Month: August 2012

Inverleith loses out as rain forces fireworks rethink

Bad weather has forced the organisers of the Edinburgh’s end of festival fireworks concert to move its family viewing area from Inverleith Park into the city centre.

Big screens and loudspeakers are usually set up in Inverleith Park to allow more people to enjoy the annual finale, but the park is waterlogged in places after persistent heavy rain and cannot be used for Sunday night’s event.

Viewing areas will now be set up on Waverley Bridge and to the north of Princes Street instead.

Waverley Bridge will close to traffic for the first time this year to provide more space for people to gather and becomes an official viewing area for the first time, and speakers will also be installed to relay the music played by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra as the fireworks are set off over Edinburgh Castle.

There will also be another viewing area on the north of Princes Street, between Castle Street and Frederick Street, for families and people with disabilities.

The Edinburgh International Festival said it would put a proportion of its allocation of Princes Street Gardens tickets on sale tomorrow (Thursday) at 10am rather than the day before the display, as is usually the case, to help those who had planned on going to Inverleith Park to make alternative arrangements.

Meeting reminders

Reminders of some local meetings taking place this week:

Tonight (Wednesday 29 August):

CORE

Extraordinary general meeting to wind up the organisation takes place at 6pm in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North. All welcome.

DRYLAW TELFORD COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Regular monthly business meeting at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre off Groathill Road North. All welcome.

Tomorrow (Thursday 30 August):

TENANTS and RESIDENTS IN MUIRHOUSE

Monthly meeting at North Edinburgh Arts Centre 6pm. All welcome.

PILTON CENTRAL ASSOCIATION

Annual general meeting in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre at 6.30pm. All welcome.

Keep us posted about any meetings you think our readers should know about!

 

 

LEAP on the hunt for new home

Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP) is on the lookout for a new home following a Church of Scotland decision to terminate the lease of Malta House, LEAP’s base since it was set up five years ago. 

Dr David McCartney, Clinical Lead of LEAP, said: “We can confirm that our landlord, The Church of Scotland, has informed us it is ending the lease of Malta House and that we require to move out by the end of January 2013.

We would like to reassure patients, their families, staff and partners that LEAP will continue to provide treatment to patients with substance dependence problems.

We are sad at the prospect of leaving Malta House as many people have started their recovery from addiction here and it has met our needs very well. We are now exploring with our partners all of our possible options.”

Funded by NHS Lothian and three local Alcohol Drug Partnerships, LEAP has been a real success story since it was launched in September 2007. Operated in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, Access to Industry (Transition) and the Serenity Café, LEAP has helped people with alcohol and drug dependencies to transform their lives through a three-month treatment and rehabilitation residential programme. In March this year, Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham (below) visited the Stockbridge-based project to join in celebrations to mark the programme’s 250th ‘graduation’.

In a statement, a Church of Scotland spokesperson explained that the decision not to renew LEAP’s Malta House lease had been ‘difficult’ and was due to financial pressures on the church’s own social care budget.

“We originally leased Malta House to Scottish Ministers, acting on behalf of the NHS Lothian LEAP project, in 2007 for a 2 year period.  This was subsequently extended to 2010, when it was renewed.   At that point Scottish Ministers accepted the renewed lease of Malta House on the full understanding that the building would be sold when it was deemed that the market conditions were right, and to that end there were break points included in the lease.    In June this year, in terms of that lease, we gave six months’ notice of our intention to terminate the lease from January 2013.

“We are pleased that we have been able to support LEAP for many years through the lease of premises at Malta House.   However, we simply cannot afford to continue that support, given the financial pressures which we face in relation to our own vital services to people in need throughout Scotland.   We recognise the good work that LEAP has been doing and we have a great deal of sympathy for the situation they now find themselves in.  We have been trying to find them alternative accommodation in another Church building but have been unable to identify one that meets their needs.  CrossReach (the Church of Scotland’s Social Care Council) would dearly love to continue supporting LEAP but find ourselves simply unable to do so.  We will continue to be as helpful and flexible as possible in managing this unhappy situation.”

The spokesperson added that no final decision about the sale of Malta House has been made, but that the option to sell is ‘actively being pursued.’

A group of concerned neighbours and supporters are mustering support to keep Malta House available to LEAP – visit http://www.facebook.com/SaveMaltaHouseForLeap for more information.

There is an on-line petition to sign and add comments at:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-malta-house-for-leap/

Council seeks more BME foster carers

The city council has launched the second wave of a campaign to increase the number of carers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in Edinburgh. 

The launch follows a very succesful campaign that saw a doubling in the number of people enquiring about fostering last year, and the city council now hopes to further increase awareness during this recruitment drive.

Carers from all backgrounds are needed but there are very few black and ethnic minority carers in Edinburgh, and the aim is to try and increase numbers so that children from different cultural, religious and ethnic groups can live with foster carers who share similar backgrounds. Matching children with carers from the same background isn’t always essential but, in some cases, it can help a child to cope with their situation.

Children & Families Convener Cllr Paul Godzik said: “We are always looking for new carers to come and work with us to help give our children a safe environment to learn and grow in. We hope to build on the success of last year’s campaign and encourage even more people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds to consider becoming a foster carer. We can help provide the support and advice needed to make this decision, so please, if you are thinking of fostering get in touch or come along to one of the drop-in sessions to learn more about it.”

The drop-in sessions start this week at McDonald Road Library on Thursday (30  August) with another one next Thursday (6 September) – both sessions run from 10am to 1pm.  Foster care recruitment staff and carers will also be on hand at the Edinburgh MELA this weekend (Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September) at Leith Links.

The BME recruitment campaign is part of a wider ongoing campaign to promote foster care in Edinburgh called ‘Foster Me Foster Us’.  Edinburgh has a shortage of foster carers and more are needed to provide children with safe and caring homes while they are unable to live with their own families.

 

Treatment times down – and NHS Lothian 'improving'

More than 90 per cent of patients in Scotland are now being treated in 18 weeks or less. New figures published today by ISD show that over 92 per cent of patients whose entire journey could be measured were seen and treated within 18 weeks from initial GP referral to start of treatment.

NHS Lothian is the only Board not to have met the 90 per cent target for the three months measured, with NHS Forth Valley also missing the target for one month.

The figures also show that over 283,000 patients were treated within 18 weeks during the quarter ending 30 June.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am pleased to say that NHS Scotland is delivering on the target to ensure that patients are treated in 18 weeks or less. Quick access to treatment, delivered as locally as possible is what patients want. NHS Lothian have been working hard to reduce the numbers of patients breaching the waiting times targets following changes to their recording practices last December. We are already starting to see improvements in their numbers and we expect this to continue.”

She went on: “It is important to remember just how much progress has been made. In 2007 over 29,000 people were stuck on ‘hidden waiting lists’ not getting the treatment they needed. Our 18 weeks referral to treatment target demonstrates what the NHS can achieve by protecting the founding principles of the National Health Service. Scottish patients really are reaping the benefits.”

Treatment times down – and NHS Lothian ‘improving’

More than 90 per cent of patients in Scotland are now being treated in 18 weeks or less. New figures published today by ISD show that over 92 per cent of patients whose entire journey could be measured were seen and treated within 18 weeks from initial GP referral to start of treatment.

NHS Lothian is the only Board not to have met the 90 per cent target for the three months measured, with NHS Forth Valley also missing the target for one month.

The figures also show that over 283,000 patients were treated within 18 weeks during the quarter ending 30 June.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am pleased to say that NHS Scotland is delivering on the target to ensure that patients are treated in 18 weeks or less. Quick access to treatment, delivered as locally as possible is what patients want. NHS Lothian have been working hard to reduce the numbers of patients breaching the waiting times targets following changes to their recording practices last December. We are already starting to see improvements in their numbers and we expect this to continue.”

She went on: “It is important to remember just how much progress has been made. In 2007 over 29,000 people were stuck on ‘hidden waiting lists’ not getting the treatment they needed. Our 18 weeks referral to treatment target demonstrates what the NHS can achieve by protecting the founding principles of the National Health Service. Scottish patients really are reaping the benefits.”

Jay Soso jailed for raping and killing Drylaw pensioner

A man who raped and killed a local  pensioner who treated him like a grandson has been jailed for 12 years and eight months.

Jay Soso, 20, from the Tollcross area of the city, attacked 63-year-old Marie Reid in her sheltered home in Easter Drylaw Way in November 2010.

Mrs Reid lay dead for up to four days before her body was discovered.

Jay Soso raped and killed Mary Reid

Soso was initially charged with murder, but admitted a reduced charge of culpable homicide.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, judge Lady Dorrian said Soso had been aware that his victim, who lived alone and suffered from poor health, was vulnerable.

She told the guilty man: “You knew her and there was an element of trust in the relationship you had with her.

“The rape was clearly forcible and violent, causing injuries to her and leading to her death.”

Letter: Focus needed on 'mid-market rent' housing

Dear Editor

I write in response to the survey by Shelter Scotland showing that one in five young couples have delayed starting a family due to not being able to get on the property ladder. The charity says this highlights how the lack of safe, affordable social housing is impacting every level of society.

As the property market continues to struggle, many people who once would have thought about buying simply cannot and are being pushed into renting. A soar in the number of ‘reluctant renters’ has pushed rental prices, already renowned for being very high in Edinburgh, beyond reach of many of the city’s key workers.

With the average rent for a two bedroom property in Edinburgh currently at over £700 per month, and over £900 in the city centre, people on modest incomes working in roles such as nursing, teachers and youth and charity work, would find it very difficult to afford a safe and secure tenancy in a modern and well-equipped home.

This is why, in addition to providing more social housing, there now also needs to be a focus on supporting this group through the recently formed ‘mid-market rent’ model. At Port of Leith Housing Association, of the 500 properties we plan to build in the next three years around half of these will be available for this category.

The need for affordable housing is at its most pressing for a generation. The average wait for a social rented home is now counted in years rather than weeks or months and the problem is growing. To deal with the remaining backlog alone, it would take approximately 20 years. These figures may seem an insurmountable task but they only take into account those who are eligible for social housing. We estimate there are thousands in Edinburgh who would benefit from mid-market rent homes.

Pricing people into dilapidated properties will only, in the long run, likely price them out of cities. It also creates a real disparity and does not encourage vibrant, mixed communities that are essential for the ongoing success and wellbeing of communities.

Keith Anderson

Chief Executive, Port of Leith Housing Association

Constitution Street, Edinburgh

 

 

Letter: Focus needed on ‘mid-market rent’ housing

Dear Editor

I write in response to the survey by Shelter Scotland showing that one in five young couples have delayed starting a family due to not being able to get on the property ladder. The charity says this highlights how the lack of safe, affordable social housing is impacting every level of society.

As the property market continues to struggle, many people who once would have thought about buying simply cannot and are being pushed into renting. A soar in the number of ‘reluctant renters’ has pushed rental prices, already renowned for being very high in Edinburgh, beyond reach of many of the city’s key workers.

With the average rent for a two bedroom property in Edinburgh currently at over £700 per month, and over £900 in the city centre, people on modest incomes working in roles such as nursing, teachers and youth and charity work, would find it very difficult to afford a safe and secure tenancy in a modern and well-equipped home.

This is why, in addition to providing more social housing, there now also needs to be a focus on supporting this group through the recently formed ‘mid-market rent’ model. At Port of Leith Housing Association, of the 500 properties we plan to build in the next three years around half of these will be available for this category.

The need for affordable housing is at its most pressing for a generation. The average wait for a social rented home is now counted in years rather than weeks or months and the problem is growing. To deal with the remaining backlog alone, it would take approximately 20 years. These figures may seem an insurmountable task but they only take into account those who are eligible for social housing. We estimate there are thousands in Edinburgh who would benefit from mid-market rent homes.

Pricing people into dilapidated properties will only, in the long run, likely price them out of cities. It also creates a real disparity and does not encourage vibrant, mixed communities that are essential for the ongoing success and wellbeing of communities.

Keith Anderson

Chief Executive, Port of Leith Housing Association

Constitution Street, Edinburgh