Merchiston Districts Community Council – Minutes of AGM 2026
Date: 16.06.26. Venue: Polwarth Tennis and Bowling Clubhouse
Started: 19.00 Ended: 19.45
Chaired by Ian Doig, Chair of Merchiston Districts Community Council (MDCC)
Present:
MDCC Members: Ian Doig (ID, Chair), Vivien Kitteringham (VK, Vice-Chair), Mairianna Clyde
(MC), Frances Hawarden (Treasurer), JH), John McKenna (JMK, Secretary), Bridget Stevens
(BS), Alison Edelsten (minutes secretary), Helen Zealley (HZ), Clemens Kupke (CK)
City Councillors: Cllr Kevin McKay, Cllr Neil Ross
Residents: Anna Aitken, Adam Harrison
Guest: David Somervell, BANZAI
Apologies Received:
Members- Roma Menlowe, Joan Houston, Gordon Cameron, Vanessa Meadu, Klaus Glenk,
Hilary Swanston, Annabelle McInnes (Bruntsfield Primary PTA),
City Councillors: Cllr Key (standing apology)
Residents: Jay Feeney, James Broadhurst
- Introduction to the AGM by the Chair.
Chair ID welcomed everyone to the AGM and the business meeting, with a brief
introduction and overview.
He noted that several members wished to depart before the end of the evening’s 2
meetings. Therefore, the AGM was taken before the business meeting, which took place
immediately after the AGM (separate minute).
Chair confirmed that the AGM had sufficient MDCC members attending to be quorate. - Minutes of previous AGM on 17.06.2025
The Minutes of the previous year’s AGM of 17 th June 2025 had been circulated and were
accepted as a correct record of proceedings.
Acceptance proposed by John McKenna and seconded by Vivienne Kitteringham - Annual Report for 2025/26
Ian Doig spoke to the Annual Report, which had been previously circulated by email and also
available on the website. Noted that CK and AE have been welcomed as new members
during the year. There were no questions. - Annual Statement of Accounts for year ended 31.03.2026
The Annual Statement of Accounts was presented for approval, having been scrutinised and agreed by the independent examiner Richard Allen. The Accounts had been circulated to members prior to the meeting and showed a surplus of £1852. Accounts were agreed by members as a correct record; proposed by Bridget Stevens and seconded by Ian Doig.
A resident requested that non-members should be given access to reports prior to the
meeting. At present draft versions of reports are not put on to the website due to technical,
resources and procedural issues. Residents can request an email copy prior to the meeting and printed copies are available at the meeting. - Office Bearers and Other Appointments for 2026/27:
The following appointments and roles were agreed:
| Post | Nominee | Proposed | Seconded |
| Chair | Ian Doig | BridgetStevens | Mairianna Clyde |
| Secretary | John McKenna | Vivien Kitteringham | Helen Zealley |
| Treasurer | Frances Hawarden | Ian Doig | John McKenna |
| Engagement & Inclusion Officer | Vivien Kitteringham | Ian Doig | Mairianna Clyde |
| Vice Chair | Vivien Kitteringham | Ian Doig | John McKenna |
Planning lead : Mairianna Clyde
Licensing lead: Gordon Cameron
Minute Secretary: Alison Edelsten
Social Media Manager: Vanessa Meadu
Website Manager: Vivien Kitteringham
Leaf Clearing Project: Helen Zealley, Joan Houston
Notes:
Ian Doig agreed to be the chair again for this year as no one else stood. He intends to continue as chair until the next CC elections, likely to be in 2029. Consideration should be given by MDCC to successor planning for office bearers and other roles.
Helen Zealley stated that she will continue the leaf clearing for this final year, after which she wished to stand down.
Joan Houston has also notified that she is standing down from organising leaf clearing. Therefore, successors will be required to take over coordination of the leaf clearing project if it is to continue. Organisers need not necessarily be MDCC members.
Alison Edelsten will confirm her continuation of minutes secretary after this meeting as her third set of minutes.
6. Any Other Business
No points were raised. The AGM meeting closed at 19:45.
AE 27.06.26