged to come along for essential household items, including adult/young adult clothing needing a new home.
11am – 4pm at the Community Centre.
After the success of the first Volunteer Fair in June, where organisations such as Leither’s Don’t Litter, the YMCA and our Community Council took part in, Leith Community Education Centre are hosting a second one on Thursday 10th October 2019 from 4pm to 7pm.
The volunteer fair is an excellent way to get involved the local community and learn what people and organisations are up to across greater Leith.
As you may be aware, London Road has several stops for East Coast Buses number 113 to Pencaitland and number 124 to North Berwick, connecting the Leith Central area in Edinburgh to East Lothian.
East Lothian Council are consulting on the viability of these routes and seek feedback from anyone that is uses them, to see if they’re worth continuing.
You can take part at eastlothianconsultations.co.uk
Consultation opens 9th September and closes 20th October 2019
While the planning system can be complex and confusing, it is also vital to how Leith will develop and its future. This is an opportunity to meet with neighbours and colleagues alongside members of the Community Council to explore, identify and prioritise some of the key issues affecting the area.
This is one of a series of events developed by Leith Creative in partnership with the three Leith Community Councils.
Have your say at this community master-planning and design workshop. Tickets are availible here.
McDonald Road Library, Saturday 21 September, 11- 3pm
Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Leith Central Community Council, held in Nelson Hall, McDonald Road library on Monday 17 June 2019 at 7:30pm
Minutes initially recorded by B. Ryan.
Actions and decisions are red italic underlined SmallCaps. nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision.
Name |
2019 |
|||||||
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Clara Boeker |
✓ |
* |
No meeting |
No meeting |
||||
Jack Caldwell |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Jeremy Darot |
* |
* |
||||||
Alan Dudley |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Charlotte Encombe |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Pierre Forissier |
✓ |
* |
||||||
Nick Gardner |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
John Hein |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Sheila Kennedy |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Ian Mowat |
A |
✓ |
||||||
Lorraine Moore |
A |
* |
||||||
Damian Sefton |
* |
* |
||||||
Julian Siann |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Harald Tobermann |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
John Wilkinson |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Bruce Ryan |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan |
✓ |
A |
||||||
Cllr Rob Munn |
✓ |
* |
||||||
Cllr Susan Rae |
✓ |
✓ |
||||||
Cllr Lewis Ritchie |
A |
✓ |
||||||
A |
A |
|||||||
Alison Johnstone MSP |
A |
* |
||||||
A |
A |
✓ = present; A = not present, sent apology; * = not present, did not send apology
None
Decision: at this meeting, to hear councillors’ reports immediately after police. Discussion of precedent is in item 7 below.
AGM & ordinary meeting minutes approved subject to making these changes (proposed A Dudley, seconded H Tobermann).
PC Weaver reported
N Gardner asked about phone boxes that have been left to become unsightly, and apparently only serve as sites of ASB and drug-dealing. It was noted that BT has an obligation to keep a certain number of boxes in good order. Action: N Gardner to forward relevant contact details to PC Weaver, PC Weaver to chase this up.
Cllr Ritchie noted that ‘Chris’ is being tagged in graffiti across Leith. PC Weaver stated that this has not been reported, but will follow this up.
H Tobermann noted that the ‘naked men’ are back in the Water of Leith, after 2 years of campaigning to get the walkway reopened, and that a major obstacle has been that CEC does not own the land, and so has few rights over it. He suggested that a permanent public right is needed in relevant planning permissions. He thanked the Spurtle for its positive coverage of LCCC’s work on this issue, and noted that such work demonstrates the value of community councils.
N Gardner reported that FoPP’s annual picnic is on Saturday (12 noon to 2pm). They have drafted a simple questionnaire about park improvements. This will include a question on catering vans. It was noted that LCCC has not yet decided its position on this topic. Discussion on this issue included
No position was decided: instead LCCC’s licensing committee will deal with each instance on its (de)merits as appropriate.
Action: N Gardner to circulate, via B Ryan, the details of FoMSP’s annual summer day (probably 14 September).
CE noted that this document was very well written, thanked H Tobermann, N Garder C Boeker J Siann, Leith Links CC and Leith Harbour and Newhaven CC for their contributions, and that this document is a great example of CC collaboration.
H Tobermann noted that the next step is the deadline for submission to the appeal (6 July). The SG reporter has been appointed, and now has to read all submissions, visit the site and decide whether to hold a hearing (relatively light process) or a public enquiry (this will need serious lawyers) needed. So the process will take at least until summer 2019. Then the reporter will decide for or against planning permission, based partly on the submissions but mostly on legal precedent.
H Tobermann also noted that Edinburgh University has withdrawn from the plans due to Drum’s lack of community engagement, but that business that had been in the affected buildings continue to suffer gravely.
H Tobermann noted that the Cockburn Association is ‘gearing up’ for the next version of Local Development Plans (LDPs).
It was noted that Duncan Bremner of Leith Late is organizing this event about the Leith LDP. The venue is still TBC.
H Tobermann noted that this was previously used for health and social work, and latterly for by the CEC trams team. Outline planning permission for a housing development has already been obtained by John Lewis for this site.
H Tobermann noted that because there is no full planning application for this site, a community buy-out could be organized, and that CCs cannot organize such buy-outs but other constituted groups can.
It was noted that no LCCC representative attended this.
H Tobermann noted that LCCC agreed at the last meeting to suggest that the developers should ‘pack it in’, because they have failed to arrange a suitable PAN-presentation to LCCC. He also noted that they wish to make such presentations after the summer, and that he has asked CEC if this means the developer will need to make its application completely de novo.
J SIann noted that he has very recently updated LCCC’s planning spreadsheet, which contains many long-standing applications. He suggested asking CEC when these will be resolved.
Action: C Encombe to inform N Gardner about this, with regard to Friends of Montgomery St Park and Friends of Pilrig Park.
See item 7e below
C Encombe noted that she wrote to Cllr Mcvey about this. He responded that he understood the issue, but left Cllr A McNeese-Mechan to take this forward. Cllr AMM has had no success so far. Action: C Encombe to urge cllr AMM to hurry.
I Mowat noted
Action: IM to (1) circulate up-to-date version of accounts; (2) circulate and budget (including pending information of cost of screen [or white bedsheet]; (3) liaise with L Moore about approval of accounts
Decision: signatories are to be treasurer, chair, vicechair, secretary. Cheques will be signed by two of these.
J Caldwell noted
J Caldwell noted
No items
H Tobermann reported
H Tobermann noted that this was mostly prompted by the need to fix side-streets along the tram-route before those works start. J Wilkinson noted that some work has been delayed already, and that there have been issues with traffic cones.
S Kennedy reported about the strategic review of parking:
No items
She reported that Network Rail has started clearing a brae in Bonnington, so the wall at the top can be fixed. She also noted that the Greens and the Vegan Society stalls at Leith Gala were placed next to the meat-burger van, causing much ‘fun’.
He noted that tomorrow morning is the deadline for questions to various CEC officer-holders, so he is collating questions around small businesses. It appears to Cllr Ritchie that some CEC policies hamper small businesses, so he is trying to tackle this. Examples include large rates rises and need for better processes.
C Encombe raised the subject of short-term lets. Cllr Ritchie noted that a relevant bill is going through the Scottish Parliament. A proposed amendment to give regulatory powers over short-term lets is allegedly being blocked, but the bill is at parliamentary stage 3. However, CEC is in favour of getting these powers.
A Macintosh offered to put LCCC’s advertising flyer on the Spurtle website for free. Action: J Caldwell to send it electronically.
This was noted.
See item 7.b.ii above.
Action: H Tobermann to invite him to present at LCCC’s September meeting.
1 This agenda point allows members of the public to raise issues of public interest.
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.
(Adapted from an email by the City of Edinburgh Council’s ‘Trams to Newhaven’ team)
Ground investigation works
Ground and site investigations (GI) along the route are now in the final stages, with the last of this phase of works due to complete by mid-August.
These essential pre-enabling works, programmed by the tram project’s Systems and Infrastructure contractor Sacyr, Farrans, Neopul (SFN), involve SFN carrying out detailed GI works at 25 sites along the route. The work is being carried out in sections of approximately 100 metres at a time under localised lane closures.
The purpose of these GI works is to determine the ground conditions along the length of the new tram route so that the project’s final design can be confirmed. SFN will check the depth of the bedrock along the route, for example to see how deep tram infrastructure foundations need to be, as well as the dimensions of the ‘slab track’ which will be laid under the tram track itself.
Current works
Works will commence on Leith Walk at Jameson Place from today, 31 July, and complete on 4 August 2019. This will be followed by a final round of GI at Elm Row opposite Haddington Place from 5 August to 9 August 2019. This will result in the temporary removal of parking /loading bays for approximately one week, with temporary traffic management arrangements in place.
Should you have any queries or concerns regarding the works, particularly around any scheduled deliveries you have planned during this time, please contact the team via the button below. Alternatively you can give us a call on 0131 200 2000. Further information can also be found at our website at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven
As there hasn’t been an active ‘Friends of’ group for a few years, people are coming from across the area and are working with Edinburgh Council and service partners such as Edinburgh Police North Eastto improve Dalmeny Street Park and plan out the future. Below wording is based on their April 2019 newsletter;
Survey results
Firstly, very many thanks to all who took part in the recent survey that was carried out both online, at the park itself and Restalrig church. Responses have shown that a cleaner park, dog issues, and anti-social behaviours were all key matters. We shall be sharing these findings in early May.
These have been discussed with the Edinburgh Parks Team, who as you will appreciate have a very limited budget to cover the parks across the whole of the area. So, based on what is required to bring the park up to an acceptable level for all users of the facilities available we, that is the community, must produce a development plan so that phased works can be carried out.
We obviously cannot rely on the City of Edinburgh Council to fund everything that we would like to have so based on the questions that were in the survey and order of priority given by the community, we can break the list down to what we can help with as a community and larger projects that the council can do if and when funds become available.
Cleanliness of park
Ade carries out a litter pick of the area every Friday afternoon weather permitting, there is always room for VOLUNTEERS.
Dogs fouling
The Environmental Wardens are going to be monitoring the area to ensure mess is cleared up by owners. It has been mentioned that some dogs are not always being watched by owners, so it was suggested that for the summer months we trial the removal of gates at entrances.
Rubbish bins
The City of Edinburgh Council have placed 2 brand new bins at the entrance to park much larger than previous ones.
Benches
The existing benches are painted black however we can paint them any colour we wish so long as it is all weather paint. If we want extra benches it was suggested, that we try for the picnic style which could encourage people to have a picnic without fear of dogs trampling over their food.
Flowers
The banking at the IONA street end of the green space could be planted with flowers, the new park logo could be the centre piece, project for local school?
Lighting
This was obviously very near the top of list however it is also the most expensive, it was suggested that we try to source eco-friendly, (solar power) and apply for funding through other sources. Local Police felt that lights may encourage more people to loiter around the area however it may also encourage more dog walkers, or walkers in the evening.
These are just a few of the many ideas/ suggestions that have been under discussion on how to improve Dalmeny Street Community Park for use by all not just a few. If you have a few hours to spare or wish to become involved in any way, please contact us via the Facebook Group ‘Dalmeny Street Community Park‘ or better still come along to one of our meetings at Pilmeny Resource Centre 15 Buchanan Street, commencing 7pm every second Tuesday of the month.
Regular updates will follow. There will also be a BIG LUNCH event on the 1st of June, in conjunction with the Eden Project who are hosting gatherings across Scotland and the UK.
Petition to re-open the Leith Walk shops
Last month, Leith Central Community Council worked alongside numerous organisations and neighbouring community councils to oppose the development on the site of 106-154 Leith Walk (also known as Stead’s Place).
The City of Edinburgh Council subsequently rejected Drum Property Group’s application. One of the items that was raised included the closure of the shops on Leith Walk.
The Save Leith Walk campaign has set up a petition to re-open the shops, which can be signed at 38Degrees.
Between 2-4pm on the 24th March at the Leith Community Education Centre, Leith Creative will be hosting Matt Baker from the Stove.
For those who don’t know the Stove, they are an artist collective and community network who, amongst other things, are looking to buy back some of the local high street in the town for community use.
Matt has a wealth experience within the asset transfer process and can give an overview of the many forms of support that are available to communities, alongside sharing some personal insights as to how that happens on the ground.
Taking inspiration from some of the town hall debates happening nationally we are seeking to develop a new forum to address some of the pressing issues affect the area and are open to suggestions and recommendations for guests.
The event is free and open to all. Refreshments will be be available but feel free to bring a dish for pot luck snacks.
More info available on the Facebook event at https://facebook.com/events/409518339851744/