Day: August 6, 2014

POP at PY

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PYCP’s Preventative Opportunities Programme (POP) are now looking to receive referrals for young people aged 14-18 years to start now and continue until February next year.

It is a six month intensive support package for young people and their families. We will offer the young person 1:1 support, group work based sessions on a range of different issues and interests and possibly some outings.

We will also provide the parent/carers and siblings with support on what issues are affecting the family and opportunities to get involved in new experiences and activities together as a family.

If you have any young person or family who would benefit from this type of support or have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly on 332 9815 or send a referral to Katie@pycp.co.uk.

I have attached a referral form and a poster for families (see below) to look at as we do require the family to agree to the support before a referral is received.

POP Leaflet pdf version

POP referral-form

Katie Grover
Senior Preventative Worker, Pilton Youth and Children’s Project

Johnstone welcomes employment tribunal pledge

TRIBUNAL FEES: JOHNSTONE SECURES SUPPORT FOR CAMPAIGN

despair2Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and a member of Holyrood’s economy committee, today secured a pledge from Scottish ministers that they will put pressure on the UK Government to protest at employment tribunal fees.

The Coalition introduced fees of between £160 and £1,200 a year ago. Since then there has been an 80 per cent drop in the number of cases going before tribunals.

Alison Johnstone raised the issue with Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance during Youth and Women’s Employment Questions at Holyrood today.

The Green MSP said: “Access to justice and employment rights is incredibly important. The TUC have said women have been among the biggest losers of the introduction of employment tribunal fees.

“A year down the line we see equal pay claims have dropped and sex discrimination cases are down. I don’t believe there should be any fees, and I am pleased that Scottish ministers will make representations to the UK Government.

“I support the Law Society of Scotland’s call for a review of these patently unfair charges.”

Employment tribunal fees have been a huge victory for Britain’s worst bosses, according to a new TUC report published last week to mark the one year anniversary of the new charges.

The report – What Price Justice?– shows how since the introduction of fees in July 2013 there has been a 79 per cent fall in overall claims taken to employment tribunals, with women and low-paid workers the worst affected. What Price Justice? analyses the latest Ministry of Justice statistics and reveals the following key findings:

  • Women are among the biggest losers – there has been an 80 per cent fall in the number of women pursuing sex discrimination claims. Just 1,222 women took out claims between January and March 2014, compared to 6,017 over the same period in 2013.
  • The number of women pursuing pregnancy discrimination claims is also down by over a quarter (26 per cent).
  • Race and disability claims have plummeted – during the first three months of 2014 the number of race discrimination and sexual orientation claims both fell by 60 per cent compared to the same period in 2013.
  • Disability claims have experienced a 46 per cent year-on-year reduction.
  • Workers are being cheated out of wages – there has been a 70 per cent drop in workers pursuing claims for non-payment of the national minimum wage.
  • Claims for unpaid wages and holiday pay have fallen overall by 85 per cent. The report says that many people are being put off making a claim, because the cost of going to a tribunal is often more expensive than the sum of their outstanding wages.
  • Low-paid workers are being priced out – only 24 per cent of workers who applied for financial assistance to take claims received any form of fee remittance.
  • Even workers employed on the minimum wage face fees of up to £1,200 if a member of their household has savings of £3,000.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Employment tribunal fees have been a huge victory for Britain’s worst bosses. By charging up-front fees for harassment and abuse claims the government has made it easier for bad employers to get away with the most appalling behaviour.

“Tribunal fees are part of a wider campaign to get rid of workers’ basic rights. The consequence has been to price low-paid and vulnerable people out of justice.”

Roll up, roll up! Randolph Crescent joins the party

Don’t you feel the West End is always left out when it comes to Fringe Fun? Well, no more – the West End is joining the party …PIC: Ann BaraquinRandolph Crescent gardens are no longer sleeping. From 8 to 24 August a 150-seats circus tent, twice the size of the Institute’s theatre, will expand the Fringe experience at the Institut français.

The gardens off Randolph Crescent are about to turn into a new Fringe venue as the Institut français adds circus to its programme for the first time this August. From 8 to 24 August, the tailor made big top of Belgian company T1J will be the home of the circus show L’Enfant qui…

Randolph Crescent gardens are no longer sleeping. From 8 to 24 August a 150-seats circus tent, twice the size of the Institute’s theatre, will expand the Fringe experience at the Institut français.

Under the ‘Chapiteau’, the Belgian theatre company T1J will bring together acrobatics, puppetry and live music for the stunning circus show L’Enfant qui… Passing the doors of the impressive structure, festival-goers, neighbours and inhabitants of Edinburgh West End will discover the world of an ill child who finds his own way to escape reality through arts, his connection to Nature and the power of his imagination.

Including circus to its Vive le Fringe! programme is the latest and biggest development of the Institut français since its return to the Fringe in 2010.

Covering almost all the surface of the gardens, the circus tent will provide greater visibility to the Institut français’ presence at the Fringe and increase the attractiveness of the West End, a flourishing area that the recent arrival of the tram contributed to reinforce.

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 Pictures: Ann Baraquin

Institut français d’Ecosse/ Venue 134 – 13 Randolph Crescent, Edinburgh.

Box Office: 0131 225 53 66 Mon – Sun 9.30 am – 9.00 pm.

www.vivelefringe.org

Nominate your champion in Age Scotland awards

carer

Age Scotland is asking people across Scotland’s communities to nominate a champion in their annual awards.

The Charity, which is dedicated to helping people in Scotland enjoy a better later life, is looking for nominations for the Age Scotland Awards 2014, which will be presented in the Scottish Parliament later this year.

The Awards celebrate the groups and individuals that have made a significant contribution to the lives of older people.
There are six categories in the awards:

· Volunteer of the Year Award (sponsored by Solicitors for Older People Scotland)

· Employer of the Year Award

· The Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing (sponsored by McCarthy & Stone)

· The Patrick Brookes Partnership Award (sponsored by Specsavers)

· Service for Older People Award

· Member Group of the Year Award (sponsored by David Urquhart Travel and open only to Age Scotland member groups)

The Employer of the Year Award has been introduced for the 2014 awards because, with the scrapping of the mandatory retirement age in 2012, we now have more older people in work and it is vital that employers respond to this positively.

Brian Sloan, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “Too often we hear negative messages about older people such as the ‘demographic time bomb’. Age Scotland’s Awards are our way of challenging these perceptions and celebrating later life.

“We want to demonstrate how older people embrace civic and social responsibilities and showcase the depth of talent and experience amongst our older generation.

“If you know someone who’s making a real difference to the lives of older people then tell us about them. And remember, if you know of an employer who has exemplary age friendly practices, please nominate them for our newest category of award.”

The nomination form can be downloaded at www.agescotland.org.uk/awards or can be requested by calling 0845 833 0200.

Nomination forms must be received no later than Friday 29 August.

AgeScotland

St Nick’s summer fayre raises £1400

St Nicks summer fayre 2014Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex raised over £1,400 at its summer fayre held last Saturday (2 Aug) – despite the deluge!

Based on Leith’s Ferry Road, the complex has been open for 25 years and has 45 residents.

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

The complexes had an array of stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes, bric-a-brac, books and toys.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager who manages the St Nicholas Court complex, said: “This was our 17th summer fayre and we were delighted to raise £1,400 despite the heavy rain. We’re lucky to have the support of the local community as all fundraising proceeds go towards getting our residents out and about, which they thoroughly enjoy.”

New homes for Western Harbour

Housing Minister hails nearly 100 new homes for rent in Leith

leith housingNearly 100 new affordable homes are to be built at Western Harbour in Leith through the ground-breaking National Housing Trust initiative (NHT), the Housing Minister has revealed.

Margaret Burgess made the announcement during a visit to Scotland’s largest NHT development in Edinburgh this morning.

The recently completed 145 home development at Salamander Place marks the completion of all 422 homes built under the first round of NHT procurement in the Capital.

Mrs Burgess said: “I am delighted to announce the latest deal under the National Housing Trust initiative, which will deliver 94 brand new and affordable homes to rent in Edinburgh.

“Developments such as the one planned for Western Harbour, and the new 145 home development at Salamander Place, not only provide a boost for our construction sector and wider economy, but also offer people and families the chance to rent a new home at affordable rates.

“I have met NHT tenants all over Scotland and have heard how delighted they are with their new, high quality homes.

“NHT continues to go from strength to strength. The initiative is on track to deliver over 2,000 much needed new homes in communities across the country – all for very little taxpayers’ money.

“Despite Westminster’s cuts to our capital budget the Scottish Government is doing everything possible to stimulate growth, maximise our investment in housing and deliver on our target of 30,000 new, affordable homes over the lifetime of this Parliament.”

The original NHT model allows developers and councils to jointly fund the purchase of new homes, with local authority loans to the initiative being underwritten by the Scottish Government.

Under the original NHT model, homes are available for rent at below market rates for five to 10 years before being sold, with tenants being given priority to buy at the end of the rental period.

NHT logoCouncillor Cammy Day, Housing Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This new development at Salamander Place is an excellent example of how the Council is supporting housing developers to turn derelict sites into modern new build homes for rent at affordable prices. The Council provided over £15m in loan funding for these homes and is committed to securing more developments like this.”

Stuart Paterson, Chief Financial Officer of Forth Ports Limited, on whose land the new NHT development at Western Harbour would be located, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Government in this NHT initiative at Western Harbour.

“Whilst we are a port operator first and foremost, when this was brought to us by Rettie & Co, who helped co-ordinate the deal, we saw an opportunity to help towards the regeneration of the community by providing more housing in the Leith area. Other areas around the Port of Leith, including Britannia Quay, are and will remain operational land.”

Angela Linton, Chief Executive of Hillcrest Group, the Housing Association that manages the Salamander Place development, said: “The NHT model allows us to market a different tenure of housing to the traditional affordable properties offered by Hillcrest Housing Association.

“Through Northern Housing Company, part of the Hillcrest Group, we have delivered mid-market rent properties, making a much needed injection of housing at this level.

“Many people find themselves not qualifying for affordable housing but at the same time not being able to afford the private market, so we are grateful for the Scottish Government support which helps us to deliver this project at Salamander Place.”

Christa Reekie, Commercial Director at the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “SFT’s work in developing and managing the innovative NHT programme is helping to deliver affordable rented housing in areas where there is a shortage.

“The City of Edinburgh Council has fully embraced the NHT initiative and so far has over 420 NHT homes across five sites in the City, with the construction of an additional 94 homes starting soon. The Salamander Place site is the largest across the whole of Scotland and reflects the huge positive impact the NHT programme is having on people’s lives.”

building work

Edinburgh urged to register to vote in Independence Referendum

pollingSome of Edinburgh’s residents could miss out on their chance to vote in Scotland’s biggest election if they don’t act soon – potential voters have just four weeks left to register to make sure they can have their say in the Scottish Independence Referendum.

Almost 360,000 people in Edinburgh have already registered for Thursday 18 September’s vote on whether Scotland should be an independent country, but approximately 10% of the city’s potential electorate have yet to sign up to take part in the momentous vote.

Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and Counting Officer for Edinburgh, has encouraged local constituents to take action by 2 September.

She said: “The Referendum is an incredibly important decision for everyone in Scotland, and it would be unfortunate to miss out because of something as simple as failing to register.

“I would encourage anyone who has not registered, or is not certain if they have already, to make sure they do so as soon as possible.”

All those who will turn 16 by 18 September can register to vote by calling the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500 or visiting their website before 2 September.

Once they are on the register, people who wish for someone to vote on their behalf (by proxy), or to vote by post, have until 3 September to register, otherwise they will need to vote in person on 18 September.

Poll cards will begin being sent out on 14 August with postal voters receiving voting packs from 27 August.

Lothian Valuation Joint Board has been gearing up for the event with a series of registration roadshows, including one which will take place at this month’s Edinburgh Mela.

Further information and FAQs on voting and registration can be found on the Council’s website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Theatre Project meeting reminder

I hope you are having a lovely Summer!

This is just a wee reminder that there is an open meeting for everyone who is interested in participating in the amazing 1d Tenement Opera project, on

Thursday 14 August at 11am at North Edinburgh Arts.

I attach the flyer once again (below) and please forward this to everyone who you think will be interested. Looking forward to seeing you next week,

Stephanie Knight

NETP flier 2

Lazarowicz: continued concern over Waverley access

PENTAX ImageMark Lazarowicz MP has written again to Network Rail to express continued concern over access to Waverley station.

After first raising the issue of access for disabled passengers now that vehicles were barred from the station, Mark has welcomed action taken by Network Rail but stressed that real problems remain more generally affecting all those using the station, especially at busy periods such as Festival time.

In particular, the North & Leith MP is calling for Network Rail to:

· look again at access for people with disabilities

· introduce clearer access for cyclists, and

· quickly improve signage to taxi ranks outside the station as well as bus and tram services in time for peak Festival time.

He said: “I recognise that Network Rail is taking action to meet the concerns that I and others expressed but I remain concerned about access to Waverley for passengers generally.

“People with restricted mobility should be able to access the station as independently as possible rather than having to rely on the passenger assistance service provided by staff however good it is.

“The only access route for cyclists is now along the pedestrian footway from Waverley Bridge which is clearly undesirable for both cyclists and pedestrians.

“There is no longer any taxi access into the station but there also don’t seem to be there any signs to taxi ranks outside. There are signs to buses but not which bus and tram services stop where.

“The number of passengers using Waverley went up to 19 million last year but too many still face problems accessing the station.”