The 20 November 2024 GPCC Meeting: Cllr. Simita Kumar present.
(See the website report for more detail.)
1] Community Council Elections: Nominations for individual Elected Members will be open from 6th to 27th February 2025. The new term will run from 28 March. GPCC needs fresh energy. This is an opportunity for you to step in to join us.
2] Fireworks: The Police at St. Leonards are looking to step up their regular contact with Southside Councillors. Pressure is growing for a city-wide ban on unlicensed fireworks. The Council presently has in mind a control zone in four zones.
3] Proposed City Visitor Levy: The wide consultation close on 15 December. You have the opportunity to give your opinion here.
4] Communal Bin Hubs: The long conversation on disquiet about some specific sites continues. With the Council now conceding on the merit of further discussion with city residents, the Dalkeith Road site decision may be reviewed.
5] EV Charging Points in Conservation Areas: Planning applications are mounting for the opening up of private driveways to host charging points, with a matching rise in neighbourhood objections. This is a delicate issue, with planning statute as it stands caught in the middle.
6] Broadband Access in the Blackett Area: There are evident difficulties in getting full fibre broadband facilities into the heart of the locality. GPCC will look to find out more about the problems.
7] Newington Cemetery Working Group: Work on bedding-in the planters continues. Discussion on taking forward plans for two more planters and some bench seating. Leaflet display box has been damaged. Patrick Hickey led a well-attended ‘fungi foray’.
8] Proposed Tree Planting on Priestfield Road: This proposed roadway enhancement scheme is raising questions from some residents about possible overshadowing of solar panels, loss of daylight and maintenance. GPCC will look to follow up.
Other Matters:
Neighbourhood libraries are community lifeblood. A comprehensive review of the role of the city’s libraries in city life is due to close on 25 December. Against tight budget constraints, the objective is to widen access, draw in community participation. Take part in the Our Future Libraries consultation if you can.
City Plan 2030 is the local development plan for Edinburgh, formally adopted as of 7 November 2024. This is the template for the changing shape of the city over the next five years. There is a wealth of material on development policies and proposals; absolutely worth a look. Take a look at the detail here: City Plan 2030 – The City of Edinburgh Council. See more background on the GPCC website.
SoS: We need someone to guide us on local planning issues as they emerge. Are you interested in helping us out?
Date of next meeting = Wednesday 22 January 2025.
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