Meeting Minutes, 25th August 2026

Community Cllrs	Scott Thornton; Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, Gordon Millar, David Cowan, Alice Cowan, Gary Atkinson, Ros Atkinson, Peter Hayman (Associate)
Elected Rep.	Cllr Angus Millar, Bailie Christy Mearns, Cllr Philip Braat, Cllr Eva Bolander
Ex. Officio	PC Christopher Convery, Gregor McIntyre (John Grady MP’s Office) and Xaika Saldivar Glasgow City Innovation District, Strathclyde University
Others	TMcK, PP, MG, SMcI, RA, GF
Online (Zoom)	TM, EM, MB, JS

1. Welcome And Apologies

Chairman Scott Thornton welcomed everyone and thanked Community Councillor David Hughes for his substantial contributions to MCTCC’s work before stepping down due to the heavy workload of chairing the Friends of the Ramshorn Graveyard (FORG). David had played a leading role in creating the Community Council’s first ever Local Place Plan and setting up litter picks, and had been a powerful voice in internal discussions on a variety of issues. Apologies: David Hughes

2. Minutes Of Previous Meeting On 28th July 2026

Adoption proposed by Gary Atkinson and seconded by Ros Atkinson. The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.

3. Police Report

PC Convery reported there had been a slight increase in violent crime. However, there has been a reduction in crimes relating to weapons and hate crime. Youth offending levels were unchanged this month. The city centre is monitored with particular interest in George St, Ingram St, Glassford St, Virginia St and Trongate.

Police Questions Cllr Braat thanked the police for their work at 65 High St where there was drug misuse. The issue has now been resolved.

Scott mentioned the recent BBC Disclosure programme regarding anti-social behaviour in Glasgow city centre. One of the problems is that the police reporting telephone number 101 has very lengthy waiting times. People trying to report a possible crime often hung up. (As previously mentioned, people can report using a webform on the Police Scotland Website.)

A resident asked about police presence in Trongate and High St. PC Convery explained they have limited resources. They are hoping to get more manpower to enforce the Dispersal Zone and surrounding areas.

Cllr Braat asked if this included the homeless. PC Convery replied that police tried to signpost rough sleepers to available help resources.

4. GCID – Presentation

Xaika Saldivar, a PhD student at Strathclyde University, gave a presentation on the Glasgow City Innovation District. More details can be found at: – https://www.glasgowcityinnovationdistrict.com/

Glasgow was the powerhouse of Scotland’s industrial past. However, in recent decades parts of the city have suffered from poverty. The Scottish Government launched National Planning Framework 4. This is a long-term spatial strategy that details how land will be developed until 2045. The core polices are Sustainable Places, Liveable Places and Productive Places. An Innovation Action Plan was developed which has led to: A) Glasgow University at the centre of Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) in the west of the city, partnered with the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, https://www.glasgowriversideinnovationdistrict.com/what-is-grid B) Strathclyde University has launched the GCID which is partnered with Scottish Enterprise, Trades House and Glasgow City Council.

The GCID is now extended south of the river to incorporate Barclays Campus, Trongate and The Barras area. It has six target industries: clinical life sciences, financial technology,, digital/creative, energy/green transition, advanced manufacturing, space and satellite.

In January 2026 GCID launched its Fusion Fund: micro-grants (£200) for local community organisations within the district. This closed in March. Some of the projects funded were Friends of the Ramshorn Graveyard (FORG) tours, litter picking (Anderston), children’s football and Townhead Ladies Friendship Group. They are considering expanding their community engagement to include voluntary groups. The Fusion Fest event is on the 10th of September at the Briggait, tickets are £5 and there will be six speakers.

5. Elected Member Reports

Councillor Eva Bolander

Cllr Bolander is pleased to be back after surgery. She has been catching up on emails, keeping track of issues on High St and hopes this particular matter has ended.

Councillor Angus Millar

Cllr Angus Millar has been looking at Parnie St about activation of regeneration works. He has been looking into the lack of recycling opportunities for residents. Part of George Square is to open at the start of September. He is having regular meetings with the Avenues teams. He is still awaiting responses to several other enquiries.

Bailie Christy Mearns

Bailie Mearns is checking what the permissible boundary limits are on outdoor seating for bars in the Merchant City. She has had reports there has been too little space left for pedestrians to pass by.

Engagement is continuing between Trongate 103 galleries and GCC regarding longer term reasonable rent terms. It is hoped these negotiations develop positively and she is keeping in contact with the tenants.

She is pleased to see Network Rail has improved the lighting under the rail bridge at Central Rail Station and Argyle St.

She has had an update from the Argyle St East Avenues team. The first part is almost complete and they found that many of the old paving blocks broke apart when lifted. However, many old stones were able to be re-used so saved money.

In the Area Partnership (AP) it has been noted how the financial grants are easier to calculate for certain areas than others because some areas require further investigations. She thanked David Hughes for his contribution to the AP. Scott noted the MCTCC area has not received any AP money to date and there has already been a delay of 2 years in Tron Theatre receiving their £25k money.

The old public toilets in St Vincent St are to be renovated above ground level. The railings there were originally located at Charing Cross Rail Station many years ago. She is setting up a meeting with those involved to discuss how the feature can be preserved. Cllr Millar added that new public toilets will be put in place and these railings would be taken away for use in another location. Ross Naismith stated that he considered the public toilets are an asset to the City and should be retained and refurbished. Scott has been pressing for news on GCC’s new public toilet contract as there had been silence on this for some time.

Glass recycling facilities have been placed in the Metropole Building.

Councillor Philip Braat

Cllr Philip Braat reported he has been working with Bailie Mearns about recycling. Some buildings do not have the space to include glass recycling.

The CDP2 consultation is now live until the 18th of November.

He has been in correspondence with MCTCC regarding if GCC’s Busking Code is robust enough or if it requires Scottish Government (SG) legislation. He highlighted that Edinburgh City Council decided not to refer their busking matter to the SG.

Scott and Secretary Niall McColl met Alison Thewliss MSP who felt there was not need for SG involvement, however GCC does. Scott would like to see the matter clarified on where the responsibility lies. Cllr Millar said if there is national legislation this will take prominence over any bye-laws. Cllr Bolander has made enquires if there had been any complaints about busking and there had only been one in the last month.

Cllr Braat noted that road markings have been repainted in our area. In Miller St the double yellow lines have put in place. He is going to have a meeting on site to discuss residents’ concerns.

Cllr Braat continues to work to resolve early morning noise due to glass bins being emptied. He understands work should start before 7am and believes this is in the City Centre Strategy. He has been approached about issues in Virgina Court, off Miller St which has been closed off by the owners. He attended the MCTCC litter pick. Scott thanked him for his attendance.

Ward Councillors’ Questions

RA raised the issue of public feeding birds. Cllr Millar has been developing an action plan and drafted several measures.

Bailie Mearns has noticed that a shop on Sauchiehall St has been advised by Environmental Health to stop or limit the sale of bird feed as this was causing complaints to them. Community Enforcement Officers in the area have been instructed to prevent bird feeding. Bailie Mearns has also raised this with the Business Improvement District (BID).

A resident following the meeting online asked about the large marquee erected at Candleriggs for the Lady boys of Bangkok show. Had an entertainment licence been applied for? Concerts in the past had caused disturbance to local residents. It is understood the event starts on the 28th of August and runs to the 6th of September.

TMcK asked if the Christmas Fayre is to go ahead on George Square this year. Cllr Millar will make enquiries. Another resident asked about the prevalence of new vape shops in our area and how they seem to have very few customers.

The Union St fire has raised safety fears of vaping shops. Bailie Mearns explained there is new legislation for vape shops which will come into force soon. RA asked the planters on Ingram St could be cleaned up.

Scott said it would be remiss of him not to mention the continuing issue of disruptive football celebrations. Councillor Millar assured him that GCC was well aware of the need to avoid a 6th year of anti-social and criminal behaviour at the end the Premiership season in late May.

6. Community Engagement

Niall read out his report as Chair of MCTCC’s Community Engagement sub-group. MCTCC had a stand at the Briggait during both weekends of the Merchant City Festival. Unfortunately, events were not well attended.

As part of our effort to recruit volunteers, and hopefully community councillors, we have printed leaflets which are being distributed to residents. We’re also engaging with businesses via a separate leaflet, as they are an essential part of our community. We’re also planning to be at some university ‘Freshers Fairs’, to speak to new students and those further into their studies who might be looking to bolster their CV with volunteering experience. We’re also registered with Volunteer Glasgow and will be at their volunteering fair in the City Chambers on 15th September.

Our last litter pick took place on 9th August when we collected over 19 bags of rubbish from around the area. Thanks to those who took part, including Cllr Braat. We’re registered with Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Litter Hub project, and details of future litter picks will also be publicised there

Our website content is expanding – we now summarise active planning and licensing applications on a weekly basis. Soon we’ll launch a What’s On guide to the area and are publishing regular spotlight articles highlighting local charities and businesses. The latest one, on the iCafe, will be published this week.

7. Planning

Ross Naismith gave a summary planning report.

He had a meeting with the Planning Department earlier this year however, eight months later, he has not seen any results of what was agreed upon. Cllr Ruari Kelly has Planning as part of this portfolio so he is going to approach him.

He would like to see more transparency on the planning decisions being taken.

On the CDP 2 he has asked if there could be presentation to MCTCC in September and was referred to the Planning Group. There is a series of public meetings lined up. He has urged Cllr Kelly to produce a shorter version of the CDP 2 document as it is over 500 pages.

The Clyde Mission Action Plan will be broken down into a set of proposals and will take in many areas from Glasgow out to Greenock

He has concerns about the architectural design for the PBSA at High St and George St and has reported this.

Scott had a meeting with Praxis (owner of the St Enoch Centre) on Friday which he could not attend. Another meeting will be arranged soon.

Regarding Parnie St, there was a positive meeting with representatives from City Property and a case officer from City Centre Strategy. He has asked Cllr Millar to give his support.

On the Area Partnership, there has been much talk about the finances. He has spoken to the case officer about having benches installed. Likewise, he has spoken a case officer from City Planning, to have new trees installed.

Regarding the Avenues programme, he has given his reports on George Square and Argyle St East. His focus is now on George St and High St and the planters to be installed there. He has asked Cllr Millar to set up a meeting with Sustainable Transport regarding Candleriggs regeneration.

The temporary road changes on Ingram St and Queen St have been in operation for some time now. He believes it now time to look at an analysis of how well the new road layout is operating for drivers and pedestrians.

Planning Comments

Ross has spoken to a case officer dealing with AP matters about having benches installed. Likewise, he has spoken a case officer from City Planning, to have new trees planted.

Bailie Mearns is seeking a meeting to discuss the viability of some streets being closed, or pedestrianised, without inhibiting traffic flow significantly.

Treasurer Gordon Millar is going to a Community Councils’ development meeting this Saturday where this is a talk on CDP2.

Scott is meeting with Cairan Buchanan, one of the senior managers of Avenues projects, next week, with one of the issues being the Stockwell Street re-development.

8.  Licensing

Gary Atkinson has emailed Community Councillors current licence applications which includes: Entertainment Licence – St Enochs Square. Irvin Stringfellow, Reference No: – PEL01483 Details 1 food stall (sweets), 2 game stalls, 4 adult rides, 8 juvenile rides. Proposed Days and Hours of Opening:- 25 – 28 September 2026 and 9 – 18 October 2026, 12pm until 10.30pm daily. Last Date for Objection:- 8 September 2026.

HMO Ref.:- HMO08411 Applicant:- Owner – Osborne Street Dev. Ltd Accommodation address – Flat 102, 100 Osborne Street, Glasgow, G1 5BA. Occupant Capacity = 6 ; No. of Rooms = 6 Last Date for Objection is 1 September 2026.

Establishment of Howard Street Storage Compound for Stockwell Street Avenue Revocation / Variations of Taxi Stances – North Hanover St, George Square and West George St

9. External Groups

Ros Atkinson brought leaflets along with her for distribution. We are considering employing a mailing company to deliver.

David Cowan attended a meeting in Garnethill about graffiti problems.

The JAG meeting is on Thursday; David and Ross will attend. The Glasgows Community Councils’ Federation AGM is on 30th Sept, time and venue details to follow.

Scott noted we have several vacancies and any newcomers would be most welcome to MCTCC.

10. Treasurer’s Report

Gordon stated our bank balance was currently £9,622.21. Expenses this month were for 2 sets of leaflets and IT expenses. All donations from film companies for disruption to residents has been received. Still outstanding is the £500 to pay as a grant for the mural on the side wall of the Social Hub.

11. AOCB

RA has submitted a Minor Improvement Fund application to GCC for the cleaning of streets in the Merchant City. These streets are not covered by the BID cleaning team. Niall thanked Glasgow BID for power washing the bins and lampposts on Ingram St this week. Likewise, TMcK said the city looked better with all the street dressing and cleaning prior to the Commonwealth Games

12. Date Of Next Meeting:

Tuesday 29^th September 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers