December 2024 News from Councillor Neil Ross

8 Dec 2024

Bin Hub Success!

Good News! The Council has agreed to amend its communal bin hub location policy to take account of resident amenity issues, such as noise, odours, privacy and outlook, and to permit more flexibility when considering alternative locations. At a meeting of the Transport & Environment Committee last month, Lib Dem councillors worked with others to support a composite amendment. Following this, I expect a review of problematic bin hub locations to be carried out but am awaiting an update from the Council on exactly how and when this is to be done. The link for the report is at item 7.2 on the meeting agenda here and my contribution to the debate starts around 2.43.30.

Another 5G Mast for Pentland Terrace?

A proposal has been made for another 5G mast for the west pavement on Pentland Terrace opposite the junction with Braid Hills Road. There are already three masts on Pentland Terrace, two opposite the Braid Hills Hotel and one further south opposite Riselaw Place. Many local residents have been in touch to raise concerns at the proliferation of masts and have questioned the need for so many. A planning application may appear soon on the Council’s planning portal.

Problematic Road Repairs on Bruntsfield Place

As you may know, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to properly repair the road surface on Bruntsfield Place at the junction with Leamington Terrace. Apparently, Scottish Power has high voltage cables immediately under the carriageway so a specialist engineering solution is required. That’s why there are road plates there just now while Scottish Power designs a long-term solution.

Community Council Elections in 2025

Could you serve your community by becoming a Community Councillor? The next community council elections will be held early in 2025 with nominations open from 6 to 27 February and, if necessary, an election on 27 March. Community councils work with city councillors and do a great job for the local area. There is more information on community councils and the election process here and also a series of drop-in events here.

‘Chip & Spray’ Road Resurfacing & Resident Co-ordination issues

Over the summer this year the Council hired a contractor to apply a new road surface in Balcarres Street. Unfortunately, just as happened in Morningside Drive the year before, there were extensive missed patches because of parked vehicles. I asked the Council to see if this process could be improved, especially for streets parked in by residents living in a different street, usually the main road. As a result, the pros and cons of this process are all explained on pages 4 to 7 of the Business Bulletin for the Transport Committee at item 6.1 here.

Have Your Say!

The Council is seeking views on the hosting of more events in the Ross Bandstand and West Princes Street Gardens. Information & feedback by 20 December here.

There is another related consultation on a Vision for Princes Street and the Waverley Valley. Information & feedback by 21 February here.

Other consultations, with closure dates in brackets, continue on the Visitor Levy (15 December), Libraries (25 December) and the Council Budget (14 January).

N.B. The AGM of the Friends of the Hermitage is on Tuesday 10th December 2024 at 2pm in Hermitage House.