June 2024 News from Councillor Neil Ross

June’s News for Morningside Ward
·       Resident Amenity issues for Bin Hubs
·       Temporary and permanent toilets for the Meadows
·       Lighting improvements for Braidburn Valley Park & Bruntsfield Links
·       Low Emission Zone
·       Do you need a Postal Vote for the General Election?

Resident Amenity issues for Bin Hubs

Aside from collection issues, most of the complaints I have received about the new bin hubs concern noise from glass recycling and the slamming of bin lids, unsightly litter and debris around the bins and smells from food waste. The overly strict criteria used in the Council’s policy to determine the location of hubs seem to defy common sense, so I have been working with my Lib Dem Council colleagues to change the policy. Councillor Osler tabled a proposal to the Transport & Environment Committee at its May meeting to take account of resident amenity in determining hub locations in very specific situations - outside main door and single aspect flats, where the negative impacts are highest, and in cul-de-sacs, where there is no through traffic.  Unfortunately, the proposal was not supported by Labour, Green or SNP councillors. The motion is item 9.2 on the meeting agenda here.

Temporary and permanent toilets for the Meadows

Last year’s approved Lib Dem budget included money for permanent toilets in parks. Disappointingly, Council officers have admitted that plans for installing permanent toilets for the centre of the Meadows have been delayed. Although a contract was signed in April, the new toilets won’t appear till later in the year. Just as well then that Lib Dem councillors insisted that some of this year’s budget should be set aside for temporary toilets. They should be in place now but have also been delayed. More information is available in a report at item 8.8 for a recent meeting of the Culture & Communities Committee here. I expect the toilets will arrive shortly but will ask officers to explain the reasons for these delays.

Lighting improvements for Braidburn Valley Park & Bruntsfield Links

Last year’s approved Lib Dem budget also included money to improve lighting in parks. There is some good news for Braidburn Valley Park and Bruntsfield Links as both parks are scheduled for lighting improvements sometime in 2025. This should make these open spaces safer to use at night. More information is available in a report at item 8.6 for a recent meeting of the Culture & Communities Committee here, including a list of all parks to get lighting improvements in appendix 2.

Low Emission Zone

As you may know, enforcement of the city centre Low Emission Zone (LEZ) began yesterday with penalties for non-compliant vehicles starting at £60 and doubling if you re-enter the LEZ within 90 days. More information on the boundary, exemptions and charges are available here. You can also check whether a vehicle complies.

Do you need a Postal Vote for the General Election?

Are you going to be away from Edinburgh on Thursday 4 July? To ensure you can vote in the General Election, why not apply for a postal vote. It is easy apply online here.  Alternatively, a paper form is available here. The deadline for applying is 5pm on Wednesday 19 June. Getting a postal vote also avoids any problems on polling day with voter ID.