TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Transcription

1 TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 9th November 2009 at 7.00pm in St Serfs Church Halls. Present: P. Brindle, S. Fowlie, L. Grant, K. Jobling (in Chair), T. Kelly, T. Kerr (Secretary), I. Kruk, D. Pestell, J. Rowan, J. Rust (Vice-Chair), R. Scott, B Shorthose, M. Wallace, L. Weir. In Attendance: Steven Cuthill, Environment Manager, Cllr. C. Day, B. Frances, PC. G. Gow, Cllr. A. Jackson, Dr. C. Lutton, Cllr. E. Morris, R. Shearer, Ian Stewart, North Edinburgh Trust, Peter Strong Neighbourhood Manager, Apologies: A. Cameron, Cllr. S. Cardownie, M. Chisholm MSP, N. Flannigan. Minutes of meeting held on 12 th October; Approved. Proposed as correct by; L. Grant Seconded by; I Kruk Matters arising from the minutes; R. Shearer raised concern regarding the Hospice proposal; the Chairman told the meeting that the Community Council is in no position to comment further re this proposal as a decision has been made by the City Council Planning Committee. Dr. C. Lutton asked for clarification concerning the Planning report, his son s house, no 11 Boswall Road, was not bought by the Hospice. This was noted. The Chairman raised the issue of the vacant Treasurer s position, he asked for any community councillor interested in taking on this relatively easy role, to contact him. The lighting Project concerning Victoria Park has been approved by the Neighbourhood Partnership, both spurs and the main lighting route were agreed. Cllr. Jackson informed the meeting that he had presented a motion to the Council concerning the Cycling event in Victoria Park; this event was not well received by local people. Cllr. Jackson confirmed that bollards are to be placed at Granton Road, thus stopping cars from parking on the pavement. Floodlights at Trinity Primary, Cllr. Jackson had looked into this matter and had been told there were no floodlights in the school grounds, D. Pestell insisted that lights had and were being left on in the grounds, the type of light or its name is unimportant, money and energy are being wasted. Cllr. Jackson would investigate further. The Secretary confirmed that cheques had been issued to local schools, 750 to Trinity Primary to pay for the interactive library, 500 to Victoria Primary for their new garden bench and 500 to Wardie Primary to pay towards the sensory garden project. T. Kerr also confirmed that quotes had been received concerning new notice boards; North Edinburgh Trust had been very helpful to the Secretary in this respect.

2 A full page article had been put together by the Secretary and published in the most recent edition of the Trinity Spotlight at a very reasonable cost. T. Kerr confirmed that a letter from the Community Council objecting to the Fort/Trinity merger had been sent and accepted by the City Council. Cllr. Morris updated members on the issue of trees at the Hospice site; she told the meeting that any trees removed to allow for construction at the said site would be replaced by semimature trees. Cllr. Morris is to keep a close eye on this situation as it is of great importance to local people and to the Community Council. Dr. Lutton stated that he felt it important that a community councillor attend the Edinburgh Association of Community Council meetings. Correspondence; Anyone interested in what is going on at Newhaven Church can speak to L. Weir, the church has a website detailing events, The Chairman mentioned that the Church was having a fundraising quiz night, 28 th November in aid of Christian Aid s Harvest Appeal; anyone interested should speak to Lesley-Anne. The Secretary had received an from D. Pestell concerning a new proposal by local residents to take part in an inter-community rowing event. A new boat would be needed and funds for this event would be welcomed, T. Kerr to meet with D. Pestell re this issue and report further. Newsletters had been received from Malcolm Chisholm and Gavin Brown MSP s. The recent edition of the North Edinburgh News and the NHS Newsletter had also been received. Forms were available from the Secretary for the new community councillor induction day, this event was open to all community councillors, and the event is to take place on the 5 th December at City Chambers 9.30 onwards. A letter had been received by a Mrs. McKinlay concerning the lights at the 5-a-side pitch at Victoria Park; Mrs. McKinlay felt the resources at Bangholm should be better used as the pitch at V. Park floods every time it rains. The Chairman stated that lighting at the pitch was not the responsibility of the Community Council and that further discussion was needed with local people concerning the lighting at this end of the Park. Treasurer s Report; in account as of end of September, to be deducted thus leaving Crime/Road Accident Report; PC Gow reported that there had been 35 recorded crimes in the Trinity Area since the last meeting, 5 of these were vandalisms. CCTV in the Dudley s had been moved to Newhaven Road, it is hoped the cameras will be as successful here as they were in the Dudley s. The cameras will now cover the entrance to Victoria Park and Newhaven Road.

3 PC Gow was asked if dummy cameras could be put up in the Dudley s, this was not possible as we are in a conservation area. PC Gow will be having a meeting with Edinburgh Leisure to discuss the issue of crime at Bangholm. More use of the facility would help reduce vandalism it is hoped. The meeting discussed the issue of speeding cars, the Dudley s, Stirling Road and lower Granton Road are particularly bad, PC Gow will raise this with traffic officers. Peter Strong, Neighbourhood Manager Questions and Answers; The Chairman welcomed Peter Strong to the meeting and asked for any questions; Janet Rust, one of the representatives of the Health Action Group, was concerned that given the amount of effort put in to getting this group up and running little has been heard re meetings etc. Mr. Strong stated that the action groups were under review at present but was surprised that some of the action groups were not as well attended as others; improvement has to come from the CC membership as well as officials. JR said that a great deal of talking already, action was needed. Cllr. Morris stated that as the former convenor of the Neighbourhood Partnership, she had been pleased with the progress of the Health Action group; unfortunately things had ground to a halt. Cllr. Day reported that the last meeting of the Neighbourhood Partnership had discussed a new health centre in muirhouse. P. Brindle raised concern at meetings being cancelled or changed at the last minute; she felt this to be unacceptable. Mr. Strong understood the concern and was aware that this had happened in the past; he felt that by having a fixed calendar of dates may alleviate this problem. The situation re Action Groups is far from perfect, NP would welcome comments; Mr. Strong was pleased to see reports from action groups on TCC Agenda. The Chair thanked Mr. Strong for his attending, the discussion re action groups will no doubt continue over the months ahead. Steven Cuthill, Environment Manager Victoria Park/Green Spaces; Mr. Cuthill updated the meeting on the result of the consultation concerning the lights at Victoria Park, over 1200 leaflets were distributed, 94 confirmed returns were recorded. Mr. Cuthill gave a detailed rundown of the responses received, 52 people agreed with the route on the consultation document, 40 people supported new lighting but have additional views on routes, 2 people did not support either project. As reported earlier, the Neighbourhood Partnership agreed that both spurs would be financed.

4 D. Pestell asked when the work would begin. Mr. Cuthill said that there would be a meeting at the end of November to discuss this and he would let the Secretary know. T. Parker (Dudley Neighbourhood Watch) was concerned that this issue had dragged on for too long and wanted action as soon as possible. Mr. Cuthill stated that everyone would benefit by having this project completed as soon as possible. D. Pestell commented on the distribution of the leaflet, two members of the Action Group had not received questionnaires. Mr. Cuthill was aware that some people had not received copies and extended the closing date to help rectify this issue. The Chair asked how the leaflets had been distributed; Mr. Cuthill said that CEC staff had gone door to door. Victoria Park Strategic Plan; D. Pestell had raised produced a strategic plan in March this year detailing a large number of issues relating to the Park, very little seemed to have been done to deal with said issues. Mr. Cuthill reported that the time-clock at the basketball court was being looked at as it is damaged. Mrs. McKinlay mentioned that this had been pulled over in the past and wires exposed. A further detailed discussion is needed re this issue. Mr. Cuthill reported that; The woodchip in the park is checked regularly for broken glass etc. Costings are being drawn up to have signs placed in the Park warning cyclists of pedestrians and vice-versa. New litter bins have been received and will be distributed in the Park. T. Kerr had heard from Trinity Academy that the bins which are in place already are normally full before lunchtime; the new bins must be produced as soon as possible. The picnic table, given to the park by the CC, would be replaced. The issue of planting at the King George monument is being addressed. Lighting as discussed already. Resurfacing of Basketball Court this would cost in the region of 30k and Capital Funding would be needed. Football for over 12 s T. Kerr to report later. Gates to be placed at entrances further discussions with the police would be needed. Teen shelter, longer term issue, further discussion needed. The fencing at Child and Families Centre could be a Children and Families issue. Renovation of the monument would cost in the region of 10k, no budget for this at present.

5 Fire damage to play park, could cost 45k, no budget for this at present the Community Council highlighted the importance of this resource and how often it was used, immediate repair must be considered. CEC staff would meet and report further. White crosses on trees CEC staff looking at this issue at present, will present a full report to V. Park Action group. As a tree warden, Tim Parker would be included in this discussion as would Trinity CC s tree warden. The pump house at the Bowling Green the roof will cost quite a lot to repair, CEC staff looking at alternative uses. Will report back to sub-committee. The Chairman brought up the issue of the Victoria Park Action Group, it was agreed that despite numerous meetings and discussions very little had been achieved, members had learnt more by having CEC staff attend a CC meeting in one night than all of the previous meetings put together. It was proposed that the V. Park Action Group be brought under the auspices of the CC, this was proposed by D. Pestell and Seconded by T. Kerr, the meeting approved unanimously as did Tim Parker from Dudley Neighbourhood Watch. Membership of this group will be open to all members of the Community Council. Tree Warden Report; None Reports from other meetings attended; The Secretary, as Chair of the Children and Families Action Group had requested and received a project proposal for providing over 12 football provision to Children who attend Trinity Academy; this had taken some time to achieve but was a positive outcome. Funding applications are underway and the Secretary will report further. This update was welcomed by the Community Council. Topical issues; Cllr Jackson reported that Royston Terrace had re-opened and that there was ongoing debate as to the future of this area, a meeting is to take place to discuss the future of Royston Terrace, two members of the Community Council are invited to attend, the meeting agreed that T. Kelly and T. Kerr would attend and report back. Planning; PB reported that there were no applications of great importance. Asked people to keep their eyes open in the area for notices of planning applications. There have been two planning appeals, the application for an extension to the property on East Trinity Road was dismissed. Any other competent business; Cllr Morris reported that a site meeting had taken place concerning the buildings on the old railway bridge at the West side of Craighall Road, following this meeting, it was decided that the police and community safety would liaise with the owners of the building to try to ensure that youths could not gain access. Planning permission to rebuild on this site has been given. J. Rust raised the issue of the overgrown hedge at the BT Phone exchange, the Cllrs will report on this issue. Dr. Lutton raised the issue of the Hospice redevelopment; The Chairman reminded members that this issue is no longer up for discussion as the CC has no powers to change what has been agreed by the City Council.

6 Date of next meeting; Monday 14 th December 2009 at 7pm, St. Serf s Church.