QUEENSFERRY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORTS - MEETING 26 OCTOBER 2009
REPORT : LOTHIAN AND BORDERS POLICE
Community Officer Diane Brown is currently working on other police duties and so this report has been produced by PC Jamieson in her absence.
In the period 28thth September to 23rd October 2009 there have been 42 crimes recorded as having been committed within the South Queensferry and Dalmeny area. From that number, fifteen crimes have been solved with the accused persons being reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
There has been a real mixture of incidents and local officers are dealing with incidents and crimes using a variety of methods and initiatives, some of which are as follows:
After receiving complaints about parking outside the primary school at Kirkliston the following police action took place by officers from South Queensferry:
Constable Doig and Constable Dingwall gave a road safety talk to P2 pupils at Kirkliston Primary School. Constable Doig has also issued the pupils with letters for their parents regarding parking complaints about dropping off and picking up their children. Constable Doig also patrolled for one week outside the school to prevent these parking issues.
During this short period Constable Doig has also accompanied Constable Jamieson to the Queensferry High School to continue his transition into his new role.
Constable Jamieson is currently taking part in the Junior Wardens Scheme in partnership with the Council’s Safer West Office (who are leading the initiative).
The Junior Wardens Scheme is a scheme that promotes citizenship and helps towards tackling juvenile nuisance and anti social behaviour by engaging with young people and encouraging them to join in activities organised by the council.
The participants learn about what the police, fire service and council workers do to keep their communities safe.
Local community officers organised a Bluelight Disco for local youths on 23rd October 2009 on Maid of the Forth Boat in South Queensferry. The disco was a great success.
Constable Jamieson is also actively working on a bike security and safety initiative, in partnership with Edinburgh Bike Co-operative and youth workers at Rosebery Hall. The initiative is to educate youths on bike security and maintenance. The Bike Co-Op will be providing a mechanic to advise on pedal cycle maintenance and bike safety and police will also be on hand to advise youths.
Officers have been conducting high visibility patrols and visits in all licensed premises in the South Queensferry area, paying particular attention at weekends and noting any incidents that take place. Any major issues are reported to the Licensing Department for robust action.
On 30th September 2009 a domestic incident took place at Hill Court, South Queensferry where a female was assaulted by a male. The male had bail conditions not to approach the female. He was later arrested for both offences.
On 3rd October 2009, at 0130hrs, a male was arrested for causing a breach of the peace and violently resisting arrest, at High Street, South Queensferry
On 8th October 2009, a garden shed was broken into and a window smashed in the area of Moubray Grove. Nothing was stolen.
On 8th October 2009 there was a theft from open display at the BP Station, 10, Builyeon Road. Subject stole chocolates and toilet rolls. Enquiries ongoing.
On 9th October 2009 at Ferrymuir Gate, a driver was stopped by police and reported for no driving licence and having no car insurance.
On 10th October 2009 at The Loan, SQ, a male was arrested/charged for breach of the peace, assaulting police and refusing to give name and address.
On 11th October 2009 at Hawes Brae, a motor vehicle was vandalised by someone scratching the whole of the nearside with unknown implement. Enquiries ongoing.
On 13th October 2009, at Tesco’s car park, Ferrymuir gate, a theft from motor vehicle took place where the vehicle was left insecure. Enquiries ongoing.
Between 12th and 14th October 2009 a pedal cycle was stolen from outside Echline Primary School. Enquiries ongoing.
On 18th October 2009 there was a road rage incident at Hopetoun Road where a male was driving in an erratic manner, got out his car and punched windscreen of blue volkswagon tigra, shouting, swearing and placing complainer in a state of fear and alarm. Enquiries ongoing.
It appears that the Play Park at Inchcolm Terrace/Hugh Russell Place, SQ is still proving popular with young people, again. High visibility patrols are being conducted to check this area.
During the period of this report Police dealt with the following number of incidents in the Almond ward.
WA3 Beat – 186 incidents
WA4 Beat – 175 incidents
WA5 Beat – 146 incidents
Should anyone have any information relating to any of the crimes/matters referred to in this report please contact Lothian & Borders Police 0131 311 3131 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
Police can be contacted at South Queensferry Police Station or by email at
Iain.jamieson@lbp.pnn.police.uk
Iain Jamieson
South Queensferry
& Dalmeny (Neighbourhood Action Officer)
REPORT : CHAIRMAN – QDCC
1. On Monday 5 October I was at the Hideaway Café to meet skaters, but none attended.
2. On Tuesday 6 October I attended the Queensferry Ambition executive meeting.
3. QDCC received comments from residents of the sheltered housing on Shore Road, regarding the condition of the road, and ground maintenance of land opposite. These were passed to ANP for consideration and response which has been received and is provided separately.
4. QDCC received comments from a resident at Stoneyflatts regarding the flooding on the cycle track, leaking drains and other matters. These were passed to ANP for information and response which has been received and is provided separately.
T Martin
Chairman
QDCC
23 October 2009
REPORT : Cllr NORMAN WORK
As reported as an action point and intimated to members via email. The Cycle Path at the Glebe has had the camber raised to avoid flooding and so far I’ve not heard of any reports regarding flooding.
I held my monthly surgery at Echline Primary School on Monday 5th October.
I’ve attend two meetings of Christmas in Queensferry and attended a quiz night at the Rosebery Hall on 16th October in aid of Christmas in Queensferry funds
I chaired a meeting of the Hawes/ Longcraig Pier users committee on 7th October
At out monthly ward meeting all three Almond ward councillors discussed the bus fares situation in Queensferry and decided to try to resurrect a bus users group in Queensferry if there were members of the public interested.
I attended a meeting of the Children and young peoples sub group of the neighbourhood partnership.
As reported by Keith Giblett, the Plewlandcroft appeals were rejected and the council will be taking enforcement action against the owners of numbers 4 & 5 to reinstate the land back to open space.
Another planning application for change of use from open space this time in Echline Grove is coming forward to the committee next week and I will be addressing the committee as the officials are recommending approval.
I have asked for a meeting with head of planning to discuss the open space issue in Queensferry. I have still to get a response to my email.
Cllr Norman Work
1. On 29 September I wrote to George Kennedy, West Roads Manager at CEC,
regarding the lack of warning signs at the Dalmeny Main Street / Standingstane
Road junction and suggested a ‘sharp deviation of route’ chevron sign be
installed. The letter has been acknowledged and I await a reply.
2. On 2 October, I emailed and posted the CEC budget bid
document to all city councillors, the Chief Executive and the Director of
Finance. The bid has been acknowledged by several councillors, including the
leaders of the LibDem, SNP and Labour groups as well as the Convenor of the
Finance Committee.
3. Also on 2 October, I posted the QDCC’s FRC paper to all Lothian and Mid
Scotland & Fife MSPs. An electronic version was emailed to Margaret Smith’s
assistant who kindly forwarded the document to all MSPs.
4. On 7 October, along with Diane Job and Doug Ross, I attended a meeting of the
BRIGS group at Roseberry Hall. Thanks to a leafleting campaign by members of the
group there was a big turnout of Queensferry residents. An Executive Committee
was formed with
representatives from each of the affected areas, and office-bearers were
appointed.
5. On 17 October I assisted the Transport Convenor with the drafting of a letter
to CEC regarding out-of-date and missing bus stops panels in the district, and
supplied the relevant contact details.
6. On 21 October I attended another meeting of the BRIGS group held at the Hawes
Inn. The QDCC is coming under pressure to provide a sum of money for funding of
a leaflet drop. I have suggested to the group they first obtain quotes to
establish the costs involved and have passed on details of the printers QDCC has
used for the annual report.
M. D. Gallagher
Secretary
24 October 2009
Over the last four weeks five applications were lodged with the Planning Authority for property improvements, alterations and home extensions.
I have noted an application for the Forth Road Bridge bearing replacement enabling works that might be of interest to Councilors:
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Queensferry Conservation Area Listed Category: A Construction of concrete corbels at pier tops, replacement of bearings, installation of both internal and external steel stiffeners and installation of catholic protection (CP) system on concrete piers at South Approach Viaduct Of The ForthRoad Bridge (Forth Road Bridge Admin Offices) A90 Edinburgh 09/02546/FUL
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Atkins Ltd. Canning Exchange 10 Canning Street Edinburgh EH3 7HF The Forth Estuary Transport Authority., Forth Road Bridge Admin Offices South Queensferry West Lothian EH30 9SF
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Local Delegated Registered on: 05/10/2009 Advertised on: 16/10/2009 Site Notice posted on: 16/10/2009 Comments Due by 06.11.2009
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Duncan Robertson 0131 529 3560 d.n.robertson@edin burgh.gov.uk Community Council: Queensferry &
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The Planning Authority granted seven applications by delegated authority and dealt with two permissions that were not required.
Outstanding applications
Ferrymuir Outline Plan Lodged by Evans
Proposed mixed use development comprising office use, a care home, residential development, a leisure unit and, community facility at Site 80 Metres West Of 4 Ferrymuir South Queensferry
Application No. 09/00490/OUT
I have been in correspondence with Mr Alan Syers Portfolio Director regarding the community facility which is the subject of detailed discussions between Evans Planning Consultant and the planning officer.
The timescales for approval of the outline plan is that because the application represents a significant departure from the Local Plan, under the new planning regulations, the application will require to be subject to an informal hearing followed by referral to full Council.
The officer has indicated the following timescales:
Hearing at Development Management Sub-Committee on 25th
November - the intention of such hearings is to allow
the applicants, and those who have made representations
to the planning authority, to be heard prior to a decision
being taken.
Referral to Full Council on 17th December.
Evans Planning consultant has expressed disappointment that the application has been pushed back again, and stressed the need to ensure that these dates are met.
Other Business
Street Naming Committee
This work should be carried forward for the new Community Council to progress after the elections. I would recommend that this item be discussed at the November meeting.
4 & 5 Plewlandcroft Appeal Decision Notice
I received the Appeal Decision Notice dated 15th October from the Reporter Katrina Rice appointed by the Scottish Ministers that the appeal is dismissed and that planning permission is refused. The reporter’s findings are interesting and uphold the QDCC position on open spaces. The findings negate the vitriolic comments that were made by Mr Reid about the integrity of QDCC and myself and his subsequent complaint to the Community Council Liaison Officer. For the record I propose that the Secretary write to the Community Council Liaison Officer to close this matter off.
An interesting point made by the reporter is that the recommendation of the planning official at the time of the application in 1988 - was refusal due to the inadequate provision of open recreational amenity open space. So in summary what was proposed was even less open space. The planning officer recommended approval it was committee that rejected the application. It just goes to show a total lack of inconstancy, should the case officer not have looked at the history of the site and the terms of the original approval especially as it was/is contrary to the local plan. In my opinion it just goes to show how inadequate the planning process is and on many occasions it doesn’t serve the best interest of the community at all.
Planning Application 09/01881/FUL Mr & Mrs Doyle – Change of use of a small section of public open space to private garden using a fence.
I understand from Councillor Work that this application is being recommended for approval by the case officer and will be heard by committee at the meeting to be held on Wednesday 28th October 09.
Keith Giblett
REPORT : PUBLICITY
1. Gazette – Friday October 2
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Report on QDCC monthly meeting – Queensferry Diary
- QDCC FRC paper to MSPs
2. Gazette – Friday October 9
- QDCC letter to First re Ferry fare
T
Martin
Publicity Member
QDCC
20 October 2009
REPORT : TRANSPORT
1)
The lorry park at the Forth road bridge closes on 31
October. FETA have for some time maintained that providing a
lorry park is not part of their remit, but it
is disappointing nonetheless as it will almost certainly
result in greater use of Ferrymuir for lorry parking.
(This was a misunderstanding-the closure was
1 day only)
2) The main ‘to do’ item from last month’s QDCC meeting was to write to First Edinburgh protesting at the latest fares increase and also at the lack of notice. I also mentioned the desirability of a reduced ‘Ferry Fare’ for travel around Queensferry. The response from First was an indignant e-mail from their publicity officer demanding to know how often the people who objected to the fare increase travelled! I next received a very standard acknowledgment letter saying that my letter had been passed to the appropriate manager. I am still awaiting a considered response. One gets the impression that they have been caught on the back foot, but I had thought that relationships with the company were better and more constructive than appears to be the case. The story was reported in The Gazette after Cllr Work passed a copy of my letter to Iain Russell.
3) The other ‘to do’ item was to write to the CEC about the need for a replacement timetable panel for the Springfield bus stop – this was added to the letter about out-of-date bus stop information drafted by Martin.
4) The paper for MSPs briefing them on the need for improved links between the new bridge and the M9 and for the need to keep the present bridge open for cars and light vans once the new bridge is opened has been distributed as mentioned in Martin’s report. It was sent to the press, but only resulted in a brief inside report in The Gazette. I hope that this does not mean that the paper is becoming bored with the story.
5) I drafted a press release for BRIGS on the meeting with the Minister for Transport arranged by Margaret Smith MSP.
6) While we will have to have a meeting of the TSC plus those who have expressed an interest in the traffic and parking problems of the High Street and the Hawes Promenade, one of the most popular items appears to be a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes. I have had contact with someone whose community has managed to get this on their village high street, and to give people an idea of what it does allow is that Optare Solo buses, of the kind used by Horsburgh (these are the low floor buses, also used by Stagecoach on the 747, that look as if they are front engined, but in fact have the engine in the usual place, at the back), fit within this limit comfortably. So too would many vehicles making deliveries of food, etc, to catering establishments.
7) I note from one magazine that there will be a new station at Gogar on the line into Edinburgh so that people from Fife and Queensferry can change onto the trams for the city centre or the airport, once the trams begin in 2012. The station for the airport was closed by the LNER in 1937, although the two very short platform faces can still be seen.
David Wragg
Convenor, Transport Sub-Committee
24 October 2009