QUEENSFERRY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL     REPORTS     BACK

                                                            MINUTES OF MEETING – MONDAY 22 OCTOBER 2007

Present:
Community Councillors:  Tom Martin (Chair), Pat Mulraney (part of meeting), Willie Hardie, Keith Giblett, David Wragg, Jimmy Brown, Annie Gray, Jim Ferguson, David Steel, Laura Sexton, Diane Job

Others:  PC Diane Brown

Apologies:  George Grubb, Kate MacKenzie, Norman Work, Kay Blair, Terry Airlie, David Brown, Martin Gallagher, David Ormiston

1.   CHAIR’S WELCOME

Tom welcomed those present and referred the meeting to the agenda.

2.   APOLOGIES

Noted as above.

3.   POLICE REPORT

Diane had circulated her report and gave a brief summary of the contents.  Reported crimes continue on a downward trend, anti-social behaviour and vandalism continue to be of concern.  PC Don MacKinnon of the Youth Action Team returns to car patrol duties at Corstorphine, he is replaced by PC Jim Kelly.  The High School representatives asked that their thanks to PC MacKinnon for all his good work be recorded, and their best wishes for his future.

4.   MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Proposed, accepted as a true record, Jimmy Brown and seconded by Keith Giblett.

5.   MATTERS ARISING

5.1  High Street/general traffic issues:  a traffic survey had been carried out, CEC will conduct further surveys/investigations into traffic patterns in and around Queensferry.

5.2  Communication regarding events/road closures/temporary parking and traffic restrictions:  David S reported that there had been discussions with Norman, Kate and CEC and it is hoped that a suitable system will be  put in place to satisfy all interested parties.  David S/Norman will confirm details in due course.

ACTION – DAVID S/NORMAN

5.3  Access road The Loan/Scotmid:  discussions with Scotmid have taken place but the problem still exists.  Tom to take forward.

ACTION – TOM

5.4  Transport Sub-Group:  to be finalised at our next meeting. Martin is looking for names of members who wish to join this Sub-Group.
5.5  High School – “School of Ambition” brochure:  format agreed.
5.6  Problems at Queensferry Primary School caused by indiscriminate parking:  report awaited from Martin

ACTION – MARTIN

5.7  Condition of pavements, Atheling Grove area:  in Norman’s and Kate’s absence, carried forward.

ACTION – NORMAN/KATE

6.   CHAIR’S REPORT

Already circulated.

7.   COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Norman’s report already circulated.  David W gave a report on behalf of Kate, who had met with Murray Black (CEC) regarding overgrown hedges alongside footpaths in the Echline area.  Requests by letter to residents whose hedges were in this category asking that they be trimmed had met with a very positive and quick response.  Keith added to this by confirming that we had now established a principal for dealing with problems in paths which had not been adopted by CEC.

8.   TREASURER’S REPORT

Pat had given a written report to Tom as follows:  Community Council Funds - £910.71;  Echline Community Woodland Funds - £15.66.

9.   SECRETARY’S REPORT

Already circulated.  The question of double yellow lines at Hawthorn Bank as mentioned in Martin’s report needs to be clarified.  Tom to investigate.

ACTION – TOM

10. CONVENORS’ REPORTS

10.1  Housing:  Willie reported that there is still confusion with the new Neighbourhood Partnership system and its impact on housing.  More discussion and debate will follow.

10.2  Planning:  Keith had circulated his report, points arising as follows:  there had been one or two minor problems at the Echline Avenue/Rigg site, these were very quickly resolved with assistance from Inspector Alan Duthie, thanks to whom Keith asked to be recorded. 

A further meeting to discuss the long-running issue of Jacob’s Ladder had been arranged by CEC, it will take place in Wester Hailes at the South West Neighbourhood Offices there on Friday 26 October at 10am.  Keith is unable to attend, nor can David S.  Tom agreed to attend.  David S wished to note his dissatisfaction that a meeting to discuss a matter relevant only to Queensferry should be held outwith Queensferry, particularly at such an inaccessible location, and asked that Tom should make this point at the meeting.  Tom to report back on the outcome of this meeting.

ACTION – TOM

Keith referred to the minutes of the meeting of the group “Housing for the Disabled in Queensferry”, a copy of which all members have.  A further meeting will be held, date to be confirmed.  Discussions will be held with Agilent to explore the possibility of housing suitable for local disabled persons being included in the proposed development there.

10.3  High School:  Jim F reported that as part of the “School of Ambition” programme, a total of no less than 77 projects had just been launched.  Full details of these will be notified in due course.

10.4  QBA:  Kay had circulated the minutes of the recent QBA meeting, points arising:  David S referred to the note about the “Christmas in Queensferry” event and reported that an emergency meeting had been called for Thursday, 25 October, 6pm in the Rosebery Hall, to discuss the arrangements for the two day event as there were some concerns about the event going ahead as planned.  Tom was aware of this meeting and would attend, any CC members who were interested were asked to come along.

10.5  Transport:  Martin had circulated his report, points arising:  the question of the future of the Tolls Canopy would continue to be followed up.  This is a matter for the Transport Sub-Group to progress.

ACTION – MARTIN/TRANSPORT SUB-GROUP

Re-routing the 43 service via Echline Avenue permanently:  to be followed up by Sub-Group.

ACTION – MARTIN/TRANSPORT SUB-GROUP

11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

11.1  David S reported that he had been in contact with CEC regarding the provision of  an early-enough 43 bus service ex Edinburgh to accommodate Loony Dook entrants/spectators on 1 January.  CEC seemed reluctant to provide this, mainly due to the lack of use of this year’s service.  David has pointed out to CEC that this was because the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event the night before had been cancelled and a lot of people wrongly assumed that the Loony Dook had also been cancelled.  One to keep an eye on.

11.2  David S had been asked by Beautiful Queensferry if they could do a short presentation on the work carried out by the various environmental groups at our next meeting:  agreed, David will notify Brenda Wilkinson accordingly.

11.3  Forth Crossing:  Laura noted that it was important for Queensferry that full attention be given to the current talks which will lead to the imminent decision being made on the new or replacement Forth Crossing.  Tom will take this forward with the relevant individuals/departments at CEC and government level.

ACTION – TOM

11.4  Tom proposed that we should give some thought to arranging a reception to recognise all the hard work carried out by the various local groups who look after the local environment which has culminated in Queensferry gaining a number of awards.  Funding may be available for such a reception.  More information is required on suggested date, location, type of reception, etc. This matter is carried forward for future discussion.

11.5  Speed limits in Queensferry:  there are proposals for new speed limits on and around the High Street, Tom requested that the Transport Sub-Group look at the implications.

ACTION – TRANSPORT SUB-GROUP

11.6  Echline play park:  the funds for this are in place, equipment has been ordered, the work is not scheduled to begin until after Christmas.

12. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING

Monday, 26 November 2007, 7.30pm, CC offices.

There being no further business to be discussed, Tom thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.

David M. Steel
Minute Secretary
Queensferry and District Community Council
6 November 2007                                                    
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