These draft minutes will be presented at our meeting on 24th September for approval
Meeting of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council held on 27 August 2024 in City Chambers, from 6.30 pm
Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Gordon Millar, Ross Naismith, Scott Thornton, Rosalind Wardley-Smith, Ward Councillors Baillie Christy Mearns and Angus Millar, PC Sean McFadden, RA, CD, ND, MD, DF, AM, AMcD, AMcD, HMcD, TMcK, KL, MR, NM, PP.
By Zoom video: Alice Cowan, David Cowan, AC, SL, EM, JR
Apologies: Councillor Eva Bolander, Peter Hayman, Colin McKay, PS
MINUTES OF 30 JULY MEETING
Proposed by Tam Coyle, seconded by Niall McColl. Approved.
POLICE ISSUES
PC McFadden (SMcF) reported that in the period 30 July to 27 Aug in the MCTCC area (for police purposes this excludes the St Enoch Centre) there were a total of 160 reported crimes, 52 of which were detected – i.e. someone was apprehended or the perpetrator known. These figures are indicative. Crimes included assault, bail offences and retail thefts.
Tam asked about a recent instance of a vehicle being driven the wrong way way up Candleriggs and noted that the southern part of that street is signposted pedestrian-only. He quoted residents as saying there were not enough police officers visible on the street but noted that often they were in plain clothes and not in uniform.
SMcF said the Ramshorn graveyard had become a hot spot for drugs misuse and was receiving a lot of police attention. Arrests had been made, partly after alerts from the public. Police were also liaising with Glasgow City Council about clearing up needles. David Hughes thanked police for their interventions.
Police had a contingency plan to cope with a possible demonstration in George Square on 7 September by supporters and opponents of the Far Right.
Police had taken action against illegal e-bikes which were sometimes being ridden at excessive speeds.
In response to a point by a resident about slow police response times Tam said the issue was on the agenda for MCTCC officials’ regular meetings with the city centre Police Inspector.
DISTURBANCES BY FOOTBALL FANS
Scott reported that earlier today he and Gary met MSP Kaukab Stewart (who kindly hosted the meeting) and representatives of Celtic and Rangers football clubs to discuss ways of avoiding repetitions of the anti-social behaviour experienced in May 2023 and May 2024.
WARD COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Baillie Mearns, catching up on issues following her maternity leave, said she was pleased with various aspects of the refreshed pending planning application for development of the King Street car park.
She was also pleased budget funding had been approved for the ‘Trees for Streets’ project. The Council is now looking at possible sites.
Baillie Mearns expressed thanks to MCTCC for its donation to Impact Arts which recently celebrated its 30th birthday.
Councillor Millar said there would be another community walkabout with Ward Councillors on 17 September (1-2.30 pm). Scott to advise details and meeting point. ACTION: Scott
The ‘direction of travel’ for development of the waterfront between Custom Quay and Stockwell Street was on a smaller scale with greater emphasis on stabilising the quay wall and improving the public realm.
There would be a consultation on Tuesday 3 September (12–3 pm) on the High Street Avenues project. Venue: 231 George Street.
DF asked about the lack of trees around new housing developments.
He went on to complain about the standard of street cleansing and lack of Glasgow City Council (GCC) resources. Was GCC relying overly on volunteers doing litter picks? Money was being spent on ‘pointless’ projects such as painting bins (often covered with graffiti) rather than on such a basic requirement.
RN said he, Gary and Scott had a constructive meeting with developers of the King Street car park on site yesterday and were assured their comments were being taken on board. Their attitude on a connection between Trongate and The Briggait mirrored ours. The developers also agreed planning would be flexible to meet changing demands of the marketplace.
Scott said this showed the benefits of early consultation with residents. Thanks in large measure to Ross’ experience and expertise we had been able to perhaps influence the plans.
Noting that the plan included more student accommodation, he repeated MCTCC’s plea to GCC to get a grip on the issue. The Community Council had complained time after time about over-concentration of Purpose Built Student Accommodation yet applications were continuing to be approved. The inclusion of ‘Co-Living’ in the King Street plan was student accommodation by another name.
Ross said he was underwhelmed by the first two presentations he had attended on the Avenues project. The Custom Quay-Stockwell project did not address residential requirements.
In response to a complaint from RA about fouling by pigeons and seagulls, Councillor Millar said signage could be improved to ask the public not to feed birds. Commercial waste was a particular problem. GCC had set times for this and perhaps enforcement on businesses which did not adhere to this should be stepped up.
ND said a smoking area behind Pipeworks “gentlemen’s sauna’ in Metropole Lane was not only causing a fire risk because it is in an enclosed space but also creating noise into the wee small hours right outside her flat. ACTION: Angus
Another resident complained about regular parking on double yellow lines by contractors working on the new Afro-Caribbean supermarket being built on the former Corrigans fishmongers’ site on Howard Street.
Angus said he would look into a problem reported by BR about water ingress into flats in Montrose Street. ACTION: Angus
KL brought up the issue of a taxi rank set up without due notice outside the GPO Building in Ingram Street. This had been raised with Councillor Braat two meetings ago. Scott said he had received no reply from GCC to his query asking when the re-siting of the rank from George Square had been advised to local residents. Tam will discuss with Councillor Braat. ACTION: Tam
HOMELESS PROJECT SCOTLAND
Earlier in the meeting TD had raised problems arising from Homeless Project Scotland (HPS).
Tam summarised that this opened in Glassford Street last December as a homeless shelter and was serving food.
GCC had ordered the owner and occupier to apply for planning permission (change of use from offices) by 31 March but no such application had been lodged.
Scott said meetings had been held with senior GCC officers including the Head of Planning in early June and a letter sent to the Chief Executive, Council Leader and Scottish Government. Meetings had been held with MSP Kaukab Stewart, all to no avail.
However, he had been assured at a meeting with a senior GCC officer last week that a Planning Enforcement Notice would be served to the owner and occupier at the end of August.
It was disappointing that no reply had been received from Food Standards Scotland six weeks after MCTCC asked it to advise whether HPS had the relevant licence.
Gary added that lack of action by Glasgow City Council was continuing to deprive local residents of the opportunity to comment on an application.
Tam said it was the most frustrating case he had encountered in his 18 years on the Community Council. Sleeping accommodation was provided but there was only one fire escape.
Councillor Millar said he shared Tam’s frustration. Intensive efforts had been made to find an alternative site.
Gordon said it was clear the site had not been zoned for that activity so why was it being asked to apply for planning consent for a purpose to which it was not entitled? What was the point of zoning in the first place?
LICENSING
An application had been lodged for an ‘Escape Room’ in the St Enoch Centre. Tam said MCTCC had no objection.
Gary explained that permission for bars or restaurants to provide pavement tables was covered by their overall licence based on the space allowed. They did not need a separate licence.
PLANNING
Tam said Ross was now assisting Peter Hayman with planning issues.
Ross had responded to GCC’s consultation on tall buildings on a personal basis but the Community Council now had to respond on its own behalf. All comments should be passed to the Secretary by 13 September, after which he will draft a response in conjunction with the Chair and co-Vice Chairs.
Scott said he and Gary met with senior GCC planners to discuss the George Square development and Avenues project between Custom Quay and Stockwell Street. We were keen to avoid problems encountered with the Sauchiehall Street works and requested residents’ representation, as an observer, on a monitoring body for George Square redevelopment.
We were offered a 1-1 update each month and a presentation at our October meeting. Scott will arrange this. ACTION: Scott
Scott added that a presentation on the Custom Quay-Stockwell Street project may be delivered to an MCTCC meeting early in the New Year.
George St/High Street derelict site – Scott has asked Ward Councillors to advise the status of this eyesore. Tam said the developer had run out of money. Angus is following up. ACTION: Angus
Second stage of Candleriggs Square – Tam, Gary and Scott have met the developer to discuss this, with building due to start early next year. Tam said designs for a new mural would be presented to the Community Council when available.
RA asked about the Pride pavement in Wilson Street. Tam said the first MCTCC knew about it was when it was finished. it was uneven and created a trip hazard.
David Hughes said Local Development Plans fed into city development plans so it was important for MCTCC to comment on LDPs on issues such as student accommodation.
Pride Mural on AXM building, Glassford Street – Tam said the telephone number he’d been given does not accept messages. It was noted this 12 x 7 metres mural will dominate a large part of conservation area and will include advertising. ACTION: Tam
TD said AXM did not own the building.
LITTER PICK
David Hughes said this would take place on Saturday 21 September, from 10.30-1pm, meeting at the Ramshorn graveyard gate. MCTCC has received grant funding from Glasgow City Council for equipment which will be provided to volunteers. ACTION: David Hughes
GRANT GIVING SCHEME
Niall said there was currently £6,500 in the fund and summarised the criteria. Further applications are welcome. Applicants do not have to be a registered charity. ACTION: All
FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD
Free public tours will be organised next year, tour guides trained and story boards created. The next meeting will be held from 6.30-8.30 pm on 4 September with a specialist speaker. More members are welcome.
WEBSITE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Niall said an outline of MCTCC’s new Website should be ready by mid-September.
He will draft a short questionnaire to be completed by all Community Councillors as a mini-biog.ACTION: Niall
TREASURER’S REPORT
Gordon reported a bank balance £6,573 once outstanding cheques had been cleared. A GCC grant of £700 is expected around November. MCTCC’s accounting year end is end-August.
David Hughes said £367,000 remained in the Area Partnership fund. MCTCC should submit applications for suitable projects, otherwise other Community Councils would spend it. The Merchant City Handbook includes many good ideas and could be used as a source document. Tam said one project could be installation of a CCTV camera around Parnie Street. ACTION: All
PUBLIC TOILETS
GCC is developing a strategy and actions around public toilets and inviting representations. There are no public toilets in Merchant City/Trongate or on Glasgow Green following closure of the People’s Palace. Scott is liaising with GCC on our response. All comments are welcome. ACTION: Scott/ALL
NEXT PUBLIC MEETING
Tuesday 24 September, 6.30 pm, City Chambers