Meetings

Meeting Minutes, 29 March 2022

1. Welcome

Niall McColl welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Attendance and Apologies

2.1.  Community Councillors

Niall McColl (Vice Chair), Carla Arrighi, Peter Hayman, Eileen Mills, Gary Atkinson, David Cowan, Daniel O’Malley and Scott Thornton.

2.2.  Residents

AL, PP, EM

2.3.  Elected Representatives

Cllr Eva Bolander

2.4.  Apologies

Tam Coyle; Lord Provost Philip Braat; Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Cllr Angus Millar; Fiona Clark

3.   Minutes of Last Meeting (22 February 2022)

3.1.  Update on Action Points

Item Action by
1 Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar, and speak to her re coffee shop on Candleriggs Christy Mearns Carried to next meeting
2 Provide copy of Planning Enforcement Charter Eva Bolander Provided by email
3 Follow up on Candleriggs TRO re pedestrianisation south of Bell St Christy Mearns Carried to next meeting
4 Contact David Cowan re experiences with recent filming Angus Millar Carried to next meeting
5 Follow up on recycling collections from 103 Hutcheson St Phillip Braat Resolved
6 Follow up on graffiti tagging on Albion St Phillip Braat Resolved
7 Arrange for “Open daily” notice at Ramshorn to be corrected Eva Bolander Will be re-opening in April – budget approved; needs to be transferred from City Property 
8 Confirm arrangements re use of City Chambers, including ventilation and streaming facilities Phillip Braat Full meeting of council on Thursday – Hybrid style, will be rolled out to some of the committee rooms
9 (Feb) Confirm how many staff directly involved in graffiti removal with Denise Hamilton Tam Coyle Carried to next meeting
10 (Feb)Discuss possibility of having street art on lampposts Tam Coyle and PP Carried to next meeting

3.2.  Corrections to minutes of last meeting

No changes were requested.

3.3.  Approval

Proposed by:  Scott Thornton

Seconded by: David Cowan

4.   Matters Arising

None raised

5.   Police Report (Rob Wilson and Stephen Clark)

5.1.  Report

  • No report as no police presence

5.2.  Questions to be passed to the police

5.2.1.    Grafitti

  • EB - Some areas of the riverfront its no longer value for money to try and cover up the graffiti.
  • ST – thanks to Lord Provost for prompt responses re graffiti on Clyde St
  • ST - given the CCTV coverage in the city, why are more culprits not apprehended.
  • NM – Frieze on Wilson St end of Old Sheriff Court has been targeted recently; removed by private contractors but stonework was damaged due to use of pressure washers

5.2.2.    Youths climbing on Glassford St Car Park

  • Was reported by a resident as a 999, as they were climbing on dangerous parts of the building, and no response to 101 calls

6.   Treasurer’s Report (Carla)

  • Everything is now sorted, except for a recent bank statement. 
  • £1,290.71 as of 8th October.

7.   Elected Members Reports

7.1.  Cllr Eva Bolander

7.1.1.    Graffiti and youth problems

  • Complex issue. 
  • Several different groups:
    • Kids from outskirts of the city, younger than traditionally would come into the city centre
    • Kids from outside the city – as far afield as Aberdeen; result of lockdown
    • Some are groups of friends
    • Some gangs, often pre-arranged via social media
    • Premeditated criminal groups – may include vulnerable children
  • Initiative in Kelvingrove Park last year restarted for 2022; lessons from last year have been learned

7.1.2.    Problems with Glassford St car park

  • Youths climbing on dangerous parts of the building
  • Similar problems have been encountered at residential building near Central Station
  • Ongoing issue

7.1.3.    Speeding on Ingram St

  • Unenforced 20mph zone
  • Exacerbated recently by high volume of traffic redirection recently
  • Investigating introduction of traffic calming measures

7.1.4.    Parking on Candleriggs

  • Enforcement is taking place, but doesn’t seem to make a difference
  • Further discussion needed re enforcement and prevention

7.1.5.    Merchant City Festival

  • Will be an in-person event this year, from 28 – 31 July
  • Less emphasis on food trucks, more emphasis on supporting local businesses
  • Details still being worked out, but George Square and Merchant City will feature heavily.

7.1.6.    Green and Open Space Fund

  • Fund has been renewed for 2022/23
  • One possibility is for planters and seats outside the Ramshorn
  • Another is Kings Court or South Block, south of Trongate

7.1.7.    Friends of Ramshorn

  • Initial meeting will take place soon

7.1.8.    Community meetings

  • Space available within the City Chambers from 1 April

7.2.  Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns (by email)

7.2.1.    Graffiti on Clyde St

  • Reported and removed

7.2.2.    Indiscriminate parking on green space, between Albion Street and Shuttle Street

  • Confirmed ownership is not within GCC but Strathclyde University and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow so I have written to them asking for solutions to be found

7.2.3.    Indiscriminate pavement parking on Candleriggs

  • Reported and I am chasing up Parking Enforcement attention

7.2.4.    Green space funding for parklets

  • I organised a walkabout with Parks officers and members of the Community Council. This was a positive meeting exploring options for Merchant City “Parklets”, seeking confirmation of the funding available for MC (which I will report on separately) and opportunities for greening which there is undoubtedly a strong need for.
  • There was interest in a possible site at the corner of Wilson Street/ Candleriggs; a possible site on the sunny corner of Wilson Street/ Hutcheson Street; a possible option on Wilson Street (in a parking space roughly outside Cavendish Clinic); and a possible option of introducing small trees in the existing large capacity black planters around Wilson Street, Hutcheson Street eg.
  • To keep costs down, as there is not a significant amount for each “parklet”, we discussed the possibility of considering benches (bolted down) and planters, alongside other ideas to introduce more bespoke timber raised structures.
  • Officers strongly supported each option in principle – they believed that they were all relatively quiet spots with a good degree of sunlight and direct sun. I have requested that further detail on feasibility of each option be provided at the earliest opportunity, so all options can be looked at in the round, and communicated to local residents, before a final decision is taken.

7.2.5.    Ramshorn Cemetery

  • seeking update on the budget I secured to permanently reopen it. It is owned by City Property so the Council is engaging with them to understand how they will provide public access to the site in line with the Council’s decision and recently-allocated budget. This is not however a business-as-usual activity for City Property so they may come back to the Council asking for assistance; if they do, Council officers will work with colleagues in City Property in order to provide access in line with the budget decision.
  • I believe that the asset should be considered for transfer back to the Council who may be better placed to manage and maintain this public space. I am making enquiries about this and will keep you updated about wider progress on this generally.

7.2.6.    Artisan, Ingram Street Site

  • I understand that the Community Council may vote to object to the pre-application proposal for residential development on this site. I would be happy to support the CC, and residents, in objecting to this pre-planning proposal at this moment in time, as I believe that it presents a good opportunity to make representations and provide an early opportunity to resist private housing development here which, in my opinion, is not in the best interests of local residents, of the environment, and of the liveability of the local area.

7.3.  Questions

  • DM – Parking on Albion St open space – parking tickets were issued, but problems persist
  • EM – update on ventilation in Committee Rooms; Eva unsure, will follow up
  • EM – noted that “Four corners” is not so named now, as problems are wider than that area. Action points have been implemented, including taking the children home to their parents
  • ST – Greening the Merchant City. Useful meeting with horticulturist, but no guarantee that GCC will maintain them longer term.
  • GA -  similar youth related problems at Union Square in Aberdeen; there they found an old bye-law that was used to prevent offenders coming into the city

8.   Planning (Peter Hayman)

Planning list had been circulated in advance:

  • 22/00292/LBA Community Cnl: Merchant City & Trongate Flat 3/2 117 Candleriggs Glasgow Internal and external alterations to listed building.
  • 22/00303/FUL Community Cnl: Merchant City & Trongate 65 Argyle Street Glasgow G2 8AH Upgrade of rooftop telecommunications site.
  • 22/00324/FUL Community Cnl: Merchant City & TrongateFlat 3/2 117 Candleriggs Glasgow Formation of 3No. conservation style rooflights and refurbishment of existing window.
  • 22/00385/FUL Community Cnl: Merchant City & Trongate 75 - 95 Dunlop Street Glasgow External alterations
  • 21/02821/PAN Community Cnl: Merchant City & Trongate St Enoch Shopping Centre 1 St Enoch Centre Glasgow Redevelopment and refurbishment, including phased demolition works, to provide mixed use development comprising retail (class 1), financial and professional services (Class 2), residential flats (including build to rent, open market sale, co-living, student accommodation and later living (Sui Generis)), restaurants (class 3), public house (sui generis), office and business space (Class 4), hotel, apart-hotel and hostel (class 7 and Sui generis), serviced apartments (sui generis), residential institution (class 8), non-residential institutions (class 10), leisure and culture (class 11) and other related ancillary uses, public realm (including outdoor performance space), landscaping, car parking, servicing and access and associated works.
  • 21/03774/PAN Community Cnl: Merchant City & Trongate Site At Osborne Street/ Old Wynd Glasgow Erection of flatted residential development and associated works.
  • 22/00492/FUL | Frontage alterations | Public House 199 Albion Street City Centre Glasgow G1
  • 22/00195/ADV Display of non-illuminated signage. - 62 Virginia Street Glasgow G1 1TX
  • 22/00245/LBA Internal and external alterations, includes erection of rooftop extension - 61 Glassford Street Glasgow G1 1UG
  • 22/00246/FUL External alterations, with erection of rooftop extension with retractable roof as ancilllary bar/ restaurant to hotel use, includes installation of plant to roof - 61 Glassford Street Glasgow G1 1UG
  • 22/00667/LBA Installation of telecommunication equipment upgrade - Premier Inn 187 George Street City Centre Glasgow G1 1YU
  • 22/00672/FUL Installation of telecommunication equipment upgrade - Premier Inn 187 George Street City Centre Glasgow G1 1YU
  • 22/00643/LBA Internal and external alterations to listed building. - Storey 1 10 Montrose Street Glasgow G1 1RE
  • 22/00644/FUL Installation of 2No. ventilation louvres - Storey 1 10 Montrose Street Glasgow G1 1RE

GA noted that the last time telecoms equipment was installed at the Premier Inn, the noise was unacceptable and went on late into the night.

9. Licencing (Tam Coyle)

  • No Licencing report due to Tam giving apologies.
  • Connolly’s and Murphy’s bars still causing ongoing problems
  • Candleriggs Square due to reopen 1 April

10. Merchant City Park (Eileen and Peter)

  • Eva withdrew from the conversation, as she sits on the Planning Committee

10.1 Motion

  • Peter proposed the following motion

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.

 The objectives are to:-

  • Preserve the space for community amenity and make up for lack of local meet up facilities
  • Support Glasgow City Centre development plans calling for green, public space
  • Address mental and physical health issues of isolation loneliness and lack of social contact
  • Preserve the existing trees and add to the biodiversity potential lacking in the city centre
  • Tackle pollution 
  • Preserve the major civic artwork mural, its appreciation and draw for visitors and tourists
  • Create a space for children to play
  • Attract visitors westward to a pleasant meeting place, and onward to High Stree
  • Provide a space for outdoor games, such as boules, chess etc.
  • Have a space for performance, music, sports or outdoor cinema
  • Allow for farmers’, book sale or other markets, or other temporary events
  • Give patrons of City Halls & Old Fruit Market a place to gather before and after performance
  • Potential for a mobility hub to promote active travel in the area
  • Aid local businesses with a pleasant setting allowing breathing space for customers

There will be a public meeting on Thursday 7th April at 6.30pm (in person at 18 Montrose St and via Zoom)

Niall recommended that we postpone a vote on the motion until after that meeting, as that will be an up to date gauge of public support. This was accepted

10.2 Comments

  • Christy Mearns supports the MCP plans, and advises that now is the time for locals to let it be known what they want for the site
  • Proposals Are at https://65-97ingramstreet.co.uk, feedback can be given until 10th April
  • AL – be careful what we wish for; what is to say that the park would not be blighted by the problems that affect other parts of the city centre
  • PH – already vast amounts of housing being developed in the city centre
  • GA – affordable housing is needed, but none of the plans include that; it should be part of the planning requirements

11. Social Media (Niall McColl)

  • Facebook followers 622 (469 at November 2021)
  • Twitter followers: 124 (103 at November 2021)
  • Mailing list: 76 (74 at November 2021)
  • Recent tweets about parking on streets in Candleriggs – other areas of the MCTCC area are affected but this is the most blatant.
  • The April meeting will hopefully be in person, with a livestream available via Zoom (register in advance)

12. Local Issues (all)

12.1 Flyer distribution

  • Thanks to PP and all who have helped with the flyering
  • Feedback from businesses in Parnie St area, not keen on online meetings, not hearing about filming until too late.

13. Filming

  • Batgirl filming is winding down. They are making a donation to the community; once the money has been received, we will let everyone know and will be looking for ideas on how to use it for the benefit of the local community
  • Some filming of “Borderland” will take place in one unit on Parnie St in April. The production met with residents to go through their plans in great detail and to allay their fears. That production team has been very engaged with the community council – they had asked to film a scene on Ingram St at Virginia Place, but were dissuaded when we talked about the disruption to businesses and residents already experienced this year. 
  • A cooling off period is now in force for use of the Merchant City & Trongate areas due to the number of productions there have been in recent months

14. AOCB

14.1 Hustings

  • Preferred date Thursday 28th April at 7pm via Zoom. Daniel to organise. Same format as last time
  • List of candidates should be known first week in April.

15.        Date of next meeting

Tuesday 26th April 2022 at 7pm – location to be confirmed.

16.        Action Points

Item Action by
1 Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar, and speak to her re coffee shop on Candleriggs Christy Mearns  
3 Follow up on Candleriggs TRO re pedestrianisation south of Bell St Christy Mearns
4 Contact David Cowan re experiences with recent filming Angus Millar
Confirm arrangements re use of City Chambers, including ventilation and streaming facilities Phillip Braat Full meeting of council on Thursday – Hybrid style, will be rolled out to some of the committee rooms
9 (Feb) Confirm how many staff directly involved in graffiti removal with Denise Hamilton Tam Coyle
10 (Feb)Discuss possibility of having street art on lampposts Tam Coyle and PP
11 Impact of demolition of Annie Miller’s pub on local residents Eva Bolander Missed from previous meeting

by admin

Meeting Minutes, 22 February 2022

Approved at our meeting on 29 March 2022.

1.   Welcome

Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.   Attendance and Apologies

2.1.  Community Councillors

Tam Coyle (Chair), Niall McColl (Vice Chair), David Cowan (Secretary), Peter Hayman, Eileen Mills, Gary Atkinson, and Scott Thornton.

2.2.  Residents

DH, AP, EM, GW, MG, PP, TD

2.3.  Elected Representatives

Lord Provost Philip Braat (for part of the meeting), Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Cllr Eva Bolander, Cllr Angus Millar, Kaukab Stewart MSP

2.4.  Ex-officio

Constables Rob Wilson and Stephen Clark- Police Scotland; Clive Wilding, Conor Pitman, Teri Porter and Tim Blathwayt, Artisan Properties; Nicole Mitchell, Newsquest

2.5 Apologies

AC, AL, NR, Carla Arrighi

3.   Minutes of Last Meeting (25 January 2022)

3.1.  Update on Action Points

Continued to next meeting

3.2.  Corrections to minutes of last meeting

No changes were requested.

3.3.  Approval

Proposed by:  David Cowan

Seconded by: Tam Coyle

4.   Matters Arising

None raised

5.   Presentation – Ingram St Car Park

5.1.  Presentation from Artisan

  • Presentation available at https://65-97ingramstreet.co.uk
  • They now have legal control of the site and hope to submit a planning application in May for approval by Autumn 2022
  • 3 consultation workshops – one has taken place, one will be in March, with a final one before the planning application is submitted
  • Proposing housing for the site
  • Artisan also own the HMRC building on Cochrane St

5.2.  Questions

  • ST – What is the future for the mural?
    • The mural is owned by the City Council, so will remain in place
    • Edges of the mural will be lost where the building abuts on to them
    • It will be a public square, accessible to all
    • Ground floor space will be glazed north and south
  • EM What does legal control of the site mean
    • Artisan have contracted with City Property to purchase the site subject to planning permission
  • EM - Is the site address correct?
    • Intention was to use the numbering of the buildings that were there, but will double check
  • GA - Where will rubbish/waste be stored and entrances for goods in the retail units
    • They’re built into the stair cores
  • Deputy Lord Provost - Replacement trees
    • surveying at the moment
    • will be part of the planning application
    • Considering sustainable urban drainage in the courtyard and on the roof of the building
  • TD – Parking plans
    • There will be no parking provided by the development

6.   Police Report (Rob Wilson and Stephen Clark)

6.1.  Report

  • Several fixed penalty notices have been issued to vehicles driving the wrong way along Garth St
  • Ongoing monitoring is taking place re pavement parking on Candleriggs. Education in first instance, followed by enforcement
  • Substance abuse issues are resurfacing in both Albion St and Glassford St Car parks, including several reoffenders. Police increasing patrols
  • Several cyclists have been issued with fixed penalty notices for going through red lights, as well as educating them on the rules of the road.
  • Connelly’s bar – reiterate that issues MUST be raised via 101 or via the Police Scotland website and to Glasgow City Council, as due process must be followed
    • Ongoing engagement with the licence holder

6.2.  Questions

  • PH mentioned issues with modified e-bikes being much faster than their designed limit
  • PH – Any plans to introduce sonar detectors? 
    • Not aware of plans, but issues with noisy exhausts need to be reported via 101
  • DH – What is the Police attitude to Graffiti
    • Need to get their response
    • Councillor Millar: Constant battle to keep it clear
      • Council, Police and stakeholders discussing other approaches
    • PP expressed thanks to the Lord Provost for arranging for graffiti to be cleaned from the Herald building
  • GA – any update on the upcoming Rangers v Dortmund match?
    • Additional patrols before and on match day
  • ST – has anyone been charged re graffiti?
    • People have been charged with several offences

7.   Treasurer’s Report (Carla)

No report, as Treasurer had sent apologies.

8.   Elected Members Reports

8.1.  Cllr Angus Millar

  • Power washing of the MC streets has been requested, and added to the regular schedule
  • Missed bin collections now resolved
  • Review of key shopping streets ongoing
  • Council budget meeting
  • Parks and open spaces fund extended for a year  -  £50K for ward 10
  • Roads, pavements and street infrastructure - £1m per ward - Area Partnership to decide how its spent

8.2.  Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns

  • Ramshorn Cemetery
    • Budget agreed to reopen it
    • No date agreed yet
  • Candleriggs Parking
    • TRO was submitted in 2017 to amend the arrangements around Candleriggs, but not yet implemented.
      • When implemented, no through traffic will be permitted. Will only be allow construction traffic for the new development
  • Wants to meet with residents re open space funding for greening projects
  • Budget - Funding for pre-1919 tenements for repairs
  • Cars being parked on the grass between Albion and Shuttle Streets
  • Filming issues ongoing, including Missed letter drops. Seems that comms are not getting through
    • There needs to be a community benefit

8.3.  Cllr Eva Bolander

  • High St Station
    • High St Reference Group chaired by Cllr Millar, plan is still to revamp the station, although cost has gone up, so looking at different solutions.
  • Greening of High St
    • Not yet decided to use funding for parklets or planters
  • Friends of Ramshorn
    • Greenspace fund could be used to help with the Friends of Ramshorn group
  • Grafitti
    • Needs preventative work as well - getting youth engaged, e.g. similar approach to that taken re Kelvingrove Park
    • Denise Hamilton has overall responsibility for look and feel of the city centre
    • Will look at removing graffiti from private buildings as well
  • Refuse bins on Virginia Place
    • Still an ongoing issue
    • Planning application submitted for a bin store on Virginia Place
    • Not felt to be a good response
  • Area Partnership
    • Trying to make them less formal
    • Each ward in the city has been budgeted for £1million for infrastructure. 
    • Want communities to have more say on priorities for funding
    • Citizens Panels will be established in each area partnership on a trial basis
      • Intention is for them to be more diverse and representative of the city centre, as community councils are felt to be insufficiently diverse or gender balanced

8.4.  Lord Provost Philip Braat

No report, as the Lord Provost experienced connection issues.

8.5.  Questions

  • PP - Street art; could we have banners on street lights in the Merchant City in the same way as High St, or have some street art. TC will discuss separately
  • ST – Graffiti – how many staff are employed by GCC to clear graffiti. TC will take that up with Denise Hamilton
  • ST – Electric charging points. Factors telling developments that charging points can’t be installed without express permission of GCC. What’s the Council’s policy on this. EB – If it is in a public space, that is the responsibility of the council. If its within the curtilage of the building, there shouldn’t be any issue but Eva will check. TD advised that just requires a new meter and cabling.
  • NM – Citizens Panels, why is the council bringing in another body to represent the community, rather than investing in community councils. EB – complementary to community councils, extending democracy in a way that’s not been done up until now.
  • TD – re Film Office, lack of information about road closures. No notification had been received in his development in advance of Glassford St closures. TC – its an ongoing problem, which he will follow up. EB – keen to get a council alert service for residents to find out what’s going on.
  • PP – is the Ingram St development part of the council’s plan to increase the population of the city centre. EB – it’s a good example of what the council are trying to do, due to the mix of housing.
  • TC – is it the case that this is the 7th development in the MCTCC area with no social housing? EB- yes, as the council doesn’t currently have the power to force developers to include social housing, but this will be part of the new City Plan. CM – the council could have stipulated that the Ingram St site was to be used for social housing as they had owned the site, but an opportunity lost.
  • EM – any follow on about pedestrianisation of the north end of Candleriggs as per MCPHAEN plan? CM – proposal well received; following up with the relevant officers to try and speed things along.  EB – could be done as part of the wider plan to make the city centre people friendly, but need to consider access for residents, businesses and people with mobility needs
  • ST – any update on licencing for Airbnb. EB – no update from last meeting

9.   Planning (Peter Hayman)

No Planning report due to time constraints

10.   Licencing (Tam Coyle)

No Licencing report due to time constraints

11.   Merchant City Park (Eileen and Peter)

  • Timeline had been circulated showing the current status

12.   Local Issues (all)

No report due to time constraints

13.   Social Media (Niall McColl)

  • Since last meeting, we’ve published over 15 articles on our website and social media – especially in relation to graffiti, but also with the number of road restrictions due to filming.
  • Our exposure in the media has increased thanks to Scott’s sterling work as our spokesman
  • Anderston CC kindly provided information on their setup for hybrid meetings. These will be reviewed and adapted for MCTCC.

14.   AOCB

  • Leaflet drop – will take place on Friday 25th February
  • Nicole Mitchell is the new City Centre journalist for the Glasgow Times ([email protected])
  • CM – What are the next steps for MCP in relation to any planning application for the Ingram St carpark? PH – that is the implication of the graphic that MCP circulated to supporters. Key aim to get as many objections as possible. MCTCC will not pre-judge any proposal.

14.1.  Hustings

Our April meeting is planned to be a hustings event for the Council elections taking place in May. More details next month

15.   Date of next meeting

Tuesday 29th March 2022 at 7pm

16.   Action Points

Item Action by
1 Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar, and speak to her re coffee shop on Candleriggs Christy Mearns  
2 Provide copy of Planning Enforcement Charter Eva Bolander  
3 Follow up on Candleriggs TRO re pedestrianisation south of Bell St Christy Mearns  
4 Contact David Cowan re experiences with recent filming Angus Millar  
5 Follow up on recycling collections from 103 Hutcheson St Phillip Braat  
6 Follow up on graffiti tagging on Albion St Phillip Braat  
7 Arrange for “Open daily” notice at Ramshorn to be corrected Eva Bolander  
8 Confirm arrangements re use of City Chambers, including ventilation and streaming facilities Phillip Braat  
9 Write to Anderston CC re hybrid meetings Niall McColl Completed. Report to March mid-monthly
10 (Feb) Confirm how many staff directly involved in graffiti removal with Denise Hamilton Tam Coyle  
11 (Feb)Discuss possibility of having street art on lampposts Tam Coyle and PP  

by admin

Meeting Minutes, 25 January 2022

1. Welcome

Tam Coyle welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Attendance and Apologies

2.1.Community Councillors

Tam Coyle (V/C), David Cowan (Secretary), Peter Hayman, Eileen Mills, Gary Atkinson, Carla Arrighi, Niall McColl and Scott Thornton.

2.2.Residents

FC, AL, PP, GW, NR, OG,TD, EM

2.3.Elected Representatives

Lord Provost Philip Braat, Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Cllr Eva Bolander, Cllr Angus Millar

2.4.Ex-officio

Constables Rob Wilson and Stephen Clark- Police Scotland,

3. Minutes of Last Meeting (30 November 2021)

3.1.Update on Action Points

  1. Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar (Christy Mearns) - Still in progress
  2. Follow up re Ramshorn (Tam Coyle) - Still in progress
  3. Raise Connolly’s bar issues with Mairi Miller (Tam Coyle & Christy Mearns) - Still in progress
  4. Report noise issues to Council team and police (All) - Done
  5. Follow up on Annie Millers’ pub licence withdrawal (Eva Bolander) - No update
  6. Update on progress of Waterfront development (All councillors) - See update below
  7. Follow up re missing statue on John St (Christy Mearns & Carla Arrighi) - Statue reinstated

3.2.Corrections to minutes of last meeting

No changes were requested.

3.3.Approval

Proposed by: Carla Arrighi
Seconded by: David Cowan

4. Matters Arising

4.1.New Office Bearers and representatives

  • Chair (and Merchant City Festival Rep): Tam Coyle
  • Vice-Chair (and Social Media Manager): Niall McColl
  • Secretary: David Cowan
  • Treasurer: Carla Arrighi
  • Area Partnership Representative: Gary Atkinson
  • North-West Partnership and Media Spokesperson: Scott Thornton
  • Merchant City Park: Eileen Mills
  • Planning: Peter Hayman
    All will serve until our 2022 AGM

4.2.School Consultation

The proposed school has been withdrawn after conclusion of the consultation.

5. Police Report (Rob Wilson and Stephen Clark)

5.1.Report

  • Busier over Festive period, but no incidents of note.
  • Drug users in Glassford Court set fire to bin store which filled building with smoke; Police will follow up with Tam and FC
  • Avant Garde issue on 31 December – No comment from Police.

5.2.Questions raised

  • TD – Garth Street traffic and obstructive parking – Police will follow up
  • PP – Graffiti “tagging” on Herald Building – Police will liaise with Council officers; likely to be the factors that have to get it cleaned as private property
  • NR – Candleriggs Parking and driving on pavements ; Police did move on vehicles in December and will continue to do so

6. Treasurer’s Report (Carla)

Getting things sorted out but takes time

7.Elected Members Reports

7.1.Cllr Eva Bolander

  • Filming in City Centre – reaction has been generally positive. Any issues raised will be passed to Film Office
  • Planning Enforcement charter being reviewed; lays out what they can and cannot deal with. Copy will be sent to the Community Council.
  • Short-term lets legislation moving forward; Council licencing scheme to be in place by October 2022
  • Ramshorn – still trying to get friends group going (volunteers welcome) – interest from various organisations keen to see it started; will be linked with Necropolis and Southern Necropolis groups. TC met with Friends of Garnethill Green Spaces (FROGGS)
  • Cladding – ongoing discussions with Kaukab Stewart MSP; no direct feedback on what’s happening
  • Virginia Place – issue of commercial waste has been raised again; planning application for bin shed on pavement – see 8.1.3 under planning

7.2.Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns

  • Candleriggs – TRO published to remove pedestrianisation south of Bell St; Christy will follow up and feedback
  • Repainting of faded road markings
  • Connolly’s bar – complaints have reduced, but that may be due to recent restrictions; noise control will investigate further if they restart.
  • Ingram St car park – Proposal of Application Notice has been submitted;
  • Online Consultation from 8 February to early April
  • https://www.65-97ingramsgtreet.co.uk
    * Event in Merchant Square on 9 February, book appointment via Eventbrite

    • Citation – variation of licence to serve alcohol outdoors
      • NM reported noise problems over festive period, which were raised with noise control team
      • Application for outdoor seating was withdrawn last year

7.3.Lord Provost Philip Braat

  • Sewer work on Ingram St – has written to Scottish Water to ensure road surface reinstated properly
  • Refuse collection – should be largely back to normal
  • Recycling bins at 103 Hutcheson St not emptied since installation in October; PB will investigate

7.4.Cllr Angus Millar

  • Filming – Glasgow seen as a good location
    • £42 million benefit to the local economy since 2021, but not much seems to be coming to the impacted areas
    • Will reach out to DC to discuss experiences with filming
  • Waterfront – work carried out late November and December was technical groundwork investigation
  • Old Wynd and surrounding streets – has requested that the very poor lighting be upgraded

7.5.Questions

  • ST > Any update on Borderland; DC – not as yet
  • DC – roads were cleaned after filming, but not the pavements; Eva will follow up
  • EM – Adjustment to “Open Daily” notice at Ramshorn – Eva will follow up
  • TC – when will we be able to access City Chambers again?
    • PB has call with business team on 26/1, will update at future meeting
    • EM – how are the meeting rooms configured for ventilation? PB will check but thinks its opening windows
  • DC – what facilities are there for livestreaming meetings? A couple of meeting rooms have been configured to allow council meetings to be livestreamed, but probably won’t be available to MCTCC. Anderston CC are conducting hybrid meetings – NM will write to them to ask how they’re doing it
  • ST – any update on delay in mandatory introduction of interlinked smoke/fire alarms
    • Can be followed up with Kaukab
    • AM – requirement to have them fitted hasn’t changed, nor the implementation date, but initially no penalties will be applied
  • PH – recent metro announcement, will there still be a tunnel connecting Queen St and Central, and is Crossrail still part of it?
    • AM – detail still to be worked out
  • NR – Coffee shop on Candleriggs was originally 9am – 5pm, now opening till 9pm Fridays with BYOB.
    • TC will follow up with Mairi Miller
  • NR – businesses not cleaning the spaces that have been made available for them, and street furniture hasn’t been cleaned in many years
    • AM will raise with officials

8. Planning (Peter Hayman)

8.1. New Applications

8.1.1.Redevelopment of 65-97 Ingram St by Artisan

  • Proposal of Application notice lodged.
  • Online consultation from 8 February to early April
  • Online chat on afternoon of 8 February; in person sessions in Merchant Square on 9 February – prebooking required
  • Website: https://65-97ingramstreet.co.uk

8.1.2.Howard St use of retail unit as hot food takeaway (21/03868/FUL)

  • Change to building from barbershop to hot food takeaway
  • Proposal would require installation of flue on outside of building
  • This is inside the conservation zone, and in a listed building
  • Last date for comments: 11 February 2022

8.1.3.Use of pavement as bin storage area, Virginia Place (21/03656/FUL)

  • Need to see detail of this
  • Last date for comments 14 February 2022

8.1.4.Erection of rear and rooftop extensions to Former Lewis’s building (21/03594/FUL and 21/03595/LBA)

  • Lodged on 25 January
  • Last date for comments: 11 February 2022

9. Licencing (Tam Coyle)

  • Tesco in Ingram St is now Sainsbury; application to sell alcohol had to be resubmitted
  • Application from Citation -mentioned above

10.Merchant City Park (Eileen and Peter)

  • Artisan keen to speak to the community
  • Eileen has received correspondence, but MCP have declined to speak with them
  • In terms of fundraising, EM pointed out that its difficult to raise funds when you don’t own the property.

11.Local Issues (all)

11.1.Condition of streets

  • Streets are slippery and unkempt
  • Bins are being left outside Merchant Square at all hours
  • Councillors to follow up

11.2.Lack of green space

  • Other than proposed MCP, only site in our patch is Deans Well Garden
  • JR – how many green spaces have the council added in MCTCC area?
  • CM – there was funding made available for pop-up parks via Area Partnership, still live
  • EB – none that she’s aware of, but improvements made at Rottenrow and Cathedral St, plus stalled space at Greyfriars Garden

12. Social Media (Niall McColl)

  • No report due to lack of time

13.AOCB

13.1.Hustings

Our April meeting is planned to be a hustings event for the Council elections taking place in May.

14. Date of next meeting

Tuesday 22nd February 2022 at 7pm

15.Action Points

  1. Report back on meeting with Mairi Miller re Connolly’s bar, and speak to her re coffee shop on Candleriggs (Christy Mearns)
  2. Provide copy of Planning Enforcement Charter (Eva Bolander)
  3. Follow up on Candleriggs TRO re pedestrianisation south of Bell St (Christy Mearns)
  4. Contact David Cowan re experiences with recent filming (Angus Millar)
  5. Follow up on recycling collections from 103 Hutcheson St (Phillip Braat)
  6. Follow up on graffiti tagging on Albion St (Phillip Braat)
  7. Arrange for “Open daily” notice at Ramshorn to be corrected (Eva Bolander)
  8. Confirm arrangements re use of City Chambers, including ventilation and streaming facilities (Phillip Braat)
  9. Write to Anderston CC re hybrid meetings (Niall McColl)

by admin

Community Council Meeting - November

Join us for our last meeting of 2022 - meeting open to everyone who lives in the Merchant City and Trongate area. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. You can also join online via Zoom - register in advance here

AGENDA

  1. Welcome and apologies
  2. Police Report
  3. Presentation from Mosaic Architecture and Design re proposed development of student accommodation on corner of Hutcheson St/Trongate.
  4. Minutes of Last Meeting (Draft minutes of October 2022 meeting)
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Upcoming Hearing re 65-97 Ingram St
  7. Elected Members Reports
  8. Planning 
  9. Licencing
  10. Friends of Ramshorn update
  11. Filming update
  12. Any other business
  13. Date of next meeting

 

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AGM and Community Council Meeting - October

Join us for our Annual General Meeting, to be followed by our regular monthly meeting

AGM AGENDA

1. Record members’ attendance and apologies;
2. Approve the minutes from last year’s AGM;
3. Approve Chair’s written annual report (or minuted at the AGM);
4. Approve Treasurer’s submission of Independently Examined Statement of Accounts;
5. Demit of current office bearers;
6. Call for nominations for the election of Office Bearers;
(Chaired by CC member not standing for any office positions)
• Chair
• Vice-chair
• Secretary
• Minute Secretary
• Treasurer
• Planning Contact
• Licensing Contact
• Springburn / Robroyston Area Partnership Lead & Sub
The newly elected Chair will officiate for the remainder of the AGM
7. Note the appointment of an Independent Examiner of accounts for the next year;
8. Note the appointment of any associate members;
9. Review the Inventory and Additional Resources (see clause 9c of the Scheme);
10. Chairperson confirms the date of the next AGM to take place in October 2023.

 

COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

1. Welcome and apologies
2. Police Report
3. Approval of Draft Minutes from 27th September including Matters Arising
4. Treasurer’s report
5. Elected members reports
6. Planning
7. Licensing
8. Social Media Update
9. Any other business

If you're joining us in person, we meet in Committee Room 1, City Chambers. Enter via the Gatehouse entrance on Cochrane St. To join us online via Zoom, please register in advance.

by admin

Community Council Meeting - September

AGENDA

  1. Welcome and apologies
  2. Police Report
  3. Approval of minutes for Tuesday 30th August meeting and matters arising
  4. Treasurer’s report
  5. Elected members reports
  6. Planning
  7. Licensing
  8. Social Media Update
  9. Any other business

We'd love to see as many of you in person as possible, but if you'd rather join via Zoom, please register here.

by admin

Community Council Meeting - August

Agenda

  1.  Welcome and apologies
  2. Police Report
  3. Presentation re Strathclyde University TIC 2 proposals (provisional)
  4. Approval of minutes of meeting on 28 June, and matters arising
  5. Treasurer’s report
  6. Elected members reports
  7. Planning (List to follow)
  8. Licensing
  9. Filming update
  10. Any other business

Join us in person at Glasgow City Chambers - Cochrane St entrance, or online via Zoom (register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMud-iprzwjHNeilHDmlAeTr1UtwVbqsXtw)

by admin

Community Council Meeting - July

Join us for our July meeting, either in person or via Zoom

Agenda

1 Welcome and apologies
2 Police Report
3 Presentation re Strathclyde University TIC 2 proposals (provisional)
4 Approval of minutes of meeting on 28 June, and matters arising
5 Treasurer’s report
6 Elected members reports
7 Planning
8 Licensing
9 Filming update
10 Any other business

Attending in person - City Chambers - enter via Gatehouse Entrance on Cochrane St

Attending via Zoom - Please register in advance

by admin

Community Council Meeting - June

Everyone who lives in the Merchant City and Trongate area is warmly invited to join us for our June meeting, either in person at the City Chambers, or online via Zoom (Register to attend the meeting via Zoom)

AGENDA

  1. Welcome
  2. Attendance and Apologies
  3. Police Report
  4. Presentation from Planning Advice Scotland
  5. Minutes of last meeting and Matters Arising
  6. Treasurer's Report
  7. Councillor, MSP and MP reports
  8. Planning
  9. Licencing
  10. Local matters
  11. Any other business

by admin

Community Council Meeting - May

Everyone who lives in the Merchant City and Trongate Area is warmly invited to join us for our May meeting, either in person in the City Chambers, or online via Zoom.  

Agenda

1. Welcome by Chair
2. Apologies
3. Police Report
4. Merchant City Festival Presentation - Lorenzo Mele
5. Minutes of the last meeting, approval and action points. Please review the draft minutes before the meeting
6. Matters arising not on the agenda
7. Treasurer’s Report (Carla Arrighi)
8. Planning, including Merchant City Park (Peter Hayman and Eileen Mills)
9. Elected Members Reports
10. Licensing Application (Tam Coyle)
11. Local Issues (all)
12. Social Media (Niall McColl)
13. AOCB

Attending the meeting

If you are joining us via Zoom, please register in advance of the meeting. REGISTER HERE. 

  1. If you're joining us in the City Chambers, please arrive in good time for the meeting, and follow any instructions relating to mask wearing displayed around the City Chamber.
  2. We record our meetings to allow the secretary to complete the minutes. The recording is deleted once the minutes are approved. By attending the meeting, you consent to being recorded. The recording is not used for any other purpose, and can only be accessed by the social media manager and the person writing the minutes.

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