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DRAFT MCTCC Full Meeting Minutes, 31^st March2026

Attendance

Community Councillors	Scott Thornton; Gordon Millar; David Cowan; Alice Cowan; Associate Community Councillor Peter Hayman
GCC Guests	Lise Fisher, David McDonald, John Campbell and Chandra Pollok
Residents	PP; GF, SJ, JM, TD
Online (Zoom)	Ross Naismith, Rachel Angus, EM, JR
Police Scotland	PC Gentjan Rapi, PC Chris Dixon
Other	GF

1. Welcome and Apologies

Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.

Apologies: Cllr Bolander, Bailie Christy-Mearns, Cllr Braat, Gary Atkinson, Roz Atkinson, Gregor McIntryre from MP Office, David Hughes and Niall McColl.

2. Minutes of Previous Meeting on 24th February 2026

Adoption proposed by Alice Cowan and seconded by Gordon Millar.

The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.

3. Police Report

PC Dixon gave the latest crime statistics: from the 1st to the 31st of March, there were 118 crimes reported in our area of which 53 were detected and 65 undetected.  These figures may change as their enquiries continue. They have been monitoring specific streets in our area at the public’s request.

Dispersal Zone

PC Rapi reported how the police have been implementing the new Dispersal Zone law in Glasgow city centre. If there is a group of two or more people congregating and are suspected of being a threat to the public or likely to commit a crime, the Police have the power to issue them with a warning and / or tell them not to come to the dispersal zone area for the next 24 hours. If they are seen again in the dispersal zone during this time they can be arrested and taken into custody and a larger time ban imposed.

CP said that 104 people dispersed and 15 were arrested in the first 4 days of the new law.  The police believe they needed these powers due to the number of crimes reported to them. A resident reported this has made the city centre safer and relaxed due to there being less people loitering, drinking or taking drugs. The new law has a trial period of 3 months and it is hoped this will have a long-term effect in the reduction of crime.

Scott reminded attendees that he and Gary, Vice-Chairman, regularly meet police at beat and Inspector level. Issues to be raised at these meetings can be passed to them whenever they arise.

4. NRS Liaison Panel – Needle Bin Statistics Review – Presentation

Lise Fisher (Neighbourhood Liaison Manager), John Campbell and David McDonald (GCC Alcohol and Drug Dependency Section) gave a presentation on the report on the number of needles deposited in the needle bins.

The needle bins were a multi-partnership project between NRS, Street Cleaning and the NHS.  The locations were chosen based on where the largest number of needles were found. The first needle bin was in New Wynd in May 2023.  Additional bins were added to Old Wynd and Adams Court Lane, near to St Enochs Square. NRS attended a MCTCC meeting at that time.

Lise Fisher explained how the statistics gave the approximate number of needle bin deposits: New Wynd, 2000, Old Wynd 1000 and in Adams Court Lane 500 pieces of injecting equipment and paraphernalia.

John Campbell noted there has been a change in drug usage in the city centre, such as a move away from heroin to cocaine. This means that drug users were now injecting themselves more frequently. The needle bins have made the community safer, not least in reducing people’s exposure to discard needles.

David McDonald said they cannot draw a conclusion if The Thistle Service has reduced the number of discarded needles. However, they have overseen over 10,000 injections at the Hunter St service and has helped over 150 intravenous users. This has its own needle disposal facilities of course.

He hoped this would change their behaviour to seek clean and sterile conditions with medical supervision which should help with their health and wellbeing.  More statistics are available on the Thistle website:

https://glasgowcity.hscp.scot/sdcf

5. Glasgow City Business Improvement District – Presentation

Chandra Pollok (Project Manager, Let’s Go Glasgow Business Improvement District) has been working for one year and is pleased to launch the Glasgow Business Improvement District (BID) in April.  Membership is open to businesses whose property has a rateable value (RV) of over £100k. The forecast investment is £14m over the 5-year membership term through its 1.5% levy. The BID can be joined on a voluntary basis.

Chandra Pollok explained how the BID offers additional services to businesses. BID is working with 424 businesses. The website includes a business plan which can be viewed or downloaded at https://letsgoglasgow.com/

The BID business plan priorities are:-

• Cleaner – They have a dedicated cleaning team who will respond quickly to requests for graffiti removal
• Safety – They will have street stewards to monitor the area around businesses
• Vibrant – Marketing and Promotion campaigns
• Empowered – Create new forums of shared expertise to tackle business challenges

They are now recruiting a team to run the BID and will be posting updates on social media.

There are over 33 BIDs across Scotland, there has been one in Edinburgh for 16 years, and Dundee has just established one.

6. Elected Member Reports

Cllr Angus Millar has been progressing the NIF funded street trees plan. As previously reported, the money has been allocated and planning ground surveys to see if trees are suitable for planting in the Merchant City.

He has done further work on getting new signage to inhibit bird feeding by the public and investigating if there is any possible enforcement action available. A communication plan is expected to be published soon.

He has had an update about the work going in George Square and understands that 46 trees are currently being planted there. After this, the ground stonework will be laid.

Regarding the clean-up at Maxwell St and Clyde St he will contact the Planning Dept. about time taken to introduce enforcement measures.

Questions for Cllr Millar

EM enquired if there if the area around the Tron Theatre, including the clock tower and at the entrance on Chisolm St could be cleaned.

TD asked about the disruption due to the fire on Union St / Gordon St.  Cllr Millar reported GCC have been considering what to do with the site once the demolition work is complete and the area reopened. Heritage organisations are trying to chart a way forward for the site.

7. Community Engagement

Cllr Millar was asked about the situation at the 103 Trongate arts venue wherein the charities are facing a large rent increase at short notice by City Property, a GCC ALEO. He confirmed he was aware and has been making enquiries about what can be done to support the charities in this situation. He has asked if GCC can help the charities financially. He understands there are ongoing discussions.

A charity worker present noted there was a meeting about this on Thursday 26th March.  Christy Mearns offered a positive point regarding the protection of cultural and public assets. The charities form a strong function in keeping the arts alive in Glasgow and are now being leveraged to make a profit which is challenging for many.

Scott said there is a wider narrative to be had in reference to keeping the arts alive in Glasgow and the 103 building is a cultural asset in this respect. Cllr Millar understood this point.

Peter Hayman commented in the past Glasgow promoted culture and music and now it has changed, and it should consider how it could do this in the future if it put this kind of pressure on them to continue.

8. Local Place Plan

David Hughes sent his apologies due to attending a City Development Plan II briefing. He provided the following update:-

• A notification letter relating to the Draft Local Place Plan has been approved by the Merchant City & Trongate Community Council.
• The Draft Local Place Plan feedback must be received 22nd April 2026.

9. Planning

Ross Naismith gave his apologies for tonight’s meeting, and sent the following report in the meantime which Scott read out:-

1) Avenues:-

– Email to Ward Councillors, 15th January.

– Overall position.

– GS Lighting Consultant

Condition of Cambridge/ West Nile Streets.

2) Maxwell, Fox Streets/ Appeal.

MCTCC are following up on the appeal by the developer for this.

3) Parnie/ King/ Osborne Area Regeneration, proposals. Being investigated by Ross and Rachel

4) Candleriggs Upgrade, GCC/ ST postponement, email to Ward Councillors, 12th February.

5) Ingram Street and Queen Street alterations, GCC/ ST proposals, email to Ward Councillors,12th February.

6) St Enoch Square (East), Howard Street, Stockwell Place, Stockwell street regeneration.

7) High/ George, King Street CP, Custom House Quay, and Old Wynd (East) Osborne, Planning Application status.

9) Stanchions Removals, update.

10) GCC/ Deep Clean Team intervention, proposals.

11) Second Tier ‘in- ground’ Tree, proposals.

Ross and Scott have a meeting with the new director of St Enochs Shopping Centre in a few weeks.

Scott noted there has been recent application to demolish the defunct Annie Millars Pub. Comments and objections are to be submitted by 28 days from the 25th of March. On the same site the applicant plans to build small studio apartment buildings. A similar application was objected to by MCTCC several years ago.

10. Licensing

Gary sent his apologies. Scott discussed briefly the following issues:-

TRNSMT – They have lodged an application to show the Scotland vs Morrocco World Cup football game on the 19^th of June. This will be discussed at the Licensing Board on the 20th of May. MCTCC and Calton CC have objected to this.

Social Hub – Gary Atkinson and Rachel Angus had a meeting with Ben McLeod, of the Social Hub in Candleriggs, regarding to the extension of outdoor seating and sale of alcohol till 1am indoors and outdoors till 10pm.

They were assured the area would not be used for large-scale events and that noise would be kept to a minimum, not least as Social Hub themselves have guests staying on site. The Social Hub have an intention to plant more trees in the nearby area.

JR expressed concerns if an outside amplifier were installed, then other businesses will apply for this also. There was an event last year which caused disturbance and recommended that 9pm ought to the be limit for outdoor music.

11. External Groups

There was no report this month.

12. Friends of Ramshorn Graveyard

There was no report this month.

13. Treasurer’s Report

Gordon Millar (Treasurer) reported that the bank balance as of 31^st March 2026 was  £9,140.59.

£500 due from Counsels re Filming donation (money received 3 April)

£500 due to be paid to the Social Hub for the Mural contribution

Expenses in March 2026 = £369.47 These were mainly website subscriptions, postage and business cards,

14. Any Other Competent Business

Alice Cowan sent Scott details of some of the community groups in the MCTCC area.

15. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 28^th April 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.

DRAFT MCTCC Full Meeting Minutes, 24th February 2026

Attendance

Community Councillors	Scott Thornton; Gordon Millar; Niall McColl; David Cowan; Alice Cowan; Gary Atkinson; Ros Atkinson; David Hughes; Peter Hayman
Residents	PP; JT; RE, TT (via Zoom)
Elected Representatives	Cllr Philip Braat
Police Scotland	PC Chris Convery
CWG 2026	Andy Robin, Scott MacLean and Gary Grieve
Other	GF, Gregor McIntyre from MP John Grady’s office

 

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.

Apologies: Cllr Millar, Cllr Bolander, Baillie Christy Mearns and Rachel Angus.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ON 28^th JANUARY

Adoption proposed by Gordon Millar and seconded by Alice Cowan.

The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.

3. POLICE REPORT

PC Convery reported from the 28^th of January to the 24^th February there were 84 crimes of which 33 were detected and 51 undetected. These figures may change as investigations continue. There could be multiple crimes within one crime report. Priority areas for policing were identified, including Virginia Street, Glassford Street, New Wynd, Old Wynd, Trongate, and local car parks.

Police Questions

Scott asked about the new CCTV camera on Clyde Street. PC Convery confirmed it had been fitted and is working. He hopes to provide a map of where GCC CCTV cameras are in our area.

A resident reported a large number of young people, around 50, on George St recently. PC Convery would make enquiries and feed back.

4. COMMONWEALTH GAMES GLASGOW 2026 – PRESENTATION

Andy Robin (Lead Community Engagement Manager), Scott Maclean (Business Readiness Manager) and Gary Grieve (Assistant Community Engagement Manager) gave a presentation. The games take place from Thursday 23^rd of July to Sunday 2^nd of August.  Due to hosting the games previously existing sports venues can be used and there will not be an athletes’ village. They have £150m of private funding and no public funding is involved.

Scott McLean gave details of the business readiness campaign, ‘All In’, for businesses to engage. Gary Grieve discussed community engagement efforts including their collaboration with schools, councils, and sports organisations.

The ‘Games Corridor’ covers 7 CC areas: Scotstoun, Yorkhill, Anderston, Merchant City and Trongate, Govan, Calton and Shettleston. The four venues are Scotstoun Leisure Centre, Tollcross Pool, The Emirates Arena and the SEC. The Corinthian on Ingram St will be the official Team Scotland House. It will serve as central hub for athletes and families.

As part of community engagement there are sport ambassador programmes, and free ‘come and try’ events taking place in communities. They are planning 22 events starting in June to mid-August.  Merchant City Festival (MCF) will be integrated under the Games Festival, organised by Glasgow Life. Tickets are sold by Ticketmaster:

https://www.glasgow2026.com/get-involved/tickets

The team expressed openness to ongoing dialogue with businesses and the community to ensure a successful event.

Member Questions

Gary asked about disruption within the city as there are many roadworks underway during the games, would this further disrupt traffic and public transport?  Cllr Braat asked about accessibility for public utility vehicles such cleansing, refuse removal and deliveries for businesses.

GCC’s City Activation Team and Logistics Team are working these matters out and we will know more details in April. A travel survey is being carried out in March to identify congestion points. The events will be mainly indoor and transport plans for spectators to navigate to venues from the closest train, bus and cycle routes. Unfortunately, the events will not be ‘free-to-air’ to view on television, however they are exploring this option for community groups.

Ros noted that the back of tickets could be used for advertising or local business promotions. Scott MacLean agreed.

JT asked about the volunteer programme. There were over 15k applications and successful applicants will be informed soon and invited for ‘onboarding’ next month. Those who were not selected they have a wider communication program to link them with associated bodies such as Sport Scotland.

5. ELECTED MEMBER REPORTS

Cllr Philip Braat reported the Licensing Board has approved an extension for the sale of alcohol in public houses, and the like, when showing games in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This will extend for the duration of the tournament, starting on June 11^th, for all games.  Venues have to apply for an extension and will only be granted if they normally show sports on TV. They will be able to sell alcohol up to 30 minutes after the game has ended.

GCC are in the process of agreeing a new contract for a public toilet cubicle provider. Until this is agreed, the existing Healthmatic contract will be extended. Scott noted that MCTCC replied to a consultation on public toilets back in February 2024 but we have not received any response.

The Stockwell St Avenue project has been awarded to the Hillhouse Group and work will start on the 23^rd of March.  Scott noted the community engagement was due to start on the 23rd of February.

Maxwell St building site – the Environmental Team have came back to say that the site does not meet the criteria for enforcement under the Environmental Health Protection Act 1990.  Cllr Braat has asked for clarification on this. Scott believes it is 18 months since this was first brought to GCC’s attention. They have issued a notice to clean up the site within one month, which expires tomorrow, 25^th February 2026.

Cllr Braat attended meetings with the Police regarding the new Dispersal Zones in the city centre.  This is to tackle open drug use and other illegal activities. If a person is given a Dispersion Notice they will not be able to enter the zone for 24 hours. It will come into effect on the 20^th of March and will cover Central Rail Station, Union St and St Enoch Square.  Also included is the area bounded by St Vincent Place, Glassford Street/Stockwell Street, to the far side of the riverbank, and York Street/West Campbell Street.

He has had reports of illegal car parking in the Miller St area.

Questions for Cllr Braat

A resident noted drug abuse near to the River Clyde.

Gary noted that GCC bills property owners when debris falls from their property promptly and at some expense. This is in contrast to the aforementioned Maxwell St site.

Scott read out updates from Cllr Angus Millar: He is looking into an awareness campaign on bird feeding. He has asked for comparative statistics for the amount of needles deposited in other parts of the city and those in the safe needle bin in New Wynd.

Scott said that disappointingly First Bus had not responded to emails asking for a bus service between the MCTCC area and the Royal Infirmary.

Niall noted that on Ingram St, near to Miller St, the road has been marked as a Bus Gate, however there is no signage. This has caused confusion for drivers, who then do U-turns.

6. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Scott read out the Community Engagement report written by Niall:

A draft community engagement strategy has been written, discussed and adopted. This will underpin our community engagement activities for 2026 and beyond. It summarises how MCTCC will deepen the engagement with the community it serves.

A sub-group of community councillors will now work to create a community engagement action plan to deliver effective and participatory events in the area. Given the importance of this topic, it will now be a standing item at each public meeting.

The MCTCC website is regularly updated and is being enhanced to give more information to the community. For example, planning and licensing applications are now updated weekly, with details to allow members of the community to comment on them.  Further improvements will allow us to share details of upcoming events in the area.

Part of the engagement strategy will ensure that we use our website, social media, noticeboards and any printed materials consistently, and this is something that will become more visible over the next few months.

7. LOCAL PLACE PLAN

David Hughes reported that MCTCC’s LPP is now complete. He thanked Niall for his work on this and will send this back to GCC for review and validation. It will then be submitted to neighbouring CCs for comments. After this it will be due for formal adoption. Scott asked about the 18^th December deadline for the new City Development Plan. David Hughes said key points of the LPP will be incorporated in this.

8. PLANNING

Ross Naismith gave his report on the following:-

1. A) Avenues, Generally In MCTCC Area, email to Ward Councillors, 15th January.

After the public meeting in December, he emailed Cllr Millar and Ward Councillors on the 15th of January with his concerns and recommendations for all solutions. RN stated that he believes that he has engaged on discussions with GCC/ Avenues Team as far as he is able and that resolutions to design concerns need to return to the Ward Councillor’s responsibility.

RN has requested that a second opinion be sought from the Glasgow Institute of Architects about the designs. There are 6 Avenue projects in our area, he has not seen any plans for George St or Cochrane St as yet.

1. B) Planning timeframes and processes etc, meeting with GCC/ Planning, 6th February.

He had a positive meeting with the Head of GCC Planning Dept. He expressed his concerns how planning applications process through the system and feels the timeframe for the process is too long in Glasgow. He would like to see more transparency in the process. Glasgow Institute of Architects has a design ‘panel’ that can be referred to when cases arise, for second opinion situations.

1. C) Area Partnership meeting 12^th February – second tier ‘in- ground’ tree planting,

RN understands there are 15 new trees agreed and 3 replacement trees agreed in principle. The three replacement trees are located at the corner of Ingram and High Streets – one on the north side outside Sapporo, an two outside the Merchant Chippie.

He has been working with Rachel to identify possible new locations for planting.

1. D) Parnie/ King/ Osborne Area Regeneration, meeting with GCC/ City Centre Strategy and GCC City Property, 19th February.

He and Rachel Angus had a meeting with a representative from the City Centre Strategy Dept. and a director from City Property, plus Cllr Angus Millar to discuss the above topic. They were open to ideas and RA and RN would follow-up in due course with proposals for regeneration for funding by GCC.

1. E) King St car park and Custom House Quay, Planning Application update.

He is optimistic that planning applications will be made on these in the near future.

1. F) Candleriggs upgrade, GCC/ Sustainable Transport postponement, email to Ward Councillors, 12th February.

He has asked Cllr Millar if he could setup a meeting with Sustainable Transport to discuss concerns on postponement of design proposals.

1. G) Ingram St And Queen St Alterations, GCC/ Sustainable Transport proposals, email to Ward Councillors,12th February.

The proposals for Queen St / Ingram St are not subject to planning regulations, but come under an Emergency Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). RN has objected to the proposals on MCTCC’s behalf on a number of points.

1. H) St Enoch Square (east), Howard St, Stockwell Pl, Stockwell St regeneration/ listing as ‘area of interest’.

He would like to see this area listed as ‘An Area of Special Interest’. Meetings with stakeholders are planned.

9. LICENSING

Gary had no report this month.

He has not sure he can see all applications. He is also not able to lodge objections in Licensing Portal.

Scott said an Irish community celebration parade on 14th March had been publicised in the press but MCTCC had not been notified. He is taking this up with GCC.

10. EXTERNAL GROUPS

David Hughes and Rachel Angus attended the Area Partnership (AP) meeting. They discussed graffiti and their concerns about the lack of plans for an alternative to Trongate for football fans’ end of season celebrations.

NRS have said that of the 18 bench locations identified by MCTCC only 6 are suitable. This has been questioned by MCTCC. It has been agreed that a walkabout comprising the AP and NRS to determine the suitability of bench sites is the way forward.

NRS have allocated a further £14K to MCTCC from the £100,000 set aside for trees in Ward 10. NRS had stated that an exploratory tree dig costs £500.00. DH stated that Rachel had sent an email recommending that the NIF budget be allocated to 15 Trees and 14 benches. There was no decision on this.

It should be noted that any unspent funds must be allocated to MCTCC projects by March 2027 or risks being lost.

11. FRIENDS OF RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD

David Hughes reported he has new tour guides including Neil Baxter (Historian), Paul Noble (Doors Open Day) and Alice Lister (Strathclyde University).

12.  TREASURERS REPORT

Gordon Millar (Treasurer) reported our bank balance as of today is £9,510.06.

We received the GCC CC Administration Grant of £616.84.

We are due to receive a contribution of £500 from a film company.

13. AOCB

Rachel Angus is organising the MCTCC Litter Pick on the 7^th March from 10.30 am, meeting at the front of the Ramshorn Church on Ingram St. Black bags and litter pickers will be provided.  David Hughes will attend.

The next meeting will include a presentation about the Business Improvement District and in April from Manish Joshi of the Social Innovation Cluster at Strathclyde University.

14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Tuesday 31^st March 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.