The Wester Hailes Community braved the wetter weather yesterday, Wednesday 4 April 2018, to hold their April meeting at Wester Hailes library.
The meeting was initially chaired by local councillor Ricky Henderson, who had been asked to step in until a new Chair could be appointed. Ricky began by thanking the group’s previous Chair Anne Denholm giving her all the gratitude and respect of the Community Council for all the work she has done in the community over the years.
The group then moved on to the appointment of office bearers, beginning with a new chairperson, member Kenny Newey Nominated current secretary Beren McLaughlin. There were no other nominations and Beren was appointed unopposed. The group then looked to appoint a new Treasurer with Jason McLaughlin nominated by Beren and seconded by Kenny Newey.
The next item on the agenda was a report from Police Scotland on their activities in the area over the past month.
PCI Ally Murdoch reported there had been:
- 2 Housebreakings
- 12 Assaults with 6 solved
- 13 thefts
- 3 hate crimes of a verbal nature with 2 solved
- 10 positive drug stops
- A robbery on Murrayburn Place
- 12 Vandalism
- A male had been found to be driving under the influence of drugs along Murrayburn Green, with drugs found in the car
Sergeant Kieran Dougle then introduced himself and reported on a special operation which took place two weeks ago where local officers worked in partnership with a team from Glenrothes to target antisocial behaviour in the area, particularly focusing around Westside Plaza. The Operation was a success, seizing a quantity of drugs and caught people in possession of bladed articles. He finished by adding the Police will soon be launching a new door stop crime initiative that will focus on catching people who target vulnerable people.
The Community Council welcomed local resident Rik Morley who reported on his recent visit to the City Chambers as part of the Save Our Schools group at an Extraordinary meeting of the Education, Children and Families Committee. The meeting welcomed deputations from each of schools affected by the proposal. Rik was part of the Wester Hailes Education Centre deputation alongside Chairperson of WHEC parent Council, Amanda Campbell. They highlighted the view that the WHEC is not just a school but an important community hub, how the creation of a “superschool” might impact pupils as well as the loss of greenspace and impact on wildlife should Curriemuirend Park be used as the site of a new school. The Community Council echoed this view, giving their support to alternative option one which would see both schools kept open. They also raised concerns about the loss of pastoral care and concern that Wester Hailes pupils may be left behind should alternative option 3 be selected which would see WHEC merged with Currie Community High School into a new “superschool”.
After the discussion, community council members Kenny and John Newey said they would be stepping down from the group and it was announced that the 2018 Wester Hailes Fun Run would take place on the 10 June 2018.
The next meeting of the Community Council will take place on Wednesday 3 May 2018, 6.00pm – 7.45pm at Wester Hailes library.
