Merchiston Districts Community Council — Minutes of Public Meeting. In-person meeting at Polwarth Tennis and Bowling Clubhouse
Date: 17th February 2026
Chaired by Ian Doig, Chair of Merchiston Districts Community Council (MDCC)
Started: 19:00.
Ended: 20.55
Present:
MDCC Members: Ian Doig (ID, Chair), Roma Menlowe (RM), Bridget Stevens (BS) John McKenna (JMK, Secretary and minute taker), Alison Edelsten (AE), Clemens Kupke (CK), Helen Zealley (HZ), Councillor Christopher Cowdry (CC) and Councillor Mandy Watt (MW)
Apologies:
Frances Hawarden (FH, Treasurer), Vivien Kitteringham (VK), Joan Houston (JH), Gordon Cameron (GC), Marianna Clyde (MC), Vanessa Meadu (VM), Klaus Meadu (KM), Councillor Kevin McKay (KK), Councillor David Key (DC), Councillor Neil Ross (NR)
Residents:
Jan Woolley (Banzai), Emma Hatfield, Nicholas Cook, Marley Henderson, Ann Blunt, Ben Lhov-Smith, Mara Barth (Edinburgh Garden Partners), Morag Jones,
Introduction – ID welcomed everyone and read the proposed agenda and read apologies received
Police Report:
No police in attendance
Residents Issues Forum
No new issues were raised but reference was made to specific issues later on the agenda pertaining to residents that would be discussed in detail later in the meeting.
Presentation by Mara Barth on behalf of Edinburgh Garden Partners (EGP):
Mara presented that the EGP was 15 years old this year and existed to bring able-bodied volunteers, many of whom live in flats, into contact with residents who have a garden that perhaps they cannot manage or use profitably. Most volunteers are not there for pure garden maintenance, but many have an interest in vegetable growing. This gives a resulting harvest for the resident and the volunteer at least once per year. Martha told of how the volunteers are given a background check and then introduced to a suitable garden owner. They have more volunteers in the MDCC area than there are garden owners who would like some assistance. Often companionship and an improvement in mental health for both clients is the successful outcome. Merchiston and Leith are the areas where they have more volunteers than gardens to attend so EGP would appreciate any contacts with garden owners who have overgrown gardens or gardens they cannot attend to. It was agreed MDCC would refer to EGP on its website.
ID asked if public spaces that were fallow could be attended to by EGP. Martha said this was not the remit of EGP. ID thanked Mara for her presentation.
Minutes of 20th of January 2026 MDCC online meeting. Matters arising
Minutes approved. Under matters arising ID raised replacements for HZ and JH on the leaf clearing project (LCP). HZ gave some very impressive numbers on the last leaf clearing round. An extra 21 people took part and over 306 bags and 36 brown bins were filled.
JH has indicated she will be stepping down from the LCP and Helen said at her age she would like to step down also. Tesco at Holy Corner will in future store the leaf collection equipment, and Helen would like to hand management of the project over.
Therefore, successor organisers are sought to take over management of the leaf clearing project to enable it to continue.
ID had noted that a group of Slateford residents had, with Councillors Cowdy and McKay, successfully addressed complaints from residents on overflowing food bins outside two food outlets.
GDPR had been addressed and JMK had received approval from all members of MDCC to retain their email addresses on file. BS suggested we keep not only emails but phone numbers and addresses on file for the future. ID and JMK to assess.
Chair’s Report –
Some minor issues to report as most of the rest of the Chair’s report will be dealt with in the following sections of the agenda
ID reported that CEC and EACC have advised that all CCs should register with the Information Commissioner’s Office for the purposes of complying with GDPR. JMK to investigate and action registration. Background and further information in Chair’s Report.
ID wants to see closer cooperation between CEC and Community Councils in the future. ID welcomed CEC’s proposed new post of Liaison Officer for Community Councils but mentioned disappointment at the apparent comparatively junior level of seniority and salary. With 46 Community Councils plus EACC to liaise with, such a job he postulates should have a huge liaising workload and be at a higher salary grade and therefore have greater influence within CEC.
Planning Report – Planning lead absent so no report
Licensing Report – Licensing Lead absent so no report.
Traffic Issues – Roma Menlowe
Polwarth Junction Report. CEC is advancing with an independent traffic audit. If the safety audit is passed then costing and tendering will follow, hopefully in quick succession.
MDCC can confirm recent filing and submission of our report on Merchiston Avenue/ Merchiston Place and Rochester Terrace crossroads. This was submitted to CEC on time and acknowledged. RM wished to thank residents for the excellent level of response and contact on this issue.
Harrison Road Repairs – Alison Edelsten had notified MDCC that Friends of Harrison Park had received information that the Canal Bridge repairs will be complete by late March 2026, and it will have a 7.5-ton limit on it plus some adjustments to stop pavement-mounting vehicles. The former Railway Bridge will be demolished in March and new beams delivered to build the new bridge in late March. Completion of the new bridge is expected in August 2026. ID mentioned he is most unhappy at poor communication by CEC to the Community Council and others on this work. It seems to have been disseminated piecemeal and many residents have been unaware of updates. Councillor Cowdy said he has been in touch with the engineer responsible, Blair Cooney, and mentioned this failure to communicate. Cllr. Neil Ross did the same. It is hoped this omission by CEC to inform has been eliminated for future communications. Physical signs that the foot path is now closed are up and, on the website, but it was felt this was too little too late.
March Meeting with Cllr. Jenkinson – ID will send a reminder to confirm with Cllr Jenkinson who has agreed to come on the 17th of March to the public meeting. RM has a revised letter for review on traffic issues in the area and suggested the Merchiston Grove Group, the Harrison Road Group and the Ashley Terrace Group all make representation. It was advised by RM and ID that the meeting in March should not have an adversarial feel but be collaborative, mindful of city-wide issues with traffic. To that end ID said he would write to Cllr. Jenkinson asking if he would be willing to hear a group of citizens with concerns on traffic issues in the local area and that his thoughts on overall traffic issues in the City and specifically within MDCC area dovetail together. This is preferable to Cllr Jenkinson giving a strategic/vision statement. It was pointed out that CEC councillors had walked out of Community Council meetings elsewhere where they had become over heated or exchanges of opinion that were too strong. ID asked for constructive and respectful deliberations.
ID confirmed that invitations for 17th March meeting will be sent to all 7 Ward Councillors for MDCC area. He emphasised there were no easy fixes, and we should recognise this as a Community Council. Cllr. Cowdy will attend to offer support, and he feels it is important for Cllr. Jenkinson to listen. Cllr Mandy Watt works closely with Cllr Jenkinson and feels we will have a sympathetic ear.
RM specified we must address Road Safety Concerns, Rat Runs, change to Traffic Flows from City-Wide planned changes in traffic flow and our own Polwarth Improvement project. Others listed CEC’s Active Travel budget plans, HGV issues, enforcement of 20 MPH limit.
Merchiston Grove – There was much discussion on the solutions to heavy traffic flowing along Merchiston Grove due to closure of Harrison Road and congestion on Ashley Terrace. Marley said there were 300 vehicles an hour at one time he measured. Suggestions to stop this on a cobblestoned street were closure at one end., residents-only access and banning large vehicles. JKM noted that closure at one end could catch large vehicles out which would then have to reverse a long way with possible collision or flowing traffic consequences. AE assured that considerable informed discussion had already taken place on these issues.
Marley Henderson had submitted a freedom of information request to Police Scotland relating to accidents reported in the MDCC area. Clemens asked if we could see CEC’s overall plan for the City and what consequences we could have for our area. Cllr Watt noted that Bin Lorries may be downsized and made electric for some of the reasons mentioned.
Treasurer’s Report – Our treasurer was unable to attend due to illness, but ID read out the accounts of MDCC saying there was £2013.16 in the bank account at present, but costs were rising. Discussion about having hybrid meetings was mentioned but without adequate technical and computer power this is deemed impossible. ID mentioned previous laptops owned by MDCC were now outdated and beyond use for current purposes. A question was asked about financing for CCs, and this was addressed in the councillors’ reports.
CEC Councillors’ Reports –
Cllr Mandy Watt – Reported that the CEC budget would likely be passed and approved before the end of February, proposing a 5% increase in Council tax and a visitor levy of 5%. JMK asked whether visitor levy was hypothecated (ring-fenced), and whether before or after VAT at 20% levied? MW voiced frustration that VAT would be levied on top of the visitor levy, thus making more money for Westminster. JMK asked if this had been addressed in Holyrood when this levy was considered. MW said VAT was frustrating, but it was not addressed unfortunately. MW reported visitor levy should bring in around £50 million per year for CEC, although income raised could not be predicted accurately in advance. Income would be used for tourist-related issues including roads and infrastructure. However, Edinburgh’s special needs such a rentable housing, was being catered for in Fountainbridge and Leith, where needs were most pressing. JMK pointed out that online influencers increasingly featured Bruntsfield and Morningside as areas to visit while in Edinburgh, so could we see some of the money come our way?
MW also wanted CEC’s budget to address other immediate urgent needs of residents, including wishing SEND children (special educational needs and disability) to be taught in local schools, rather than being sent away to special schools. Also, for CEC to deal with Edinburgh’s urgent housing shortage, especially shortage of affordable rent housing.
Cllr Christopher Cowdy – Stated that there was some disagreement among political parties in CEC on size of visitor levy. ID said he was a big supporter of the principles of the visitor levy, which include mitigating extra costs tourists generate (litter, wear and tear on infrastructure, housing pressures, congestion etc), and also because CEC needs additional income. But there is contention within CEC about how to spend the visitor levy income. Cllr Cowdy said more money should be spread round the city, rather than all spent in the city centre.
CEC’s closing of Gorgie Road had been a big issue for his constituents, in addition to closure of Harrison Road, delivering a double traffic problem in MDCC’s area.
CW and residents had campaigned to have the traffic lights at the bottom of Ashley Terrace altered to assist right-turning traffic, in response to complaints from Alison on behalf of residents. It was acknowledged that the requested change in traffic light sequence had been actioned promptly by Cllr Jenkinson.
CW stated that CEC had found it difficult to recruit crossing patrols, but after years of trying to get just one new crossing guide, CEC had appointed three crossing guides all at once, so the vacant positions had now been filled. This progress in improving road safety was welcomed by MDCC.
BANZAI (Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative) presentation by Jan Woolley. Banzai is holding several People’s Assemblies and invites residents to participate in discussions about “What should our neighbourhood looks like in 2040”. There will be three people’s assemblies, with two still to go in February and March. Invitation to residents to subscribe online to Banzai, including to advocate for sustainable travel in the Bruntsfield area. Further info: https://banzaiedinburgh.org.uk//oni2040
Any Other Business – ID referred to a message MDCC received from David Hunter who has made various representations on the extension to George Watson’s playing fields. Mr Hunter has argued the new playing surface, new lighting and possible flood risk are not being given enough credence by CEC in the planning approval process. Message read out and noted.
There being no other business the meeting was ended at 20.55.