31 January Community Council Meeting
1. Welcome and apologies
2. Police Report
3. Presentation from Ian Elder, Glasgow City Council - District Regeneration Framework Consultation
4. Minutes of Last Meeting (Draft minutes of October 2022 meeting)
5. Treasurer’s Report
6. Elected Members Reports
7. Planning
8. Licencing
9. Friends of Ramshorn update
10. Any other business
11. Date of next meeting
Attending in person
Enter the City Chambers via the Gatehouse Entrance on Cochrane St. We meet in one of the Committee Rooms on the 2nd Floor
Attending via Zoom
If you're going to attend via Zoom, please register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEudOmgqDIoGNe9srfc-j-KB0AmSbAlHBkI
Meeting Minutes, 25 October 2022
Attended by
Tam Coyle (Chair), David Cowan, Peter Hayman, Robin Jones, Niall McColl (Secretary), Eileen Mills, Ros Wardley-Smith, MD, CMcK, TMcK, JH, AL, GF, PC Sean McFadden, PC Rob Wilson
Ward Councillors: Philip Braat, Baillie Christy Mearns, Angus Millar
Attended by video: Gary Atkinson
Apologies: Councillor Eva Bolander
Police report
PC Wilson reiterated that local police were not collating crime statistics since they did not believe this was a good use of police resources.
Tam disagreed, saying that if no measurements were taken and comparisons made it was impossible to judge if progress was being made and where the main problems lay.
JH complained about parking on pavements in Candleriggs. Why were police not enforcing the law with £50 fines? This had been going on with impunity for far too long. He had seen police walking past offenders without taking action. PC Wilson replied that a number of fixed penalty notices had been issued. If there is a transgression police need to know on the day. He may have to raise this with GCC as there is a traffic management issue.
Robin Jones said the Spaces for People initiative which involved tables and chairs on the pavement left too little room for pedestrians, especially wheelchair users.
PC Wilson said cafes and restaurants were given licences for specific sizes of outdoor spaces. Police would check these limits were being observed.
JH said there should be no goods loading/unloading on Candleriggs. Action on illegal parking should be taken now.
A resident said two premises in Virginia Street had two adjoining bars with different licensing hours. Customers were leaving one premise in the early hours of the morning in contravention of its licence. He had received no response to his emailed complaints to the licensing board. Tam will take this up as a matter of urgency.
Scott noted that an owner at Carrick Quay reported recently finding drug users squatting on the premises and had been moved on by police. PC Wilson said this was likely to become a bigger problem with the colder weather but the East Campbell Street homeless shelter would be open again in November through to March.
CMcK said the noise from buskers was continuing to be especially loud at the entrance to Debenhams, often from the same group of people. Tam said there should be an enforceable decibel level. PC Wilson reiterated that if repeated police warnings about excessive noise were not heeded, sound equipment could be confiscated.
GF complained about noise and brawls long into the night outside WHERE?. Repeated calls to GCC’s Noise Control, an under-resourced unit, had been fruitless which meant police (who relied on the unit’s reports) could not intervene. Christy said there was a similar situation at Connolly’s but progress had been blocked because of the need for acoustic monitoring in complainants’ homes. Tam said the matter was getting worse and he will take up the issues with GCC licensing and the police.
Gary said seating outside Connolly’s, which caused outside noise from customers, had not yet been removed.
Approval of September meeting minutes:
Eileen queried item 6.3.3. Niall read out what had been said. “Is it correct that Cemetery friends can take an interest in restoring or any action at all regarding gravestones? Is that not the responsibility of the owner of the gravestones or the descendants of the owners of the gravestones and grants and such like?”
He quoted Eva as saying Friends groups could do so under terms laid down by Historic Environment Scotland.
Approval of minutes proposed by David Cowan and seconded by Ros Wardley-Smith. Carried.
Ward Councillors’ reports:
Angus:
City centre transport (transformation) plan is being presented to GCC committee next month.
George Square updated concept designs out in next month or so.
He met yesterday with representatives of the Friends of the Ramshorn. Tam said a constitution could be based on that of the Friends of the Garnethill Cemetery. First meeting 22 November.
Angus will make sure MCTCC gets adequate notice of future walkabouts.
Re Archaos nightclub in Queen Street (across road from MCTCC area): Tam, Peter and Scott met developers who have lodged a pre-planning application for student accommodation. Tam said there was no mention of demolition of the building at that meeting. Community Council response is being led by Broomielaw CC
Christy:
Has asked police to review Candleriggs premises which might be in breach of their licences for occupation of outside spaces.
Despite 143 objections the application to build 109 flats on the Ingram Street site would be recommended for approval at next week’s Planning Applications Committee. Another material consideration could be possible archaeological relics under the site.
She is looking at possibilities for more Zebra crossings for some side streets in Merchant City under the proposed new 20 mph zone.
Remove all traffic from some streets under the City Centre Transport (Transformation) Plan?
Philip:
Have we reached saturation point for student accommodation in certain locales?
The backlog of bin collection following the refuse workers’ strike is being cleared.
Peter said GCC had told him there are enough bins near his flat but this was not true: there were too many bins with contents destined for landfill and too few heading for recycling.
Scottish Water work will cause disruption in High Street from 6 January and is likely to impact traffic through Merchant City (This will be publicised on the MCTCC Website).
There have been complaints of noise from the funfair in St Enoch Square.
Questions to ward councillors
MD raised issues concerning planning enforcement of the A listed Jacobean Corsetry building in Virginia Street.
JH said the Sorriso cafe in Candleriggs was refused a licence in April 2022 yet continued to operate.
He also said 83b Candleriggs Court is operating as an aparthotel but of 36 flats 15 are operating as serviced apartments. Why is GCC not taking action?
JH added that six cast iron Victorian bollards had been removed from outside the City Halls some 10 years ago at great expense. Why could they not be returned?
Councillors Surgeries
MCTCC is in Glasgow City Council Ward 10 (Anderson/City/Yorkhill). We are represented by four councillors. The links below will take you to their page on Glasgow City Council's website, and from there, you can see when their next surgeries are, as they all hold surgeries at different times on different days.
Annual General Meeting, Tuesday 25 October 2022
These minutes will be reviewed at the AGM on Tuesday 24 October 2023
Members’ attendance:
In person - Tam Coyle (Chair), Niall McColl (Secretary), David Cowan, Peter Hayman, Robin Jones, Eileen Mills, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Smith
By video - Carla Arrighi (Treasurer), Gary Atkinson, EM
Apologies: Councillor Eva Bolander, GW
Minutes of 2021 AGM held on 26 October 2021
Approval proposed by Tam Coyle, seconded by Niall McColl. Carried nem con.
Chairman’s report
Tam said MCTCC had experienced another interesting 12 months which started with Chair Duncan McLaren stepping down due to pressure of work and the sad death of long serving Treasurer Gerald Hirst.
Due to the Covid pandemic MCTCC had held most of its meetings online but a few months ago moved back to in-person meetings in the City Chambers.
He thanked members and office bearers for the work they had done to give up much of their time to serve their local communities. This had included sifting through licensing and planning applications on behalf of residents in the historic heart of Glasgow.
MCTCC continued to have a good relationship with police who gave us reports on crime in this area.
Campaigns had included a fight to create a community park on the site of the NCP car park on Ingram Street, currently home to 20 trees and situated in front of a world famous mural. This is the subject of a planning application, which MCTCC opposes, to build 109 flats. He thanked Peter Hayman and Eileen Mills for their outstanding work on this campaign which had included registration of a registered charity. The land had been sold but the campaign continued.
The Community Council had also opposed plans for building student accommodation on a vacant plot in Jocelyn Square. Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland had also opposed this. A rooftop terrace would have overlooked local residents. Refusal had been overturned by the Scottish Government and its future remained uncertain.
MCTCC had fought hard to re-open the Ramshorn graveyard, closed during the pandemic, and was grateful to the four ward councillors for their support. A Friends of the Ramshorn group had been set up with a first meeting scheduled for 22 November. So far 15 people had signed up including representatives of Historic Scotland and Glasgow Heritage Trust.
One of our Community Councillors has raised various questions about what should be done to improve the condition of the graveyard. These would be followed up following the above meeting.
Tam thanked Niall McColl, who looks after MCTCC’s social media, for his work on creating a Website and an email address for residents, making it more visible on Facebook, and giving more information to local residents. Councillor Scott Thornton had done excellent work on promoting MCTCC’s various campaigns, notably on Merchant City Park.
The Council was grateful to local MSP Kaukab Stewart and MP Alison Thewlis for their participation and support.
The Chair’s report was approved.
Treasurer’s submission of independently examined statement of accounts
Carla reported she only had four bank statements. Those between November 2021 and March 2022 were missing due to the illness and death of her predecessor Gerald Hirst.
In March there was £1,924.95 in the bank; as of today’s meeting there is a total of £9,072, largely due to donations from film companies as compensation for inconvenience and disruption caused to residents. A £500 donation promised by another film company was pending.
The Council’s equipment would need to be valued by an accountant.
Tam will liaise with Carla on this and independent review of the accounts by Clifford Most of Montrose Street before submission to Glasgow City Council.
Demit of current office bearers
Daniel O’Malley has stepped down as a member of MCTCC as he is moving outwith the area.
In accordance with the regulations all office bearers stepped down.
Nominations for the election of office bearers
As a member not standing for any office bearer position, Niall McColl took the Chair.
Chair - Tam Coyle. Nominated by Niall McColl, seconded by Robin Jones. There were no other nominations.
Vice-Chairs (Joint) - Gary Atkinson and Scott Thornton. Nominated by Tam Coyle, seconded by David Cowan
Secretary/Minutes Secretary - Scott Thornton. Nominated by Tam Coyle, seconded by Peter Hayman.
Treasurer - Carla Arrighi. Nominated by Tam Coyle, seconded by Ros Wardley-Smith
Associate members - None
The accounts, verified by the independent examiner, would be submitted to Glasgow City Council within four weeks.
Next AGM: Tuesday 24 October 2023
Meeting Minutes – 27 September 2022
1. Welcome
Gary Atkinson welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Attendance and Apologies
2.1. Community Councillors
Gary Atkinson; Ros Wardley Smith; Niall McColl; Scott Thornton; Peter Hayman; Eileen Mills
2.2. Residents
AL, SC, HL, TM
2.3. Elected Members
Cllr Eva Bolander; Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns
2.4. Ex-officio
PC Rob Wilson, Police Scotland
2.5. Apologies
Tam Coyle; Carla Arrighi; David Cowan
3. Police Report
No specific report; Rob made the following points
3.1. Contacting the Police
- Public will never be criticised for contacting the police about something that concerns/alarms them
- Call centre risk assesses every call, which dictates the response
3.2. Citywide campaign for low level drug use
- This has been successful
3.3. Questions
3.3.1. What’s the current status on break-ins, etc? (PH)
- No figures available
- Main issues locally are on-street drug dealing, antisocial behaviour
3.3.2. High levels of noise on Ingram St on Monday night (PH)
- A few instances of antisocial behaviour but nothing major
3.3.3. What are the main drugs trafficked? (ST)
- Cocaine; Heroin; Cannabis
- Legal highs are not street drugs, but are not an issue in Glasgow
3.3.4. What are the Police Powers on Noisy street musicians (ST)
- No prescribed decibel level
- If Police get a complaint, they will attend
- If, in their judgement noise exceeds what a reasonable person would expect, they’d ask them to turn it down
- They can be issued with a warning and, if they persist, their equipment can be seized.
- Eva added the following:
- Was a focus before covid
- There is a plan for addressing this
- There is a buskers code of conduct, which the community team should be enforcing
3.3.5. What can be done about Antisocial behaviour from pubs and pubgoers (SC)
- Phone it in to the Police on 101
- They will review
- If it falls outside the pub’s licence conditions, will pass it on to partner agencies
- Provides the evidence that GCC etc need to be able to take action against their licence
- Local noise team are short staffed
- Connolly’s and Murphy's are still a particular issue
3.3.6. Any issues in the Ramshorn (GA)
- No reports of antisocial behaviour, drinking
- It is included in the patrol matrix
4. Minutes of August Meeting and Matters Arising
4.1. Approval
No changes were requested
Proposed by Scott Thornton;
Seconded by Niall McColl
Minutes adopted
4.2. Matters Arising
4.2.1. Filming
- Policy is for Scott to ask donations from any company wishing to film in the area
- Total of £8,600 so far, which is an impressive total, and many thanks are extended to Scott for his work on this
- Discussion re use of money postponed to next mid-monthly
4.2.2. Saltmarket Bridge Repairs
4.2.3. Businesses occupying excessive space on streets
- Covered under Eva’s report
4.2.4. Visit to Recycling Centre
- 3 community councillors attended
- Very worthwhile visit
- Lots of background on what GCC is doing to combat the mess problem
- Many thanks to Scott for organising the trip
5. Treasurer’s Report
- No official report as Carla sent apologies
- Minor expenses of £130 for web related stuff
6. Elected Members Reports
6.1. Councillor Eva Bolander
6.1.1. Walkabout with Angus
No community council representatives were able to attend, though Eva wasn’t aware if we’d been advised (update – no emails were sent to the MCTCC account advising us this was taking place)
6.1.2. Virginia Place refuse problems
- meeting with planning and cleansing to try and resolve.
- Plan to have bin sheds at side of building requires the dead end to be “stopped up”
6.1.3. Graces Bar
- Graces bar complaints have been reported to Licensing and to Planning.
- In the future, all licenced premises will have to apply for space on pavements, and will have to show a plan.
- Eva will arrange a briefing on what the new rules are
6.1.4. Candleriggs Development
- Central square to be called Candleriggs Square
6.1.5. Avenues Project
- Some parts need to be re-scoped, and some elements of the projects may be scaled back due to current inflationary pressures.
- High St is now included in the overall project.
- Learnings from Sauchiehall project are being taken into account.
- Timelines have slipped due to COVID, plus external pressure.
- Report available from the GCC website (https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/submissiondocuments.asp?submissionid=105987)
6.1.6. Green Grants
- Green grants for businesses will go live fairly soon. These are grants to help achieve city’s net zero ambitions
6.1.7. Ramshorn
- EM asked if Eva knew anything about the Marie Trust, which she did, and was able to give more details about it.
- Initial meeting of group was cancelled for various reasons. Eva proposed that a donation to Ramshorn would be beneficial to the community, and also suggested other uses for the money we have received, such as The Marie Trust, Simon Community, Glasgow Helps – a new organisation setup to help people facing cost of living crisis.
6.2. Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns
6.2.1. Festival Village
- They now have temporary planning permission for 2 years, so can apply for a full premises licence. Deadline to object to that is 13 October
6.2.2. Electric shuttlebus
- Part of proposal to reduce volume of traffic, and would be a complementary service
6.2.3. Spaces for People
- New approach to spaces for people will remove the temporary footways
- Requirement for 2 meter clearance on the existing pavements
- COVID permissions lapse at the end of the month
- Businesses using more of the pavement will now have to submit applications to use more space.
- Applications will be for 2 years
6.2.4. Connolly’s
- Still ongoing
- Due to the review hearing that’s been proposed, there was an agreement to allow Connolly’s time to make improvements to their operation
- Part of the agreement was for acoustic monitoring equipment to be used to measure noise, but she believes that this is no longer the case
6.2.5. City Centre Transformation Plan
- General direction is good
- Did suggest that alongside removing through traffic, should provide more pedestrianisation, as current plans would still allow traffic on many streets
6.2.6. Infrastructure Fund
- Hoping for improvements in the merchant city
- CC could put forward ideas
6.2.7. SPT Strategy
- Closes on 31 October
6.2.8. Food Growing Fund
- Applications open for next 6 weeks
- Communities and local groups to increase food growing opportunities
- https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=29671
6.2.9. Recycling
- Agrees that its a very confusing landscape
- A lot of the blame lies with manufacturers using inappropriate plastics
- We have to reduce the waste we’re producing
6.3. Questions for Councillors
6.3.1. What can the council do about the banks with boarded up windows (NM)
- Barclays and HSBC (outside our boundary) on Argyle St
- Eva will follow up
6.3.2. Refuse collection issues (TM)
- The Polmadie plant can separate some waste into recyclable material
- Knowing what can and cannot be recycled is almost impossible (ST). More information on what can and cannot be recycled available from: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17043
6.3.3. Can “Cemetery Friends” groups take an interest in or any other action about restoring gravestones, referring to Deeds of Grant, Susan O’Connor etc
- Yes, in line with Historic Environment Scotland guidelines
- Susan O’Connor (Civic Trust) can clarify what they can and cannot do
6.3.4. Is the Saltmarket/High St shop front improvement programme still going (TM)
- Some of the units are looking in poor condition
- Meanwhile Use programme phase 1 is complete, phase 2 is under way
- Eva will confirm what’s available now
6.3.5. Seats installed outside Connolly’s have worsened problems for residents, as pub-goers sit on them until the wee hours (SC)
- Installed as part of Spaces for People
- Eva will speak to the officers about getting them moved
6.3.6. Where would the electric bus run? (ST)
- Christy - No detail as yet
7. Planning
7.1. This month’s planning applications
The detailed application can be reviewed by clicking on the application details
7.2. Other notes
- Corrigans on Howard St is now empty as they have moved to Keppochill Road.
- Proposal of Application Notice for Archaos on Queen St
- Community Councillors will meet with developers in October
- Public events in November/December
8. Licencing
8.1. Recent Applications
- Festival Village. Closing date 13 October. More info https://mctcc.scot/2022/09/29/licensing-application-festival-village/
9. Social Media
- Now just under 700 followers on Facebook
10. Any Other Business
10.1. Marie Trust
- EM recently became aware of the Marie Trust and met with Frances McKinley, the Chief Officer.
- Work as a day centre for homeless people, based on Albion St, having recently moved from Midland St
- Frances is is keen to speak to us. Would November be possible? To be discussed at October mid-monthly
- Also keen to be involved with Greyfriars Garden – offering to recycle they food waste into compost. EM has provided contact details for this.
10.2. Merchant City Community Notice Boards
- Should we be thinking of updating them to reflect that we’re now MC&T CC
10.3. Great Scottish Run, 1 and 2 October
- Many roads closed around the Merchant City, but no notifications received by residents
- Eva will follow up
11. Date of Next Meeting
- Tuesday 25 October 2022 at 7pm in the City Chambers and online
- Our AGM will be held at the start of the meeting. All office bearers step down and may be re-elected, or any other Community Councillor can stand for an office bearer position,
Meeting Minutes, 30 August 2022
Tuesday 30th August 2022 at 7pm in Committee Room 1, Glasgow City Chambers and online via Zoom
1. Welcome
Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to the meeting
2. Attendance and Apologies
2.1 Community Councillors:- Chair: Tam Coyle; Niall McColl, David Cowan; Peter Hayman; Scott Thornton; Eileen Mills; Gary and Rosalind Atkinson
2.2 Residents:- EM, TD, CM, GM, MR, AL, PM
2.3 Elected Members:- Cllr Eva Bolander, Cllr Angus Millar, Cllr Philip Braat and Bailie Christ Mearns
2.4 Ex-officio:- Graeme Naine (North Plan), Ross Barrett (HLM Architects), and Olga Kozlova (Director of Innovation, Strathclyde University)
2.5 Apologies:- Kaukab Stewart MSP
3. Minutes of Last Meeting (26 July 2022)
3.1 Corrections to minutes - No changes were requested
3.2 Approval: Proposed by: Niall McColl, Seconded by: Tam Coyle
3.3 Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Treasurer’s Report
There was no Treasurer Report as Carla Arrighi was on holiday. Scott Thornton, in collaboration with Niall McColl, reported that we are awaiting confirmation if Warner Bros. film company has paid the MCTCC invoice sent to them. They reported we are also expecting £100 from another film company.
5. Police Report
There was no police report as they were unable to attend.
6. Presentation – Planning Application for TIC2 at Strathclyde University
Graeme Naine, Ross Barrett and Olga Kozlova thanked MCTCC for being invited to meeting. HLM Architects have submitted to GCC the Proposal of Application Notice for ‘Tic 2’ (Technology Innovation Centre 2) building. The have started the formal pre-application consultation which runs to late September. They expect to submit a full planning application by late November. More information about the building is available online at:
Olga Kozlova explained that it would be called “Charles Huang Advanced Technology Centre” It is the biggest project Strathclyde University has been working towards for the last 3 years. The purpose is to expand upon the work that is being done in ‘Tic 1’, which is now full, located next to this site, wherein scientists are carrying out innovation and research with private companies to produce prototype goods.
The entrance to Tic 2 will face the High St Rail Station, and so will be a fitting start to the new Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID). The ground floor will be open to the public and community (to some extent) and include an innovation hub. This will promote social innovation, allow for the public to test new products from the research which carried out there. It will bring high quality jobs to the city centre.
Graeme Naine - Strathclyde has appointed a full project team. The design proposals are subject to review after the consultation has finished. Ross Barrett took us through the slides and added supplementary information. It is well placed for sustainability and active travel due to close location to transport hubs. They have looked at the history of the High Street and capture the concept of courts and closes. The presentation and consultation information would be distributed MCTCC members.
Daniel – Is it the case that the West side is not yet a confirmed projects at the Herald building? Graeme Naine explained that he understands currently there are no plans for the West side plot. However, he could not say that this would not change in the future, but was sure if this were the case, it would not be until after Tic 2 was built. Strathclyde university would brief MCTCC well in advance of any such plans at this location.
Scott Thornton enquired how the community would have access / use of the ground floor? Olga Kozlova explained that it would not be full access, the work upstairs must remain private. Just as in Tic 1 the ground floor will be open to the public where there will be a café, have some public events or information galleries which would be open to the public.
7. Elected Members Report
Councillor Angus Millar
City Centre Consultation, the deadline for this is the 12th of September, it would be good if MCTCC submitted a response. It relates, in some ways to mobility access to the city centre:- https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/city-centre-transformation-plan
Broad discussions around the People 1st Zones:- reducing traffic from the city centre and improving access for disabled people. He noted how MCTCC had contributed to pedestrian strategy plans in the past, even though that is no specific duty to this, it would be useful if they did and would give a mandate for the work being considered.
Likewise for the George Square consultation is ongoing, there have been many phases as GCC has learned from previous changes that a broad consensus is required for changes to be accepted. The concept designs have been widely publicised with questions asked if people would like more grassy areas, benches and if there are too many trees included. It is known that people like to spend time there, hold civic and private events there. To take part in the survey please visit:-
https://www.ourplaceglasgow.com/get-involved/george-square
There has been industrial action due to a national pay dispute by the cleansing department for the last week. It has still some days to run. When the strike ends, domestic refuge collection will restart. Negotiations are ongoing to resolve this pay dispute.
Tam has arranged to do a walkabout with Eva and himself on Tuesday 7th of September.
Bailie Christy-Mearns
Bailie Christy-Mearns has also recently done a walking survey of the Merchant City. It was good to see the ‘Spaces for People’ planters and benches have been installed. These are an improvement on the improvised wooden planters used beforehand. These now have an aesthetic, clean design befitting of the Merchant City. It is good GCC has approved these to become permanent fixtures.
Although the installation of these has used up some parking spaces, it has been done in a safe way she has been assured. It improves the look of the streetscape and allows greater access for everyone. Depending on how the new designs work out, it could be that planters can be relocated elsewhere thus allowing for more seating to be added.
In response to suggestions from a member of MCTCC she has asked that the Planning Portal show, in a better way, the documents for planning applications. Specifically this relates to the dates of the documents for the Ingram St carpark development. Those submissions which were uploaded before the end date will be considered valid and will be taken into account for the overall application.
The funding for a citywide speed limit of 20mph for Glasgow has been approved. She is pleased to have been involved in this public safety initiative and understands the signage is now going up across the city. She thanks MCTCC for supporting this policy for many years.
She is an advocate for the City Centre Transformation plan. It will improve the ‘pedestrian experience’ of their use of the streets with more ‘greenery’. Likewise, the George Square proposal will be positive step forward, in collaboration with all the other initiatives. More seated grass areas in the centre, and around the perimeter, as this would promote better recreational areas for children to play. However the plan does not consider the look of the surrounding streets and these need improvement, especially considering it is meant to be a conservation area. There is too much signage and advertising.
Councillor Eva Bolander
She visited the Saltmarket Rail Bridge consultation that was located in Osbourne Street in August. She was not happy about the time that will be taken to do the work and noise it will create. It will be done during the night, and she has already had a number of complaints even before the work has started. Network Rail the say the works have to be done as soon as possible and that the residents have been notified there will be noise during the night. It is believed the Saltmarket bridge is only used for network rail activities and not for passenger trains. Trains crossing the bridge are going to, or from, Shields Road depot for cleaning or repair.
The Infrastructure Fund was put before the North West Area Partnership in June.
She consulted with her colleagues and the Partnership. Some of the funds will go towards resurfacing of road on Cochrane St. Following complaints, it was agreed that the following pedestrian crossing workings have to investigated: Montrose St and Cochrane St and John St and Cochrane St.
The Friends of Ramshorn Graveyard and a date for the inaugural meeting has been set for 6th of September. She has had a summary report from the Merchant City Festival and was pleased to see that it was very well attended including by families.
Queen St was closed today due to emergency road works at Ingram St and George Street though it was not known why.
Baillie Philip Braat
Good news about the Merchant City Festival. He has reported that some of the older benches around the Counting House Wetherspoons adjacent to George Square require re-painting.
It has not gone unnoticed that some businesses have deemed it suitable to utilise the whole pavement for their commercial use. Residents and the public, are only able to pass by walking on the road; there has to be a balance here. Any cases like this should be reported to the Ward Councillors.
As was seen in Edinburgh previously, it is not just domestic bins that are now overflowing due to the industrial action. It will take some time after for the bin men to clear up all mess that has been accumulating. He has noticed that even before the strike there was mess building-up in some areas and he encourages these to reported after the strike ends.
He thanked Mr Scott Thornton for assisting him in setting-up the visit to the Viridor refuse recycling centre on Thursday 15th September between 1pm and 3pm. Cllr Braat was unsure if he was able to attend this meeting as he has a busy schedule around that time.
He received an email from a David Boyd of Network Rail in response to resident complaints, however Mr Boyd feels that the best solution is to continue with the night work so as to ‘just get the work done.’
Cllr Millar has invited him to a meeting at Strathclyde University to look at the Tic 2 plans. Cycle September are trying to get people to take their bikes out in that month and any month afterwards.
Questions for Elected Members
Tam has found an empty Nitrous Oxide (NO) gas cannister in the Ramshorn graveyard.
There was also something at a car park.
Scott Thornton asked if the recycling centre is open, Cllr Bolander confirmed that it was closed during the strike. He asked about how members of the public were notified of planning hearings. It was discussed that the methods and timescales used by the Planning Department were unknown, Cllr Bolander recommended asking the department employee involved in the application.
Mark Ripley, who lives on Saltmarket, noted that there is little traffic flow on the road and so the works to the Saltmarket Rail Bridge by Network Rail could be done during the day. It would appear as though they are just doing the works at time that suits their business rather than local residents, despite the complaints.
8. Planning
| Planning Applications for August | Address | Details |
| 22/01706/FUL 71 | 71 Argyle Street Glasgow G2 8BJ | External alterations, with installation of shopfront at Dunlop Street, extension toloading platform at Osbourne Street and works associated with subdivision ofretail unit to form two separate units (Class 1) |
| 22/01872/PAN | 185-211 High Street/30 College Street | Erection of technology and innovation centre (Class 10 Non residentialinstitutions), ( Class 4 Business) ancillary uses and associated works. |
| 22/01773/ADV | 82 Queen Street Glasgow G1 3DN | Display of one non-illuminated projecting sign and non-illuminated vinyl appliedto fascia. |
| 22/01895/FUL | 15 St Margaret’s Place Glasgow G1 5JY | Use of puzzle room (Class 11) as retail unit (Class 1) |
| 22/01912/FUL | 76 Argyle Street Glasgow G2 8A | Frontage alterations and installation of click and collect kiosk. |
| 22/01862/FUL | 9 - 11 Argyle Street Glasgow | Use of retail premises (Class 1) as flatted development ( 4 units) (Sui generis) andexternal alterations |
| 22/01796/FUL | 4 - 8 Dixon Street Glasgow | Erection of serviced apartments with ground floor retail and roof top restaurant :Section 42 Application to vary condition 41 of Planning Permission 19/01694/FUL |
| 22/01899/FUL | 101 Trongate Glasgow | Use of vacant premises as 4No. flatted dwelling with installation of replacementwindows, formation of dormer windows, frontage alterations and fabric repairs |
| 22/02032/ADV | 76 Argyle Street Glasgow G2 8AG | Display of illuminated signage. |
| 22/02080/FUL | 110 Queen Street Glasgow G1 3BX | Installation of telecommunications equipment and associated works |
| 22/02084/FUL | 34 Queen Street Glasgow G1 3DX | Use of betting office (sui generis) as amusement arcade (sui generis) withfrontage alterations and associated works: Application under Section 42 for noncompliancewith condition 3 of planning application 20/02513/FUL relating tohours of operation |
| 22/02138/ADV | Site Of Bus Shelter Outside 12 On Glassford Street Glasgow | Display of internally illuminated digital double sided advertising |
All planning applications can be viewed by visiting https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk
9. Licensing
There were no licensing applications this month.
Tam is looking at why there was no Licencing notification of the Beach event at King St carpark to ensure this does not happen again.
10. Any Other Competent Business
- Tam noted that this is the second month with no Police representation.
- There was a break-in at the Herald Building
- Glasgow Live website reported a raid on Parnie Street on Thursday 18th of August.
- It has been noted that the vast majority of GCC office workers appear to be still working from home, even though the Covid pandemic has all but past.
- It was noted that there has be no response, despite filling a Doodle poll for availability for the ‘Rain Garden’ initiative MCTCC were contacted about in August.
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 27th September at 7pm
Meeting Minutes 26 July 2022
Tuesday 26th July 2022 at 7pm in Committee Room 1,
Glasgow City Chambers and online via Zoom
1. Welcome
Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to the meeting
2. Attendance and Apologies
2.1 Community Councillors
Chair: Tam Coyle; Niall McColl, David Cowan; Peter Hayman; Eileen Mills, Gary Atkinson and Scott Thornton
2.2 Residents
EM; TD; CM; TM;GM; MR; RA
2.3 Elected Members
Kaukab Stewart MSP
2.4 Ex-officio
PC David Penman and PC Nicola Stewart
2.5 Apologies
Daniel O’Malley, Carla Arrighi, Robin Jones, AC, AL, Cllr Philip Braat, Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Cllr Eva Bolander and Cllr Angus Millar
3. Minutes of Last Meeting (28 June 2022)
3.1 Corrections to minutes
No changes were requested
3.2 Approval
Proposed by: Eileen Mills
Seconded by: Tam Coyle
3.3 Matters Arising
- MCTCC not notified about Clyde Beach planning permission GCC administration error meant we did not receive planning or licencing notifications for 4 months.
- There was loud noise from the event between 12 noon and 8pm on several occasions.
- Scott Thornton has emailed Christy asking for advice if 140 objections is enough to warrant MCTCC taking further …. No reply as yet.
- Scott has organised a tour of the recycling refuse plant at Polmadie on the 15th of September between 1pm-3pm. Cllr Braat was thanked for arranging the visit. Any residents wishing to join please email [email protected]
- Area Partnership – Gary Atkinson reported the last meeting was at end of June. Gary inquired about Green Space funding but hasn’t heard anything back.
4. Treasurer’s Report
There was no report as Carla Arrighi was on holiday. No money has been received from Warner Bros.; we contacted the Glasgow Film Office about this. We have invoiced £1000 to the Debutante film company.
5. Police Report
- PC Nicola Stewart and PC David Penman have started doing regular patrols in our area. They are aware of the local issues such as drug taking in car parks.
5.1 Questions
- Tam – there is a busker at the corner of Gordon St and Buchanan St who plays loud music in the early hours of the morning, on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. Tam understands that buskers are supposed to stop playing by 10pm.
The police have a ‘city centre plan’ that starts at midnight. They issue warnings to turn down the volume, however after they leave to deal with other matters, it is the volume returns to it previous level. Sound equipment can be confiscated.
- A resident who lives Millar Steet complained about a street performer on
Argyle St. One at (what was) Debenhams and another at the entrance to St. Enochs. He has been reported to the police 9 times in July alone.The police are aware and discourage it every time they pass however, as they can be difficult to police – they just move to a new site. The noise limit is 64db.
- Scott - disappointed at the response from police re bags being thrown onto roof of garage at Clyde Street. It is understood that Sgt Mohamad is not used to dealing with community issues.
- TM raised the issue of cyclists, especially electric bikes traveling at speeds which are dangerous for nearby pedestrians. The police are trying to take action and issue enforcement tickets.
- Eileen - Stickers appearing on traffic lights. It is believed this is the responsibility of the City Council.
6. Presentation - Planning Application for Tic2 at Strathclyde University
The presentation was cancelled for this month’s meeting.
7. Elected Members Report
Kaukab Stewart MSP discussed the following: -
- Her new Glasgow office is on Bell St, which she will share with Alison Thewliss MP. She is hoping to host community engagement events there
- She has been heavily involved in legislation work that are at the final Stage 3, for amendments before voting, at Holyrood. This includes the Pyrotechnic Bill which will have a positive impact.
- Working on refugee and asylum seeker issues
- She, and the four councillors, are aware of the issues relating to pedestrians feeling harassed by delivery cyclists. Angus Millar is looking into the matter further.
- Kaukab will send her latest newsletter to MCTCC
- Met with Uber taxi company and asked them to look at their training
7.1 Questions
- Tam – Raised the issue of pavement parking legislation would be return in parliament. Kaukab Stewart said the problem is enforceability however they are scrutinising exemptions at the moment. She has written to the minister expressing her disappointment
- Scott – Short Term Let legislation - who has responsibility. The new legislation has been delayed due to it being a more complex issues to put into law due the exemptions such as those who are only letting out a spare bedroom.
The Scottish Government says that local councils are to use their powers to intervene using the current HMO licences for example. In popular areas there is over-saturation leading to buildings not having any permanent occupiers.
- Gary Atkinson - Hoteliers are the best people to speak to, as they have been heavily impacted. He, and Ros Atkinson have been working to help housing asylum seekers find accommodation through various channels including the Chamber of Commerce and hoteliers. However, this has been at times a frustrating experience.
8. Planning (including Merchant City Park and Filming)
- City Centre Transformation: there is an online consultation tomorrow about The Avenues project.
- George Square Consultation for ‘drop in’ on Saturday 6th August 1pm to 4pm and Thursday 18th of August, 4pm to 7pm. Details on noticeboards in situ. Consultation closes 12/9
- Email notifications of planning and licencing are now received by MCTCC
- MCP: Eileen’s emailed the Planning Duty Officer about the Planning Portal and if all comments were noted. She was informed that only comments submitted via the portal appear in the “Comments” tab. All other comments received are on the Documents tab. The Planning case officer has to read all the comments
- Filming: Debutante film company converted Cochrane St into 1870’s New York. Scott has met them and has another meeting tomorrow.
9. Licensing
- Only application received is continuation for Candleriggs Square to mid-October – this received no objections.
- Legacy of the COVID regulations that allowed businesses to set up those sort of events
10. Any Other Business
- Tam: has had reports of unhappy residents in Saltmarket Place due to the amount of alcohol and drug taking over the three days of the TRNSMT event. Tam will feed that back to the relevant people and authorities.
- Tam is working with different local groups such as the Ramshorn graveyard. Now this is open to the public once more there may be an opportunity have some the gravestone lettering restored as they have all but faded away. This will be discussed the next meeting of the meeting in late September.
- Tam made a formal request from the group to spend £4000 to get 10 of the gravestones restored by Liptons, using match funding from the NW Area Partnership. This will be put to vote at the August MCTCC meeting, if all the information is available at that time.
- Invitations are available to community council members for a Civic Reception in Metropolitan at 4pm on Thursday to start the Merchant City Festival. Cllr Bolander, as Chair, will introduce this.
- David Cowan noted the loss of significant number of parking spaces in our area due to Spaces for People becoming permanent, regular weekend events closing roads and the new Avenues project. He will make enquiries if residential parking is suitable, or possible in both the Merchant City and Trongate.
- Kaukab Stewart MSP will get information relating to training of Uber, and
other similar companies, delivery cyclists for the next meeting below.
Date of Next Meeting - Tuesday 30th August at 7pm
Meeting Minutes, 28 June 2022
28 June 2022 at 7pm in Glasgow City Chambers and online via Zoom
1. Welcome
Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to the meeting
2. Attendance and Apologies
2.1 Community Councillors
Carla Arrighi(for part of meeting); Gary Atkinson; Tam Coyle; David Cowan; Peter Hayman; Robin Jones; Niall McColl; Eileen Mills; Daniel O’Malley; Scott Thornton;
2.2 Residents
AW, EM, AL, TD, CM, TM, RA
2.3 Elected Members
Cllr Eva Bolander; Cllr Phillip Braat; Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns; Cllr Angus Millar
2.4 Ex-officio
Rob Wilson and Martin ? (Police Scotland); David Leslie (PAS)
2.5 Apologies
None received
3. Minutes of Last Meeting (31 May 2022)
3.1 Corrections to minutes
No changes were requested
3.2 Approval
Proposed by: Scott Thornton
Seconded by: Daniel O’Malley
3.3 Matters Arising
None
4. Treasurer’s Report
- No report as Carla had connection problems
5. Police Report
5.1 Report
- Rob will get back to Tam re parking issue discussed at previous meeting
- Drop in anti-social behaviour recently; St Enoch seems to have calmed down a bit. Could be due to travel disruption and/or better weather.
- Organised crime issue on Argyle St, with children as young as five being left to play musical instruments, with the adults taking any money collected. Should be reported via 101.
- Crime levels around Argyle St/Miller St junction - Eva has raised this with the police, but Rob isn’t aware of anything - Rob will follow up.
5.2 Questions
- No specific questions raised.
6. Planning Aid Scotland - David Leslie
6.1 Presentation
- The presentation is available at https://mctcc.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Merchant-City-Trongate-CC-Planning-Talk-28-June-2022.pdf
6.2 Questions
- Scott Thornton - believes only a small number of representatives are allowed to address the planning committee? Up to each council, but have to be transparent. Would normally recommend a group get together and appoint a spokesperson.
- Eva - if normal planning meeting, no representations from objectors or the developer. Councillors can speak. Only if there’s a planning hearing do objectors get a chance to speak. Developers get the same length of time to speak.
- Peter Hayman - is the planning meeting private? No, open to the public.
- Scott - what’s the difference between a planning meeting and a planning hearing? Up to planning committee to decide if they want to have a site visit and a hearing, or just a hearing, if it helps them reach a decision.
- Christy - is it appropriate for external pressure to be applied, if the community feels that the report doesn’t represent the views of the community. Not really answered
- Eileen Mills - what was his opinion of a developer trying to discredit a group by quoting out of context, what can we do about that? There is nothing wrong with a CC group having a discussion with a developer, but be careful not to compromise the CC
- Eileen - what can we do if a developer, in their Planning Statement, uploads an incorrect reference number for a previous proposal so that its not possible to confirm the reference? Recommend that Eileen speak to the Case Officer.
7. Elected Members Reports
7.1 Cllr Eva Bolander
- Antisocial behaviour - bandstand on the waterfront is becoming more of an issue again
- Car “Enthusiasts” - Police have been using sonar radars to catch them, mostly around Pitt Street. Fines are being issued. However, only 2 units in the whole of Scotland
- Ramshorn Graveyard -will reopen at 8am on Friday 2nd July. Summer hours are 8am - 8pm, will be reviewed for Winter.
- Connolly’s hearing - residents were not represented. It is still being monitored by the police. Tam will meet with the bar owner on their return from holiday. In the correspondence, there seems to be some discrepancy between the bar owner and the building owner. Media commentary has largely been in support of noise levels, and quite a bit of sectarian comments.
- King St “Beach Park” - only became aware of it on 28 June. Will be open from 15th July to mid August. No planning or licensing applications have been submitted that Eva is aware of. It is taking place on private land (NCP) - MCTCC have not had any notification of this either.
7.2 Cllr Phillip Braat
- Not heard anything about the beach party
- Wasn’t invited to the Connolly’s hearing
- Encouraged by improvements in anti-social behaviour, but need to keep eye on the ball over summer.
- Dealing with outside seating on Brunswick St which was causing pedestrian access problems, now resolved.
- Grafitti removal in certain hotspots.
- Still waiting on response to emails about Police dealing with loud vehicles on Ingram St and other areas in the Merchant City.
- Visit to recycling facility can now be arranged, subject to suitable dates and attendees.
7.3 Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns
- Also not invited to the Connolly’s hearing
- Parking - looking at business case to employ more parking officers
- Shuttle St parking - One small stretch not completed, due to a dispute between the restaurant and Scottish Enterprise over ownership of the site
- Festival Village - 2 year licensing application granted, which does include amplified music. Specifies how loud that can be
7.4 Cllr Angus Miller
- Spaces for People - planters have been replaced in the Merchant City. Will be finished by 4th July
- Low Traffic Proposal (MCPHAEN) - best way to progress is through the City Centre Transformation Plan, which will be out for consultation at the end of July. 12 week consultation period
- Area partnership funds - green and open spaces fund. £1million fund for ward 10. 1st meeting on 30/6 (Gary attending for MCTCC). Officers have jumped the gun on proposals, as no consultation carried out, and Angus expects the reports to be sent back for rework.
7.5 Questions
No time for questions due to time constraints
8. Planning (including Merchant City Park)
No update due to time constraints
9. Licensing
No update due to time constraints
10. Any Other Business
11.1 Filming (Scott)
- Debutante - turning Cochrane St into 1870s New York Fifth Avenue. Got an email from the film company to say they’re making a donation to the community council for environmental improvements.
- Second film includes action car sequences on Bell St, Tontine Lane and Walls St. THey’re also planning shooting on Bridgegate and Osborne St. Scott to clarify timings of the filming. Revised shooting schedule sent after the meeting that didn’t relate to what was discussed.
- Gary raised issue of the disturbance on Montrose St, every time there’s filming.
11.2 Friends of Ramshorn (Eva/Tam)
Meeting planned for mid-July. Eva to advise on date, time and location once agreed.
11.3 Lack of licensing notifications (Tam)
- MCTCC haven’t had any for last four months.
- Eva and Angus don’t seem to be getting them either.
11.4 Clarity on planning application committee (Eileen)
- Vice Convenor - Christy - Eileen acknowledged that Christy wouldn’t be taking part in the decision as she’d submitted an objection.
- Eileen asked Eva about her position as an MCTCC Ward Councillor and Member of the PA Committee etc in her taking part in the decision making process. Eva confirmed that she intended to take part in the process.
- Peter - What is the quorum for the planning committee - Peter thinks its 4, but Eva was unsure (EB to check).
- Peter - Do all planning committee members get invited to all meetings? Yes
11.5 Public littering by public houses (TD)
- TD - Brewdog leaving pallets on Garth St. Follow up direct with Environmental Health, with photographs.
11.6 Wording of auto-replies (Scott)
- Philip has made inquiries about changing the automatic message.
- Eva - Absence rates are not back to normal levels, but agree the message needs to be updated
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 26th July at 7pm
Meeting Minutes, 31 May 2022
These minutes were approved at our meeting on 28 June 2022.
1. Welcome
Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to the meeting
2. Attendance and Apologies
2.1 Community Councillors
Carla Arrighi; Gary Atkinson; Tam Coyle; David Cowan; Peter Hayman; Niall McColl; Eileen Mills; Scott Thornton;
2.2 Residents
TK; TM; GM; AP; AS; RWS; AW
2.3 Elected Members
Cllr Eva Bolander; Cllr Phillip Braat; Cllr Angus Millar
2.4 Ex-officio
Rob Wilson and Amer Mohamed (?)(Police Scotland); Lorenzo Mele (Merchant City Festival)
2.5 Apologies
Kaukab Stewart MSP; Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns
3. Minutes of Last Meeting (26 April 2022)
3.1 Corrections to minutes
No changes were requested
3.2 Approval
Proposed by: Peter Hayman
Seconded by: Tam Coyle
3.3 Matters Arising
None
4 Treasurer’s Report
- Balance is £1924.75 as of 11th May
- Expecting 7K donation from the filming disruption earlier in the year - want suggestions on what to do with it
5. Police Report
5.1 Report
- No major issues of concern at the moment
5.2 Questions
5.2.1 Tam - St Enoch square - what’s the current situation?
- Restated the safer Glasgow City Centre Policing Plan now in place
- Supporting with Bernardo’s on identifying diversionary strategies
5.2.2 Scott Thornton - Have there been any issues at the axe throwing bar in St Enoch?
- Nothing that has reached the police
- Rob will follow up with centre management
- Is it illegal to park on a pavement on double yellow lines on a Sunday
- Parking fully on the pavement is an offence
- Parking partly on the pavement is a grey area
- Particular issue on Ropeworks Lane (as well as other places)
- Parking on double yellow lines is for Glasgow City Council
- Follow-up - Eva
- Pedestrian access is equally important, so someone being forced onto the road due to a vehicle parked on the pavement, that could be considered an obstruction, depending on circumstances.
- Gordon Miller - electric bikes and scooters on Buchanan St going far too quickly, Is there any plans to tackle this?
- Police have been in contact with delivery companies to pass on a road safety message, will be followed up with an action plan to target issues. 2 pronged - awareness and enforcement
- Follow-up - Phillip
- Delivery cyclists are the main culprit for causing injuries to others - action has been taken against them in other parts of the city.
- Is it an offence if they are on the pavement, or if they are caught driving onto the pavement
- Both are an offence
6. Merchant City Festival (MCF)
6.1 Presentation
- Will cover Merchant City (Hutcheson St, Wilson St, Brunswick St, Candleriggs, Bell St) and George Square
- Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 July
- Thurs 4.30 - 9pm
- Fri 12 non - 9pm
- Sat 12 - 9pm
- Sun - 12 - 8pm
-
210 events including several premiers and a marble run world record attempt
- Brunswick stage
- Increased licence area, managed by Amsterdam
- Stage closes at 9pm, outdoor drinking can continue to 10pm as normal
- Get involved fund for businesses
- Plan something that fits in with the overall programme
- Markets
- Craft market - Focussing on locally based makers
- Small street food market, again locally based
- Trying to encourage visitors to use Merchant City facilities
- Advertising
- No printed brochure - will all be done via social media
- For non-online visitors there will be posters, radio campaign
- Each day there will be day sheets around the site with details of the days’ events
- Additional signposting, and will use large flag banners from previous years
- Residents and business awareness events to be planned
6.2 Questions
6.2.1 Peter - MCTCC contribution
* He and Lorenzo will have a separate more detailed discussion
6.2.2 Scott - Business Involvement fund, what are the conditions
- All businesses within the closed roads boundary
- Up to £500 for a small performance, building decoration
- Very open in terms of what the businesses can do
6.2.3 Niall - impact on wedding venues such as Citation
* MCF will communicate to all the businesses - being planned just now
7. Elected Members Reports
7.1 Cllr Eva Bolander
- Temporary Street Cafe licensing for businesses in the city centre
- Putting procedures in place to allow simplified process.
- Trial for 2 years
- Simplified planning procedure
- Will have to have a plan and layout of their site on display
- Will have to pay for the space they use - per m2
- Complaints process will be simplified - 3 strikes and you’re out
- Area Partnership - next meeting 30/6
- Gary is our rep
- Green Open Space Fund
- Another round of funding is available
- Project ideas are welcome
- Film Office
- Not been able to meet with officers
- Ramshorn
- Not been able to meet yet
- LEZ comes into effect 1 June 2022
7.2 Cllr Angus Millar
- LEZ technically in force from 1/6/22
- Will only be enforced from 1/6/23
- Exemption for residents until 1/6/24
- Applies to petrol vehicles before 2006, diesel before 2014
- King St car park site planning in principle approved
- Individual components will need detailed planning permission
- City Centre Transformation Plan
- Consultation likely to take place July 2022
- 10 week consultation period
- Football related anti social behaviour
- Past events could create an unfortunate precedent
- Didn’t transpire with the recent Rangers match
- Trongate was cleared of debris very quickly
- Meeting planned with new Chief Inspector - what can the police and council do together to ensure such behaviour doesn’t happen again
7.3 Questions
7.3.1 Eileen What do you mean by a parklet outside Ramshorn?
- Bench with planters either side of it
7.3.2 Tam - Ramshorn Funding secured in Feb, but it is still not open. Why not?
- Possible Solution - temporarily, get the janitors at the Cochrane St gatehouse to open and close the gates, would only take a few minutes at the start and end of the day
- Arranging meeting of Friends of Ramshorn - Eva can book meeting room in City Chambers or iCafe.
7.3.3 Peter - How are we going to reduce traffic usage in the city centre
- Refer back to the city centre transformation plan which outlines how that will be achieved over time
7.3.4 Eileen - what about fan zones for football fans? Other cities have them.
- Fan zone in Merchant Square for away fans for most games, though often used by Celtic. Have been there for 5 years.
7.3.4 David - Licence plate checker for LEZ needs to be more accurate
8. Planning (including Merchant City Park)
8.1 St Enoch Centre Redevelopment (Reference 22/00817/PPP)
- Generally in favour
- Reservations about height of hotel
- Closing date is 1 June - Peter has written a draft response from MCTCC
8.2 Ingram St Car Park (Reference 22/01225/FUL)
- There seem to be 2 applications with the same reference - Tam will raise with Susan Connelly
- Notification period - 28 days from date of letter, which should be 21 June. Website says 17 June
- Making representations -Not clear in notification letter or on website about how representations can be made. Seems to be clear in the Glasgow Times article, for example ability to send by post
- Inconsistencies in the email address - new address is [email protected]
- Demonstration on Saturday 4 June at iCafe Merchant City between 12noon and 3pm
8.2.1 Motion
The following motion was proposed by Peter Hayman:
Merchant City & Trongate Community Council maintain their commitment agreed at their January 2019 meeting “their wish to see the site adjacent to the Old fruit Market bounded by Candleriggs, Ingram & Albion streets become a green, multi function community park.”
To this end, having the site built on would be incompatible and they object to any plans to do so.
- Carried with no objections
- Cllrs Eva Bolander and Angus Millar restated that they are not part of the CC decision - Eva as she is chair of planning, and Angus as he’s chair of City Property
8.3 136 Ingram St (Reference 22/01016/FUL)
- Closing date 10 June
- Niall will send Gary details of the NY Slice application
9. Licensing
No new licensing applications
10. Social Media
No time for update
11. Any Other Business
11.1 Harry Styles
40,000+ fans will be in the city centre in a couple of weeks time for the Harry Styles concert. Just for awareness, although the event is taking place at Ibrox
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 28th June at 7pm.
Meeting Minutes, 26 April 2022
Approved at our meeting on 31 May 2022.
1. Welcome
Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to our first in-person meeting in two years, and our first hybrid meeting
2. Attendance and Apologies
2.1. Community Councillors
Tam Coyle, Niall McColl, David Cowan, Scott Thornton, Gary Atkinson, Daniel O’Malley, Peter Hayman, Eileen Mills;
2.2. Residents
AL, TM, AC, SD, BC, TD, RH, PP, EM, RW
2.3. Elected Representatives
Lord Provost Phillip Braat, Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Cllr Eva Bolander, Cllr Angus Millar
2.4. Ex-Officio
Rob Wilson - Police Scotland; Clive Wilding, Conor Pittman, Gary Stodart, Teri Porter - Artisan
2.5. Apologies
None
3. Artisan Real Estate, 65-97 Ingram St
3.1 Presentation - Clive Wilding, Conor Pitman, Gary Stodart
- https://65-97ingramstreet.co.uk
- Approximately 1200 people have taken part in the consultation
- Presented to planning officers. PAN period complete, but planning application not submitted – in final stages of preparation for submitting application in mid-May.
- Focusing on the garden development of the site for this presentation
- Pend entrance from Ingram St – now 4 separate entrances to the development
- Ground floor is retail/commercial; highly glazed – will be able to use the courtyard
- Roof view – Todd building will look down on to the development.
- Mostly communal space
- 3 bed flats have own outside space
- Massing - stepping up to 7 storey bookends at east and west end of the development; maintaining heights on Albion St and Candleriggs
- Landscape and urban context
- Courtyard will be a key space as part of Merchant City art trail
- Trying to take a holistic viewpoint of the development – trying to integrate artwork and garden into the design from the start
- Courtyard, balconies and roof space contribute to the ecology and diversity of the area
- Acknowledge that trees are present on site – new trees will be planted
- Total area of existing vegetation – 648m2
- Total area of planned biodiverse planting – 1163m2:
- Ground Floor courtyard – 144m2
- Communal Terraces and roof – 979m2
- Balconies 40m2
- Higher biodiversity value than current site
- There will be still hard, usable public space
- Solution has to be robust for Glasgow’s climate
- Courtyard will be fully accessible to residents and general public
- Looking at doing something “different” to make the space “sing” with planting and layout, with biodiversity value
3.2. Questions
Tam Coyle – can we have a copy of the presentation. Artisan will send link to the website
- How much of the mural will be saved and will be seen? MCTCC commissioned the mural and selected the design
- The building returns will obscure outer parts of the mural
- There will be new artwork on the left hand side
- Length of courtyard is longer than two tennis courts, and depth is more than one
Carla Arrighi – who will pay for the maintenance of the mural
- Glasgow City Council own the wall the mural is painted on
- Residents will own the courtyard, but factors will manage it – still working out details
- There will be a public right of way during normal hours, but will be closed at night
Christy Mearns – are you conscious of loss of amenity to the public realm through the loss of existing trees.
- They did look at this in some detail, including putting trees in the street – however lots of utilities running along the pavement, making it very difficult to put trees there
- Looking at maximising the trees within the courtyard – design isn’t finalised yet
Scott Thornton – biodiversity. Seems to be mostly on the upper floors. There’s a need to bring families back into the centre of Glasgow, but how many of the apartments will be 1-bed, as that’s not a family apartment?
- 13-14%; 18% will be 3 bed, the remainder will be 2-bed
Eileen Mills – who’s going to lock and unlock the gates to the courtyard?
- This will be the responsibility of the factors/estate manager
- Are the roofs all flat, with greenery? They are flat roofs, as they are gardens. From environmental impact, stalled water – SEPA are pushing for developments to handle water management through the building to feed the gardens
- The greening is all “in the sky”, so not much to be seen by the public. Can’t really compare what is there now with what will be there in the future
- Communal access for residents to gardens
Christy Mearns – are potential owners aware of the expense burden attached to opening the gates being opened and closed? Also, proposed building materials don’t fit in with the heritage of the conservation area.
- As part of the application there will be an accessibility strategy
PP – Community fought hard for the mural, but if the development goes ahead, the residents will be the main beneficiaries of the mural, as public won’t be able to see mural in the way they do just now.
- None of the views show the trees
- Todd Building and Ramshorn Kirk are taller, but the proposal seems to be taller than all the other buildings on the south side of Ingram St
- It is unashamedly modern architecture; low/zero carbon, low energy
- Building materials have been reviewed and updated several times in discussion with planning officers.
TD – when will the build start. Hope to be on site early 2023. 2 year build
4. Minutes of Last Meeting (29 March 2022)
4.1. Update on Action Points
| Item | Action by | Update | |
| 1 | Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar, and speak to her re coffee shop on Candleriggs | Christy Mearns | Coffee shop on Candleriggs still serving food and BYOB. TC has written to the planning officer.Connolly’s – ongoing issue. |
| 2 | Follow up on Candleriggs TRO re pedestrianisation south of Bell St | Christy Mearns | Not being enforced due to the Candleriggs development – access required at all times of the day. Once development complete, a more restrictive TRO will be put in place |
| 3 | Contact David Cowan re experiences with recent filming | Angus Millar | David is out of the country – Angus will contact David by email TC – still want to know who in GCC agreed to loud explosions at 1am during recent filming – we were told by the film office that permission was granted.Christy is surprised to hear that; Angus agreed that councillors were not informed |
| 4 | Confirm arrangements re use of City Chambers, including ventilation and streaming facilities | Phillip Braat | Not much ventilation, and wifi is poor. We will continue to follow up – windows do open, but it’s the full window. |
| 5 | (Feb) Confirm how many staff directly involved in graffiti removal with Denise Hamilton | Tam Coyle | Carried to next meeting |
| 6 | (Feb)Discuss possibility of having street art on lampposts | Tam Coyle and PP | Carried to next meeting |
| 7 | Impact of demolition of Annie Miller’s pub on local residents | Eva Bolander | Missed from previous meeting. When the work takes place, there will be a lot of mess. To be discussed once work starts |
4.2 Corrections to minutes of last meeting
No changes were requested.
4.3. Approval
Proposed by: Daniel O’Malley
Seconded by: Carla Arrighi
5. Matters Arising
None raised
6. Police Report (Rob Wilson and Stephen Clark)
6.1. Report
6.1.1. St Enoch Square
- Still problems with anti-social behaviour
- Currently running the Safer Glasgow City Centre Policing Plan
- Traditionally for the night-time economy, but focussing on an earlier start to the programme to tackle anti-social behaviour.
- Great engagement from Safer Communities team over the last few weeks, and youth engagement team
6.1.2 Connolly’s bar
- Not in a position to say anything at present, other than there is on-going engagement via a couple of partners
6.1.3. Candleriggs Traffic Enforcement
- Good number of tickets issued – mixture of residents and visitors
6.2. Questions
- PP – observation - will the lack of parking in the new development lead to more illegal parking?
- ST – Anti-social behaviour is not restricted to St Enoch. How many CCTV cameras are functioning in Glasgow?
- 98% of publicly managed ones, on average
- Private CCTV cameras are harder to monitor, especially in lanes
- GA – Is there a plan for the upcoming football matches?
- There is a robust policing plan in place for all matches.
7. Treasurer’s Report (Carla)
- Still working on getting access to the account. Taking a lot longer due to banking bureaucracy.
8. Elected Members Reports
Lord Provost Braat had left the meeting due to illness.
8.1. Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns
8.1.1. Car parking on open ground at Albion St
- Fencing to be installed round the ground
8.1.2. Ramshorn Graveyard
- Property is owned by City Property, who don’t have the staff to open the gates
- Consideration should be given to moving it from City Property to Council ownership
- There are dilapidations to resolve but these don’t prevent the park from re-opening
8.1.3. Parking
- 628 fines since end of March to 26 April
8.1.4. Parklets
- Following up on process for process for progressing proposals
8.2. Cllr Eva Bolander
8.2.1. Merchant City Festival
- Dates confirmed as Thursday 28 to Sunday 31 July
- Will be invited to give presentation at next meeting
- MCF want to use Ramshorn for one of their events
8.2.2 High St Tenements
- Planning application submitted for some of them
8.2.3. St Enoch Planning Application
- Last date for comments is 29 May 2022 (updated)
8.2.4. Buskers
- Complaints have restarted about loud buskers in the city centre. Will be taken up with officers
8.2.5. Green Spaces
- South of Trongate could be part of greening plan
8.3. Cllr Angus Millar
8.3.1. Parking
- Enforcement taking place
- Inquiries from businesses due to lack of loading facilities
- Has asked council to engage with businesses for a more permanent solution
8.3.2. St Enoch
- Planning application includes student accommodation as one of the options, which is something that will be commented on.
9. Planning (Peter Hayman)
- Peter shared the list of applications, including the redevelopment of St Enoch – 22/00817/PPP
10. Licencing (Tam Coyle)
- No time for update
11. Merchant City Park (Eileen and Peter)
- No time for update
12. Social Media (Niall McColl)
- No time for update
13. Local Issues (all)
13.1. Planters in Merchant City
- Eileen Mills – planters in the area are not suitable. Question for the hustings event.
14. AOCB
14.1. Hustings
- Reminder that hustings will take place on Thursday 28th at 7pm via Zoom
15. Date of next meeting
Tuesday 31st May 2022 at 7pm – City Chambers and online via Zoom
16. Action Points
- Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar, and speak to her re coffee shop on Candleriggs (Christy Mearns)
- Confirm arrangements re use of City Chambers, including ventilation and streaming facilities (Phillip Braat)
- Confirm how many staff directly involved in graffiti removal with Denise Hamilton(Tam Coyle)
- Discuss possibility of having street art on lampposts (Tam Coyle and PP)