An Edinburgh chef is to challenge to retain his title as “Hotel Chef of the Year” after winning his regional heat for the Scottish Hotel Awards. Alan Dickson, who is just 29 years old, is Head Chef at No 10 Restaurant within Ten Hill Place Hotel, which is run by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) in the heart of the capital’s Old Town. Continue reading Award-winning chef goes for second helpings!
Month: February 2018
Dive in for a Positive Destination!
Free course on offer to 16-24 year olds
Edinburgh Leisure is looking to recruit motivated, enthusiastic and reliable young people aged 16-24 years old, who have a passion for swimming and sport for the next Positive Destinations In2Aquatics course. Continue reading Dive in for a Positive Destination!
Blackhall Community Trust consults on designs for Ravelston Park Pavilion
Blackhall Community Trust Public Consultation on exciting new designs for Ravelston Park Pavilion in Ravelston Park! Continue reading Blackhall Community Trust consults on designs for Ravelston Park Pavilion
Jumble Sale at Broughton FP Rugby Club
Broughton FP Rugby Club, Granton Road
Looking for a bargain and amazingly cheap stuff?
Come along to the Broughton FP Rugby club Jumble Sale!
You will find low cost, high quality treasures!… Clothes, books, movies, household items, etc…
Where: Broughton FP Rugby Club, Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 3NJ
When: Saturday March 10th, 8am — 11am.
Teas & Coffee available
Free to all that love a bargain!
Arts Strategy Lunch at North Edinburgh Arts
Show some respect: Holyrood action on ‘hated’ benefits assessments
Scottish Greens yesterday successfully pushed for a duty to be placed on government to consider existing evidence before ordering additional assessments for devolved social security benefits.
Assessments for the controversial Personal Independence Payment, which thousands of Scots have been called for, can be stressful and humiliating and in many cases not necessary because there is sufficient existing medical and other evidence.
At a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee, the Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman, accepted the intention of the amendment from Alison Johnstone MSP and pledged to work with her to implement its intentions before the Bill passes, likely this summer.
Speaking after the meeting, Lothian MSP Ms Johnstone, said: “If we are to found this new system on the principles of dignity and respect, then we should protect applicants from unnecessary assessments that cause distress.
“I am pleased to hear that the Scottish Government accept the principle of my amendment, and have agreed to work with me to ensure the final bill enshrines a duty for existing evidence to be considered by the Scottish Government before an assessment can be ordered.”
Citizens Advice Scotland describe such a move as “the highest priority for the Scottish social security system”.
The move comes after two earlier successes. The Scottish Social Security system will now include a principle that social security should reduce poverty, as a result of a Green amendment now passed.
Also as a result of a Green amendment, the Scottish Government has now recognised the unfair situation faced by carers who care for more than one person. Alison Johnstone has raised the issue that Carer’s Allowance claimants who care for more than one person yet receive no recognition of this. This can mean that some carers miss out on the support altogether.
Jeane Freeman said: “I fully appreciate the point that Ms Johnstone makes, and the fact that many of Scotland’s carers are splitting their hours of care between more than one person and might be missing out on support despite having significant caring responsibilities.
“I am also sympathetic to the principle that we should recognise a wider range of caring situations and ensure that we are providing support to those who need it. I want to ensure that we fully support carers, as I know Ms Johnstone does.”
Alison Johnstone added: “Greens are helping to build a fairer Scotland. As a result of Green action, the new social security system will have the overriding aim to reduce poverty and the Scottish Government has pledged to look at the situation facing people who have multiple caring responsibilities, which Greens raised.
And today, the Scottish Government has accepted the Green manifesto pledge to significantly reduce the number of unfair benefits assessments by making better use of existing evidence.”
Macpherson MSP said that SNP Scottish Government amendments passed yesterday were ground-breaking in ensuring anyone challenging a decision on their social security entitlements will not experience a gap in financial support.
Local SNP MSP Ben Macpherson, who sits on Holyrood’s Social Security Committee said: “Amendments brought forward by Minister for Social Security Jeane Freeman mean that through short-term assistance payments, people will continue to have financial support when redeterminations or appeals are undertaken.
“This is an extremely positive and ground-breaking move that will ensure any claimant wishing to challenge decisions about their benefits entitlements will not be faced with suddenly having no financial support while their appeal is made.
“This means that, unlike the current DWP system, no-one will face the cliff-edge of suddenly losing much needed benefits while they wait for decisions to be taken about their future payments.
“The Scottish Government is making clear on the face of the Social Security Bill that nobody will be left in the lurch, or be pushed into crisis, while an independent body scrutinises their appeals, and their payments will be maintained at the original level throughout any such appeal.
“This will be an extremely important and positive function of a Social Security System in Scotland that is embedded in dignity and respect and with peoples’ right to social security firmly at its heart – and I am proud to have played my part in shaping it.”
Funding boost for outdoor learning
The number of hours nursery children spend outdoors is set to increase, Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Maree Todd, has announced. Inspiring Scotland will receive £862,550 to encourage and support greater use of outdoor learning in the early years. Continue reading Funding boost for outdoor learning
Creative Scotland funding process ‘completely unsatisfactory’, says Holyrood committee
![](https://i0.wp.com/nen.press/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Bambert_Book_of_Lost_Stories-c.-Jon-Green.jpg?resize=660%2C440&ssl=1)
‘Completely unsatisfactory’ is the view of a Scottish Parliament Committee on hearing Creative Scotland’s response to questions about its Regular Funding process. Continue reading Creative Scotland funding process ‘completely unsatisfactory’, says Holyrood committee
Crimea four years on
On the night of 22 February 2014, the most powerful men in Russia gathered in the Kremlin and resolved to seize Crimea from Ukraine (writes Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP). Continue reading Crimea four years on
Council sets budget – and approves cuts of £28 million
The City of Edinburgh Council will continue to prioritise frontline services for young, older and vulnerable residents while making necessary savings under the 2018/19 budget, which was set today. Continue reading Council sets budget – and approves cuts of £28 million