Month: September 2018

Letters: Murky side of Fringe is no laughing matter

Dear Editor

As we enter September and local residents begin to feel comfortable venturing back into Edinburgh’s city centre, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on some of the lesser publicised issues of the many festivals hosted during August by the Scottish capital.
Whilst many celebrated the wealth of incredible domestic and international talents on show at The Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival, record ticket sales for a sixth successive year, and an unprecedented number of visitors, the exploitative practices of many employers and local landlords were once again hidden in plain sight.
As noted during the Scottish Socialist Party’s fantastic Wheel of Misfortune event (Saturday 25th August 2018), staff at several festival venues earned mere pennies per hour, whilst year-round tenants faced being turfed out of their homes in favour of more lucrative profits to be made thanks to the largely unregulated official festival partner AirBnB.
Whilst there is much to enjoy for those able to afford tickets to witness the musical, comedic, and literary talents brought to our city, should it be permitted to take priority over local communities?
Thanks to pivotal work from not only the Scottish Socialist Party, but also the Fair Fringe, and Living Rent Campaign, worker exploitation, intimidating workplace practices – such as replacing paid posts with ‘volunteers’ (thus avoiding worker rights) – and the disgraceful treatment of many year-round tenants are rapidly coming to light.
Luke Campbell (by email)

FM outlines “a clear vision of the kind of country we want to be”

A major reform of mental health services, investment in infrastructure and legislation to underpin a Scottish National Investment Bank are at the forefront of the Scottish Government’s priorities for the year ahead. Continue reading FM outlines “a clear vision of the kind of country we want to be”

EVOC says thanks to Edinburgh’s voluntary organisations

Today is the International Day of Charity, and to mark the occasion Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) staff, along with an elderly black Labrador called Sally, are to deliver ‘thank you cards’ to voluntary organisations across the city Continue reading EVOC says thanks to Edinburgh’s voluntary organisations

Homes near top schools command £73K price premium

  • Parents pay a premium of almost £73,000 (36%) on average compared to average house prices across Scotland
  • Average property prices have reached £277,134 near Scotland’s top 20 state secondary schools

Parents need to pay an average of £72,973 more to live in the catchment area of a top performing state secondary school in Scotland, according to new research from Bank of Scotland showing that average prices in these areas have now reached £277,134. Continue reading Homes near top schools command £73K price premium

Share your views on West Pilton Park plans

Hi Everyone,

Please follow this link to the survey monkey for West Pilton Park:

 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5HB2DF2

Lots of new exciting things in the pipeline for the park over the coming year that should see it grow into a thriving space for the whole community!

We are very interested in hearing what local people think and feel it is important people have a say! If you could share far and wide it would be greatly appreciated.

 Many thanks

Lianne 

 Lianne Pipskyj

Development Worker- Physical Activity

Pilton Community Health Project

73 Boswall parkway

Edinburgh EH5 2PW

Tel. 0131 551 1671

Work Mobile. 07391202529

liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk

The ongoing development of West Pilton Park is a collaboration between PCHP, ELGT, C.E.C, Friends of West Pilton Park (Parklife) and other local partners.