THE GEORGE STREET ASSOCIATION OF EDINBURGH
Wednesday June 28th 2006 at 3:00pm
Held in Northern Lighthouse Board, George Street Edinburgh.

In Attendance:

Vinnie O’Brien, Standard Life Investments, Chairman
Ian Bell, Royal Bank of Scotland
Dorothy Anderson St Andrews & St Georges
Gillian Tennant, LBP
Frank Pullen, Royal Society of Edinburgh
Gill Hames, Neals Yard Remedies
Amy Brown, ESPC
Fiona Binnie, American Express
Pritti Majitha, Business Exchange Centres
Ian Webster, NLB
Gavin Bonnar, Chameleon Design
Patrice McHenry (Secretary)
Gillian Tennant LBP
Cllr. David Guest

The committee meeting commenced with a presentation from Gavin Bonnar www.chameleon-arts.com who outlined a map of the GSA proposed website.

GSA web address will be www.edinburghgeorgestreet.com or www.edinburghgeorgestreet.co.uk.
These sites have been reserved. The Chairman thanked Mr Bonnar for his thorough presentation. The meeting continued:-

2. Minutes of Meeting of February 8th 2006
The minutes were approved.

2A. Matters arising
There were no matters arising

3. Matters arising from AGM
There were no matters arising from the AGM. The committee felt that despite the fact there was a disappointing turn out, the presentation from ECCM on BIDs was informative, and the AGM went well.

4. Web Site Update
GH & IB progressed the GSA website, they contacted several web designers. The preferred web designer being Chameleon. A general discussion followed with regard to the web site. The committee agreed to proceed with the Chameleon web design for the approximate costs provided. It is anticipated the website will be running from October. It was agreed all businesses in George Street, and intersecting streets from Queen Street to Princes Street, including St Andrew Square and Charlotte Square will be listed. Businesses will be listed in categories, e.g. Retail, Food & Drink etc, existing GSA members will have links to their company websites, new members paying an initial joining fee to GSA of £100 for full inclusion on the website. There will be postcards/leaflets sent to non-members as part of wider activities publicising the launch.

5. City Centre Retail Forum
DS was unable to attend the committee, he submitted a report to the committee, - one of the main issues for RF is the Tram Scheme installation, DS raised 6 key concerns,
• Marketing,
• Route signage,
• Minimum Disruption,
• Maintaining routes availability,
• Impact assessment on surrounding streets,
• Loss of business.
• Parking – after 5.30pm weekdays and 12.00 Saturday parking will be free of charge; RF welcomed the proposal but without the condition
(If businesses stayed open beyond these times)
• Fashion Festival – Overall it was felt conceptually the Fashion Festival would gather momentum. The success should be measured.
• ECCM – Data capture RF felt ECCM should be supported in raising turnover and footfall, but the manner data used should be anonymous. RF Chairman David Nicolson wished to receive more feedback on ECCM activities.
• BIDs – RF debated BIDs, RF felt that a CEO was necessary to carry forward the project. The group felt that BIDs should be supported, the major challenge being communication and apathy. DS suggested GSA website was a way to assist with this problem.
Please contact Denzil if you wish to make a comment

6. ECCM
Ian Broadfoot sent his apologies to the committee, no-one was available to attend, further updates will be given at next committee meeting.
GH noticed the ECCM data was incorrect. and asked other members to check the data on ECCM website and compare with the figures they provided.

7. Police/Crime Statistics
Gillian Tennant LBP deputised for Insp.Bruce Johnston – GT reported overall very positive crime figures. The recent publicity regarding crime figures in the George Street/New Town area was misleading, the majority of crimes listed were shoplifting. The figures quoted were from 2004/05. Edinburgh City Centre continues to have a high solve rate with overall crime figures continuing to drop. To date in 2006 there have been 1001 – 14% less year on year.

The recent ban on smoking is causing some complaints of noise and litter, GT advised anyone experiencing problems with litter to contact Environmental Wardens 0131 5293030 who have the authority of issuing an on the spot fine of £40.

Anyone who is experiencing problems with noise should contact the area officer;
Sgt Dane Harrison 01315569270.

8. Correspondence
There was no significant correspondence to report to the committee

9. Planning Update
Ian Webster, Northern Lighthouse Board provided a report on planning applications currently going through, The majority of planning applications related to the introduction of legislation in March concerning the smoking ban with many licensed premises applying for awnings, decking area etc, ECCM have successfully obtained planning permission to develop St Andrew Square gardens. 107 St James Centre – permission granted for change of use to a casino. 79 George St –The committee discussed the planning application for change of use from retail to bar/restaurant. The committee expressed concern that a retail unit would be lost. It was agreed to contact the planning department with a view to ensuring the association member’s wishes are being duly considered.

10. AOB
FB, American Express, asked if all members could refrain from smoking in front of retail/office premises. Other members present agreed this was causing problems and requested companies ask their staff to be more aware, to ensure they are not blocking doorways, window adverts etc.
Frank Pullen, Royal Society of Edinburgh announced he was retiring from business and from the GSA his colleague Graham Herbert will attend in his place. Vinnie O’Brien thanked FP for his attendance and interest in the GSA and wished him well in the future.

11. Date & Place of Next Meeting
Next council meeting September 6th at Hamilton & Inches, 87 George Street, Edinburgh at 10am