MAGPIE was set up in 1999 to preserve the amenity of the Edinburgh district of Marchmont – a conservation area. We are a non-political voluntary body entirely dependent on the subscriptions of our members, both private and corporate.

You can view our constitution.

Identifying local problems

Our community-wide contacts help us to identify residents’ concerns. These include litter, vandalism, graffiti, noise, car crime, problem neighbours and landlords, and the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Advising residents

With our network of contacts, we are well placed to advise residents on how to go about tackling problems. Free advice leaflets and newsletters can be downloaded from this site.
Please note that while MAGPIE will offer free advice on how you might tackle a problem, we cannot normally pursue the matter on your behalf.

Liaising with Council officials

MAGPIE works through its committee, which meets approximately nine times a year under the chairmanship of our local councillor, Marilyne MacLaren. At Committee meetings – held in Edinburgh City Chambers – local problems are discussed with representatives of relevant City of Edinburgh Council departments and other agencies, such as the Police and Edinburgh University Accommodation Services.

Lobbying for change

Lobbying both the local council and the Scottish Executive forms another important strand of our activities. MAGPIE has been asked to submit evidence to Council committees, and in 2004 we worked with Marchmont Sciennes Community Council to petition the Scottish Executive on the need for better regulation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Making Marchmont’s voice heard

Widely recognised as an authoritative voice on matters affecting Marchmont, MAGPIE is represented on several important bodies, including the Council’s Local Environmental Forum.

Publicising the issues

Good media relations mean that MAGPIE can frequently make its voice heard both locally and nationally. Radio and television interviews, phone-ins, and press articles have all helped to bring local issues to a wider audience in recent years.

The MAGPIE committee

The MAGPIE committee is elected annually and is convened by local Councillor Marilyne MacLaren. The current committee members are:

David Stay (Secretary)
Jola Jurasinska (Treasurer)
Kenneth Gibson
Kay Goodall
Brian Harris
Cathy McDonald
Gordon Macleod
Kirsty Marshall
Pam Masters
Muriel Robertson
Mary Stay