QUEENSFERRY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORTS BACK
Minutes – Monday 31st March 2008
Present:
Community Councillors: Tom Martin (Chair), Terry Airlie, Willie Hardie, Keith Giblett, David Wragg, Diane Job, Janet Finlayson, Jimmy Brown, Laura Sexton, Pat Mulraney, David Brown, Kay Blair
Local Councillors: Norman Work
Others: John Carson (Local Resident), Susan Davies (Places for People-PfP), Tom Gracie (CCG), Alistair Wylie (CCG)
Apologies: Councillor George Grubb, Councillor Kate MacKenzie, Annie Gray, Jim Ferguson, David Steel, Martin Gallagher, Dianne Brown.
1. CHAIR’S WELCOME
Tom welcomed those present and, following introductions, referred the meeting to the agenda.
2. APOLOGIES
Noted as above.
3. POLICE REPORT
No Police Report was available for presentation and discussion.
4. PLACES FOR PEOPLE – ECHLINE DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
A general update on the status of the Echline development was delivered by Alistair Wylie.
To summarise;
Construction work in progress broadly on schedule, with main services (sewage, gas, electricity, water etc. now available on site)
With the exception of BT, utilities are now mostly complete
A number of issues are currently being addressed
A discussion on the Playpark ensued, with a general agreement that the facility seems to be working well. The topic of an official opening ceremony involving CEC, PfP and CCG (the successful delivery of the project and an opportunity for good publicity in particular) was considered. TM indicated that Q&DCC were more than happy to be involved in this process.
A number of other discussion topics arose.
To summarise:
A further point regarding sub contractors (Premier One) was also raised with respect to the level of inconvenience experienced, and whilst the sub contractor had been engaged upon recommendation, apologies were offered.
ACTION: AW/TG
ACTION: TM/KG
[Only for resurfacing work]
height of houses ?
[No. A combination of 3 storey townhouses and flats as per plans –
3 storey being the highest. All others 2 storey.]
A request was made (and agreed) for a copy of the current site plan.
[Handover plan is in place. Current estimation is early autumn 08 – a combination of sale and let. It will be seen that the affordable element will be as the Edinburgh Ed/Index scheme, with priority for West Edinburgh locals]
[No marketing activities underway as yet, but it is expected it will be done locally]
5. Are there any concerns with respect to selling properties with the
levelling out of the housemarket in general and could this impact on other PfP projects like Wester Hailes?
[No. The contract is to complete the housing development]
5. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
Minutes proposed and accepted as a true record by David Wragg and seconded by Jimmy Brown.
6. MATTERS ARISING
6.1 Access road, The Loan/Scotmid: Exchange of e-mails.Yellow lines at Viewforth Bank. Work ongoing.
6.2 Condition of pavements, Atheling Grove: Tom has written as agreed, awaiting response.
6.3 High School swimming pool availability: Awaiting report from Kate.
ACTION: KMcK
6.4 Cycle Track/Walkway: As per last month. No budget available.
6.5 Cemetery provision for Queensferry and district: See Councillor Work’s report
6.6 CC representation for Port Edgar Yacht Club: Discussions ongoing
6.7 Raft at CEC, feedback awaited on Race Day parking restrictions: Norman has taken up with Morag Stevenson
6.8 Ferrymuir: The Planning sub-group report circulated.
6.9 CEC Budget (7.1): TM has written to each of the Almond Ward councillors. Reponses awaited
6.10 Treasurer’s Report (8): Request for updates regarding outstanding invoices made
6.11 Planning (10.2): JB has followed up. Still awaiting a response from David Wardrop
6.12 Boat Club/Harbour (10.3): TM has discussed with Pam Smart. Medium term – circa 2 years- funding issue.
6.13 Traffic Suspension (10.3) : TM has confirmed with CEC. Not enforceable.
6.14 Tourism (10.4): Power Race.TM has contacted Mike Lowry. Ongoing dialogue.
6.15 Timetables (10.5): See Transport report.
6.16 New Forth Crossing (12.1): Local councillors have contacted CEC and MSP’s. CEC will not support the tunnel option, but an indication of a split on the ruling Coalition group was highlighted.
6.17 Morison Gardens (12.2): Previous notes indicate local input via GreenFerry, CEC and local residents. Indication plan was agreed in advance of work
execution.
6.18 Echline Avenue/PfP (12.3): See tonights meeting notes.
6.19 FETA (12.4): See DW report.
6.20 Forth Dimension (12.5): Outwith remit of Q&DCC
6.21 CEC Magazine (12.6): Neighbourhood partnership expenses to cover.
6.22 Continued Items – See TM list issued separately.
7. CHAIR’S REPORT
Already circulated.
7.1 TM made a request for a West Community Safety Panel Representative to help JB – no takers
7.2 Dalmeny EarthShip. WH to take on board
8. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Already circulated where appropriate.
8.1 Letter from George Grubb.
8.2 e-mail from Kate to Norman
8.3 Concern was raised with respect to the budget process, and in particular the content (or rather lack of) of Councillors reports regarding relevant information
(Councillor Work excluded)
Although Councillor Grubb has supplied detail of his duties and activities as Lord Provost, there is no tailored information with respect to Almond ward or
Queensferry itself.
JC commented on the benefits former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds had obtained for her Drylaw ward whilst in office.
Still no report available from Councillor MacKenzie
8.4 Whilst its clear that the CEC budget has already been set, no information available as to whether or not the Q&DCC bid for suggested expenditure (the wish list) has been successful or supported. TM to follow up 8.3 and 8.4.
ACTION : TM
8.5 KG questioned Councillor Work regarding the situation with a replacement
cemetery. It may be we have a situation where land is available, but no funds
exist. One possible option may be the Single Capital Allocation Fund. Follow up.
ACTION : NW
9. TREASURER’S REPORT
Pat reported as follows: CC funds - £474.24, ECW funds - £15.66, total funds - £489.90. Pat asked again, for anyone with expenses or any known bills to be paid to advise him as soon as possible. The intention is to pass the books to the accountants this week.
ACTION – ALL, WHERE NECESSARY.
10. SECRETARY’S REPORT
Already circulated. No further comments
11. CONVENORS REPORTS
Already circulated where appropriate.
11.1 No issues reported on the following:
11.2 Planning: KG delivered a summary of his report with the Agilent residential development again receiving most interest. A discussion ensued as to whether any regulations or guidelines exist with respect to amount of open space per volume of population.
A further point on the provision of a play area within this development was made. It was noted that there is no Almond ward representation on CEC Planning Committee and this was seen as an issue not just with this development, but with all planning issues in the Queensferry and Dalmeny area.
In the past Agilent have sought the support of Q&DCC on a number of issues, so perhaps a follow up meeting should be considered.
KG intimated that previously our local MP, MSP and Councillors had regular meetings with Agilent. As yet, only feedback has come from Councillor Work.
On a similar point with regard to the planning application itself, a discussion ensued as to the timing of the original application, and the change of use of the site from a manufacturing to an R&D campus also took place.
The Fairtrade Award for the town was also discussed, and copies of the certification should be made available to all participants.
A final point was made with respect to the poultry farm in West Linton, with an approval being granted, but with 25 constraints.
11.3 QBA: Members meeting held 2 weeks ago. Minutes awaited and will be circulated accordingly.
ACTION: KB
11.4 QBC: JF informed the meeting that boats will be returned to the harbour on Friday 4th April. The statutory notice is in place.
The Harbour Pier users AGM has been held. The urgent matter of repairs was highlighted. JF requested (and was granted) permission to read out a letter and asked specifically that this was minuted. QBC have a concern that the lack of work with respect to the £15k allocation should be noted.
Structural repairs and essential maintenance costs need to be estimated. Whilst capital was allocated last year, it was not utilised and the harbour
continues to deteriorate. A request was made by JF on behalf of the QBC that Q&DCC contact CEC (on behalf of the harbour users) to get a response to the following questions:
· Why was there no expenditure last year?
· What is the purpose of this allocation?
ACTION: TM
11.5 Tourism: DB notified the meeting of the arrival of the first liner next month, and that the busiest period will be between the end of July and early August with 5 visits in 6 days. The last arrival is scheduled for October 7th.
11.6 Transport: DW referred the meeting to his report with respect to the meeting with FETA.. The issue with the possible permanent re-routing of the First 43 service along Station Road was discussed, but no real support for this move was noted. Ticket machines with respect to parking on both south and north side of the High Street were considered.
JF re-iterated her concern about disabled parking spaces HGV parking in and around the Dakota Hotel was considered. As the roads have been adopted by CEC this matter is outwith remit of Q&DCC. However, the Transport Sub-Group feel no parking should be allowed in this area. Evans of Leeds have approached Q&DCC on this issue, and have asked for assistance. DW to write to Highways Dept regarding enforcement
ACTION: DW
Parking on a public highway is a police matter and Alan Duthie has already been made aware of the local situation.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
A lack of consultation by Transport Scotland is seen to be vulnerable to challenge. Under the Aarhus convention, this is viewed as an infringement of human rights.
13. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
Monday, 28th April 2008, 7.30pm, venue confirmed CC office, High Street
Terry Airlie
pp. David M. Steel
Minute Secretary
Queensferry and District Community Council
13th April 2008 BACK