Fairmilehead Community Council Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 6 March 2012 in Fairmilehead Parish Church Present: Dennis Williams (Chair); Norman Tinlin (Secretary); Alison Elfick (Treasurer); Johanna Carrie; Richard Hinton; Tom Strathdee; Pam Wight (St Fillans) Ex Officio: Councillors Eric Barry and Jason Rust In Attendance: Bill Elliot, Scottish Water 11 members of the public Apologies: Barbara Dick (Buckstone Association); Louise Maguire; Ian Murray MP; Councillor Elaine Aitken; PC Kenny Welsh; Kenny Naylor (Scottish Water) 1. Scottish Water Bill Elliot from Scottish Water introduced himself and apologised for Kenny Naylor not being able to attend. The Edinburgh Drinking Water and Glencorse Project were almost complete. 450 people had been employed and the scheme had cost 130m but was under budget. The water processed would fill the Commonwealth Pool 70 times over and the building was unique in that the roof and sides were covered in grass. It had also been designed to be environmentally friendly. The facility was being switched on the following day and there would be a photo opportunity for the press. It would operate at 1/3 power for a period and it would be 5 to 6 weeks before the water was fully in the system. There would be an official opening in due course. Regarding the roadworks at the Fairmilehead crossroads these should be removed by the end of the month although there would be re-instatement of the road surface for 2 weeks after this. Kenny Naylor and himself conveyed their thanks to the residents and motorists for their understanding during the long period that the roadworks were in place. A press release had been issued regarding the sale of the Fairmilehead site. The preferred developers were Cala and Barratt although contracts and other legal papers were still to be signed. It is likely that a start on the detailed planning process will commence in June. The proposals for the redevelopment of the Alnwickhill site are with the planners. 2. Police Report There was no police presence at the meeting. The Secretary had asked for a report but this had not yet been received. The following was subsequently received: Over the month of February there were 54 Calls to the Fairmilehead area. There were 5 youth related calls, generally youths causing a disturbance. Unfortunately there were 2 instances of possible bogus callers. Both were very similar in nature, one which happened in Frogston Avenue on the 7 February and the other in Pentland Grove on the following day. A male attended at the door of both properties, one in which he offered to sell double glazing, the other unknown what he was selling. The male had no ID and he was apparently slightly aggressive in his manner. If anyone appears at
your door for whatever reason and can provide no identification or tries to sell you anything, do not let them in your house. Operation Aristotle is intended to help prevent people falling victim to bogus callers, while at the same time targeting offenders who prey on vulnerable members of the community. The six-month initiative will see Lothian and Borders Police work with partner agencies to raise awareness about the dangers posed by bogus callers. This will include identifying vulnerable residents who could be at risk from such crimes, and providing them with the appropriate information and advice. At the same time, officers will take action to catch offenders through targeted patrols and road checks, in addition to acting on information received through intelligence. This enforcement activity, which is already underway, has resulted in the arrest of a 34-year-old male who has been charged in connection with a total of 12 alleged bogus caller crimes that happened in the north of the city. Around 14 February there was a report made of a skimming device which had been attached to the cash machine at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Biggar Road. A crime report has been submitted for this incident. If you believe you witnessed anything suspicious at the bank around this time please do not hesitate to contact the police. Skimming Devices can take on various forms. When attending at a cash machine, always shield your pin number and if you believe there is anything suspicious looking about the machine, report it to the bank or call the police. If you believe that there has been any suspicious activity on your bank account, contact your bank immediately. There were 10 crime reports submitted for the area in February. These relate to road traffic incidents, one theft housebreaking, vandalism, theft and assault. 3. Minute Of Meeting Held On 7 February 2012 These were approved by the meeting. Matters Arising: a) 28 Frogston Road West The Secretary reported that the Development Sub Committee had deferred their decision pending a site visit. The application was being considered at the meeting the following day at which Cllr Aitken would be attending to talk against the application. b) Winton Gardens Planning Application The application was due to be considered by the Development Management Committee at a hearing on 4 April. c) Scottish Water Grant Proposals Kenny Naylor of Scottish Water had been appraised of the suggestions for the grant distribution. The Community Council were to advise him of their final decision. d) Fairmilehead Pond and Springheads The Secretary read over an e-mail Cllr Aitken had received from Craig Dunlop, CEC Parks Officer. This stated that contractors had been instructed to carry out initial investigations into a blocked outlet feed. It transpires that the feed to the pond was very weak. The site will be monitored. The meeting decided to ask the Cllrs Rust and Aitken to investigate the possibility of obtaining funding to alleviate the situation with the pond. e) Boroughmuir High School Location Consultation The Secretary brought this to the attention of the meeting. A consultation meeting was being held at Buckstone Primary that evening.
It was suggested that individuals with children/grandchildren effected should make their comments direct but the Community Council could also make a submission of enough comments were received. 4. Correspondence a) Bill Elliot, Scottish Water preferred bidder accepted for Fairmilehead Water Treatment Works b) Licensing Department Liquor licence applications for March Board (None in area) c) Gordon Macdonald MSP Information on independence referendum consultation d) Friends of Braidburn Valley Park - clean up on 25 March e) Spokes Spring 2012 magazine and notice re hustings event f) Tenants Voice magazine February 2012 edition g) Transport, CEC Proposals for DYLs Comiston Road/Rise Only serves 6 houses not perceived as a problem. 5. Councillors Reports Cllr Rust reported as follows: Recycling was under review Letter sent from Neighbourhood Partnership to Planning regarding preservation of green belt. Lothian buses number 10 services would be diverted at Bonaly Crescent for a period due to resurfacing there. As a result of complaints the pavement on the south side of Oxgangs Road at Morrison s was to be repaired. There had been a recent meeting held with politicians, councillors and others regarding youth issues in the area. He had attended the health debate in Oxgangs Library held by Firrhill Community Council, Important issues in the area had been raised and discussed. At the recent neighbourhood partnership meeting it had been decided that the additional money being given for road repairs and maintenance would be decided locally on a ward basis. Oxgangs Library was being closed for 2 weeks for refurbishment from the following Monday. However a library bus would be available in the car park. DYLs were to be repainted in Colinton Mains Drive to stop parking at the bus stop at the shops. Cllr Barry attended later in the meeting and reported as follows: The health debate at Oxgangs Library. Parking in Oxgangs Road North near the schools. Temporary closure of Oxgangs library. In the absence of Cllr Aitken at Buckstone Primary school in connection with the Boroughmuir School consultation the Secretary handed out copies of her report which is below: 28 Frogston Road West following my request, a site visit took place on Thursday 23 February. Unfortunately, most members of the Committee had other commitments and only one Councillor was able to attend. Some of the members intend to visit privately. The application is coming back to committee on Wednesday 7 March and I have, once again, asked to address the meeting. I have personally carried out a number of traffic and pedestrian surveys in Winton Drive and a nearby nursery to ascertain usage. Morton Mains a report should come to committee in April. I have recently received complaints about the lack of a night bus for Fairmilehead. Given the economic climate and that people are having to cut back, I have asked Bill Campbell, Lothian buses Director of Operations, to see if a service can be offered in our area.
I also made Bill aware that a number of elderly residents in Swanston had contacted me again because they continue to experience difficulties since the withdrawal of the 11 from Biggar Road. I have asked him to look again at the reinstatement of one bus an hour going down Biggar Road. Boroughmuir Consultations for the new school or refurbishment I attended the first meeting at Boroughmuir High School on 5 March. Attendance was lower than expected but a number of relevant questions and points were made by parents and officials. The next meeting is this evening at Buckstone Primary. The preferred bidder for the development of the Scottish Water site is a CALA / Barratt Consortium. Representatives have already indicated to me that they are keen to engage with local groups at an early stage. I had an interesting meeting with Henry Trotter from Mortonhall Estates. I requested the meeting because of a number of issues with tress which had been raised with me. Mr Trotter told me about the ongoing tree review and inspections in Galachlaw Wood. The Youth Engagement meeting took place on 20 February in Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre. This was attended by representatives from the police, army, local youth groups and community centres, CLD and the local Councillors and MSP. A number of actions were agreed, including a football tournament in Colinton Mains Park to celebrate the opening of the new pavilion and blue light discos organised by local police. The first disco is taking place in conjunction with the Buckstone Youth Project in May. The closing date for the TRO for waiting restrictions in the roads around Buckstone Primary School has passed. A number of objections have been submitted and I have a meeting this week to discuss any alterations/amendments which could be made with our Area Roads Manager. Lothian Buses is reducing the frequency of the 27 bus to 5 buses per hour from 6. This could change if passenger numbers improve when Mound reopens which Councillor Barry ascertained was happening ahead of schedule. Also bus fares increased on March to 1.40 for a single ticket. More information is displayed on notices in the buses. Following requests from residents, I asked the officials to reconsider installing a bus shelter at the first bus stop on the south side of Oxgangs Road from Biggar Road. I am happy to say that they have revisited this site and have concluded that it is possible to provide a small cantilever style shelter at the stop while allowing adequate room for pedestrians, including wheelchair users, to safely negotiate the footway. It should be possible to complete the installation of a shelter within a few weeks I attended a pre deployment briefing for 3-Rifles before they go to Afghanistan for six months. When they return in October, 1-Scots will deploy to Afghanistan to take over their roles. I also attended a special service at Fairmilehead Parish Church on Sunday 26 February to celebrate the 75 th Anniversary of the laying of the Foundation Stone. The Lord Provost was invited to preach the sermon and reminisced of his acquaintances with ministers, past and present. 6. Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership The Secretary reported on the recent public meeting where informative presentations had been given on the Community Clean Up Campaign and Engagement with Young People. Tom Strathdee reported on the Community Safety Sub-Group meeting which had been held the previous evening. Housebreakings had been reduced as a result of a letter drop. There were several thefts from sheds, mainly bikes.
Badges were being stolen from all makes of car. This is similar to many years ago when the Beastie Boys were popular and VW badges were being stolen. Setting up further Cold Calling Zones was in abeyance meantime. People were being encouraged to come forward with information on drugs by using Crimestoppers (0800 555 111). There had been about 400 youth complaints per month but this was now down to approximately 100 as a result of the Youth tracking Scheme. There were none involved in our area. 7. Planning and Environment a) 226 Braid Road The Secretary reported that he had submitted an enforcement enquiry regarding this property as one of the conditions which had been attached when the hole in the wall was given permission had not been complied with. b) Transition Edinburgh Pentlands Nothing to report. 8. Transport Nothing further to report. 9. Youth Report Margaret Walker reported on Buckstone s Got Talent evening being held on 8 March. Blue light Disco on 4 may as a result of the youth engagement meeting. For local area only. Now got a person who is submitting grant funding application to various awarding bodies including Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership. Arranged to CLD for white water rafting Paul Fullerton from 114 Morningside Scouts thanked the Community Council for directing them towards the Neighbourhood Partnership Community Grants Fund. The cubs had recently been awarded 500 and the Scouts 1500. They had 50 members and a waiting list of 50. They were keen to get involved in the community and had recently assisted with the Meadows marathon where they had handed out water and assisted with the tidy up. 25 members had been there till 6.30pm and this went towards their community badge. 10. AOCB The Secretary reported on the result of the recent Library Review where it had been decided to retain Sunday opening for those libraries that were already open on Sundays. He also passed round a copy of an update letter that had been received from the MOD regarding the review of Redford and Dreghorn barracks. No decisions had yet been made. 11. Date Of Next Meeting This was arranged for Tuesday 10 April 2012 in Fairmilehead Parish Church. Forthcoming Meetings: Tuesday 1 May 2012 Tuesday 5 June 2012 Tuesday 4 September 2012 Note: This meeting is delayed by seven days due to Holy Week. Contacts: e-mail: Secretary@fairmileheadcc.org.uk Website: : www.fairmileheadcc.org.uk