NTBCC ordinary meeting minutes 9 October 2023

Minutes of New Town & Broughton Community Council’s ordinary meeting, at Broughton St Mary’s church, on Monday 9 October 2023 at 7pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. ND (‘no dissent’) means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision. Continue reading

NTBCC meeting minutes 13 March 2023

Minutes of New Town & Broughton Community Council’s ordinary meeting, at Broughton St Mary’s church, on Monday 13 March 2023 at 7pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. ND (‘no dissent’) means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision.

URLs have been added by the minutes secretary. Continue reading

Edinburgh Christmas Market Application for 2022 – 2026 : NTBCC Response

The New Town & Broughton Community Council (NTBCC) submitted a representation to the recent application for the Edinburgh Christmas Market in East Princes Street gardens (22/04917/FUL).

The application as submitted covered temporary use of the public gardens for rides /attractions (including the big wheel /carousels / fun flyer / techno base) as well as food /craft concession stalls and other supporting facilities.

The application requested permission for a temporary but recurring period of 5 years, i.e. until Christmas 2026.

The planning application is due to be considered at the Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee on 9th November. It is currently recommended for approval despite several points raised by those commenting being defined as ‘non-material’  and hence not taken into account as part of the determination.

The community council is fully aware of the significant challenges in delivering this year’s Christmas Market – primarily due to the apparent failed procurement exercise with Angel Events which has resulted in a very late change for the organisation of the event (although we would note that the full details of this are not yet  available to the wider public).

Therefore, it would seem appropriate if the issues that resulted in Angel Events withdrawing from the contract could be reviewed as soon as possible given the historic and ongoing controversy with the Winter Festival process.  We would support the setting up of an independent review to look at the apparent failure of the procurement process as this is essential for both the public and elected Councillors to better understand the issues behind this and to provide necessary insight to determine an appropriate way forward for any future Winter Festivals beyond 2022.

NTBCC, in common with others (including the recent submission from the Council’s Parks & Greenspaces), also strongly support that given the current circumstances, any approval should be for one year only (being 2022/23) and not for the duration as currently requested.  This would allow a more in-depth discussion in early 2023 between the new provider, key stakeholders and the Council to develop and agree a sensible and supportable site plan and operating strategy for subsequent years.

That said, we do acknowledge the challenges that the newly-formed operator / provider (Unique Assembly) face in attempting to bring forward a very late planning application for this event. It is unfortunate despite various consultations carried out by Edinburgh Council that this process seems ‘very last minute’; such that responders may be conflicted in providing unsupportive comments to what has been proposed, as they would not want to prevent some form of Christmas activity to take place but may be supportive, in  principle, of  appropriate and well-defined temporary facilities to support an Edinburgh Christmas event, whilst having some misgivings as to the detail of the current application.

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NTBCC minutes Monday 13 December 2021

Minutes of New Town & Broughton Community Council’s ordinary meeting, held via Zoom, on Monday 13 December 2021 at 7pm

Actions and decisions are red italic. ND (‘no dissent’) means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision.

Edinburgh Council has stated that ‘CCs can approve minutes, and take other decisions, remotely’, as so long as they ensure that ‘remote meetings are as accessible to members of the public and (as) well-advertised as possible’. Continue reading

NTBCC minutes Monday 8 November 2021

Actions and decisions are red italic. ND (‘no dissent’) means that no-one spoke or voted against a decision.

Edinburgh Council has stated that ‘CCs can approve minutes, and take other decisions, remotely’, as so long as they ensure that ‘remote meetings are as accessible to members of the public and (as) well-advertised as possible’. Continue reading

NTBCC meeting agenda Monday 13 December

We very much welcome members of the public joining the meeting (by Zoom)

To receive the Zoom link details, please register via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/222969456647

Anyone who wants to raise an issue for discussion can do so either by submitting a Contact Us form or send a message via Twitter @NTBCC

  1. 6:45 – 7:00pm: Technology check
  2. Welcome / Admin / Apologies / Well-being
  3. Minutes of monthly meeting held on 8th November 2021
    (To approve)
  4. Police Report
    as / if received & change in reporting style / content
    (To note)
  5. Presentation : Proposals : Beaverhall House & 16, 23-27 Dunedin St (HUB / Turley)
    (To note)
  6. Environment
    • Update from the Council’s ‘Engagement Sessions’ & community response
      (To discuss)
    • GPB campaign update / next steps
      (To note)
  7. Transport
    • EV Charging Points (TRO/21/24) response & next steps
      (To note / discuss)
    • ‘Travelling Safely’ (formerly ‘Spaces for People’)
      (To discuss)
    • Trams to Newhaven – key issues / update
      (To note)
  8. Engagement and Communications
    • PSMP (‘Use of Public Spaces for Events’) – NTBCC response (15 December)
      (To agree / endorse)
    • NTBCC members / local residents ‘Walkabout’ (New Town area) on December 15
    • Update from Engagement & Communications Committee meeting
      (To note)
  9. Planning
    • NTBCC co-ordinated response to ‘City Plan 2030’ consultation (20 December)
      (To agree)
    • ‘Christmas Markets’ / Temporary installations planning process
      (To discuss)
  10. Licensing
    • Interaction between Licensing applications  & planning submissions
      (To discuss)
  11. How / Where / When
    Planning for NTBCC meetings in 2022
  12. Any Other Business

NTBCC minutes Monday 12 October 2021

Minutes of New Town & Broughton Community Council’s ordinary meeting, held via Zoom, on Monday 12 October 2020 at 7pm

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