These draft minutes will be presented to our meeting on 29 October for ratification
Attended by:
– Community Councillors Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Alice Cowan, David Cowan, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Gordon Millar, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Smith
– Ward Councillors Angus Millar, Philip Braat, Baillie Christy Mearns,
– Police Constables Beth Cameron and David Colligan
– Media: Gary Fanning (Splash), Nicole Mitchell (Evening Times)
– Lisa Scott (Glasgow City Council), Fiona Stewart (Hawkins/Brown architects), Barbara Vecchione (New Practice Architects)
– NB, TD, DF, BL, KL, EM, AM, TMcK, KM, SM, PP, JR, CS
Apologies: Councillor Eva Bolander, Community Councillors Peter Hayman, Colin McKay and Associate Community Councillor Ross Naismith, PC Sean McFadden, GW
Minutes of Meeting on 27 August
Adoption proposed by Scott, seconded by Gordon. Approved.
Police Issues
PC Cameron reported on PC McFadden’s behalf that according to indicative figures between 27 August and 24 September there had been 193 offences in the MCTCC area of which 79 had been detected. These included assaults, bail breaches, retail theft, possession of controlled substances and threatening/abusive behaviour.
PC Steve Clarke has been moved to another beat in the city centre.
Although there were anecdotal suggestions of improvements in anti-social behaviour and drug misuse in the Ramshorn graveyard police continued to make regular checks there. Councillor Braat said he continued to receive reports of anti-social behaviour there as well as in George Street and Argyle Street.
Another 7 e-bikes had been sized for illegal modifications to make them go faster, making a total of 22 such seizures since March.
Riders had been charged with road traffic offences and could pay a significant amount to get the bike back in the condition it was found, Police could not confiscate the bike because it was their property.
JR said any cycling on pavements was illegal and should be enforced. Signage should be put up. PC Cameron said police could use other legislation to prosecute such as careless riding.
Councillor Millar said problems elsewhere in the city centre were being tackled by making certain sections cycle only and not shared with pedestrians.
Scott raised the issue of buskers, specifically the ‘Cat Man’ outside the St Enoch Centre. He had been giving a police warning but continued to ignore the busking code. Police had never confiscated any busker’s equipment. When was Glasgow City Council (GCC) going to take effective action to enforce its busking code? Signage said volume should be ‘reasonable’ but this was a very subjective term.
Gary noted the busking code said ‘music should not be heard over 30 metres away.’
Councillor Millar said GCC was trying to work with police but they couldn’t be there every time. He did not believe GCC had the power to enforce a legal volume level. Councillor Braat said buskers could often be heard 200 or 300 yards away.
CS asked why busking wasn’t only allowed in certain locations and why the use of amplifiers could not be banned. Councillor Millar said any such ban would require national legislation.
Custom House Quay Avenues Projects
A presentation was given by Lisa Scott – Principal Officer, Glasgow City Council, Fiona Stewart – Associate, Hawkins\Brown and Barbara Vecchione – Senior Designer and Architect, New Practice
An updated Proposal of Application Notice has been submitted for land and quay walls at Custom House Quay/Clyde Street. This relates to public realm and amenity enhancements, replacement and alterations to embankment walls and commercial works, and includes creation of a ‘River Park’. See https://www.meetourwaterfront.co.uk/
They explained this is part of the City Deal programme and arose primarily from the need to strengthen the quay wall which is nearing the end of its useful life. Several major projects were due to take place in the area, e.g. St Enoch Square re-development, and this was part of a larger Masterplan to make better use of the waterfront and improve access to it.
There would be a main gathering space, civic space, creative space and green space. The existing amphitheatre would be demolished.
It includes Carlton Place (outside the MCTCC area) where the emphasis would be more on a natural garden riverbank setting.
The developers are hosting two public events on 9th October at The Banqueting Hall, Glasgow City Chambers (11-2 pm and 5-8 pm). Local residents are also invited to a focussed workshop session which will give them the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and ideas with the design team. This will be on 8th October from 6-8 pm at 231 George Street.
Gordon asked why the South Portland Suspension Bridge did not seem to be included in the plan. The developers intended to tackle both sides of the river but nothing on the bridge which connected them? Lisa said there was nothing structurally wrong with it. Scott said a continuing problem could be graffiti which regularly covered every part of the bridge no matter how often GCC staff cleaned it.
Ward Councillors Reports
South Portland Suspension Bridge
Councillor Millar said the main lighting on the west side was operational but the East side had a fault and this required specialist equipment to fix. Spare parts were difficult to obtain and expensive.
Walkabout
Councillor Millar and Councillor Braat had taken part in a walkabout around the MCTCC area with Gordon. Problems had been noted and would be followed up. ACTION: Councillor Millar/Gordon
Councillor Braat said the King Street car park development would be mixed use. A public consultation was due on Wednesday 25 September.
ACTION: Tam, Gary and Ross will attend and report back
Tam reminded the meeting that MCTCC had been campaigning for years to have Merchant City’s first GP surgery. Developers should help pay for this. Scott said no developer behind student accommodation had offered to provide any substantial funding for local amenities and the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership had informed the Community Council there was no funding for a surgery in the foreseeable future.
Baillie Mearns said she had been informed that AXM in Glassford Street had permission from owners of the wall on which it planned to erect a mural to mark Pride Week 2025. Tam said he had been unable to contact AXM but would continue his efforts. ACTION: Tam
Gary said there was no information about what would be on the mural which would include advertising.
On ‘Trees for Streets’ Baillie Mearns said the sponsorship scheme did not apply to the city centre.
Scott asked whether money from Low Emission Zone fines was to be spent on planting more trees. Councillor Millar said £500,000 would be set aside, parts of which would be put towards the ’Trees for Streets’ programme and greening the city centre including installation of a score of large scale planters which would avoid the problems of public realm design and need to avoid underground utilities.
David Hughes said money from developers should be ring fenced for that particular part of the city. Councillor Millar said early identification of specific funding projects would be helpful.
Scott thanked Councillors Braat and Millar for taking part in the walkabout and thanked Gordon for leading MCTCC’s part in it. He also thanked David Fox who had taken over management of the latest litter pick, in which Ward Councillors had also taken part. This yielded 20 bags of rubbish collected by 17 people, using MCTCC’s own equipment.
Licensing
Application from Escape Room, St Enoch Square. Objections to be raised by 26 September.
Christmas Lights switch-on, George Square, Sunday 17 November. No objection.
GCC’s Licensing Committee is holding a hearing on licence applications by Dreamhouse 2000 Ltd tomorrow for short term lets at 120 Ingram Street. In February Gary/Ros lodged an objection on the basis of suspected ‘party flats’ and Scott did the same on MCTCC’s behalf.
ACTION: Gary attended. Approval was granted.
Planning
Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) including 137-151 Trongate and King Street car park re-development
Scot said MCTCC was fairly happy with the architecture of the above application and that the development was flexible to take account of future needs. It was the first time in many years a developer was trying to do something with the building and therefore was to be welcomed.
He added that the latest report on PBSAs, co-authored by Glasgow University, effectively rubbished a report by estate agent Savills which claimed a far higher shortfall. Why were so many PBSA applications being lodged and receiving approval?
Gary provided recent information from a publication co-authored by Glasgow University:
https://housingevidence.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/160924-Student-Housing-v3-.pdf
The key numbers outlined are:
Table 1
2022/23 – Student Accommodation need and demand estimates – Shortfall – 6093
Table 2
2022/23 – PBSA development and pipeline – 28 Schemes with planning permission with 7057 bedspaces, and 4846 bedspaces due to be operational within next 2 years
Area Partnership
(The forum in which representatives of the 7 Community Councils in Ward 10 meet senior Glasgow City Council officials)
David Hughes said there would be verbal report on PBSAs at a meeting on 26 September by the head of Glasgow City Council’s Neighbourhood, Regeneration and Sustainable Directorate, plus an update on busking.
There remained £370,000 in the Area Infrastructure Fund to be spent. The next meeting of the Area Partnership would be on 5 December. At our October MCTCC meeting we should have specific ideas on how that money could be spent.
These might include green spaces, leisure and play, street furniture/lighting and CCTV, potholes remediation, road safety and signage, clearing graffiti and Buddleia bushes. Ross, Ros, Alice and Niall had already put forward useful ideas. Suggestions should be given to David. ACTION: ALL/David Hughes
He had issues about the accuracy of Area Partnership minutes as reported by GCC. Community Councils’ anger about graffiti had not been mentioned. Instead, the only point mentioned was GCC’s emphasis on ‘legal’ graffiti walls. The AP is a conduit for Community Councils to express their views. Councillor Millar said no City Council meeting had verbatim minutes.
BL said more CCTV could deter graffiti. Tam said a cost of £17,000 per camera had been quoted.
George Square Re-development
Gary confirmed there would be a presentation at our October meeting from GCC project lead. ACTION: Gary
Website and Community Engagement
Niall said there should be an outline of the new Website soon. MCTCC is adding Threads to its Social Media outlets.
The Community Council’s two notice boards need cleaned up.
Meeting with new MP John Grady
Gary and Tam met him on 18 September. His Senior Parliamentary Assistant Ben McKee has been invited to attend future monthly MCTCC meetings. Dedicated meetings will be arranged with the MP, as with our MSP. Mr Grady will opt in to receive meeting minutes.
ACTION: Gary to follow up with Ben to provide photo and bio for Website and arrange next quarterly meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
Gordon reported a balance of £7,299.24 after payment of various invoices. A further £1,599 was due for the balance of Website costs.
Scott said a film company due to work in and around Parnie/King Streets next month has been asked for a contribution to our Community Grant Scheme.
Baillie Mearns said matched funding might be available from GCC for any project. ACTION: Possibility to be discussed at next Mid-Monthly Meeting.
Public Toilets Consultation
Scott explained GCC was asking for comments on its public consultation. Perhaps any Tourist Tax (Visitor Levy) could go towards providing these? There are none in Merchant City. ACTION: Scott
Arrangements for October Main Meeting (includes AGM)
All active Community Councils in Glasgow are due to hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October.
Nominations for office bearers are welcome.
Any Other Business
Tam said MCTCC had received no notification of road closures for the 6 October Great Scottish Run.
ACTION: Niall to share information on Website.
Gary said re-location of Abbey Chemist had been discussed at a meeting convened by The Social Hub, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, and the Chemist.
ACTION: A follow up-meeting, again to be driven by The Social Hub, will be held following next month’s opening of the Safe Drug Consumption Unit in Hunter Street.
BL asked about the future of the area around the Social Hub. Gary said there were no plans for any specific green space. There is outline planning consent for three further buildings on the vacant site. Gary has received confirmation that the pavement on Candleriggs will be reinstated this month and solid hoarding installed to secure the vacant site.
ACTION: MCTCC to remain in contact with DRUM Developments.
David asked if MCTCC meetings could be moved to another venue such as the Social Hub. Tam said he would be reluctant to move the venue from City Chambers. MCTCC remained grateful to all four Ward Councillors for enabling this.
Next Main Meeting (Includes AGM)
Tuesday 29 October, 6.30 pm – City Chambers.