MAY 2026 MEETING - Draft Report

Prepared: 21 May 2026.         

Minutes of GPCC Ordinary Business Meeting, Wednesday, 20 MAY 2026 (18.45) 

at Cameron House Community Centre, 34 Prestonfield Avenue, Edinburgh. 

ATTENDANCE 

Ward Councillor Cllr. Pauline Flannery

Members Peter Cochrane (PC), Sally Griffiths (SG), Brian Hosie (BH), Ellen Jackson (ERJ), Neil Kempsell (NK), Peter Jones (PJ) Ken Robertson (KR), Ian Wright (IW).

(Brian Hosie represented Grange Association.)

Apologies Ian Chisholm (IC), Andreas Grothey (AG), Hrafn Malmquist (HM), Cori Schwabe (CS)

1. WELCOME Chair. Audio or Video Recording: None.  

2. APOLOGIES Declared. 

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None.

4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Report of 15 April 2026 adopted. (NK, IW) 

5. MATTERS ARISING NOT COVERED IN AGENDA None

6. EXTERNAL REPORTS 

6.1 Ward Councillor Report 

1. CEC Active Travel Programme: Meadows to Greenbank: Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee 12 May: Legislative drafting problems mean the removal at this time of traffic filters along Canaan Lane and Cluny Drive / Hermitage Gardens / Braid Avenue junction.

2. The Gillis Centre Complex (Strathearn Road / Whitehouse Loan) is to be sold by the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh in Q3; this opens a historic site for alternative use and redevelopment. (The closed Strathearn Road Post Office Parcel Centre is also pending redevelopment.)

3. Growing unease over the rising school role at James Gillespie’s High School.

4. Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee: Working Group established to look at the key provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 (November), including tenant protections, rent control mechanisms and regulation of the private rented sector.

5. Communal Bin Hubs: Capacity issues at West Mains Road.

6. Library public wi-fi service restored.

7. CEC Committee programme entering summer recess.

8. Query (SG) When will the Roadways Improvement List declared for South East Edinburgh (including the GPCC Boundary) be publicly time-tabled? (See Minute of 15 April meeting.) Response: No indication as yet; improved public information flow now a focus of the Transport & Environment Committee; look for an update at the 10 September meeting.

7. GPCC REPORTS

7.1 Past Action Points

1. Edinburgh University Campus Security: query lapsed: closed.

2. Library Wi-Fi: service resumed: closed.

3. Grange Fair: closed.

4. Community Grant Fund and Participatory Budgeting: now of on-going agenda interest.

7.2 Planning (IW)

1. Responding to a Planning Application’: 3-page quick guide added to website.

2. Cameron House Nursery: Current Planning Application tabled for approval, but on revised site drawings with no breach of boundary wall into Cameron Park.

3. Causewayside Lads Institute now carries a Building Preservation Notice; no further news on possible site re-development plans.

7.3 Licensing

1. Noted: Vape Shops a Trading Standards rather than Licensing or Planning matter; See website Rolling Update 29 April.

2. New Civic Licence Application for a skin piercing / tattooing licence at 191 Causewayside, EH9 1PH, in name of Campfire Tattoo Ltd. Opening Mon – Sun 11.00 to 18.00. Representations or objections to City of Edinburgh Council, Licensing Service, 249 High Street, Edinburgh

EH1 1YJ, by 12/06/2026. The objection or representation must specify the name and address

of the person making it and be signed by that person or an agent.

7.4 Police Reports (NK) 

1. Anticipate next Ward 15 South East Police Forum (Community Police Sergeant Rachel Lumsden, E Division, St. Leonard’s Police Station) in August / September. Look for notice of a re-set date for the Ward 10 South West Forum meeting of 15 April, which was cancelled.

2. Outline talk around the possibility of a local ‘Community Speedwatch’ exercise, under strict Police guidance on framework and practice. (No official approach.)

7.5 Roads and Transport (NK)

1. Controlled Parking Zone S8: Anticipate a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) at the 11 September June TRO Sub-Committee. Look for the Agenda on 4 September. Representations from the public in respect of agenda items must be submitted 48 hours before the Sub-Committee meeting.

2. Tram Trains for Edinburgh (TTfE) Event on 23 April: Very well-attended and evident public support for the project. GPCC will consider showcasing at a public / online event in H2. TTfE AGM on 1 June.

3. Local commuter parking densities look to be on the rise. Abden House, Edinburgh University property at Marchhall Crescent, sees un-monitored open space occupied. Priestfield sees higher incidence.

7.6 Engagement Programme (CS)

1. GPCC promo flyers distributed at the 9 May Grange Fair.

2. Building an engagement programme over H2: Consider live event; defined themes, not disputatious; possible Elected Councillor presence; profile active local community groups / programmes (e.g. Grange Association Home Energy Unit); profile possible Participatory Budgeting opportunities.

7.7 Website Development Plan (HM)

1. Basic WordPress structure in place. Content migration in its early stages. Testing thereafter. Completion expected in August.

7.8 Neighbouring Community Councils (SG)

1. Main focus is on completion of Local Place Plans (Southside, Morningside, Marchmont Sciennes).

8 REPORTS FROM OFFICE BEARERS

8.1 Chair (KR)

1. Plan to introduce GPCC wall-board at Newington Library.

2. Community Grants Fund (CGF): New award cycle now open. See Website. Applications close at 11.00, 29 June 2026; Guidance webinar at 16.30 on 2 June. Community Groups on GPCC distribution list have been alerted.

3. CGF award structure similar to that envisaged for Visitor Levy Participatory Budgeting (VL PB). Funding applications to VL PB will require to show a beneficial local (community) impact which also enhances the ‘visitor experience’. For GPCC, an conceivable example might be a commentary linked local (built environment) history trail.

4. GPCC needs some VL PB ideas / local group conversations. Note the well-established ‘Leith Chooses’ PB model.

8.2 Treasurer (AG)

1. Small change in financial position: GPCC balance £3458. FoNC balance £4622. Payment made to Keegan & Pennykid for Public Liability Insurance Policy.

8.3 Secretary (KR)

1. Reid Memorial Church closure now more likely to be followed by property disposal.

2. CEC public consultation opens on Public Entertainment Resolution and Licence Conditions; see ‘The Consultation Hub’ on GPCC website.

9 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE GROUPS

9.1 Newington Cemetery (ERJ)

1. Strong volunteer work on beds and planters; site for new bench to be confirmed; some fly-tipping and random parking issues; wall gap on western perimeter to be given added Heras fencing; Dalkeith Road wall continues with prop support.

9.2 EACC (KR)

1. Edinburgh Partnership Local Outcome Improvement Plan: 2026 Refresh: See website.

2. Local Development Plan ‘Call for Ideas’: Update at forthcoming 28 May EACC meeting. Ia there something here for GPCC?

3. Community Municipal Investment Plan: Outline to be given at the 28 May EACC meeting. See website.

10 OTHER BUSINESS: Nil.

11: FUTURE MEETINGS Wednesdays at 18.45 on 20 May, 17 Jun, 16 Sep, 21 Oct, 18 Nov, 16 Dec.

Compiled by KR 

GPCC Office Bearers:  

Ken Robertson, Chair and Secretary; Ellen-Raissa Jackson, Deputy Chair; Andreas Grothey, Treasurer; Cori Schwabe, Community Engagement.