2. Minutes of Meeting of 31st January
2007
The minutes were approved.
2a. Matters arising
There were no matters arising.
3. George Street Christmas Decorations
This point deferred to the next council meeting, Ian MacFadyen
to be invited to attend to give update.
4. Web Site Update
Details of Statcounter distributed showing the site having approximately
30 visitors daily, in one week from as far afield as Australia,
USA, Canada, and Korea with the majority from the UK and Ireland.
JmcG proposed that member companies should be asked to provide
links to GSA website from their company websites, please contact
secretary for further details.
IB, RBS proposed a sub committee meeting to discuss attracting
new members to the GSA and re-launching the website.
5. Public Realm
The committee pleased to note remedial works have taken place
on George Street, correcting loose and dangerous paving stones.
DS raised the point of Underground Car Park to be located in
George Street this would have a huge impact on George Street,
allowing pedestrianisation to take place, see previous public
realm notes in members section on the website and while appreciating
that work cannot commence immediately wondered if this could
be a possible BID project. IB ECCM replied that AH is retiring
in the near future and GSA should confirm CEC ongoing commitment
to this project. If this ongoing it may be possible to finance
the consultancy fee through BIDs.
6. BIDs
Pilot BID, Edinburgh Central, area covered George St, Princes
Street connecting streets including St James Centre, revenue
likely to be in the region of £1,000,000 per annum being
matched by CEC.
Attached copy of BID budget *Benchmarking surveys to establish
what CEC provide at present, how BIDs can improve this
• Scottish Executive – funds consultancy project
£75,000 2007-08
• HBOS – sponsors BID over 5 year period
• ECCM looking for further sponsors
• ECCM have contacted most of the businesses in Rose Street,
and transecting streets with George Street & Princes Street
businesses to be contacted next.
• DS enquired re. closure date for new BID ideas, IB,
confirmed that date is later in the year, projects will be decided
May- September, 6 priorities will be identified, Business Plan
will finalised January 2008, Ballot to businesses to decide
which project March 2008, with work starting immediately on
decision.
• Council champion to drive BID forward.
• David Nicolson Chair of ECCM is looking for a shadow
Chair and 3 shadow board members, nomination papers have been
sent to key business figures in the First BIDs Pathfinder project,
GSA are urged to put forward a candidate. Job spec can be sent
for Chairman’s role. Contact ECCM for further information.
• GSA is in principal happy to support BIDs, any business
with a rateable value of over 25,000 is eligible to vote for
a BID project the majority BID then voted for approval.
7. TIE
TIE will be running an Open for Business marketing campaign
whilst the installation of the tram is ongoing. This has a budget
of £60,000.
Contract for the contractor has not been awarded yet they will
be selected on price and reliability.
A compensation package for proven loss of business is in place
for business alongside the route of the tram and immediately
neighbouring streets.
Grassmarket Traders association are pressing for a Shop-a-Bus
to follow a circular route through the city centre to encourage
shoppers to visit areas further afield. ECCM would support this
along with GSA . ECCM will investigate funding for this project.
The local press vigilant in ensuring local issues with tram
installation will be covered.
Communication is crucial with the local business community.
A communication manual will be put on the website with details
of whom to contact if any issues.
8. ECCM
A consultation process will take place 30th March to 2nd April
regarding ongoing markets in the city centre.
St Andrew Square – Land Engineering contractors will be
commencing work on 16th April, Pavilion targeted to be completed
by November and the main works completed by December, planting
will be done from January 08. there will be loss of 10-20 parking
spaces mainly on the East Side of the square.
A maintenance plan is now in place for removal of litter in
the gardens. There was a temporary problem caused by the change
over to council this has been rectified.
ECCM are sourcing a catering contractor for the pavilion
Renovation of the monument is within the plan for St Andrew
Square.
9. Treasurers Report
DS – accounts to be audited. Chameleon a maintenance fee
has been agreed of £75 per month plus new members added
£40.
Invoices will be sent beginning of April to members with payment
due May 1st
For full details of accounts please contact Denzil Skinner
10. Police/Crime Statistics
· Boundary Changes Operation Align will have the
effect of having an extra 72 officers mainly on foot in the
city centre. This high visibily to discourage miscreants. The
officers will be designated to one of four quadrants and will
have responsibility for their area.
· Further to previous minutes Brian Forbes Retail Crime
Officer has recruited 8-9 special constables once trained they
will be a welcome addition. George Street is targeted because
of lack of cameras and security officers. Sites for cameras
have been identified and planning permission is awaited for
installation.
· 16% reduction in recorded crime
· Solver rate 54%
· Serious assaults are still taking place in the early
hours of the morning it is hoped the increased police presence
will discourage this.
11. Planning Reports
IW reported a full planning report was not available, the report
for February showed no major planning applications, applications
were mainly for refurbishment of premises.
12. AOB
Further to points raised in AOB last minutes,
Flower seller - Vo’B wrote to CEC on her behalf this
letter has been acknowledged and confirmed Miss Mason will relocated
in a temporary basis while scaffolding is erected due to health
and safety.
Electrical Power Supply – GSA received a copy of a letter
sent to Joshua Miller stating Scottish Power have located the
cause of faults in the power supply and are installing new street
furniture to rectify this.
If anyone has ongoing problems please contact Dawn Birrell
0141 273 2474 their ref. CCT/470257.
13. Date of Next Meeting
Next meeting AGM will take place on Wednesday May 9th
6pm at Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh.
Click Here for a full
list of 2007 meeting dates.
