Month: August 2025

Meeting Minutes, 29 July 2025

Attended by: Scott Thornton (Acting Chair), Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, Gordon Millar, Gary Atkinson, David Hughes, David and Alice Cowan, Peter Hayman, Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns and Councillor Angus Millar, PC Rebecca Martin, PC Arthur Kennedy, Gregor McIntyre from John Grady MP’s office

NM, GF, RA, DF, MG CS, CD, GM.  By Zoom video: EM

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Scott Thornton chaired the meeting in Tam Coyle’s absence and welcomed everyone.

Apologies: Tam Coyle and Ros Atkinson.

2. ELECTION OF ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY COUNCILLOR

Scott reported at the Mid Monthly Meeting on 15 July MCTCC had resolved to add one more Community Councillor, taking our complement to 12. This had been agreed by Glasgow City Council.

Accordingly, nominations were invited from individuals residing within the MCTCC area, listed on the Electoral Register and over 16 years of age.

This invitation has been posted on MCTCC’s website and in at least three public places within the MCTCC area.

The deadline for nominations is Friday 8 August. Should there be only one nomination that person would be elected unopposed at the next public meeting on 26 August. If there was more than one nomination a secret ballot would be held on that occasion.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ON 29 APRIL

Adoption proposed by Gordon Millar, seconded by Niall McColl.

The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.

4. POLICE REPORT

PC Martin read out the crime statistics for the last month. From the 1^st July to 29^th of July there were a total 167 crimes reported, of which 100 were detected.  PC Baxter and PC Rapi are now joined by PC Thomson and PC Docherty.

The police are proactive in monitoring Virginia St, New Wynd and Old Wynd and Parnie St for drug use and anti-social behaviour.  They are always on the look out for shoplifting and carry out days of action for particular issues.

RA noted that Virginia St, at the top end near to Ingram St there was drug misuse and people sitting in the doorways of buildings.  PC Kennedy noted that the shops notify them if their doorways are being used for illicit purposes.  There is anti-social behaviour going on in several areas of the city however any place that offers some shelter are more frequently used.

Gary reported that he had received a complaint from a market stall trader in Virginia St about people using the nearby doorways in Virginia St as a toilet.

The GCC buildings in John St have seen rough sleepers using the alcoves.

Gary and Tam met with Inspector Waters new Area Commander to review the TRNSMT event. DF said the fences are still up long after the event had finished and Ross noted the fences are put up one week before it takes place.

5. ELECTED MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Depute Lord Provost Mearns attended the civic reception in the Social Hub and gave an opening speech. She believes it was a successful event.

She wrote a brief note in favour setting up fanzones for celebrations of the winner of the SPFL in May each year. She is seeking conversations within GCC with a view to have this put in place for next year.

GCC Chief Executive Officer has advised her that local and national discussions are taking place. However, the football clubs must take a leading role for this to work.

She is engaging with council officers about the extensive outside seating areas on Candleriggs. Businesses have, for some time now, not complied with the boundaries. A meeting has been set up with city officers to discuss to how to open up more pavement space for pedestrians.

Concerns have been raised about the lack of trees in the area. There are problems due the infrastructure below street level such that trees cannot be installed. There is now a significantly greater number of tree planters in place.

A few months about she had a walk around Virginia St and Brunswick St and noted the state of the fabricated seating. She arranged for these to be power washed.

Homeless Project Scotland has lodged an appeal after its planning application was rejected. This will now go to the local Planning Review Committee. No date has been fixed for this yet.

The council is engaging with Community Councils where to locate the new public recycling Bin Hubs. She is available to be involved in this discussion.

The City Centre Minor Improvement Fund is open for applications. Grants of up to £20,000 for businesses are available. Previous grant schemes have included recipients to agreeing to a pledge to maintain the area in front of their businesses. She has asked for this to be included in this scheme. Another preferable addition to the grant scheme would be to raise awareness of good practice in design for signage for example and shopfront presentation.

She understands there is disappointing of lack of a water feature to be George Square redevelopment underway. We have been told this would be time and cost prohibitive.

Councillor Angus Millar reported new ‘Do Not Feed The Birds’ signs will be installed in the city centre. They have already been put in place elsewhere in Glasgow. He is in dialogue with Louise Stuart and Kelly Ann Mossan, the Neighbourhood Improvement Officer for Anderston, who are coordinating this.

The issue of surplus street poles on Glassford St and Stockwell St will be surveyed during the Walkabout on the 12^th of August.

St. Enoch’s shopping centre has new owners and a meeting is planned with GCC officers next month. Part of this St Enoch’s estate is the old Debenhams building which has a planning application for conversion into offices.

GCC Building Control will not provide details to Cllr Millar regarding which buildings that are having cladding remedial works. This is a private issue between them and factors and owners.

The Community Engagement Team will contact Scott regarding a potential new community hub facility. Several locations will be considered and what, if any, funding streams may be available.

Council officers have assessed the viability of placing a planter at the Post Office on Glassford St, however they found the location to be unsuitable.

‘Trees for Streets’ is a £100k NIF sponsorship scheme whereby individuals, or groups, can request a tree is planted at a specific location. However, the city centre is not suitable for this as previously discussed. A more strategic approach is required.

To improve tree planning in the city centre, and other matters, a coordinator will be hired to liaise between the 4 different teams involved in planting new trees in the city centre.

There are plans to pedestrianise Candleriggs. The Sustainable Transport Dept. will contact MCTCC to discuss.

Questions from the floor:

David Hughes noted that the fabricated benches were becoming worse for wear and asked if there were plans to replace these.  Depute Lord Provost Christ confirmed this.  The planters at Ramshorn Graveyard need weeded.  He identified the 3 dead trees on Ingram St and another one in College St. This will be looked into.

He enquired if it was the Area Partnership funding involved in the pedestrianisation for Candleriggs? Cllr Millar believes this comes from a different budget.

Ross Naismith asked if there could be a workshop on how Candleriggs’ development can be taken forward. Cllr Millar understands there will be engagement with MCTCC and the local businesses. He asked for a consultation meeting where new planters, and new trees, will be located.

Cllr Millar understands the existing tree planters were provided due to a previous fund, over one year ago, and the Area Partnership was consulted at that time.  It has taken over a year to get to this stage.

RA looked for clarity on the two types of tree planters. There is the LEZ funded planters which have trees in large stone bowls; and then there are others in green metal cubes. However, they are both referred to as planters.

RA enquired about improvement of access to Virginia St.

Scott noted there is a walk to survey local issues with councillors on Tuesday 12^th of August at 10.30 am, meeting at the Tron Tower.

Scott noted how The Busking Code of Conduct is not being adhered to. MCTCC has received reports of loud music being played long after the 9.30pm cut off time. Cllr Millar said there was a review of this Code last year and they understood there was a limitation of what enforcement could be implemented. The Police will have a day of action to raise awareness of the guidelines.

Busking Code Signage was placed in Buchanan St, and other locations, but were removed inappropriately. More robust signage is planned. The legislation in place does not allow a ban on music amplifiers.

Scott noted reports in the media of a new congestion charge for people travelling to Glasgow. Cllr Millar explained GCC has been considering this for some years and confirmed it would not be applicable to residents living within the Glasgow boundary.  The national legislation has been in place since 2001.  Any congestion charge scheme that GCC was to bring forward would have to be consulted with the public extensively.

MCTCC has written to the Leader and Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council asking for a moratorium on public parades. Recently there were 65 Orange Lodge parades in Glasgow in one day, with associated public disruption, road closures and policing costs.

MCTCC is also pursuing a moratorium on any new student accommodation (PBSA) in our area.

6. PLANNING

Ross Naismith gave his report on several planning applications: –

Custom House Quay – RN said that he would study the application and make recommendations to MCTCC on 12th August, but that he was of a view to endorse the application with a commendation.  Peter Hayman would like to see the same concept replicated on the opposite riverbank.

George St and High St PBSA – We complained about the saturation of PBSA, it is meant for 450 students. In addition, complaints included on the design and that it is 12 storeys high. The British Linen Bank is next to the site and has been left empty. RN stated he had received formal notice from GCC that MCTCC’s objections to the applications have been received.

Maxwell St site – RN emphasised his objection about the 18 storeys height and elevations. He believes the design lacks enough flexibility due to the risk of it becoming an empty property if the demand for accommodation reduces. He had a meeting with the design team some weeks previous.

RN has recommended that there should be a ‘second opinion’ as to the condition of the existing stone facade and the applications intention to remove it and replace it with a new facade. RN also stated that the proposals for new facade on Dunlop and Fox Streets were not clear and the application was objected to for that reason also. RN stated that he had received formal notice from GCC that MCTCC’s objections to the applications had been received.

178 Trongate PBSA – planning permission was granted in autumn last year. However, the design has changed and so is under review. RN confirmed that objections had been submitted on three counts; increase in Student numbers; lack of clarity on elevation; and location of ground floor support facilities. RN stated that he had received formal notice from GCC that MCTCC’s objections to the applications had been received.

The Clutha Vaults application for LED lights around it’s roof has been rejected by GCC.

King St Carpark – RN stated that he has been advised the planning application will be going into GCC in the next few weeks.

Murals – RN stated that there are currently 14 MCTCC Policy Statements on Planning matters and that he will make a recommendation for a 15th, regarding murals, at the MCTCC meeting of 12th August 2025. Currently, if murals are temporary, they do not need planning permission.

Greenspace behind The Italian Kitchen restaurant – He met with the head of the Estates Dept. at University of Strathclyde which Cllr Bolander had put him in touch with. The land is owned by Scottish Enterprise and managed by the university. They are open to the area being used as an exercise area and he has been asked to setup a meeting with Scottish Enterprise.

Improvements to Residential Property – He met with representatives of a grant allocating group to improve the private housing sector in the Trongate area.

The Avenues Projects – Cllr Millar has agreed to meet with Ross to discuss his concerns. RN stated that the ‘Avenues’ proposals, in our MCTCC area, do not have his confidence.

George Square – MCTCC are still in favour of there being a water feature in George Square. Ross Naismith has asked to see final technical drawings, in order to validate that the proposed during Concept Stage is being delivered.

 7. LICENSING

 The Clutha Trust – Ref. PEL01361 – Music festival, Friday 29^th Aug – Monday 1^st Sept 12pm- 9pm. Last date to object 13^th August 2025.

Jasmine Thai Massage Glasgow Ltd – for 100A Brunswick Street, G1 1TF (Entertainment – 3 rooms for massage facilities); Deadline for objections/representations 13 August 2025

M Triple R Ltd, Flat 0/2, 60 Fox Street, G1 4AU (Short term let – 3 rooms, occupant capacity 4); Deadline for objections/representations 15 August 2025

Workshop and Artists Studio Provision (Scotland) Ltd – The Briggait, 141 Bridgegate G1 5HZ (alcohol consumption for consumption on and off the premises 11 am to midnight 7 days a week, off sales 11 am to 10 pm); Deadline for objections/representations 28 August 2025.

8. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Celtic Fans Title Party: – The event took place on Saturday 17th May. Kaukab Stewart MSP organised a summit at Hampden Park prior this this event with many delegates to discuss how best to minimise the damage and disruption however but nothing has come of this.  She has arranged a follow-up meeting on 21st August with Tam, Scott and Gary to discuss possible future actions.

MCTCC put in a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Police Scotland asking them for the cost incurred for this event. They replied saying they did not have a cost figure for this work.  We understand at least 350 police officers were on duty at the event. We shall make further enquiries. Gary noted we are being consulted by the SPFL.

Cllr Millar had seen a GCC cost figure for last year’s cleanup and will enquire about the cost for this year.  RA noted there was still glass debris left afterwards which would affect those driving in the area. David Cowan noted the cleanup was completed in about 3 hours using machinery. The 10K Race for Life route included Trongate the following day.

New MCTCC Website: – Niall McColl reported the website is finished and available online. The focus now is trying to keep it up to date which takes a time commitment. Scott asked for volunteers to do this.

9. FRIENDS OF RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD (FoRG)

David Hughes attended a meeting last week with Scottish Community Tourism Network which is set up to see that tourism benefits communities it impacts.

He had a meeting today with Chris Gray about the City Centre Improvement Fund of £25k.

The tourism sales are going very well, there have been 9 tours so far with 139 clients. All tours are fully booked in August and September thanks to David Fox and Caroline Dunlop.  Several groups have booked tours.

10. FILMING

Scott reported MCTCC have pledged a donation of £700 to local good causes from the company filming the new BBC TV drama series ‘Mint’ in, and around, Wilson Street. Another pledge is from the company filming in the City Chambers for renowned United States Director J J Abrams.

11. TREASURER’S REPORT

Gordon reported a current bank balance of £5,976.54. There were expenses this month related to MCTCC marketing items of £227.56 for the MCF stall.

As previously mentioned, a donation of £700 was received from Mint Productions. SP Film Productions have pledged £1000.

12. AoCB

Thanks given to David and Alice Cowan for the MCF stall mini project. Niall McColl contributed to this by designing the colourful roller banner, flyers and bookmarks. Tam Coyle, David Hughes, Gordon, Ross and Scott all assisted on the day.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 26 August, 6.30-8.30 in City Chambers.