Crackdown on fireworks in derby build-up

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Police have warned fans not to try to smuggle fireworks into the stadium ahead of today’s  Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.

Fans will be searched and cordons and a specially trained dog will be used to help identify anybody carrying illegal items into the stadium. Police say “robust action” will be taken against anybody caught with flares or fireworks.

The warning follows previous incidents at Scottish matches where flares, fireworks and smoke bombs have been set off.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh, who is in charge of the policing operation today, said: “We recognise that the majority of supporters are well behaved, however there are a small minority who in the past have put themselves and others in danger by throwing fireworks or flares.

“Anyone who is caught with a flare or firework can expect to be arrested, either at the time, or as a result of a post-match investigation. And as well as receiving a criminal conviction, they may very well find themselves being banned from attending future matches throughout the country.”

You’ve been warned …

Spartans in the running for national award

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One of North Edinburgh’s best known and most respected community organisations has been short-listed for a national award. The Spartans Community Football Academy is one of thirty projects from across the country in the running in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards – and you can vote for your favourite in the People’s Award.

Organised and staged by the Scottish Community and Voluntary Organisation (SCVO), the awards celebrate all that is best in Scotland’s third sector, recognising our country’s most innovative and effective people and organisations

Spartans is one of thirty organisations to have progressed to the final round of the Scottish Charity Awards, and an impressive ‘not so shortlist’ includes major national organisations, community groups, partnership projects and individuals who have channelled their energies into supporting their communities and making Scotland a better place to live.

spartans

The Spartans Community Football Academy (above) has become a key part of the fabric of north Edinburgh, offering sport, education and leisure opportunities to thousands of children and young people from North Edinburgh and beyond. Based at Ainslie Park, SCFA is succinctly summed up by Alastair Davis, the chief executive of Social Investment Scotland: “we never fail to be impressed, inspired and overwhelmed by the impact of Spartans. Their quality, dedication and passion sets them apart”. SCFA has been nominated in the Sporting Chance category.

Joining Spartans on the shortlist is another great local project, Leith-based The Junction (below). The Junction youth group and Port of Leith Housing Association got together to create purpose-built – and very popular – new premises for young people aged 12-21, offering counselling, health advice and support to young people.

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For a full list of nominees and to vote for your favourite project in The People’s Award visit  www.scvo.org.uk/charity-awards 

Twitter user? It’s #ScotCharityAwards 

The glittering awards ceremony, hosted by Kaye Adams, takes place at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on 5 June. Good luck to all the candidates – but really, you’re all winners already.

 

Jobs Fair at Granton Campus

Edinburgh's Telford Exterior

Edinburgh College is hosting a jobs fair next Wednesday (30 April), where job seekers will have the opportunity to meet potential employers.

The jobs fair is aimed at anyone looking for a new job, including students about to finish their studies and people looking to change careers. More than 20 organisations will be present at the event, where attendees will be able to find out about career opportunities, full and part-time vacancies, and volunteer and placement opportunities.

Organisations attending include: Skills Development Scotland; Volunteer Centre Edinburgh; Radisson Hotels; Smile Childcare; The Action Group; Blue Arrow; Apex Hotels; Autism Initiatives; the Army; the RAF; Jobcentre Plus; Scottish Ambulance Service; Specialized Security; Remploy; Business Gateway; Independent Living Services; Police Scotland; Brightwork Ltd.

As well as employers, the Support@Work group, which is part of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, will be available to advise on employee rights and explain how to resolve any issues with an employer. It has previously helped students with issues such as not receiving the minimum wage or a proper contract of employment. Edinburgh College’s Jobzone and Student Services staff will also be on hand to provide advice about careers.

The jobs fair is free to attend and is taking place on Wednesday 30 April between 3pm and 6pm at:

Edinburgh College Granton Campus,
350 West Granton Road,
Edinburgh, EH5 1QE

Explosives incident at Persevere Court

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Persevere Court residents are back in their homes this evening following an afternoon of high drama in Leith.

Residents were evacuated from the tower block and North Junction Street was also sealed off earlier today as police and armed forces personnel searched a flat in Persevere Court. It’s understood that some dangerous material was found there and a controlled explosion was carried out on Leith Links earlier this evening.

All local restrictions have now been lifted.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland can confirm that material has been removed from an address in Leith, following a search conducted as part of an ongoing operation.

“The material is likely to be destroyed by way of a small, controlled explosion carried out by the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

“There is no risk to the public. All cordons have been lifted in the area of Persevere Court and residents are being allowed back to their homes.”

The Persevere Court incident comes just a week after Fidra Court in Muirhouse was evacuated while bomb disposal squads investigated the discovery of explosives there. A man subsequently appeared in court on terrorism and explosives charges.

LeithLibrary

Cracking fun at St Nick’s

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Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex raised over £450 at its eggstra-special Easter-themed lunch last week.

The complex, on Leith’s Ferry Road, had an array of stalls including a raffle, home baking and ceramic painting.

There was also an Easter egg hunt, which was won by residents Ian and May Vanhagen (pictured) who donated their chocolate egg to the new Teen Cancer Unit at the Western General Hospital.

Maureen Tait Senior Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator with PoLHA manages the complex. She said: “Our fundraiser was thoroughly enjoyed by residents and visitors and we’re delighted to have raised over £450, which will go towards activities and days out.”

All funds raised will go towards supporting activities for residents including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.

hayfever advice

Did you know that next week is Allergy UK’s Awareness Week? Me neither, but what better time for some seasonal advice from NHS Inform …?

hayfever

Scots are being urged to visit www.nhsinform.co.uk for tips and advice on managing the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies.

With Allergy UK’s Awareness Week running from 28th April to 4th May and the arrival of spring, this also means for many people the onset of the hay fever season. According to Allergy UK, one-in-four people in the UK suffers from an allergy at some time in their lives and 20% of the population is affected by hayfever in particular.

Professor George Crooks, NHS 24’s Medical Director, advises people that by following a few simple tips they can help minimise the effects of the condition.

He said: “Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees and grass, and can cause irritations of the eyes, nose and throat. In an ideal world, the most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it’s very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors.

“Avoiding cutting grass, walking in grassy areas, and camping may reduce your exposure to grass pollens. When you are outside, wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes and change your clothes and take a shower when you come back inside.

“If you get hay fever symptoms even when taking care, there are a number of over the counter medicines available from your local pharmacy. I would also remind people that NHS inform provides a wide range of information on the symptoms of the condition, as well as advice on minimising their effects. The site also helpful and quality assured information about other allergies, their prevention and treatment.”

The specific allergies section at NHS inform can be accessed at: www.nhsinform.co.uk/allergies

Pollen

Right to Buy no more

Notice period cut to two years

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Calls to reduce the timescale for abolishing Right to Buy social housing have been answered by Housing Minister Margaret Burgess during the Stage 1 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Mrs Burgess announced that the government will amend the notice period for Right to Buy from three to two years after the date the Bill receives Royal Assent.

The Bill, which was introduced to Parliament in November will enhance housing conditions, retain much needed social housing for people in Scotland and safeguard social and private tenants.

The Minister said: “I am grateful to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment (ICI) Committee for its endorsement of the principles in the Housing Bill and for acknowledging that these measures will improve housing in the social, private rented and owner-occupied sectors.

“Increasing the supply of social housing is essential and that is why we want to end the Right to Buy.

“I have now taken on board the ICI Committee’s concerns that the proposed three-year timescale to abolish Right to Buy is too long. Going forward we will reduce the period to two years which will give tenants time to consider their options and find financial advice if they want to exercise their right to buy their home.

“These measures will protect up to 15,500 social houses from sale over a ten-year period and safeguard social housing stock for future generations.

“With 185,000 people on waiting lists for council and housing association houses, we can no longer afford to see the social sector lose out on badly needed homes.”

Other measures in the Bill include:

* establishing a new housing tribunal to consider private rented housing cases.
* introducing regulation of letting agents.
* strengthening the licencing regime for mobile homes sites with permanent residents.
* giving local authorities new discretionary powers to tackle poor housing conditions in the private sector.

Mrs Burgess continued: “This Bill will help us to deliver better outcomes for communities, safeguard the interests of householders and strengthen the quality of Scotland’s housing.

“There is universal support for strengthening regulation of letting agents and for our moves to transfer private rented sector cases from the sheriff to a tribunal.

“Housing is and will remain a priority for this government and through the Housing (Scotland) Bill we will continue to support improvements across the private, private rented and social sectors.”

PEPping up digital inclusion

Digital participation to tackle inequality and boost online access

keyboard

A new strategy outlining how digital technology can be used to tackle inequalities and benefit communities across the country was launched by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop at PEP in West Pilton Park yesterday afternoon. 

The National Digital Participation Framework for Local Action maps out how helping people to get online and become confident users of the internet can open up new possibilities in healthcare, education and economic development. It also details how anyone can access support and training on digital skills at home, at work and in communities.

The strategy was launched as Ms Hyslop visited Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), where she met staff, volunteers and members of the local community. PEP provides a range of services for older and other vulnerable adults in North Edinburgh, including computer classes, which encourage independence and reduce isolation.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “Digital technology is transforming our society and changing the way we live – how we buy goods and services, how we build and maintain friendships and how we communicate with people and organisations in our local communities and across the world.

“The Scottish Government is determined Scotland is seen as a world-leading digital nation by 2020. We want everyone to be able to reap the social, cultural and economic benefits the internet can bring.

“While good progress is being made with the delivery of digital infrastructure, more needs to be done to enable people to become active digital citizens and share in the benefits the internet can bring.

“The Pilton Equalities Partnership is an excellent example of an organisation that supports people who are digitally excluded. The Scottish Government, through our Digital Participation Strategy, intends to support similar organisations who wish to make a positive contribution to increasing digital participation.”

Jean Gallagher, who attends computer classes at PEP, said: “I was delighted when a friend advised me that there was a place nearby that had a computer class for the elderly and, although I was a bit apprehensive, I decided that If I was to understand about the technology of today’s world I had to take the plunge.

“As a complete novice seven years ago, not even knowing how to turn on a computer, I can now do most of my shopping online, I do the family banking online, keep in touch with friends and family abroad via Skype and those nearer hand via social networking.

“I feel there is no way that at 81 years old would I be able to keep up with the modern way of living if it had not been for the staff at the PEP centre. I owe my new way of life to them and will be eternally grateful.”

Chris Yiu, Director of Digital Participation at SCVO said: “Everybody should have an opportunity to benefit from the internet, regardless of background or circumstances. Three in ten people in Scotland still lack the basic skills needed to get things done online. If we are serious about being a world-leading digital nation then the time has come to close this divide.

“SCVO welcomes the publication of the Digital Participation Strategy, and is delighted to play a leading role in this important agenda. By working across the public, private and third sectors to coordinate and scale up digital participation projects, together we will make a real and lasting difference to people and communities across Scotland.”

PEP manager Helen Tait said: “PEP provide the facilities, training and on-going digital support to enable older and less able people within our community to take advantage of the social and economic benefits of digital technology. Much of the focus is directed to understanding and using general web-browsing, email, social media, online shopping, and public services. It also creates the opportunity to increase socialisation through peer support. We also ensure that users are aware of, and know how to handle, the security issues that associate with online services.”

PEP

‘Common sense’ to prevail over mortgage lending

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‘Only borrow what you can afford to pay back’. That seems obvious enough now, but during the property boom the sky was the limit and credit was easy – with disastrous consequences. Lessons have been learned, and new rules come into force tomorrow (26 April) to protect borrowers and ensure a ‘common sense approach’ is taken for every lending decision.  

The rules – known as the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) – were drawn up by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a result of the recent financial crisis and are designed to protect consumers from the kind of reckless mortgage lending that would leave them unable to make repayments.

To ensure that people only get a mortgage they can afford, and to prevent a recurrence of the irresponsible lending practices of the recent past, every borrower will now have to prove that they can afford the repayments both now and in the future. The new scheme will include a new affordability check that will see applicants interviewed by a lender and asked about their income and outgoings.

The FCA has produced a short guide that explains the changes, and around half a million copies will be given out to prospective borrowers in branches of high street lenders, mortgage advisers and estate agents.

Martin Wheatley, the FCA’s chief executive, said: “In the past too many people got a mortgage by simply telling their lender they would have no problem repaying their debt, and that was that. Getting a mortgage can be one of the biggest financial decisions people will ever make, so it needs careful consideration. Our new rules will hard-wire common sense into mortgage lending, and the guide we have created will help explain those changes to borrowers.”

The mortgage industry has been busy getting ready for the changes for about 18 months and many firms are using the new approach already, so some borrowers will not notice the difference.

The FCA has also updated its consumer information pages on its website, at: www.fca.org.uk