UPDATES TO WEST PILTON PARK
CONSTRUCTION WORK AND PARK CLOSURE
Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust are holding a meeting at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on TUESDAY 25th AUGUST at 5pm to discuss the park development and for you to ask questions about YOUR park.
There is over £5 million being spent on re-developing the park and it will be closed until October/November 2027.
Come along, and have your say!
The quick actions of Waste and Cleansing Operatives at the City of Edinburgh Council avoided a fire taking hold in a waste lorry at the end of last month.
Many of our tech and electronic devices, including vapes, contain lithium-ion batteries. When crushed these cause fires in our bin lorries and recycling centres.
The Operative spotted smouldering rubbish in general waste that had been collected from Polwarth area of the city. They immediately pulled the vehicle over safely and spilled the waste out on the street where The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were able to extinguish it quickly.
The Council’s street cleansing team then disposed of the rubbish and the vehicle was taken to be checked over.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’d like to thank these colleagues for their quick actions as well as the fire service for stopping an actual fire from taking hold.
“This incident is an example of why residents must be vigilant in making sure batteries are disposed of correctly, so this doesn’t happen again.
“We’ve had several other incidents like this in the past and it’s important we highlight the potentially dangerous consequences that incorrect disposal of batteries can have for residents, the environment, and our colleagues.”
You can find out how to dispose of and recycle vapes, batteries and cables by going to the city council’s website.
Tickets on sale for new Oasis film documenting the band’s record breaking 2025 tour – arriving at Vue Edinburgh next month
A new film charting Liam and Noel Gallagher’s triumphant reunion tour, Oasis Live ’25, is heading to the big screen next month – with tickets on sale from now.
Showing exclusively at cinemas from 9 – 17 September, Don’t Look Back in Anger documents one of the biggest musical events in recent years.
The 41-date world tour saw the brothers performing across five continents – with an impressive 17 shows taking place in the UK alone.
The film offers unprecedented access and never-before-seen footage, alongside the first joint interviews with Noel and Liam in over 20 years. It also explores the profound emotional impact of the tour and what the band’s music means to audiences and generations worldwide.
Fans will be able to watch Don’t Look Back in Anger on Vue’s biggest screen: EPIC by Vue – the ultimate way to experience the most anticipated releases.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh, said: “After decades of waiting, last year Oasis fans got the reunion they were hoping for. Now audiences can relive the iconic comeback on the big screen, with unprecedented access, behind-the-scenes footage and a joint interview – two decades in the making.
“What better way to enjoy this fly on the wall documentary than from the comfort of Vue, offering the ultimate seat, screen and sound experience.”
To find out more, visit www.myvue.com
One month after making his first instruction as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has announced the next steps in his national drive to end rough sleeping by announcing immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by increased funding of £442 million.
One month after making his first instruction as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham today (Wednesday 19 August) has announced the next steps in his national drive to end rough sleeping by announcing immediate action to offer everyone who needs it a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by increased funding of £442 million.
New accommodation and support will be rolled out across England this winter, learning from innovative approaches put into place during the pandemic.
Alongside emergency accommodation to end the need for rough sleeping, the programme, fully funded within MHCLG budgets, will offer practical help with housing, health and other needs, helping people build a more stable future.
In addition, the Prime Minister has announced he will host a first of its kind national summit in the Autumn to bring together leaders from across society – from business, finance, charities, health, faith communities and more – to ask what role each of them can play in ending rough sleeping.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding and a landmark summit, reflect the Prime Minister’s approach of bringing everyone together in a national drive to step up and play their part in ending rough sleeping – with everyone pulling in the same direction at a local level to make real change backed by funding at a national level.
The plans will not only change the lives of those being given somewhere to sleep and a foundation to rebuild their lives but have huge benefits for the whole country, as research from Crisis suggests preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year could save taxpayers around £370 million.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “No-one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station. But we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“I won’t accept it. That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping. And it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas.
“We did it in the pandemic. We can do it again. But it needs all of us. Government will put the money in. But I’m asking leaders in communities and sectors across society to play their part locally too.
“Let’s get people out the cold. And let’s bring back hope.”
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “When the Prime Minister pledged to end rough sleeping, we said we’d move urgently from words to action. Today we’re delivering on that promise.
“This funding will help thousands of people leave the streets behind, move into secure homes and get the support they need to rebuild their lives.
“Working alongside councils, mayors and charities, we’re backing local areas to tackle rough sleeping at its roots, giving people the security, dignity and opportunity they deserve, and restoring hope to those who have been let down for far too long.”
The government is also confirming project allocations for this programme, which includes the investment into long term accommodation announced in July.
As well as off the street provision, the funding will help local areas deliver more than 1,000 settled homes over the next three years, alongside intensive wraparound support to help people rebuild their lives.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support, with communities all across England getting support to address rough sleeping in their area. Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping and making the decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it is needed most.
Alongside funding allocations, the Government is publishing guidance to help local areas mobilise quickly and deliver a consistent route off the street offer this winter. The guidance will make clear the need to ensure adequate and accessible provision for women experiencing rough sleeping, recognising that women are often underrepresented in official statistics and may be at greater risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation.
Guidance encourages local areas to consider single sex accommodation with specialist, intensive and trauma informed support, for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. This will support the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls in the next ten years.
Charities, faith groups and community organisations are at the heart of efforts to end homelessness. That is why, in addition to holding a first of its kind national summit bringing together leaders across society with a role to play, £8.4 million of the new funding is going specifically to the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund.
This takes total funding allocations announced today for 100 different projects to £47 million over three years, helping small and medium-sized organisations provide life-changing support to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Together, these measures form the foundation of cross-government work to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, combining immediate action this winter with lasting solutions to help people rebuild their lives for good.
CHARITIES Crisis Scotland and Homeless Network Scotland made the following statement last month responding to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to end rough sleeping:
“The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to end rough sleeping, backed by new investment, is a positive step. The additional funding that will come to Scotland through Barnett consequentials provides an important opportunity to strengthen efforts to end rough sleeping in Scotland and support more people into safe, secure homes.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to use this extra funding to expand Housing First and ensure more people experiencing the most severe and complex forms of homelessness can access the housing and support they need.
“Housing First is one of the most effective and innovative policy interventions of recent times. It provides people with a permanent home alongside flexible, person-centred support. The evidence is clear that this approach works, providing the stability and support required so they can leave homelessness for good and rebuild their lives.
“Scotland has long been recognised as a leader in progressive approaches to ending homelessness. But leadership is measured by delivery. Through the Ending Homelessness Together action plan, the Scottish Government committed to making Housing First the default option for people with multiple and complex needs. Yet access remains far below the level required, with current provision estimated to meet just nine percent of demand.
“With rough sleeping continuing to rise, this funding is a chance to turn ambition into action. Expanding Housing First would ensure Scotland continues to lead the way in ending homelessness and delivering on the ambition to end all forms of homelessness.”
Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, Interim Director at Shelter Scotland said: “Andy Burnham is right to make homelessness his day one priority.
“Rough sleeping in Scotland more than doubled between 2021 and 2025. But it would be wrong to suggest that getting people off the streets is enough.
“Rough sleeping happens because councils don’t have enough homes or hotel rooms even to provide basic emergency accommodation. It is a symptom of a political failure at Westminster and Holyrood that prefers sticking plasters to long term solutions.
“If Andy Burnham is serious then he should look again at how the UK Government creates homelessness by cutting local housing allowance – making it impossible for people when their wages don’t keep up with rents.
“He should look again at the asylum system that forces people fleeing persecution into homelessness by evicting them from accommodation when they are granted leave to remain.
“He should remove the so-called bedroom tax which the Scottish Government spends millions of pounds every year to effectively eradicate in Scotland. Money that would be better spent on homelessness prevention and local services.
“And most importantly he should invest in a new generation of social housing, including increasing capital investment in Scotland so that councils and housing associations can build at scale.”
Following its Fringe First Award win last week, critically acclaimed one-man show ‘The Bridge’ will extend its Edinburgh Fringe run with a limited series of three additional performances from 28-30 August at 8pm.
Written and performed by Palestinian artist Alaa Shehada, who also secured the prestigious accolade last year for ‘The Horse of Jenin’, and produced by the Palestine Comedy Club, ‘The Bridge’ tells the extraordinary story of the only route Palestinians in the West Bank have to the outside world.
It originally opened for a limited run at Assembly Roxy. Following its major award win and strong audience response, the production will now move to Assembly George Square Studios, Studio Two, for three additional performances.
The Fringe First Award recognises outstanding new work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The additional performances give audiences another opportunity to catch one of this year’s award-winning productions before its Fringe run comes to an end.
To all Parents/Carers
Our clubs start back next Monday! Before your child attends, please complete our annual registration form so we have the most up-to-date information to help keep them safe.
Our new programme will be out this week on Facebook
Complete the form here:
https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/301f3ae8/f55ef57de02572ae
Please submit your form as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at club!
● The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched their Fitness to Drive campaign to encourage drivers aged 60 and over to reflect on their driving and take simple, practical steps to stay safe and confident on the road.
● The Fitness to Drive national roadshow will be stopping off in Edinburgh from 19 – 23 August appearing at local spots including IKEA Straiton, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, and Dobbies Garden Centre Edinburgh.
● Older drivers will be able to drop in for a free ‘Driver MOT’ – a session to help them recognise any changes in the way they drive and explore practical steps they can take to continue driving safely for longer.
A road safety campaign by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland is coming to Edinburgh as part of a nationwide tour to support mature drivers to stay safe and confident on the road.
With more than 850,000 drivers over 60 in Scotland, the Fitness to Drive roadshow will be appearing at IKEA Straiton on 19 August, before heading to Cameron Toll Shopping Centre on 20 August, before finally rolling into Dobbies Garden Centre Edinburgh from 21 to 23 August.
The purpose of the roadshow is to highlight the importance of recognising how ageing may impact driving, as well as understanding the steps that can be taken to mitigate that.
Transport Scotland statistics show an increasing trend in the number of road casualties involving drivers aged 60 and over. The Driver MOT roadshow aims to help people understand ways they can overcome age-related challenges, such as changes to eyesight, hearing and reaction times.
The roadshow will share tips for addressing these changes, which may include booking regular eye examinations, reducing night-time driving, avoiding busy junctions at peak hours, and/or refreshing skills with a driving review.
Fear of having to give up driving can often stop people from addressing these changes, but the Fitness to Drive initiative looks to equip older drivers with the knowledge and understanding they need to help stay safe behind the wheel for longer. Friends and family members of drivers aged 60 or over are also encouraged to attend for advice on opening up supportive and sensitive conversations about driving.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, Stephen Flynn, said: “The Fitness to Drive campaign is designed to support older drivers to recognise any changes that come with age – whether that’s to eyesight or hearing – and encouraging them to take action to ensure they continue driving safely and confidently.
“Change doesn’t always have to mean hanging up the keys and, by helping older drivers and their families ensure their driving fitness, we can help make people more confident and safer when they travel which, in turn, can help stop collisions and save lives.”
The Fitness to Drive national roadshow will be at the following locations:
● IKEA Straiton – Wednesday 19 August – 10am – 4pm
● Cameron Toll Shopping Centre – Thursday 20 August – 10am – 4pm
● Dobbies Garden Centre Edinburgh – Friday 21 – Sunday 23 August – 10am – 4pm
For more details about the roadshow and advice about how to keep driving safely for longer, visit roadsafety.scot/fitness-to-drive/
ALMOST FIFTY KNIFE INCIDENTS IN EDINBURGH SCHOOLS IN FIVE YEARS
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has today urged the SNP government to step up efforts to tackle youth knife crime as she revealed that there have been almost 50 such crimes in Edinburgh schools since 2021.
New figures uncovered by the party show that since 2021 there have been:
Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that the police have recorded almost 700 crimes of possessing an article with a blade or point in schools across Scotland over the last five years.
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: “Each one of these crimes will have been hugely distressing for the staff and pupils involved.
“These figures do not sit in isolation, and we need to understand the part played by events like the pandemic, which had a severe and longer-lasting impact on young people.
“That impact hasn’t been helped by the Scottish Government’s failure to recognise the importance of interventions like youth work.
“Youth work can stop this kind of violence from happening in the first place by offering young people valuable support and guidance, often from someone who is neither a parent nor a teacher.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats will fight for a proper investment in youth work so that we can give young people the choices and the futures they deserve.”
Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location is coming to Edinburgh!
Whether you’re a first time buyer, looking for your next home, downsizing or relocating- whatever your reason for moving this year, we’d love to hear from you!
If you’re chain-free (or SSTC) and ready to buy in September 2026, this is your sign…
Apply on the Channel 4 website:
Planning authorities will be required to notify Scottish Ministers of new data centre applications within seven days of validation.
A new direction, issued by Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad, applies to data centre developments exceeding 50 Megawatts (MW) power capacity. It will support strategic monitoring of the pipeline of such planning applications and of the implications for wider infrastructure.
Ms Goodlad has also recalled a planning appeal for Ministerial decision relating to a proposed green data centre in Edinburgh, and has issued directions requiring Environmental Impact Assessments at locations in Fife and Edinburgh.
She said: “Data centres is a rapidly emerging sector, and planning has an important role to play in considering applications, harnessing economic opportunities, and finding solutions which align with our climate goals.
“We must balance the economic and employment interests in developing data centres with national energy, climate and community wealth building ambitions, which are vital to our future prosperity, as well as the potential impact on local communities.
“It is essential to secure public benefits from this type of development, and I am clear that voices of communities that will be affected will be central to any considerations on data centres.”
