Day: November 1, 2018

Communities Secretary to address EVOC annual general meeting

Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) is delighted to announce that Aileen Campbell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, will deliver a speech at this year’s conference and AGM. Continue reading Communities Secretary to address EVOC annual general meeting

November garden plant of the month: Skimmia

Skimmia,  four seasons wonder…  This shrub (officially called Skimmia japonica) constantly manifests itself in new ways throughout the year. In November the plant displays the buds of its sturdy, attractive flower spikes. The colour and the buds continue to look beautiful all winter long. In April/May the buds open and Skimmia flowers with white/pink flowers with a strong scent: bees love them. The first new buds appear at the end of August. And one constant is the leathery leaves that remain beautifully green throughout the year. 
Range
The Skimmia range has expanded in recent years with many new cultivars. They vary in terms of the colour of the bud, the leaf colour (green or variegated) and the compactness of the plant. There are both compact dwarf Skimmias and specimens that have a much larger, looser shape. The most common cultivar of Skimmia japonica is ‘Rubella’, with its red buds. There are also other red varieties such as ‘Rubesta’, ‘Rubinetta’ and ‘Red Dwarf’. Plants with green/white buds are: ‘Finchy’, ‘White Globe’, ‘White Dwarf’, ‘Godries Dwarf Green’, and ‘Fragrant Cloud’ (scented). Some red berry-bearing Skimmias are: ‘Pabella’, ‘Obsession’, ‘Veitchii’ and ‘Temptation’.
Skimmia trivia 
• The first Skimmia came to Europe in 1838 and ended up in the greenhouses of Kew Gardens.
• The Latin name was created in 1784 from ‘Miyama shikimi’, the Japanese name for Skimmia.
• Skimmia japonica ‘Pabella’ is a cousin of Skimmia japonica ‘Rubella’, which is known for its beautiful sprays of flowers.
• For the plant to thrive in your garden, you need to place a male Skimmia alongside a couple of females to ensure pollination. The male plant can be identified by its shape, it flowers slightly more vigorously, and the flowers have pistils.
Origin
Skimmia is a member of the rue family (Rutaceae), which also includes citrus trees. The family resemblance is clear from the leaves: if you crush them, it releases a citrus fragrance. In the wild Skimmia grows in the forests of China and other parts of Asia such as the Himalayas. However, the version in your garden was most probably grown in a greenhouse.
What to look for when buying 
• Check the balance between pot size, the number of stems per pot, the shape of the plant and the number of buds on the plant.
• Skimmia is only offered with coloured buds in November. These buds will have formed in August, and will retain their marvellous colour until they flower in April. There’s therefore no need to check the ripeness in November.
Care tips
• Skimmia prefers to be in the shade where the berries will develop best.
• The plant prefers a lightly acidic soil such as rhododendron soil.
• If the leaves turn yellow the soil is not acidic enough.
• Skimmia does not like having wet roots, and therefore likes to be planted near trees that draw a lot of moisture out of the soil. In pots the water must be able to drain away.
• It’s better not to cut branches off the plant since that will harm the next flowering.
• Skimmia is moderately hardy, and only needs to be wrapped in fleece or bubble wrap during hard frosts.

Local democracy report embarrasses Scotland, says Wightman

Scottish ministers must respond to an embarrassing report that claims that Scotland is the ‘least locally democratic country in Europe’ by devolving new powers to councils, says a Green MSP.

Andy Wightman, the Scottish Greens’ local government spokesperson, says his party supports the Common Weal report’s recommendation for a new tier of councils in Scotland, insisting that two, and in many cases three tiers, are typical in other European countries.

Mr Wightman, a Green MSP for Lothian, said: “This report (see below) adds to the wealth of evidence highlighting the poor state of local democracy in Scotland. Its findings are welcome and while many will perceive its recommendation to create another tier of local democracy in Scotland to be radical, having just a single tier of councils goes against the norm across much of Europe.

“Scotland’s status as the ‘least locally democratic country in Europe’ is not one to be proud of, in fact it’s embarrassing. Ministers at Holyrood can however revive local democracy by devolving more powers to councils and require them to include local communities in decision making.

“Local government needs substantial and far-reaching reform to make it more local and more democratic and we’ll continue to honour our manifesto commitment to challenge ministers on their slow progress.”

Development Councils

Edinburgh slips to sixth in UK city rankings

  • Oxford and Reading top growth league for third year running, but Preston most improved.
  • Cities in the Midlands & North of England amongst fastest improving for second year running
  • Falling unemployment helped some cities improve ranking in latest year, overtaking most improved cities from previous years
  • The price of success in terms of reduced housing affordability and increased average commuting times is becoming increasingly evident for cities at the top of the index rankings

Edinburgh has dropped from fourth to six place in the rankings of the UK’s top cities in analysis published today.  Oxford and Reading top the index. Continue reading Edinburgh slips to sixth in UK city rankings

Local MSP sets up shop in supermarkets

Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson is holding a series of advice surgeries in supermarkets around the constituency. These pop-up surgeries aim to give more constituents the opportunity to talk to Ben about any issues, concerns or ideas they may have. Continue reading Local MSP sets up shop in supermarkets

Stand Up to Cancer: some tickets still available for Charity Chic Catwalk event

Last push for ticket sales for the Stockbridge Stand Up To Cancer Fashion Show. Help us raise more funds to beat cancer. 

Catwalk, shopping, bar, cupcakes, Xmas shop and amazing raffle prizes including meals for two at Taisteal and Zest and also bottle of Glenmorangie and £100 Staters Menswear! There will also be additional special raffles for a weekends hire at Lexus Scotland and a visit to One Spa from Sheraton Hotel.

You don’t want to miss this amazing evening at Edinburgh College, Granton Campus!

Almost half of Scots claimants take up Universal Credit options

Edinburgh braced for roll out of Universal Credit this month

Nearly one in two people in receipt of Universal Credit in Scotland has chosen for their payments to be paid in a different way when offered the choice by the Scottish Government.

While Universal Credit is reserved to the UK Government, Scottish Ministers have used their limited powers in this area to enable people to receive payments more frequently and/or for the housing cost in their payment to be made directly to their landlords, which should help reduce rent arrears and evictions.

Newly published figures show that, by the end of August this year, 66,700 people had been offered one or both Scottish choices since October 2017, with around 32,000 – almost 50% – taking up the offer.

Speaking on a visit to Prospect Community Housing in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:  “Universal Credit is causing undeniable hardship and misery to people and families across the country and the roll out of Universal Credit full service comes to Edinburgh from next month.

“The UK Government missed an opportunity to use the budget to address the fundamental flaws with Universal Credit including delays to payments, the minimum five week delay in getting first payment and the appalling two-child cap.

“The Scottish Government will continue to call for a halt to Universal Credit until it is made fit for purpose. We cannot be expected to fill the £3.7 billion gap in welfare spending caused by UK Government cuts, particularly on a continuing real terms cut in fiscal budget of 5.9% between 2010-11 and 2019-20.

“We have done what we can with our limited powers, providing people who receive Universal Credit with choices on the frequency of their payments and paying housing costs directly to their landlord.  We have also committed to introduce split payments of the Universal Credit award in Scotland to ensure everyone has access to an independent income.

“The high take-up rate of our Universal Credit Scottish choices is evidence people want more flexibility and adaptability in how they receive the support that they are entitled to.”

Of the 31,960 people who chose one or both of the Universal Credit (UC) Scottish choices, 26,910 chose to implement more frequent payments. 11,430 chose to have the housing element of UC paid direct to their landlords, and 6,380 chose both. An additional 4,000 also requested and took up one or both of the choices.

The full publication is available here.

UC Scottish choices give recipients of UC in Scotland a choice to have their UC award paid either monthly or twice monthly, and have the housing costs in their award of UC paid direct to their landlord. A person can make just one or both choices, depending on their circumstances. It was introduced on 4 October 2017 for people accessing UC for new claims in full service areas. On 31 January 2018 it was extended to everyone receiving UC in full service areas.

As UC is reserved to the UK Government, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deliver the choices on behalf of the Scottish Government and charge the Scottish Government for that.