2. Minutes of Meeting of 3rd July 2007
The minutes were approved.
2a. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
3. Christmas
Decorations
The Chairman welcomed Ian MacFadyen
• IMacF confirmed 2007 is the last year of useful life
for the current Festive decorations, without the lights having
a major revamp, which would be very costly.
• As stated in previous minutes, the severe gales last
winter caused extensive damage to the material around the parcel
decoration on the small trees, IMacF is attempting to source
alternative fabric.
• The pole height has been altered and the bases will
be stacked to prevent toppling.
• ImacF confirmed that plaques will be added to the bases
for 2007. After discussion it was agreed that if an alternative
fabric could not be sourced then the lower parcel decoration
was not to be used.
• Applications have been made to City Growth Fund/Scottish
Executive for funding to cover Christmas decorations and other
projects for 2008. An application for funding has also gone
to European Council. It was enquired if this could be a possible
BID project, due to lengthy time delay not thought feasible
at this time.
• VO’B asked development time required for 2008
decoration, ImacF replied that the project has to be started
fairly soon, tenders to be invited from 2 or 3 companies.
VO’B offered GSA to assist in lobbying for funds if that
is helpful
• Princes Street lights will switch on November 22nd,
traditionally George Street lights have switched on the following
evening. There followed a discussion re. George Street lights
switch on same date as Princes Street, to take advantage of
the visitors to the city centre at that time. It was agreed
that this would be a preferred option.
Paul Philip, Edinburgh Winter Festival, went on to discuss
plans in place for 2007, PP urged all companies to contact him
if they have seasonal items they wish to promote through the
Winter Festival website, in particular the Santa Run was proving
very popular with entrants from Europe as well as all over the
UK, PP suggested that special offers to participants in Santa
outfits may be a good idea. A Fair Trade Market will take place
6-11th December. A new company would be promoting Edinburgh’s
Winter Festivals, Hands Up Media.
DS enquired re: live music, PP advised contacting Mary McGuigan
Community Music Department, It was agreed GSA to donate to organisation
agreeing to take part. Possible locations to be sought amongst
members, bearing in mind inclement weather.
It was agreed to lobby member firms on the above points.
4. BIDs
DS – Proposal voted through CEC 24th August ECCM to evolve
into BID Company from May 2008, discussions are still ongoing,
ECCM have guaranteed funding until May 2008. VO’B, IB,
DS on the BID advisory board, GSA well represented and vocal.
VO’B volunteered GSA to assist with any BID communication
to the members. GSA will take on board the views of the members.
Initial BID projects include:
· Marketing City Centre,
· Accessibility
· Crime & Safety
· Cleanliness,
Draft business plan is due September 24th. DS - one of the
main aims is to stop Edinburgh slipping down the list of retail
venues. It was agreed to contact licensed premises in the area
to join the GSA to enable their voices to be heard. All businesses
in the area fund a BID project as any company with RV above
£25,000 will contribute.
5. ECCM
MG, ECCM, St Andrew Square is progressing, it is a few weeks
behind schedule. The pavilion water feature, and paths are all
laid. Extra funding is required to refurbish the monument. Edinburgh
World Heritage has been approached in this regard.
Signage is being improved – Navigator systems have new
insets colourful displays.
Footfall cameras – 18 cameras are being installed –
3 in George Street. The information gathered will be complied
by ECCM who will process and share, access is available to anyone
who has footfall cameras on their premises.
6. SEPTEMBER MEETING
VO’B/DS to contact Cllr Tom Buchanan, he has agreed to
attend and speak for a short time.
TIE – Mike Arnott has agreed to attend and speak, it
was suggested that TIE be asked to run a scenario re. If Princes
Street blocked as happened recently with the Romanes & Paterson
fire.
Ian Broadfoot has agreed to attend and discuss BIDs
ECCM has inserted invitation notice into September newsletter.
Other means of contacting local firms to be sought
VO’B to compile letter to member firms and non-member
firms in the area inviting them to meeting, PMcH to supply labels.
It was agreed to offer special membership of £50 including
listing on website on the evening for new members.
7. LBP - CRIME STATISTICS
Insp. BJ – the new beats have been in place for 4 months
and are proving to be very successful.
14% reduction in crime overall
Solve rate 60%
Serious assaults and robberies 5 in for months
8 robberies in same period one third down on last year
All the crime trends are down, Edinburgh city centre is now
slipping down the Sunday Times list.
The peak time for disturbances 1-3am and 3-5am
Shoplifting reduced by 20%, this is mainly due to retail policy
initiated by Steven Haggart.
A new Superintendent Ch Insp. Kevin Murray is coming to the
area.
Civil exclusions put in place appear to be working.
Insp. BJ encourages all businesses to report beggars outside
their premises; the beggars do not have to be aggressively begging
in order to report them.
He went on to advise the committee that the majority of these
beggars were professional many using their earnings to fund
drug and drink habits. The public are unwittingly playing a
part in this by supplying ready cash to them.
8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Planning applications have been relatively quite over the Summer,
the association are pleased to welcome new companies to the
area, Hardy Amies, Brooks Brothers, Duo Boots, Ronit Zilkha
are all welcome additions.
Please see website for full listing of planning applications.
9. CORRESPONDENCE
A corporate membership card has been kindly handed to Brooks
Brothers for use by the association, the card is currently with
Vinnie O’Brien, please contact Vinnie if you would like
to use it and return it to him.
10. AOB
Stature of James Maxwell Clark has been approved by the
planning department and will be erected in from of Standard
Life Investments.
11. Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday October 10th, Northern Lighthouse Board.
Click Here for a full
list of 2007 meeting dates.
