The Wester Hailes Community Council held their July meeting yesterday, Wednesday 5 July 2016, at the library and we were there to let you know what was discussed.
The group began by discussing matters that had arisen from their previous meeting. Rik, gave a quick update about the Murrayburn Residents Organisation and that their complaint regarding the external bins has been elevated to stage 2. This now means that they are waiting for the Council response and should that not be adequate they will contact the Ombudsman. The Community Council agreed that this was a shame that it had even went to this stage and felt it showed a lack of respect for the residents. You can report of the previous Murrayburn Residents Organisation meeting here.
There was then an update from the groups treasurer that the Community Council have received their grant of over £600. They also gave their permission to start internet banking for the group to make it easier to access and keep track of the money.
The next item on the agenda was an update from Edinburgh Council’s Sam Verner about the three sites across Wester Hailes earmarked for affordable housing. These include 37 homes on the site of the Calders Care Home, around 30 – 32 homes in Hailesland on the site of the huts and a number to be determined at the Dumbryden Primary School site. Mr Verner, announced that progress was being made on the Calders site, that they had a successful drop-in session in the Calders and that they were waiting for approval which they hoped to achieve in August. He added that if all goes to plan it is hoped that work could start in Autumn. They are now working on the Hailesland site and will be holding a drop-in at Wester Hailes Library on Tuesday 19 July 2016 11.00am – 7.00pm.
After was a discussion with Pastor Christiana Longe from the Open Heavens Church located on the old greenway, 75a Harvesters Way, and their plans to do more work in the community. The Pastor stated that the church had always hoped to be part of and to carry out work in the community. Previously they had held a barbeque and breakfast club but had been asked to stop by their landlord, the Wester Hailes Land And Property Trust due to their lease not allowing for cooking. The pastor gave a list of possible projects that the Church was looking to start including, an arts and craft group for single mothers, a lunch club for the elderly and a mother and baby session. She added that they were currently looking to improve the nearby area and were carrying out litter picks and hope to plant flowers near the church. The Community Council were happy to support the Church and said they would help with any community projects that the Church was looking to do. They even suggested a few ways they could involve local people.
The Community Council then heard of updates from any subgroups. Rik mentioned that little progress is being made on the Hailesland walkabouts at the moment as the Edinburgh Council is waiting for the confirmation of their ten year plan, they are currently only able to deal with smaller problems such as graffiti.
Caroline Richards from Prospect Community Housing, told the group that the Wester Hailes Community Trust “Small Sparks” fund was now open. The fun will provide grants of up to £250 for local people and community groups to help make a difference in Wester Hailes. The Trust will be having an information day at Wester Hailes library on Saturday 16 July 2016, 11.00am – 1.00pm which will offer the chance to find out more, get involved and provide help with submitting an application.
The Community Council then reported the results of their recent brainstorming session for their next big project. These included getting notice boards for each of the neighbourhoods across Wester Hailes. Another idea agreed upon by the group was to regularly hold a table at the Plaza, allowing local people to approach them find out more and report any issues they may be having.
Please note that due to holidays there will be no community council meeting in August, with meetings resuming in September.
First time I’ve seen this. It’s great to see what was discussed at the community council meeting