Move to turn empty shops into new homes

Empty shops and properties which are blighting Scotland’s town centres could be transformed into affordable housing thanks to a new £4 million fund.

The Town Centre Empty Homes Fund will provide grant and loan funding to help increase the supply of housing in Scotland’s urban and rural towns.

The Fund, which will open for bids shortly, will offer funding to regenerate both homes which have been lying empty for long periods of time, and to convert empty commercial spaces into residential accommodation. The properties will then be available for affordable rent or sale.

It comes on top of the work of the Shelter Scotland managed Empty Homes Partnership which recently had its funding doubled and received a three year extension, to help bring more private sector empty homes back into use.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess announced details of the new Fund at the Shelter Scotland Homelessness Conference. She said:

“Making sure everyone has access to affordable homes where they can feel safe and warm, is a priority for the Scottish Government. But it’s not just about building new homes, we need to make better use of our existing housing stock and properties.

“It makes absolutely no sense for us to have more than 30,000 homes lying empty when homelessness still exists in Scotland.

“Empty shops and flats can be an eyesore in our communities, devaluing our properties and even encouraging anti-social behaviour.

“Bringing these empty properties back into use is a cost-effective way of increasing the supply of housing available to families across Scotland and it also aides community regeneration.

“By transforming derelict shops and flats into new homes, we will be able to inject some life back into our town centres and make them attractive places to live and work.”

Witness appeal following Leith assault and robbery

Police are appealing for witnesses following the assault and robbery of a 32-year-old man in North Junction Street.

The incident occurred last Saturday (24 January) at around 7.30pm. The man was walking home towards Ocean Terminal he was struck to the head from behind.

He was temporarily lost consciousness and awoke to find his property was scattered around him. He realised he had been attacked and sought help from a local shop, who called the Scottish Ambulance Service and he was later treated at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Officers are especially keen to speak to any witnesses as the victim has very little memory of the attack.

Several items were taken from the victim, including his mobile phone and his black Nike jacket. He also suffered significant facial injuries, which may require further surgery.

Detective Constable Carole Sneddon said: “This was a vicious attack, which has left the victim with significant injuries.

“Due to the nature of the assault, the victim has very little knowledge of the incident, however it took place in a busy thoroughfare and several people may have seen the incident take place.

“We are eager to speak to anyone who may have information. Any witnesses can contact Police Scotland on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Congratulations, Craigie!

Craigroyston Celebrates ‘Very Good’ Inspection

All at Craigroyston Community High School were delighted to read their recently published Inspection report.

The school was inspected by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in November 2014. The Inspection found the following key strengths:

A shared vision which focusses on securing positive destinations for all young people
Strong engagement of partners in the development and delivery of the curriculum
Coordinated and high quality support for young people and their families
Staff and partners leading developments to improve the quality of young people’s learning
Young people who are increasingly ambitious for the future

The Inspectors also noted that they found innovative practice at the school in partnership working and the school’s approach to developing a curriculum that focusses on employment. This innovative will be shared across Scotland as highly effective practice.

The full report can be read on the school’s website

www.craigroyston.edin.sch.uk

and at www.educationscotland.gov.uk

or click on links below

CCHS report

CCHS evidence report

EDRA meets on Monday

Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) meets on the first Monday of every month from 7 – 9pm at Drylaw Parish Church, Groathill Road North.

Our next meeting will be held next Monday 2 February – all residents welcome.

For further information contact EDRA secretary Mhairi Curran, email mhairi.curran@hush.ai

Breathing Space Day: stay connected

HAVING good relationships with friends, family or the wider community is important for mental wellbeing. The message to ‘stay connected’ with friends and loved ones will mark national Breathing Space Day on Sunday 1 February.

The annual awareness day is promoted by Breathing Space, Scotland’s mental health phoneline, and is supported by Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn MSP and a number of national organisations.

Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, explained: “Social connections can improve feelings of self-worth, happiness and self-confidence. Relationships and friendships can have a huge positive impact on a person’s sense of wellbeing. Go for that coffee, phone that relative you’ve been meaning to catch up with – talking things through and making that connection can help relieve worries and stresses in your life. Even doing something like volunteering in your local area can improve your sense of connectedness.”

The campaign is being promoted with a touring van featuring prominent messaging supporting the ‘stay connected’ theme.

Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn MSP, said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is crucial. Making space and time for the people that make us happy is one of the best ways of looking after our own mental wellbeing.

“The Breathing Space telephone advice line provides an invaluable service for people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety. It can make such a difference to know that there’s someone there who is willing to listen and offer a sympathetic ear. I’d like to thank the Breathing Space call handlers for the tremendous work they do on a daily basis.”

Coffee mornings, conversations cafes, walks, yoga sessions, football tournaments and relaxation classes are just some of the activities taking place for Breathing Space Day.

Community Football Manager at Elgin City FC Robbie Hope said: “I welcome the opportunity to work with Breathing Space and Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in Moray.

“As a football club we recognise the importance of keeping mentally as well as physically fit. There is a clear link between being physically active and mental health. The more active we are the better mental health we have. We would encourage everyone in Moray to look after their mental health and wellbeing by supporting Breathing Space Day and by getting active, and staying connected with family, friends and people in the community.”

Letter: Unity is strength

Dear Editor

The most important thing for the labour movement is to protect unity: without this, individuals and sections of the population become isolated and open to manipulation, followed by a lowering of their standard of living.

The powers that be continually use the press, radio and television to destroy that unity, attacking all sections of the labour movement whether individuals, the unions or the Labour Party, hoping to achieve and retain political control. In May we have a choice: do we vote Conservative, Lib Dem, Labour?

We know exactly what the Tories have done over the past five years, and what they intend to do. We know more or less exactly how the Lib Dems will perform.

That leaves Labour as the only hope to do what we would like to be done. This is the reason for the powerful campaign against the Labour movement.

Of course at present in Scotland the SNP seems to have attracted many labour movement supporters on the assumption the SNP will better represent the working population, therefore remaining part of the labour movement working for change.

If that is so, then co-operation between the SNP and the Labour Party is essential to throw out the Tories and the Lib Dems everywhere. May 2015 is crunch time; we must not lose this opportunity of getting rid of them.

We need unity now more than ever to save our social and public services on which we all rely. Ukip does not and cannot speak for the working population; it’s policies are conservative, divisive and backward-looking.

A.Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

MP: Edinburgh has no place for prejudice

‘we must fight prejudice and discrimination in our own society from wherever it comes’ – Mark Lazarowicz MP

Local MP Mark Lazarowicz has issued a renewed call to reject prejudice and intolerance. His message comes on Holocaust Memorial Day, which this year marks the 70^thanniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The North & Leith MP said: “I have visited Auschwitz myself and seen the collections of hair, teeth and shoes taken from victims after being transported in cattle trucks to be systematically murdered, starved through slave labour, subject to medical experiments, as if their lives had no value.

“Nazism sought to persecute and murder people on the basis of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political allegiance or disability: to deny the common humanity that unites us.

“The recent horrific events in Paris underline the continuing relevance of Holocaust Memorial Day. The vast numbers in France who marched against intolerance was inspiring and I was moved to stand with French people in the UK at a demonstration in solidarity with the victims and their families.

“Edinburgh, like the rest of the UK, is home to people from so many different countries, religions and ethnic backgrounds and is the stronger for it: we must fight prejudice and discrimination in our own society from wherever it comes.”

Amongst other activities today in Edinburgh, there will be events throughout on the different campuses of Edinburgh College, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day including small displays, a candle lighting ceremony and short films about survivors’ stories.

Countdown: 100 days to General Election

Edinburgh residents are being urged to think about their vote with 100 days until the next UK Parliamentary Election.

People across the capital are being reminded that they will be voting for MPs to represent them at Westminster on Thursday 7 May, when the general election takes place.

More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September, which saw a record-breaking turnout across the country.

While most people who registered to vote in time for the referendum will still be eligible to take part in the UK Parliamentary Election in May, first time voters or anyone who has since moved will need to register again.

Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “It was incredible to see Edinburgh’s huge turnout in the Scottish Independence Referendum and we would like to continue this enthusiasm in the general election.

“No doubt the majority of people who took part in September will be keen to cast their vote in May. Voting should not be a once in a lifetime activity – elections are opportunities to have a say on issues that matter to us all. Anyone who is keen to register or is unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.”

Find out more about voter registration and elections information on the Council website.

Higher and Higher: Ms Constance comes to Craigie!

Minister welcomes increase in provisional entries for Highers

Education Secretary Angela Constance called in at Craigroyston Community High School this morning and welcomed news that a record number of students will be sitting Highers this year.

Ms Constance was welcomed to Craigroyston by senior students Donna Cheyne, Joe Dudgeon, John Gallacher and Rebecca Morton before meeting staff and pupils to hear about the progress being made in introducing new qualifications as part of Curriculum for Excellence.

The introduction of new qualifications is progressing well, with provisional entries for Highers indicating a record high number will be sat this year.

The figure, which follows on from last year’s record number of passes at Higher, was welcomed by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning during her Craigroyston visit.

New Highers have been introduced this year, alongside the existing Higher qualifications for this year only. School departments are able to use this flexibility to phase in the new qualifications in the way that best serves the interests of the pupils. From the 2015/6 school year onwards, all pupils will be studying the new Highers.

The total figure of 217,976 provisional Higher entries this year (across S5 and S6, and including both new and existing Highers) is five per cent up on the corresponding figure from this time last year. This figure comprises 120,557 provisional entries for new Highers, and 97,419 provisional entries for existing Highers.

Ms Constance said: “The ongoing reform of our education system is preparing our young people for the world of work and further and higher education. Scottish education now offers more flexible learning opportunities for our young people and new National qualifications, which were introduced at the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, are now well established.

“In August last year we saw a substantial increase in the number of both Higher entries and Higher passes. I am very pleased that we are again seeing a substantial interest in provisional entries for Higher. It is very positive to see greater numbers of young people aspiring to higher levels of qualifications in our schools.

“This shows that ambition, more than ever, is alive and well in classrooms across Scotland, in no small part thanks to the work of teachers who continue to do an excellent job. This bodes well for Scotland’s economic future.

“We know from provisional entry data from the Scottish Qualifications Authority that significant numbers of those pupils taking Highers this year have been studying the new Highers. We listened to schools who requested flexibility, and we acted. I have seen today how schools are making good use of this flexibility, to phase in the new qualifications in a sensible way.”

PoPP goes North Edinburgh!

Positive Parenting Programme

The first North Incredible Years programmes are detailed below. (Flyer and application form also attached).

Please share this information widely with your colleagues and the parents and carers you work with. Please also consider carefully if any family you are working with would benefit from this support and discuss making an application with them. Please submit any application forms to helena.reid@ea.edin.sch.uk

West Pilton & North West

Circle Haven Project Craigroyston Primary School

Wednesdays, 9-11.30am from 25 February. Crèche available.

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre Pilton Drive North

Thursdays 12.30-2.30pm from 26 February. Crèche available.

Leith & North East

Craigentinny Early Years Centre, Craigentinny Primary, 4 Loganlea Drive, EH7 6LR

Thursdays 9-11.30am from 5 March. Crèche available.

For further info contact Helena Reid helena.reid@ea.edin.sch.uk or calling 07795127954. Helena would also be happy to arrange an awareness raising session with any staff team.

PoPP leaflet

PoPP for Parents Application Form