Month: November 2013

Celebrate the history of Circle

Best wishes to all at Circle Scotland, the national children and families charity based in West Pilton Park, who are holding their annual lecture tonight in the Botanic Gardens Lecture Theatre.

Tonight’s speaker is Dr Mark Smith, Head of Social Work at the University of Edinburgh, and the theme of the lecture is ‘Celebrating the history of Circle’.

Circle was born as an independent charity in 2006, but the organisation has a long and illustrious history – Circle was created from Family Service Units, which were established in areas of deprivation just after World War Two.

Circle’s is a story worth telling and tonight’s event promises to be fascinating. Hope it goes well.CIRCLE

Edindex is ten years old

EdIndex, Scotland’s largest choice based letting system for social housing celebrated its tenth anniversary yesterday (Monday 11 November).

The system was introduced in 2003 by the City of Edinburgh Council to allow people the chance to bid for social housing, while providing greater choice when applying for homes. EdIndex was used to replace a complex system that involved numerous applications to individual landlords, by providing access to 23 housing associations and co-operatives throughout the city, through one single application.

Since it’s creation, more than 32,000 people have been housed in Edinburgh through EdIndex. Over 3.6 million bids have been received over the last ten years, including people going into social housing for the first time and existing tenants looking to move home.

The system is designed to be as accessible and flexible as possible and bids can be made online, in person, by email, letter or telephone. When homes become available they are advertised online and in the weekly publication ‘EH – Your Key to Choice’, to help applicants choose the most suitable property for them.

Housing Leader Councillor Cammy Day, said: “This marks an important milestone for EdIndex, which represents a modern, user-friendly system that puts choice at the heart of bidding for social housing. As the number of applications continues to increase, it is more important than ever that we have an easy to use process that is fair for all applicants. Over the years, EdIndex has gone from strength to strength and has been adopted by a number of other organisations across Scotland, demonstrating its value and success.”

Demand for social and affordable housing in the capital continues to increase and an average of 946 people are registered on EdIndex every month. Applicants are prioritised depending on their housing need. Applicants’ points increase the longer they are registered on the system.

cooncilhooses

Excellent! Quality Scotland award for Port of Leith

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) has been awarded a “Committed to Excellence” recognition by Quality Scotland.

The Association conducted a self-assessment process in January 2012 and developed quality improvement plans from the assessment results, which were independently assessed by a Quality Scotland assessor.

PoLHA’s ability to demonstrate it has a systematic approach and has good communication practices in place, as well as being committed to improvement for staff and tenants, saw the housing association pass ‘with flying colours’.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “This is great feedback for us all and I’m delighted my colleague’s time and effort on the improvement plans and projects and meeting with the Quality Scotland assessor ended with such positive recognition. The challenge now is for all parts of our work to benefit from review and progress with the journey towards demonstrating excellence in all that we do.”

Dave Bradley, Chief Executive Officer of Quality Scotland, said: “Port of Leith Housing Association stands out as a prime example of how a commitment to sustaining business excellence can bring about transformational change to a social enterprise organisation in relation to its staff development and best practice programmes. Its’ people clearly acknowledge that business excellence is a continual journey and can take great heart in what they have achieved with this ‘Committed to Excellence’ success.”

PoLHA

Craigroyston marks Remembrance Day

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACraigroyston Community High School commemorated Remembrance Day by holding two special assemblies led by the pupils.  A selection of words, hymns, songs, and poetry, along with a moving video featuring the stories of a variety of veterans were presented to pupils and staff.

At 11am precisely the whole school came to a standstill as everyone stood for the two minute silence.  The wreath laying was carried out by two representatives from each year group accompanied by a piper playing Flowers of the Forest. Honoured guests included local councillors, veterans, parents and council officials.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Desmond Spiers, Craigroyston Community High School

 

Good news at NEN AGM?

Agenda NEN AGM 12 November 2013

Item No 7.5 Contact in the Capital – Community Communication Pilot

The North Edinburgh News has had some good news in the run-up to tomorrow’s annual general meeting. Last week, the city council’s Policy & Strategy Committee agreed that North Edinburgh is one of three neighbourhoods selected to pilot ‘community-based information initiatives’.

Since the decision was taken to scrap ‘Outlook’, the city council has been looking for new ways of improving communications and getting information out into communities, and the £50,000 ‘Contact in the Capital’ pilots will now run for twelve months in the North Edinburgh, Gorgie/Dalry and Craigmillar communities.

The council support for NEN, which it describes in background papers as ‘a locally well-regarded newspaper and blog’, is both welcome and timely. NEN last appeared in print form back in June and since then has remained alive through this online blog until decisions on the paper’s future could be made.

It’s now thought that the council support can help support a NEN relaunch, although the NEN’s voluntary board members have still to discuss the detail of what is being proposed – NEN remains an independent community organisation managed by local people.

It’s hoped that more information about how the scheme could work will be forthcoming at NEN’s annual general meeting (it’s on the Agenda, attached), which takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 12 November) at Spartans Community Football Academy at Ainslie Park. All welcome.

Nen

 

 

EDRA to dish the dirt at AGM

ponyDisgusting, isn’t it? Dog dirt was a common theme of Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) meetings over the last year, and the topic is sure to figure prominently once again when the residents’ group hold their annual general meeting next week.

EDRA joined with Drylaw Telford Community Council to highlight the issue of irresponsible dog owners in their major campaign of the year. EDRA also continued to raise awareness of speeding motorists on the area’s residential roads with their ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ initiative.

To find out more about what EDRA has been doing, their plans for the year ahead and how you can get involved why not go along to their AGM?

EDRA’s annual general meeting will be held on

Monday 18 November at 7pm

in Drylaw Parish Church, Groathill Road North

All welcome

Work has started on fencing at the foot of Easter Drylaw Bank to prevent the grass area being used as a dog’s toilet. EDRA supported an application for funding from Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP) to allow the project to go ahead.

Police appeal following local bogus workman incidents

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following bogus workman incidents in Drylaw, Craigleith and Pilton.

The most recent incident happened around 10.30am last Thursday (7 November).  The 78-year-old victim was in her Queens Road home when the male suspect called there offering to carry out gardening work.  The offer was repeatedly declined, however the suspect managed to gain entry to the house where he was later disturbed and fled the scene empty handed.

The other incidents happened the previous day (Wednesday 6 November) in the Drylaw area.  The first two incidents happened around 1pm in Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Gardens respectively, when again gardening work was offered.  The residents who were approached declined the offer, but during one attempt the suspect falsely told the victim that their gardening work, which is carried out by the council, had been withdrawn.

The later incident happened around 3.15pm at West Pilton Drive.

The suspect is described as white, late-thirties or early-forties, around 5ft 10inches, tall, slim build, short dark hair, of tidy appearance with an Irish accent.  He was wearing a white sweatshirt with navy horizontal stripes, navy coloured jeans, carrying a dark brown shoulder bag.

Detective Constable Ben Leathes from Operation Aristotle, which tackles bogus callers in the Capital said: “The elderly victim has been left very upset that the man had entered her home. Bogus workmen target vulnerable members of our community and utilise various methods of deception to do so.

“Members of the public are reminded never to allow a caller into their home unless entirely certain of their identity.  If you have any doubts, do not let them in and contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone requiring maintenance or repair work for their home should only use a company or individual whom they trust and never hand over money to anyone who cold-calls at your door.

“Neighbours and family of vulnerable people are also asked to be vigilant for suspicious people in their area and report any concerns for a member of the community to police immediately.

“Anyone wishing advice on crime prevention can dial 101 or contact their local policing team.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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5 November: fewer bonfires but rise in attacks on firefighters

WDrylawPlacce2

Fewer bonfires in the East but a rise in attacks

This year saw a reduction in the number of bonfires attended by fire and rescue service personnel in the east of Scotland (the former Central, Lothian and Borders and Fife areas) but disappointingly there was increase in attacks on firefighters.

Group Manager Steve Gourlay, Edinburgh City area said: “The work in advance of 5th November with our Council and Police Scotland colleagues ensured a large amount of combustibles were removed before they could be set alight and potentially cause disruption, impacting on the availability of our resources.

“The arrangements for the night itself involved the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Community Action Team for the City working in the local areas with Police Scotland and Council Environmental Warden colleagues to assess bonfire safety issues, give advice and where required request SFRS resources. Six dual crewed SFRS/Police Scotland teams covered the neighbourhood areas with further police resources also being deployed as required. Early indications are that this approach has lessened the burden on vital frontline SFRS resources and improved the safety of Edinburgh communities.

“Unfortunately our crews were subject to verbal and physical abuse, with bottles and stones being thrown at our vehicles, some equipment was also stolen from a locker of one of the appliances. Fortunately no one was hurt but this is totally unacceptable and we will work with police colleagues to identify those involved. A debrief will take place between partner agencies to ensure our joint working approach is evaluated and also to log any lessons learned which will inform our planning for next year.”

Edinburgh’s experience was replicated across the country, with a drop in the number of bonfires attended but a disappointing increase in the number of attacks on firefighters, appliances and equipment.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection for SFRS, said: “This year we issued a call to action for everyone in our communities to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire. By acting safely and responsibly and attending organised displays, the public have made Scotland safer than ever before.

“SFRS front-line crews, control room and support staff have worked tirelessly over what is traditionally the busiest period of the year for the fire and rescue service. In addition the efforts of local authorities, Police Scotland, education, public and voluntary sector partners have been vital in ensuring the safety of the public, while our media partners have been essential in spreading potentially life-saving messages.”