APRIL 2026 MEETING - Draft Report
- sillertonhill
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
Prepared: 16 April 2026.
Minutes of GPCC Ordinary Business Meeting, Wednesday, 15 APRIL 2026 (18.45)
at Cameron House Community Centre, 34 Prestonfield Avenue, Edinburgh.
ATTENDANCE
Ward Councillor Cllr. Pauline Flannery
Members Ken Robertson (KR), Ian Chisholm (IC), Andreas Grothey (AG), Neil Kempsell (NK), Cori Schwabe (CS), Ian Wright (IW), Maggie Collard (GA). Guests: Farrah, CEO of Goodies Charity Hub, and Lau, Treasurer.
Apologies Peter Cochrane (PC), Sally Griffiths (SG), Ellen Jackson (ERJ), Peter Jones (PJ), Hrafn Malmquist (HM).
1. WELCOME Chair. Audio or Video Recording: None.
2. APOLOGIES Declared.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None.
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Report of 18 March 2026 adopted. (IC, IW)
5. MATTERS ARISING NOT COVERED IN AGENDA
IC has requested that the Agenda include the item ‘Police Reports’ to cover news emerging from Edinburgh Police South East Division. A ‘South East Police Forum’ is scheduled for 15 April and a ‘South West’ event for 21 April. KR to attend the latter.
6. EXTERNAL REPORTS
6.1 Introduction to Goodies Charity Hub (SCO52602), 6A Grange Road, Edinburgh
Goodies works to recycle, re-purpose and redistribute waste and surplus products, to support people and to build community. Goodies is committed to a zero-waste future, focused on Circular Economy practices. Goodies seeks to partner with local businesses, fundraise and to lead a range of weekly support group classes and activities.
6.2 Ward Councillor Report
CEC Transport & Environment Committee 2 April: Publication of the Capital Investment Programme on roads and footways for 2026/27. Here are some of the projects indicated for the GPCC area: Carriageway treatment at: McLaren Road, Ventnor Terrace, Strathfillan Road, Seton Place, Clearburn Crescent, Suffolk Road. Mentone Gardens, West Savile Road, East Mayfield, West Mayfield, Maurice Place: Footway treatment at: Ratcliffe Terrace, Grange Crescent.
This Council report also covers scheduled road safety and local traffic improvements. (The Grange Loan / Kilgraston Road and East Mayfield / Dalkeith Road junctions do not feature at this time.)
In another development, the Council will look to provide better communication and information on the prospective delivery of road and pavement works in future years.
Communal Bin Hubs: The council has completed a second priority review of 266 bin hub locations, with changes to be taken forward on 22 sites.
The Edinburgh Community Planning Partnership is working to refresh the Local Outcome Improvement Plan, directed at tackling the root causes of poverty and inequality in the city and at improving outcomes for the most vulnerable communities.
The Council has reviewed again the pace of Heat Network activity in Edinburgh. A further report has been commissioned on the options for network build, energy delivery and community ownership.
Councillors have voted to seek a temporary moratorium on AI Data Centre developments amid debate over the strength of ‘green’ environmental credentials claimed for them versus the planning, grid and site impact questions that come with such installations.
Councillors have reviewed the intended provision of Holiday Hub family support for 2026/27.
KR asked Cllr. Flannery to find out why the public web access facility in city libraries has been out of service for the past month.
7. GPCC REPORTS
7.1 Past Action Points
Edinburgh University Campus Security: Enquiry still outstanding.
7.2 Planning (IW):
Cameron Toll Redevelopment Proposals: Developer now moving from preliminary consultation stage to preparation of a planning submission later in the year.
7.3 Licensing: Nil
7.4 Roads and Transport (NK):
1. Controlled Parking Zone S8: Anticipate a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) at the 2 June TRO Sub-Committee. Look for the Agenda on 26 May. Representations from the public in respect of agenda items must be submitted 48 hours before the Sub-Committee meeting.
2. Visitor Levy Funding contributions to roads and footway spend: Funding will be directed principally to footpaths, initially in the city centre and towards town centres in subsequent 3-year funding cycles.
3. Tram Trains for Edinburgh Event on 23 April: Noted. Public support for the project is growing. No information on possible funding.
4. Communicating Road and Pavement Improvements: Council has undertaken to improve website information on project rankings and schedules and on the TRO process.
5. AG raised the issue of the prohibition on car owners straddling the pavement with charging cables for electric vehicles. He noted the possibility of embedded gullies being laid across the pavement to house the cables, a solution scoped by HMG (and, reportedly, the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner) for local authorities.
7.5 Engagement Programme (CS):
Newsletter subscription up to 240.
7.6 GPCC Promotional Material (NK):
500 A5 Flyers printed and to hand for distribution. (Grange Fair 9 May)
7.7 Website Development Plan (HM):
In progress.
7.8 Neighbouring Community Councils (SG):
3 proposals from SG for GPCC: a) Build an open GPCC log of all local road safety and road / footway disrepair issues. b) Draw up a simple guide on how to submit a material planning objection. c) Engage more purposefully with ‘Living Streets’
8 REPORTS FROM OFFICE BEARERS
8.1 Chair (KR)
Support requested for GPCC promotion at 9 May Grange Association Fair.
Call repeated for new GPCC members / participants.
8.2 Treasurer (AG)
Little change in financial position: GPCC balance £3571. FoNC balance £4624. Confirmed that GPCC is a subscriber to the Cockburn Association.
8.3 Secretary (KR)
Southside Community Council is working on a Local Place Plan. GPCC is invited to participate. See the GPCC website. Southside will host another community workshop on 9 May at 1pm.
GPCC AGM date set for Wednesday 20 May. Office Bearers up for re-election. Submit AGM Agenda items to KR by close on Monday 11 May.
Member assistance required to scope and set out GPCC’s local input to (i) the next Community Grants Fund round and (ii) the anticipated Participatory Budgeting programme set to emerge from the Visitor Levy proceeds.
9 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE GROUPS
9.1 Newington Cemetery (ERJ): Nil.
9.2 EACC (KR): 30 April EACC meeting will offer a presentation on community engagement guidelines and tips for good practice, including online engagement and polling. Attend if you can.
10 OTHER BUSINESS: Nil.
11: FUTURE MEETINGS Wednesdays at 18.45 on 15 Apr, 20 May, 17 Jun, 16 Sep, 21 Oct, 18 Nov, 16 Dec.
Follow-up Points
6.2: Cllr. Flannery query to the Council’s Libraries Division.
7.6: Help wanted to promote GPCC at the Grange Fair.
8.3: Member to lead on GPCC Community Grant Fund and Participatory Budgeting work.
Compiled by KR
GPCC Office Bearers:
Ken Robertson, Chair and Secretary; Ellen-Raissa Jackson, Deputy Chair; Andreas Grothey, Treasurer; Cori Schwabe, Community Engagement.
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