Victoria Primary School

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LHNCC November 2019 minutes

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council meeting, held at the Leith Community Education Centre on Tuesday 26 November 2019 at 7pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item.

1 Introductions and apologies for absence

1.a Present

Stewart Auld LHNCC Arthur Young LHNCC
Elaine Dick LHNCC Bruce Ryan Minutes secretary
Rob Levick LHNCC PC Chris Smith Police Scotland
Don Giles LHNCC/FOWL.b PC Chris Casselden Police Scotland
Jennifer Marlborough LHNCC Cllr Chas Booth Leith ward
Douglas Tharby LHNCC chair and treasurer Cllr Jim Campbell Forth ward
Neil Tulloch LHNCC 5 residents/visitors

1.b Apologies

Deidre Brock MP Edinburgh North & Leith Cllr Adam McVey Leith ward Cllr Gordon Munro Leith ward

2 Minutes of previous meeting

These were approved nem con subject to minor corrections to Cllr Booth’s report and the description of N Tulloch.

3 Matters arising

3.a Neil Tulloch – co-opted member nomination

Mr Tulloch was co-opted onto LHNCC (nominated J Marlborough, seconded D Tharby, nem con)

4 Police report

PCs Smith and Casselden reported

  • Community police have been on various training courses.
  • They delivered a community safety talk to P7s at Leith Victoria primary school.
  • They also delivered a talk on internet safety to parents and pupils at St Mary’s primary school. Thank
  • There was a DVLA initiative in the South Fort St/Graham St area, leading to a few cars being uplifted.
  • There was a station visit from the Rotary club.
  • ‘Operation Crackle’ bonfires patrols occurred on 1 to 5 November
    • There were only 4 incidents in Leith, including a firework being thrown at Montgomery St park.
  • There was a police surgery at Ocean Terminal.
  • Police are now working on ‘Operation Winter City’, i.e. patrolling the winter markets.
  • Police delivered a safety talk at Ocean Point.
  • Police visited the Fort early years centre to boost the police’s image.
  • Police took part in a mock court project at Edinburgh Academy.
    • This was a cross-Edinburgh competition for schools.
  • The cybercrime unit arrested a person for possession of indecent images.
  • PC O’Donnell has joined the Leith community policing team.
  • Police have received training on their new mobile devices, which should save them time in communicating about incidents.
  • There has been no response to requests for running cycling proficiency training.
    • Action: PC Smith to chase this up
  • The PCs have asked for crime statistics for LHNCC’s area The following are for all of NE Edinburgh (April to September 2019):
    • Total crime numbers increased by 7% compared to the same period in 2018.
    • 122 house-breakings to dwellings, of which 34 have been solved.
    • 24 drink/drunk-driving offences, of which all have been solved.
    • General solving rate is ~47% for all crimes, ~60% for crimes of violence and ~50% for minor assaults.
    • Action: PCs Smith and Casselden to ask for release of fuller statistics.

5 Reports

5.a Chair

  • Saturday 40 October. I attended the Leith Conference at Norton Park. Lots of interaction from Leithers. A great attempt by Duncan and Faith to bring the community together.
  • Wednesday 30 October. I attended a CEC event held in neighbouring Granton where a scale model of the proposals for development of the former Scottish Gas site was present. It was sad to note that this event was not well attended by members of the local community.
  • Friday 1 November. As a Steering Group member of £eithChooses I attended Hermitage Park Primary School where I joined in with a group of P7 and Jo from Community Foods, Edinburgh to cook a pasta dish. The equipment they used was part of the award the school received. It was great to see how successful applicants put the money they receive to some real good within our community.
  • Friday 8 November. The Tram Team presented the details of the first phase of the works in South Leith Parish Church. That work is now under way and I am counting on the CCTT to keep us up to date on how the works progress.
  • Sunday 10 November. (Remembrance Sunday) Along with our Secretary I attended the wreath laying ceremony at the Community Treatment Centre in Junction Place.
  • Monday 11 November. I attended St Augustine Church in North Bridge for a presentation/workshop on ‘Brexit and the EU Special Status’. This introductory session was attended by a variety of different organisations across Scotland. I will pass on the Powerpoint when it is available. Not for us to be involved, however useful for us to understand the processes involved.
  • Wednesday 13 November. One of our CEC Community Councillor’s Induction sessions. It was good that some of you were able to attend one of these events and having just received Powerpoint Slides from Ross Murray I will pass these on for the benefit of us all.
  • Sunday 17 November. The Sailors Remembrance Service, beginning in South Leith Parish Church and continuing in the afternoon at the memorial outside Malmaison. This is an event that I believe we should also be laying a wreath in future years.
  • Wednesday 20 November. I was fortunate to join our LHNCC Planning Sub Group for a presentation by a developer. It was great to see this group in action and to witness their dedication and professionalism in handling the remit.
  • Thursday 21 November. The AGM for the EACC saw our local man John Just wondering if you received my email sent 26 Nov. regarding above. The only date available for majority is Friday 6 December at 11.00am. at my Flat, can you let me know if you can attend? elected as its Chair. We congratulate John Tibbitt upon his appointment and look forward to hearing of his plans for EACC. Having John in this role I see as a positive thing for Leith.
  • Monday and Tuesday this week. Buying up Santas and Reindeer to hand over to Victoria Primary School in advance of the Christmas Lights switching on Monday 24 December next week. Almost ‘stripping the shelves’ in no less than five supermarkets!

5.b Secretary

Most items were covered elsewhere but J Marlborough noted:

  • The date in the circulated agenda and planning update (item 7·b below) should be 28 November.
  • There is also a Police Scotland Survey, closing 31 December 2019

5.c Treasurer

D Tharby reported LHNCC’s current balance is £1192·10, but there is one outstanding invoice for minutes (£30).

6 Councillors’/MSPs’/MP’s Reports

6.a Cllr Booth

  • It is great to see the work progressing on the new Leith Victoria primary school, but footpaths have been fenced off, cutting down provision for pedestrians. Cllr Booth is waiting on a substantive response from CEC officers to his queries.
  • The parking consultation is now closed, but Cllr Booth is happy to receive input via email.
    • He supports in principle the proposed parking restrictions but the detail is not right in every respect, e.g. at the colonies.
  • The bus-lane consultation has also ended, but Cllr Booth is happy to receive input via email.
    • The proposal is for bus lanes to operate 7am to 7pm every day, as requested by bus companies.
  • He is pursuing the issue of detritus in the Water of Leith basins.
    • There is good progress, including a revised agreement on management arrangements, according to CEC officers.
    • The new arrangements seem to be working, but more work on transparency is needed.

7 Planning Update

See also LHNCC planning page.

7.a 16/01771/FUL (Appeal ref: 16/00126/REF & 16/00127/REF) Aldi Store, Commercial Street

  • Email from Agent to say Development going ahead
  • Demolition started early November and should be finished before Christmas
  • Building will start early January

7.b 19/04966/PAN: 1 – 5 Baltic Street And 7-27 Constitution Street. Public Consultation: Thursday 28 November, Custom House, 3.00pm — 7.00pm.

  • LHNCC’s planning team will meet early in December.
  • Feedback and planned action from Planning Team to be circulated in Planning Update in early December.
  • Feedback and discussion will be held at January 2020 meeting.

7.c Removal of Robert Burns statue

This has been approved: see communication on website. There will be no adverse impact on the statue. It will be restored very near the original location (no more than 2m away), in an enhanced area of public realm. It will be lit in the evenings.

8 CCTT (Community Councils Together on Trams)

See also update in Autumn Newsletter.

  • CCTT and CEC’s trams team will meet again on Thursday 28 December.
  • Some concerns have arisen around business-use in Constitution St – these will be covered in Thursday’s meeting.
  • A resident reported that information has not been reaching taxi-drivers.
  • A trader group has been set up: businesses are working very hard to counter such issues.
  • R Levick noted that CCTT and the trams team have been meeting for 18 months. CCTT met recently to work out how best to proceed. R Levick also noted the level of trust that has built up between CCTT and the trams team.

9 Events feedback

9.a Leith Conference 26 & 27 October 11-4pm, Norton Park, Norton Park Conference Centre, Leith, Edinburgh EH7

  • Full report is in Autumn Newsletter. A feedback email from Leith Creative is also available here.
  • J Marlborough reported that Charles Hammond (CEO of Forth Ports) is very support of potential improvements to the area.
  • The Scottish Community Development Centre will help with creation of a place plan.
  • There was discussion of the changed plans for Western Harbour, i.e. that only 1/3 of the park will definitely be developed in Phase one. The remainder will be in completed in Phase 2 that will require FUL Application

9.b SOSLeith Public Meeting, Wednesday, 30 October, 6.30pm–9.00pm. Update presentation

It was noted that

  • SOSLeith met about 4 weeks ago. This was attended by ward councillors and Forth Ports
  • SEPA did not attend, so Ben Macpherson MSP wrote to them.
  • There is no formal legal agreement yet, just a ‘gentleman’s agreement’.
  • Despite this, detritus continues to build up under Victoria Bridge.
  • Historic Environment Scotland stated that Teuchters’ Bridge needs full listed-building repairs.
    • SOSLeith suggests that immediate repairs are needed, because the bridge is important to access in the area.

10 Future events

See also LHNCC ‘other work’ page.

10.a Public Meeting: ‘Bothered about buses?’ Drylaw Parish Church, Wednesday 27 November, 7.00pm-8.00pm.

  • J Marlborough noted that this is of interest due to LHNCC’s campaign for the 21 bus service to go to the Western General Hospital, and that lan Bieniowski (Lothian Buses Performance Manager) will be present.
    • Action: S Auld to attend this meeting.

10.b SEStrans Bus Quarterly Meeting, Thursday 28 November, 10.00am-1.00pm, Victoria Quay

LHNCC members were encouraged to attend the above two items. They will also cover cycle-lanes, electric bike-users etc.

10.c EBUG meeting with Lothian Buses, 19 December 2019, venue and time to be tbc

10.d Leith Victoria primary school and Kirkgate Christmas Lights switch-ons.

The former is on Monday2 December at 6pm. The latter is on Thursday 5 December at 4:30pm.

11 CEC and Scottish Government Information and consultations

See also LHNCC events and consultations page.

J Marlborough encouraged LHNCC members to take part in the following consultations and events.

  • CEC: Bus lane operation hours — Workshop, City Chamber, Thursday 21 November 2019
  • CEC: 2020/21 Budget Consultation Closes 30 Nov 2019
    • Details cannot be set because the UK Government (and hence the Scottish Government) have not yet set their budgets,
  • CEC: City Plan 2030: Choices for City Plan consultation runs 9 December 2019 to 28 February 2020. Public promotion: Saturday 18 January 2020 at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre, 11am to 3pm

12 CEC Edinburgh Partnership

  • D Tharby noted that the community planning partnership will meet on 5 December (10am-12 noon), at the Ripple Project.
  • D Tharby reported positively on the recent training for new Community Councillors. There was emphasis on the EACC. Also, CC members should be careful to declare interests in any matter discussed at CC meetings.
    • LHNCC will need to appoint an engagement officer, and provide annual engagement reports.
    • There was discussion of how and where LHNCC needs to engage with the public.
  • Edinburgh Association of Community Councils: AGM, Thursday 21 November 2019, City Chambers
    • It was reported that J Tibbitt (formerly of Leith Links CC, now of Leith Central CC) is the new chair of EACC.
  • Neighbourhood Network meeting:
    • This will be at 6pm on Wednesday 27 November 2019, McDonald Road Library. D Tharby will chair this meeting.
  • £eithChooses
    • Don Giles requested volunteers for the voting day on 1 February, and for projects to apply to enter on or before 6 February.

13 AOCB

  • D Tharby reported plans for a further members-only meeting – venue, date and time TBC.
  • D Tharby noted how residents can bring up matters at LHNCC meetings.
  • It was noted that some of the org.uk email addresses are being spammed.
    • Action: B Ryan to try to cure this.

14 Date of next meeting

Tuesday 28 January 2020, 7.00pm – 9.00pm

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LHNCC minutes August 2019

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council meeting, held at the Leith Community Education Centre on Tuesday 27 August 2019 at 6:30pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item.

Continue reading →

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LHNCC minutes May 2019

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council ordinary meeting, held at Leith Community Centre on Tuesday 28 May 2019 at 6:30pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item.

In the chair’s absence, the meeting was chaired by Elaine Dick.

1 Introductions and apologies for absence

1.a Present

Stewart Auld LHNCC Douglas Tharby LHNCC treasurer PC Chris Smith Police Scotland
Elaine Dick LHNCC vicechair Bruce Ryan Minutes secretary Duncan Bremner Citizen Curator
Jennifer Marlborough LHNCC secretary Cllr Adam McVey Leith ward 1 resident/visitor

1.b Apologies

Don Giles LHNCC Arthur Young LHNCC Cllr Gordon Munro Leith ward
Rob Levick LHNCC chair Cllr Chas Booth Leith ward Deidre Brock MP Edinburgh North & Leith

2 Minutes of previous meeting

Approved without changes (proposed D Tharby, seconded S Auld, nem con)

3 Matters arising

Item 11b (R Levick to contact Fort Ports about Rennie’s bridge closure) is held over due to his absence.

4 Police Report

PC Smith reported

  • The speeding motorists mentioned in the April meeting were probably not ‘boy-racers’. This will be confirmed later.
    • There are now roadworks where the speed-camera van had been stationed.
  • Operation Contrition (high visibility patrols in northwest Leith against antisocial behaviour [ASB]) continue.
  • Police have been visiting the Dean & Coven Trust hostel over ASB and missing persons, to build rapport.
  • There was a block security/crime prevention meeting with Western Harbour residents. The police are happy with the current precautions but referred them to the prevention/intervention partnership.
  • Police are visiting the Citadel youth club due to youth ASB at Ocean Terminal and the lighthouse at Western Harbour.
  • There are police surgeries at Ocean Terminal, every 3rd Saturday, 12-2pm
  • Police will be the gala at Victoria primary school on Saturday.
  • There has been a spate of bike-thefts at Rennie’s Isle, Ocean Terminal, Portland Gardens, Pier Place, ASDA (Sandpiper Drive).
  • There is a bike-marking event at Victoria Quay on Monday 17 June (12:00 to 2pm) for both the public and civil servants.
  • An incident of dog-stealing was due to a argument between two residents. Other residents need not worry about their dogs.
  • The police will receive water-safety training from the coastguard and PC Clark on 5 June. (This is not for the public.)
  • There have been complaints about cannabis-smoking at Annfield and Western Harbour, but these have been dealt with.

4.a Questions and comments

  • It was noted that 101 calls are currently not free but may soon become free.
  • Will the Ocean Terminal remodelling include action to deter boy-racers?
    • PC Smith had no information on this.
  • It was noted that there were speed-cameras on Commercial St the previous week, concerning bus lanes.
    • PC Smith sated that this was not a police action
  • There was a report of damage to railings in Newhaven, according to a member of Forth Ports.
  • It was noted that many Just Eat bikes have been removed. PC Smith says he has recovered a number of these bikes.

5 Reports

5.a Treasurer

  • Current balance £633·90.
  • Action: D Tharby to prepare accounts for AGM (June meeting).

5.b Secretary

J Marlborough reported

  • Concerning the new ‘empowering communities fund‘, it is felt by Leith CCs that this is too close to what LeithChooses does. Also, Leith CCs feel it is too complex, and has too short notice for them to take on this year. J Marlborough has passed on information to Heart of Newhaven and Bare Branding.
  • Money is available via Scottish Heritage and the Customs House to produce a Leith heritage strategy plan. (JM is a member of the Leith Civic Trust; LCT’s chair will chair creation of this plan.) JM is collating document for CEC and Forth Ports.
    • It was queried whether this would link to the steel shed question. JM has only just started this work so could not say.

6 Councillors’, MSP’s and MP’s reports

6.a Cllr McVey

  • He reported about closure of The Shore. CEC challenged local businesses to arrange an event together. Other CEC officers are putting ideas together. Events are needed to justify any closure. Without these, the road would just be closed during the Jazz and Blues festival.

7 Planning update

See also LHNCC planning page.

7.a Cala: Waterfront Plaza (affordable block F) 16/03684/FUL

JM noted that the block of affordable flats is to be built by Crudens & Heart: work starts in autumn 2019. Cala has finished the necessary utility work.

7.b Save Leith Walk

J Marlborough reported

8 CCTT (Community Councils Together on Trams)

J Marlborough reported

  • The next monthly CCTT meeting with the trams team is on 29 May. The main contractor will also attend.
    • Action: B Ryan to provide précises of CCTT/TT meetings for CC websites.
  • She has received complaints from Constitution St residents about lack of notice of its closure.
    • The trams team had assured CCTT that the contractor would do isolated boreholes, but the road would not be closed.
    • The contractor has apologised and stated that this work will not cause major issues. However, residents fear that the road will remain closed.
  • There will be major roadworks in the summer to prepare for tram work. See website post 1 and post 2 for details.
    • There have already been complaints about the Duke St roundabout becoming a signalised junction, and about closure of bus stops on Easter Rd without notice.

9 Local events & feedback

See also LHNCC ‘other work’ page.

9.a Heart of Newhaven (formerly Newhaven Project)

J Crabb reported

  • Heart of Newhaven (HoN) intends to purchase the current Victoria Primary School (once its replacement is operating) to create a heritage and community centre.
    • HoN is just about to call for tenders for a feasibility study. The results of this study state how much HoN should pay for the school, and should enable HoN to apply for Scottish Land Fund funding for this purchase.
      • Although Local Authorities are able to set ‘peppercorn’ rents for such community asset transfers, CEC has set a purchase price of £800,000 for the school. HoN is investigating how it could persuade CEC to reduce this price.
    • Introducing Newhaven Walks: stand at Volunteering Event at Leith Community Centre and at other events to raise profile
    • There have been two public meetings
      • In October 2018, asset transfer was proposed, and there was blue-sky thinking about how to use the buildings.
      • At this point, work was led by Newhaven Heritage. However, a more widely representative group was needed, so HoN was set up at an open meeting January 2019, specifically to acquire the school. There is a wide range of local groups on HoN’s steering committee.
    • More detailed community consultation is needed, but so far three themes have emerged: (i) culture and heritage; (ii) learning & enterprise; (iii) community well-being
      • Running through all of these is the theme of ‘intergenerational practice’. Planning Aid Scotland has much experience.
    • The foreseeable timetable is
      • July – appoint consultants
      • July to November – consultation and delivery of feasibility study
      • December – apply to CEC for asset transfer
      • June 2020 – CEC decides, then apply to SLF for purchase price
      • July 2020 – SLF’s decision
      • November 2020- purchase, if the school is available at this point
    • The main concern with this timetable is that the SLF funds end in March 2021.
    • Ways to fund on-going maintenance will be answered in the feasibility study.

9.b EBUG public meeting

J Marlborough reported

  • The group was recently constituted at its first public meeting. This was well attended but the planned main speaker (chair of Lothian Buses) didn’t attend.
  • The meeting was lively, with much discussion of the new 11 and 16 buses. These buses only have one space for baby buggies and wheelchairs. Other issues were noted, e.g. noisy air-conditioning.
  • Questions were raised – these are to be answered by relevant people.
  • Committee members now have tasks. JM may share hers with C Brown.
  • Other topics included shelters that don’t provide shelter, stops, how buses will fit with trams, integrated ticketing, signage.
  • EBUG’s website is in progress.

10 CEC and Scottish Government information and consultations

See also LHNCC events page

10.a Edinburgh partnership review outcomes

  • The initial meeting of the Leith Neighbourhood Network is on 30 May, 6.00pm-8.00pm, at the Kirkgate café.
  • Action: D Tharby and J Marlborough to report in June.
  • D Bremner suggested that the Edinburgh localities model has no community buy-in, so many groups have been invited.

10.b CEC community council scheme review: final phase

This is online at CEC’s consultation hub.It closes 3 June 2019.

10.c Scottish Government: Energy Efficient Scotland: https://consult.gov.scot/better-homes-division/energy-efficient/

  • This closes 17 June 2019
  • D Giles noted (via JM) CEC’s corporate policy and strategy meeting on carbon emissions. He asked whether CEC planning will be pressured to ensure environmentally-friendly developments. He noted that Edinburgh’s high buildings exacerbate issues.
  • Cllr McVey responded that CEC is trying to act in many ways, via planning, treatment of existing buildings etc. CEC is working towards 0 emissions over the next 11 years. This may necessitate not using gas heating or cooking.
    • CEC will aim for passive houses, although industry cannot provide these just now.
    • Big developments can have their own district heating schemes.
    • Small developments in Sherrifhall and Shawfair can use heat from the Millerhill waste plant.
    • There will need to be increased use of trams, bikes, carbon offset via trees.
    • CEC is building towards an action plan to achieve zero carbon by 2030 deadline (2037 drop-deadline).
  • B Ryan asked if it is possible to install double-glazing in listed buildings.
    • Cllr McVey stated that there are relevant products but could not comment on their effectiveness and legality.

10.d Scottish Governmentshort-term lets consultation: https://consult.gov.scot/housing-services-policy-unit/short-term-lets

  • This closes 19 July 2019
  • J has received a communication from PLACE Edinburgh, which is concerned about numbers of short-tem lets.
  • She has also received a communication about key-boxes being put on fences on Lindsay Rd. Key-boxes had previously been put in the development but these had been removed.
    • S Auld added that Platinum Point Plat owners are also getting key-boxes removed. He thanked CEC for its help.
    • There was concern that key-boxes to enable carers to access clients’ properties would be caught in such actions.
    • Cllr McVey stated that current LA powers are very cumbersome. CEC created recommendations for the Scottish Government in August 2018. The First Minister stated in March that it would consult on these recommendations. He asked LHNCC and its members to respond to the consultation
      • Action: J Marlborough to share information with LHNCC members; members to email their points to JM.

10.e Leith festival (8 June)

  • Action: E Dick to create banner, generic flyer, info sheet on LHNCC and a ‘LHNCC needs you’ flyer for the elections.
  • D Tharby and J Marlborough will be there all day.
  • Other volunteers were requested; also for the Volunteer fair on 7 June.

11 AOCB

11.a Request from PLACE Edinburgh group regarding short term lets

See item 10.d above

11.b Query from business owner regarding garages on Coatfield Lane

There was no discussion of this topic.

11.c Leith proposals map: possible dates 21 September, 5 October

D Bremner reported that this map is to help with local place plans (LPPs). LPPs may give opportunities for CCs to state how they would do development differently, and difficulties with development. It may also affect the City Plan.

11.d Steel shed

D Bremner reported that the distillery hopes to receive planning permission by the end of May. This means the shed is likely to be cut up. Ocean Terminal is willing to store the parts for 12 months. The distillery is happy to gift the shed to the ‘people of Leith’. It has no architectural legal protection because it was moved illegally. DB has spoken to the Architectural Heritage Fund about getting funds for scoping new sites and/or reconstruction. Historic Environment Scotland supports this.

11.e Swans

J Marlborough reported that a dead female has been floating in the Water of Leith for over a week. RSPCA, RSPB, Wildlife Scotland, Leith Conservation Trust, CEC and the police all denied responsibility. Eventually LCT tried to retrieve the carcass but it was stuck under a bridge. It was eventually retrieved, and attempts are being made to find out why it died. JM also noted that the carcass was put in a bin, but that this has not been uplifted.

12 Date of next meeting

AGM: Tuesday 25 June 2019

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LHNCC minutes: March 2019

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council ordinary meeting, held at Leith Community Centre on Tuesday 26 March 2019 at 6.30pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item. Continue reading →

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LHNCC minutes: February 2019

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council ordinary meeting, held at Leith Community Centre on Tuesday 26 February 2019 at 6.30pm Continue reading →