Meeting Details: 21st Aug 2018, 19h15 at 200 West Regent St., G2.
V2: Addition from Jessica Watson: “to inform a planned evaluation” , Addition regarding GSoA fire: counselor & psychotherapist.
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Attendees:
- Irene Loudon (Chair),
- Christopher Collins (Secretary),
- Alistair McCusker (Treasurer),
- Steph Stewart (Member),
- Les Willox (Member),
- Gillian Daniel (Member),
- Chirsty Hamilton (Resident),
- Anna Smith (Resident),
- Edmund Smith (Resident),
- Baillie Christy Mearns (Ex-officio),
- Cllr. Angus Millar (Ex-officio),
- Lord Provost Eva Bolander (Ex-officio),
- Alison Thewliss MP (Ex-officio),
- Phil Ferns (Resident, Chair Blythswood Court Owners Group & Director Finnieston Community Art
Group: Roots2TheFuture),
- David Smith (Resident, & Treas., Blythswood Court Owners Group),
- Daniel Harte (Sec. Garnethill CC),
- Fiona Sloan (GSoA),
- Joanna Heath (Resident),
- Jessica Watson (Glasgow Centre for Population Health),
- Daniele Lapi (Police Scotland),
- Brian Sexton (Police Scotland).
Apologies from:
- Donna Pope (Member),
- Reshmee Cheung (Member),
- Alex Cheung (Member),
- Susan Wallace (Member),
- Gaurav Shah (Resident),
- Adrian Nairn (Garnethill Displaced Residents Group Spokesperson),
- Teri Porter, CBRE (regarding planning application 18/01633/FUL).
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Minutes of last meeting 17th July 2018 approved (prop: Steph Stewart, seconder: Alistair McCusker). Actions Outstandng from July meeting:
ACTION: Alex C./Chris C. to follow-up again with Cllr. Millar & PC Lapi regarding possible actions re speeding, e.g. community safety / radar guns / stretched ropes.
ACTION: Alistair M. will meet PCs Lapi/Webber and to report back on outstanding issues re Oswald St. and Midland St.
ACTION: Graffiti – The Merchant on W. George St. - matter to be raised in August.
ACTION: Alistair to query why we did not get the expected £500.
ACTION: Leaflet has been produced, to distribute to residents in general, to
improve awareness of B&BCC’s existence, its meeting schedule, remit and duties.
ACTION: Leaflet Anderston/Dundasvale (part) re. boundary changes. Pin-point
residential locations to deliver to.
ACTION: Steph. S. & James Stewart to get info re marches and present to meeting.
ACTION: Adrian + Steph to meet re. Lane Activation Fund ideas/proposals?
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Police matters:
- PC's Daniele Lapi and Brian Sexton were in attendance.
- PC Lapi raised some recent concerns/issues including:
o “Boy Racers” – Pc Lapi encourages us to report incidences of speeding/revving, as a review is underway (poss. by Chris Scott) of the areas used and disturbances caused. More reports means more information on where they “Boy Racers” are driving for new byelaws/traffic restrictions.
o Gillian D. & Chris C: Merchant Pub (West George St.) offensive Graffiti on a 3rd-floor window. • ACTION: PC Lapi to follow up with Licensee.
o Irene L: There appears to be a nascent homelessness issue in the doorways of BHS on Sauchiehall St./Renfield St.
Staying in the doorway puts the people concerned in danger.
Some homelessness is classed as ‘intentional’, but others are not aware of their rights.
Chris C.: The Legal Sevices Agency (above Mandors/Project Café in Renfrew St.) produce an excellent leaflet explaining these rights entitled Homelessness & the New Law. Examples from within:
‘Individuals have a right to temporary housing for a ‘reasonable period of time’, even after a negative decision.’ (NB: “negative decision” may be due to lack of local connection, or being “intentionally homeless”.)
‘Sometimes, a council refuses to provide temporary housing on the basis that it does not have it. This is unlawful.’
PC Brian Sexton acts as street pastor liaison.
o A Member of the Public reported fights outside Bistro/Bamboo on West Regent St., one
involving 50+ people at 03h30. PC Lapi recommends calling 999 if witnessed, and 101 for
noise issues.
o Antisocial behaviour around 23-33 Oswald St.
• Alistair M.: Incidents are often not reported, but there ws at least one report made in July. o Regarding cars parking on Midland St. footpaths:
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It is a hazard, due to pedestrians walking onto the road.
Bus drivers could be charged with obstruction (£100 fine), after a ticket.
Parking Services (Kenneth Costello) at Cadogan St. have been involved by PC Lapi, and are
making regular patrols. They issued 69 tickets to end-July.
The Arches have a one-off licence for 27th Oct., and from July meeting, Cllr. Bolander had
suggested that Licensing could be involved with the venue tied to the tour-busses. (This
could be done with an “Innkeeper form”, but must be witnessed).
ACTION: PC Lapi to contact The Arches re. parking/Licensing & report back on progress.
Matters Arising:
- Discussion regarding the fire at the GSA; residents were due to be at this meeting, but were asked instead by GCC to attend a meeting regarding re-entry to their homes, so there will be little in the way of a direct update at this meeting.
o Chris C.: Businesses report that the process for claiming their portion of the £5m grant was bureaucratic.
o Chris C.: Businesses report that insurance companies will deduct from any claim the value of the £10k/20k disbursements made to businesses by ScotGov/GCC.
o Irene L.: offers her services as a counselor & psychotherapist pro bono to affected residents. o Cllr. Eva B. explained that she will be on hand, but that residents should contact their own
GP’s if they feel counselling etc. is needed.
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Chair/Treasurer’s reports:
- Bank account Balance £454.52
- Deductions to come (cheque written): room fees (June ‘18) £30, mobile phone costs £20.
- Expected balance: £404.52
- ACTION: Alistair to query why we did not get the expected £500.
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Secretary’s report:
- Attended Area Partnerships PUBLIC MEETING on 16th August, 2pm, City Chambers. o Next public meeting 04th October, 2pm, City Chambers.
o There are 23 APs, with elected members, and a budget for local grants.
o see: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=18748
o Our AP is Anderston, City & Yorkhill, chaired by Cllr. Millar.
o It has 6 “residents” places, all currently filled.
o Cllr. Millar will hopefully get an extra seat for a member from this CC. o For now, I am happy to continue to represent us.. Other volunteers?
- Sauchiehall St. Task Force 25th July – actions & main points sent by me on 30th July to group. Have asked regarding next meeting; early September. Again, I am happy to continue to represent us.. Other volunteers?
- I am NOT yet getting any Licensing applications. Unsure why. Only planning.
- (NB: These have started to arrive since this meeting).
- Steph Stewart has provided a primer on how to make objections to planning applications –see Appendix A of these minutes.
Planning Lists:
- Planning: Many small applications e.g. basement bike store, signage etc. Larger projects need a "Proposal of Application Notice" (PoAN).
- ACTION OUTSTANDING: Chris C to contact the case officer for 18/00070/PAN (Site Bounded By Robertson St.).
- 18/02178/LBA: Application to cut a window into B-listed building at 79 Renfield St., was notified to the applicant as invalid.
- 17/03477/DC: Notification of Decision for 173 Pitt St. (Former Police HQ) – Permission Granted (NB: this was put in and debated by GCC before this CC was established)
- - - - - Items Included on Prior Reports Omitted - - - - -
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Councillor’s reports : Cllr. Mearns:
- Alcohol Licensing Policy 1st draft has gone to consultation now.
o There will be a series of public engagement drop-ins, one on 12th Sept., 6-8pm in the
Satinwood Suite, City Chambers.
o There are proposed overprovision localities – at the moment ‘overprovision’ is not
recognized as a valid reason for objection in the city centre.
o An opportunity for people concerned to put forward their views to the Licensing Board.
- GCC Neighbourhoods committee passed a motion to allow the right of appeal when a planning proposal is accepted; to put objectors on a more equal footing to planning applicants (applicants can already appeal a rejection).
- AirBnB is an increasing problem; please let Christy Mearns know, so that action can be taken against individual cases. Planning legislation can be used to stop proliferation.
- GCC’s “Open Space Strategy” – vacant or derelict land can be designated as open space, and the strategy covers how it should be protected.
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o A key piece of open space is Blythswood Sq., and the CC should engage with the owners and also raise this for consultation.
o ACTION: Cllr. Mearns to send details of the Open Space Strategy, and how to raise Blythswood Square for consultation.
o George Square consultation is already running to ban traffic from part/all of the square. See: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23065
o Pitt St. development (17/03477/DC) will create public open space.
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Councillor’s reports : Cllr Millar:
- Cllr. Millar commented on the Pitt St. development, Build-to-Rent, and that B&BCC could invite the developers to present , with a perspective on initiatives to support wider regeneration.
- Regarding the GSA fire, highlighted the simultaneously running residents/businesses meeting, and that it will unfortunately be some time before other businesses can return (e.g. CCA, which has 22 businesses inside).
- Cllr. Millar commented on the (new & welcome) Blythswood Court representation; there is now a new Owners’ Committee, and meeting(s) have been set up between the Committee, Councillors and the Factor.
- Cllr. Millar commented on the need to build more social housing, in the context of the proposed student accommodation proposal at Renfrew St./Renfield St., and that all four elected members had objected to the proposed student accommodation (GCC planning ref: 18/01633/FUL).
- A member of the public commented that more provision should be made for homeless accommodation. Both and Cllr. Millar responded that it is a challenge to get HA’s to come forward, and both Cllr. Millar & Alison Thewliss MP responded that land is expensive where people want to be housed (e.g. city centre, west end) and with a limited pot of money, more provision can be made in better value locations.
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Councillor’s reports : Cllr Bolander:
- Cllr Bolander commented that investment returns often drive the student accommodation plans.
- The instrument to steer this is the “City Plan”, which is often difficult to keep up-to-date with
developments, and hard to anticipate future trends (the release of the last plan was 7 yrs ago).
- There also exists Supplementary Guidance, which ideally should be looked at for assistance in
finding valid grounds for objection.
- Regarding “Boy Racers”, a traffic regulation order was brought in to break the circuit/loop in use nr.
Blythswood Sq., and residents should phone 101 (non-urgent Police Scotland) to report instances. This will enable a better picture to be built up.
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Ex-officio report from Alison Thewliss MP
- Alison mentioned that she will take up the issue of businesses being awarded payments due to the fire and having those payments deducted from their claims, in effect indemnifying the insurance companies.
- Prior to the UK parliamentary recess Alisn had spoken to David Mundell, to explain that what we were getting from the insurers was not adequate.
- Things have gone quiet over the recess, but she is trying to get more attention and meetings.
- There is the wider issue of any kind of circumstance which causes uninhabitability, but no damage
and Insurers must be made to hold to their promises, potentially through bad publicity.
- Other insurance issues needing assistance (e.g. claims being deducted for hardship payments)
should be notified to her.
- Chirsty H. reminded the meeting that the Assoc. of British Insurers are still sticking by their
members, who are refusing to pay out for home-owning residents. Alison T. said she would follow up on this.
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Jessica Watson, Glasgow Centre for Population Health:
- A very quick introduction from Jessica, regarding a workshop to examine views on the expected outcomes of the ‘Avenues’ and ‘City Ways’ projects to inform a planned evaluation. It will be held on Wed. 19th September, 9.30-1pm at The Lighthouse (3rd flr.), 11 Mitchell Lane, G1 3NU - see Appendix B of these minutes.
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Progress on Boundary Review & General Awareness of B&BCC:
- Regarding Anderston CC, it would be advantageous to contact the residents directly. o Leaflets were delivered to flats in the area in question.
- Regarding Dundasvale CC, this is inactive, and the Dundasvale CIG does not cover relevant area. o A few residential properties should be leafleted, with a view to eliciting comments.
o A leaflet has also been produced, but not yet delivered for this area.
o NB: since this meeting, leaflet drops have occurred nr. Bath St., West Nile St., Hope St.
- Regarding Garnethill CC, the proposal for Sauchihall St. to move the boundary south to Sauchiehall Lane was previously unanimously rejected. We will continue with the proposal, but do not expect any change to be agreed upon.
- A “general’ leaflet has also been produced, which could be delivered to all residences/businesses in the B&BCC constituency, to raise general awareness of B&BCC’s existence.
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Items for the CC to pursue:
- There was a discussion on Litter; bags being dumped from cars in the city, cigarette ends being discarded. NB: Steph S. has since followed up with an explanatory email to councillors.
- ACTION: Steph S. to follow up litter points with elected members.
- There was a heated discussion on Parades & Marches with ultimately no resolution. Irene Loudon
stated that as Chair of Blythswood & Broomielaw Community Council, she would not tolerate any further aggressive disruptive or divisive behaviour. She highlighted the non-sectarian and apolitical nature of Community Councils, and the fact that until now, B&BCC had been a happy, friendly, cohesive group of good, well-intentioned people wishing to serve their community in a spirit of respect and tolerance.
- Due to time considerations, the rest of the meeting agenda was postponed.
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Chair declared date/time of next meeting:
- Tues. 18th September, 7.15pm.
- At the 200 West Regent St. Venue.
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Appendix A: Planning Objections – Primer (courtesy of Steph, thanks!)
Email address for planning applications: planning.representations@glasgow.gov.uk Emails must be sent within the stated deadline (usually 21 days).
Anyone can object - they don’t need to live in the City Centre. However, petitions are usually ignored, as are standardised letters.
Remember to include the Planning Application Reference Number when submitting an objection.
Grounds for objection are usually “material considerations”, including: • lossoflightorprivacy
• noise,nuisanceandsmell
• potentialproblemswithparking,trafficorroadsafety
• whatthedevelopmentwilllooklike • theenvironmentalimpact
• theneedsofthelocalarea.
They can't take into account:
• anylossofvaluetonearbyproperties
• lossofview(s)
• personaldisputesbetweenneighbours
• issuesaboutownershipandpartywalls
• complaintsaboutdisturbancewhiletheworkisbeingcarriedout.
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Appendix B:
Workshop at The Lighthouse, 19th September 9.30 am
Glasgow's ‘Avenues' and 'City Ways’ projects are seeking to transform the city by making our streets more attractive and less car-dominated and by encouraging more people to walk and cycle around the city. These developments potentially may also help reduce air pollution and improve the health of people in Glasgow.
In order to understand if and how these projects may result in changes in Glasgow, we are developing an evaluation plan. To help us develop this plan we are really keen to hear from a wide range of people who live and work in the city to understand the outcomes they expect the projects to have.
So, we would like to invite representatives from Blythswood and Broomielaw CC to participate in a workshop to improve our understanding of the potential health, social and economic impacts of the Glasgow's Avenues and City Ways projects on residents, retailers and businesses. The workshop will be professionally facilitated and participative with opportunities for breakout sessions as well as plenary discussion. An agenda will be circulated to those attending closer to the event.
Your input will help inform a research application aimed at evaluating the collective impact of these projects on health, liveability and travel patterns in the city. The findings for this research will inform future developments in Glasgow, and particularly the roll out of the ‘Avenues’ project. We hope to have a wide range of participants at the workshop including local residents, council officers and planners, academics and representatives of the business community.
The workshop will be held on the morning of Wednesday 19th September on the 3rd floor of The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NU. The event will start at 9.30 am (registration from 9.00am) and finish at 1.00pm followed by lunch. Please advise if you have any special dietary requirements or access needs.
If you would like to attend the workshop, please email Carol Frame carol.frame@glasgow.ac.uk by 30th August
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