Autumn has arrived and carersorganisation VOCAL is urging carers to visit their GP for a free flu jab, which all unpaid adult and young carers in Scotland are entitled to though the NHS. Continue reading Free flu jabs for carers
Month: October 2016
Heritage Angels Awards winners announced
A project to collect and record bricks, the restoration of a WWI memorial in Orkney, and a television channel run by young people to highlight an archaeological dig, were amongst the winners revealed at the second annual Scottish Heritage Angels Awards, held in Edinburgh last week. Continue reading Heritage Angels Awards winners announced
Saltire shortlists announced
Multi-award winning writers and household names Irvine Welsh, James Kelman and Jenni Fagan feature alongside emerging talents Chitra Ramaswamy and Martin MacInnes in the shortlists for the 2016 Saltire Literary awards, unveiled on Thursday. Continue reading Saltire shortlists announced
Brexit: time to talk
Prime Minister Theresa May will make the offer of a new official forum, to be chaired by David Davis, to the leaders of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments today.
It follows the pledge the Prime Minister made in her first weeks in office that she was fully committed to engaging with the devolved administrations as the government delivers on the verdict of the UK people in their vote to leave the EU.
In the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee for 2 years, the Prime Minister will say the government is ready to listen to proposals put forward by political leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as she renegotiates the UK’s relationship with the EU.
She has made clear that strategies taken forward must protect and advance the needs of all people.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “I am determined that as we make a success of our exit from the European Union, we in turn further strengthen our own enduring union.
“The great union between us has been the cornerstone of our prosperity in the past – and it is absolutely vital to our success in the future.
“The country is facing a negotiation of tremendous importance and it is imperative that the devolved administrations play their part in making it work. The new forum I am offering will be the chance for them all to put forward their proposals on how to seize the opportunities presented by Brexit and deliver the democratic decision expressed by the people of the UK.
If the devolved governments accept the offer of formal discussions, a new sub-committee of the Joint Ministerial Committee will be established, chaired by David Davis and attended by nominees put forward by the devolved governments.”
The Prime Minister will offer a first meeting by the end of November and at least one more by Christmas as negotiations progress before Article 50 is triggered by the end of March.
She is also set to discuss the government’s position on the EU exit strategy. The Prime Minister is expected to say that, contrary to some speculation, no final decisions have been taken and that how the UK leaves the EU will not boil down to a binary choice.
And she will tell Nicola Sturgeon, Carwyn Jones, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness that she and Brexit secretary David Davis will listen to any proposals made.
David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland, Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales and James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will be attending the Joint Ministerial Committee.
The new forum for government discussion, to be known as the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations), will place the devolved administrations on a formal footing for discussions and allow them to voice the views of the governments they lead as negotiations progress.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Russell, Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, laid out Holyrood’s position yesterday and said the Scotland must be treated as an equal partner in negotiations with the EU.
Scottish Ministers will expect Prime Minister Theresa May and the UK Government to demonstrate how they intend to deliver on their commitment to involve the Scottish Government fully in discussions to develop an agreed UK approach and listen to alternative proposals for Scotland at today’s meeting.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Russell said: “The UK Government needs to understand there is a triple mandate to maintain Scotland’s relationship with, and place in, Europe. The clearly-expressed views of the people of Scotland, the democratically elected Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament all need to be respected.
“But four months on from the referendum we have yet to see a proposal from the UK Government on how the views of people in Scotland will be taken into account.
“The Scottish Government is becoming increasingly concerned that the UK is heading for a hard Brexit with all the damage that will bring to the Scottish and UK economies.
“The Prime Minister has set the clock ticking and the UK Government must use the time before triggering article 50 to engage properly with all the devolved administrations and show that they are willing and able to treat Scotland as an equal partner.
“A majority of people in Scotland voted to maintain their relationship with Europe and we expect to see the UK Government take account of that and to formulate an agreed negotiating position.
“We will continue to pursue all options to protect Scotland’s interests, including working with other devolved administrations and other parties to drive the UK away from the cliff edge of a hard Brexit and putting forward our own proposals for a different approach for Scotland within the UK.
“However, we can make no progress without clarity on what the UK Government wants from Brexit and how it intends to reach an agreement across the UK.”
PoLCATS volunteer for action at seniors event
Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) PoLCATS (Port of Leith Community Action Team) lent a hand at the Older Adults event at Meadowbank Sports Centre this week. The event was hosted by Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well project in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and Pilmeny Development Project (PDP). Continue reading PoLCATS volunteer for action at seniors event
Council leader Andrew Burns urges citizens to have their say
What’s great about Edinburgh? What could be better? What should the city be like in the year 2050? These are the questions we’ve been asking as we develop a ‘2050 Edinburgh City Vision’. We have much to be proud of here in the Capital but we do need to start thinking seriously about what we want Edinburgh to look like in 10, 20, even 30 years’ time. It’s important to note that this will not be a Council vision; rather officers’ role will be to facilitate and support citywide collaboration and debate. Already, people from all corners and sectors of the city have been having their say. Our launch event at Cortex HQ, attended by more than 100 guests, has been reported widely in the media and continues to be hotly debated on social media. Indeed, #edinburgh2050 trended on Twitter, reaching more than a million people! If you haven’t already, please have your say by answering our three simple questions at Edinburgh.org/2050 and on social media @edinburgh using #Edinburgh2050. |
Councillor Andrew Burns Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council |
Play your part in improving our services
Please help us to improve our services by playing your part in our public engagement, which runs until 18 November. You can do this by completing our survey and/or contributing your ideas via our dialogue page.
Thanks to your previous feedback, we have already agreed draft spending and saving plans for the next three years and this year’s engagement is focusing on three themes, namely: new ways of working, lean and agile services and working with partners.
Following the success of previous years, we are running another ‘Question Time’ event on 10 November in the City Chambers. This is designed to give you the opportunity to quiz our panel of senior councillors on the Council’s budget proposals for next year and beyond.
The proceedings will be chaired by Evening News, Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday Deputy Editor, Euan McGrory. It will also be broadcast live via the Council website. If you would like to put a question to the panel, or just come along and be part of the audience,please register online by 7 November.
VOCAL: Caring for carers – events and courses
Caring in the City – Friday 28 October
VOCAL’s Caring in the City events are about connecting carers with support and services for themselves and the person they care for. Our next event is at Pilrig Church on Friday 28th October from 10am-4pm and includes free workshops, information and refreshments available all day.
Upcoming courses for carers:
Spaces are still available on the following courses – all free to unpaid carers living in Edinburgh:
- Help to Adapt (Tues 25 Oct) – find out about support to make home adaptations to suit the needs of the person you support.
- Falls prevention (Tues 1 Nov) – a practical course for carers looking at preventing falls and what to do if someone has a fall.
- Start your own family tree (Wed 2 & 9 Nov) – learn how to start researching and mapping your family tree.
- Plan Christmas on your tablet device (Wed 2-16 Nov) – have a bit of fun learning how to make the most of your tablet device to save money on gifts, plan your decor and a delicious menu this festive season.
View all courses and events and register online on the Carer Events website or download our latest carer events programme here.
Breaking down barriers
FM to reaffirm Scotland’s commitment to disability inclusion
The needs of disabled people will remain at the forefront of policy making in Scotland following the devolution of new powers from Westminster, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will say on Tuesday. Continue reading Breaking down barriers
Health Project’s AGM date set
Dear All,
You are warmly invited to attend our AGM on Tuesday 22nd November, 2016 – 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Robertson Trust Suite, Spartans.
If you would like to stay for lunch following the meeting would you please let us know by 15th November, 2016.
Many thanks,
Gillian Harrold
Administrative Officer, Pilton Community Health Project
Tel: 0131 551 1671
Email: admin@pchp.org.uk
Web: www.pchp.org.uk
Like us on Facebook for regular updates www.facebook.com/PiltonCommunityHealthProject
North Edinburgh Arts AGM on Tuesday
North Edinburgh Arts Invites you to an Annual General Meeting
To be held at
North Edinburgh Arts
15a Pennywell Court
Edinburgh, EH4 4TZ
On Tuesday 25th October at 12 noon
Soup and sandwiches will be served at 12.30pm
Creche available on request
Come and hear about the work of NEA, plans for the next three years, and have an opportunity to share your ideas for the organisation with us.
To RSVP and reserve a creche space call Sandra on 0131 315 2151
or email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk