DRAFT MCTCC Full Meeting Minutes, 31st March2026
Attendance
| Community Councillors | Scott Thornton; Gordon Millar; David Cowan; Alice Cowan; Associate Community Councillor Peter Hayman |
| GCC Guests | Lise Fisher, David McDonald, John Campbell and Chandra Pollok |
| Residents | PP; GF, SJ, JM, TD |
| Online (Zoom) | Ross Naismith, Rachel Angus, EM, JR |
| Police Scotland | PC Gentjan Rapi, PC Chris Dixon |
| Other | GF |
1. Welcome and Apologies
Scott Thornton welcomed everyone.
Apologies: Cllr Bolander, Bailie Christy-Mearns, Cllr Braat, Gary Atkinson, Roz Atkinson, Gregor McIntryre from MP Office, David Hughes and Niall McColl.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting on 24th February 2026
Adoption proposed by Alice Cowan and seconded by Gordon Millar.
The Secretary will notify Glasgow City Council.
3. Police Report
PC Dixon gave the latest crime statistics: from the 1st to the 31st of March, there were 118 crimes reported in our area of which 53 were detected and 65 undetected. These figures may change as their enquiries continue. They have been monitoring specific streets in our area at the public’s request.
Dispersal Zone
PC Rapi reported how the police have been implementing the new Dispersal Zone law in Glasgow city centre. If there is a group of two or more people congregating and are suspected of being a threat to the public or likely to commit a crime, the Police have the power to issue them with a warning and / or tell them not to come to the dispersal zone area for the next 24 hours. If they are seen again in the dispersal zone during this time they can be arrested and taken into custody and a larger time ban imposed.
CP said that 104 people dispersed and 15 were arrested in the first 4 days of the new law. The police believe they needed these powers due to the number of crimes reported to them. A resident reported this has made the city centre safer and relaxed due to there being less people loitering, drinking or taking drugs. The new law has a trial period of 3 months and it is hoped this will have a long-term effect in the reduction of crime.
Scott reminded attendees that he and Gary, Vice-Chairman, regularly meet police at beat and Inspector level. Issues to be raised at these meetings can be passed to them whenever they arise.
4. NRS Liaison Panel – Needle Bin Statistics Review – Presentation
Lise Fisher (Neighbourhood Liaison Manager), John Campbell and David McDonald (GCC Alcohol and Drug Dependency Section) gave a presentation on the report on the number of needles deposited in the needle bins.
The needle bins were a multi-partnership project between NRS, Street Cleaning and the NHS. The locations were chosen based on where the largest number of needles were found. The first needle bin was in New Wynd in May 2023. Additional bins were added to Old Wynd and Adams Court Lane, near to St Enochs Square. NRS attended a MCTCC meeting at that time.
Lise Fisher explained how the statistics gave the approximate number of needle bin deposits: New Wynd, 2000, Old Wynd 1000 and in Adams Court Lane 500 pieces of injecting equipment and paraphernalia.
John Campbell noted there has been a change in drug usage in the city centre, such as a move away from heroin to cocaine. This means that drug users were now injecting themselves more frequently. The needle bins have made the community safer, not least in reducing people’s exposure to discard needles.
David McDonald said they cannot draw a conclusion if The Thistle Service has reduced the number of discarded needles. However, they have overseen over 10,000 injections at the Hunter St service and has helped over 150 intravenous users. This has its own needle disposal facilities of course.
He hoped this would change their behaviour to seek clean and sterile conditions with medical supervision which should help with their health and wellbeing. More statistics are available on the Thistle website:
https://glasgowcity.hscp.scot/sdcf
5. Glasgow City Business Improvement District – Presentation
Chandra Pollok (Project Manager, Let’s Go Glasgow Business Improvement District) has been working for one year and is pleased to launch the Glasgow Business Improvement District (BID) in April. Membership is open to businesses whose property has a rateable value (RV) of over £100k. The forecast investment is £14m over the 5-year membership term through its 1.5% levy. The BID can be joined on a voluntary basis.
Chandra Pollok explained how the BID offers additional services to businesses. BID is working with 424 businesses. The website includes a business plan which can be viewed or downloaded at https://letsgoglasgow.com/
The BID business plan priorities are:-
- Cleaner – They have a dedicated cleaning team who will respond quickly to requests for graffiti removal
- Safety – They will have street stewards to monitor the area around businesses
- Vibrant – Marketing and Promotion campaigns
- Empowered – Create new forums of shared expertise to tackle business challenges
They are now recruiting a team to run the BID and will be posting updates on social media.
There are over 33 BIDs across Scotland, there has been one in Edinburgh for 16 years, and Dundee has just established one.
6. Elected Member Reports
Cllr Angus Millar has been progressing the NIF funded street trees plan. As previously reported, the money has been allocated and planning ground surveys to see if trees are suitable for planting in the Merchant City.
He has done further work on getting new signage to inhibit bird feeding by the public and investigating if there is any possible enforcement action available. A communication plan is expected to be published soon.
He has had an update about the work going in George Square and understands that 46 trees are currently being planted there. After this, the ground stonework will be laid.
Regarding the clean-up at Maxwell St and Clyde St he will contact the Planning Dept. about time taken to introduce enforcement measures.
Questions for Cllr Millar
EM enquired if there if the area around the Tron Theatre, including the clock tower and at the entrance on Chisolm St could be cleaned.
TD asked about the disruption due to the fire on Union St / Gordon St. Cllr Millar reported GCC have been considering what to do with the site once the demolition work is complete and the area reopened. Heritage organisations are trying to chart a way forward for the site.
7. Community Engagement
Cllr Millar was asked about the situation at the 103 Trongate arts venue wherein the charities are facing a large rent increase at short notice by City Property, a GCC ALEO. He confirmed he was aware and has been making enquiries about what can be done to support the charities in this situation. He has asked if GCC can help the charities financially. He understands there are ongoing discussions.
A charity worker present noted there was a meeting about this on Thursday 26th March. Christy Mearns offered a positive point regarding the protection of cultural and public assets. The charities form a strong function in keeping the arts alive in Glasgow and are now being leveraged to make a profit which is challenging for many.
Scott said there is a wider narrative to be had in reference to keeping the arts alive in Glasgow and the 103 building is a cultural asset in this respect. Cllr Millar understood this point.
Peter Hayman commented in the past Glasgow promoted culture and music and now it has changed, and it should consider how it could do this in the future if it put this kind of pressure on them to continue.
8. Local Place Plan
David Hughes sent his apologies due to attending a City Development Plan II briefing. He provided the following update:-
- A notification letter relating to the Draft Local Place Plan has been approved by the Merchant City & Trongate Community Council.
- The Draft Local Place Plan feedback must be received 22nd April 2026.
9. Planning
Ross Naismith gave his apologies for tonight’s meeting, and sent the following report in the meantime which Scott read out:-
1) Avenues:-
– Email to Ward Councillors, 15th January.
– Overall position.
– GS Lighting Consultant
Condition of Cambridge/ West Nile Streets.
2) Maxwell, Fox Streets/ Appeal.
MCTCC are following up on the appeal by the developer for this.
3) Parnie/ King/ Osborne Area Regeneration, proposals. Being investigated by Ross and Rachel
4) Candleriggs Upgrade, GCC/ ST postponement, email to Ward Councillors, 12th February.
5) Ingram Street and Queen Street alterations, GCC/ ST proposals, email to Ward Councillors,12th February.
6) St Enoch Square (East), Howard Street, Stockwell Place, Stockwell street regeneration.
7) High/ George, King Street CP, Custom House Quay, and Old Wynd (East) Osborne, Planning Application status.
9) Stanchions Removals, update.
10) GCC/ Deep Clean Team intervention, proposals.
11) Second Tier ‘in- ground’ Tree, proposals.
Ross and Scott have a meeting with the new director of St Enochs Shopping Centre in a few weeks.
Scott noted there has been recent application to demolish the defunct Annie Millars Pub. Comments and objections are to be submitted by 28 days from the 25th of March. On the same site the applicant plans to build small studio apartment buildings. A similar application was objected to by MCTCC several years ago.
10. Licensing
Gary sent his apologies. Scott discussed briefly the following issues:-
TRNSMT – They have lodged an application to show the Scotland vs Morrocco World Cup football game on the 19th of June. This will be discussed at the Licensing Board on the 20th of May. MCTCC and Calton CC have objected to this.
Social Hub – Gary Atkinson and Rachel Angus had a meeting with Ben McLeod, of the Social Hub in Candleriggs, regarding to the extension of outdoor seating and sale of alcohol till 1am indoors and outdoors till 10pm.
They were assured the area would not be used for large-scale events and that noise would be kept to a minimum, not least as Social Hub themselves have guests staying on site. The Social Hub have an intention to plant more trees in the nearby area.
JR expressed concerns if an outside amplifier were installed, then other businesses will apply for this also. There was an event last year which caused disturbance and recommended that 9pm ought to the be limit for outdoor music.
11. External Groups
There was no report this month.
12. Friends of Ramshorn Graveyard
There was no report this month.
13. Treasurer’s Report
Gordon Millar (Treasurer) reported that the bank balance as of 31st March 2026 was £9,140.59.
£500 due from Counsels re Filming donation (money received 3 April)
£500 due to be paid to the Social Hub for the Mural contribution
Expenses in March 2026 = £369.47 These were mainly website subscriptions, postage and business cards,
14. Any Other Competent Business
Alice Cowan sent Scott details of some of the community groups in the MCTCC area.
15. Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 28th April 2026 – 6.30-8.30pm in City Chambers.