Meeting Minutes, 26 September 2023

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Ward Councillor Philip Braat, Gary Atkinson, Niall McColl, Colin McKay, Eileen Mills, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Smith, AC, MD, TD, DH, GM,  EW, Shahid Ali (Tontine project), Mark Bell (Tontine project); Police Scotland - Sergeant Rob Wilson.

By video link: David Cowan 

1. WELCOME/APOLOGIES

Tam welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns and Councillor Angus Millar.

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 29 AUGUST

Proposed by Tam, seconded by Niall. Approved.

3.  PRESENTATION ON RE-DEVELOPMENT OF THE TONTINE BUILDINGS

Shahid and Mark explained outline proposals for the mixed use project between Bell Street and Trongate which are still at the ‘aspirational’ stage. The aim was to create spaces where people would like to work, visit and enjoy food, drink and recreation. There would be an outer commercial (retail) ring with leisure facilities in the inner courtyard. 

A planning application would be submitted in late October. Mark was asked to provide copies of the slide for publication on the Community Council’s Website but said he would have to edit them to bring them up-to-date.,

4. POLICE REPORT

Sergeant Wilson said anti-drug patrols had been carried out in the MCTCC area,, including Clyde-side, with good recovery of substances, partly thanks to good intelligence gathering. 

A total of 92 crimes had been recorded in the last monthly period, with 30 detections over 28 days. Many of these were drugs-related.

Engagements with buskers were continuing in the ‘Golden Z’ area.

Asked about the reported attack by a masked gang on the Euro Hostel on Clyde Street on 21 September, he said this was a ‘spontaneous’ confrontation between Rangers football bans and supporters of Spanish Club Real Betis following a Europa League match. Scott asked if police had been taken unawares.

The meeting was given details of Calton Community Council’s special public meeting on 28 September about the proposed ‘Safe Consumption Centre’ for hard drug users. 

Sergeant Wilson said this could cut drug misuse in the neighbourhood. Police tended to follow a public health approach. Prosecution was a matter for the courts. Police would continue to do their normal job. 

Niall advised the factor at Old Sheriff Court had instructed gates to be installed to prevent drug abuse taking place in the building’s moat.  A stranger had roamed one of the floors, knocking at doors and requesting money, and had to be escorted off the premises. Sergeant Wilson said incidents like this should be reported to police who had increased patrols, including by plainclothed officers, in the area.

David thanked police for swift arrests and confiscation of contraband from half a dozen suspects in King Street. 

EW also congratulated police for actions which had reduced, however belatedly, drug issues in Goosedubs Lane.  Sergeant Wilson said police had asked the factor for access to  EW’s apartment building without going through the factor. Shrubbery, which had been used as camouflage, was being trimmed back.

5. LOW EMISSION ZONE

Tam said this was causing serious problems with tradesmen and taxi drivers entering the city centre. 

Gary asked for an update from Councillor Braat regarding Council reaction to the high level of enforcement and comments from businesses and residents as well as the proposals for re-investment of funds collected (reported to be c £600k so far). A TION: Councillor Braat committed to investigate and advise.

Councillor Braat said he had complained to the Roads Department about short notice of Temporary Traffic Regulation orders which meant some streets in the MCTCC area would be closed from 2 October for more than a week. 

Several members complained about the lack of notice and signage about 

closure of roads due to the Great Scottish Run on 30 September and 1 October. ACTION: Councillor Braat committed to contact Glasgow Life. 

Councillors Braat and Millar had met Police Inspector Watters and representatives of food delivery companies online to discuss the use of e-bikes in view of various dangerous practices including going through red lights and riding on pavements. This was happening throughout the city centre. 

Registration, licensing and identification of offenders was difficult because of the employment status of riders who were often hired as freelances and worked for different companies. Bikes were sometimes shared among riders.

GM said the problems had been known in the USA more than a decade ago. Why had it taken the authorities here so long to confront them? 

TD said e-bikes should be reclassified as motor bikes. Were delivery companies leasing bikes illegally?

Colin said lithium batteries which powered e-bikes were potentially dangerous.

Sergeant Wilson said serious incidents should be reported to police, if possible noting the time and place. Delivery companies could then try to identify the culprit.

Ros said the manager at Sapporo Teppanyaki had written to Glasgow City Council that restaurant customers often risked injury due to cars taking the corner of Ingram/Hight Street too tight. Cars had crashed into the side of their building following a collision at the traffic lights. The restaurant has requested a barrier on the pavement corner. This had been highlighted to Ward Councillors. 

She reported that the Spitfire cafe premises on the corner of Ingram Street and Candleriggs had reported frequent flooding due to local road sewer/drain infrastructure being overwhelmed by high rainfall. It had asked Glasgow Council for the drains to be unblocked/cleaned. Bar 91 had also been flooded. ACTION: Community Councillors to visit with Councillor Millar on area walkabout on 28 September. 

7. PLANNING

Agreed to invite Fiona Campbell, GCC’s Senior Spatial Planner, to make a presentation to the November meeting, focusing on ‘Golden Z’ developments in the MCTCC area. ACTION: Scott

Scott noted that the objections deadline for the Dominus project for Purpose Built Student Accommodation in Osborne Street was 6 October. He felt the Community Council was ‘swimming against the tide’ of a planned substantial increase in student accommodation.

In answer to a question from EW Tam said plans for redevelopment of the King Street car park had still not reached the planning application stage but it seemed there was an intention to turn that area into many blocks 18 storeys or so high.

Eileen reported on the hearing into the Scottish Government’s ‘calling in’ of the planning application for 109 apartments on the NCP car park in Ingram Street. A separate but related issue had arisen concerning airconditioning units which seemed to have been installed on the roof of the City Halls without Glasgow Life receiving planning permission. 

Scott said the SG Reporter had mentioned during her site visit that she would not be writing her report until mid-October and it could be several months after that until Ministers announced their decision. 

DH said the developers’ promise to protect the ‘Other Glasgow Residents’ mural ‘could be tricky’ during construction of a 7 storey building. 

Tam said the Brutte en Compadre cafe was keen to have a mural erected on its wall but they didn’t own the building.

8. LICENSING

As MCTCC’s representative on the GCC Licensing Forum Gary advised he had reviewed the extensive consultation documents relating to the proposed updating of the Licensing Policy Document and Overprovision. 

He reminded the meeting of discussions at a previous MCTCC meeting relating to a proposal to introduce provision for licensed premises to extend their ‘Terminal Hour’ from midnight to 1 am. This was the only contentious item which might impact residents in our area. However, this extension would not be automatic and premises would have to apply.  Any premises with an adverse history/current issues or problems regarding poor management would not be granted the extra hour. 

The full Statement is available online. Any comments to be given to Gary before the next Mid-Monthly meeting as the proposed documents will be presented to Glasgow City Council on 6 November. ACTION: All Community Councillors 

Tam said he met Mairi Miller of GCC about the occasional licences granted to Merchant City Festival Village. This followed complaints from a resident about excessive noise. The Village was now closed for the season. He would arrange to meet the developer, Drum, to find out what was planned for the corner of Candleriggs and Wilson Street (Current Festival Village site). ACTION: Tam

9. GRANT GIVING SCHEME

Niall reported on MCTCC sub-committee’s recommendations on the four applications which had been received for grants  from the small fund built up from film company donations:

Friends of The Ramshorn - Application for £1,000 approved in full.  ACTION: Niall to arrange via Treasurer.

‘Merchant City Park’ - Request for £2,500 for legal expenses deferred since the planning application was now in the hands of the Scottish Government Reporter and further legal intervention was impossible at this stage. No action required since members of MCP were in attendance and notified of the decision.

Impact Arts - Request for £2,500 for its youth diversionary project ‘Cashback to the Future’ deferred since the sub-committee wanted more details of the benefits for youngsters in the MCTCC area, including anti-social behaviour by youngsters around the St Enoch Centre. ACTION: Niall to notify applicant. 

Project Ability - Preference is to have defibrillator available 24/7 and not locked away when premises are closed.  Agreed to donate £800 of the requested £1,000. The full amount would be granted should the device be readily accessible at all times. ACTION: Scott to discuss with PA Director.

10. BUSKING

Scott reported that the Community Council’s press release on its response to GCC’s public consultation had been issued, carried on Glasgow Live and was due to be published in the Evening Times

11. UCI - World Cycling Championships 

Ros reported that Khalid Billa of the Chilli Thrill & Grill, 35 High Street, had asked for assistance regarding a claim for lost trade due to the UCI World Cycling Championships. She has shared this request with Elected Members and UCI organisers.

12. TREASURER’S ANNUAL REPORT

Tam will forward the Treasurer’s Annual Report to the independent auditor for preparation and submission to the AGM (See below). ACTION: Tam

13. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS TO COMMUNITY COUNCIL

There were 11 validated nominations for 11 vacancies.

The AGM and uncontested election meeting will take place on Tuesday 31 October at 6.30 pm in Committee Room 1, Glasgow City Chambers.

Candidates elected to serve on the Community Council will do so until the next scheduled full election in October 2027.

Tam urged Community Councillors to encourage as many members of the public as possible to attend. ACTION: ALL

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by admin

Meeting Minutes, 29 August 2023

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, David Cowan, Peter Hayman, Niall McColl, Colin McKay, Scott Thornton, Rios Wardley-Smith; AC, RE, DF, DH, TMcK, GMcK, GM,  Police - PC Rob Wilson; Ward Councillor Angus Millar; By video - Eileen Mills, EM, NM, JR, DS, EW

Apologies: Carla Arrighi, Ward Councillors Eva Bolander and Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns

1. Minutes of meeting held on 25 July

Proposed by Scott, seconded by DH. Approved. 

2.  Police Report

PC Wilson said there had been no additional crimes or disorder associated with the World Cycling Championships which had been well received. Overall it had been a very positive event.

Between 26 July and 29 August a total of 106 crime incidents had been recorded in the MCTCC area, with 40 detections.

An increase had been seen in ‘opportunistic’ crimes, especially from licensed premises, such as thefts of wallets, laptops and mobile phones. He urged residents to be vigilant in such circumstances.

Responding to David, who reported bogus delivery drivers trying to gain entry to a block of flats, he said residents should not open the door unless they knew the identity of the person concerned,.

The football season, including European club and international matches, were now in full swing, meaning an extensive police presence. 

Engagements with buskers were continuing.

Candleriggs remained a particular problem for pavement parking. Police were keen to co-operate with parking enforcement wardens and GCC but there had been some ‘road blocks’ to progress. 

In answer to a question from Peter he said police did not differentiate between electric and ‘normal’ bicycles when investigating cycling on pavements. 

GM said he had observed an incident in Glasgow Green when a delivery cyclist had knocked down a pedestrian and been surrounded by an angry mob. Should he have become involved? PC Wilson thought not. 

Although not in the MCTCC area, drugs were a problem in among other locations Gallowgate and Bell Street.

Tam raised the issue of drugs taking around the Old Sheriff Court building. PC Wilson said police had been liaising with the factor.

EW, who had been attentioned to this meeting by police officers, reported increased use of drugs in a close at Goosedubs Lane off Howard Street. PC Wilson said residents should ensure there was no unauthorised entry and a bin store code needed to be changed.

3. Presentation by Wise Group on its Relationship Mentoring Service

Ann Nye explained this organisation’s services aimed in particular at helping those living in fuel insecurity. It provided guidance, advice, mentoring and counselling, and can issue fuel vouchers. Services include fighting addiction, gaining life skills, and improving physical and mental well being. Wise has funding until October 2024. Referrals have to be made by an outside organisation such as a charity. 

In answer to a question from Scott, Ann said Wise had no special outreach to the deaf community and she agreed to look into this.

4. Elected Members’ Reports

Angus said he had been briefed by developers who wanted to build more Purpose Built Student Accommodation in Osborne Street/Old Wynd but information on concrete proposals had been thin. 

There remained a lack of student accommodation in the city.  GCC had tightened up rules and standards for student accommodation several years ago. Profit margins on such developments were relatively high in this sector.  Student accommodation needed to fit in with the general character of the area concerned. There was a place for more student accommodation but there had to be a housing mix. His personal preference was for mainstream residential accommodation on this site.

Scott said he and Gary had attended an online meeting with the developers and been surprised to learn the proposal was for a building of up to 16 storeys to accommodate 275 students. Another application for similar student accommodation was for a site on the other end of the same street.

Gary said he and Scott had made clear the Community Council’s concerns about over-concentration of student accommodation in the city centre.

Scott added that at the recent GCC briefings on the ‘Golden Z,' real estate developers had been delighted with the potential for student accommodation.

Speaking about the Dominus Osborne Street development Eileen said the original proposal had been for 98 flats. Why did it change to student accommodation? Angus said no application had yet been submitted. Eileen said the original proposal for development of the site at the other end of Osborne Street had also been for residential accommodation.

Peter said he was concerned that developers were talking about such buildings ‘fitting in’ with the emerging character of the area. The proposed adjacent King Street development risked being a series of ‘Lego blocks,’ permitting the maximum return on investment. GCC should be setting a ‘direction of travel’ for developments in the city centre. 

Angus told the meeting that Eva was planning a walkabout in the area on Thursday to look at more sites for markets and planters as part of the Open Spaces budget. 

He had often contacted Council officers about pavement parking on Candleriggs and hoped to have another Day of Action to tackle this.

He planned to have another walkabout to review local cleansing issues. Community Council members should give him suitable dates for this.

Angus explained Glasgow City Council’s consultation on busking in the city centre. Scott noted he had circulated a draft response to MCTCC members and, since no adverse comments had been received, would be submitting that before the deadline of 2 September. 

Angus reported on GCC's recent briefings on the ‘Golden Z’ which addressed the overall vision for much of the city centre. The Council wanted to be proactive and work in partnership with land owners, developers and the community. Eileen said this flew in the face of the situation regarding ‘Merchant City Park’ on which there had been no community engagement. 

DH said the Council’s own excellent Merchant City Regeneration Handbook (which includes green spaces as a priority) should be its vision for the area. Developers were not concerned whether their proposals aligned with city planning policy.

Tam said 26 trees would be sacrificed if the Ingram Street car park proposal for 109 flats were approved. Angus replied that he was unable to comment on this because of conflicts of interest. It would be judged on its planning merits. 

Scott said he had received slides of the Golden Z presentations and could forward them to anyone interested.

In response to a question from TMcK on the removal of benches in George Square Angus said he would check when they would be returned. DF asked why new rubbish bins only had two slots instead of the previous four. This meant they were less effective.

JR, attending via video, complained about loud music from live bands from the Merchant City Festival site which had its occasional licence extended from eight to 13 weeks. The band has been playing 10 metres from her lounge. She had complained to the Council’s noise control department (which had tested decibel levels from the different end from where the amplifiers were situated), police and GCC Licensing to no avail. How had this been allowed and what had been the consultation process?

Angus said he was unaware of the terms of the licence but would check. it was noted that the Festival was due to close the following Monday.

5. Planning

Applications are on the Community Council’s Website. Peter said they mostly concerned advertising media such as screens and decorations. A retrospective application had been received for extension of a marquee outside the Hootenanny pub in Dixon Street (where there is a Billy Connolly tribute mural).

An application had been lodged for an advertising box, perhaps housing a defibrillator, outside Tinderbox in Ingram Street. Gary said this offered an opportunity for miscreants to urinate beside it. There was a need for a defibrillator but on a different site. Deadline for objections is 11 September. 

6. ‘Merchant City Park’

Eileen reported that the Scottish Government’s reporter would be making a visit to the Ingram Street site on 7 September (It was later announced she would also be holding an online hearing on 13 September).  

A major issue would be the ‘Agent of Change’ principle which concerns the risk of music venues being closed because of noise complaints from neighbours. No one had specified the size of the gap between the City Halls and the proposed flats. Matters relating to the new National Planning Framework (NPF 4) would also be important.

Local residents, including members of the Community Council, had made further submissions to SG.

DH said the ball was now in the Scottish Government’s court. 

He added there were six huge air conditioning fans on the roof of the Old Fruitmarket - another noise issue. Eileen asked if planning permission had been granted for them. 

Scott said he assumed the reporter would listen to the loudest noise which might be emitted from the music venues while she was there. 

7. Licensing

Tam and Gary are due to represent MCTCC at GCC’s Local Licensing Forum on 5 

September. 

8. Treasurer’s Report

Bank balance of £10,666 with £130 expenses due to be paid out.

9. Grant-giving scheme

The MCTCC sub-committee of Gary, Niall and Scott will meet on 6 September to consider the four applications received so far.

10. Friends of the Ramshorn

Has not yet met. A bid had been submitted for funds. 

Niall has complained to the City Council about inadequate emptying rubbish bins.

Scott reported Strathclyde University had advised MCTCC that the Ramshorn Church would be accessible to the public only on annual Open Days. It was scandalous that apart from these couple of days a year Glasgow citizens were not permitted to admire the interior of one of the city’s most beautiful churches. Angus said the Council could not force a private owner to open its doors but perhaps MCTCC could work with Strathclyde University in the context of Friends of the Ramshorn.

11. Elections to Community Council

Scott reminded the meeting that nomination forms for membership should be returned to Mary McPhail, the Independent Returning Officer at Glasgow City Council, by 8 September, either directly or via him. Each nomination must be proposed and seconded by a resident on the electoral roll in the MCTCC area. The nominee must also be on the electoral roll.

This would be an election for a full four year term. All current members and office bearers stand down. 

MCTCC has been advised by the City Council that it is currently entitled to a maximum of 11 members. If there are more than 11 nominations a secret ballot will be held at the AGM on 31 October.

Next meeting: Tuesday 26 September, City Chambers, 6.30 pm

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Meeting Minutes, 25 April 2023

Meeting of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council held in Glasgow City Chambers - Tuesday 25 April 2023

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Mark Dougan, Niall McColl, Colin McKay, Eileen Mills, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Smith; DF, JG, DH, MG; Police - PC Rob Wilson; Ward Councillors Philip Braat and Eva Bolander, by video - David Cowan, Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns and Councillor Angus Millar.

Apologies: PC Sean McFadden, Peter Hayman

1.    MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (27 March)

Adoption proposed by Niall, seconded by DH.

2. POLICE REPORT 

PC Wilson said a joint further session of action on parking breaches with Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) due on 15 April had to be cancelled because the PEOs declined to work extra evening hours. Police had gone out that evening anyway with the same aim. 

Three further bike training/marking sessions had been held, two in universities since students were believed more vulnerable to cycle theft

Councillor Braat said marking events were important in deterring thefts.

Scott said evening and after dark gatherings of teenagers were becoming commonplace on the south and east asides of the St Enoch Centre. PC Wilson said. this was on the police’s radar and patrols were being stepped there as well as in St Enoch Square.

Scott said the Buskers’ Code of Conduct was a matter for Glasgow City Council and he realised that currently no licence was required but asked PC Wilson how many times in the past 12 months police had issued warnings to buskers playing more noisily than stated in the Code (music not heard beyond 30 metres away) and how many items of equipment had been confiscated. There was no point in having a Code if it was not enforced. PC Wilson said this would require an application to Police Scotland under the Freedom of Information Act.

Councillor Bolander said the City Centre Task Force would be discussing this in a more general review the following day. Scott said this might require Scottish Government action since a similar legislative situation existed in Edinburgh.

MG said addicts were discarding needles and other drugs paraphernalia outside her home in Parsonage Square. It was pointed out this was not in the MCTCC but Calton CC area. PC Wilson took details and will follow up.  Tam will put MG in touch with Lise Fisher of GCC and follow up on Eileen's request for some of the links/publications/results, referred to by the presenters, where other countries had set up a system similar to that about to be trialled in Glasgow.

3. ELECTED MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Councillor Braat said he had raised the buskers’ problem with Police Inspector Waters. Buskers were becoming louder and more brash, and this was having a detrimental effect on tourists, some of whom had asked buskers to turn down the volume.  The Code was perhaps 10 years old and it may be time for this to be reviewed. 

Councillor Bolander said she had also raised the issue with Inspector Waters and it may be possible to ‘dust off’ a review of the Code carried out pre-Covid.

She outlined the culture and sporting programmes for the Merchant City Festival being incorporated in the World Cycling Championships which would be an even bigger event than the Commonwealth Games.  The MCTCC area would be 

substantially impacted. 

Depute Lord Provost Mearns said motorists were still parking on pavements in Candleriggs.

Residents had complained about the extremely short notice of the Candleriggs road closure because of drainage work for the build-to-rent development. She had contacted the contractor and a greater notice period had been conceded.

The Panopticon had been in touch about anti-social activity in the area. The New/Old Wynd lane was being checked daily and four days of action had taken place. Several thousand pounds worth of drugs had been taken off the streets. 

No progress had been achieved in getting various cafes in Candleriggs to abide by formal GCC notices restricting their tables’ incursions on to pavements. Enforcement might be possible through Licensing. 

Occasional licences were reportedly being granted for premises communally owned by residents at the Old Sheriff Court. This was being investigated by Licensing.

She was continuing to investigate potential for more zebra crossings on side roads and seeking funding for this.

Councillor Millar said action points had been followed up after his recent walkabout with Councillor Bolander and MCTCC Councillors.

Parking infringements were also bad in Brunswick Street. Some 70 penalty notices had been issued following a recent enforcement drive. More parking attendants were being recruited. There had been a sharp dip in the work force during Covid.

Tam said there should normally be no vehicles on the lower part of Candleriggs after 11 am on any day. Depute Lord Provost Mearns said there was temporary dispensation because of the current building scheme. Eileen asked why Graham the developer was proposing drivers access Candleriggs from Trongate which is no entry access.

As City Transport Convener Councillor Millar had had further discussions with Peter Hayman on the McPhean proposal with a major aim being the improvement of low traffic interventions. He would like to discuss this with local stakeholders, including the Community Council, at a later date take the plan forward.

Eileen asked if there would be a presentation to MCTCC about the World Cycling Championships in August. Tam said this would be discussed at the next Mid Monthly Meeting.

DF thanked Ward Councillors on behalf of GCC for the 24 hour response to his complaint about racist graffiti on the pavement on the Clyde waterfront.

4. DRUGS PARAPHERNALIA

Tam will ask Lise Fisher for an update on the siting of the new container in New Wynd.

5. LITTER PICK

Niall reported on the event on 15 April.  Tam thanked Councillors Braat, Bolander and Millar for joining Community Councillors on the clean-up. 

Cigarette butts outside licensed premises had been shown to be a major problem. DF said a backpack vacuum cleaner could be bought to sweep these up. Councillor Braat said a stout brush would help.

Scott said many Council litter bins had been open, with contents spilling out into the pavement or street. Cleansing operatives should ensure they were locked shut after being emptied. Councillor Braat said budget may be an issue. He said the number of bins had been reduced and replaced with larger ones to make collection quicker. He had noticed a lack of recycling bins for glass. Councillor Bolander said maltreatment by passers-by could be part of the problem. 

To deter seagulls and pigeons commercial premises should not put rubbish on pavements or streets but on their own premises. Notices should be put up around George Square in particular asking people not to feed pigeons, especially since bird flu remains an issue.

DH said in future it would be better to carry out such an exercise on a Sunday. Tam said MCTCC might consider doing it again but no more often than quarterly and perhaps only annually. 

Councillor Bolander said GCC’s Commercial Waste team should raise with licensed premises the need for more bins for glass recycling. and ash trays for cigarette butts.

She suggested that in future stickers should be attached to bags stating: “Collected by MCTCC.”

6. PLANNING

MCTCC has objected to the proposal for student accommodation on Osborne St. Scott noted that the Billy Connolly mural next to the development would be destroyed as a result. 

Eight MCTCC Councillors attended a briefing on-site at The Briggait. Work on Phase 1 is due to start in May, initially to create more space for indoor markets. 

Following intervention from MCTCC the lamppost under a complaining resident’s window had been turned to face outwards.

A resident had reported construction noise starting at Jocelyn Square at 7 am. Councillor Bolander said that although an 8 am start on weekdays was only ‘recommended’ by GCC it had been included in the ‘advisory note’ to construction companies which gave it greater weight. Tam said MCTCC was grateful to Ward Councillors who shared its concern. 

Tam said there was a need for adequate notice to be given of licence variations relating to construction, especially late night work.

Merchant City Park - Eileen said it was up to the SG Reporter as to whether she wished to contact any or all of the 143 objectors to the Ingram Street car park application. The Reporter’s target deadline is 23 June 2023. Of the 8 missing documents requested by DPEA seven have been supplied by GCC to date.

Colin asked the purpose of scaffolding on Queen Street/Ingram Street. Eva said she would check.

7. LICENSING

Tam reported on his participation in a recent meeting of GCC’s Licensing Focus Group. He had been surprised that the MCTCC area had not been designated an area of over-provision of alcohol licensing.  

He told that meeting MCTCC did not want alcohol licences for serving outdoors to run later than 10 pm and pubs should not be allowed to serve beyond midnight. Councillor Bolander said the issue would go out to further consultation. The status quo might prevail.

MCTCC has objected to the application for the ‘House of Gods’ Hotel on Glassford Street, including because of the rooftop bar and requested 2 am licence for private events.

Hootenanny pub - Between 5 and 8 feet of the lower section of the Billy Connolly mural are already covered. The proposed two storey extension would cover more than half of it. There would be no amplified music outside.

Scott said some of the flagstones in St Enoch Square were broken. Had that damage been caused by stallholders at major events? It should be a condition of the granting of a licence for a stall that it was conditional on restoring the site ‘as new.’  Councillor Bolander said noise from attractions was becoming excessive. 

8. TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer not present. Tam will contact Carla.

9. GRANT GIVING SCHEME

Approved as presented by Niall. The sub-committee of him, Gary and Scott will take this forward. Details are on the MCTCC Website. Applications will close on 31 July. 

10.  ANDERSTON, CITY AND YORKHILL PARTNERSHIP

Gary represented MCTCC but not at this meeting to report.

11. FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN

First meeting due on 17 May with guest speaker. 

12. MEETING OF WARD 10 COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS

David represented MCTCC at the most recent meeting and has since reported to his fellow Community Councillors. Tam and Scott will represent it at the next meeting on Thursday 25 May.

13. FILMING

Scott reported on filming for ITV’s new Shetland series on 4 May in Miller Street (exterior shots outside Canada Court and inside in The Spiritualist until 11 pm) and Trongate/King Street with use of Virginia Street (and Court for equipment access) for vehicle parking. The production company had been asked for a donation to MCTCC’s grant-giving fund.

14. WEBSITE AND OTHER PUBLICITY

Niall and Ros will be reviewing various quotes for enhancing the Website.

Business cards for MCTCC Councillors and office bearers have been provided.

Posters for notice boards are being re-designed. These can also be placed in prominent locations, perhaps including the post office.

DF said MCTCC should consider advertising. Niall said this could be too expensive. 

15. ROBIN JONES

Tam said no date had yet been set for the funeral of one of MCTCC’s longest serving Councillors (Later it was advised this will take place in Watford on 16 May. Details of the Webcast are available from MCTCC Secretary).

16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Eileen reported on her participation on the consultation on the re-development of George Square and said it was clear that many of the decisions had been taken in 2016 and the GCC representative himself indicated that, seven years on, financing will require reconsideration.  It was acknowledged, in particular, that the condition of George Square surface and the Walter Scott plinth were poor. All other statues would be removed and assessed for damage before deciding whether or not to return them to the Square, perhaps in a different position.

Scott said the consultation he attended was told a planning application would be submitted in the Summer with work projected to start in 2025 with completion in early 2028. 

Scott said he had received a detailed update from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership about the possibility of a GP surgery for Merchant City. He would study this and report back to MCTCC. Anderston CC is interested in liaising on this. 

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 30 May at  6.30 pm - City Chambers

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Meeting Minutes, Monday 27 March 2023

Attended by:

Tam Coyle (Chair), Carla Arrighi, Gary Atkinson, Peter Hayman, Niall McColl, Eileen Mills, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Smith; Ward Councillors Eva Bolander, Philip Braat, Baillie Christy Mearns, Angus Millar; Police - PCs Rob Wilson and Sean McFadden; MD, TD, DF, DH, EL, CMcK, TMcK, GM. By video: OG

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Tam welcomed attendees to the meeting, held unusually on a Monday rather than Tuesday.

Apologies were received from Police Inspector Johnny Waters.

2. POLICE REPORT

PC Wilson reported that police had worked with parking enforcement officers in Merchant City last Saturday night and served 84 penalty notices. This exercise would be repeated in a month.

Several joint ‘engagement events’ had been held with cyclists and motorists re bikers’ safety and observance of the Highway Code. Tam noted that the Community Council had led efforts to have Candleriggs made pedestrians-only for all but two hours a day to allow deliveries to businesses.

Tam said he would discuss with police the issue of noisy buskers with police ‘off the table.’

Councillor Braat asked how successful recent bike marking and cyclists’ engagement events had been.

Scott asked if there had been a significant incidence of the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) canisters. PC Wilson said there had been a few seizures from younger people.

EL asked if anything could be done about queuing of sometimes as many as 25 people outside Shawarma King takeaway, often blocking King Street. PC Wilson said it might be possible to talk to the owner but it was more a safety rather than police issue.

DH said graffiti offenders had been allowed to get away with impunity for far too long. There was a high correlation between the incidence of crime and areas hit by graffiti since that indicated no action was being taken against anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Braat said buskers often tried to outdo each other with noise volume, an example being those outside the Bank of Scotland in St Enoch Square.

3. ELECTED MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Baillie Mearns said notices of legal action had been served on businesses in Candleriggs continuing to encroach on pavement space.

Councillor Bolander said a series of events would be held over five days as part of the ‘Go Live!’ programme in conjunction with the World Cycling Championships from 3-13 August. These would include acts previously featured at the Merchant City Festival (MCF) which would return in 2024.

Councillor Millar said representations had been made about the proposal for student accommodation on Trongate/Hutcheson Street and Osborne Street, with a looming deadline for the latter.

Councillor Braat reported anti-social behaviour by young people congregating around the Museum of Modern Art.

Signage had been left by Scottish Water in and around the High Street long after the work had finished, creating a safety hazard, especially for the visually impaired.

Scott asked Councillor Bolander for an update on waterfront developments between Glasgow Green and Central Station. Despite various attractive presentations over the last few years very little progress seemed to have been achieved recently.

Councillor Millar said strengthening of the quay wall had been part of the City Deal funding reached in 2014. This involved a number of projects. The value of the original grant had been eroded in the meantime. Scott asked if the previous plans had been too ambitious and had proved unaffordable. Councillor Millar said an update on overall funding would be available in the next couple of months.

Peter, Tam and Eileen updated the meeting on the proposal (approved by GCC’s Planning Applications Committee on the casting vote of the Chairman) to build 109 apartments on the site of the NCP car park in Ingram Street. This application had been ‘called in’ by the Scottish Government which is to appoint a Reporter to review it. MCTCC has campaigned for four years to have a community park built in the site.

Gary asked about the impact on residents of the introduction of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) which Councillor Millar summarised. Enforcement should not be forced upon residents without adequate notice. In response to a question from Peter about air quality he said buses’ emission standards needed further improvement.

MD queried why motorists had been penalised last Boxing Day, a major shopping day, since GCC had decreed it was not a public holiday and therefore parking fines could be imposed,

Tam noted that community engagements for the next TRNSMT pop festival were scheduled for 19 April and 24 May (Calton Community Centre 5.30-7 pm). MCTCC would be represented.

EL queried the permitted hours for noisy construction work, saying work near her home had begun at 7 am. Following the meeting Councillor Bolander confirmed recommended working hours for noisy works on construction sites are: Monday-Friday 8 am to 7 pm, Saturday - 9 am to 1 pm; Sunday - No noisy works should take place.

Tam said EL’s complaints about lack of privacy due to re-siting of a lamp post would be covered during a forthcoming walkabout by Community and Ward Councillors.

4. PRESENTATION ON SAFE NEEDLE AND OTHER DRUGS PARAPHERNALIA DISPOSAL

Lise Fisher of GCC introduced her colleague John Campbell on the latest aspect of their work of the past few years on cleaning up needle and drug paraphernalia. John manages the Council’s needle exchange programme and chairs the city centre harm reduction action group. He explained that 400-500 people a month inject themselves away from home every month, sometimes in public places. This involves 6,000-7,000 needles a month.

Changes in procedures had helped, including giving out single use packs of needles and using foil as an alternative needles to inhale the drug instead of injecting it.

Lise said a six month pilot programme would involve setting up one large 60 litre capacity container for accepting used needles and other items. This would be situated in New Wynd Lane, an area known for drug abuse, and monitored daily. The concept had worked successfully in other towns and cities. The Council was not condoning drug abuse but trying to lessen its impacts.

In answer to a question from Gary, John said the aperture would be just large enough to accept needles and have a sloping roof so nothing could be placed on top.

EL complained that the drug problem kept getting shifted to that area from other parts of Glasgow. Why could it not be placed in Ingram Street? It would attract more drug users to the area. Lise said the location had been selected because of the high incidence of discarded needles left around New Wynd.

MD said he was heartened by the initiative and added the King Street pharmacy had proved to be a flash point because of the doling out of drugs from it.

TMcK queried whether drug users in other parts of the city would go all the way to this container to discard their needles.

5. PLANNING

Peter had circulated a report on recent applications. These included a proposal for Purpose Built Student Accommodation on Trongate/Hutcheson Street. Deadline for objections is 10 April. Peter showed a picture of the elevations and said it was another example of the new featureless architecture blighting the cityscape. Buildings were being built higher and higher regardless of architectural merit.

Tam reminded the meeting that MCTCC had strong feelings about the need for more student accommodation in the city centre. The meeting confirmed the Community Council’s objection to this proposal and Peter was asked to convey this to GCC. DH said students had no stake in the local community and adding even more accommodation for them ran counter to Glasgow Council’s aim to bring more families into the city centre.

ST noted that statistics provided at a recent consultation on Glasgow’s Housing Strategy included an increase of 40% in student numbers in Glasgow in the past eight years.

He said the representative of another student accommodation development, in Osborne Street, had promised to share a report compiled by Savills on projected student accommodation shortfalls. Tam said he would pursue this with Porter Planning.

EL queried the proposed (and now approved) 7 storey student accommodation in Jocelyn Square.

Councillor Bolander said there was a need for more student accommodation but public transport meant students could easily reach the city centre from accommodation in other parts of the city.

On a general point, Tam said it was wrong that GCC imposed no limit on the height of new buildings.

6. LICENSING

Tam will represent MCTCC on a GCC Focus Group on 21 April.

Proposal for a ‘House of Gods’ hotel in Glassford Street hotel (next to the post office) includes opening until 2 am for private functions (for up to almost 400 people). MCTCC has concerns about this as well as a proposed rooftop bar. Tam will seek clarification from GCC Licensing on where such large groups would gather with a view to objecting on behalf of MCTCC.

7. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

To be amended to include apologies from Gordon Wylie.

Proposed by Scott, seconded by Tam. Approved.

8. TREASURER’S REPORT

Carla reported a current bank balance of £10.508.

9. GRANT GIVING

Niall said a sub-group of himself, Gary and Scott had compiled guidelines, criteria and a scoring matrix for a scheme to use some of the money (mostly donated by film companies) for projects of benefit to the local community. An updated draft will be circulated to Community Councillors for discussion at their next mid-monthly meeting. In principle it will be presented to the April public meeting and, if agreed, launched. Peter and Eileen may apply for funding for legal assistance in connection with Merchant City Park.

10. NEW COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS

Colin McKay and Mark Dougan have accepted invitations to join MCTCC and were welcomed.

11. LITTER PICK

More volunteers are required for the clean-up of the MCTCC area on Saturday 15 April.

12. WEBSITE UPDATE

Niall said he and Ros had received a quote of around £3,000 for refreshing the Website. He will request other tenders and investigate matched funding.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 25 April, 6.30 pm

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Meeting Minutes, 28 February 2023

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), David Cowan, Peter Hayman, Robin Jones, Eileen Mills, Scott Thornton, Councillor Eva Bolander, DF, TD, TMcK, GM, Police - PCs Rob Wilson and Sean McFadden

Apologies: Carla Arrighi, Gary Atkinson, Niall McColl, Ros Wardley-Smith; Councillors Philip Braat, Christy Mearns and Angus Millar,, GW.

1. POLICE REPORT

PC McFadden reported that police would be taking part with other agencies in a ‘Week of Action’ in w.b. 20 March to make the Trongate area safer and cleaner.  This would include ‘awareness’ sessions for food delivery cyclists. Tam said he would ask City Centre management to include himself and the two MCTCC Vice-Chairs (Gary and Scott) in briefings. ACTION: Tam 

Police are being issued with Naloxone nasal sprays for use to counteract the effects of heroin overdoses.

Tam will take up with PC Wilson the issues of buskers and Delmonica’s. ACTION: Tam 

PC Wilson said Parking Enforcement had stepped up patrols in the Candleriggs area but police recognised that retailers were often just trying to run their businesses which included loading and unloading. Tam said that if the 109 flats were built on the NCP car park in Ingram Street parking problems would become even worse. 

Connolly’s bar has publicised its spend of £15k on soundproofing following complaints from neighbours. Councillors were unsure whether this money had been spent but no complaints had been received in the past week.

TD showed a video of a taxi going the wrong way up Candleriggs.

2. WARD COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Eva said Miller Street is included in the (non-funded) ‘Avenues Plus’ plan connected with the re-design of George Square. It would be part of an important walking route. 

She had been working with young people on art projects and helped avoid the Merchant City Festival being made bi-annual in the recently passed Council budget.   Culture was one of the larger employers in Glasgow. 

3. PLANNING

GCC has approved (renewed the approval of?) the complete demolition in a conservation area of 4-8 Dixon Street to make way for a proposed 21 storey building (serviced apartments?). Peter said such a tall building would create a major wind tunnel. 

Parking strategy - Gary due to have attended a meeting on 25 February and to report to MCTCC. ACTION: Gary 

Scott is due to meet the project team at the Briggait about its re development plans. ACTION: Scott 

Scott asked Eva what was happening with waterfront developments as all had gone quiet recently. Eva said she would check the latest situation and advise. ACTION: Eva 

Neighbouring Calton CC has invited MCTCC members, especially those keen on developing green spaces in the city centre, to a public meeting in Havannah Street on 27 March at 7 pm. There may be an opportunity to convert vacant land next to student accommodation blocks into a community park.

4. LICENSING

Eva said she had been taken aback by a report that Glasgow Council may approve the opening of all pubs to 1 am. It had taken no such decision. 

Tam said he had no objection to the application by Bar 91 in Candleriggs to extend its operating hours to 1 am seven days a week. Deadline  for objections is (was) 2 March. 

Scott reported that GCC’s film office had declined Filmy Locations Ltd’s application to film car and motor bike chases in Cochrane and Montrose Streets on 17 March.

However, it planned night time shooting (with a chase and fight between two actors) in Tontine Lane between 5 pm and 4 am on 7/8 March. The Film Office said it could not stop this since Tontine is a private gated lane. Scott will contact Filmy’s Location Manager about whether it had received owners’ permission. ACTION: Scott

5. OSBORNE STREET PBSA

Teri Porter of Porter Planning, Ahsan Afzal of Ambassador/Nova Living (developers and investors) and Neil Haining of Mosaic Architects gave a presentation on their proposal for Purpose Built Student Accommodation in Osborne Street/Old Wynd and were questioned by attendees. 

The plan comprises 270 studio units in a building stepping up from 7 to 11 storeys with an external roof terrace and is part of plans to double the city centre population of around 20,000 by 2035. Mr Haining said the mural of Billy Connolly (’75 BC’) would be covered up but it was only meant to be a temporary exhibit. 

A public exhibition was held on 20 February. Deadline for feedback is 7 March. Details can be viewed on novaosborne.co.uk. 

MCTCC Councillors and other attendees expressed concern at an over-concentration of student accommodation in the city centre, noted that students did not pay Council Tax and that it was important that services (e.g. doctors’ surgeries) kept pace with population growth. Eva said there should be proper proportionality between student and other accommodation. 

Eva asked if the applicants had looked at non-student accommodation. Peter asked if the project could include accommodation for tourists but Mr Afzal said this would not be manageable. Robin said a proportion of developments should be ‘normal’ residential.  Porter Planning said the site was too small to accommodate residential such as would comply with planning regulations. Attendees expressed support for more social housing but Eva said the Council could not force a private developer to build this, especially in view of high city centre land values. 

Ms Porter said she would share a report by Savills on projected student accommodation shortfalls and another study on the benefits which students bring. 

6. ‘MERCHANT CITY PARK’

Scottish Ministers have written to GCC to require the planning application for the site bounded by Candleriggs, Ingram Street and Albion Street to be referred to them - a process known as ‘calling in’ - for determination because of the possible impact on the future of the adjacent City Halls and Old Fruitmarket music and entertainment venues. This was welcomed by Community Councillors. 

7. FRIENDS OF RAMSHORN

A meeting is being arranged to approve the draft constitution. A Website needs to be set up. More than 20 members representing half a dozen organisations have already agreed to take part. ACTION: Tam/Eva

8. TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer not present. Carla to update. ACTION: Carla

9. GRANT GIVING

Scott reported that a sub-group of MCTCC had compiled a plan (including criteria, scoring matrix and application form) to set up the Community Council’s first grant giving scheme, making use of some of the almost £10,000 in its funds, mostly from donations from film companies. 

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

MCTCC is taking part in a Ward 10 Litter Pick on 15 April. ACTION: Niall

11. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING ON 31 JANUARY

Adoption proposed by Eileen Mills, seconded by Robin Jones. Approved.

NEXT MEETING (subject to confirmation): Monday 27 March, 6.30 pm in City Chambers. 

Niall to be asked to issue a reminder 48 hours before the next meeting that it will start at 6.30 pm. ACTION: Tam /Niall 

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