Month: January 2018

Ensuring no child is left behind: Cllr Ian Perry speaks out on the city council’s schools review

Education Convener Councillor Ian Perry explained the benefits of larger schools as part of the current review into west and south west Edinburgh schools in yesterday’s Edinburgh Evening News:

There has been a lot of debate over the proposals for changes to schools in the west and south west of the city over the past six weeks.

Much of the focus has been on the potential impact any changes might have on local communities but it’s important to highlight the benefits that state of the art schools of an optimum size can bring for pupils and communities.

Everyone agrees that we must prioritise the learning needs of all our young people and focus on our aspirations for them and future generations – we are not talking about the educational impact over the next six years but the next sixty years.

Larger and newer schools can provide enhanced opportunities on site for all pupils both within and out with the curriculum. More pupils mean more staff so the curriculum choice can be expanded with extra subjects and advanced levels on offer to increase their learning experience. A wider curriculum, increased sporting facilities and opportunities for more varied cultural/social clubs can only be of benefit for our pupils. Over three quarters of our high school pupils, around 15,000 young people, are currently or soon will be educated in new or refurbished buildings.

Active links with special schools, such as those between Currie Community High and Woodlands, would still be maintained and where possible enhanced. Myself and my Vice Convener, Councillor Alison Dickie, have already met with the Woodlands head teacher and members of the parent council to reassure them.

Some questions have been raised that suggest vulnerable pupils may not be supported in a larger school.  This is not borne out by the experiences of our other larger schools in the city. We saw this on a recent visit to a 1,200 pupil high school with inclusion and nurture spaces that allow those pupils who need additional support a place where they can feel safe and be supported.

Everyone should remember that we are only at the informal consultation stage with the review and I want to repeat our appeal to hear people’s ideas and solutions. As part of that process we will hold events at schools later this month and in early February which will allow discussion of the ideas proposed with Council officers. An update on the discussions and recommendations about what should happen next will come to the Education, Children and Families Committee in March.

Yes, change brings with it hurdles to overcome but if everyone works together it can only be positive. Where community links presently exist with schools these will be maintained and if possible expanded and new schools, like the one proposed in the west of the city, will have new and strong community links established.

We’re determined to improve attainment and achievement for all and to make sure no child is left behind. The educational outcomes for our young people should be at the heart of our future plans and providing schools that fully meet the needs of our learners is key to our success moving forward.

Full details of the schools review can be found on the Council website.

£330 million from dormant bank accounts to help good causes

Up to £330 million from dormant bank and building society accounts will be used to help the homeless, disadvantaged young people, local charities and other good causes in the UK over the next four years, Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, announced today. Continue reading £330 million from dormant bank accounts to help good causes

Wightman: Government must act on housing repairs to tackle fuel poverty

Fuel poverty will not be eliminated in Scotland until the government takes action to fix the one in two homes that have issues with weather-tightness and structural stability, says a Green MSP. Continue reading Wightman: Government must act on housing repairs to tackle fuel poverty

House plant of the month: Dracaena

The story of Dracaena
Dracaena is a tall, voluminous houseplant or tree with one or more trunks, from which fabulous leaves grow in green, yellow and gold, sometimes with some pink or red. There are many types of leaf: small, delicate and pointy or large and soft. The choice of trunks is also varied: thick, thin, tall, branched and woven. In terms of size, it ranges from a houseplant to an indoor tree, all with a beautiful tropical look. As a statement plant, Dracaena is easy to look after. The plant stores water in the trunk, and can cope if you forget to water it occasionally. The plant also helps keep the air indoors clean. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Dracaena is one of the plants that helps improve the quality of the air in your home.
Origin 
In the wild, Dracaena grows particularly in Africa and adjacent islands such as Madeira, the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands. There are varieties that really do resemble a tree with a trunk, but there are also robust bushy forms which are used as hedges and dividers in hot countries. They can live for a long time, and some species develop a very distinctive shape in the wild which seems to come straight out of primaeval times.
What to look for when buying Dracaena 
  • The taller the plant, the older it is.
  • With trunked Dracaenas check for good roots; the plant must be firmly rooted in the soil.
  • Leaf tips should not be larger than 5 mm.
  • The plant must be free of pests and diseases. Particularly look for mealybug and scale insects and possible stalk borers in the trunks.
  • The tops of the trunk must be sealed in order to prevent rotting caused by moisture.
Range 
Dracaena offers a wide choice of around 80 species and cultivars in various forms. Hence there are plants with a single stem, top cutting, tuft (several plants of one species in a single pot), Ti plant (double-headed plant), branched or woven trunk, plant with underplanting, stump, etc. Dracaena also offers various leaf shapes from narrow to broad and colours from yellow to dark red.
These are the best known varieties: 
– Dracaena marginata cultivars, with narrow 1-2 cm leaves
– Dracaena fragrans cultivars, with broad 5-7 cm leaves
– Dracaena fragrans Compacta Grp, compact structure with 2-3 cm wide leaves
– Dracaena fragrans Deremenis Grp, with 2-3 cm wide leaves
– Dracaena reflexa cultivars, somewhat curved leaves, 2-3 cm wide
– Dracaena sanderiana cultivars, with 2-3 cm wide leaves
– Dracaena surculosa cultivars, with oval spotted leaves.
Care tips for consumers 
  • Dracaena prefers not to be in direct sunlight, but does want a light position in order to keep the markings attractive.
  • Only water when the soil dries out. Dracaena cannot tolerate wet feet.
  • Spraying from time to time keeps the leaves attractive and fresh.
  • Give house plant food once every six weeks in spring and summer. Do not feed in autumn and winter.
  • Dracaena cannot tolerate cold. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 10-13°C.

Makin a Brew produce poetry collection

Craigroyston Parents Poetry Group

Makin a Brew Poetry is a creative project for parents based in North Edinburgh. The group first met through Makin a Brew’s story and music-making sessions at Craigroyston Early Years Centre in the Community High School.

The group is now two years old, as the women themselves explain in the introduction to their new collection of poems:

‘Starting on a dark January morning in 2016, we met together on a Wednesday morning to share stories, drink tea and eat cake!

‘We decided to explore the written word and poetry – something we had never done before. Over the weeks our creative juices flowed and by the time Spring was in the air we had produced many poems, written by both individuals and as a group, along with stories, music, recordings, laughter and sometimes tears.

‘And most of all, strong friendships and a belief in our creative selves.’

Susanne Malcolm, Matilda Hatse, Moira Harvey, Claire Caballero were often joined by others – Karen, Chrsitine, Waa, Callie and more. The Makin’ a Brew group is supported by musician Gica Loening and storyteller Claire McNicol.

On This Ground We Stand

On this ground we stand

Some born on this patch of earth

The Scots tongue a’ around us

Others journeyed here,

Born on distant patch of earth.

But under the same overarching sky

We walk back and forth

through the arched shopping centre

Where pigeons roost

Past the bird boxes

“No cocks allowed” written on one

“Cos them’s the house rules”

What are the house rules on

this little patch of

earth?

Walking along the yellow brick road

To our round table sanctuary

We talk, laugh and hope

for more fairness, love, kindness

On this little patch of earth

Claire McNicol

Our NHS turns 70 this year

2018 sees the 70th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland, with a number of significant milestones and records marking the occasion.

Since its creation on 5 July 1948 the NHS in Scotland has seen a number of important and significant developments, including:

  • In its first year, 15 million prescriptions were dispensed in Scotland – today, the figure is over 103 million with these now being provided free as a result of landmark reforms under this government
  • In 1948 1.2 million people were seen as outpatients – in 2016/17, there were around 4.25 million outpatient attendances
  • In 1948 NHS Scotland employed 22,062 nurses and midwives – today, this has risen to a new record high of over 59,000
  • In 1959 Scotland became a world leader in health education, with the UK’s first nursing and midwifery studies unit set up at Edinburgh University – this year saw the highest ever number of acceptances to study nursing and midwifery at Scottish universities

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Scotland’s NHS has changed significantly in its 70 years, but its best qualities have endured. From the care, compassion, and professionalism of our staff, to remaining a public, universal service based on need – it has been 70 years of striving at all times for the highest possible standards in clinical excellence and patient care,

“The choices, services and outcomes that NHS Scotland provides today would not have been imaginable in 1948, and it keeps adapting, developing and changing. The lesson of the years since its creation is that staying still simply isn’t an option. Through our approach of investment and reform, we will keep driving forward improvements and innovations.

“Everyone will have their own personal stories of what the NHS has done for them – why we must never take our health service for granted. I am delighted to see our NHS reach such a significant anniversary and I hope all of Scotland will join the celebrations this year as we pay tribute to everything it has achieved.”

More information on the NHS in Scotland’s 70th anniversary will be available on http://www.ournhsscotland.com/

Focus on youth at community council meeting

West Pilton West Granton Community Council

Tuesday 9 January, 7pm

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Dear All,

A Happy New Year to you!
Just giving you a heads up that our January meeting will include a discussion led by Ben Macpherson MSP on the subject of crime and young people.
An invitation has been sent to the Police and the Council and to the young people and youth provision in the area to join us in this discussion.
The meeting has been moved to the 9th January to allow Ben and others to attend.
Hope to see you there,
Willie Black (Chair, West Pilton West Granton CC)

Massive public response to ivory sales ban consultation

More than 60,000 people respond to the Government’s proposed ban on ivory sales to help bring an end to elephant poaching

There has been a massive public response to the Government’s proposed ban on ivory sales – with over 60,000 responses to the public consultation, making it one of Defra’s most popular ever. Of the responses analysed so far the overwhelming majority support a ban. In the past week more than 30,000 responses were submitted before the consultation closed. Continue reading Massive public response to ivory sales ban consultation

Lord Provost looks ahead

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross reflected on 2017 and shared his hopes for  2018 in yesterday’s Evening News …

Following another record-breaking year for Edinburgh’s festivals, our Hogmanay festivities certainly provided a stellar end to a superb 70th anniversary year.

As the world’s festival capital and a city which prides itself on its reputation as the home of Hogmanay, it is great to see the Edinburgh Evening News print today’s special New Year’s Day edition. Indeed, you are the first readers to hold a copy of this paper dated 1 January for over a century!

When this paper first went to print, the year was 1873. Sculptor William Brodie was working on a new statue to honour Edinburgh’s most loyal four-legged friend, Greyfriars Bobby, which would be unveiled later that year. The Scottish Rugby Union and Scottish Football Association were being formed for the first time, while a young Elsie Inglis grew up in India, yet to set foot in Edinburgh and influence medics across the nation.

Now, in 2018, we’ve seen our local paper continue to report on turning points in the capital’s history. Over the last 12 months alone, highlights have included the opening of the new Queensferry Crossing, our third bridge across the Forth, one built in each of the last three centuries. Photos have documented works to rebuild a new St James Centre fit for 21st Century Edinburgh, while reporters have covered the beginning of a new Council coalition administration and the crucial securing of a City Region Deal, which will enable Edinburgh and our neighbouring councils to finance important infrastructure projects and new homes for the future.

With a growing economy and an expanding population, it is so important for a city like Edinburgh to plan ahead and, in the year ahead, I hope to read more about citizens’ ambitions for their city – not just for the coming year, but for the coming decades. As part of this, we will continue to promote the creation of a vision for 2050. One which all of us can buy into and help make a reality. Already we have heard from citizens from all corners of the city about the type of place Edinburgh should be, but we need to engage everyone to make sure we get it right. So, when you make your own new year’s resolutions today, I urge you to make one for Edinburgh too. A greener city? A fairer city? Why not let us know at edinburgh.org/2050.

I also appreciate that this is a time of year which can be very hard for many people in the city, and there are urgent social issues which need to be addressed right now. That is why one of my personal priorities for 2018 will be to work with businesses and partners to build on the work of the OneCity Trust. On Saturday night, every torch lit for the Torchlight Procession provided funds towards the Trust, which works to tackle inequality across the city. One look at the photos of the torches blazing an amber trail through the city, is an indication of money raised. Yet, more needs to be done and later this month, I hope to do my part and raise thousands of pounds through my first Lord Provost’s Burns Supper in aid of the OneCity Trust.

This time of year can be particularly difficult for families with loved ones in the armed forces, and for those veterans who have returned from service. Last year I signed the Lothian Armed Forces and Veterans Covenant agreement, to improve support for the military community. I hope to see that work continue, to give stability to every member of the armed forces in Edinburgh and beyond and their families. This year, I also aim to make sure Edinburgh hosts fitting commemorations to mark the end of the centenary of WW1. You can be sure this will be a key moment for the city for 2018.

And, while Greyfriars Bobby remains a permanent reminder of his story, and how the city rallied together all those years ago to remember him with a statue, I think we all know it is time for a new tribute. One which will honour a woman who did so much for the city, for the country, for the war effort and for equality. She set foot in Edinburgh at age 14 having arrived from India, just a few years since that very first edition of the Evening News.

Let’s make 2018 the year we fundraise enough to add Edinburgh’s inspiring Elsie Inglis to the list of the very few women honoured with statues in our city. The campaign needs the people and businesses of Edinburgh’s help if we are to make it happen. If you can, please donate here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/elsie.

Best wishes to everyone, and Happy New Year.

Frank

Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh