Fairmilehead Community Council Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 3rd March 2020 in Fairmilehead Parish Church Present: Colin Anderson (Vice Chair); Norman Tinlin (Secretary); Fiona Simon (Treasurer); Barbara Dick (Buckstone Association); Gillian Holmes (Winton Loan Woodland Trust); Fraser Simon; Stella Thomson; Ex Officio: Councillor Arthur; PC Oliver Ford 17 members of the public Apologies: Dennis Williams (Chair); Johanna Carrie; Councillors Doggart and Rust; George Symonds. The Secretary opened the meeting by explaining that Dennis Williams (Chair) was unable to attend due to business commitments and that Councillors Doggart and Rust were unable to attend due to attendance at Council meetings. The meeting would be chaired by Colin Anderson (Vice Chair). 1. Police Report PC Ford from Ward 2 presented the report which had been prepared by PC David Crow. The report can be found at Appendix A. PC Ford noted that there had been 6 housebreakings and 4 thefts from cars. He reminded the meeting that it is best to keep all things of value, such as bikes, out of sight. Make sure doors, cars and sheds are all securely locked. Questions/Discussion a) In response to a question as to whether the housebreakings and car thefts might be related, PC Ford agreed that as the offences had been committed within a small geographical area it was likely that the crimes are linked. Possibly the same opportunist thieves operating during the period from 04th February to 19th February. b) In light of the recent comments by Chief Constable Ian Livingstone that the number of police officers in Scotland could be cut, he was asked whether this would affect community policing? PC Ford said he did not know whether there would be a cut to the current level but perhaps it would be clearer by the end of summer. c) PC Ford was asked to check up on a specific car which had been seen in the local area. d) PC Ford was asked who is now in charge of the community policing in Ward 8. The new Sergeant is Tricia Clarke. e) The question of credit card fraud was raised. The monetary level at which banks pursue fraudsters was thought to be £10000. f) The Secretary advised that further to the letter distributed at the January FCC which outlined changes to the police call handling system (Contact Assessment Model – CAM) these changes have now been implemented within Lothian. In the call centres responding to 101 calls, staff and police officers have been trained to make an enhanced assessment of threat, risk, harm and vulnerability for everyone who contacts the service. This requires those calling to give far greater detail of incidents when calling. In providing greater depth of detail it is hoped that a more appropriate and tailored response by police can be provided to each individual caller and that scarce police resources can be better utilised. 2. HcL Transport – Dial-a-bus & Dial-a-ride services Laura Kearney from HcL Transport, previously known as Handicabs, started by saying that she had contacted Community Councils within the Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian areas to offer to do a presentation in order to expand awareness of the services provided. She explained that HcL is a charity providing an assisted transport service for people with mobility challenges. It is a door-to-door service for people with limited mobility who are unable to use 1 © Fairmilehead Community Council conventional public transport due to age, illness, health condition (both long and short term), disability or geographical remoteness. The service takes two forms; Dial-a-bus and Dial-a-ride. Dial-a-bus: This service operates at least once per week from most areas in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It collects people from their home and takes them to local shopping centres and supermarkets. Within this area it is a Thursday service going to Hunters Tryst. The buses can take two forward facing wheelchairs and drivers give any assistance needed to aid people on the journey from helping with putting coats on to carrying groceries into the home. However, they do not unpack. A system is in place on the bus to ensure the correct shopping goes with each person. Outings last around 1-1.5 hours and cost £1.90 each way. Payment is in cash although HCL are trying to raise finance to introduce a card payment facility. First journey is free. Journeys need to be booked in advance. Dial-a-ride: subject to driver availability this system operates seven days a week including evenings. Most journeys are within the Edinburgh and Lothians area, but they can go further afield. Approximately 25% of journeys are medical related although it is also used for shopping trips, theatre visits, cinema outings etc. The service is cheaper than taxis being charged on a mileage basis of £4.75 for the first mile plus 40p per mile thereafter. It is used by both individuals and small groups. All drivers are paid, and the aim is to offer a 365 day a year service. During Christmas 2019 8 drivers volunteered to work in order that people could reach families. There is £5.00 off the first journey. Advance booking is advisable. Clients must register to use the services. Once registered full details of local dial-a-bus services will be sent. The cost of each dial-a-ride journey will be given at time of booking. The service is people centred. It is not just transport. It is a great way of socialising, meeting new people, making new friends. There is a great deal of continuity in the service as drivers tend to remain with the service long term and cover specific routes. Clients and drivers get to know one another something of particular importance for those suffering from progressive dementia. Questions a) The question of the use of concession bus passes on the service was raised. Laura said that as over 78% of passengers are over the age of 60 and therefore in possession of a concession pass HcL hope to obtain the technology to trial the use of passes this year. b) In response to the question of the number of vehicles it was explained that 10 vehicles are based in West Lothian and 20, plus 2 back up vehicles, at Bilston. c) Asked if similar services exist elsewhere, Laura said she knew of the dial-a-journey service within the Stirling and Falkirk area. This service is not related to HcL Transport Laura ended the presentation by saying that posts from HcL can be followed on Facebook 3. Minute of Meeting Held On 4 February 2020 These were approved by the meeting. 4. Matters Arising a) Noticeboard The Secretary advised the meeting that he was still trying to find a suitable contractor. He intends to contact some of the other local community councils to ask for suggestions. b) Swanston to Portobello Cycling Path Following on from the presentation given by Ross Woodside of the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) at the previous meeting, Stella Thomson reiterated the concern that the section of the proposed path located within this area had been devised without any consultation with those who live in the area and use cycle paths. Stella, as a member of the community council, agreed to contact Mr Woodside to discuss this issue further. 2 © Fairmilehead Community Council 5. Correspondence a) Date for comment on both the Choices for Edinburgh City Plan 2030 and City Mobility Plan has been extended to 31st March 2020. Closing date subsequently changed to 30 April. b) Scottish Government Community Land Team Event – Community Rights to Buy. To be held 7 April 2020 Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road, EH10 4DP. The Secretary is to attend. Subsequently cancelled. 6. Councillors’ Reports Councillor Arthur distributed copies of his report: Safer Streets At the Transport committee last week I voted to reduce the speed limit on all 40mph roads in my Ward to 30mph - this is a great result for all the local people who have been asking for these roads to be made safer. The Conservatives opposed the plan for safer streets, and argued in particular that the Biggar Road should remain at 40mph. As a reminder, this road: 1. Is only 540m long; 2. Has 3 junctions along its length; 3. Is lined with houses; 4. Has 2 shops and a cafe on it; 5. It has traffic lights at one end, and a roundabout at the other; 6. Is crossed by children on the way to school; and, 7. Has one of the worse accident rates of any 40mph road in Edinburgh. I know not everyone will agree with this change, but I hope we can agree that it will make my Ward safer for us all. The streets included are: 1. Biggar Road 2. Buckstone Terrace 3. Lanark Road 4. Frogston Road The consultation will soon begin, and if approved the limit will change in 18 months. The text below are the responses to a web survey I set up last year to understand the desire to reduce the speed limit on 40mph roads in my Ward to 30mph. I don’t claim my survey is “scientific” or conclusive, but it does show that locally there is a desire for safer roads. For Change 1. I don’t see the need for 40mph speed limit within residential areas. Would love the limit to be reduced on biggar road so I can more easily take the bus to school (Pentland) with my children. 2. Cars come off the bypass and still go to fast down this road especially with all the new housing 30 would be plenty please also included the slow down sign and also the cost of policing (speed checks) on a regular bases without this people will remain going to fast 3.