APRIL 2025 MEETING - Summary

16 April 2025 Meeting: Cllr. Simita Kumar in attendance.

Election of Members to GPCC: Cllr. Kumar acted as Returning Officer under City of Edinburgh Council guidelines and confirmed the appointment of Elected Members and Nominated Representative Members (of Local Interest Groups) to GPCC for the 2025-29 term. Ken Robertson was appointed Chair and Acting Secretary. (Other appointments are in course. A listing will be published on the GPCC website shortly.)

Ordinary Business Meeting:

Cllr. Kumar’s Report: Current Community Grants Fund (CGF) funding round (awards up to £5000) is open until 30 June. CGF Growing Projects funding round is open until 12 May. See the Council site for detail:  https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/community-planning/community-grants-fund .

Anti- Social Behaviour and crime reports mounting across South-East. Cllr Kumar closely involved in neighbourhood policing issues. Please contact her directly with your concerns:  mailto:Cllr.Simita.Kumar@edinburgh.gov.uk .

Cllr. Kumar’s current case work covers missed waste bin collections, bus stop litter, some local road surfaces and the tree projects for Priestfield / Prestonfield Road.

Transport: The Council’s Strategic Parking Review moves to consider parking restrictions across part of the GPCC boundary area. Prior ‘consultation’ will be withdrawn but the Council undertaking is to publicise plans so that residents and businesses are fully aware of proposals and are clear on how they can lodge their comments. You will need to be on the lookout (press, publicity) for these proposals as they emerge in May / June.

GPCC Website: Will be back with you shortly; administrative handovers underway at present.

Publicity: Work underway to introduce a GPCC information board on Dalkeith Road pavement area.

Newington Cemetery: Update awaited on Dalkeith Road wall repair works. Planter installation programme and related garden work continues. Friends of Newington Cemetery host a 28 April event (12.00) to commemorate renowned Penicuik engineer James Finlayson, 1830s industrial pioneer in Finland. Programme led by former GPCC Planning Lead, Tony Harris, and his wife, joined by the Finnish consul.

Grange Fair 10 May: At Newington Library, 13.00 to 16.30: Music; fun for kids; books; plants; food; more fun for kids; street art; neighbourhood fun for all.

Former Office Bearers and GPCC Members: Many thanks to those who led GPCC over the 2019-2025 term, especially through the difficult Covid days. Very much appreciated.Text