Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Miss Baker, Councillor Lawton, Councillor Mrs Peers, Councillor Studd, Councillor M. Taylor and Councillor Wilkes.

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included in this agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2012.

RESOLVED:            That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider a report regarding the working group recommendations for the replacement provision of town centre trees in High Street and Hassell Street as part of the town centre public realm and market refurbishment project, and  to recommend a preferred option to the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Town Centres.  

The Committee considered a report regarding the working group recommendations for the replacement provision of town centre trees in High Street and Hassell Street as part of the town centre public realm and market refurbishment project.

The Council had been working to improve the town centre for some time, more uniformity to the market was required and the views of all kinds of stakeholders had been sought. The principle aims of the plans were to improve the market by making provision for bigger stalls (which had been a trader request) and changing the orientation of the stalls. A lot of aspects of the market worked well, however it was necessary to address some negative issues. For example, traders built out their stalls to enlarge trading space. There were also storage boxes, bins and empty packaging stored opposite retail premises, which made the market look untidy. Appendix two of the report showed the proposed new layout of the market as two strips of stalls with the market traders in the middle facing outwards. The shoppers would be on the pavement, thereby creating a retail walkway. The proposed new stalls would be 10ft wide by 15ft deep. If the town centre trees remained as they currently were, it would result in some stalls having a tree directly in front of them, which would make the pitch less desirable. It was necessary to try to find balance in the design and layout of the new proposals for the market.

Since the report had been published comments had been received from community safety partners that CCTV visibility was affected by the trees as they currently were as people being tracked were lost when they went under tree canopies. Officers from the Landscape section had graded the trees according to their quality and ideally it would be desirable to retain better quality trees. This had been taken into account by Officers. If the proposal in the report was adopted it would result in seven trees and two stumps being removed and eight trees being replanted, if the tree pits identified were reusable. If the tree pits were on top of a gas main or an electricity supply then they would not be able to be used. 

Members of the working group felt the report was good and other Committee members were happy in general with the proposals, although there were some areas of concern. It was highlighted that public seating areas by Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Superdrug would be lost. Officers advised that seating had been considered and there was guidance from the Department of Transport regarding walking distances for people with mobility problems. There was a possibility that seats could be provided by Natwest due to the night-time economy there and also by the Guildhall. This would be looked at after the changes were implemented.

Members questioned what species the replacement trees would be and whether these would be slow or fast growing. Advice from Landscape Officers would be sought with regard to replacements,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of  the Local Government Act 1972

There was no urgent business considered.