‘Persistence is the driving force behind success’
Dear SMAG Member
Submissions sent to Cllr. Jenkinson 14.4.2026: Update
Many of you will recall that in our last Newsletter we asked you to send us details of the submission you wished to make to the CEC for a re-location or removal of problem Bin-hubs for us to re-submit them for further consideration. This was done following the offer Cllr. Jenkinson had made at the meeting SMAG had with him and his Officers on 25th March.
With your support we were able to re-submit 16 submissions to Cllr. Jenkinson and his Officers on 14thApril. Each submission had taken into account the new criteria set by CEC in November 2024 and provided alternative location for the CEC to consider.
Cllr. Jenkinson responded to us earlier this month (see below) and following a SMAG Committee Meeting we responded to his letter (see below)
Response from Cllr. Jenkinson (Convenor TEC)
Dear Kate,
Thank you for your emails following our meeting on 25 March, and for sharing the submissions from residents regarding the siting of a number of bin hubs in the South Meadows area.
I appreciate the time and effort that has gone into compiling these representations, and I recognise the strength of feeling expressed by those affected.
As discussed at our meeting, I agreed that officers would undertake a further ad hoc review of a number of locations of particular concern. However, the list of sites presented at that meeting extended to a significant proportion of bin hubs across the area, which was beyond the scope of what had originally been envisaged.
That additional review has now been completed. Having considered the submissions provided, officers have advised that there is no change to the outcomes of the wider review of bin hub locations.
The findings of the formal review, carried out in line with the Council’s revised siting criteria agreed in November 2024, are now available on the Council’s website. These reflect a balanced assessment of operational requirements and the needs of the wider community across the area.
I would also note that decisions on the siting of individual bin hubs are taken forward by Council officers, in line with agreed criteria and operational requirements, while my role as Convener is to oversee the policy framework and its consistent application.
I appreciate that this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, but I hope this clarifies the position. Thank you again for taking the time to share these submissions.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson
Labour Party Councillor for the Pentland Hills Ward
City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ
Tel: 07810 713010
Facebook: @stephen4pentlandhills
Bluesky: @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social
Response to Cllr. Jenkinson from SMAG
Dear Councillor Jenkinson,
Thank you for your response dated 5th May following the meeting on 25th March.
Your reply is particularly disappointing given your commitment at the meeting to carry out a review. SMAG does appreciate that the scale of cases subsequently offered to the Council following that commitment was significant. However, this also reflects the scale of dissatisfaction with the process and outcomes we have all experienced from the Council programme of bin hub locations. Without wishing to re-run the arguments already made, the noise issues alone of which the Committee were made aware deserved more urgent and genuine review.
SMAG will reflect further on your letter and keep you informed of any further developments.
Yours sincerely
Kate
Kate McNairney
Co-chair South Meadows Action Group
Update SMAG Social Media / Website
SMAG is now on X at @SmagSocials , with further information at smagsco.org.
Our posts are already helping to raise awareness well beyond the neighbourhood. In recent weeks they have been viewed more than 2,200 times, showing real public interest in what is happening across South Meadows. Social media is becoming an important part of the campaign, helping us share evidence, strengthen public understanding, and connect with others across Edinburgh affected by bin hub siting.
We would be very grateful if residents could support this by following the account, liking and reposting messages, and sending us photographs that we may use in future posts. Useful images include fly tipping, overflowing bins, blocked pavements, noise impacts, and examples of hubs affecting the local environment.
We are developing a broader social media strategy built around consistent messaging, factual and evidence-based content, and wider engagement with affected communities across Edinburgh as the campaign continues.
Using and promoting the SMAG website
Please send a copy of your photos of any Bin Hub abuse to the SMAG website here: [email protected] ……..so that they can be posted publicly.
We intend to use the SMAG website to highlight current issues and to make regular reports. We plan to publicise our situation again, later in the year. So, please pass any thoughts or ideas to: [email protected]
Useful Contacts
If you wish to contact your local representatives directly, they can be found here:
Contact details – Transport and Environment Committee – Modern Council
https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx
MSPs
https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/search- results?postcode=eh91en
Ian Murray:MP (Edinburgh South) Minister of State for Media, Tourism, & Creative Industries
Our next SMAG Committee meeting will be in June. Any thoughts / ideas you may have, or any views you wish to share with the Committee, should be emailed to: [email protected]
All the very best
Kate, June, & Silke