A statutory consultation on a proposal to relocate Victoria Primary School to a new building in the Western Harbour and undertake catchment changes in the Western Harbour and North Leith areas of the city has begun. The public consultation period will run until 5pm on Friday 17 March. Continue reading Victoria Primary on the move?
Young Scot competition offers chance of a lifetime for young women
Aspiring young women aged between 18 and 23 will have the chance to be mentored by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The competition, run by Young Scot, will see the successful candidate receive mentoring from the First Minister over a one year period.
The First Minister yesterday called on women in leadership roles to follow her example and become mentors, helping to create a generation of future leaders and greater gender balance in their organisations.
Speaking at the diversity on private sector boards joint partnership event with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, the FM said:
“Equality for women is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s vision for an equal Scotland. My ambition for all our young people is that they will have a fair chance to succeed, and if they work hard and have the ability, there’s nothing to stop them realising their dreams. It is not acceptable in 2017 for women to be under-represented in senior positions, including in the boardroom.
“That is why our Programme for Government contains ambitious commitments in support of women’s equality, including legislating for gender balance on public sector boards, creating a new Advisory Council on Women and Girls and piloting a Returners Project.
“One of my first actions on becoming First Minister was to appoint a gender-balanced cabinet. Since then, through initiatives such as 50/50 by 2020 and the Scottish Business Pledge, more than 300 businesses in Scotland have committed to achieve gender equality on their boards – and for the first time ever more than half of public sector board appointees are women.
“As well as this, I’m determined to play my personal part by becoming a mentor and I would urge other women in leadership roles to do the same. Together, we can be female role models for the next generation and encourage and empower young women to discover their own leadership potential.”
Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot said: “Supporting young people in realising their career potential and meeting their ambitions is the responsibility of every leader in Scotland. Mentoring is a powerful way of helping young people achieve their goals and will help to create a new generation of positive role models to inspire other young women in the future.
“We’re delighted to support the First Minister and the Scottish Government with this new mentoring programme and we are encouraging as many young women from across Scotland as possible to apply for this amazing opportunity.”
Details of the initiative will be announced soon.
Scottish Green MSPs say the launch of a further wave of consultation by Edinburgh Airport is “pointless” given the strong public opposition to expansion plans. Continue reading Airport consultation ‘pointless’, say Greens
Schools in Edinburgh will benefit from a £7,472,400 funding boost as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to improve standards in schools, it has been revealed. The share each school is due to receive from the Scottish Government’s new £120 million Pupil Equity Fund has been revealed by Deputy First Minister John Swinney. Continue reading £7 million boost for Edinburgh schools
Celebrating ‘new brutalism’: Leith’s Cables Wynd House to get A listed status
Historic Environment Scotland has decided to recognise Leith’s iconic Cables Wynd House – the ‘Banana Flats’ – and neighbouring Linksview House at Category A, meaning they are of ‘national or international’ importance. Continue reading A-rated Bananas!
Today has been hectic at MUIRHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTRE as we Hosted an NHS Wellbeing Seminar (with catering), a Progress meeting for Urban Union, the Sunshine Club and a training session for Muirhouse Housing Association, then the Girls Club (writes JAMES McGINTY). We rounded the day off with Jackie’s prize Bingo at 7.00pm. A very tiring day for the Manager And His Volunteers!
Police are appealing for information following a robbery in Corstorphine in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Continue reading Appeal after Corstorphine assault and robbery
The ‘ArtRoots fund’ is still live but you must get those applications in soon!
This is a Sustrans fund for grants of between £100 – £1,500 for community groups to improve sections of the National Cycle Network with aesthetic improvements such as sculptures, landscaping, benches, murals and so on. It is open to applications until 10th February 2017 with all funding to be spent this financial year.
See below for details:
Community Council re-established in Drylaw Telford
Drylaw Telford, Craigmillar and Old Town Community Councils have now been established following a successful nomination period last month. Nominations closed on Monday and the three community councils now form part of a network of 45 community councils established across the city.
Community councils are made up of local residents and community groups such as youth forums, parent councils and student bodies. Each one is represented on the Neighbourhood Partnership for the area, where they work with local elected members, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Lothian and the voluntary sector to identify and deliver local priorities.
Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhood Committee, said: “This is a great achievement for the communities of Craigmillar, Drylaw Telford and Old Town.
“Community councils support communities to thrive and bring people together to make change happen. I look forward to hearing of the achievements that will follow in these areas.”
For more information on community councils visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/
St Columba’s Hospice has launched a new film about the services it provides and how it helps patients and families. The film is being launched as part of a year-long programme of activities to mark 40 years since the Hospice opened. Continue reading St Columba’s launches film to mark 40 years of care
