Agenda Item 5

Committee Minutes

South Central Neighbourhood Partnership

8 November 2010

Present:- Councillors Johnstone (Convener), Burgess, Godzik, Mackenzie,

MacLaren and Rose; Allan Campbell, (Lothian and Borders Police), Milind Kolhatkar
(EVOC), Alastair Philp (Marchmont/Sciennes Community Council), Bridget Stevens
(Merchiston Community Council), Ann Wigglesworth (Tollcross Community Council),
Jean Thompson (Morningside Community Council), Sue Tritton (Grange/Prestonfield
Community Council).

1 Declaration of interests
Sue Tritton and Bridget Stevens declared a non-financial interest in item 11 as
members of the board of The Eric Liddell Centre.

2 Roads and Footpath Prioritisation Review

A presentation was given on proposals for a new system of prioritisation for

roads and footway investment.
Motion

That the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee brings forward a

more equitable method of distribution of the top sliced Capital Roads Fund
taking into account population and roads mileage.

- moved by Councillor Cameron Rose, seconded by Sue Tritton

Decision

a) To note the presentation by Sean Gilchrist, Estimating / Performance

Officer.
b) To approve the motion by Councillor Rose

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3 Barbeque Use on the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links

Sean McGrath, Acting Local Environment Manager gave an update on the

recommendations made by the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links Advisory Group
(MABLAG) at their meeting on 3 November. The recommendations were:
MABLAG collectively agreed to continue with the pilot for a further 12 months
with the following actions;

 Increase the number of sites over the winter

 Discuss and agree the position of these new sites at MABLAG
 Remove existing temporary signage for the winter
 Remove any remaining signage that prohibits barbecues
 Revise leaflet and signage for 2011

Decision

a) To note the outcome of the MABLAG review of the pilot.

b) To note that enforcement of a barbecue ban within parks is a common
issue across local authorities and that many have adopted arrangements
which tolerate the use of portable barbecues alongside steps to minimise
damage.
c) To note that the Management Rules for Parks across the city are being
reviewed over the coming year.
d) To approve the continuation of the pilot for a further 12 months and
continue to review at MABLAG. To increase the number and size of
barbecue sites, improve signage, leaflets and continue to encourage
responsible use, pending the final outcome of the review of the
Management Rules for Parks.

4 Neighbourhood Partnership Review & Future Meeting

Arrangements

Agenda item 5 and 8 were taken together.

Evelyn Kilmurry explained that following the withdrawal of Committee

Services support for Neighbourhood Partnerships each Partnership was
require to consider how it might change the way it worked\was organised to
compensate for this loss of resources.

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8 November 2010

She explained that, in response to low turnouts at the formal NP meetings,

the Leith NP replaced the formal meetings with 4 themed public events per
annum and transferred decision making powers to groups in the sub structure
which report to business meetings 6 times per annum.

The benefits of this approach have included:

 increased community participation through well attended events

 reduced use of Committee Services
 more effective business meetings

The Partnership was asked to consider:

a) Replacing all or a number of the board meetings with themed events in

response to issues of local concern and interest.

b) Further developing the sub structure to allow the Partnership to more

regularly delegate or remit tasks where appropriate. This would include a
review of the effectiveness and remit of the existing Sub Groups to take
place in January 2011, to be considered at the next scheduled business
meeting in February 2011.

Motion

That the Council take steps to wind up the Neighbourhood Partnerships on the
grounds that they are not an efficient way of spending public funds and making
decisions.

- Moved by Councillor Cameron Rose, no seconder.

Decision

To refer the options proposed at para 2.5 to the next business meeting for
consideration.

5 Minute of the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership

Meeting of 9 August 2010

Decision

To approve the minute of meeting of the South Central Neighbourhood

Partnership of 9 August 2010.

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6 Update on Street Drinking and Begging

Sergeant Allan Campbell advised that the drinking by-law is now in force within
Nicolson Square. Drinkers are required to stop when requested, failing which it
becomes an offence. Street drinkers have been moved from the squares and
been displaced to the edge of St Patrick’s Square/Surgeons Hall and the
Meadows. The by-law is currently only in force within the squares. There has
been positive feedback from retail proprietors and members of the public.

Sergeant Campbell also advised that a working group has been set up to
consider street begging on a city wide context and that a report was being
prepared for consideration by the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership at
the beginning of 2011.

Decision

To note the update by Sergeant Campbell

7 Fairer Scotland Funding

The Neighbourhood Manager reported on the transition arrangements from the

Fairer Scotland Fund to mainstream budgets.

Milind Kohlhatkar proposed an additional recommendation that this

Neighbourhood Partnership continues to hold that reducing the impacts of
inequality and deprivation/poverty is a priority.

Motion

That the recommendation at 5.2 of the report is amended by the removal of

‘accepts’ and is substituted with ‘regrets’ and inclusion of ‘that this
Neighbourhood Partnership continues to hold that reducing the impacts of
inequality and deprivation/poverty is a priority’.

- moved by Councillor Paul Godzik, seconded by Jean Thompson

Voting

For the motion - 6 votes

Against the motion - 4 votes

Decision

a) To approve the recommendation at 5.1

b) To approve the recommendation at 5.2 to the lead council departments

that appropriate lead departments the full South Central FSF programme

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continues to be funded during 2011/12 but regrets that the level of funding
is likely to reduce from the current level.

c) To approve the recommendation at 5.3

8 Sub Group Report

An update was provided on the development and activity related to sub groups
as detailed in the report by the Neighbourhood Manager.

Decision

To note the report by the Neighbourhood Manager.

9 Community Grants Fund

An update was provided on the success of the successful Students in the

Community Event which was held on 28 October 2010.

The Partnership recorded their approval and thanks to Edinburgh University

Students Association for organising and hosting this event.

Details were given of applications made to the Neighbourhood Partnership

Community Grants Fund.

Decision

a) Award of a grant of £1,000 to Merchiston Tennis and Bowling Club

b) Award of a grant of £200 to the Southside Association

c) Award of a grant of £4,750 to The Eric Liddell Centre

d) Note the continued application from South Morningside Primary Parent

Council

e) Note the award of a grant of £1,500 to the Prestonfield Community Garden

Group under delegated authority

f) Note the award of a grant of £2,820 to the Friends of the Hermitage of

Braid and Blackford Hill under delegated authority

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11 Questions and Written Answers from the Meeting of 9 August

2010

Decision

To note that the written response given by NHS Lothian on the question relating
to Cambridge Street House would be circulated to members as soon as it
becomes available.

10 Date of Next Meeting

Monday, 14 March 2011 at 7.00 pm in the City Chambers Business Centre

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