These draft minutes will be presented to our April meeting for approval
Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Rosalind Atkinson, David Cowan, Peter Hayman, David Hughes, Gordon Millar, Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, Scott Thornton; Ward Councillors Eva Bolander and Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Police Constables Nathan Baxter and Lewis Moore, RA, SD, DF, GF, MG, KMcN, GMcI, NM, PP, JR, CS, TMcK
By Zoom Video: Ward Councillor Angus Millar, Alice Cowan
1. Minutes of previous meeting on 25 February 2025
Adoption proposed by Tam Coyle, seconded by Niall McColl. Approved.
2. Police Report
PC Baxter said statistics for the MCTCC area between 1-15 March indicated a total of 102 crimes of which 61 had so far been detected.
Common crimes included theft (especially from retail premises), possession of controlled substances, disorder and road traffic offences.
The Community policing team had continued to conduct local days of action in response to complaints regarding e-bike use within the city centre. These had continued to result in a number of illegal e-bikes seized by police and offenders reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Proactive policing deployments would continue to be conducted into the month of April, including a city-wide day of action supported by local policing and specialist officers.
In March officers from the city centre community policing team assisted in a road safety day of action conducted across Greater Glasgow.
The team had continued to deploy as part of their local busking action plan within the city centre alongside Glasgow City Council (GCC) Community Enforcement Officers, engaging with street performers and providing information regarding the Busking Code of Conduct.
Priority locations included the Ramshorn Graveyard and the New/Old Wynds to deter drug misuse and Trongate, in particular around night-time venues.
TD said drug addicts were ‘shooting up bold as brass’ around Virginia Street. Niall said the problem was prevalent by the fire exit around the Old Sheriff Court in Brunswick Street.
Tam said he and Gary had represented MCTCC at meetings of the multi-agency Thistle Forum on the Safe Drugs Injection Facility in Hunter Street.
Gary said retail theft remained a problem at Sainsbury’s, Ingram Street. PC Baxter said another Day of Action was planned for May. Any incidents should be reported immediately via 999.
Baillie Mearns asked if children were being coerced into drug dealing.
3. Elected Members Reports
Councillor Bolander said she was keen to get MCTCC represented on the High Street Reference Group which she chairs.
She was looking at improving the lighting in Miller Street.
Tam said traffic wardens were not charging offenders double parking or on yellow lines. These needed to be repainted urgently.
SD subsequently gave Councillor Bolander details of graffiti on Miller Street.
Gary added that the street had changed dramatically in recent years, having become a successful restaurant area. Could the Avenues project not be extended to Miller Street? It was located on a route through to the waterfront. Councillor Bolander replied that Avenues funding was ring fenced.
After the subject was raised by Baillie Mearns Tam noted that Glasgow City Council had installed airconditioning fans on top of the City Halls without planning permission. This was a separate issue to the planning application for construction of 109 flats in the NCP car park on Ingram Street. Tam said “these fans should be off the roof. End of story.”
Councillor Bolander said there did not appear to be a funding source to repair broken lighting on the South Portland Suspension Bridge.
Re Miller Street Councillor Millar said the aspiration was still to have public realm improvements but it was not in the ‘funding envelope.’
There had been a £20m increase in the City Council budget for roads and lighting and Miller Street would be a priority though in the next financial year since the budget for the current year was exhausted.
He had met the Head of Planning to discuss the ‘eyesore’ site at Dixon Street.
MG complained about late night noise from behind restaurants on Ingram Street with glass being dumped. Councillor Bolander provided a contact at Environmental Health.
Gary raised the subject of the 24 hour cafe/night shelter being run by Homeless Project Scotland on Glassford Street. Food was being served without the requisite certification. MCTCC was not against homeless people but hospitality businesses would not be allowed to get away with this.
TD said the premises were underneath flats. The law was changing on 31 March so having a kitchen under residential accommodation would be illegal.
Scott said a statement from GCC Planning to MCTCC a week ago said it was unlikely any such application for change of use would be granted. No such application had been lodged. MCTCC had been asking Planning for a long time for updates on HPS’ other application for change of use for the adjacent premises but kept hitting a brick wall.
The Community Council’s questions to GCC and Food Safety Scotland (the latter for more than a year) about food certification had gone unanswered.
TD said the Planning Department was less important in this case than Building Control. HPS needed a Building Warrant.
(Sound went out again for 2 minutes)
Councillor Millar said he had today requested an update on when the application for change of use from offices to the night shelter (not the 24 hour food service for which no application has been lodged) would be determined.
GCC has launched a major recruitment drive for more cleansing and enforcement staff.
Re the Portland Bridge Gordon asked which part of GCC was responsible for maintenance? This was a ‘feature bridge’ and a core asset and there should be a maintenance plan for it. Councillor Millar said that the lighting was classified as ‘feature’ and therefore given lower priority. A whole replacement system was needed. He had requested an update.
Gary said the hoardings around George Square had been expected to be put up in January. The GCC Project Manager had agreed to deliver a presentation at tonight’s meeting but it had been postponed because the hoarding would not be erected until late April or early May with other work starting only in July or August.
There was sand on the lawns and for six months of Glasgow’s 850th anniversary no progress would be made. The City Council had not learned the lessons of the problems of the Avenues project on Sauchiehall Street.
Councillor Millar said he had not been informed of tonight’s presentation postponement. GCC’s communications needed to improve. It should not issue inaccurate information. There should be a ‘single point of truth.’
Different contracts were being negotiated: the statues’ restoration, the hoardings and public realm works. He understood the hoardings would be in place around the end of April. He had a meeting with the project team tomorrow. Delays to the hoardings’ erection would not affect completion of the works (Autumn 2026).
Gary said it appeared the contracts had not even been signed. Councillor Millar said the Council was in the final stages of procurement and this had to come to the relevant Committee for approval.
Scott said the Community Council was disappointed its application for funding (for tree planting) under the LEZ (Low Emission Zone) Community Scheme had been declined. Could Ward Councillors cast light on why?
Ross said MCTCC only found out about the fund through the Internet and felt the submission was as robust as any of those whose bids had been accepted. However, he believed another submission might be successful.
Baillie Mearns suggested MCTCC should ask the LEZ Fund for feedback.
Councillor Millar said the Fund had been heavily oversubscribed. The issue was due to be discussed in Committee later this week.
Scott read out extracts from an email from a resident of the GPO Building in South Frederick Street complaining about the re-siting from George Square of a 24 hour taxi rank outside a listed building for which double glazing is not permitted. Retail units had also been impacted.
4. Planning
Ross summarised latest developments.
The planning submission for redevelopment of the King Street car park is delayed by at least a month.
MCTCC was generally supportive of the Maxwell Street development (Radisson hotel and served apartments) subject to various conditions. He would be happy to attend a workshop on this.
A Planning Application Committee hearing on Dominus’ application for student accommodation in Osborne Street had been due earlier today but was postponed because of more pressing Committee business.
He had not been surprised that the latest proposals on the Custom House Quay/Clyde Street Avenues project had been delayed because of additional environmental considerations.
MCTCC has objected two two planning applications for the Clutha/Stockwell Street/Clyde Street corner – for a giant media wall and seating areas/pergolas on the pavement.
The Community Council had been approached by a resident specialising in such matters about redevelopment of the Virginia Street/Court area and Ross is discussing this with him.
He and Peter would attend a GCC briefing session on Planning this weekend.
Ross added that he and David Hughes were drafting policy statements in
connection with the Community Council’s formulation of its first Local Place Plan (LPP).
Gordon said the area outside Carrick Quay and the Metropole Building was a mess due to construction/investigation work. It was a well used leisure and relaxation area.
Taking forward the LPP issue, David Hughes said this gave MCTCC the opportunity to influence the next City Development Plan in terms of the use of land and property.
5. Area Partnership
In David Hughes’ absence Gary will represent MCTCC at the next meeting.
6. Community Engagement and Communications Group
Scott reported the group met last night. A survey would be carried out to seek residents’ views on MCTCC’s proposals for a LPP), the Community Council’s most significant medium term project, led by David Hughes with valuable assistance from Ross. It was important MCTCC was seen to be proactive. As part of the survey residents would also be asked for their prioritised suggestions for further improvements in the area.
Thanks in particular to Ros Atkinson and Niall McColl, good progress was being made on MCTCC’s new Website.
To raise funds, including for Website enhancements, the group had agreed on the principle of seeking advertisements and contributions from local businesses and other organisations. Although MCTCC is a residents’ forum and not a business one, funds would be raised for the benefit of local residents by keeping them better informed of the Community Council’s work and what is happening in their area.
The aim is to to have the Website plan approved, and if so launched, at the public meeting on 29 April.
The group is also investigating repair, replacement or scrapping of the Community Council’s two public notice boards.
7. Licensing
Tam noted the proposal for a market outside the St Enoch Centre in Osborne Street on the second and last Fridays of the month. Gary said previous such markets had been under cover against the St Enoch Centre wall.
8. Parades
Tam said he and Ross had met GCC’s Parades Officer and suggested these should take place on Glasgow Green rather than having processions through the city centre.
9. Public Consultations
Scott noted that the public consultation on the proposed Visitor Levy will run until 5 May and the consultation on taxis’ availability until 28 May. Information is on the Glasgow City Council’s Website.
10. Treasurer’s Report
Gordon reported a bank balance of £6,728,51 with forthcoming expenses including some £1,600 for the remainder of the Website development.
11. Interim Election
The meeting agreed to hold an interim election in liaison with Glasgow City Council with the aim of elevating Associate Community Councillor Ross to full Community Councillor status. Scott will make the necessary arrangements.
12. ‘Rubbish Force’ Litter Pick
Gordon introduced KMcN who is running a litter pick (‘Rubbish Force’) on the South Side of the river on 5 April (10 am to 2 pm). Volunteers are welcome and can meet up in Carlton Place.
13. Friends of the Ramshorn Graveyard (FORG)
David Hughes, Chair, said free public tours of the graveyard would take place every Wednesday in June, July and August between 11 am and noon.
Tam said the Merchant City Festival (MCF. July 18-20) would include an event in the graveyard. Ideas for any other events in the MCF would be welcome.
14. Community Councils’ Advisory Group – ‘Glasgow 850’
Peter will represent MCTCC.
15. Clyde Marine Partnership
Several other Community Councils are on this group. Peter will ask the organisers to add MCTCC, via Scott, to its newsletter database.
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 29 April, 6.30-8.30 pm in City Chambers.