New Year, new round of school strikes

INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN SCHOOLS NEXT WEEK

Industrial action in schools next week: all primaries closed on Tuesday 10 January, all secondaries closed on Wednesday 11 January, special schools are also affected.

Full details incl. nurseries and free school meal payments here:

https://edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/15311/school-closures—letter-to-parents-and-carers

The EIS has said that the New Year’s resolution for both the Scottish Government and COSLA must be to pay Scotland’s teachers fairly by coming back with a greatly improved pay offer.

Scotland’s teachers have not received a pay rise for the year 2022, despite being due for a pay increase in April.

Commenting as schools broke up for the Christmas holidays, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “As 2022 comes to a close, Scotland’s teachers are still waiting for a pay settlement that should have been paid to them in April. What Scotland’s teachers have been offered by the Scottish Government and COSLA amounts to a record real-terms pay cut of up to 11% in a single year.

“This is in the context of the value of teachers’ pay dropping by a massive 20% since 2008. It is little wonder that teachers voted so overwhelmingly for strike action, and remain determined to stand firm against the unprecedented pay cuts that have been offered.”

Ms Bradley continued, “Having taken one day of strike action in November, EIS members will resume a programme of strike action in the New Year. We have offered every opportunity to the Scottish Government and COSLA to settle this dispute, but they have stubbornly failed to take advantage of those opportunities.

“Reheating old offers and repeating tired spin is not going to fool Scotland’s teachers, and it is not going to resolve this dispute or end the ongoing programme of strike action. Neither teachers nor the public believe the claims that Scottish teachers are better paid than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK and internationally – in England the top of the pay scale is higher than in Scotland, and 14 OECD countries sit above Scotland on the league table of teachers’ pay.

“The only OECD league table on teachers’ conditions that Scotland has climbed is the one which quite shockingly shows that Scotland has the third worst record in the world when it comes to excessive class contact hours.

“Rather than Scottish Government spin, only a substantially improved, fair and credible offer can end this dispute and let teachers focus fully on teaching young people rather than having to fight for a fair wage.”

Ms Bradley added, “The Scottish Government and COSLA must do better. They owe it to Scotland’s teachers – the majority of them women – and Scotland’s pupils to end this dispute by committing to pay Scotland’s teachers a fair pay increase. This is about pay justice and gender pay justice.

“Teachers worked tirelessly as key workers throughout the pandemic, often putting their own health at risk to ensure the best possible education for Scotland’s young people amidst very difficult circumstances. Now, in the early stages of education recovery, teachers want to be in the classroom supporting pupils. But, as the cost-of-living soars, teachers deserve and expect an appropriate increase in their pay – not a deep real-terms pay cut, as they have consistently been offered.

“Education must be a top priority for government and for local authorities, and that means investing in Education, including investing in teachers, to ensure the best possible educational experience for all of Scotland’s young people.

“Scotland has a stated commitment to reducing the gender pay gap and to being a Fair Work nation by 2025. Having made these commitments and as the new year dawns, it has to be time for the Scottish Government and COSLA to resolve to offer a fair pay settlement to all of Scotland’s teachers.”

First-of-a-kind, carbon-neutral Santa sleigh to debut in Kirkliston

Santa will be touring the village on Christmas Eve with a revamped sleigh powered by state-of-the-art technology 

#santaiscomingtotown

#christmasinkirkliston 

Santa and his team are set to tour the streets of Kirkliston on Christmas Eve again this year, in a newly revamped, first-of-its-kind, magical sleigh. Powered by a new Lithium Iron Phosphate technology, similar to the technology used in Tesla electric vehicles, the sleigh will operate all night long, on a powerful and sustainable energy source.  

Kirkliston Community Council applied to the City of Edinburgh Council for a community grant fund, which was topped up by local event business 21CC Group Ltd. enabling the Community Council team to refurbish the sleigh in spectacular style, using brand new battery technology that will mean that it can operate without any carbon output. 

Geoff Crow, Director of local business 21CC Group Ltd. comments, “The Kirkliston Community Council sleigh brings the magic of Christmas to the village each year.

“The sleigh hasn’t had any investment for some time and was in much need of refurbishment ahead of this year. We are absolutely delighted to top up the grant award to support the sleigh refurbishment and to enable the Community Council to create something very special this year for the village of Kirkliston.” 

“Santa touring the streets of Kirkliston on Christmas Eve is a tradition that has been upheld and cherished for many years gone by. This investment in the sleigh brings it right up to date, with modern cutting-edge technology, lighting and sound systems, guaranteeing the future of the sleigh for many years to come. We are certain that Rudolph and his herd will be proud that we have been able to continue this tradition with a sharp focus on sustainability.” 

The Christmas Eve celebrations are expected to bring over 8,000 locals to the streets between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm to enjoy the festivities as Santa and his sleigh tour the village. There will also be a collection on the night for Queensferry Care in the Community.  

David Buchanan, Chair of the Kirkliston Community Council, said, “This is such a wonderful example of community solidarity and togetherness, and we’re very pleased to be doing something a bit different this year.

“Our new sparkling sleigh will be used to bring joy on Christmas Eve. I personally cannot wait to see the smiles on so many faces after what has been a particularly challenging year for so many.” 

Established in 1999 and headquartered in Edinburgh, 21CC Group regularly sow into local community initiatives and events. With event design, management and technical production teams all part of 21CC Group Ltd., they manage and deliver Christmas installations, events and experiential lighting trails all around the country, bringing joy to many at this time of year.   

Edinburgh’s Welcome Centre supports over 500 people facing homelessness this winter

The City of Edinburgh Council and national homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust are operating a Welcome Centre this winter.

The Centre is providing accommodation of last resort, tailored support and positive move on options for people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. Since opening in October, it has already supported and accommodated over 500 people and will continue to operate over Christmas until May 2023.

Founded by Bethany Christian Trust in partnership with the Council, and supported by the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre was pioneered in 2020 in an emergency response to the outbreak of Covid-19, providing en-suite rooms as a deliberate move away from congregate shelter provision, and has since helped to establish a new model of tailored support for people rough sleeping.

The Welcome Centre takes an innovative and person-centred approach, providing 24 hour tailored support for individuals all in one place. Guests receive their own en-suite room and 3 meals a day, including a hot evening meal prepared by volunteers.

They are also able to work with dedicated staff and visiting professional services with support to access longer term accommodation as well as on site assistance with mental health, addiction, wellbeing, health needs and accessing benefits.

Councillor Jane Meagher, the Council’s Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, said: “When temperatures drop to this extent it’s more important than ever that we do all that we can to support anyone who may be at risk.

“With Bethany we’re operating a Welcome Centre this winter to provide an additional 65 beds for people with wrap around support, and demand for this service this winter has already been high.

“We’re also offering street-based outreach seven days a week through our partners to anyone we see rough sleeping and this involves checking in with people three times a night, specialist pharmacy and mental health services available on street and supporting people directly into Rapid Access Accommodation. 

“The rise in homelessness we’re witnessing in Edinburgh is deeply concerning and the Council has a campaign to spread awareness of the support which exists for people who are struggling financially. We need to prevent more people from becoming homeless as far as we possibly can.”

Commenting on the increase in demand for the service, Alasdair Bennett, Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust said: “The Welcome Centre provides emergency en-suite accommodation of last resort for anyone who would otherwise be sleeping rough in Edinburgh. 

“We have accomodated over 500 different people with the majority staying less than seven nights as they are assisted to rapidly move on to more appropriate accommodation. The centre is a place of warm welcome, hospitality and intensive support, tailored to the individual and involving multiple health, housing and charitable partners to respond to individual needs. 

“We are seeing an increase in the number of people attending and being referred for this crisis intervention, even prior to the colder weather coming in, and we are working with all partners to find alternative options when there are no available bed spaces at the Centre. With a focus on rapidly re-accommodating people, new bedrooms become available at a rate of about 50 each week, or 7 a day, in order to support individuals in crisis that night.

“Even when we are full we are able to provide food, warm clothing and access to support here at the Welcome Centre, so we encourage anyone who is at risk of rough sleeping that night to come and we will do all that we can to support them, including linking them up with partner agencies and local authority housing options.”

Relying on the financial support of the general public, local churches, trusts, businesses, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre shows what can be possible when the people of Edinburgh come together to create change.

With a large professional staff team, over 1,000 Bethany volunteers and more than 20 visiting partner services, the Welcome Centre saw remarkable success in 2021 – 2022 in helping people recover from the crisis of homelessness and move on to a more stable situation.

The service accommodated and supported over 860 individuals who had fallen into homelessness because of a wide range of circumstances as well as those rough sleeping, with 97% of known outcomes positive.

Bethany’s Buy a Bed campaign, which is vital in enabling the service, is also in place again this year and gift vouchers can be purchased in Bethany Shops and online: 

https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/support-work/buy-a-bed/.

Edinburgh welcomes Kyiv delegation

The City of Edinburgh Council has welcomed a delegation of representatives from Kyiv City Council.

During a three-day visit where they exchanged views with the Lord Provost and Council Leader on Ukrainian and Scottish culture, the current situation in Kyiv and Edinburgh’s response to the crisis, members thanked the city for welcoming Ukrainians fleeing from war. 

The delegation included Viktoriia Mukha, Maryna Ratova and Serhii Anzhyiak from the Culture and Tourism departments.

During the trip, the group were provided with a tour of the City Chambers, Assembly Rooms and the Usher Hall. They discussed the possibility of hosting a joint art exhibition in Edinburgh in 2023 to highlight the culture, architecture, and beauty of the city of Kyiv which has been devastated this year during Russian strikes.

The delegation also met with members of the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Usher Hall, Assembly Rooms, the Council’s Culture and Tourism teams and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Edinburgh (AUGB Edinburgh) during the visit.

Viktoriia Mukha, member of Kyiv City Council’s Culture and Tourism department, said: “Our cities have been twinned for over 30 years and despite the distance between Edinburgh and Kyiv, we have found our cities to be very similar sharing common values. Both are steeped in history, boast UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and have acted as hubs for science, culture, music and education.

“Over these last 10 very difficult months, thanks to the people in this city, Edinburgh is now a home from home for so many Ukrainians. It has been reassuring to see first-hand the support which is in place for people, and we are very grateful for Edinburgh’s response, which has been incredible. Thank you for helping our displaced people find a home.

“As a member of the culture and tourism department, we have also enjoyed seeing incredible venues during our visit, like the Usher Hall and the Assembly Rooms. There is a lot of work we hope to achieve together, to keep Kyiv in people’s hearts and minds and to build on our cultural ties even further in the New Year.”

The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: “The courage of the Ukrainian people this year has been incredible, and it was my honour to welcome members of Kyiv City Council to see our city – the place where so many Ukrainians and people from Kyiv now call home.

“As twin cities we have a long working relationship and Edinburgh and Kyiv have many similarities. Early in the crisis we answered the city’s call to ship over sandbags, to help the City Council to protect monuments and other artworks. Since then, we have remained in close contact. We have donated further sandbags and deliveries of food during Kyiv’s time of need, and we are of course supporting thousands of people who have come to Scotland to seek safety.

“It is heart-breaking how this beautiful Capital city has been shattered, but it is clear to the world that despite the devastation the city has experienced the spirit of Kyiv’s people is unbreakable. As a result of this visit, I hope we can work together on an exhibition to highlight the lasting strength and beauty of Kyiv and its people.”

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day, said: “I’m so proud of the way our residents, our volunteers and everyone around Edinburgh has opened their doors and their hearts to people from Ukraine this year.

“It’s been an incredible effort to receive more than 10,000 people safely through our Welcome Hub, and I’m pleased to have been able to meet delegates from our twin city Kyiv to reassure them of all the support we have in in place.

“During their stay we’ve been able to discuss some ideas for how we can continue to work with Kyiv, building on the cultural ties we have and which we’re strengthening.”

Council agrees new Culture Strategy

A new Citywide Culture Strategy to shape the council’s Culture and Wellbeing service through to 2030 has been agreed by councillors. 

Four action plans will now be developed that will ensure the city delivers on the strategy’s three main aims, that: 

  • All Edinburgh residents can easily access cultural experiences that they find meaningful in their local area, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute to shaping local cultural provision
  • Edinburgh is a welcoming and supportive city in which a broad spectrum of creative and cultural practitioners choose to develop their careers
  • Edinburgh is a world leading cultural capital, an environmentally responsible host city where ideas are exchanged freely, and the diversity of its residents is celebrated.

Edinburgh has a long history as a world centre for the culture and creative sector and the draft strategy sets out the overall purpose, vision and aims for the future of the service in the Council. Four individual service area action plans will be developed for: 

  • Cultural Partnerships and Strategy
  • Heritage, Culture Venues and Museums
  • Community Empowerment
  • Libraries, Sport and Wellbeing.

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Val Walker said: “The Council has a vital role to play in Edinburgh’s festivals and events sector and our Citywide Cultural Strategy 2023-2030 as well as our existing funding programmes reflect our direct and continued support, contributing to the retention of jobs, creative practices and future development.

“This strategy outlines the priorities and guiding principles of our support for culture in Edinburgh over the next eight years. The pandemic had a massive impact on this sector but also meant creative minds have been hard at work to reappraise long term challenges as well as look for new opportunities.

“It’s exciting that we’re finding new ways of working to reach existing and new audiences and support career development of those in the sector. Following today’s endorsement the strategy will be developed further and we will ensure the future of the sector and maximise on this potential.”

Pupils’ Christmas cards bring festive cheers to Princes Street

Christmas cards designed by Edinburgh school pupils will brighten up Princes Street this festive season by being displayed on all digital bus shelter screens.

Pupils from across the city entered the competition to design the cards for the Education and Children’s Services of the City of Edinburgh Council and the Lord Provost.

In total 11 designs will be shown on the screens, with three of them – chosen by Education Convener Councillor Joan Griffiths, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Executive Director Amanda Hatton as their official Christmas cards – unveiled at a special event.

The winning designs were created by Lucas Virdee (Victoria Primary School), Aastha Arya (Tynecastle High School) and Flora Goater (Echline Primary School).

The Christmas card competition is an annual event but hasn’t taken place since 2019 due to the pandemic. This is now the sixth year that JCDecaux UK has offered lucky pupils the chance to have their designs shown on digital screens in Princes Street.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “I’m sure all the pupils and their families will be really excited to see their designs on public display and everyone who took part in the contest deserves special mention.

“Our young people are showing real creativity and artistic talent with these cards and the Winter Windows display in Princes Street Gardens.

“It’s great to see the cards promoted on the digital bus shelters as it will definitely bring festive cheer to shoppers!”   

Cllr Griffiths said: “This is my first year for choosing winners and it was really difficult due to the high quality of entries. I really want to thank JCDecaux for continuing to support this festive project after an enforced gap of two years as there’s no doubt the young people love taking part.

“Huge congratulations to Luca, Aastha and Flora whose designs will also feature on our Christmas cards.

Carolyn Howieson, Partnership Manager at JCDecaux UK, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council, bringing these beautiful Season Greetings designs by local children to digital screens in Princes Street, showcasing the talented young artists in the city.”

The designs will be displayed on all the bus shelters in Princes Street.

City council launches Warm and Welcoming Spaces across Edinburgh

With the colder months of the year now upon us the city council has announced the official launch of a network of Warm and Welcoming Spaces across the capital.

Council Leader Cammy Day formally launched the initiative yesterday during a visit to Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

Council venues such as libraries, community centres, museums and galleries, alongside partner and community spaces, will put on free activities for a variety of age groups and provide a space where people feel safe, warm, and at ease.

In certain spaces residents will be able to access information to help alleviate food/fuel poverty and other support available to them.

At this stage, there are more than 60 Warm and Welcoming Spaces across the city. The council ia also working with a network of partners to provide and promote further spaces.

Residents will be able to find out more about the initiative and find their nearest ‘Warm and Welcoming Spaces’ via an interactive map on a dedicated webpage.

Please also visit our dedicated home energy page for advice on how to keep your homes warmer, save money or if you’re worried about your bills. 

If you are an organisation and want to get involved in Warm and Welcoming, please email us on warm.welcoming@edinburgh.gov.uk 

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We are now in the midst of one of the most challenging winters in recent times with the cost-of-living crisis, rising energy prices, and inflation. Many of our residents will rightly be concerned about heating their homes in the months ahead. 

“The Warm and Welcoming Spaces initiative brings together a host of spaces across the city where people can connect with others, learn new skills, and relax.

“These spaces are also key in combatting social isolation, boosting mental health and welling, and allowing people to access services and support in a respectful and friendly manner.

Biddy Kelly, Managing Director at Fresh Start, said:As we head into what we know will be a difficult winter the need on our communities is ever growing. That is why it has been so important that we work collectively to ensure that we have community spaces, both statutory and in the third sector open and that people are aware of where they can go and when.

“Working in this collaborative manner ensures that we have places open that people feel supported in a dignified manner and where they can access a wide breadth of services and support. The co-ordinated Warm and Welcoming website will allow both staff and people access on site to find vital information.”

Ian Brooke, Deputy Chief Executive of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC), said: “The voluntary sector always plays a part in supporting communities during difficult times and will have a key role to play in the Warm and Welcoming Spaces programme.

“Our shared priority is to offer meaningful opportunities for people to gather together within their own community, activities that can also help combat issues of social isolation, loneliness and mental health.

“Our priority to Edinburgh’s voluntary sector is getting cash into people’s pockets, as the primary solution to combatting the issues of poverty that have been worsened so much by the current cost of living crisis.

“The Warm and Welcoming spaces programme is and must continue to be supplementary to that.”

Council aims for zero road fatalities

A proposed Road Safety Action Plan for Edinburgh that sets out an ambitious target for zero fatalities on the city’s roads by 2030 will be discussed by councillors tomorrow.

The Draft Road Safety Action Plan for Edinburgh to 2030 updates on the previous plan, approved in 2010, which commits to providing a safe and modern road network for the 21st century. Since then, there has been an overall downward trend in collisions resulting in injuries in Edinburgh.

The renewed plan, to be considered by Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday, has been developed to align with objectives contained in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, published by the Scottish Government in 2021.

By adopting the same safe systems approach to road safety, Edinburgh’s action plan aims to further reduce the number of personal injury collisions in the city.

The targets set out in the draft Action Plan, to be met by 2030, either meet or exceed the targets set out in the national Road Safety Framework. Edinburgh’s proposed targets are:

  • Zero fatalities
  • At least a 50% reduction in people seriously injured
  • At least a 60% reduction in children and young people (under 18 years old) seriously injured
  • At least a 40% reduction in pedestrians seriously injured
  • At least a 30% reduction in cyclists seriously injured
  • At least a 30% reduction in motorcyclists seriously injured
  • At least a 20% reduction in road users aged 65 and over seriously injured
  • At least a 70% reduction in road users aged between 18 to 24 seriously injured

Actions to achieve these targets will be set out in a Delivery Plan, updated annually. On Thursday, councillors will be asked to approve the first Delivery Plan to 2024, which comprises of more than 100 actions, including proposals for new pedestrian crossings, speed limit reductions and further speed reduction measures.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said:Any injury resulting from a collision on our roads is one too many. We have a responsibility to create safe and welcoming streets for all, and the Road Safety Action Plan is key to achieving this.

“I am keen to work with residents to ensure routes to schools are made safer, traffic short-cutting through residential communities is reduced and physical measures are introduced to cut speeds.

“Thankfully, over the last decade, the number of collisions resulting in injury has continued to fall – but there is clearly much more to be done. The plan sets out a series of targets to significantly reduce the number further and, ultimately, attain ‘Vision Zero’ for Edinburgh.

“Safer, calmer streets are much better places to spend time, walk, wheel and cycle, in turn supporting the City Mobility Plan’s vision for a safer and more inclusive net zero carbon transport system.”

By creating safer streets, the Road Safety Action Plan supports the objectives of Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan (CMP), which envisions a well-connected, safe and more inclusive net zero carbon transport system for the Capital. It is one of several plans being progressed to deliver the policies set out in the CMP and, if approved, these will be collectively presented for public consultation in early 2023.

The latest Draft Road Safety Action Plan has been developed in partnership with the Council’s road safety partners, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Engagement with partners will continue throughout the duration of the Action Plan to ensure co-operation towards meeting targets.

Read the full report, Draft Road Safety Action Plan – Delivering City Mobility Plan, online. 

Watch Transport and Environment Committee discuss the report live from 10am tomorrow – Thursday, 8 December – via webcast.

Edinburgh eyes smart city status with new cutting-edge control centre

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day has officially opened a revolutionary new City Operations Centre.

Harnessing high-tech to help keep the city safe and moving, the new centre will position Edinburgh as a leader in the UK for smart security and surveillance tools.

It has been delivered in partnership with IT service and solutions provider North as part of a £2.6m contract, funded by the Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020 programme known as ‘Scotland’s 8th City – the Smart City’, which is contributing £712k in grant funding towards the project.

Replacing an outdated control centre which was no longer fit-for-purpose, the new smart Operations Centre will be manned and receive real-time data from the CCTV network 24/7. This will integrate other technologies which will help to improve traffic flow, transport infrastructure and city planning – subsequently improving the city’s collective carbon footprint.

Given the accessibility to real-time data, advanced analytics will drastically help the Council and partners respond to emergencies and manage large-scale events like Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and August Festivals.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “This new operations centre has been years in the making and it’s fantastic to see it live in action. With cutting-edge low-carbon technology designed to keep the city moving and our communities safe, it drastically steps up our capabilities as a Council.

“We’ve completely overhauled the technology we use within the control centre and across the city – replacing outdated analogue cameras with intelligent internet-enabled devices. This means we can analyse events and traffic in real time. Particularly as our city grows, our investment will support the safety of the public and wider community, deterring and preventing anti-social behaviour and crime like we sadly experienced recently on Bonfire Night and Remembrance Sunday.

“Edinburgh is fast becoming an example of a truly smart city and its thanks to trailblazing projects like this. We’re also rolling out waste and housing sensors, innovative digital learning opportunities in schools, while exploring an urban traffic management control system which is a tool for monitoring traffic flow.

“The whole operation is much more sustainable and data driven which, crucially, is going to lead to more efficient Council services for the people of Edinburgh.”

Scott McEwan, acting CEO at North, said: “Helping to drive positive change through smart technology and improved operational systems across Edinburgh is something that North is incredibly proud of. Working together, the city now has access to real-time data that will influence the future of city planning, improve large-scale events and create a greener environment for generations to come.

“The City of Edinburgh Council is making transformational steps to becoming a Smart City and its forward-thinking approach to the adoption of IoT solutions will help to accelerate their ambition to reaching such status.

“We are really excited for the local authority to see the seismic impact introducing smart technologies has on the quality of the environment, and importantly, on the health and wellbeing of people who live in and visit Edinburgh.”

The data is captured by a new CCTV system rolled out across the city which is significantly expanding security coverage. This has included upgrading the city’s digital Video Surveillance System (VSS), enhancing video analytic function and data protection capabilities, and replacing analogue cameras with high-resolution Internet Protocol (IP) devices.

As part of the delivery, North also contributed to a number of community benefits to help deliver social value within local neighbourhoods. This included recruiting an Edinburgh-based modern apprentice and an apprentice to assist the roll-out of the CCTV network and the provision of curriculum support activities to local schools and community volunteers.

Edinburgh is one of the seven Scottish cities collaboratively working towards becoming a world leading Smart City. Supported by the Scottish Cities Alliance, a partnership of Scotland’s seven city local authorities and the Scottish Government, £45 million, including £18 million of ERDF support plus cities match funding of £28 million, is being invested in the ‘Scotland’s 8th City – the Smart City’ Programme.