Fairmilehead Community Council meeting held on Tuesday 6 December 2016 in Fairmilehead Parish Church Present: Dennis Williams (Chair); Norman Tinlin (Secretary); Fiona Simon (Treasurer); Colin Anderson; Johanna Carrie; Barbara Dick (Buckstone Association); Andy Lippok; Ex Officio: Councillors Aitken and Rust; 16 members of the public Apologies: Carol Lonie; Fraser Simon; Councillor Lewis; Ian Murray MP; Gordon Lindhurst MSP; Margaret Walker; Douglas Grossart 1. Police Report PC Gavin Mears gave the report for November which is attached at Appendix A. There were 6 housebreakings in total one of which was solved. He stated that overall HBs were starting to increase overall again. There could be various reasons for the increase including that previous perpetrators have been released from previous prison sentences. There had been a bogus workman incident in Frogston Avenue where cash had been stolen. Various operations, including some in plain clothes, were taking place in both the local and wider area leading up to the Christmas and New Year operations. In response to a question raised the clamped vehicle in Swanston Avenue is as a result of DVLA activity. Once the vehicle excise duty is paid along with other fees the vehicle will be unclamped. If no payment is made the DVLA will remove the vehicle with a view to selling it. 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. Monthly Crime Prevention Tip – Make sure all you Christmas presents are hidden from view. 2. Minute Of Meeting Held On 1 November 2016 These were approved by the meeting. 3. Matters Arising: a) Pedestrian Crossing, Buckstone Terrace at Waterfield Road This was covered in Cllr Aitken’s report. b) Car Club Parking Space, Braid Road The Secretary stated that following on from the comments at the last meeting he had contacted Traffic Orders at the Council with an objection to and comments on the proposed location for a car club bay. The Council had replied accepting the community council comments and stating that no bay would be installed in that part of Braid Road. The new proposed location was on Pentland Terrace just south of Comiston View. c) Data Protection Act Registration The Secretary reported that following on from the decision taken at the last meeting he had registered the community council under the provisions of the data protection act. He had received a copy of the appropriate registration document. 1 © Fairmilehead Community Council 4. Correspondence a) CEC Licensing – Liquor applications for December board meeting. b) Edinburgh Airport – Setting up a Noise Management Board. c) NHS Lothian – Information on Edinburgh Wellbeing Public Social Partnership forthcoming events. d) Transition Edinburgh Pentlands event on Could Edinburgh be more sustainable by 2050. Caiystane Hall, Tuesday 13 December at 7pm. e) Invest Edinburgh magazine for November to February 2017. 5. Councillors’ Reports Councillor Aitken distributed copies of her report: 1. Pentland View I spoke with the Planning Officer last week. Concerns have been expressed about the roads access so the developers are now considering a revised layout. The application is unlikely to be considered by the Development Management Sub Committee until next year. 2. Waste Issues I continue to receive complaints about missed collections e.g. Biggar Road, Buckstone Place, Queen Margaret Close and Oxgangs Road and unemptied street bins. I lodged a question at the last Full Council meeting about recycling bins, including paper banks serviced by Palm Recycling and as a result the service will be monitored more strictly. This should ensure that the banks are emptied on a regular basis. 3. Winton East I attended the exhibition held in Fairmilehead Church on 29th November by Miller Homes to view the proposals for 87 new homes with a range of two, three, four and five bed properties, including 22 affordable homes. The planning application should be lodged before Christmas for validation and the 21 day period for comments will then start. 4. Buckstone PS I met with Mrs Imrie to discuss any actions which could be taken to stop inconsiderate parking and maintain sightlines for pupils crossing the roads near the school. The section 75 payment from Cala and David Wilson Homes will be made by the end of the week which will allow the tender process to commence. 5. Faulty Lights I’ve reported a number of faulty street lights in the ward and have submitted a question for Full Council this month on delays in maintenance. 6. New Crossing in Buckstone Terrace The Road Safety and Active Travel Manager, Andrew Easson, is arranging a meeting with the local Councillors in January to discuss a proposal which will then go out for consultation. 7. Traffic in Buckstone Terrace I have reported the difficulties caused by the backup of traffic waiting on the main road to turn right in to Waterfield Road to the Senior Transport Team Leader. 8. Braid Road A meeting to discuss road safety in Braid Road was held in late October, organised by Daniel Johnstone MSP. Unfortunately, Councillors for wards 8 and 10 were not invited. A follow up workshop, to which we have been invited, has been organised to look at issues raised at the meeting. A public meeting is proposed for January. 9. 17, Buckstone Crescent This property is being monitored by the Empty Homes Enforcement Team and our local Police following more complaints about the poor condition of the building and garden. 10. Aldi Development Preparation for demolition should start pre-Christmas. With the Christmas/New Year holiday trades shut-down, it is likely demolition proper will not commence until the New Year. Construction on site is scheduled to begin February/March for an Autumn opening. 11. Former Hunter’s Tryst Site I spoke to the architects yesterday. The planning application will be lodged later this week. Once the documents have been validated, comments can be made on the planning portal. 2 © Fairmilehead Community Council 12. Barrier at Dreghorn A new vehicle height restriction barrier has been installed at Dreghorn Ranges. Councillor Rust and I have received complaints about its height, as have colleagues in the Pentland Hills Ward. It has been set at 1.5m which denies access to most cars as well as commercial vehicles. This land belongs to MOD but the area has for a long time been subjected to anti-social behaviour ranging from vandalism and arson in the former farm house site, dog waste being left on the MOD training area, and fly tipping of building material, domestic waste and surgical items. The MOD feel that they have a duty of care to maintain the area safely and responsibly for both the Service user and the public who access the area under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Before the barrier was installed, various stake holders were consulted. (Forestry & Natural Heritage Service, Friends of Pentlands, MOD Police, MOD Land Agents). 13. Blocked Gullies I’ve reported the blocked gullies which were identified at our last meeting. 14. Footpaths Supervisors have been asked to inspect the footpaths going from Buckstone Crescent up B. Hill, Bank and Way and to include in the schedule. I have requested that these paths are inspected on a weekly basis. I also asked for the footpaths from Pentland Drive to Pentland Primary School and Cockmylane are covered with fallen leaves to be cleared I hope that you have a peaceful Festive Season and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Cllr Aitken highlighted the pedestrian crossing issue; 17 Buckstone Crescent; Hunters Tryst site and footpaths. Councillor Rust circulated copies of his report: 1. I attended the planning exhibition hosted by Miller Homes and its agents at Fairmilehead Parish Church in respect of “Winton East” on 29th November. A number of local residents were in attendance. The planning application is anticipated later this month and once validated by Council will be open for the period for comment. As a statutory consultee the Community Council will be notified. 2. I am meeting with officers next week, along with Elaine Aitken, to get an update on the Comiston Farmhouse planning application, which has yet to be determined. 3. I submitted questions to Full Council regarding Festive Lighting. Essentially my aim was to ascertain the budget available, the extent of equipment and who made the decisions. It has since resulted in much controversy due to Council having made apparent cutbacks, but without engaging with or directly advising local communities. 4. I have been in touch with winter maintenance regarding grit bins, particularly near to the Pentland Centre and Oxgangs Library. 5. I have received concerns about the number 4 service not operating on either Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Ultimately it is a commercial decision for Lothian Buses and I have suggested concerned passengers contact Lothian Buses directly and ask their employers to do likewise if there are concerns. 6. Along with the Council’s Forestry Manager I met with residents of Swanston Park and Swanston Green regarding the trees in their area. The street sweeper truck has now been active and all drainage channels have been cleared, but we await the Forestry sections proposals regarding thinning etc. 7. Residents in Buckstone Terrace and Buckstone Wood were in contact regarding food waste uplifts. These have now taken place. There have been delays to schedules across the area. 8. I believe it was minuted at September’s meeting the decision of my ward colleague, Elaine Aitken, to stand down at the local elections next year.