17/09/2014 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Capital all set for historic referendum

We’re nearly there. After months of debate and discussion, claim and counterclaim, after tens of thousands of leaflets, millions of words in the press and on social media sites, it’s almost time. The talking’s just about over, the politicians have had their say – tomorrow it’s down to you and me. Decision day …

The world’s eyes will be on Edinburgh tomorrow, and Scotland’s capital is ready to take centre stage and play a leading role on a historic day …

With less than a day left until the Scottish Independence Referendum, Edinburgh is geared up for its role in the historic poll.

Ballot boxes are being collected for delivery to polling places, staff trained and verification of postal votes has begun ahead of the count.

89.6% of postal voters have already cast their vote, with a total of 377,413 people registered to take part in the Referendum on Thursday.

And citizens are being asked to make their own preparations for the day to ensure they don’t miss out.

Sue Bruce, Counting Officer for Edinburgh and Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council, said: “After months of anticipation, the Referendum is finally upon us, and hundreds of thousands of people across the city are about to cast their vote.

“I am really pleased with the high rate of registration, which demonstrates the level of interest in the debate. We have a record number of registered voters in Edinburgh for this Referendum and therefore I would encourage visitors to leave plenty of time to visit their local polling station and to mark an X in the box of their choice when filling out their ballot papers.”

Polling places will be open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 18 September, though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Information on local polling places can be found on the polling card delivered to homes or on the Council website.

Postal voters who have not yet returned their ballot paper by post will still be able to hand it in at Waverley Court or City Chambers receptions or at an Edinburgh polling place on Thursday.

Those planning to take part in the Referendum are also being advised to take great care when filling out their ballot paper, by marking a single X next to their choice. Additional comments, marks or mistakes can result in a vote not being counted.

Anyone who is registered to vote but, due to unforeseen circumstances, is unable to make it to a polling station, may need an emergency proxy vote, which can be applied for on the Lothian Valuation Joint Board’s website.

Once your vote has been cast

All votes are secure and accounted for so that the final result can be trusted. Every ballot paper, whether used, unused or spoilt, is accounted for and treated as highly sensitive and confidential.

Votes will be counted as soon as possible after the close of the poll at 10pm. Separate counts will be held by each local authority in Scotland with 32 local totals leading to one overall national result.

Full details of vote security and counting are available on the Council website.

Stepping Stones AGM

Award-winning (see previous post!) Stepping Stones North Edinburgh are holding their annual general meeting in

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre

on Thursday 25 September at 12.30pm.

For further information telephone 551 1632 or email:

info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk

North Edinburgh shines at Achievement Awards

North Edinburgh projects have been highly praised at the 2014 Children & Families Achievement Awards, with local organisations Stepping Stones, Forthview Primary and Circle Scotland among the prize winners.

Winner of the Working Effectively with Others category was the PrePare Fathers’ Group, comprising PrePare, Stepping Stones, South West Children and Families Team and Circle PrePare

Fathers were consulted on what additional support they would like and group work was identified. The aim is to increase paternal involvement in their child’s plan. A collaboration was established between Circle, Stepping Stones, PrePare and SW C&F Team. Together a group work programme was established within the framework and goals set out by the Early Years Collaboration.

Fathers learned about child development and the impact of parental substance use; attachment and resilience; stress and containment and gained a clearer understanding of where they can access support.

Morag Wilson, depute manger at Stepping Stones, said: “A massive congratulations to our Parenting Outreach worker, Anna Chrystal, who alongside her colleagues from PrePare, Circle Scotland and South West Children and Families team won the 2014 Children and Families Achievement Award in partnership working. The judge commented that ‘this innovative project is making a real difference to fathers, and their families.’ They have now been encouraged to put themselves forward for the Pride in our People awards 2014.”

Read all about it: Forthview to the Fore!

West Pilton’s Forthview Primary School won the Improving Literacy Outcomes category for their ‘West Pilton Reads: Developing a Community Reading Culture’ initiative.

The Forthview submission read: ‘Research shows that we only get better at reading by reading, and that we will only read if we want to read. After looking at this research and considering best practice, we investigated ways in which we could create a reading culture around Forthview Primary.

‘The teaching of reading has been unchanged for decades, with no significant improvement in achievement, especially in areas of disadvantage. We decided that it was time for a radical change of approach to fostering the enjoyment of reading.’

Judges were clearly impressed with the Forthview approach, and commented: ‘This innovative project provides help for the whole household, not just for children. An educational support for whole families, it benefits everyone.’

The Director’s Award for Outstanding Achievment went to the Active Schools Team and the Speak Up Speak Out campaign picked up the Convener’s Award.

Children and Families Director Gillian Tee said: “This is our 15th annual achievement awards and, yet again, I have been impressed by the high standard of applications. This year we have had an exceptionally high number of nominations reflecting the huge amount of work that is going on across a wide variety of services. The professionalism and commitment shown in providing the highest level of service for every child and family across Edinburgh was clearly evident.”

A full list of winners and nominees can be found below:

Achievement_Awards_Brochure

Housebuilder finds new home … for plants!

Miller Homes donates plants to community groups

Miller Homes has helped two local community groups’ gardens grow. The house builder, which has been developing Varcity South near Crewe Toll for the past seven years, is adding the final apartments to the award-winning development and has donated some of its plants to the Columcille Centre and North Edinburgh Grows.

The perennial plants, including flax and lavender, will continue to be enjoyed as they have now been planted in the community groups’ gardens.

Anne Marie Britton, Scotland Area Sales and Marketing Manager at Miller Homes, said: “As we make way for the final properties at Varcity South we needed to remove some of our plants, many which were established as they had been planted seven years ago. As a result, we decided they should still be enjoyed which is why we donated them to the community groups.”