QUEENSFERRY and DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL CELEBRATING 29 YEARS 1986-2015 MINUTES OF MEETING MONDAY 22nd June 2015 Council Offices, High Street, South Queensferry ATTENDEES Keith Giblett (Chair), June Jansen; Eileen Case; Fiona Duncan; Councillor Norman Work; Councillor Lindsay Paterson; David Flint; Diane Job (Treasurer); Laura Sexton; Ross Martin; PC Walter Miller 1. Chairman s Welcome Keith welcomed everyone to the monthly meeting, especially Lindsay Grant (Senior Development Officer of Parks and Greenspace at CEC, and David McAdam, Port Facility Security Officer. 2. Police Report The report will be circulated following the meeting. Laura Sexton asked PC Walter Miller if the Housebreaking team was based in Corstorphine, which PC Miller confirmed was the case. 3. Apologies Terry Airlie; Ed Kelly; Maggie Quayle; George Moore 4. Lindsay Grant LIVING LANDSCAPE PRESENTATION There are currently 142 public parks in Edinburgh of which 26 are Green Flag parks, overall responsible for 1500 hectares of amenity grassland. There is also 12 Nature Reserves and 638,000 trees. Lindsay discussed the various benefits and measures of the Living Landscape programme. He highlighted 6 sections of landscape in South Queensferry that CEC aim to bring into the programme.
June Jansen mentioned that she sees this as a continuation of the work previously done by Greensferry. Laura Sexton asked how the Parks team would like QDCC to communicate the Living Landscapes programme to the wider South Queensferry and Dalmeny community. Lindsay will work with Jim Connor of the West Neighbourhood team to get a South Queensferry briefing pack set up. June also mentioned that Lindsay may want to contact the Friends of the Ferry Glen group. Keith also highlighted the potential for consultation with FCBC regarding the new Echline Gyratory. Keith asked about the contact made between the Parks team and developers in new housing developments, given the forthcoming projects in the Queensferry area. The council would deal with the planning aspect first then try and act as an advisory group for the new development. Most areas in SQ are factored so there can be high costs for residents to maintain. 5. DAVID MCADAM CRUISE LINER VISITS David is responsible for the maintenance and management of the Haws Pier and Longcraig Pier. When we have a cruise liner visit, there is a restricted area at Hawes Pier for tourists, staff and volunteers only. The local churches provide fully trained volunteers for each liner visit ready to hand out maps and give guidance to tourists. June said that she is happy to see the Engines Off signs around the pier. Eileen asked if David liases with the church volunteers, and Laura Sexton asked about any relationship he had with QA. David mentioned that he is happy to consult with any group in SQ. It was also mentioned that David may wish to attend Queensferry Boat Club meetings. Grant spoke about the mixed reaction to the cruise liners, with consumption of car park spaces, businesses thinking they will lose trade from ordinary tourists, while other businesses are happy for the extra custom. Keith spoke about the flexibility of using of the port manager allowing other visitors/residents using the car park whilst coaches are out at other locations.
It was also noted that 6 liners have been cancelled or redirected from Hawes Pier, as Forth Ports dictate where liners anchor, and can change the destination as they see fit. The council are conducting a review of their assets and the ports may be one of the assets that are scaled back or removed. 6. EILEEN CASE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY The church groups are looking at ways to train local shops on how to deal with customers who are carers of dementia sufferers who may visit the shops or cafes. There is a bereavement counselling course starting in the autumn. 7. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING Proposer: David Flint Seconder: Diane Job Keith will follow up with Will Garrett regarding the low attendance of the Queensferry Character Appraisal. Councillor Work will discuss the care home provider process in his report. Laura Sexton has confirmed that Alistair Copeland of the Stoneyflatts Residents Group is dealing with the contact details in relation to Echline Woodland Group. David mentioned that there has been a meeting set at QHS on Wednesday 24 th June to discuss the ongoing relationship with QDCC with a view to reprising the pupils attending the QDCC business meeting as QHS representatives. Keith attended a meeting on Davids behalf where the issues of dog fouling and Burgess Park were raised. June also mentioned that she has spoken to environmental wardens and they appears to be another campaign targeting fouling in the pipeline. Keith will discuss Alan Farningham and Builyeon Road in his report. The Facebook page has been updated to cover the upcoming rail services delays. Keith spoke to Gavin Brown regarding the faulty parking meters, and it was discovered there had been no faults in the meters. 8. Chair s Report Report Circulated. Keith has been in correspondences with James Pitt (Development Director at Evans Holdings) and Paul Macari (Land Director at Bellway Homes) in relation to a very
serious issue relating to the planning application for the 141 homes on the Ferrymuir Site by Bellway. This relates to CEC seeking a S75 agreement for 600,000 planning development gain contribution to Education which is contrary and additional to the S75 agreement currently in place. Mr Pitt and Mr Macari held a meeting with planning officers and were advised thia figure was wrong and the contribution being sought was 1.5m to 1.8m. This puts the development at risk. Further updates will be given in due couse. Terry has written to Gillian Tee for further clarity. 9. Secretary s Report 10. Treasurer s Report Diane mentioned that there is a section that Diane wanted to mention regarding what was spent on neighbourhood grant for CEC reporting. 11. Councillor s Reports Councillor Shields report was circulated. Councillor Paterson was asked by Laura Sexton if the 1.5m from planning development gain at Ferrymuir was being sought to assist with the funding for the new high school. Keith mentioned that 800,000 was in relation to St Margarets and 200,000 was in relation to Kirkliston. Councillor Work mentioned the speed reducing measures for Scotstoun Avenue after the latest incident in which a wall was damaged by a vehicle. Councillor Work has highlighted the section 75 agreement from the former Agilent site development would include money for speed reducing measures in Scotstoun Avenue. 12. QDCC Sub Committees Reports 12.1 Transport
12.2 Port Edgar Yacht Club No report. 12.3 QCCC 12.4 George Moore No report 12.5 Planning There is a full day Saturday market in July 2015. It was discussed that QA have submitted letters through the doors of residents for passes for High Street residents. There is, or needs to be, commitment from the council for TTRO to have: ACCESS TO GOAT LANE TO LIASE WITH HIGH STREET RESIDENTS CAR PARKING PROVISIONS. There is an events planning meeting scheduled just before the July 2015 market. Fiona has had no email response regarding Boat Club access. Terry and Diane have noted negative points about the market taken from online forums. Keith asked that any actions from this are taken to joint forum meetings where QA are in attendance. 12.6 Environment June discussed Dalmeny Hall usage. ACTION: June to email Grant & Diane to advertise the hall usage. Details of anyone who uses the hall are on the Priory Church website. Laura will pass contact details of Ella Simpson to contact Keith.
12.7 Queensferry Boat Club Nothing further to add. 12.8 Education/Recreation Ross will be joining the education sub-committee. 13. Any other business Diane has asked for judges for the Ferry Fair arches. 14. Date of Next Meeting Monday 27 th July 2015 7.30pm at QDCC Offices Ross Martin 21 st July 2015.