OCTOBER 2026 MEETING - Draft Report
Prepared: 22 October 2026.
Report on the GPCC Ordinary Business Meeting, Wednesday, 21 OCTOBER 2026 (18.45) at Cameron House Community Education Centre, 34 Prestonfield Avenue, Edinburgh.
IN ATTENDANCE
MSP: Lorna Slater
Ward Councillor: Pauline Flannery (PF)
Members: Ian Chisholm (IC), Sally Griffiths (SG), Ellen Jackson (ERJ), Peter Jones (PJ) Neil Kempsell (NK), Ken Robertson (KR), Ian Wright (IW), John Elliott (JE) from the Grange Association.
Public: Hazel Kennedy, Scott Simpson.
Apologies: 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 16 September 2026 adopted. (IC, IW)
5. MATTERS ARISING NOT COVERED IN AGENDA: None
6. EXTERNAL REPORTS
6.1 Ward Councillor Report
> PF making inquiries about incomplete sites at Duncan Street / Upper Grey Street; Grange Crescent; Blackford Avenue.
> Community Programmes at Cameron House under review.
> E-Bike Menace and Anti-Social Behaviour: Report instances by visiting South East Police Division at 14 St Leonards Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9QW, or by calling 101, or by email at:
> Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) S8: This parking restriction Report will be considered for implementation at the 5 November meeting of the Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee.
> Reid Memorial Church: Public meeting on proposal to take the Reid Memorial into community ownership; Sunday 25 October at 4pm.
> Road closures: Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN): Kilgraston Road will be closed 26 October to 27 November to allow major duct installation. Diversions in place.
> Note also the A701 street improvement works along Minto Street, Mayfield Gardens and Craigmillar Park.; Phase 1, 5 October to 25 November; Phase 2, 12 January to 26 February. Temporary Traffic Regulation Order will suspend parking and close roads as required in the locality. More information available at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/mayfield
> PF will inquire about commissioning the repainting of the speed-bumps at Fountainhall Road.
6.2 Presentation by Lorna Slater MSP, Chair of Friends of Holyrood Park
“Updating the Legislation for Holyrood Park, Winter 2026-27”
See the slide presentation here:
Holyrood Park is managed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) as an ‘ancient monument’. A HES Strategic Plan from September 2024 has seen no progress. The current legislative framework needs updated, specifically to improve standard regulations, strengthen enforcement powers on by-laws and to legislate for community engagement. A strategic business plan and management system for the park should be put in place. There must be specific provision for community input on five core features of Holyrood Park: Activities; Accessibility; Culture & Monuments; Nature, Roads & Cars. A formal Consultation is planned for Spring 2027.
What’s your opinion? The last slide in the presentation pack asks:
“What do you think? Is Ms Slater asking the right questions? What questions would you like her to ask?”
Contact Ms Slater directly with your opinion: Lorna.Slater.MSP@Parliament.Scot
7. GPCC REPORTS (See also the Agenda for this meeting.)
7.1 Past Action Points
> South East Police Forum; not functioning at present. PF will make further inquiries.
> A701 Resurfacing: See 6.1 above
> Weed Control: GPCC to issue statement to Ward Councillors
7.2 Planning (IW)
> Astley Ainslie LPP: Ward Councillor Steve Burgess has tabled a Motion for the City of Edinburgh Council meeting on 29 October, requesting Council support for consideration of all options to retain the Astley Ainslie site in public ownership.
> Summerhall: Ambitious multi-use redevelopment plan. How accommodating will it be in practice to the arts and small business activities that presently characterise the venue? GPCC to pass initial comments to Southside CC by 30 October.
> Cameron Toll: New redevelopment plan expected by early November.
> Bernard Terrace: Proposal of Application Notice for PBSA development.
7.3 Licensing; Nil
7.4 Police Reports: Nil
7.3 Licensing; Nil
7.4 Police Reports: Nil
7.5 Roads & Transport (NK):
> Priestfield Road and Prestonfield Road local landscaping: See Agenda ④
> Tram Trains for Edinburgh: Short presentation at the GPCC meeting on 18 November.
7.6 Engagement Programme:
> ERJ takes over from CS as GPCC Newsletter Editor.
7.7 Website (HM):
> Members agreed to support the HM recommendation to contract with a new website host provider and to develop a WordPress site for GPCC by end-year.
7.8 Local Authority Elections May 2027:
> IC to begin planning a local hustings in-person event for April 2027.
8. REPORTS FROM OFFICE BEARERS (See also the Agenda for this meeting.)
8.1 Chair (NK):
> Search continues for new GPCC members (by way of co-option).
8.2 Treasurer (AG):
> No report.
8.3 Secretary (KR):
> NK and KR to meet CEC’s new Community Council Liaison Officer.
9. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE GROUPS
9.1 Newington Cemetery (ERJ): New visitor bench purchased.
9.2 EACC (KR):
> IC and ERJ to attend 2 November meeting of South Edinburgh Community Councils.
> CEC Chief Executive, Paul Lawrence, to speak at the 29 October EACC online meeting.
> CEC announces launch of Source to Ocean Action Recovery grant scheme.
10. Questions from the Floor:
Scott Simpson raised the prospect of GPCC engaging to help build a local Community Action Plan.
11: FUTURE MEETINGS Wednesdays at 18.45:
2026: 18 Nov, 16 Dec.
2027: 20 Jan, 17 Feb, 17 Mar, 21 Apr, 19 May, 16 Jun
GPCC Office Bearers:
Chair: Neil Kempsell. Deputy Chair: Ellen-Raissa Jackson. Treasurer: Andreas Grothey. Engagement Lead: Cori Schwabe. Secretary: Ken Robertson.
Compiled by KR
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