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Fairmilehead Community Council meeting held on Tuesday 7 June 2016 in Fairmilehead Parish Church incorporating Annual General Meeting Present: Dennis Williams (Chair); Norman Tinlin (Secretary); Fiona Simon (Treasurer); Colin Anderson; Johanna Carrie; Barbara Dick (Buckstone Association);Alison Elfick; Carol Lonie (Buckstone Youth); Tom Strathdee; Ex Officio: Councillors Aitken; PCs Ali Murdoch & Dan Ruane 22 members of the public In Attendance: Nick Croft, Corporate Policy and Strategy Manager, CEC Apologies: Sandy Macpherson (Vice Chair); Audrey Ryan, Councillors Lewis & Rust; Ian Murray MP; George Symonds 1. Police Report In the absence of Pc Howie, PCs Murdoch and Ruane from Balerno gave the monthly report for May. There had been 1 housebreaking on Buckstone Road and a minor assault in Oxgangs road. There had been a theft on Buckstone terrace and flags had been damaged on Mortonhall golf course. They also informed the meeting of a forthcoming rural crime event which was being held on 18 June at 10.30am at Harlaw. Should you wish to contact the Community Policing Team, you can do so by email at [email protected] or by telephoning the new national non-emergency number 101. There is also a Police Surgery on Wednesdays between 1700 and 1800 hours at Oxgangs Library. Note: Following on from a decision taken by Police Scotland the community officers attending our meetings are no longer able to provide printed or e-mail copies of their reports. Only verbal reports will be given. 2. Council Transformation Programme Nick Croft introduced himself and gave some background to the transformation programme. There was a financial shortfall; health and social care integration and new legislation amongst other things driving the change. There had been salami slicing of services and personnel previously but the Christie Commission had recommended big changes in the way local government was run. As a result councils, including Edinburgh, had been transforming the way the services were run. In Edinburgh this was being undertaken by a variety of methods including channel change. The public were encourage to make more use of reporting to and contacting the council by online methods Departments were also being realigned and a move was being made to locality working. This would reduce the number of neighbourhood partnerships areas from 6 to four and each locality would be led by a leadership team. Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership would continue to be within the South West Locality which was the only partnership area not being re-aligned or merged with another. There would be a locality team which would include 4 heads of service, the existing neighbourhood manager and leads from community planning partners such as voluntary sector, police, fire and rescue, NHS and health and social care. 1 © Fairmilehead Community Council There would be a lot more joint working and building rationalisation and re-provisioning. There would have to be cuts to staff through voluntary redundancy and early retirement. Some services would be affected but it is too early to say how and which ones although it hoped the transformation would make them more efficient. A lot of responsibility for services would be under the remit of the localities instead of from the centre as at present. Comments/Questions raised: Trying to do a lot – very big changes; Time Line – 2 phases, first by end of June. This year’s saving s will be £20million; Checkpoints – Edinburgh survey; How going to achieve the savings; Funding for parks and open spaces; Pace of reform; How are changes being communicated – community councils will have a critical role in this; Sustainability and carbon emissions; Place and placemaking 3. Block Nomination of Office Bearers Councillor Aitken took the chair for this part of the meeting. She thanked the members for their work throughout the year and also to the public for their attendance at the meetings and their support. Cllr Aitken explained that due to the forthcoming elections it had been decided at the February meeting that there would be a block nomination of the existing office bearers to continue in post until the general meeting to be held after the elections. This was agreed by the meeting. Alison Elfick intimated that she would not be standing in the election and Sandy Macpherson had intimated to the Secretary that he was standing down. Cllr Aitken intimated to the meeting that a complaint had been received from EACC against the Secretary and Chair. As this was an unusual circumstance she had made enquiries regarding protocols as to how to deal with the matter. A meeting, which she had chaired, had been held with the voting members. A decision had been made in regards to the complaint which would be communicated by letter to the EACC. No further action was being taken. At this point Cllr Aitken circulated copies of her monthly and annual report. These are reported in the normal place in the minute. 4. Reports from Chair and Secretary The Chair thanked the office bearers, members, councillors and those who attended the meeting. He said that we had great attendances at the meeting and a good variety of speakers. He also thanked the police for their attendance and assistance over the year. Fortunately crime in the area, particularly housebreaking, had receded to the previous low levels. The Secretary circulated copies of his report which is attached at Appendix B. 5. Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Accounts The Treasurer circulated copies of the audited accounts. These should an income for the year of £797.32 and expenditure of £692.55 of which £440 was for the hall let. The balance at 1 April 2016 was £1162.75. The accounts were approved by the meeting. 6. Minute Of Meeting Held On 3 May 2015 These were approved by the meeting. 7. Matters Arising: a) Pedestrian Crossing, Buckstone Terrace at Waterfield Road There was no update and was covered in Cllr Aitken’s report. 8. Correspondence a) Inspector Duthie, Oxgangs Police Station – Proposed changes to proposed poling in Edinburgh 2 © Fairmilehead Community Council b) CEC – Liquor licences for June 2016 Board c) Local Government Boundary Commission – Boundary report available to view. d) CEC – Information on voting in Referendum e) Edinburgh Airport – proposed changes to flight paths f) CEC Licensing – Consultation on Music in licensed premises g) Care and Repair – Information on their services (Suggested as future meeting topic) h) CEC Planning – Committee tour on 16 June taking in Scottish Water site (Passed to Planning Representative) 9. Councillors’ Reports Councillor Aitken distributed copies of her report: Her Annual Report is attached as Appendix A 1. Community Council Elections As your Returning Officer, I have received this timetable for the elections: Timetable for Community Council Elections 2016 Elected Representatives Monday 5 Sept Notice of Election (start of nomination period) Monday 26 Sept Close of Registration (forms to Returning Officer) Thursday 6 October Notice of Poll (if a poll is required) Thursday 27 Oct Polling Day (if a poll is required) Nominated Representatives Monday 5 Sept Notice of Election Monday 26 Sept Close of Registration (forms to Community Council Liaison Officer) TBA Meeting of registered Local Interest Groups to elect Nominated Members (if necessary) Prior to the start of the nomination period, I will receive an Election Pack which will include a summary of duties, register of electors, nomination forms for elected representatives, map of the CC area, election publicity and a timetable for election. 2. School Closures St Peter’s PS, Oxgangs PS and Braidburn Special School reopened on 24th May with Firrhill HS following this week. Oxgangs PS held their Summer Fair in the school on 28th May. 3. Pentland View The planning application has now been validated and is available to view on the Planning Portal. The application number is 16/02397/FUL. Neighbour notifications have been issued to those who meet the legislative requirements. Comments can be made either on the planning portal or by post. The closing date for this is 24 June. Historic Environment Scotland informed me that the applications to list Comiston Farm House have been unsuccessful. 4. Fairmilehead Park I’ve received complaints about the poor condition of the grass in some areas. A boot camp takes place in the park but I’ve been reassured that the Parks officials were notified and gave permission.. 5. Roads • TRO for Margaret Rose Avenue is currently going through the legal process • Speed checks in Frogston Road West are being undertaken. 6. Parking at Pentland PS Again, cars have been parked badly near the school entrance. I have reported this to the police and asked the parking attendants to monitor this. 7. Buckstone PS Mrs Palmer retired at Easter and a new Head has been appointed to start in August. The school held its Summer Fair last month. It was very well organised and widely supported. 8. New Crossing in Buckstone Terrace This was discussed at last month’s meeting. Following the consultation period, there was widespread support for a crossing but not for the proposed location for the bus stop. The Road Safety Officer has suggested that I meet with him and the Road Safety and Active Travel Manager to look at options. 9. Pentland Community Safety Action Group The Group met last month and the main topics were: 3 © Fairmilehead Community Council house break ins – a number of good arrests have been made and the number of crimes has fallen again youth tracking – there are no youths on it for Ward 8 aggressive cycling on walkways has decreased. I again requested appropriate signs for Cockmylane police officers are monitoring parking round schools discussion on a possible Home Security event in Colinton a Rural Crime Day at Harlaw on 8th June, highlighting issues of anti social behaviour by visitors to the Pentland Hills and an increase of sheep worrying by dogs.

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