‘Persistence is the driving force behind enduring success’
Dear SMAG Member
A very Happy New Year to everyone!
Introduction
As you know, following the meeting of the Transport & Environment Committee (TEC) on November 18th, 2024, some important changes in the Bin Hub location criteria were agreed. These changes should make it possible for residents to challenge existing locations of Bin Hubs where they are having a significant negative impact upon residential amenity and propose alternative sites.
Bin Hub Location Criteria (November 2024)
Our SMAG Committee has been examining the new Bin Hub Location Criteria with a view to providing guidance for residents when making a review submission to the City of Edinburgh Council (see below-appendix a). At the last MSCC meeting it was noted that the best way of approaching the CEC for any requests for changes regarding Bin Hub locations would be to coordinate this across the SMAG Membership. This point was reinforced by Cllr. Munro at the meeting. We are aware that some residents have already started this process and we wish them a speedy, successful outcome.
SMAG will support key hi-profile Bin Hub change applications and encourage you to come forward with your own requests. It is clear, that we must be persistent, to effect positive change for our community. Having the support from Ian Murray, our MP and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Daniel Johnson, our MSP), local elected councillors and the Marchmont Sciennes Community Council (MSCC) has been most welcome – their support has made a significant contribution to facilitating these changes.
Bin Hubs & Noise
The SMAG Noise survey established (and confirmed the CEC’s own tests) that the glass hubs are unacceptably loud, and regularly above Scottish Noise Control Regulation limits. As a result, the CEC has indicated that a ‘review’ will take place, however, to date, there appears to be no further progress to report.
MSCC Meeting & Upcoming Elections
SMAG was represented at this week’s MSCC Meeting. An ‘Update on Bin Hubs’ was on the agenda and Cllr Watt spoke of the volume of public dissatisfaction about the Bin Hub programme and of the support she was giving within the area to address concerns. The Chair of our MSCC asked that we highlight the following items in our Newsletter. They will be of particular interest to our members:
- Upcoming Community Council Elections
The next Community Council elections will start in February 2025. If anyone would like to be nominated to sit on MSCC please apply – the details can be found on the CEC website.
Here is a breakdown of the important dates.
- Notice of Election will be published on 5 February 2025
- the nomination period runs from 6 February 2025 until 27 February 2025. This is when you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a community councillor.
- Election date (if needed) will be 27 March 2025. An election will only be held in a community council area if there are more people nominated than places on the community council.
- The new community council term will start on 28 March 2025. It will last four years.
- SMAG – Associate Member of MSCC
It was proposed that SMAG should consider becoming an associate member of MSCC. There are many advantages in this proposal since it will give us a stronger voice while working with the MSCC for our community. If you have any views you wish to share, please contact us by email to – [email protected]
South Meadows Action Group Website
Lots of work has been done over the last few weeks to set up a SMAG Website. This work has all been done by one of our residents and it should be up and running shortly. It will make communication and access to information so much easier for everyone.
Next Meeting
Our next SMAG Committee is meeting on Feb 13th to discuss the implications of these changes and to set out a game plan for the New Year. Any thoughts / ideas you may have about tactics should be emailed to [email protected]
……. We may need to convene a second SMAG Group meeting in February / March.
Other news
Here is the web link to the CEC Bin Complaints section:
-Complaints procedure about bin abuse (overloading/fly tipping etc.)
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communalbin
Many thanks for your support
Kate, Alastair, Nick, Silke & June