Backgreen conversations on the community council agenda
What did they chat about at yesterday’s backgreen discussions in West Pilton? You can find out at West Pilton West Granton Community Council’s monthly meeting at 7pm in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre tomorrow!
Agenda attached:
Victory for community councils bus campaign
Local residents will be able to get a 42 bus to Craigleith Retail Park again from October. Lothian Buses have agreed to reinstate the service and support the alteration to the 42 route following a joint appeal by local community councils.
Drylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale, who coordinated the campaign, said local residents will be delighted to hear the news. “The 42 service into the Retail Park has been missed and I’m often being asked: ‘when are we getting our bus back?’ It’s taken a while but it’s great to be able to tell people that the service is to be reinstated from the beginning of October. It’s good news and I hope local people will take the opportunity to use the service.”
Drylaw Telford CC joined forces with Stockbridge Inverleith, Blackhall Craigleith and Muirhouse Salvesen community councils to petition for the return of the service back in March, and Alex received confirmation from Lothian Buses earlier this week that the 42 will return to the local Retail Park this autumn.
The service was withdrawn because traffic problems around the shopping centre caused delays and disruption to the timetable, but it’s hoped that improvements to traffic signalling will reduce excessive delays.
A spokesperson for Lothian Buses confirmed that the 42 bus service will return to Craigleith Shopping Centre from 4 October on Monday – Fridays as a trial.
Lord Provost says ‘thanks’ to city volunteers
Edinburgh’s magnificent volunteers will be recognised for their crucial contribution to local life at the Lord Provost’s Community Garden Party 2015 in the grounds of Lauriston Castle tomorrow.
Stockbridge-based LifeCare Edinburgh and Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club, two organisations which support the independence and wellbeing of older people in Edinburgh, will be presented with ‘Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service’ by the Lord Provost Donald Wilson at the event.
They will be joined by a guest list featuring dedicated workers from the city’s third sector, community council members, Edinburgh British Empire Medal recipients and local philanthropists in the castle grounds as a ‘thank you’ for their contribution to community life.
Sponsored by Virgin Money, more than 400 people are expected to attend the celebration to enjoy afternoon tea on the lawn, with live music from local Edinburgh choirs and pipe bands.
Members of the Lauriston Castle Living History Group, suitably costumed in Edwardian dress, will treat guests to tours of the visitor attraction which are open to the public throughout the year.
The Lord Provost, who is also the city’s Volunteering Champion, said: “I want this celebration to recognise and reward those who make a positive contribution to our great city – particularly the unsung heroes who give up their time tirelessly for others and for the good of their local community. I look forward to welcoming guests to the fantastic Lauriston Castle, and to presenting awards on behalf of the Queen to two of Edinburgh’s great volunteer organisations.
“I hope an event like this helps to promote this gem of a venue and that guests are encouraged to come back. I am extremely grateful to Jayne-Anne Gadhia and everyone at Virgin Money for the tremendous support and their ongoing commitment to the city.”
Su Millar, Chief Executive of LifeCare (Edinburgh) Limited, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be presented with an award from the Lord Provost on behalf of the Queen, and proud to be one of two organisations to receive this prestigious award.
“It is humbling to have the excellent work of our volunteers recognised in this way and we are all really looking forward to meeting with the Lord Provost and all of the other guests at the Community Garden Party at Lauriston Castle.”
The Lord Provost’s Community Garden is a bi-annual event first held in 2013. Broughton High School pupil Anna McLuckie entertained guests that day and the talented young harpuist went on to receive acclaim on BBC’s The Voice.
Drylaw Telford Community Council meets on Wednesday 24 June at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre – the final meeting before the summer break. All welcome.
Excellent: West Pilton West Granton CC ticks the five ‘E’ boxes
West Pilton West Granton Community Council (WPWGCC) was praised as being a great example of what a good community organisation should be at their annual general meeting in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre last night.
Eric Dobbie, chair of the recently re-elected Edinburgh Association of Community Councils, said the local community council ticks ‘all the boxes – all the five ‘E’s’: Engagement, Encouragement, Empathy, Environment and Enterprise.
He told the meeting: “We have some good community councils and, frankly, we have some rubbish community councils. We can create better and more effective CCs. What you are doing here is very exciting, and your work is a prime example of how it can be done. I’m really encouraged by how you have gone about this – it’s been quite an eye-opener.”
More than thirty people – including members from neighbouring community councils Trinity, Muirhouse Salvesen and Drylaw Telford – attended the meeting. Guest speaker was Councillor Maureen Childs, who talked about the changing role of community councils in community planning.
Secretary Willie Black told the meeting: “It’s been an eventful year for our community council. We’ve had some criticism but we’ve made quite a difference to the area.”
He went on to detail the active role WPWGCC has played in local initiatives over the last twelve months: bringing community councils together with the North team to stage a regeneration conference was one notable example, and community councillors have been active members of other local groups and organisations. There have been community clean-ups too – local folk have cleared ten tonnes of rubbish in four separate area cleanups!
“This sort of activity is being rolled out across the whole area – it’s a different kind of engagement but local people see the benefits and it gives people some pride”, Willie said. “We are lucky to have a lot of experience on our community council. We have members who work with young people and other members who have vast experience of community activities. That’s a real plus – we know what is happening on the ground.”
However the year was dominated by a rise in criminality and antisocial behaviour across the neighbourhood – and this escalated to reach a peak which saw the attempted murder of a local takeaway owner. The community council again came to the fore.
“Following that incident our usual monthly meeting was changed to become a public meeting to discuss community safety and for local people to voice their fears and concerns. There’s no doubt the senior police officers present at that meeting felt the anger of local people – the #StrongerNorth initiative was born out of this and the community council is still playing a leading role there.”
There’s still a lot of work to be done – Willie referred to the ‘Hanging Gardens of Pilton’ – rooftop vegetation on poorly maintained rented properties – and said the community council is working with others to bring landlords together to discuss issues of common concern. Access to Forthview School is another issue for the community council and WPWG also have some exciting plans to improve job prospects for local people – particularly young people – through the establishment of a community factoring service as a social enterprise.
The community council will be taking meetings out to a variety of venues and locations over the next year in a hope that this will generate more interest, and members will also undertake training to make them even more effective at representing their communities.
“The CC has made a marked difference in our area; we have achieved a lot that we can be proud of over the last year. There is momentum and we will build on that”.
Trinity CC met on 11 May. Here are the main points:
RBS Goldenacre closure
This long-established branch has been scheduled for closure by RBS. We have expressed our very strong reservations about the impact on local businesses and the wider community but also about the underlying commercial logic. We sincerely hope that RBS will consider these points and have asked for a spokesperson to come to our next meeting.
Walkabout – Saturday 25 April
This identified a number of priorities for CEC spending:
– patching potholes in Netherby Rd, Lennox Row
– attend to puddle at Boswall Rd/Netherby Rd junction
– consider yellow lines for various sections of Boswall Rd
– some minor repairs to Wardie Steps
– clarifying ownership around Wardie Bay as initial step towards strengthening the sea wall, upgrading existing steps, cleaning up the beach and installing litter bins.
– better lighting in Walkway tunnel near L Granton Rd
– more litter bins in pathway between Newhaven Rd and Trinity Academy, and in Victoria Park.
– handrail down the steep part of Laverockbank Road.
127 Trinity Road – Application to develop garage site
The previous application has been withdrawn and resubmitted. This follows a significant number of objections mainly concerning overdevelopment with few objecting to residential development in principle. Indeed some of the adjoining residents in Lower Granton Road would favour development as they expect it to improve their environment and drainage in particular.
Other concerns include difficult access particularly for emergency services and bin lorries, restricted parking provision, remediation of the former fuel tanks/potential for contamination, removal of trees from a site within the conservation area, a proposed height which would overlook some existing properties.
Craighall Road – West Side
The developer has undertaken to move quickly to tidy up this development site.
134B Newhaven Road – Change of Use
After several attempts, permission has been granted by CEC to change the annexe to the former nursing home at 134B Newhaven Road to residential use.
Waterfront Developments
We remain concerned about the traffic and infrastructure impacts of what appears to be patchwork developments at Granton Harbour and along the Waterfront generally. We believe it is essential that we understand what exactly is envisaged by the different owners and what planning consents are still valid. Cllrs Jackson and Redpath are pursuing this on our behalf and we hope that Cllr Hinds will be able to attend our June meeting to discuss and advise.
Crime
The recent spate of house break-ins appears to be subsiding: two further arrests have been made. Thieves are now targetting garden sheds. Hinges have been removed and hasps forced so Police advice is to use an alarm if there’s something valuable in your shed. Other options include gravel around the shed and motion activated lighting. You can find more information here police security advice or through a Neighbourhood Watch if you have set that up.
New Street Lighting
While more energy efficient, the new LED streetlights have a number of problems. The beam is narrow and the overall effect inadequate. Further installation is on hold in some streets and under review in over 100 streets where they have already been installed. Trialling of different intensity settings is also being done to see if that makes sufficient difference. It is unfortunate that no notice had been given of the installation plans.
Edinburgh Association of Community Councils
The EACC exists as a means through which all Edinburgh’s community councils can act collectively, among other things via the Edinburgh Partnership including CEC, NHS Lothian, emergency services and business. For various reasons it has been fairly quiet of late but new office bearers were elected on 21st May and we look forward to a reinvigorated EACC making a positive difference for all our communities.
Public Toilet Closures
The CEC consultation on the criteria for closing public toilets has now closed and the results will be published on the CEC website from Friday 5 June. We are not hopeful that any outside the city centre will be spared though it is possible that some may be taken over by Lothian Buses for the use of their staff only.
Trees
A number of trees have been chopped down, notwithstanding the legal protection afforded to them by conservation area status. To help address the general ignorance, including the possibility of substantial fines, an informative article will be placed in Trinity Spotlight.
NEXT MEETING
This will take place on Monday 8 June 2015 in the New Hall of Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road, 7.00pm. As well as the Annual General Meeting we hope to confirm:
Do you have a view on how we might do things better? Come to the AGM on Monday 8 June at 7 pm in Wardie Parish Church – and tell us!
Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin by emailing
tcc-comms@outlook.com
Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.
Do you care about what’s going on in your community? Would you like to help make your neighbourhood a better place to live? Yes? Then join with others who feel the same way at West Pilton West Granton Community Council’s annual general meeting on Tuesday evening!
Community Council agm poster note 2 6 15
West Pilton West Granton Community Council AGM
Tuesday 2 June 7 – 9pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Community Council secretary Willie Black is keen to see the while community getting involved. He said: “Our AGM is an opportunity to meet with other concerned residents and tenants who are working for the improvement of the area. Do you feel you can make a difference? Come along to the meeting and have your say. With your help we can all make the area a place where everyone can be proud to live and work.”
Councillor Maureen Child, who chairs the city council’s Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee, is guest speaker at the event and will talk on ‘The Changing Role of Community Councils’.
Community councils are only as strong and effective as their members make them, so why not play your part?
For further information call Community Council secretary Willie Black on 0751 568 6421 or email w.black@blueyonder.co.uk
Community Council looks to recruit new members
Drylaw Telford Community Council is urging local residents to support their neighbourhood by joining the community council. Community councillors are currently leafletting the area to encourage new people to get involved.
The leaflet drop also advertises the community council’s Annual General Meeting, which takes place next Wednesday (27 May) at 6.30pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.
Established in 1981, Drylaw Telford CC was one of Edinburgh’s original community councils. Local community councillors led the successful campaign for a purpose-built community centre for the area in the 1990s and the community council has met at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on the last Wednesday of the month ever since.
Why not go along next Wednesday, meet current members and find out about how you can help make Drylaw Telford a better place to be?
For further information email DTCC secretary Andrew Barnett at andrew@abarnett.net
WPWGCC AGM!
Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee, is guest speaker at West Pilton West Granton Community Council’s annual general meeting next month.
Her theme, appropriately enough, is ‘The Changing Role of Community Councils’.
The meeting will take place in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday 2 June at 7pm. All welcome.
For further information contact W Black (Secretary) on 07515686421, email w.black@blueyonder.co.uk
North Neighbourhood Community Safety manager Ruth Stanley will attend next week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 29 April at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. All welcome.
