Blythswood

 &  Broomielaw  Community  Council  

MEETING  MINUTES  (DRAFT)  
Meeting  Details:  21st  Aug  2018,  19h15  at  200  West  Regent  St.,  G2.  
V2:  Addition  from  Jessica  Watson:  “to  inform  a  planned  evaluation”  ,  
             Addition  regarding  GSoA  fire:  counselor  &  psychotherapist.  
 
1//  
Attendees:  
-­‐ Irene  Loudon  (Chair),    
-­‐ Christopher  Collins  (Secretary),    
-­‐ Alistair  McCusker  (Treasurer),    
-­‐ Steph  Stewart  (Member),  
-­‐ Les  Willox  (Member),      
-­‐ Gillian  Daniel  (Member),  
-­‐ Chirsty  Hamilton  (Resident),  
-­‐ Anna  Smith  (Resident),  
-­‐ Edmund  Smith  (Resident),  
-­‐ Baillie  Christy  Mearns  (Ex-­‐officio),  
-­‐ Cllr.  Angus  Millar  (Ex-­‐officio),  
-­‐ Lord  Provost  Eva  Bolander  (Ex-­‐officio),  
-­‐ Alison  Thewliss  MP  (Ex-­‐officio),  
-­‐ Phil  Ferns  (Resident,  Chair  Blythswood  Court  Owners  Group  &  Director  Finnieston  Community  Art  
Group:  Roots2TheFuture),  
-­‐ David  Smith  (Resident,  &  Treas.,  Blythswood  Court  Owners  Group),  
-­‐ Daniel  Harte  (Sec.  Garnethill  CC),  
-­‐ Fiona  Sloan  (GSoA),  
-­‐ Joanna  Heath  (Resident),  
-­‐ Jessica  Watson  (Glasgow  Centre  for  Population  Health),  
-­‐ Daniele  Lapi  (Police  Scotland),  
-­‐ Brian  Sexton  (Police  Scotland).  
Apologies  from:    
-­‐ Donna  Pope  (Member),    
-­‐ Reshmee  Cheung  (Member),  
-­‐ Alex  Cheung  (Member),  
-­‐ Susan  Wallace  (Member),  
-­‐ Gaurav  Shah  (Resident),  
-­‐ Adrian  Nairn  (Garnethill  Displaced  Residents  Group  Spokesperson),  
-­‐ Teri  Porter,  CBRE  (regarding  planning  application  18/01633/FUL).  
 
2//  
Minutes  of  last  meeting  17th  July  2018  approved  (prop:  Steph  Stewart,  seconder:  Alistair  McCusker).    
Actions  Outstandng  from  July  meeting:  
• ACTION:   Alex   C./Chris   C.   to   follow-­up   again   with   Cllr.   Millar   &   PC   Lapi   regarding  
possible  actions  re  speeding,  e.g.  community  safety  /  radar  guns  /  stretched  ropes.  
• ACTION:  Alistair  M.  will  meet  PCs  Lapi/Webber  and  to  report  back  on  outstanding  
issues  re  Oswald  St.  and  Midland  St.  
• ACTION:  Graffiti  –  The  Merchant  on  W.  George  St.  -­  matter  to  be  raised  in  August.  
• ACTION:  Alistair  to  query  why  we  did  not  get  the  expected  £500.  
• ACTION:   Leaflet   has   been   produced,   to   distribute   to   residents   in   general,   to  
improve  awareness  of  B&BCC’s  existence,  its  meeting  schedule,  remit  and  duties.  
• ACTION:   Leaflet   Anderston/Dundasvale   (part)   re.   boundary   changes.   Pin-­point  
residential  locations  to  deliver  to.  
• ACTION:  Steph.  S.  &  James  Stewart  to  get  info  re  marches  and  present  to  meeting.    
• ACTION:  Adrian  +  Steph  to  meet  re.  Lane  Activation  Fund  ideas/proposals?  
1  
3//  
Police  matters:  
-­‐ PC's  Daniele  Lapi  and  Brian  Sexton  were  in  attendance.    
-­‐ PC  Lapi  raised  some  recent  concerns/issues  including:  
o “Boy  Racers”  –  Pc  Lapi  encourages  us  to  report  incidences  of  speeding/revving,  as  a  review  
is  underway  (poss.  by  Chris  Scott)  of  the  areas  used  and  disturbances  caused.  More  reports  
means   more   information   on   where   they   “Boy   Racers”   are   driving   for   new   byelaws/traffic  
restrictions.  
o Gillian  D.  &  Chris  C:  Merchant  Pub  (West  George  St.)  offensive  Graffiti  on  a  3rd-­‐floor  window.    
• ACTION:  PC  Lapi  to  follow  up  with  Licensee.  
o Irene   L:   There   appears   to   be   a   nascent   homelessness   issue   in   the   doorways   of   BHS   on  
Sauchiehall  St./Renfield  St.  
• Staying  in  the  doorway  puts  the  people  concerned  in  danger.  
• Some  homelessness  is  classed  as  ‘intentional’,  but  others  are  not  aware  of  their  rights.  
• Chris  C.:  The  Legal  Sevices  Agency  (above  Mandors/Project  Café  in  Renfrew  St.)  produce  
an  excellent  leaflet  explaining  these  rights  entitled  Homelessness  &  the  New  Law.  Examples  
from  within:    
• ‘Individuals  have  a  right  to  temporary  housing  for  a  ‘reasonable  period  of  time’,  
even   after   a   negative   decision.’   (NB:   “negative   decision”   may   be   due   to   lack   of  
local  connection,  or  being  “intentionally  homeless”.)  
• ‘Sometimes,  a  council  refuses  to  provide  temporary  housing  on  the  basis  that  it  
does  not  have  it.  This  is  unlawful.’  
• PC  Brian  Sexton  acts  as  street  pastor  liaison.  
o A   Member   of   the   Public   reported   fights   outside   Bistro/Bamboo   on   West   Regent   St.,   one  
involving   50+   people   at   03h30.   PC   Lapi   recommends   calling   999   if   witnessed,   and   101   for  
noise  issues.      
o  Antisocial  behaviour  around  23-­‐33  Oswald  St.  
• Alistair  M.:  Incidents  are  often  not  reported,  but  there  ws  at  least  one  report  made  in  July.  
o Regarding  cars  parking  on  Midland  St.  footpaths:    
• It  is  a  hazard,  due  to  pedestrians  walking  onto  the  road.  
• Bus  drivers  could  be  charged  with  obstruction  (£100  fine),  after  a  ticket.  
• Parking  Services  (Kenneth  Costello)  at  Cadogan  St.  have  been  involved  by  PC  Lapi,  and  are  
making  regular  patrols.  They  issued  69  tickets  to  end-­‐July.  
• The  Arches  have  a  one-­‐off  licence  for  27th  Oct.,  and  from  July  meeting,  Cllr.  Bolander  had  
suggested  that  Licensing  could  be  involved  with  the  venue  tied  to  the  tour-­‐busses.  (This  
could  be  done  with  an  “Innkeeper  form”,  but  must  be  witnessed).    
• ACTION:     PC   Lapi   to   contact   The   Arches   re.   parking/Licensing   &   report   back   on  
progress.  
     
4//  
Matters  Arising:  
-­‐ Discussion  regarding  the  fire  at  the  GSA;  residents  were  due  to  be  at  this  meeting,  but  were  asked  
instead  by  GCC  to  attend  a  meeting  regarding  re-­‐entry  to  their  homes,  so  there  will  be  little  in  the  
way  of  a  direct  update  at  this  meeting.  
o Chris  C.:  Businesses  report  that  the  process  for  claiming  their  portion  of  the  £5m  grant  was  
bureaucratic.    
o Chris  C.:  Businesses  report  that  insurance  companies  will  deduct  from  any  claim  the  value  of  
the  £10k/20k  disbursements  made  to  businesses  by  ScotGov/GCC.  
o Irene  L.:  offers  her  services  as  a  counselor  &  psychotherapist  pro  bono  to  affected  residents.  
o Cllr.  Eva  B.  explained  that  she  will  be  on  hand,  but  that  residents  should  contact  their  own  
GP’s  if  they  feel  counselling  etc.  is  needed.    
 
 
 
2  
5a//  
Chair/Treasurer’s  reports:  
-­‐ Bank  account  Balance  £454.52    
-­‐ Deductions  to  come  (cheque  written):  room  fees  (June  ‘18)  £30,  mobile  phone  costs  £20.  
-­‐ Expected  balance:  £404.52  
-­‐ ACTION:  Alistair  to  query  why  we  did  not  get  the  expected  £500.  
 
5b//  
Secretary’s  report:  
- Attended Area Partnerships PUBLIC MEETING on 16th August, 2pm, City Chambers.
o Next public meeting 04th October, 2pm, City Chambers.
o There are 23 APs, with elected members, and a budget for local grants.
o see: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=18748
o Our AP is Anderston, City & Yorkhill, chaired by Cllr. Millar.
o It has 6 “residents” places, all currently filled.
o Cllr. Millar will hopefully get an extra seat for a member from this CC.
o For now, I am happy to continue to represent us.. Other volunteers?
- Sauchiehall St. Task Force 25th July – actions & main points sent by me on 30th July to group.
Have asked regarding next meeting; early September. Again, I am happy to continue to
represent us.. Other volunteers?
- I am NOT yet getting any Licensing applications. Unsure why. Only planning.
-­‐ (NB: These have started to arrive since this meeting).
- Steph Stewart has provided a primer on how to make objections to planning applications –see
Appendix A of these minutes.

Planning Lists:
- Planning: Many small applications e.g. basement bike store, signage etc. Larger projects need a
"Proposal of Application Notice" (PoAN).
- ACTION OUTSTANDING: Chris C to contact the case officer for 18/00070/PAN (Site
Bounded By Robertson St.).
- 18/02178/LBA: Application to cut a window into B-listed building at 79 Renfield St., was notified
to the applicant as invalid.
- 17/03477/DC: Notification of Decision for 173 Pitt St. (Former Police HQ) – Permission Granted
(NB: this was put in and debated by GCC before this CC was established)

- - - - - Items Included on Prior Reports Omitted - - - - -

 
6a//      
Councillor’s  reports  :  Cllr.  Mearns:  
- Alcohol  Licensing  Policy  1st  draft  has  gone  to  consultation  now.    
o There  will  be  a  series  of  public  engagement  drop-­ins,  one  on  12th  Sept.,  6-­8pm  in  the  
Satinwood  Suite,  City  Chambers.    
o There   are   proposed   overprovision   localities   –   at   the   moment   ‘overprovision’   is   not  
recognized  as  a  valid  reason  for  objection  in  the  city  centre.  
o An  opportunity  for  people  concerned  to  put  forward  their  views  to  the  Licensing  Board.  
- GCC   Neighbourhoods   committee   passed   a   motion   to   allow   the   right   of   appeal   when   a   planning  
proposal  is  accepted;  to  put  objectors  on  a  more  equal  footing  to  planning  applicants  (applicants  can  
already  appeal  a  rejection).  
- AirBnB  is  an  increasing  problem;  please  let  Christy  Mearns  know,  so  that  action  can  be  taken  against  
individual  cases.  Planning  legislation  can  be  used  to  stop  proliferation.  
- GCC’s   “Open   Space   Strategy”   –   vacant   or   derelict   land   can   be   designated   as   open   space,   and   the  
strategy  covers  how  it  should  be  protected.    

3  
 o A  key  piece  of  open  space  is  Blythswood  Sq.,  and  the  CC  should  engage  with  the  owners  
and  also  raise  this  for  consultation.  
o ACTION:   Cllr.   Mearns   to   send   details   of   the   Open   Space   Strategy,   and   how   to   raise  
Blythswood  Square  for  consultation.  
o George  Square  consultation  is  already  running  to  ban  traffic  from  part/all  of  the  square.          
See:  https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23065  
oPitt  St.  development  (17/03477/DC)  will  create  public  open  space.  
 
 
6b//  
Councillor’s  reports  :  Cllr  Millar:  
-­‐ Cllr.  Millar  commented  on  the  Pitt  St.  development,  Build-­‐to-­‐Rent,  and  that  B&BCC  could  invite  the  
developers  to  present  ,  with  a  perspective  on  initiatives  to  support  wider  regeneration.  
-­‐ Regarding  the  GSA  fire,  highlighted  the  simultaneously  running  residents/businesses  meeting,  and  
that  it  will  unfortunately  be  some  time  before  other  businesses  can  return  (e.g.  CCA,  which  has  22  
businesses  inside).    
-­‐ Cllr.  Millar  commented  on  the  (new  &  welcome)  Blythswood  Court  representation;  there  is  now  a  
new  Owners’  Committee,  and  meeting(s)  have  been  set  up  between  the  Committee,  Councillors  and  
the  Factor.      
-­‐ Cllr.   Millar   commented   on   the   need   to   build   more   social   housing,   in   the   context   of   the   proposed  
student  accommodation  proposal  at  Renfrew  St./Renfield  St.,  and  that  all  four  elected  members  had  
objected  to  the  proposed  student  accommodation  (GCC  planning  ref:  18/01633/FUL).  
-­‐ A   member   of   the   public   commented   that   more   provision   should   be   made   for   homeless  
accommodation.  Both  and  Cllr.  Millar  responded  that  it  is  a  challenge  to  get  HA’s  to  come  forward,  
and  both  Cllr.  Millar  &  Alison  Thewliss  MP  responded  that  land  is  expensive  where  people  want  to  
be  housed  (e.g.  city  centre,  west  end)  and  with  a  limited  pot  of  money,  more  provision  can  be  made  
in  better  value  locations.  
 
6c//      
Councillor’s  reports  :  Cllr  Bolander:  
-­‐ Cllr  Bolander  commented  that  investment  returns  often  drive  the  student  accommodation  plans.  
-­‐ The   instrument   to   steer   this   is   the   “City   Plan”,   which   is   often   difficult   to   keep   up-­‐to-­‐date   with  
developments,  and  hard  to  anticipate  future  trends  (the  release  of  the  last  plan  was  7  yrs  ago).        
-­‐ There   also   exists   Supplementary   Guidance,   which   ideally   should   be   looked   at   for   assistance   in  
finding  valid  grounds  for  objection.  
-­‐ Regarding  “Boy  Racers”,  a  traffic  regulation  order  was  brought  in  to  break  the  circuit/loop  in  use  nr.  
Blythswood  Sq.,  and  residents  should  phone  101  (non-­‐urgent  Police  Scotland)  to  report  instances.  
This  will  enable  a  better  picture  to  be  built  up.  
 
7//  
Ex-­officio  report  from  Alison  Thewliss  MP  
- Alison  mentioned  that  she  will  take  up  the  issue  of  businesses  being  awarded  payments  due  to  the  
fire   and   having   those   payments   deducted   from   their   claims,   in   effect   indemnifying   the   insurance  
companies.    
- Prior   to   the   UK   parliamentary   recess   Alisn   had   spoken   to   David   Mundell,   to   explain   that   what   we  
were  getting  from  the  insurers  was  not  adequate.    
- Things  have  gone  quiet  over  the  recess,  but  she  is  trying  to  get  more  attention  and  meetings.  
- There  is  the  wider  issue  of  any  kind  of  circumstance  which  causes  uninhabitability,  but  no  damage  
and  Insurers  must  be  made  to  hold  to  their  promises,  potentially  through  bad  publicity.  
- Other   insurance   issues   needing   assistance   (e.g.   claims   being   deducted   for   hardship   payments)  
should  be  notified  to  her.  
- Chirsty   H.   reminded   the   meeting   that   the   Assoc.   of   British   Insurers   are   still   sticking   by   their  
members,  who  are  refusing  to  pay  out  for  home-­‐owning  residents.  Alison  T.  said  she  would  follow  
up  on  this.  
4  
  
8//  
Jessica  Watson,  Glasgow  Centre  for  Population  Health:  
- A   very   quick   introduction   from   Jessica,   regarding   a   workshop   to   examine   views   on   the   expected  
outcomes  of  the  ‘Avenues’  and  ‘City  Ways’  projects  to  inform  a  planned  evaluation.  It  will  be  held  on  
Wed.   19th   September,   9.30-­1pm   at   The   Lighthouse   (3rd   flr.),   11   Mitchell   Lane,   G1   3NU     -­‐   see  
Appendix  B  of  these  minutes.  
 
 
9//  
Progress  on  Boundary  Review  &  General  Awareness  of  B&BCC:  
-­‐ Regarding  Anderston  CC,    it  would  be  advantageous  to  contact  the  residents  directly.  
o Leaflets  were  delivered  to  flats  in  the  area  in  question.  
-­‐ Regarding  Dundasvale  CC,  this  is  inactive,  and  the  Dundasvale  CIG  does  not  cover  relevant  area.  
o A  few  residential  properties  should  be  leafleted,  with  a  view  to  eliciting  comments.  
o A  leaflet  has  also  been  produced,  but  not  yet  delivered  for  this  area.  
o NB:  since  this  meeting,  leaflet  drops  have  occurred  nr.  Bath  St.,  West  Nile  St.,  Hope  St.  
-­‐ Regarding  Garnethill  CC,  the  proposal  for  Sauchihall  St.  to  move  the  boundary  south  to  Sauchiehall  
Lane  was  previously  unanimously  rejected.  We  will  continue  with  the  proposal,  but  do  not  expect  
any  change  to  be  agreed  upon.  
-­‐ A  “general’  leaflet  has  also  been  produced,  which  could  be  delivered  to  all  residences/businesses  in  
the  B&BCC  constituency,  to  raise  general  awareness  of  B&BCC’s  existence.    
 
10//  
Items  for  the  CC  to  pursue:  
-­‐ There   was   a   discussion   on   Litter;   bags   being   dumped   from   cars   in   the   city,   cigarette   ends   being    
discarded.  NB:  Steph  S.  has  since  followed  up  with  an  explanatory  email  to  councillors.  
-­‐ ACTION:  Steph  S.  to  follow  up  litter  points  with  elected  members.  
-­‐ There  was  a  heated  discussion  on  Parades  &  Marches  with  ultimately  no  resolution.    Irene  Loudon  
stated  that  as  Chair  of  Blythswood  &  Broomielaw  Community  Council,  she  would  not  tolerate  any  
further  aggressive  disruptive  or  divisive  behaviour.  She  highlighted  the  non-­‐sectarian  and  apolitical  
nature   of   Community   Councils,   and   the   fact   that   until   now,   B&BCC   had   been   a   happy,   friendly,  
cohesive   group   of   good,   well-­‐intentioned   people   wishing   to   serve   their   community   in   a   spirit   of  
respect  and  tolerance.  
-­‐ Due  to  time  considerations,  the  rest  of  the  meeting  agenda  was  postponed.  
 
13//            
Chair  declared  date/time  of  next  meeting:  
-­‐ Tues.  18th  September,  7.15pm.  
-­‐ At  the  200  West  Regent  St.  Venue.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

5  
 Appendix A:
Planning Objections – Primer
(courtesy of Steph, thanks!)

Email address for planning applications: planning.representations@glasgow.gov.uk

Emails must be sent within the stated deadline (usually 21 days).

Anyone can object - they don’t need to live in the City Centre. However, petitions are usually ignored, as are
standardised letters.

Remember to include the Planning Application Reference Number when submitting an objection.

Grounds for objection are usually “material considerations”, including:

• loss of light or privacy
• noise, nuisance and smell
• potential problems with parking, traffic or road safety
• what the development will look like
• the environmental impact
• the needs of the local area.

They can't take into account:

• any loss of value to nearby properties
• loss of view(s)
• personal disputes between neighbours
• issues about ownership and party walls
• complaints about disturbance while the work is being carried out.



6  
 Appendix  B:  
Workshop  at  The  Lighthouse,  19th  September  9.30  am  
 
Glasgow's  ‘Avenues'  and  'City  Ways’  projects  are  seeking  to  transform  the  city  by  making  our  streets  more  attractive  
and  less  car-­‐dominated  and  by  encouraging  more  people  to  walk  and  cycle  around  the  city.  These  developments  
potentially  may  also  help  reduce  air  pollution  and  improve  the  health  of  people  in  Glasgow.    

In  order  to  understand  if  and  how  these  projects  may  result  in  changes  in  Glasgow,  we  are  developing  an  evaluation  
plan.    To  help  us  develop  this  plan  we  are  really  keen  to  hear  from  a  wide  range  of  people  who  live  and  work  in  the  city  
to  understand  the  outcomes  they  expect  the  projects  to  have.  

So,  we  would  like  to  invite  representatives  from  Blythswood  and  Broomielaw  CC  to  participate  in  a  workshop  to  
improve  our  understanding  of  the  potential  health,  social  and  economic  impacts  of  the  Glasgow's    Avenues  and  City  
Ways  projects  on  residents,  retailers  and  businesses.  The  workshop  will  be  professionally  facilitated  and  participative  
with  opportunities  for  breakout  sessions  as  well  as  plenary  discussion.  An  agenda  will  be  circulated  to  those  attending  
closer  to  the  event.    

Your  input  will  help  inform  a  research  application  aimed  at  evaluating  the  collective  impact  of  these  projects  on  
health,  liveability  and  travel  patterns  in  the  city.  The  findings  for  this  research  will  inform  future  developments  in  
Glasgow,  and  particularly  the  roll  out  of  the  ‘Avenues’  project. We  hope  to  have  a  wide  range  of  participants  at  the  
workshop  including  local  residents,  council  officers  and  planners,  academics  and  representatives  of  the  business  
community.

The  workshop  will  be  held  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday  19th  September  on  the  3rd  floor  of  The  Lighthouse,  11  
Mitchell  Lane,  Glasgow  G1  3NU.  The  event  will  start  at  9.30  am  (registration  from  9.00am)  and  finish  at  1.00pm  
followed  by  lunch.  Please  advise  if  you  have  any  special  dietary  requirements  or  access  needs.  

If  you  would  like  to  attend  the  workshop,  please  email  Carol  Frame  carol.frame@glasgow.ac.uk by  30th  August

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