Liberton & District Community Council Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27 November 2017 at Liberton Kirk Halls, 7:00 pm. Members present: Tony Barry, Rosy Carmichael (Liberton Association), Graeme Forbes (Minutes), Jean Fowler (Secretary), Sandra Hendry (FoSKaP), Steven Hendry (GCP), Jim Henry, Derek Jardine (SEECAT), Su Millar, Amy Richards (Chair), Peter Schwarz, Caro Wilkinson (Vice-Chair), John Wilkinson (Treasurer). In attendance: Councillor Derek Howie (to item 6.1), Daniel Johnson MSP, Bill Krol, Alex Mitchell, PC Rebecca Wilson (Police Scotland). 1. WELCOME The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Ian Murray MP. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes of the meeting of 30 October 2017 was proposed by Tony Barry, seconded by Caro Wilkinson. The minutes of the meeting of 30 October were APPROVED. 4. MATTERS ARISING 4.1. Parking at Margiotta s The Vice Chair had contacted the complainant to ascertain progress but nor reply had yet been received. ACTION: The Vice-Chair to follow-up with local resident Bryan Wilson. 4.2. Update on notice boards The Chair asked for volunteers to take responsibility for the three remaining noticeboards. Tony Barry volunteered to hold the keys for Cameron Toll and Margiotta s noticeboards; the Chair would hold the Lasswade Road / Gracemount Avenue keys. The actions were NOTED. 4.3. Traffic control issues 4.3.1. Little Road / Liberton Gardens The Vice Chair reported that the high fence at the junction had been lowered.
4.3.2. Liberton Brae / Mayfield Road The Chair provided a briefing paper detailing potential changes to improve the safety of the junction for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The following proposed measures were agreed: Improved road markings and signage to define lanes of travel Sufficiently long phase after traffic lights change to enable slow vehicles and cyclists to clear the junction or an advanced green light on Mayfield Road for southbound cyclists Extended cycling box on Mayfield road so that southbound cyclists can start on the flat Restricted parking within the junction Single yellow lines on Mayfield Road to extend to at least 9:30am Extended double yellow lines from the junction on both sides of Liberton Brae No right turn signs from Liberton Brae to Kirk Brae Reduced pavement on Liberton Road to create more space for cyclists and vehicles Visibility of traffic lights to be altered to avoid confusion. The revisions to the briefing paper were AGREED. ACTION: The Chair to amend the briefing paper and send to Councillor Howie. 4.4. St Katharine s Brae Councillor Howie agreed to contact Councillor Cameron seek progress on the residents complaints. ACTION: The Chair to email details of the issue to Councillor Howie. 4.5. FAQ updates Graeme Forbes stated that there were now nine FAQs available on the LDCC web site. A tenth FAQ on local associations and businesses was being prepared. ACTION: Graeme Forbes to send FAQ 10 to Peter Schwarz for the LDCC web site. 4.6. Community Event Update The Chair sought volunteers to take forward the planning for the community event. Derek Jardine and Steven Hendry volunteered to contact local organisations and businesses to ascertain interest. ACTION: Graeme Forbes to send the list of organisations and businesses to Derek Jardine. 4.7. Status of Neighbourhood Partnerships Peter Schwarz reported on a Council meeting on 23 November to discuss the four new Localities Committees. There appeared to be some confusion about the future, if any, of Neighbourhood partnerships, the powers of the new committees, including budgets, and of the nature of local engagement with the new committees, where only councillors would be
entitled to vote. It was suggested that the current South East Locality Manager, Sarah Burns be invited to a future LDCC meeting to provide clarity. ACTION: The Chair to invite Sarah Burns to a future meeting of the LDCC. 4.8 Street Cleaning Schedule The Chair announced two further street cleaning events on 20 January and 14 April 2018. Notices will be posted closer to the events. Rosy Carmichael stated that the litter bin outside the shops on Liberton Gardens had been removed. ACTION: The Chair to contact CEC to arrange for the litter bin to be replaced. There were questions about the frequency of public refuse collection. ACTION: The Chair to ask CEC for a schedule of collection for the area. 4.9 Autumn Newsletter Update The Chair reported that the Mortonhall and Alnwickhill areas had been targeted for distribution of the autumn newsletter and around 1500 issues had been distributed. 5. PUBLIC QUESTIONS There were no public questions. 6. REPORTS 6.1. Police PC Wilson reported on recent crime figures for the area, and outlined current initiatives including: increased vigilance on the Mansion House, speed prevention measures on Braid Hills Drive, raising awareness of rogue traders and thieves during the festive season, particularly where vulnerable neighbours may be at risk. PC Wilson also drew attention to the new Police Twitter account. ACTION: Graeme Forbes to provide a feed from the Police account to LDCC s Twitter account. Rosy Carmichael remarked upon recent accidents on Liberton Brae as a result of speeding. It was suggested that watch your speed signs or average speed camera might be installed. ACTION: The Chair to contact Councillor Howie with the suggestions.
6.2. Chair 6.2.1 LDCC role The Chair reminded LDCC of its role, particularly as a voice for the residents of the area engaging widely with the local community encouraging people to communicate with each other and the LDCC. The reminder was NOTED. 6.2.2. Newsletter The Chair provided a framework for compiling and distributing future issues of the newsletter. The framework was AGREED. The Chair asked for ideas and contributions for the next newsletter in January. The following contributions were offered: Information on the proposed community event (Derek Jardine) The new Police Twitter account (Graeme Forbes) FoSKaP activities (Su Millar) List of local councilors (John Wilkinson) Noticeboards (Amy Richards) Clean-up events (Amy Richards) Local organisations and businesses (Graeme Forbes) ACTION: Members named above to submit copy to the Chair by 8 December. 6.3. Secretary The Secretary circulated information on the CEC s budget plans for 2018-19. The deadline for comments is 19 December. Comments can be made at https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ce/2018-19-council-budget-engagement/. 6.4. Treasurer The Treasurer reported that the LDCC balance remains around 2,500. 6.5. Planning Jim Henry stated that he would be attending a CEC meeting on 29 November on action arising from the local development plans.
Jim also alerted the LDCC to the expected approval of SESPlan 2 in Spring of 2018, and the potential implications for the LDCC of the allocated housing plan. This involved some understanding of issues resulting from Edinburgh s Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HoNDA) estimates, and the relationships between social housing and market sales. Jim also stated that he had contacted Gimerton CC for information on a potential new development by Bernard Hunter that does not appear be consistent with developments identified in the Local Development Plan. 6.6. NOMINATED GROUPS 6.6.1. SEECAT Derek Jardine drew attention to information available in the Kirk Halls foyer. 6.6.2. FoSKaP Sandra Hendry and Su Millar reported on the clearing of paths in St Katharine s Park, and positive feedback from the community. 6.6.3. Liberton Association Rosy Carmichael alerted LDCC to a forthcoming Association Saturday coffee morning in February where the archaeologists working at Good s Corner will discuss their finds. ACTION: Rosy Carmichael to provide further details of the event. The LDCC Chair had received a message from the President of Liberton Association objecting to a comment made by a member of LDCC in an email to members of the Community Council. Peter Schwarz apologised for the inappropriate comment. The response was NOTED. 6.6.4. Gracemount Community Project Steven Hendry stated that that the next Gracemount Youth and Community Centre Management Committee meeting would take place on 30 November. 7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other competent business. The meeting closed at 8:48pm 8. Date of next meeting Monday 29 January 2017 in Liberton Kirk Halls at 7.00 pm.