TRIBUTE BY BALERNO COMMUNITY COUNCIL IN MEMORY OF ALLY DONALDSON
 
At its October meeting on Thursday 1st, Balerno Community Council noted with real regret the announcement of the sudden and unexpected passing of of Ally Donaldson on 28 September at the young age of 60.
 
The Council paid tribute to his life and to his work with Currie Rugby Club first as a player and subsequently for over twenty years as coach during which time, in the words of Scottish Rugby, ‘he took a club founded in 1970 from the earthiest tip of the grassroots to the heights of Premiership triumph.’ 
 
His influence passed beyond success on the field however and he went on to make an outstanding contribution to Currie Rugby Club and to the wider community of Balerno.  His work in building and encouraging a coaching environment created a legacy of enduring benefit not only to the  hundreds of young players whose development he guided, but also to the entire community in which he lived.

​PICTURE: Ally Donaldson courtesy of Currie Chieftains

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​PARKING AT HARLAW: Concern over parking at Harlaw Reservoir has once again emerged as a real issue for local residents after the installation of double-yellow lines on the approach to the popular venue for dog walking, cycling and fishing.
Some motorists have even parked between the double-yellow lines and the hedge on what is a verge.
Councillor Graham Bruce told Balerno Community Council (BCC) that he questioned City of Edinburgh Council officials on the matter and they indicated that anybody parking on the verge would be given a ticket.  
Bruce confirmed he would go back to the relevant official and ask for clarity on the issue.
For clarity, community councillors were told at their October meeting that Rosebery Estates own the land but City of Edinburgh Council (COEC) upkeep the road.
The Council also considered the draft TRO and agreed to respond to invitation to comment further by suggesting the need for a reasonable period of free parking given the absence  public transport to the reservoirs and its use for exercise by people who were unlikely to be able to access the area except by car.  
OFFER OF A BENCH: BCC are to open talks with Currie and Balerno News officials after the offer of a bench to celebrate the 500th edition of the free newspaper which circulates in Colinton, Baberton, Juniper Green, Currie and Balerno. Two sites have been suggested, one near the Green Bridge and the other outside the Welcome Station on Bridge Road.
 
WEEDS IN BALENRO: BCC once again explored the issue and updated two councillors who were present, Neil Gardiner and Graeme Bruce, on the current situation.
 
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS: Richard Henderson, chairman of Balerno Community Council (BCC) confirmed that Balerno Gala had undertaken to source a Christmas tree and dates for the switch on of the lights were being considered. The tree support in a tub is intact despite being involved in a recent traffic incident.
 
RAVELRIG QUARRY: Richard Henderson, chair of BCC, said he had received a revised draft agreement from Tarman’s solicitors and would liaise with the Ravelrig Quarry Liason group and report back to BCC.
 
LOCAL PLACE PLAN: Balerno’s Local Place Plan (LPP) has received favourable comments from the City of Edinburgh Council following submission. The plan has been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council. Mark Galloway, who pulled the report together, was given a vote of thanks by BCC members.
 
KINGFISHER ESTATE RUBBISH BIN: A resident complained to BCC that the bin bought by estate residents, who also pay for collection, had become an eyesore as it is being stuffed full of pizza boxes and associated rubbish, including dog poo, by a variety of people. He alleged the people who deposit include lorry drivers and school pupils.
Residents have had enough of what he called the “total abuse” of the facility and they want the City of Edinburgh Council to adopt the bin which is on Somervile Road.
Councillor Graeme Bruce listened to the plea and said he would look into the issue with officials.
 
RURAL ROADS: An audit has been prepared and the results will be issued soon. Hugh Watt, a member of BCC, said cars and school buses were travelling at speed through Glenbrook and asked Councillors Gardiner and Bruce to take note.
 
ALLY DONALDSON: Richard Henderson, chair of Balerno Community Council, said Mr Donaldson’s death at the age of 60 had been a real shock. The former Edinburgh Rugby captain and Scotland international was a pillar of Currie Rugby Club who he helped coach to two Scottish Premiership titles. He also played a major part in developing young talent at George Watson’s College where he was a teacher and director of rugby for 36 years before taking early retirement. BCC will now communicate their sympathy to the Donaldson family.
 
MEETING VENUE: The next meeting of BCC will be held in the Welcome Centre in Bridge Road (the former police station) on Thursday, November 5 (7pm).  
 

​DAMAGED PLANTER: The damaged planter in Balerno Main Street, which houses the support for the annual Christmas Tree, was brought to the attention of police at the September meeting of Balerno Community Council (BCC). The City of Edinburgh Council have previously been notified and BCC have appealed to anybody with CCTV of the incident to get in touch.
 
SPEEDING: The council received a letter from Glenbrook resident regarding speed limits on rural roads and the danger posed by large buses travelling alongside pedestrians.  Councillor Bruce noted the CEC has a Slower Roads campaign and the person managing this was new.  He agreed to pass on the details to them.
 
DATA CENTRES : The Council had received notes from a recent public meeting on the proposed Data Centre at Hermiston.  It was noted some of the details needed careful interpretation, but it was agreed that the Council would at the stage be minded to object to such a proposal. 
 
ALLOTMENTS: A member of the public attended the meeting looking for guidance as he wishes to promote allotments in the village. He was advised to contact Balerno Bowling Club and mentioned the Walled Garden near Balerno High School. He was advised that an approach to develop the walled garden was made around a decade ago but did not proceed following objections from local residents.
 
PLAYPARK AT DEAN PARK SCHOOL: A resident told BCC that children were being stung by weeds, play equipment had been removed and not replaced, screws were missing and of her concern that the play park was not up to standard in comparison with others in the area. Juniper Green was mentioned. BCC are to write to the City of Edinburgh Council and Cllr Graeme Bruce, who attended the meeting said he would look into it.
 
TRIAL OF NEW MEETING VENUE: BCC are to trial the Welcome Station at the old police station for their next meeting in October before making a decision on moving from the Community Centre.
 
DISABLED ENTRY IN MAIN STREET: The condition of ramps to premises in the Main Street were said to be unsuitable and a potential safety hazard and BCC are to seek guidance from the City of Edinburgh Council.      
 
CHRISTMAS TREE; Balerno Gala have offered to take on the installation of the Christmas Tree in Main Street along with the Lighting Ceremony . Further details on timing etc follow. 
 
The Council will also be forwarding the Local Place Plan, adopted at the August meeting, to the City Council for registration. It will be forwarded along with any comments notified to the Council since adoption and advertisement.

Draft Agenda for Meeting of Balerno Community Council to be held at Balerno Community Centre on Thursday 3rd September2026 at 7.00pm;
 
PREAMBLE - This is a meeting of Balerno Community Council held in public. After discussion of each topic related questions/comments from other attendees may be heard at the discretion of the Chair. Those wishing to speak should raise a hand and await the Chair’s invitation.
A dedicated agenda item allows the public an opportunity to comment further or raise other matters of concern.
        
Welcome, apologies  and introductions                                             

Open Session: Members of the public may identify issues of concern in brief before the formal meeting. Public comment will be possible during agenda items and any other matters, and may be raised under Public Questions.
Formal business
 
Approve draft agenda   

​Declarations of Interest 
 
Police issues – incl safety at Regional Park incl car parks  
 
Minutes    Draft minutes of August 2026  monthly meeting
 
Business items
 
Governance

• Arrangements for 2026 Annual General Meeting
• Correspondence re recording for minute taking
• Arrangements for meetings in general - location

 
Annex 9
Discussion

Current issues including Matters arising  

• Rural Roads - esp Glenbrook ]
• Offer of bench by C&B News
• Weeds
• Renewal of signage at entry to Balerno village
• Christmas Tree 
• Resilience – wildfire risk etc 

 
Annex 10
information

​Planning, 

1. Planning lists

 Annex 10

​Environment,  

1. Bavelaw Green Bridge – update
2. Good Neighbour Agreement - update

 
 Community Engagement and Local Place Plan 
Annex12
Information and discussion

Finance Report
 
Councillors & Office Bearers Reports 
Annex Item 16         

Communications     - website update 
 
Public questions          
 
AOCB     
 
Date of next scheduled meeting – Thursday 3rd September