Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council

Alfie the Tortoise has been found!

2009-07-04T18:25:00.001+01:00

NHS Lothian: Health link newsletter - Summer 09 edition

2009-07-02T20:23:00.004+01:00

Four paper copies of the summer 09 edition of NHS Lothian's Health Link newspaper have arrived with the secretary with a request to circulate them to community councillors. If anyone wishes one of the paper copies please get in touch with the secretary.

Anyone fancy taking part in The Big Lunch!

2009-07-01T19:04:00.002+01:00

On Sunday 19 July 2009, The Big Lunch is inviting you and all 61million people across the UK to simultaneously sit down to eat lunch with your neighbours, in the middle of your street as a simple act of community.

A new initiative run by the Eden Project, The Big Lunch encourages communities to come together through growing food and flowers;creating street music, art and theatre; dressing the street and, of course, cooking and eating together.

Organising a Big Lunch in your area is really easy. The Big Lunch website and printed Ideas Booklet will take you through the process step by step, giving you the tools, templates and resources to make it as simple as possible.

Given the short notice we have not organised a formal Marchmont & Sciennes Big Lunch but thought fellow residents might like to take part in their own streets.

National Planning Framework

2009-06-30T20:53:00.002+01:00

The second National Planning Framework (NPF2) was published on June 25 2009 and is a key part of the modernised Planning System in Scotland, guiding long term development to 2030.

You can contact the National Planning Framework Team at NPFTeam@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or on 08457 741 741 or 0131 244 7610.

The ethics of ‘personalised’ healthcare in a consumer age

2009-06-30T20:47:00.002+01:00

And now for something completely different...

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is holding a public consultation on the ethical issues raised by online healthcare, telemedicine and commercial medical profiling technologies such as DNA testing and body imaging. This consultation closes on 21st July 2009

Comments requested on Meadows & Bruntsfield Links Manifesto by 26 Jun

2009-06-18T18:03:00.006+01:00

City of Edinburgh Council is currently reviewing arrangements for event management and as part of this process the production of an Edinburgh Parks Events Manifesto is underway. The intention is that this document will provide a wide framework for the management of events in all of the city’s parks and greenspaces and will help secure a balance between the use of these sites for events whilst sustaining a high quality environment.

Specific concerns have been raised about the condition of the Meadows over several years due to the number of events held on the site and the Policy & Strategy Committee 12 May 2009 requested that a priority case study of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links be drafted.

The aim of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links Manifesto is to establish a set of requirements unique to The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links which are intended to provide a framework on which a balanced and sustainable events programme can be achieved, whilst ensuring the quality of the land is maintained to the highest standard possible. It uses eight key principles, the first five determine whether an event will be given permission, the following three are aimed at the successful management of an agreed event.

In order to present the results of this consultation at the next meeting of the Policy & Strategy Committee comments (to parks@edinburgh.gov.uk) are requested by 26 June 2009. If you do respond to this call for comments can you copy to marchmontsciennes.commcouncil@googlemail.com.

Invitation to Open Space Audit event on Th 25 Jun at 18:30

2009-06-18T17:35:00.005+01:00

City of Edinburgh Council is currently consulting on an open space audit, which forms the first stage of preparing an open space strategy. This is the most comprehensive look at open spaces in the city in over 40 years.

They are holding a public workshop at the Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, on Thursday 25 June, 6:30 - 8:00pm to check the accuracy of the draft audit and find out what people think about the provision of open space, its quality, and possible ideas for enhancing or changing open space in the South Central Neighbourhood Partnership area or farther afield.

The strategy will set standards of open space provision across the city and inform future planning decisions affecting open space. It will also help set priorities for changing and enhancing open space over the next five years to ensure these standards are met. There will be further consultation on the next stage of the project - the draft strategy and action plans - earlier next year but in the meantime they are keen to hear our views.

To assist planning for the event please contact Finlay.Martin@edinburgh.gov.uk if you wish to attend.

Enquire: independent advice on additional support for learning

2009-06-17T21:07:00.008+01:00

Enquire (the Scottish Advice Service for Additional Support for learning) have asked us to publicise their services.

Any child who needs more or different support to what is normally provided in schools or pre-schools is said to have ‘additional support needs’ and require additional support for learning.

Enquire offer advice and information by way of a telephone helpline and through written responses to email and enquiries via their website. They also provide training and outreach, and produce a range of free publications.

Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust - Spring newsletter

2009-06-16T20:22:00.002+01:00

A paper copy of the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust Spring Newsletter - Greenspace Matters - has just arrived through the secretary's letterbox. If you would like to see it please contact him. An electronic copy may appear later at their website.

Neighbourhood Partnership: Events Calendar

2009-06-15T19:41:00.003+01:00

An online calendar for events, activities, meetings and consultations taking place in Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnerships is now available. From the search on this page you can scroll through dates week by week, or select specific dates and find out what is on in all or any one of the Partnerships.

If you have events that you'd like added please contact Donald.Burgess@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Meadows Festival starts 10am tomorrow!

2009-06-05T17:48:00.002+01:00

A little reminder, should you need one, that the Meadows Festival starts at 10am tomorrow, Sa 6 Jun.

AGM for Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links

2009-06-04T21:04:00.005+01:00

The AGM of the Friends of the Meadows & Bruntsfield Links will take place at the croquet club, by Leven Terrace, on Thursday, June 11th at 7:30pm. Come and be introduced to the game of croquet, and then help decide who should be running the Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links.

[update: poster in display case at Meadows confirms time as 7:30pm]

A G E N D A for AGM of the Community Council on We 10 June (at 7pm)

2009-06-04T20:31:00.005+01:00

The AGM of the Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will take place on Wed 10 Jun 09 at 7pm in St Catherine Argyle Church Hall.

It will be followed immediately by the scheduled regular meeting.

A G E N D A
(for agm)

Minutes of the last AGM and matters arising.
Chairperson’s Report.
Deputy chairperson’s Report on HMO’s.
Neighbourhood Partnership Rep’s Report and blogmeister/secretary.
Treasurer’s Report
A.O.C.B.
Next AGM - Wednesday 9 June 2010.

A G E N D A for meeting of the Community Council on We 10 June (at 7pm)

2009-06-02T20:32:00.010+01:00

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held on WEDNESDAY 10 June 2009 at 7.00pm in St Catherine’s Argyle Church Community Hall, Grange Road

The AGM will start at 7:00pm (AGM Agenda; AGM minutes)

and the regular meeting will start at 7:30pm

A G E N D A

(for regular meeting)

Sederunt and Apologies.
Minutes of Meeting (.doc) held 13 May 2009
Matters Arising.
Police Report
Presentation of the Student/Permanent Resident survey by Thomas Graham, Edinburgh University Student Assoc.
Edinburgh Open Space Strategy (see blog)
South east Scotland strategic development plan (see blog)
Community Council nominations/elections (see blog)
Reports of meetings
Any other business
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 9 September 2009

watch the blog: http://www.marchmontandsciennes.blogspot.com and HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!

Edinburgh Community Council News

2009-05-29T21:18:00.003+01:00

An electronic version of Edition 11 (May 09; PDF) of the Edinburgh Community Council News is now available.

Young people and Neighbourhood Partnerships Event

2009-05-27T20:06:00.007+01:00

An event for Young People and Neighbourhood Partnerships to work together to improve local areas will take place on Th 11 June 2009 between 10am and noon at the Edinburgh Training Centre, 16 St Mary’s Street, Old Town. There are places for up to 4 members from each of the 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships. The aims of the event are:

* Learning what young people are doing in Local Youth Forums

* Committing to working in partnership with young people in new and creative ways
* Sharing best practice and innovative approaches to youth engagement
* Identifying key neighbourhood actions for the coming year

If you would like to attend please contact: kathleen.mcclean@edinburgh.gov.uk; Tel 0131 529 6585.

Volunteers needed to staff the Community Council tent at the Meadows Festival

2009-05-25T20:40:00.004+01:00

Volunteers are required to help staff the Community Council tent at the Meadows Festival on Sa 6 and Su 7 Jun 09.

If you can help please contact susie (0131 667 4970) or alastair (0131 275 6679).

AGM & results of students/residents survey

2009-05-25T20:25:00.005+01:00

STUDENT/RESIDENTS SURVEY

Edinburgh University Student Association commissioned a professional survey to explore the relationship of students and permanent residents.

Hear the results at the community council meeting on Wednesday 10 June at 7.30pm at St Catherine Argyle Church Hall on Grange Road.

This meeting will be preceded by the Annual General meeting of the Community Council which starts at 7pm.

Meadows Festival, approaching fast: volunteer helpers required!

2009-05-22T18:48:00.003+01:00

This years Meadows Festival is less than three weeks away and apparently it's shaping up to be the best one yet!

"We've got loads of top local bands over two stages, almost 100 stalls, a brilliant Kids area, a Funfair, a Football tournament, an Art Exhibition and lots lots more! Best of all it's all FREE!!"

This years festival runs from 10am - 5pm Saturday 6th June and 11am-5pm Sunday 7th June in the Meadows.

"The festival simply couldn't take place without the hard work of all the volunteers who make it what it is. We are looking for volunteers to help us out over the weekend of the festival. The volunteers will work for 3-4 hours on either day of the Festival as stewards, litter-pickers, or general gophers. We're also looking for people to help put up posters before the event.

If you're interested in helping out, get in touch: email meadowsfestival@yahoo.co.uk or call 07789227695."

Edinburgh Open Space Strategy

2009-05-21T19:56:00.005+01:00

A city-wide open space strategy is being prepared for Edinburgh. The strategy aims to ensure that a coordinated approach is taken to protecting and developing the city’s network of open space. It will set standards of provision that the Council will be expected to meet. The strategy will be accompanied by action plans prepared in participation with the 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships in Edinburgh.

The first stage of the project, the Draft Open Space Audit, is now complete and available for comment (until 10 Jul 09). Responses will be taken into account in finalising the audit, and will be the basis of detailed analysis which will inform the preparation of the draft strategy and action plans this autumn. There will be further consultation on the draft strategy and action plans early in 2010.

The audit identifies all significant areas of open space within the urban areas of Edinburgh and its western settlements. An interactive map presents basic information about the type, area and quality of open space.

You can give your views by filling in an on-line questionnaire or by writing to Ben Wilson, Principal Planner, at openspacestrategy@edinburgh.gov.uk.

An information stand will be at the Meadows Festival on Su 7 Jun and at the Canal Festival at Edinburgh Quay on Sa 27 Jun. A series of consultation events (.doc) are also being held, including at the Gillis Centre at 18:30 on Th 25 Jun.

If you would like to take part in a survey of play spaces for children and young people please contact Naomi Sandilands via openspacestrategy@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Advance notice: nominations to stand as a Community Councillor due by 14 Sep 09

2009-05-20T20:41:00.004+01:00

The procedure for the elections (if required) to Community Councils in Edinburgh (including Marchmont & Sciennes) has been published:

Before 31 Aug: Nomination packs (including a copy of the electoral register) will be issued to the Returning Officer (Councillor Steve Burgess)

Start of Nomination Period – 31 Aug: nomination forms for elected members will be available from Steve Burgess on request. He will check names and addresses of nominees, proposers and seconders against electoral register and check forms have been correctly signed and completed. Some young people under 16 3/4 may not appear on the electoral register. In these circumstances identification can be confirmed by other means such as school registration, passport, youth passport or letter from parents. The returning officer will also distribute registration forms for Local Interest Groups on request.

Close of Nomination Period – 14 Sep: The returning officer will give details of elected representatives to the Community Council Liaison Officer and inform the Chair/Secretary of CC of outcome. He will arrange the convening of the AGM with previous CC office-bearers.

If the number of elected nominees exceeds the places on the Community Council then a poll is required. The Council will make the necessary arrangements for the election. The Returning Officer will be required to attend the Count and declare the candidates with the greatest number of votes as elected members of the CC.

If the number of nominated members exceeds the number of places for nominated members on the CC, the Returning Officer convenes a meeting of local interest groups to appoint the required number of nominated members.

South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan: comments by 15 Jun 09

2009-05-20T19:41:00.005+01:00

SESplan has been established to create a Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for South East Scotland. An initial consultation exercise is being held (until 15 June 2009) to obtain input on key issues. This consultation, together with an evidence base of studies, research inputs and expert analysis will be used to set out a preferred development strategy and potential development options, later this year. There will be a further formal consultation in early 2010.

For more details contact Linda White (Strategic Development Plan Manager) at 0131 524 5158 or contactus@sesplan.gov.uk.

New Meadows Festival Website...

2009-05-20T19:26:00.002+01:00

A new Meadows Festival website is now live. As a press release on the site points out:

"The 2009 Meadows Festival is set to go ahead on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June. The City of Edinburgh Council has now granted permission for south Edinburgh’s premier community festival to be held on the Meadows.

As in previous years the festival will include music on two stages, nearly 100 stalls, a primary school football competition, and Taylor’s famous funfair.

The Festival will run from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 6 and 11am to 5pm on Sunday 7 June in the West Meadows between Coronation Walk and Middle Meadow Walk."

What topics from Student Community Relations Survey of most interest?

2009-05-14T21:06:00.007+01:00

At the next meeting of the Community Council on 10 Jun 09, Thomas Graham (President of Edinburgh University Students Association) will give a presentation drawing on the recent survey of students and other residents' experiences of living in Edinburgh communities (including Marchmont & Sciennes).

If you have particular issues that you would like him to comment on he would welcome advance warning so he can pull out the relevant data and asks that these be sent to him at external@eusa.ed.ac.uk.

Remember the next meeting (10 Jun) is the AGM and starts at 7pm

2009-05-14T21:01:00.002+01:00

The next meeting of the Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will be preceded by the formal Annual General Meeting, which will start at 7pm. Watch this blog for links to Agenda and other papers.