Your Community Council, at the Heart of Glasgow

Meeting Minutes, 29 April 2025

01/05/2025Minutes

Meeting Minutes, 29 April 2025

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Rosalind Atkinson, David Cowan, Peter Hayman, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Gordon Millar, Ross Naismith, Scott Thornton; Ward Councillors Eva Bolander and Angus Millar; Police Constables Gentian Rapi and Teigan McLeod; Alasdair McDougall representing Kaukab Stewart MSP, Gregor McIntyre representing John Grady MP; RA, MC, DF, KF, MG, TMcK, EM, PP, CS, DMcS.

By Zoom video: Alice Cowan, EM, NM, RMcL, JR

APOLOGIES
John Grady MP, PC Nathan Baxter, Colin McKay

DRAFT MINUTES OF 25 MARCH MAIN MEETING

Adoption proposed by David Cowan, seconded by Tam Coyle. Approved.

POLICE REPORT

The Secretary read PC Baxter’s monthly report for the MCTCC area.

• During the period 1-17 April a total of 106 crimes were reported of which 56 had been detected.
• The Community Policing team had continued to conduct local days of action in response to complaints of illegally modified e-bikes and e-scooters in the city centre. These had led to a number of seizures and reports to the Procurator Fiscal. Local deployments would continue.
• The team had continued to engage with buskers and information about their Code of Conduct had been provided.
• Priority locations included Virginia Street/Glassford Street to deter ani-social behaviour and drug misuse, New Wynd/Old Wynd re drug misuse, and The Trongate, especially around the night time economy area. Patrols had been in inform, on cycles and in plain clothes.
• In response to a question from DF, PC Rapi said police needed a reason to search anyone stopped in relation to an illegally modified bike or scooter.
• In response to a question from Tam he said eight people had been arrested in the St Enoch Centre following assaults. A report had been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
• RA said drug users were continuing to use a lane around Virginia Court. Gates which had been locked to prevent access had not been fixed for three years. PC Rapi said all owners of the affected residential block needed to agree on such repairs but Councillor Bolander said permission could be granted by only 50% of the owners. She will contact RA. ACTION: RA/Councillor Bolander
• Gary Atkinson raised the issue of policing of the anticipated celebrations by Celtic football fans of their team’s latest Premiership League victory, expected to take place on 17 May.
• He and Scott Thornton had represented MCTCC at a top level meeting at Hampden on 28 March convened by MSP Kaukab Stewart and attended by, among others, the Chief Executive and Operations Director of the Scottish Premier Football League and senior representatives of Celtic, the Scottish Government  and Glasgow City Council as well as representative of Celtic and Rangers’ fans.
• There had been a genuine common desire to come up with a solution but it had proved a missed opportunity to halt the probability of further serious civil disorder in mid-May.
• Scott reported that MCTCC and neighbouring Calton Community Council had written to the Chief Executive of Celtic FC on 22 April, asking the Club to publicly call on their supporters to refrain from anti-social behaviour. They had suggested that Celtic organises its own celebration in Parkhead stadium, across the road at The Emirates or at a venue of its choice. However, they had not yet received a reply.
• The Club was not legally bound to control its supporters outside Parkhead stadium.
• MSP Kaukab Stewart had achieved success by getting so many senior figures round the table but the Hampden ‘summit’ had heard reasons from all sides as to why nothing practical could be done at this time.
• Alasdair McDougall said the MSP’s aim had always been to achieve a long term solution to the problem.
• Councillor Millar said Glasgow City Council had continued to put pressure on Celtic management to stop their fans misbehaving.
• In response to comments from the floor about the cost of policing Gary said Celtic could be made to pay for this if they asked for it, but it would not do so. Celtic FC should pay for any clean-up and damage caused.
• Tam will ask Inspector Watters about the actual policing cost when he, Gary and Scott meet him on 2 May, and report back to the Mid-Monthly Meeting.. ACTION: Tam
• RA asked if individuals could be charged for offences or the club fined by the SPFL.  Scott said deduction of points by the SPFL could be an effective deterrent but the football authorities apparently had no intention of doing so.
• Councillor Millar said GCC had no powers to fine the club.

ELECTED MEMBERS’ REPORTS

• Councillor Millar  said GCC’s communications strategy concerning re-development of George Square had been improved and there would now be updates at least monthly.
• The contract for ground works would be discussed in the relevant GCC Committee later this week.
• Quoting the recent announcement that George Square would no longer have a water feature, Ross said this was disappointing.  Councillor Millar said this would have cost £6m and was unaffordable. The decision to axe the water feature had been taken several months earlier but had not been publicly communicated until last week.
• Gary added this showed a serious lack of ambition on the part of GCC. Other Avenues projects could have been delayed to pay for such a feature. George Square was being re-created now; other projects could wait a few years. This would be a missed ‘once in a generation’ opportunity. ACTION: Councillors Bolander and Millar.
• Councillor Millar replied it was a tricky balance but other streets, including those around the Square, could not be left in their current states. There could not be a “red line around George Square where everything is bright and shiny” with other streets in the vicinity in a poor state.
• In answer to a question from RA he said some contracts concerning The Avenues had yet to be allocated.
• EM told the meeting that local residents had expressed their desire to have a water feature. If the City Council had been minded to ditch it surely they should have local residents for their views?
• Ross said it was disturbing that the decision had been taken without contact with the public. Ward Councillors should make sure that residents’ views in the current situation were put firmly to this week’s Committee meeting. ACTION: Councillors Bolander and Millar.
• RA complained about rough sleepers in front of the bus stop near Tesco in The Trongate, blocking access to pedestrians and prams. This and beggars outside Queen Street station gave visitors a very negative impression of Glasgow.
• Councillor Miller said police and street teams regularly spoke with rough sleepers to ensure they had access to social services.
• Councillor Millar said enforcement action was being progressed against the owners of the derelict site at Dixon Street/Clyde Street.
• Some 3,000 job applications had been received in response to GCC’s announcement that it was hiring several hundred new cleansing operatives, parking attendants and community enforcement officers.
• Scott asked Ward Councillors for an update on the consultation on public toilets. MCTCC had received no information since submitting its comments on 15 January. ACTION: Councillors Bolander and Millar.
• He also asked when GCC was going to review its Busking Code. ACTION: Councillors Bolander and Millar.

LOCAL PLACE PLAN

Scott said an MCTCC sub-group is drafting this in connection with local residents’ proposals and aspirations for better use of land and property. This would include use of derelict sites and empty properties.
MCTCC would be pro-active in putting the LPP to local residents who would be asked for their own views on what further improvements they would like to see.
ACTION: Scott/David Hughes/Ross

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

City Centre Improvement Grants – Gordon had attended a meeting which was largely about use of vacant properties.

Trees – Ross is liaising with Ward Councillors on a possible GCC budget. ACTION: Ross/Ward Councillors

David Hughes said of the 7 trees in Ingram Street which would be left after those in the ‘Merchant City Park’ site had been felled to make way for 109 apartments, 3 were dead.

LEZ Community Fund – Scott has asked to be notified when the next bids can be submitted. ACTION: Scott

BBC TV drama  series ‘Minted’ – Scott has met the film company’s location manager and expressed concern about extensive late night filming in and around Wilson Street, especially until dawn on Friday and Saturday 2 and 3 May. Interior filming in a penthouse at 28 Wilson Street would take place on Wednesday and Thursday 7 and 8 May from the early afternoon to 1 am and 12.30 am respectively, and exterior filming would be on Tuesday 6 May from 3 pm to 1 am.
Communication with residents had appeared haphazard. He has been liaising with GCC’s Film Office and will write again to the production company. ACTION: Scott

AREA PARTNERSHIP

David Hughes will represent MCTCC at the next meeting on 1 May. ACTION: David Hughes

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Niall (project manager/Webmaster), David Cowan and Scott have been trained on the new Website which will be totally under MCTCC’s control when it goes live. The session was recorded so all Community Councillors can view it.
In a later phase local businesses will be invited to advertise on it.
Niall is arranging repair of a broken notice board including new locks.
ACTION: Niall

PLANNING

• Ross summarised priority developments.
• Old Wynd (West) (student accommodation) –  Planning approval had been granted, and developers were now ‘on site’. He was happy with the architecture.
• EE reiterated she had objected to the original application which was for a 98 unit residential scheme and remained in contact with GCC Planning on the issue.
• Old Wynd/ Osborne (East) (student accommodation) –  Planning approval had been granted, subject to conditions. He had attended a meeting of the Planning Applications Committee (PAC) on 22 April and spoken about the over-saturation of student accommodation in the area and the need for flexibility to take account of future market changes.
• EE said it was unrealistic to expect that applications for student flats would be converted to those for residential accommodation.
• Ross was concerned about the massing and height – 14 storeys including a power plant on the top level – and the materials used. Both the above developments would be red brick.
• Conditions imposed also concerned environmental improvements.
• Tam said the area was indeed being over-saturated with student accommodation but there had been no mention of badly needed social housing.
• Gary said developers of the King Street car park might regard such a building height as having set a precedent.
• Councillor Bolander said she had stipulated at the PAC meeting that there should be a fixed percentage of student/residential accommodation. This percentage tended to vary case by case.
• Submitted on my own behalf, I herewith object to Planning Application 23/01027/FUL on the grounds that it does not comply with the allocated designation as a Consented Housing Site within the local Development Plan with an indicative capacity of 98 units.
• Granite House, Stockwell Street – Planning permission has been granted, subject to conditions which Ross said he had not seen but was less worried about that.
• He had met Councillor Millar about vehicle access and other alterations at Candleriggs, and the High Street and Clyde Avenues projects.
• EM said the initial planning application for the East side of Osborne Street was for residential apartments, not student housing.
• David Hughes said the issue of student accommodation was relevant to the proposed Local Place Plan since this gave MCTCC an opportunity to exert influence through its Policy Statements.
• Peter reminded the meeting he had raised a personal objection to noisy air-conditioning fans installed on top of the City Halls without planning permission.
• EM said it was astonishing that Glasgow Life was unable to say who owned City Halls and was therefore liable for the fans.

LICENSING

Tam reminded the meeting that a public consultation on whether the current provision of taxis in Glasgow was adequate is due to finish on 28 May. Details are on the MCTCC and GCC Websites. The issue will be on the agenda for the Community Council’s next internal mid-monthly meeting.

FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD (FORG)

• David Hughes reported bookings were going well. He had also received an enquiry about a group visit by 20 disabled people which might need to be run as split events.
• Posters had been printed and flyers distributed.
• Free tours would take place every Wednesday in June, July and August.
• New benches had proved popular and more would be appreciated.
• David asked Councillor Bolander about a notice on opening times outside the Ramshorn Graveyard. A GCC officer had said the City Council was no longer responsible for  this because MCCTC was now involved through its setting up of FORG. Would planning permission be required? ACTION: Councillor Bolander/David Hughes
•  Tam said he was mystified as to why recycling bins had been removed.
•  Niall will create a facebook Page for FORG. ACTION: Niall

RECYCLING FACILITIES

• Ex-MCTCC Chair Duncan McLaren has complained about the absence of recycling bins in Montrose Street. They had been moved under a nearby railway bridge.
• Glass recycling bins on King Street have been removed as has one in Metropole Lane off Howard Street, the latter on the instructions of a business which said it owned the lane. Scott said he understood the lane was jointly owned, adding that GCC should actively be providing more recycling facilities.
• Peter said a priority was food recycling bins which should be maintained and cleaned by Glasgow City Council.
•  Gordon asked if GCC had a list of recycling facilities. Councillor Bolander will report back. ACTION: Councillor Bolander

THISTLE FORUM  (Hunter Street safe drugs injection facility)

Gary and Tam attended the latest meeting on 1 April. Some 250 drug users had made 1,600 visits in the past month. The Social Hub and Tron Theatre had also been involved. The next meeting is on 11 June.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Gordon reported a current cash balance £5,607.25.
The second half of payment for the Website (£1,590) has been paid.
Thanks to Gary we have received our annual administration grant from GCC.

INTERIM ELECTION OF COMMUNITY COUNCILLOR

An interim election is being held to fill one vacancy on MCTCC. Completed Nomination Forms should be returned by the closing date of 6 May. Details are on the MCTCC Website and have been posted on three sites within the MCTCC area.
So far there has been one nomination.  If there is more than one nomination a secret ballot will be held at our meeting on 27 May. If not, the nominee will be elected unopposed. Qualifying residents whose name and address appear on the Electoral Register within the Community Council boundary will be entitled to cast one vote during the ballot opening hours. ACTION: Scott

PARADES

Ross said the Community Council should object to a procession on 7 June marking the relief of Derry. It was a religion-based provocative hate crime which would  impair residents’ quiet enjoyment of their city.
Tam noted that he and Ross had met GCC’s Parades Officer and been told banning such parades would be contrary to freedom of speech and opinion.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK

Scott noted this was taking place between 2-8 June and honoured the work done by volunteers such as those on Community Council. He urged the public to join in MCTCC’s efforts to improve the area.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 27 May, 6.30-8.30, City Chambers

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by admin

Meeting Minutes, 25 March 2025

20/04/2025Minutes

Meeting of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council held in Glasgow City Chambers on 25 March 2025

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Rosalind Atkinson, David Cowan, Peter Hayman, David Hughes, Gordon Millar, Niall McColl, Ross Naismith, Scott Thornton; Ward Councillors Eva Bolander and Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns, Police Constables Nathan Baxter and Lewis Moore, RA, SD, DF, GF, MG, KMcN,  GMcI, NM, PP, JR, CS, TMcK

By Zoom Video: Ward Councillor Angus Millar, Alice Cowan

 

MINUTES OF FEBRUARY MEETING

These had been published on the Community Council’s Website.,

Adoption proposed by Tam Coyle, seconded by Niall McColl. Carried.

 

POLICE REPORT

PC Baxter said statistics for the MCTCC area between 1-15 March indicated a total of 102 crimes of which 61 had so far been detected. Common crimes included theft (especially from retail premises), possession of controlled substances, disorder and road traffic offences.

The Community policing team had continued to conduct local days of action in response to complaints regarding e-bike use within the city centre. These had continued to result in a number of illegal e-bikes seized by police and offenders reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Proactive policing deployments would continue to be conducted into the month of April, including a city-wide day of action supported by local policing  and specialist officers.

In March officers from the city centre community policing team assisted in a road safety day of action conducted across Greater Glasgow.

The team had continued to deploy as part of their local busking action plan within the city centre alongside Glasgow City Council (GCC) Community Enforcement Officers, engaging with street performers and providing information regarding the Busking Code of Conduct.

Priority locations included the Ramshorn Graveyard and the New/Old Wynds to deter drug misuse and Trongate,  in particular around night-time venues.

TD said drug addicts were ‘shooting up bold as brass’ around Virginia Street. Niall said the problem was prevalent by the fire exit around the Old Sheriff Court in Brunswick Street.

Tam said he and Gary had represented MCTCC at meetings of the multi-agency Thistle Forum on the Safe Drugs Injection Facility in Hunter Street.

Gary said retail theft remained a problem at Sainsbury’s, Ingram Street. PC Baxter said another Day of Action was planned for May. Any incidents should be reported immediately via 999.

Baillie Mearns asked if children were being coerced into drug dealing.

 

ELECTED MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Councillor Bolander said she was keen to get MCTCC represented on the High Street Reference Group which she chairs.

She was looking at improving the lighting in Miller Street.

Tam said traffic wardens were not charging offenders double parking or on yellow lines. These needed to be repainted urgently.

SD subsequently gave Councillor Bolander details of graffiti on Miller Street.

Gary added that the street had changed dramatically in recent years, having become a successful restaurant area. Could the Avenues project not be extended to Miller Street? It was located on a route through to the waterfront. Councillor Bolander replied that Avenues funding was ring fenced.

After the subject was raised by Baillie Mearns Tam noted that Glasgow City Council had installed airconditioning fans on top of the City Halls without planning permission. This was a separate issue to the planning application for construction of 109 flats in the NCP car park on Ingram Street. Tam said “these fans should be off the roof. End of story.”

Councillor Bolander said there did not appear to be a funding source to repair broken lighting on the South Portland Suspension Bridge.

Re Miller Street Councillor Millar said the aspiration was still to have public realm improvements but it was not in the ‘funding envelope.’

There had been a £20m increase in the City Council budget for roads and lighting and Miller Street would be a priority though in the next financial year since the budget for the current year was exhausted.

He had met the Head of Planning to discuss the ‘eyesore’ site at Dixon Street.

MG complained about late night noise from behind restaurants on Ingram Street with glass being dumped. Councillor Bolander provided a contact at Environmental Health.

Gary raised the subject of the 24 hour cafe/night shelter being run by Homeless Project Scotland on Glassford Street. Food was being served without the requisite certification. MCTCC was not against homeless people but hospitality businesses would not be allowed to get away with this.

TD said the premises were underneath flats. The law was changing on 31 March so having a kitchen under residential accommodation would be illegal.

Scott said a statement from GCC Planning to MCTCC a week ago said it was unlikely any such application for change of use would be granted. No such application had been lodged. MCTCC had been asking Planning for a long time for updates on HPS’ other application for change of use for the adjacent premises but kept hitting a brick wall.

The Community Council’s questions to GCC and Food Safety Scotland (the latter for more than a year) about food certification had gone unanswered.

TD said the Planning Department was less important in this case than Building Control. HPS needed a Building Warrant.

(Sound went out again for 2 minutes)

Councillor Millar said he had today requested an update on when the application for change of use from offices to the night shelter (not the 24 hour food service for which no application has been lodged) would be determined.

GCC has launched a major recruitment drive for more cleansing and enforcement staff.

Re the Portland Bridge Gordon asked which part of GCC was responsible for maintenance? This was a ‘feature bridge’ and a core asset and there should be a maintenance plan for it.  Councillor Millar said that the lighting was classified as ‘feature’ and therefore given lower priority. A whole replacement system was needed. He had requested an update.

Gary said the hoardings around George Square had been expected to be put up in January. The GCC Project Manager had agreed to deliver a presentation at tonight’s meeting but it had been postponed because the hoarding would not be erected until late April or early May with other work starting only in July or August.

There was sand on the lawns and for six months of Glasgow’s 850th anniversary no progress would be made. The City Council had not learned the lessons of the problems of the Avenues project on Sauchiehall Street.

Councillor Millar said he had not been informed of tonight’s presentation postponement. GCC’s communications needed to improve. It should not issue inaccurate information. There should be a ‘single point of truth.’

Different contracts were being negotiated: the statues’ restoration, the hoardings and public realm works. He understood the hoardings would be in place around the end of April. He had a meeting with the project team tomorrow. Delays to the hoardings’ erection would not affect completion of the works (Autumn 2026).

Gary said it appeared the contracts had not even been signed. Councillor Millar said the Council was in the final stages of procurement and this had to come to the relevant Committee for approval.

Scott said the Community Council was disappointed its application for funding (for tree planting) under the LEZ (Low Emission Zone) Community Scheme had been declined. Could Ward Councillors cast light on why?

Ross said MCTCC only found out about the fund through the Internet and felt the submission was as robust as any of those whose bids had been accepted. However, he believed another submission might be successful.

Baillie Mearns suggested MCTCC should ask the LEZ Fund for feedback.

Councillor Millar said the Fund had been heavily oversubscribed. The issue was due to be discussed in Committee later this week.

Scott read out extracts from an email from a resident of the GPO Building in South Frederick Street complaining about the re-siting from George Square of a 24 hour taxi rank outside a listed building for which double glazing is not permitted. Retail units had also been impacted.

 

PLANNING ISSUES

Ross summarised latest developments.

The planning submission for redevelopment of the King Street car park is delayed by at least a month.

MCTCC was generally supportive of the Maxwell Street development (Radisson hotel and served apartments) subject to various conditions.  He would be happy to attend a workshop on this.

A Planning Application Committee hearing on Dominus’ application for student accommodation in Osborne Street had been due earlier today but was postponed because of more pressing Committee business.

He had not been surprised that the latest proposals on the Custom House Quay/Clyde Street Avenues project had been delayed because of additional environmental considerations.

MCTCC has objected two two planning applications for the Clutha/Stockwell Street/Clyde Street corner – for a giant media wall and seating areas/pergolas on the pavement.

The Community Council had been approached by a resident specialising in such matters about redevelopment of the Virginia Street/Court area and Ross is discussing this with him.

He and Peter would attend a GCC briefing session on Planning this weekend.

Ross added that he and David Hughes were drafting policy statements in

connection with the Community Council’s formulation of its first Local Place Plan (LPP).

Gordon said the area outside Carrick Quay and the Metropole Building was a mess   due to construction/investigation work. It was a well used leisure and relaxation  area.

Taking forward the LPP issue, David Hughes said this gave MCTCC the opportunity to influence the next City Development Plan in terms of the use of land and property.

 

AREA PARTNERSHIP

In David Hughes’ absence Gary will represent MCTCC at the next meeting.

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Scott reported the group met last night. A survey would be carried out to seek residents’ views on MCTCC’s proposals for a LPP), the Community Council’s most significant medium term project, led by David Hughes with valuable assistance from Ross. It was important MCTCC was seen to be proactive. As part of the survey residents  would also be asked for their prioritised suggestions for further improvements in the area.

Thanks in particular to Ros Atkinson and Niall McColl, good progress was being made on MCTCC’s new Website.

To raise funds, including for Website enhancements, the group had agreed on the principle of seeking advertisements and contributions from local businesses and other organisations. Although MCTCC is a residents’ forum and not a business one, funds would be raised for the benefit of local residents by keeping them better informed of the Community Council’s work and what is happening in their area.

The aim is to to have the Website plan approved, and if so launched, at the public meeting on 29 April.

The group is also investigating repair, replacement or scrapping of the Community Council’s two public notice boards.

 

LICENSING

Tam noted the proposal for a market outside the St Enoch Centre in Osborne Street on the second and last Fridays of the month. Gary said previous such markets had been under cover against the St Enoch Centre wall.

 

PARADES

Tam said he and Ross had met GCC’s Parades Officer and suggested these should take place on Glasgow Green rather than having processions through the city centre.

 

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Scott noted that the public consultation on the proposed Visitor Levy will run until 5 May and the consultation on taxis’ availability until 28 May. Information is on the Glasgow City Council’s Website.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Gordon reported a bank balance of £6,728.51,  with forthcoming expenses including some £1,600 for the remainder of the Website development.

 

INTERIM ELECTION

The meeting agreed to hold an interim election in liaison with Glasgow City Council  with the aim of elevating Associate Community Councillor Ross to full Community Councillor status. Scott will make the necessary arrangements.

 

'RUBBISH FORCE' LITTER PICK

Gordon introduced KMcN who is running a litter pick (‘Rubbish Force’) on the South Side of the river on 5 April (10 am to 2 pm). Volunteers are welcome and can meet up in Carlton Place.

 

FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD (FORG)

David Hughes, Chair, said free public tours of the graveyard would take place every Wednesday in June, July and August between 11 am and noon.

Tam said the Merchant City Festival (MCF. July 18-20) would include an event in the graveyard. Ideas for any other events in the MCF would be welcome.

 

COMMUNITY COUNCILS' ADVISORY GROUP - 'GLASGOW 850'

Peter will represent MCTCC

CLYDE MARINE PARTNERSHIP

Several other Community Councils are on this group. Peter will ask the organisers to add MCTCC, via Scott, to its newsletter database.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 29 April, 6.30-8.30 pm in City Chambers

 

 

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by admin

Royal Mail in the G1-G5 Delivery Area

20/03/2025Minutes

Royal Mail in the G1-G5 Delivery area

What is your recent experience with Royal Mail services in the G1 – G5 delivery area? Kaukab Stewart MSP has had several comments about recent service levels, and has requested a meeting with senior management at Royal Mail. We are all invited to share our recent experience with the Royal Mail by completing the form below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-2vc8yKh0QZxs-K8SH-yGkhpZ19JNoNBIDzT7Zx8mhTCqhw/viewform?usp=header

If you’d like a paper copy of the form, please send a mail to [email protected] in the first instance and we will forward your message to Kaukab’s office.

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by Richard Longmuir

Meeting Minutes, 28 January 2025

19/03/2025Minutes

Meeting of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council held in Glasgow City Chambers on 28 January 2025

 

Attended by: Tam Coyle (Chair), Community Councillors Gary Atkinson, Alice Cowan, David Cowan, David Hughes, Niall McColl,  Gordon Millar, Scott Thornton and Ros Wardley-Atkinson ; Associate Community Councillors Peter Hayman and Ross Naismith; Ward Councillors Angus Millar and Depute Lord Provost Christy Mearns; Police Sergeant Iain Cooper-Cairns, PCs Nathan Baxter and Gentian Rapi; RA, KB, RE, DF, GF, KL, CMcI, EMi, PP, TMcK

 

Apologies: Community Councillor Colin McKay, Ward Councillor Philip Braat, AMcD

 

By video link: GAl, EMa

 

MINUTES OF NOVEMBER MEETING

 

These had been published on the Community Council’s Website.,

 

Adoption proposed by Gordon Millar, seconded by David Hughes. Carried.

 

POLICE REPORT

 

PC Baxter said that from 1-28 January a total of 107 crimes had been reported of which 49 had been detected. These included theft (especially from retail premises), possession of controlled substances and road traffic offences.

 

Local ‘Days of Action’ against illegal e-bikes and scooters had been running regularly since December,  resulting in the seizure of 19 e-bikes with 79 offences reported to the Procurator Fiscal. These deployments would continue into February. In response to a question he said E-bikes can be classified as motor vehicles if ridden on pavements.

 

He and PC Moore had been joined as beat officers in the MCTCC area by PCs Rapi and McLeod. Scott said the Community Council was pleased about the increase in beat officers and the successful crackdown on illegally modified e-bikes. 

 

Gordon asked what happened to seized e-bikes. PC Baxter said policy set by the Scottish Government was due to be changed and these bikes might no longer be returned to the rider. 

 

Tam reiterated MCTCC’s call for all food delivery riders to be identifiable by a numbered tabard or bag, in case of an accident. 

 

In response to a question from Scott PC Baxter said riders whose machines were impounded had to pay a release fee to the recovery company, not to police or Glasgow City Council (GCC) 

 

Priority deployment locations, determined as a result of police observation of trends and in response to community needs, had included the Ramshorn Graveyard and New/Old Wynds. Plain clothed officers supplemented uniformed police.

 

There would be a substantial police presence in connection with the next football match between Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead on 16 March.

 

Tam noted that he and the two Vice-chairs are due to meet MSP Kaukab Stewart on 11 March when anti-social behaviour by football fans would be on the agenda.

 

Gordon asked what police were doing about graffiti. PC Baxter said this was regarded as vandalism but he had no statistics for arrests.

 

RA reported observing an incident outside the Glassford Street post office in which a man was carrying a knife and the shop owner had reported previous such incidents. PC Baxter said he would contact the shop owner to discuss this. Anyone caught up in such an incident should call 999. 

 

CMcI (Colin McInnes, Homeless Project Scotland) said his project had equipment which detected if knives or similar including razor blades were being carried. It operated a Zero Tolerance policy.

 

He contended that Ward Councillors and MCTCC had not been supportive of HPS’ initiative in creating a homeless shelter in Glassford Street.  

 

Councillor Millar said Glasgow City Council’s consideration of HPS’ planning application was ongoing following the Scottish Government’s dismissal of its appeal against an Enforcement Notice. HPS had never contacted him. 

 

Depute Lord Provost Mearns said HPS had not been the easiest organisation to deal with. She herself had been a volunteer at its soup kitchen. She supported the initiative but not the way HPS had gone about it. 

 

Scott said MCTCC was very much concerned about the plight of the homeless and had worked with The Simon Community which had delivered a presentation at a public meeting. The main reason CMcI was attending the meeting was so he could issue statements to the media. 

 

He asked CMcCi if he was a resident of the Merchant City and Trongate area since only such residents could speak at the Community Council’s meetings. CMcI said he was the owner of a business in the area. Tam said MCTCC is constituted as a residents’ forum, not a business one. 

 

Tam said he had attended the opening of the Thistle project (Safe drugs consumption facility in Hunter Street) and had been impressed, However, what happened after the building was closed at 9 pm?

 

PC Baxter said he could be contacted for advice on any matter via the Chair or Secretary. 

 

ELECTED MEMBERS’ REPORTS

 

Councillor Millar said new legislation allowing local authorities to ban pavement parking, double parking and on double yellow lines would come into effect tomorrow throughout the city centre and elsewhere in Glasgow where there was no ambiguity about whether exemptions would be required.  

 

For the first two weeks offenders would be given a warning notice and after that fines would be imposed. GCC’s computer systems had been amended to deal with this. It was recruiting more parking attendants.

 

He said work would start on re-developing George Square in a couple of months. Before that an exhibition would be set up in a corner of the Square followed by a comprehensive surrounding hoarding summarising the project and the area’s history.

 

In answer to a question from Ross, he said a water feature remains part of the plan but this would depend on costs not being prohibitive. This would be one of the last implementation items. Lessons had been learned from problems encountered in Sauchiehall Street including those concerning contract management.

 

KL asked about the re-siting of the taxi rank from George Square because of its re-development.  Angus said he would check the latest position. 

 

He said he had been advised by Councillor Bolander that benches currently in George Square would be re-positioned elsewhere and she had suggested that two should be placed outside the Ramshorn graveyard.

 

Councillor Millar said Council officers and factors had met to arrange a tidy-up of messy bins around Virginia Street and a new bin hub might be installed. 

 

In answer to a question from RA about bin collections around Brunswick Street Councillor Millar suggested she should take up the matter with Louise Stewart at GCC.

 

Councillor Millar would join Community Councillors on a Walkabout through the MCTCC area on 14 February (12 noon to 1.30) to assess problems and plan remediations. The other three Ward Councillors would also be invited. 

 

Depute Lord Provost Mearns said early morning noise problems reported by neighbours of Pipeworks “gentlemen’s sauna” in Metropole Lane seemed to have eased.

 

She had been following up the status of the development of the Ingram Street car park which MCTCC has campaigned unsuccessfully to be turned into Merchant City’s first park. 

 

Tam said he understood GCC had given the developer six months in which to provide measures to mitigate noise to potential neighbours. This would expire on 14 February.

 

David Hughes said Glasgow Life had installed air conditioning fans on the roof of City Halls without planning permission. Peter said this was a separate issue to previous objections, raised by MCTCC and others, that due to the ‘Agent of Change’ principle a music venue could be closed down because of complaints from neighbours. EMi said that furthermore no impact assessment had been carried out. 

 

Depute Lord Provost Mearns said an enforcement notice had been served on developers (now in administration) who had left a building site on Dixon Street in an eyesore state for a year or so.

 

RA asked what GCC was doing about pigeons. Councillor Millar said the Council was limited as to what it could do legally and a cull was out of the question. Community Enforcement Officers could ask those feeding the pigeons not to do so and this could be considered a littering offence. 

 

Scott said road signage at the Stockwell Street-Bridgegate-Clyde Street junction was confusing since it suggested East-bound vehicles should turn left into Stockwell Street whereas that led them into a bus lane. Drivers realising the error or simply wanting to jump the queue  then had to move right towards other oncoming traffic to avoid entering a cycle lane. GCC officials had indicated they would change the signage but so far nothing had happened and the situation remained chaotic.

 

PLANNING ISSUES

 

David Hughes said the next meeting of the North West Area Partnership would be on 25 February when the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Fund would again be a prominent agenda item. He had been annoyed to receive the latest criteria which included an unexpected addition saying funding bids including ‘business as usual’ items such as road improvements would no longer be included. This affected some of the 73 projects proposed by MCTCC.

 

Ross, MCTCC Planning lead, said he would like to see more pedestrianisation in the upper part of Candleriggs. Scott said this could not be pedestrian only because patrons had to access the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket venues.

 

Ross said he had written to GCC about the inadequate design of the High Street Avenues project and hoped for Ward Councillors’ support. Councillor Millar agreed the design was not as vibrant as those for other Avenues projects and he would request an update. The High Street was relatively narrow and this imposed space restraints. 

 

On 30 January Community Councillors would attend further presentations on the Custom Quay-Clyde Street Avenues project. it was important the two sections were aligned. 

 

Ross said the ‘Trees for Streets’ scheme was not the answer to the Community Council’s demand for more trees in its area. A better solution was for MCTCC to buy the trees and get GCC to plant them. Scott noted that David Cowan was representing the Community Council at an online Postcode Lottery funding seminar on Friday. 

 

Ross thought a children’s play area should be considered for vacant land at the junction of George and High Streets.

 

LOCAL PLACE PLAN (LPP)

 

David Hughes noted that MCTCC was preparing its own LPP which would govern use of land and buildings and feed into the new City Development Plan (CDP2) and National Planning Framework (NPF4). Community priorities would be taken into account in planning decisions. 

 

It could also include over-arching statements e.g. “we believe there is a surfeit of student accommodation and there is a need for a community centre and doctor’s surgery”.

 

A useful reference for drafting the LPP was the Merchant City Regeneration Handbook which mentioned reducing traffic flow in the High Street.

 

He asked Ward Councillors what was the timeline/deadline for submission of an LPP.  Tam said he thought it was the end of March. 

 

LITTER PICK

 

The Community Council’s next Litter Pick will take place on Saturday 22 February from 10.30 am to 1 pm (meet outside the Ramshorn graveyard), organised by David Hughes. Volunteers were welcome and equipment would be provided. 

Posters will be distributed. Impact Arts’ students may assist.

 

FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD (FORG)

 

David Hughes, FORG Chairman, will be briefing young people from Impact Arts who will produce artwork for a virtual tour prior to public tours starting in the Summer. 

 

PUBLIC TOILETS

 

Scott said MCTCC had submitted its comments to GCC and the British Toilet Association as part of the City Council’s public consultation.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

Scott said the sub-group meeting due on 21 January did not take place and he would try to arrange another one. A prime subject was creation of the Community Council’s new Website, a prime tool for communicating with local residents.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Gordon reported £,6,884.39 in the bank. MCCTC had received its administration grant of £607.95 from GCC. The Zoom licence of £155 was due.

 

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 25 February, 6.30-8.30 pm in City Chambers

 

---

by Richard Longmuir

AGM Minutes, 26 November 2024

19/03/2025Minutes

These minutes will be presented to our AGM in October 2025 for approval

Attended by: 

Community Councillors Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Alice Cowan, David Cowan, Peter Hayman, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Colin McKay, Gordon Millar, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Atkinson

Associate Community Councillor Ross Naismith

Ward Councillor Angus Millar

GA, CD, MD, TD, RE, GF, AM, EM, GMcI, PP, JR

Apologies – Baillie Christy Mearns. Councillor Eva Bolander, Councillor Philip Braat, Alasdair McDougall (MSP Kaukab Stewart’s office)

1. Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 31 October 2023

These had been published on the Community Council’s Website. 

Adoption proposed by Gary Atkinson, seconded by David Hughes. Carried. 

2. Chairperson’s Annual Report

Just a few words to reflect on the last 12 months.

Firstly, a few thank yous, to my fellow Community Councillors ,this Community Council simply could not operate without our hard working team with a special shout out to my vice chairs [Scott Thornton and Gary Atkinson] and the sterling work on our website by Niall McColl and David Hughes on the Ramshorn Graveyard project.

POLICE SCOTLAND

A thank you to Sean McFadden [who unfortunately will be leaving us at the end of the month] and colleagues for all their support and Inspector Jonny Watters for the quarterly meetings.

Our four councillors, [ Eva Bolander, Christy Mearns, Angus Millar and Philip Braat.] Our MSP  Kaukab Stewart and new MP John Grady [Glasgow East] for all support and assistance this year. I should also mention our former Westminster representative Alison Thewliss when we were represented by the now defunct seat of Glasgow Central.

David Hughes for attending the Area Partnership (ably assisted by Gary Atkinson) and to Gary for attending the Licensing Forum.

GLASSFORD STREET HOMELESS PROJECT

On 14/12/23  Homeless Project Scotland opened premises  on Glassford Street without obtaining any sort of planning permission, nearly one year later Glasgow City Council are giving them extension after extension rather than enforcing their own legislation. The matter is now in the hands of the Scottish Government and we await the announcement with interest.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Merchant City and Trongate is not immune to the tough economical climate and we have suffered the loss of some outstanding premises. However, equally,  there have been some fantastic openings over the last 12 months.

PLANNING

The MCTCC continue to liaise with all developers that have proposals in our patch and we will keep the local Community informed at all times

RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD

Our sub committee [chaired by David Hughes] are working away to improve the Graveyard….again we will keep you updated at our monthly meetings.

WARD 10 JAG MEETINGS

Tam, Gary and Scott have all taken turns of representing the MCTCC at the Ward 10 JAG Meeting [The JAG comprising of reps from the seven CC`s [MCTCC,Townhead, Blythswood and Broomielaw, Garnethill,Anderston, Yorkhill and Kelvingrove, Cowcaddens] to discuss areas of joint concerns

COMMUNITY LITTER PICK

The MCTCC have organised a couple of successful litter picks on Saturday mornings and we will continue to do so in 2025. We have noted recently that a couple of litter bins have been kept permantley on the street and we will work with GCC to get them removed asap.

There are still a number of long standing issues [pigeons/seagulls, Trees for Streets etc) but while all Community Councillors continue to share the workload I am confident that we can continue to go from strength to strength in 2025

Finally, we urge all members of the Community to attend our monthly meetings [the last Tuesday of the month in the City Chambers) and log on to our excellent website to be kept informed of all issues.

3. Treasurer’s Submission of Independently Examined Statement of Accounts.

Gordon Millar reported a cash balance last financial year of £10,717. This year income totalled £1,530 with expenditure of £5,674 resulting in a deficit of £4,144. The balance at the end of MCTCC’s financial year (31 August) was £6,573.

Main expenditure was donations from the Community Council’s Grant Giving Scheme including a total of £2,308 to Friends of the Ramshorn Graveyard and Impact Arts plus an upgrade to the Website costing £1,590 with a similar sum due during the current financial year. Investment in the Website is regarded as an asset in accounting terms. 

It had been a year of investment which also included purchase of a new meeting speaker and equipment for litter picks.

Unlike in previous years there had been no donations from film companies in the period under review. The Community Council was likely to be spending more than it received and was looking for grant opportunities. 

Scott thanked Gordon for his first year as Treasurer which had helped greatly to get MCTCC’s finances into shape.

4. Demit of Office Bearers

The following stepped down:

Chair – Tam Coyle

Vice-Chairs – Gary Atkinson and Scott Thornton

Secretary – Scott Thornton

Treasurer – Gordon Millar 

Planning Lead – Peter Hayman

Licensing Lead – Gary Atkinson (Representative on Licensing Forum)

Area Partnership Lead – David Hughes

5. Nominations for the election of Office Bearers and representatives:

• Chairperson

Tam Coyle 

Proposed by David Hughes

Seconded by Niall McColl

• Vice-Chairpersons

1. Gary Atkinson 

Proposed by Scott Thornton

Seconded by Tam Coyle

2. Scott Thornton

Proposed by Niall McColl

Seconded by Tam Coyle

Secretary

Scott Thornton

Proposed by David Hughes

Seconded by Peter Hayman 

Treasurer

Gordon Millar

Proposed by Scott Thornton

Seconded by Alice Cowan

Planning Lead 

Ross Naismith

Proposed by Scott Thornton

Seconded by David Cowan

Scott said Ross had done incredibly powerful work on planning issues since joining as an Associate Community Councillor, ably assisted by Peter who had done so for many years. The year had been a particularly busy one for planning applications in MCTCC’s area. 

Peter deserved an enormous debt of gratitude for his work for the community going back decades.

Peter told the meeting he was stepping down from Community Council membership but would remain as an Associate.

• Licensing Lead

Gary Atkinson 

Proposed by Tam Coyle

Seconded by Niall McColl

Tam will continue to forward to Community Councillors Licensing applications submitted to Glasgow City Council.

• Area Partnership Lead Contact

David Hughes

Proposed by Tam Coyle

Seconded by Gordon Millar 

Substitute Representative remains Gary Atkinson

Tam, Gary and Scott will continue to serve as representatives on The Joint Action Group (JAG) of Ward 10 Community Councils. 

ST said he had attended meetings of the Community Councils’ Development Session (CCDS) and found them useful.

6. Note continuation of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils.

This was noted. 

Tam thanked officers of Glasgow City Council’s Community Councils’ section for providing an abridged version (reduced from 69 to 15 pages) which will be placed on the MCTCC Website.

7. Appointment of an Independent Examiner of accounts for the next year

Gordon said this would again be Iain McGuire CA (retired) 

The Treasurer added that he had gone through relevant Glasgow City Council (GCC) schedules for Community Councils and would submit  the accounts to GCC after ensuring they conformed to good practice in line with the City Council’s requirements.

8. Appointment of associate members.

The following were confirmed:

Peter Hayman

Ross Naismith

9. Review the Inventory and Additional Resources 

Gordon pointed out that some of then Community Council’s assets no longer have significant value because of depreciation but had to be recorded if they were still being used. 

11. Next Annual General Meeting 

The Chair announced this will take place on Tuesday 28 October 2025, and closed the meeting. 

(ST) to report to GCC:

• The date you held your AGM in October 2024

• Approved minutes of your last Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October 2023

• Approved Treasurer’s submission of Independently Examined Statement of Accounts from 1stSeptember 2023 to 31st August 2024

• Confirmation of membership of the Community Council, including all Office Bearers

---

by Richard Longmuir

Meeting Minutes, 26 November 2024

19/03/2025Minutes

Confidential

 

Meeting of Merchant City and Trongate Community Council held over Zoom video on 26 November 2024

 

Attended by: 

 

Community Councillors Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Alice Cowan, David Cowan, Peter Hayman, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Colin McKay, Gordon Millar, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Atkinson

 

Associate Community Councillor Ross Naismith

 

Ward Councillor Angus Millar

 

GA, CD, MD, TD, RE, GF, AM, EM, GMcI, PP, JR

 

Apologies - Baillie Christy Mearns. Councillor Eva Bolander, Councillor Philip Braat, Alasdair McDougall (MSP Kaukab Stewart’s office)

• MINUTES OF PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 24 SEPTEMBER (The meeting on 26 October had to be abandoned because of security issues at Glasgow City Chambers)

 

These had been posted on the Website. Adoption proposed by Neill McColl and seconded by David Cowan. Carried.

 

2. POLICE ISSUES

 

Tam said it was unfortunate that new beat officer Nathan Baxter had been unable to attend because Police Scotland cannot use Zoom or Teams for video meetings..

 

He told the meeting Miller Street was still being clogged with cars double parked on double yellow lines/pavements 7 nights a week. 

 

Peter Hayman asked about pedestrianisation of Miller Street. There was nowhere for cars to go as it’s a dead end so why were they there? Tam asked where legal parking was available for those 30 or so cars? 

 

Councillor Millar said he had been discussing the issue with the team re-developing George Square. Full pedestrianisation had not been discussed but he would be progressing public realm improvements.

 

JR said she had seen young adults crossing the road very slowly and holding up traffic outside Hootenanny near the St Enoch Centre, resulting in a back-up along Howard Street. Could police not monitor that area? Tam said he would raise this with PC Baxter. ACTION: TAM

 

Scott asked if there was any update from Glasgow City Council on buskers and if there had been confiscation of equipment because of contravention of the Buskers’ Code. Tam to raise with police. ACTION: Tam 

 

Scott reminded the meeting that the Chair and Vice-Chairs meet Police at Inspector level quarterly and residents should contact them if they wished any particular issue raised. ACTION: All

 

3. PRESENTATION ON RE-DEVELOPMENT OF GEORGE SQUARE AND AVENUES PROJECTS - by Cieran Buchanan, Principal Officer, Avenues Project, Glasgow City Council. 

 

City Deal-funded (£115m): Sauchiehall Street pilot (Delivered 2018-19) Sauchiehall Street Precinct, Cambridge Street, Holland Street & Pitt Street, Argyle Street West, North Hanover Street and Kyle Street, George Square and surrounding Avenues, Argyle Street East, Clyde Street and Broomielaw, High Street (Glasgow Cross to Rottenrow)

 

Sustrans-funded (£21m): South Portland Street, Duke Street and John Knox Street, Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie’s Loan

 

Argyle Street West (Kingston Bridge to Hielanman’s Umbrella) - Due for completion October 2025, complexities due to low level rail line running the length of Argyle Street. 

 

N Hanover Street/Kyle Street - Construction starting Spring 2025 for 18 months. Key link from city centre to new Sighthill development.

 

Stockwell Street - Contractor selection underway. Construction starts Spring 2025 for 15 months. Key link from city centre to South City Cycle Way. 

 

South Portland Street etc - Construction  starts early 2025, finished by Spring 2026.  Key connections to areas on city centre periphery.

 

Argyle Street East (Union Street to Glasgow Cross) - Detailed design stage underway, construction to start end-2025 and completion by end 2027. Connects to Argyle Street West Avenue, providing a continuous East-West link. 

 

Clyde Street/Broomielaw - Public consultation undertaken,. Construction to start early 2026, complete by early 2028. Key East-West link between Glasgow Green and West End while also connecting to South City Way. Clyde Street section well advanced. 

 

High Street (Trongate to Rottenrow) - Early concept design underway. Funding still to be finalised. Public consultation took place in September.

 

Scott asked about the derelict land on the West of the High Street near George Street. Cieran said this is owned by Scottish Enterprise but GCC is hoping to use it as a construction centre for the contractor.

 

Councillor Millar said the site was originally intended to be Strathclyde University’s Technical Innovation Centre 2 but this would now be in the former Student Union building in John Street.

 

Peter Hayman said that as a keen cyclist he was pleased about the development of cycle lanes but what about monitoring of use? Cieran said Sustrans was investigating behaviour change. Investment had to be justified and Glasgow City Council was aware of this. Avenues’ connectivity would increase usage of cycle lanes. 

 

In answer to a question from Colin McKay Cieran said the proposal for Argyle Street East included de-pedestrianisation of the precinct which could be hostile after dark.

 

George Square and Surrounding Avenues - Proposals involve 3 contracts - Main public realm (out to tender), hoarding contract for screening around the Square, and removal and conservation of statues. 

 

Public realm - First stage includes St Vincent Street and West George Street, starting in April and completion August 2026.

 

Project coverage is ‘building to building,’ trees supplemented by rain gardens, ceremonial area retained, two horse statues retained on site but others removed for checks. Inclusion of cycle lanes. 

 

An events space will include specialised lighting available year-round with possibilities for projection on surrounding buildings such as City Chambers.

 

Responding to questions on the Zoom Chat facility, read out by Niall McColl, Cieran said the hoardings around the Square would include summaries of the project’s benefits and promotion of events such as the Merchant City Festival. 

 

Was there still be a water feature? In principle yes but there are significant difficulties. Costs mean this might not be possible.

 

There was no provision for public toilets in and around George Square. 

 

Any provision for more CCTV?  Webcam will be turned off for the duration of the construction but there would be a photo time lapse of the scheme. 

 

Tam asked about statues which might not be retained. Why should Prince Albert be represented in view of his minimal connections with Glasgow? Cieran said this was not within his team’s remit.

 

David Hughes said the re-introduction of trees was positive. We were continually being told that planting trees in the city centre was problematic yet Ceiran’s schematic indicated this was not the case. Cieran agreed the number of trees in the plans depicted might be lower. Problems included getting the correct subsoil to help the trees survive. 

 

4. WARD COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

 

(Councillors Bolander and Braat were unable to join the meeting because of technical difficulties)

 

Concerning trees Councillor Millar said there were various challenges concerning underground utilities. This was why Glasgow City Council was focusing on large scale planters. He was constantly asking contractors to come up with more cost-effective solutions.

 

Contributions from developers would be used more pro-actively to remedy public realm defects and improve the image of the city centre. 

 

Another walkabout in the MCTCC area should be arranged for January. 

 

Ross Naismith said there was not a single tree in Glassford Street. MCTCC should have an in-person discussion with Ward Councillors to get more trees planted.

 

Peter asked it the spare plinth planned for George Square could be used for a rotating artwork.

 

5. LICENSING

 

Gary said he would be attending the Licensing Forum in the following week.

 

6. PLANNING

 

Ross said that following the AGM held earlier that night he would be asking GCC Planning Department to send applications to him rather than Peter.

 

Niall said there was now a full planning application from the AXM night club in Glassford Street to GCC for a Pride Mural with comments due by the end of November. Tam said he had sent 7 emails to the owner without reply. 

 

Scott asked Councillor Millar how a planning application could be judged when there was no information about what the very large mural would say. The application had to go before Council earlier than normal because it would contain advertising. Tam said he would ask GCC Planning. ACTION: Tam

 

Scott asked about the status of the derelict building site at the corner of Dixon and Clyde Streets. The developer had gone into administration. It had been an eyesore for many months. Councillor Millar said he would be discussing this with GCC’s Head of Planning. ACTION: Councillor Millar

 

7. FUNDING FROM AREA PARTNERSHIP

 

David Hughes said the next meeting would be on 5 December. MCTCC had put forward 73 suggestions for donations from the £387k neighbourhood infrastructure fund. 

 

He mentioned that Scott had circulated a note to Community Councillors about Local Place Plans (LPPs) which he believed was possibly the most important issue MCTCC should be tackling. This gives Community Councils the opportunity to effect change concerning student accommodation, trees and other issues concerning GCC’s City Development Plan 2. 

 

8. TRON THEATRE

 

Scott quoted an email to him from the Theatre Director who said she felt the Trongate area was the forgotten part of Merchant City. It was ravaged with drugs and graffiti. 

 

9. WEBSITE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

 

Niall said the new Website’s design was more or less complete. This and other community engagement initiatives would be progressed in the New Year.

 

10. FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD

 

David Hughes said the next meeting would be on 11 December. A meeting had been held with Impact Arts for developing a Heritage Trail. 

 

11. LITTER PICK

 

David Hughes said we should hold the next one in February. ACTION: David Hughes

 

12. TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Gordon Millar said the current bank balance was £6,364.24 after payments to ‘Friends of the Ramshorn Graveyard and for litter pick equipment. Cheque signatories had finally been sorted out. 

 

13. PUBLIC TOILETS

 

Scott reported on the meeting of the Community Councils’ Development Session he and Tam attended the previous Saturday which included a presentation by the MD of the British Toilet Association (BTA).

 

He noted there are no public toilets in the MCTCC area other than in retail premises. Tam said there was one in St Vincent Street/Buchanan Street, 

 

GCC is holding a public consultation on the need for public toilets in the city.

 

Scott said the absence of public toilets was a serious gap in Glasgow’s attempts to attract more tourists. MCTCC would be responding to the public consultation. ACTION: Scott 

 

The BTA MD had told Scott afterwards he felt a specialist contractor should handle   public loos other than Glasgow City Council. Payments in future would be by debit or credit card. Even small payments had been found to substantially deter abuse and mis-use. 

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

Peter said we should be recruiting more Community Councillors. 

 

Tam said if any local resident attended 3 public meetings they would be welcome to join as an Associate or participate on an ad hoc basis. 

 

Scott said this would be Peter’s last public meeting as a Community Councillor and he deserved a massive vote of thanks. Peter responded that it had been a pleasure to have helped make local residents’ voices heard.

 

Details of the next public meeting (in January) will be announced later.

 

---

by Richard Longmuir

Meeting Minutes, 24 September 2024

19/03/2025Minutes

These draft minutes will be presented to our meeting on 29 October for ratification

Attended by: 

– Community Councillors Tam Coyle (Chair), Gary Atkinson, Alice Cowan, David Cowan, David Hughes, Niall McColl, Gordon Millar, Scott Thornton, Ros Wardley-Smith

– Ward Councillors Angus Millar, Philip Braat, Baillie Christy Mearns,

– Police Constables Beth Cameron and David Colligan

– Media: Gary Fanning (Splash), Nicole Mitchell (Evening Times) 

– Lisa Scott (Glasgow City Council), Fiona Stewart (Hawkins/Brown architects), Barbara Vecchione (New Practice Architects) 

– NB, TD, DF, BL, KL, EM, AM, TMcK, KM, SM, PP, JR, CS

Apologies: Councillor Eva Bolander, Community Councillors Peter Hayman, Colin McKay and Associate Community Councillor Ross Naismith, PC Sean McFadden, GW

Minutes of Meeting on 27 August

Adoption proposed by Scott, seconded by Gordon. Approved. 

Police Issues

PC Cameron reported on PC McFadden’s behalf that according to indicative figures between 27 August and 24 September there had been 193 offences in the MCTCC area of which 79 had been detected. These included assaults, bail breaches, retail theft, possession of controlled substances and threatening/abusive behaviour.

PC Steve Clarke has been moved to another beat in the city centre.

Although there were anecdotal suggestions of improvements in anti-social behaviour and drug misuse in the Ramshorn graveyard police continued to make regular checks there. Councillor Braat said he continued to receive reports of anti-social behaviour there as well as in George Street and Argyle Street.

Another 7 e-bikes had been sized for illegal modifications to make them go faster, making a total of 22 such seizures since March. 

Riders had been charged with road traffic offences and could pay a significant amount to get the bike back in the condition it was found, Police could not  confiscate the bike because it was their property.

JR said any cycling on pavements was illegal and should be enforced. Signage should be put up. PC Cameron said police could use other legislation to prosecute such as careless riding.

Councillor Millar said problems elsewhere in the city centre were being tackled by making certain sections cycle only and not shared with pedestrians.

Scott raised the issue of buskers, specifically the ‘Cat Man’ outside the St Enoch Centre. He had been giving a police warning but continued to ignore the busking code. Police had never confiscated any busker’s equipment.  When was Glasgow City Council (GCC) going to take effective action to enforce its busking code? Signage said volume should be ‘reasonable’ but this was a very subjective term.

Gary noted the busking code said ‘music should not be heard over 30 metres away.’

Councillor Millar said GCC was trying to work with police but they couldn’t be there every time. He did not believe GCC had the power to enforce a legal volume level. Councillor Braat said buskers could often be heard 200 or 300 yards away.

CS asked why busking wasn’t only allowed in certain locations and why the use of amplifiers could not be banned. Councillor Millar said any such ban would require national legislation. 

Custom House Quay Avenues Projects

A presentation was given by Lisa Scott – Principal Officer, Glasgow City Council, Fiona Stewart – Associate, Hawkins\Brown and Barbara Vecchione – Senior Designer and Architect, New Practice

An updated Proposal of Application Notice has been submitted for land and quay walls at Custom House Quay/Clyde Street. This relates to public realm and amenity enhancements, replacement and alterations to embankment walls and commercial works, and includes creation  of a ‘River Park’. See https://www.meetourwaterfront.co.uk/

They explained this is part of the City Deal programme and arose primarily from the need to strengthen the quay wall which is nearing the end of its useful life. Several major projects were due to take place in the area, e.g. St Enoch Square re-development, and this was part of a larger Masterplan to make better use of the waterfront and improve access to it. 

There would be a main gathering space, civic space, creative space and green space. The existing amphitheatre would be demolished. 

It includes Carlton Place (outside the MCTCC area) where the emphasis would be more on a natural garden riverbank setting. 

The developers are hosting two public events on 9th October at The Banqueting Hall, Glasgow City Chambers (11-2 pm and 5-8 pm). Local residents are also invited to a focussed workshop session which will give them the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and ideas with the design team. This will be on 8th October from 6-8 pm at 231 George Street. 

Gordon asked why the South Portland Suspension Bridge did not seem to be included in the plan. The developers intended to tackle both sides of the river but nothing on the bridge which connected them? Lisa said there was nothing structurally wrong with it. Scott said a continuing problem could be graffiti which regularly covered every part of the bridge no matter how often GCC staff cleaned it.

Ward Councillors Reports

South Portland Suspension Bridge

Councillor Millar said the main lighting on the west side was operational but the East side had a fault and this required specialist equipment to fix. Spare parts were difficult to obtain and expensive. 

Walkabout

Councillor Millar and Councillor Braat had taken part in a walkabout around the MCTCC area with Gordon. Problems had been noted and would be followed up. ACTION: Councillor Millar/Gordon

Councillor Braat said the King Street car park development would be mixed use. A public consultation was due on Wednesday 25 September. 

ACTION: Tam, Gary and Ross will attend and report back

Tam reminded the meeting that MCTCC had been campaigning for years to have Merchant City’s first GP surgery. Developers should help pay for this. Scott said no developer behind student accommodation had offered to provide any substantial funding for local amenities and the Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership had informed the Community Council there was no funding for a surgery in the foreseeable future.

Baillie Mearns said she had been informed that AXM in Glassford Street had permission from owners of the wall on which it planned to erect a mural to mark Pride Week 2025. Tam said he had been unable to contact AXM but would continue his efforts. ACTION: Tam 

Gary said there was no information about what would be on the mural which would include advertising. 

On ‘Trees for Streets’ Baillie Mearns said the sponsorship scheme did not apply to the city centre.

Scott asked whether money from Low Emission Zone fines was to be spent on planting more trees. Councillor Millar said £500,000 would be set aside, parts of which would be put towards the ’Trees for Streets’ programme and greening the city centre including installation of a score of large scale planters which would avoid the problems of public realm design and need to avoid underground utilities. 

David Hughes said money from developers should be ring fenced for that particular part of the city. Councillor Millar said early identification of specific funding projects would be helpful. 

Scott thanked Councillors Braat and Millar for taking part in the walkabout and thanked Gordon for leading MCTCC’s part in it. He also thanked David Fox who had taken over management of the latest litter pick, in which Ward Councillors had also taken part. This yielded 20 bags of rubbish collected by 17 people, using MCTCC’s own equipment. 

Licensing

Application from Escape Room, St Enoch Square. Objections to be raised by 26 September.

Christmas Lights switch-on, George Square, Sunday 17 November. No objection.

GCC’s Licensing Committee is holding a hearing on licence applications by Dreamhouse 2000 Ltd tomorrow for short term lets at 120 Ingram Street. In February Gary/Ros lodged an objection on the basis of suspected ‘party flats’ and Scott did the same on MCTCC’s behalf.

ACTION: Gary attended. Approval was granted. 

Planning

Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) including 137-151 Trongate and King Street car park re-development

Scot said MCTCC was fairly happy with the architecture of the above application and that the development was flexible to take account of future needs. It was the first time in many years a developer was trying to do something with the building and therefore was to be welcomed. 

He added that the latest report on PBSAs, co-authored by Glasgow University, effectively rubbished a report by estate agent Savills which claimed a far higher shortfall. Why were so many PBSA applications being lodged and receiving approval?  

Gary provided recent information from a publication co-authored by Glasgow University:

https://housingevidence.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/160924-Student-Housing-v3-.pdf

The key numbers outlined  are:

Table 1

2022/23 – Student Accommodation need and demand estimates – Shortfall – 6093

Table 2

2022/23 – PBSA development and pipeline – 28 Schemes with planning permission with 7057 bedspaces, and 4846 bedspaces due to be operational within next 2 years

Area Partnership

(The forum in which representatives of the 7 Community Councils in Ward 10 meet senior Glasgow City Council officials)

David Hughes said there would be verbal report on PBSAs at a meeting on 26 September by the head of Glasgow City Council’s Neighbourhood, Regeneration and Sustainable Directorate, plus an update on busking.

There remained £370,000 in the Area Infrastructure Fund to be spent. The next meeting of the Area Partnership would be on 5 December. At our October MCTCC meeting we should have specific ideas on how that money could be spent. 

These might include green spaces, leisure and play, street furniture/lighting and CCTV, potholes remediation, road safety and signage, clearing graffiti and Buddleia bushes. Ross, Ros, Alice and Niall had already put forward useful ideas. Suggestions should be given to David. ACTION: ALL/David Hughes

He had issues about the accuracy of Area Partnership minutes as reported by GCC. Community Councils’ anger about graffiti had not been mentioned. Instead, the only point mentioned was GCC’s emphasis on ‘legal’ graffiti walls. The AP is a conduit for Community Councils to express their views. Councillor Millar said no City Council meeting had verbatim minutes. 

BL said more CCTV could deter graffiti. Tam said a cost of £17,000 per camera had been quoted. 

George Square Re-development

Gary confirmed there would be a presentation at our October meeting from GCC project lead.  ACTION: Gary

Website and Community Engagement

Niall said there should be an outline of the new Website soon. MCTCC is adding Threads to its Social Media outlets.

The Community Council’s two notice boards need cleaned up.

Meeting with new MP John Grady

Gary and Tam met him on 18 September. His Senior Parliamentary Assistant Ben McKee has been invited to attend future monthly MCTCC meetings. Dedicated meetings will be arranged with the MP, as with our MSP. Mr Grady will opt in to receive meeting minutes.

ACTION: Gary to follow up with Ben to provide photo and bio for Website and arrange next quarterly meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Gordon reported a balance of £7,299.24 after payment of various invoices. A further £1,599 was due for the balance of Website costs.

Scott said a film company due to work in and around Parnie/King Streets next month has been asked for a contribution to our Community Grant Scheme. 

Baillie Mearns said matched funding might be available from GCC for any project. ACTION: Possibility to be discussed at next Mid-Monthly Meeting.

Public Toilets Consultation

Scott explained GCC was asking for comments on its public consultation. Perhaps any Tourist Tax (Visitor Levy) could go towards providing these? There are none in Merchant City. ACTION: Scott 

Arrangements for October Main Meeting (includes AGM)

All active Community Councils in Glasgow are due to hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October.

Nominations for office bearers are welcome.  

Any Other Business

Tam said MCTCC had received no notification of road closures for the 6 October Great Scottish Run. 

ACTION: Niall to share information on Website.

Gary said re-location of Abbey Chemist had been discussed at a meeting  convened by The Social Hub, Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership, and the Chemist. 

ACTION: A follow up-meeting, again to be driven by The Social Hub, will be held following next month’s opening of the Safe Drug Consumption Unit in Hunter Street. 

BL asked about the future of the area around the Social Hub. Gary said there were no plans for any specific green space. There is outline planning consent for three further buildings on the vacant site. Gary has received confirmation that the pavement on Candleriggs will be reinstated this month and solid hoarding installed to secure the vacant site.

ACTION: MCTCC to remain in contact with DRUM Developments. 

David asked if MCTCC meetings could be moved to another venue such as the Social Hub. Tam said he would be reluctant to move the venue from City Chambers. MCTCC remained grateful to all four Ward Councillors for enabling this. 

Next Main Meeting (Includes AGM)

Tuesday 29 October, 6.30 pm – City Chambers.

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by Richard Longmuir