2025-09-30-accounts - The Friends of Inverleith Park (SCIO)

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AGM Minutes with the Trustees Report and the Council’s presenta8on on the plans for Inverleith Park

The Friends of Inverleith Park (SCIO) AGM 1/12/2025 atTanfield Bowling Club

Jane Richardson, Convenor, opened the AGM.

The minutes of the 2024 AGM were agreed

Accounts: Joan Beattie, Treasurer presented the accounts which showed total cash available £70,538 with expenditure £820. The Edinburgh Community Lottery had raised £500 for the playpark bringing total donations to just over £1000.

The accounts were approved with thanks to Joan and to Anne Liddle as independent examiner.

Trustees Annual Report for the year 2024-25:

The Friends of Inverleith Park board, as a local stakeholder, have been consulted about the Concept Design for the Park and involved with other matters such as the much needed permanent toilets to be built in the spring of 2026 and other matters (see details in the Council presentation below).
Pond dipping and nature walks by Maria and David Chamberlain and a bat walk given by the by theLothian Bat Group have been very popular.
The fruit trees (NW corner) and the trees donated by the Fringe (SW corner) are thriving and orchids have appeared in the grass.
Broughton High School Eco group and Fettes College have done work in the Park.
The Sundial Garden was thriving despite summer watering problems.
Board members have visited Bridgend Farmhouse and Inch Park to see different models of community gardening as this was a feature of the Concept Design.
The Petanque Club has a rolling lease for use of the Ferranti club house and green until decisions are made for its use by the council.
Pam, Joan and Tony have attended numerous meetings with the Council - see the Council’s Report below
Jane thanked Maria for producing Newsletters and Anne for organising the 2025 Calendar. Jane was resigning as a member because of a move to East Lothian.

AGM business:

As Jane Richardson was retiring, Pam Barnes was willing to return as Convenor; members agreed and she conducted the rest of the meeting. Pam thanked Jane for her work for the Friends.

Board membership (the board is the equivalent of the previous Friends committee)

Pam explained that the board has 9 elected members and 3 co-opted members.

SCIO rules require 3 board members to resign each year in rotation although they can be re-elected. It was agreed that:

Elected members: Jim McLennan and Cathy Bell resigned and were reelected. Jane Richardson resigned.The secretary vacancy created by Jane’s resignation is be filled by Helen Mitchell (co-opted member) who was taking the minutes and would became a board member from 1/12/2025.

Co-opted members: Martin Hinds would remain and Peter Wilson (who had sent apologies) would be asked if he wished to remain. There was therefore a space for another co-opted member if someone wished to be involved.

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Members were reminded that 2026 calendars were on sale at Borthwicks and Write Stuff

Membership fees were due (unless already paid by standing order or paypal) £6 for a single membership, £10 for a family or group membership.

The council made a presentation to the members on the results of several consultations on Inverleith Park about which the FOIP board had been consulted:

Council presentation on plans for Inverleith Park

Linda Anglin (Parks & Open Spaces Development Manager, Edinburgh City Council) gave a powerpoint presentation, starting with a re-cap about recent Park work:

2022 Rankin Fraser Masterplan for Inverleith Park 2023 Council design for SE corner (café, play area, entrance ) but no funding 2024 Feasibility study to de-culvert burn on east side of park (not viable) 2025 New public toilet block installed to north of Sundial Garden

Linda went on to talk about current programmes:

Pond: excess algae bloom being monitored with recommendations due May 2026.

Arboretum Place: options for sustainable drainage system (SUDS) to manage storm water being funded by Scottish Water.

Council depot: the Council’s grounds maintenance and forestry teams are due to relocate from the depot by March 2026, leaving it vacant. The Council commissioned Atkins Réalis to do a Concept Design for the future of the depot (published May 2025).

Inverleith Park Depot Report

Linda outlined the main features of the Concept Design, referring to a birds-eye view of the site (copies distributed at AGM and available in Section 6 of report www.thrivinggreenspaces.scot/downloads/file/39/inverleith-s2report-june-2025 ) She stressed the design was at an early stage and could change subject to surveys and further consultation.

Recent developments are:

Training Centre: the Council’s Museums & Galleries team is due to move its childhood and industrial archive collection into this building once the depot is vacant. The Travelling Gallery, which tours Scotland 3 times a year, will also be based at the depot. There will be dialogue with local stakeholders about community activities.

Cafe: the Depot Report proposes a café in the old farmhouse. This means a decision will be needed as to whether to develop a café at the SE corner (Ferranti pavilion) or in the old farmhouse. There are pros and cons for each. The Council will invite expressions of interest to test the market.

Funding: There is no Council funding to implement the Concept Design. A funding opportunity is being pursued by the Council; more will be known in Feb 2026.

SE corner: Scottish Water has recently informed the Council about work needed here to deal with 2 sewer overflows with unsatisfactory intermittent discharge; this could impact the SE corner when work starts in 2026. The Council will find out more and hope to minimise disruption to their own plans.

After the presentation, members expressed views about the Concept Design and work affecting the Park. There were requests to ensure local involvement eg the Petanque Club to be kept informed about Scottish Water plans for the SE corner, informing that organisations like North Edinburgh Arts had experience of coordinating community activities. Members said the refurbishment of the playpark was important, although for the Council it has a low priority compared to other play areas in Edinburgh - however the council hopes there will be funding for extensive renovations in the next year or so.

Linda Anglin and Marco Galli (Greenspace Development Officer) were thanked for attending the meeting.

The AGM meeting 2025 was conducted by Jane Richardson Convenor (who resigned) and Pam Barnes (newly elected Convenor)

Jane Richardson, Pam Barnes Date: 1/12/2025