Edinburgh Association of Community Councils
Minutes for EACC Executive Meeting Thursday February 4th 2010 ,
7.30--9.30pm City Chambers.
Chairman’s welcome to all and new members present:
Liz Fieldman Currie
Mike Wallace Trinity
1. Attendance and Apologies:
Attendance:
Pamela Roccio Community engagement officer (Edinburgh Partnership)
Eileen Hewitt – CEC Liaison officer for CCs
David Salton, Chair Corstorphine
Richard Ellis, Vice-chair Morningside
Dave Halbert, Treasurer Craigleith/Blackhall
Jenny MacKenzie, Secretary Leith Central
Giacomo Modica Craigintinny/Meadlowbank Angela Wright Criagintinny/Meadowbank Dawson Currie – Portobello
Patricia Eason, Cramond
Tony Harris Grange/Prestonfield
Ian Doig Merchiston
Norman Tinlin Fairmilehead,
Terry Tweed Craigmillar
Mary Donoghue Hutchison/Chesser
Apologies
Stewart Kerr Northfield/Willowbrae.
Jimmy Brown Queensferry & District
Judy Wightman Ratho
Ann Wigglesworth Tollcross
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting (12th November 2009)
Correction: Add Angela Wright (Craigentinny/Meadowbank) to Apologies
2b: Matters Arising:
Item 9. Guidance on issue of governance.
Chair read a statement issued by CEC liaison officer Eileen Hewitt on 26th January regarding dispute resolution. The message was sent to all CC secretaries in Edinburgh. It referred to the August 2009 approved Community Scheme and Code of Conduct and noted that ‘feedback indicated that community council and the EACC wanted clearer guidance and procedures to deal with the small but rising number of complaints a bout the conduct of CC members where no resolution can be found by the community council’. The message drew attention to an attached guidance note on dealing with disputes, developed with advice from Legal Services. It also stated that: “Legal Services have defended the integrity of the Edinburgh Scheme on the basis that there is a recognised absence for measures to enforce the Code of Conduct both in the legislation and in the national model Scheme.” (See attached document entitled Dealing with Disputes).
AOB
Final item – Draft Partnership agreement. Member requested access to this document and assurance that there is still time to submit comments.. To be forwarded by Eileen Hewitt. Further comments welcomed.
Item 17. Saturday Morning Question Time January 9th on topic of Enforcement.
Chair acknowledged the good attendance and the relevance of the subject matter to CCs with varying concerns. Members noted that too much time was spent on the first item raised ‘Messy Front Gardens’ – discussed and debated for almost half an hour. Chair and Secretary agreed. Members agreed that the panel provided frank insight into how enforcement is only possible within the powers given by legislation. Vice-chair indicated that this debate and discussion should continue among members, with a view to the next step – seeking better legislation on some issues. Members agreed. Craigentinny noted that successes have been achieved with Neighbourhood Partnership intervention, in both improving a litter problem, and having one property owner charged for attention to a badly neglected front garden. One member noted that they found the Planning Department ‘awkward’ and quick to note their ‘lack of powers’. Chair noted that such an issue can be taken up with elected representatives.
One member said that a future Question Time could invite wardens from the various ‘enforcement’ departments to answer questions about the pressures, challenges and successes of their jobs.
Minutes Approved: Mary Donoghue
Seconded; Richard Ellis
3. Edinburgh Partnership: Pamela Roccio (agreed to speak under Item 5)
4. CC Liaison Officer
· Feedback re Induction Training Eileen Hewitt noted a good attendance of 50 in total, with input from some EACC members on the day. A second event will be held for those unable to attend, if sufficient numbers show interest. This is scheduled for Tuesday 16th March at 6.30 at City Chambers. Planning Aid Scotland is also holding a training day on Saturday 27th March from 10-3pm. While some experienced CCllrs refreshed their skills at the induction training, they also valued the opportunity to meet and mix with CC colleagues. Feedback forms indicated a request for more training to be made available on how to proceed with community engagement. One member requested that this should not take place on library computers as they are slow to use in training sessions. Another member requires support and training in how to work with grant applications. EACC agreed that perhaps an ‘information sharing’ communication could take place to share expertise. This to be discussed. The ‘buddy’ system has resulted in one EACC member being approached for guidance on IT issues. This also indicates a need for this sort of training.
One possibility is a liaison event, possibly collaborating with CEC advisors.
One member notes that if such events are scheduled for evenings, they can clash with CC meetings. Eileen Hewitt to enquire about parking facilities for disabled CC members wishing to attend evening meetings.
· Further event plans (see above)
· Update on LA position re Dispute Resolution
(See Matters Arising above: Item 9 Guidance on issue of governance)
5. Edinburgh Partnership (EP): Pamela Roccio (moved from Item 3)
Pamela described the EP as the city’s strategic community planning partnership. She explained the different functions of the EP Board compared with those of the EP Executive Board. EP Board often deals with strategic issues in the context of national and international policies and strategies. Though the papers presented to the Edinburgh Partnership Board are thorough and detailed, the recommendations are not signed and sealed and there are frank discussions on issues/challenges of papers before decisions are made on recommendations. Pamela said that Patricia is very good at saying ‘Community Councils can do this’ in helping the EP to fulfil the strategic vision through initiatives at a local level. A member suggested that public access to the papers before the meeting needs to be improved. Pamela stated that providing a summary of the papers before the meeting is challenging for her because as the papers are often only available close to the date of the meeting. Pamela said that she does produce a briefing paper as early as she can but acknowledged that this paper can only give a flavour of the up and coming board papers. Members thanked Pamela for clarifying EP duties and processes.
Edinburgh Partnership (EP) – EACC representative’s report
EACC EP representative Patricia Eason submitted a very comprehensive written report which gave excellent insight into her role on the Board. She said that the meetings are to “pass strategic and not detailed policy”. She brings questions of clarification to the meeting and promotes the EACC and CCs when possible. One paper introduced at the last EP meeting was describing an Economic Development Partnership. The Board voted for the NHS to be included in this partnership. Patricia had recommended that the Universities would be more suitable, being both a service industry and a business. Another item mentioned was the Edinburgh Hub Projects, designed to bring facilities together, such as libraries, social work, health and social care and day care facilities into one building. This is deemed more cost efficient. In the presentation Equal Communities in a Fairer Scotland, Patricia was “dismayed to see that Britain is 4th highest in the differential between the rich and the poor”. The rich are getting richer.
A presentation by the Fire and Rescue Service revealed that an individual is twice as likely to die a fire-related death in Scotland than in other parts of the UK. As a general summary, Patricia concluded that CCs need to raise their profiles, not just in the Council but also with the Business World.
The Vice-chair noted that the notes were ‘very helpful’. Agreed unanimously.
6. Chair’s Report
The next Saturday Morning Question Time, scheduled for Saturday 6th March is on the topic of Policing. Chief Constable David Strang has agreed to head the panel and the following councillors, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Steve Cardownie (SNP) and Cllr Charles Dundas (Lib Dem), Cllr Iain Whyte (Cons), Police Board convenor and Cllr Ian Murray (Lab) will attend. The Green Party have sent their apologies. The following Question Time, scheduled for 10th April will be on the topic of Transport.
It is agreed that non-CC members may attend all the meetings, but with all publicity noting that CC members are welcome to bring one guest only.
7. Secretary’s Report
< Approval sought for a proposal to be made for a change to the Constitution, altering Clause 4 to read:
‘There will be a minimum of one AGM and four Executive meetings each’.
Clause 6e, which reads: ‘The Executive will meet no less than four times a year’ could then be deleted. Approved. The change will be proposed at the AGM in June.
< EACC funding from Edinburgh Partnership had still not been received by early November 2009. Secretary sent letters sent to Nicola Elliot, Norma Cuthbertson, Jenny Dawe. Payment of £1100 received in December 2009. Secretary stipend to be paid on March 31st 2010.
< Notes on the Saturday Morning Question Time held on Saturday 9th January, on the topic of Enforcement was well attended. Full notes of the meeting can be found on the EACC website.
< Edinburgh Representative for ASCC. Closing date for nominations is February 12th. There are three nominations as far as the EACC is aware. Norman Bonney has regained his health and will stand for election. Terry Tweed of Craigmillar and one other will also stand for election. Nominations must be in by February 16th. Voting is to be conducted by email. Date of the East Lothian Regional Meeting, where two Lothian Area Representatives will be elected, scheduled for March, is still to be announced.
8. Treasurer’s Report
No written report. The Treasurer notes that the required alterations for the cheque book signatures has still not been completed by the bank.
There is a balance of approximately £1100.
10 AOB
· The Chair asked members to consider and recommend topics for the six scheduled 2010/11 Question Times.
· The Vice-chair mentioned a planned event in which Chairs and Secretaries are invited to mix and share good practice with each other. Date to be arranged in March. Some members would prefer this were not on a Saturday.
· One member noted that CEC has announced plans to put Public Information Papers online only, with no paper copies being circulated in the future.
·
11. Date of next meeting: Thursday 8th April 2010 at City Chambers 7.30
