Month: June 2017

Grenfell tragedy: latest update

Communities Secretary Angela Constance said on Friday: “This week, we asked local authorities to give us further information about their high rise domestic buildings. They have reported that they have over 500 high rise domestic buildings in their areas.

“All 32 local authorities have advised the Scottish Government that no council or housing association high rise domestic buildings have the type of cladding reported to have been used in the Grenfell tower – Aluminium Composite Material (ACM). 

“24 Local Authorities have also reported to us that no privately owned high rise domestic buildings have ACM cladding.  The remainder are completing their investigations as a matter of urgency.”

A further update will follow the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety next week.

Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said yesterday:

Ever since the appalling tragedy at Grenfell Tower on Wednesday 14 June, the government has been working very closely with local authorities, housing associations, and the private sector to ensure the safety of high-rise buildings.

We provided advice to all social landlords on 22 June about interim safety measures that should be taken immediately where it has been determined that a building has Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding that is unlikely to be compliant with the requirements of the current Building Regulations. This guidance was recommended by an independent panel of experts and includes advice on the 3 emerging findings from the Metropolitan Police investigation into Grenfell Tower.

A combustibility testing programme for ACM cladding is running around the clock at the Building Research Establishment (BRE). This is able to test 100 samples a day – and if needed, yet further laboratory capacity could be provided.

So far the cladding from 34 high-rise buildings, in 17 local authority areas, has failed the combustibility test. All landlords and fire and rescue services for those local authorities have been alerted to the results and we are in touch with all 17 areas to support and monitor follow-up action. The landlords for all the affected buildings are taking action to inform tenants and implement the interim safety measures needed. Areas affected include the city of Manchester, Camden, Plymouth, Hounslow, Portsmouth, Barnet and Brent.

The fact that all samples so far have failed the tests underlines the value of the testing programme we have set up with the Building Research Establishment to get samples checked properly in the laboratories.

It is therefore very important for local authorities and housing associations to continue to submit such samples as a matter of urgency.

In the meantime, local authorities are contacting fire and rescue services in their area to conduct fire safety inspections of these tower blocks to inform them on what remedial works might be required.

We expect that authorities and landlords are very sensibly giving the highest priority to buildings with which they have most concern. But we should not be in the position where buildings have such cladding on them. How this occurred – and preventing this from happening again – is likely to be a key question for the public inquiry.

We are now rapidly identifying buildings of concern: samples are being tested very quickly; fire inspectors are checking the safety of the buildings as a whole; and we have issued interim safety guidance to help action that is being taken by local authorities, landlords, and fire and rescue services to mitigate risk and start addressing any defects that have been found.

It is important to stress that cladding itself is not dangerous, but it is important that the right type is used. Also, a failure in testing of the cladding does not necessarily mean that a building will have to be evacuated; the decision by Camden Council to evacuate 4 of the 5 towers on the Chalcots Estate was because the failed testing of the external cladding was compounded by multiple other fire safety failures which the fire inspection team found within the buildings.

Obviously, those residents in Camden who had to be asked to leave their homes at such short notice have had a distressing experience; I have to express deep admiration for the calm and stoicism with which so many have handled this.

I understand that the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, and now the evacuation in Camden, will be particularly worrying for those living in high-rise towers. However, fire safety standards are in place in buildings across this country and landlords are obliged by law to meet them – in both private rented and social housing. Individuals are no more likely to experience a fire now than before, but everyone should remain vigilant to the risk.

It is the responsibility of the landlords and freeholders to advise their residents what to do in the event of a fire in the building, based on the findings of their risk assessment. We are making sure that authorities and landlords have all the latest advice and support available as quickly as possible.

See below for advice on information on multi-storey fire safety

multi_storey_fire_safety

Ministers send good wishes at Eid al-Fitr 2017

Senior Westminster politicians send Eid greetings to the UK’s 3 million Muslims

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “I send my warmest good wishes to Muslims here in the United Kingdom, and right around the world, who are celebrating the festival of Eid al-Fitr.

For more than three million British Muslims, who make a huge and valued contribution to our national life, Eid is a truly special time.

Coming after the prayer and deep reflection of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid is a joyous occasion, to be celebrated with family and friends.

In the UK, we rightly take pride in being an open and diverse multi-ethnic and multi-faith democracy.

Over the last month, many British Muslims have shared with neighbours of all faiths and of none the holy practices of Ramadan – from doing charitable work to help in the local community, to coming together to break fast at the end of the day.

This spirit of fellowship and service lies at the heart of every great faith, and it is something around which we can all unite.

Sadly this month has also seen some dark and tragic events, including the truly appalling attack outside the Finsbury Park mosque.

It was the second terrorist attack on the streets of our capital city this month, and it was every bit as sickening as those which came before it.

Attacks like that seek to drive us apart, and our response to them must be to stand even closer together, united, to affirm that hatred and evil will never succeed.

So in that spirit of unity – and on behalf of the whole British people – let me wish you a happy a peaceful celebration.

Eid Mubarak.”

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also wished “Eid Mubarak” to all Muslims

“I wish a happy and peaceful Eid to all Muslims in the UK and across the world as they gather with their families to celebrate and mark the end of Ramadan. British Muslims make a vital contribution to all aspects of our society and have helped to shape the vibrant and successful democracy that we have in the UK today.

“Our shared values and belief in freedom and liberty across all religions is what makes the UK so special and it is more important than ever that we remember that in light of the recent tragedies our country has experienced.

“My thoughts are with those who, because of their circumstances, may be unable to celebrate Eid al-Fitr this year. We continue to work with our friends and partners for peace across the Muslim world, and in particular for an end to the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. To them we offer our thoughts and prayers.

“Eid Mubarak to all.”

College photographers score with new Hibs kit

Two Edinburgh College photography students Suzi Kerr and Jimmy Reid were recently commissioned to shoot the new Hibernian Football Club 2017-18 kit. The shoot took place at the The Biscuit Factory, off Bonnington Road.

Greig Mailer, communications and marketing director for Hibernian Football Club said: “Through the Hibernian Community Foundation, the club has a strong relationship with Edinburgh College. The launch of the kit is vital and the club was extremely pleased with the contribution made by Suzi and Jimmy in producing an outstanding series of images for our campaign. The standard of photography being produced by the college Creative Industries department is a credit to the college and we would recommend Suzi and Jimmy’s talents to other clients in the future.”

The Hibernian Community Foundation sponsored the Edinburgh College Photography EXPOSED 17 exhibition at Out of the Blue, part of the college’s Glow festival.

Photography student Suzi Kerr said: “Being given this opportunity at the end of the HND course really cemented the hard work put in through the last two years. It was an honour to be asked to showcase our talents through the kit launch and especially for a club with such strong ties to the creative industries department.”

 

General Election ’17: What if the Greens had stood?

LUKE CAMPBELL reckons we could have seen some different results had the Greens contested more seats in the recent general election …

In the 2017 snap General Election the Scottish Green Party fielded just three candidates – Lorna Slater contested Edinburgh North and Leith, Patrick Harvie (Co-convenor and List MSP for Glasgow Region) stood in Glasgow North, and Debra Pickering was the first ever Green candidate in Falkirk for a UK parliamentary election.  Continue reading General Election ’17: What if the Greens had stood?

Edinburgh Leisure launches fundraising challenge

Edinburgh Leisure is inviting people to sign up to their first ever public fundraising event – the ‘Jump In Swim Challenge’, which begins on 1 September. Swimmers who take up the challenge will stroke, crawl and paddle for 30 days whilst raising vital funds to give local nursery school pupils affected by poverty the chance to learn to swim, an opportunity that many of these children do not have. Continue reading Edinburgh Leisure launches fundraising challenge

Moments in Time: blind artist’s work on display in Embo Cafe

‘Moments in Time’, a series of paintings based on remembered cinema moments in time by Edinburgh blind artist Alan McIntyre.

Alan has had a lifelong passion for art until he was diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition. He gave up painting for years as he thought that there was no point in trying to continue.

After his diagnosis, however, Alan then joined the local RNIB Hillside art group at Hillside Crescent as a way back into painting. It is a tutored class where you have the freedom to find what kind of art you want to do with support and encouragement from an experienced artist and volunteers.

Alan also attends regular audio described gallery tours of the National Galleries exhibitions in Edinburgh. In conjunction with participating in many exciting tours and events that have been created by ARTLINK Edinburgh & Lothians. Artlink is an arts and disability organisation that encourages and creates opportunities for the participation in the arts for anyone with a disability. (http://www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk/).

These have all encouraged Alan to restart and continue to make art again. Alan has had photographs exhibited in shows where there were tactile copies of the work alongside the pictures. These images are made from ‘Swell paper’ and have raised lines that can be felt and enjoyed by blind or sighted alike.

Alan said: “I am interested in trying to show art that is more accessible for those with sight problems. We had an audio described tour on mp3 of a show called Hidden Art in Patriothall Gallery. We had presented different photo images of sculptures in Edinburgh which are in the public but can be often forgotten and overlooked as we pass them every day. We also had a very large braille map of Edinburgh that located the sculptures. Interesting that fully sighted visitors could work out where the sculptures were by just seeing the black raised lines of the map as there was no text.”

He has also co-founded the art group VIEW (visually impaired experimental works). This is a project to collaborate with sighted and visually impaired artists. Alan is now registered blind, but still has limited sight which he uses to keep making art.

He went on: “There are very few people who are blind who cannot actually see anything. When I was fully sighted then I would not have had the courage to exhibit art work. I did not paint for years and had taken my sight for granted and should have painted more when my sight was ok. In a strange way I feel that my sight loss, has made me want to challenge myself to work more to show that if you enjoy doing something then don’t let your own negative assumptions control you. Now I only see a continuous chance for experimenting with different textures, materials, processes or ideas to still keep making art.”

Technology helps a lot now and Alan uses accessible technology like an iPhone which has speech to read websites or special speech software on the PC to make his website and keep in touch with friends or to promote his art shows.

“My changing sight makes doing any work like this very time consuming and while technology is helpful. Getting help from a helper at the Hillside art group is always appreciated. Making art is such a satisfying, sometimes frustrating, but overall very rewarding thing to do. I hope that if you have a visual impairment and like to paint or draw then nothing should stop you from enjoying the different audio described tours around the museums or galleries in Edinburgh.  Or from joining an art class like the RNIB. In association with the kind folks at Art Space to let who are a great charity who help new artists. http://www.as2l.org/.

Alan’s work can be viewed in an exhibition at the Embo Cafe on Haddington Place  

Celine shines at Scottish Charity Awards

The Yard’s Celine is leading light at Charity Awards 

Charities and individuals from across Scotland have been recognised for the life-changing difference they make at the 2017 Scottish Charity Awards, which took place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last night. Among the winners was The Yard’s Celine Sinclair, who won the Leading Light award. Continue reading Celine shines at Scottish Charity Awards

Concerns as children’s ward at St John’s to close to in-patients

“We are committed to reinstating the full service as soon as possible after the summer.”

The children’s ward at St John’s Hospital in Livingston is to close to in-patients from 7 July due to staffing problems. NHS Lothian insists the closure is not permanent, but say that a reduction in opening hours ‘is the safest option for the children of West Lothian’ over summer. The children’s ward has been closed before due to staff shortages. Continue reading Concerns as children’s ward at St John’s to close to in-patients