Meeting Minutes, 27 January 2026
DRAFT MCTCC Full Meeting Minutes, 27th January 2026
Attendance
| Community Councillors | Scott Thornton; Gordon Millar; Niall McColl; David Cowan; Alice Cowan; Gary Atkinson; Ros Atkinson; Rachel Angus; David Hughes; Peter Hayman |
| Residents | JH; TM; RE; EM; PP; EM (via Zoom) |
| Elected Representatives | Cllr Angus Millar; Bailie Christy Mearns |
| Police Scotland | PC Chris Convery |
| Glasgow City Council | Ewan Curtis; Rachel Smith; Lisa Scott |
| Other | Nicole Mitchell; Gary Fanning (via Zoom)
|
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.
Apologies: Cllr Braat and Ross Naismith.
2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ON 25th NOVEMBER
Adoption proposed by Rachel Angus and seconded by Ros Atkinson.
The Secretary will send the approved minutes to Glasgow City Council.
3. POLICE REPORT
PC Convery reported from the 1st of January to the 27th there were 81 crimes of which 34 were detected and 47 undetected. These figures may change as investigations continue. There could be multiple crimes within one crime report. Priority areas for policing include Virginia Street, Glassford Street, New Wind, Old Wind, Trongate, and car parts areas.
Police Questions
David Cowan asked if anything could be done to reduce graffiti in Trongate and surrounding areas. PC Convery will ask the CCTV operators to monitor for this during the night and in the morning, when this crime is often committed. However, it is a hard crime to prevent, and there have been instances where people have travelled to Glasgow and claim they believed it is legal to spray paint here.
Scott reported that John Grady MP had received a letter from the UK Dept. of Transport after he quoted MCTCC concerns about enforcement of electrically assisted pedal cycles (EAPCs) being ridden at speeds of more than the maximum permitted 15.5 mph. The UK Government has no plans to introduce a registration scheme as costs and complexities would outweigh the benefits. The Minister encouraged MCTCC residents to continue to report any incidents to police and the Community Council.
PC Convery confirmed the speed limit for e-bikes is up to 15.5 miles per hour. The Council’s e-bike scheme is compliant. Some delivery drivers have been found with modified bikes allowing them to achieve higher speeds. Enforcement action has been taken against illegal use. The Police would like to see By-Laws introduced to help with enforcement. Scott thanked Police Scotland for their work in removing illegal e-bikes
Scott asked about speed limits for cars. The police are looking to implement of a 20mph speed limit for cars in residential areas. The council is going to roll-out this scheme across the city and be extended to all of Scotland eventually. Cllr Millar said the evidence shows a 30% reduction in road collisions, and 30% reductions in fatalities where there has been a collision in areas where this has been implemented. The 20mph limit will be implemented across Scotland in residential areas.
4. SOUTH PORTLAND St BRIDGE – PLACE FUNDING PRESENTATION
Ewan Curtis, Rachel Smith and Lisa Scott from GCC gave a presentation explaining the priorities to upgrade the South Portland Suspension Bridge. The bridge is a Designated A Listed heritage structure, more information is available from:
https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:designation,LB32668
This project is being carried out in advance of several other adjacent works such as Custom House Quay. The Place Fund have allocated £480,000 for environmental improvements to the bridge, partial structural restoration, lighting and improvements to the riverbank at Carlton Place. Lisa Scott said £180,000 would be used for tree management and railing repairs, while the remaining funds would address some of the bridge’s structural needs.
The project plan and budget must be committed before 31st March, and will prioritise quick interventions. Recent tree inspections revealed some older trees approaching the end of their lifespan, prompting plans for a managed approach to removals and new planting.
Member Questions
Scott asked about CCTV and was told that a camera had been installed on the bridge. He would like to see measures being taken to ensure the bridge is not defaced by graffiti.
Gordon Millar asked if the mature trees in Carlton Place could be retained. It was explained these trees block views and need to be removed as they are end of life. It will improve safety in the area and more suitable type trees for this environment will be planted.
David Cowan asked if the bridge surface would be upgraded. Lisa Scott explained a survey of the timbers under the bridge found they do not require to be replaced. However, a new covering will be laid to improve the path surface.
David Hughes asked if they would consider assistance from the community to help clear the vegetation from the riverbank. The team responded that, as safety is their primary concern, they will employ a suitable contractor to do this work.
EM asked what work would take place on the Clyde Street side of the bridge. Ewan Curtis advised there will be some restoration work to the towers. The river walls will be upgraded as part of associated projects. Scott noted that many funds are being allocated to other projects in our area. Cllr Millar noted that this will project will enhance the Custom House Quay project and Avenues projects nearby.
Baillie Christie Mearns raised concerns about the proposed red lighting on the bridge, noting the existing amount of coloured lighting along the Clyde. She asked whether the lighting scheme could be shared in advance for comment. It was noted that any lighting design should be sympathetic to the bridge’s structure. Rachel Angus agreed, commenting that additional red lighting could feel excessive given the current multi-coloured lighting along the Clyde, and suggested that a more natural lighting approach would be better suited to highlighting the bridge’s architectural features.
Scott thanked the team attending and understands that Rachel Smith is addressing the Area Partnership on trees in the city centre which of interest to this community.
5. ELECTED MEMBER REPORTS
Cllr Angus Millar reported that he and Cllr Eva Bolander met to discuss anti-social behaviour and other matters in December. They will attend a follow-up meeting this week.
There was an article in the press about the illegal car park on Fox Street. GCC are trying to identify who the owners of the land are. GCC have issued an Amenity Notice and have started the issuance of a Planning Enforcement Order.
He has arranged a meeting between community councillors and GCC officials on 19th February regarding the Parnie St area.
He has been in correspondence about the difficulties about Do Not Feed the Birds type signage, GCC cannot put up signs on buildings it does not own. He is in discussion with NRS about what options may be available. It is hoped a wider awareness campaign will be developed. Rachel noted there is a researcher from Glasgow University interested in working with GCC on formulating an education campaign for this purpose.
There was a public consultation event in January for the People First Zone on Queen St and Ingram Street. The Candleriggs development will be funded in the budget for the 2026-27 financial year, but it is unlikely that full pedestrianisation will be implemented.
After a long wait, statistics have been provided regarding use of the Safe Needle Bin in New Wynd: there were 1450 ‘sharps’ deposited there from June and December 2025. There were 227 sharps deposited safely in other parts of the city. This helps to make the city centre a safer place. He will follow up to get comparative analysis for previous periods.
Baillie Christy Mearns met with a business group from Virginia St to discuss how to make the area greener and more pleasant. Issues included cars idling with engines running. Parklets were considered – for example, carpark spaces can made into seating areas next to pavements.
Santa Lucia restaurant responded positively to her regarding reducing the noise in the early morning that was disturbing residents. They have since changed their waste refuse contractor. However, there has been no response from other nearby restaurants yet.
She continues to support improved recycling facilities and has worked with Scott to identify locations for new bin hubs in the street and accessible resident back courts.
Common Ground is a Barnardos project that has a hub centrally located in on Argyle St near to Glasgow Central station, where they focus on helping young people at risk or in distress and provides a number of services such as ensuring they can return home safely.
She has reported potholes to the roads department. At Stockwell St, junction Osborne St a group of deep potholes were repaired on 11th January. However, this is a temporary repair until the Stockwell St Avenue project starts there on the 15th February.
Councillor Questions
Niall noted the traffic St on Ingram St is often gridlocked, especially at weekends, and that most of the vehicles are taxis, not private cars.
The consultation on Queen St and Ingram St was well attended. However, community councillors who attended felt it was lacking in substance and required further consultation prior to works beginning.
Cllr Millar said the E-TRO (Experimental Traffic Regulation Order) is a pilot project to reduce traffic, and hence congestion. The Bus Gate being implemented on the right turn from Ingram to Queen Street will be monitored to avoid unintended impacts and there may be adjustments made if this happens. The bus gate will have ANPR cameras for enforcement.
Ros Atkinson explained that the number of cars waiting at traffic lights make it difficult to exit their building’s car park, and once they do exit, it takes a considerable time to get to out the city in any direction.
EM noted the trees in planters at Ramshorn Graveyard are unsuitable and are surrounded by weeds. Also, the planter at the Ingram St/Albion St is out of proportion and the tree does not look healthy. David Hughes and Rachel will raise this at the Area Partnership after the presentation on this subject. Bailie Christy Mearns noted the complexities of planting trees in this area but GCC are trying to adjust for this.
Rachel asked if there was any update on the removal of defunct street posts. Cllr Millar said there may be signposts which are missing signs due to changes in traffic flows and regulations, however the issue is still being investigated. She noted there were other items that ought to be removed such as a cement block on Montrose St, disused street electrical boxes and the phone box at Ingram St carpark.
6. LOCAL PLACE PLAN (LPP)
David Hughes reported that the draft MCTCC LPP plan was submitted to GCC in November. GCC have asked for some amendments, such as larger maps and graphics, and asked that we update the plan to advise how our Policy Statement would impact on the current development plans. Once the updated plan is submitted and verified by GCC, there is a statutory 28-day consultation with neighbouring Community Councils.
7. PLANNING
Scott Thornton read out the planning report prepared by Ross Naismith
- Homeless Project Scotland (HPS) have submitted a planning application for the Glassford St premises
- George Square – Ross noted no lighting designs have been shared as yet. The contractor has informed him these will be made available to him soon.
- Concerned about the length of time taken for planning applications to be decided. This may discourage developers. Cllr Millar referred to an article in the paper today about a planning improvement programme. He will forward on the link to this.
- Stockwell St Avenue project will start mid-February.
- Maxwell St Area – there is room for improvement.
8. LICENSING
- Gary Atkinson reported that we will object to the application for 100 Maxwell Street’s hours to be extended.
- Niall noted that the Polo Lounge – Daytime Disco application may already be covered by their existing license.
- The consultation into exemption of Short Term Lets (STL) licensing during the Commonwealth Games ends next week.
9. AREA PARTNERSHIP & JOINT ACTION GROUP (JAG)
David Hughes reported that members don’t see papers until one week before the meeting, which can be a hindrance.
The Tron Theatre received £25k of NIF funding for refurbishment to its steeple. The dead trees reported on Ingram St have been chopped down, although the stumps remain and need to be removed as they are a hazard.
Bailie Christy Mearns noted that it can take a substantial amount of time, after NIF funds had been allocated, for projects to be scheduled and for work to begin.
Rachel Angus will take over from David Hughes as our AP representative and will stand down as a JAG representative.
David Cowan attended the Joint Action Group on 22nd January. Police Scotland hope to attend each JAG meeting. JAG would like to see new By Laws for e-bikes. The next meeting is on the 26th February.
10. FRIENDS OF RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD
David Hughes reported there will be a committee meeting on the 14th January. They will have a presentation about one of the lairs. He has had a response for new tour guides, including from historian Neil Baxter.
He has sent an email today to NRS to enquire about installing a defibrillator and signage on the gate railings. A dead tree in the graveyard is being considered for sculpting. He attended the launch of the community fusion fund with Niall and David Cowan.
11. UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS
There were no updates from previous meetings this month.
12. WEBSITE
There is work ongoing to improve the Planning and Licensing pages. Licensing applications are now updated weekly, with planning notices to follow.
The Tron Theatre has sent details of their future programme and will be available on our site before the end of February.
Social Media
Niall is reviewing which platforms MCTCC communications will use, as part of the community engagement strategy being developed. He has attended Community Engagement events run by Planning Aid Scotland.
The MCTCC notice board on Wilson St has been cleaned up, thanks to all who helped. The viability of maintaining the Trongate noticeboard is under review. Digitising of notice boards is being considered.
13. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
There was no report this month.
14. TREASURERS REPORT
Gordon Millar (Treasurer) reported our bank balance as of today is £8,893.22.
We received the GCC CC Administration Grant of £500.
We paid out £500 to the Mural Fund as part of an MCTCC grant.
15. COMMUNITY COUNCIL VACANCY
We have two vacancies at present – anyone who is a resident of the MCTCC area is eligible to apply.
16. AOCB
- David Hughes intends to step down from MCTCC once the LPP has been approved by GCC.
- A new community litter pick day will be announced in the near future.
- There will be presentation about the Commonwealth Games at our February meeting.
- The Scottish Parliament Elections will take place on the 7th of May.
17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 24th February 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.
