2. Minutes of Meeting of December 6th
2005
The minutes were approved.
2A. Matters Arising
IB noted in point 7 (ECCM) the spending budget is controlled
by Scottish Enterprise and CEC, not Scottish Executive and ECM
as listed.
DS noted from point 8 (Festive Street Closures) that despite
contacting CEC, George Street was perceived as being closed
from 29th December, photographs were shown illustrating the
placement of stages and road closed signs. DS would contact
CEC to raise the issues. IB suggested contacting David Jackson,
Winter Festival Committee. The meeting agreed that David Jeckson
should be invited to attend a GSA meeting during the summer.
3. Membership & Subs update
IB confirmed that the accounts had been audited and were correct,
the year-end bank balance stood at £3,086.00; the improved
situation from 2004 was due to an increase in members and a
reduction in secretarial costs. It was proposed and agreed by
the meeting to switch the annual fee to a standing order mandate
system.
4. Sub-Committee update
There was a general discussion on the way forward, the results
being given below:
4a Questionnaire results
Results were to be collated with a summary being given to members
and ECCM. DS & VO’B would meet and discuss further.
Initial findings:
• Members approved the increase of meter parking to 3
hours, they had experienced an upturn in footfall since the
traffic management reversals.
• The provision of additional car parking capacity is
a main priority for members.
• George Street website should be considered. It was agreed
that Gill Hames and Ian Bell would meet with web developers
to investigate setting up the George Street website, IB suggested
John Ellis of The Old Town Association could advise.
• Public realm is a priority with some members, DS will
liaise with ECCM and CEC
• Castle Street - All suggestions for events from members
will be given to ECCM to be passed onto Vantage who are co-ordinating
bids for events.
There followed a discussion about the needs of car parking,
the following points were raised:
• DS noted the parking map illustrates a lack of parking
spaces in the West End/ NW city centre area.
• ECCM undertaking a feasibility study into Chambers Street
location for a Trevi parking system. The meeting was concerned
that initiatives for new car parking had very long lead-times,
which was not acceptable the GSA should exert pressure to reduce
the time delays. ED would like CEC to be seen implementing short
term measures. Members should visit, www.transport-edinburgh.org.uk
to obtain more information on parking plans and to make their
views known.
• VO’B requested a summary of parking initiatives
to establish points of agreement with other City Centre groupings
to ensure future lobbying is as co-ordinated as possible. FP
suggested that the views of all members whether retail, business
or restaurant/hotel be considered.
5. City Centre Retail Forum
DS reported that the main discussion at the RF meeting was Business
Improvements Districts (BIDs) see attachment for key points
or visit www.ukbids.org
• DS informed the committee the Retail Forum was in favour
of joining the Pathfinder Scheme bid being made by ECCM, he
recommended to the committee that GSA should consider joining
with PSA to strengthen the bid. There is no initial financial
outlay. Many major companies are backing the Pilot Project.
• Major issues will be the defining of the BIDs area and
agreeing on those businesses to be included.
• ECCM could then become less dependant on CEC and more
business orientated.
• Should a BID proposal be voted by businesses within
a defined area a legal levy of an additional 1% onto business
rates would be imposed, the revenue would be used to improve
that area, businesses would agree priorities and timescales
for delivery.
• These funds could be used for marketing, public realm,
major projects from Underground parking down to any minor projects.
• The Scottish Executive is encouraging local businesses
to back the BIDs Pathfinder project. ECCM are asking for a letter
of support from GSA, if the project is successful funds could
be in place by April 2007.
• Only one bid will be successful in Scotland. The application
must be made by 24th February with an announcement on 28th April.
6. ECCM
IB discussed with the committee the Pilot Project BIDS, as minute
5, and further points as below.
• ECCM has secured funding for marketing initiatives City
Centre, with a 3 year programme of retail based festivals starting
on April 1st 2006.
• Being launched on Monday 13th February 2006 the Fashion
Festival will use venues in the City Centre influenced by the
Melbourne Fashion Festival see www.lmff.com.au.
• ECCM have top name designers, fashion journalists visiting,
with many events planned which will involve the whole community
and encourage visitors to Edinburgh.
• An interim event planned for March 3rd being a treasure
hunt around retailers in less busy parts of Edinburgh.
• Future festivals could include Food & Drink, Castle
Street area a proposed location, Toys and Art & Design.
7. Police/Crime Statistics
BJ reported the first ASBO achieved in the City Centre. BJ encouraged
members to write with letters of support to CEC regarding; the
beggars byelaw to ban begging, and drinking byelaws banning
public consumption of alcohol.
LBP will use the ASBO route for aggressive beggars and other
frequent offenders. ACC Halpern had a team of 4-5 officers employed
specifically to target vandalism and graffiti. This has been
very successful, identifying culprits and prosecuting. There
is a large fraud case concerning individuals from Birmingham/Coventry
coming to Edinburgh with thefts of card and wallets from hotels
and conferences. LBP successfully caught and will prosecute
some gang members.
• Overall 3% reduction in crime year on year
• 50% solve rate, 12% above divisional average
• 2 serious assaults, public house connected
• 5% reduction Robberies
• No sexual assaults, showing police presence very effective
in preventing this crime
• Break-ins especially in the West End area on the rise
with 6 incidents this week
• 12% rise in shoplifting in January
8. Planning Applications
There were numerous planning applications, many for minor alterations
to premises.
The changes of use and major alterations listed below:
• 37 George Street Mary Street Estate Change of use to
Residential (refused)
• 15 Frederick street CCk Bars Fit out premised as restaurant
and bar
• 15,17,17a Frederick street Kilmartin Property Change
to public house use
• 56 Rose Street William Hill Organisation New Shopfront
(granted)
• 16a Queen Street Format Building Design Change of use
from public house to entertainment venue
• St Andrew Square Gardens ECCM Gardens incorporating
water feature, lighting and café/pavilion
• 58 Queen Street Mr Vent Change of use top two floors
from office to residential(granted)
• 107 St James Centre Thistle Edinburgh Tenant Ltd Integrated
hotel casino
• 9 Multrees Walk Clothes for real women New shop front
to retail unit
• 111a George Street Living Ventures Ltd Internal illumination
fascia in retrospect (refused and enforced)
• 137 George Street Mr T Pia Develop into tapas bar and
restaurant
9. Correspondence
There was no correspondence to report to the committee
10. AGM
There is a possibility that the AGM date may change to be advised.
11. AOB
The Chairman thanked Ian Bell, for hosting the meeting. There
being no further business the meeting closed.
12. Date & Place of Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday
March 22nd at 3pm at Neal’s Yard Remedies, Hanover
Street, Edinburgh. please
note change of venue and time
