With the school holidays upon us, Scotland’s biggest bus operator is running a competition to give kids in Edinburgh the opportunity to see their artwork ‘wrapped’ on the side of a local bus.
First Scotland East is calling on local children to get involved in the bus company’s exciting Scotland-wide art competition, which will see the winning design placed on the side of a bus for thousands to see. The Scotland winner will also win a tour of Britain’s biggest bus depot in Edinburgh and will be presented with a video of their artwork being painted onto the side of the bus.
Winners from each region will be selected, too, and the lucky winner in Edinburgh will receive an exclusive goodie bag and a school visit from First Bus when the children are back in after the summer holidays.
The competition is running as part of Children’s Art Week, which this year, celebrates the theme of Connecting Across Generations. All kids need to enter is a sheet of plain paper, some bold colours to work with and their creative imagination. Creative ideas can be submitted using any colour, pattern or drawing.
First Bus has already received some great entries, with some illustrations championing the relationship the city has with its NHS workers.
Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director of First Bus in Scotland, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for local kids to celebrate their creative side during lockdown.
We’re looking forward to seeing the winning design bring a splash of colour and imagination to one of our buses in Edinburgh, which we hope will bring a smile to the faces of key workers and local communities along our routes.
“We wanted to give something back to the city that we proudly serve every day and we can’t wait to look through all the entries.”
Those entering the bus designing competition are encouraged to include their name and age and should submit entries to the First Scotland East Facebook page, @FirstScotlandEast.
The deadline for submissions is 6th August 2020.
The competition is running in conjunction with First Bus’s Education Pack – an online educational resource created at the start of lockdown to provide primary aged children with a fun filled set of activities focused around buses.
Blind and partially sighted people in Scotland can be guided by someone living outwith their household if necessary, the Minister for Older People and Equalities Christina McKelvie MSP has confirmed.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK:
Control your portions!
If you need to lose weight, it is important to think about the quantity of food you are eating as well as the types of food and drink you choose. Food portions tend to be larger today than they were thirty years ago and this is contributing to weight gain. Controlling your portion sizes doesn’t mean you have to go hungry. We provide you with some tips to control your portion sizes and achieve a healthy weight.
Weigh your portions
Check food labels for recommended portion sizes and make sure you weigh out the correct amount. If you are following a recipe, weigh out the ingredients correctly and take note of how many people the recipe serves. You can adapt recipes according to the number of people you are cooking to avoid having too much food.
If you eat quickly, it is easy to overeat. By eating more slowly, you allow time for your brain to recognise when you are full. If you still feel hungry after eating a meal, don’t be tempted to reach for the snacks. Wait twenty minutes after a meal for your food to settle. If you are still hungry after that time, try eating some fruit.
Use smaller plates or bowls
If you serve meals onto a large plate or bowl, you may find that you are serving portions that are too large. Try using a smaller plate or bowl for your meals and you should still feel satisfied.
Avoid supersize portions
When buying food, avoid being tempted by offers of supersize portions or discounts for buying in bulk on less healthy food and drinks. These offers can tempt you into buying more than you need, which can lead to you eating more than you need.
Turn off the TV
Try eating your meals and snacks away from the TV as this can lead to overeating because you are not thinking about your food.
Employers up and down the country are planning to welcome back employees to the workplace, and they must bring in strict COVID-safe plans as lockdown measures ease.
But British workers should confirm with their employer the steps that are being taken to make it safe and compliant to return to work.
All UK businesses who ask their staff members to return to work have been informed that they need to undertake a risk assessment and put in place various measures to protect their staff from contracting the virus.
Employees need to feel safe, and depending on the specific industry, certain unions have claimed that employees can even refuse to go back to the office if precautions aren’t taken.
Health and safety experts at CE Safety have made it easier for Brits to understand what their employers should be doing to comply with new safety rules.
A spokesperson for CE Safety says: “There are countless sensible measures to take when it comes to a safe return to work.
“The Coronavirus guidelines and measures are fast-paced, so all employers and employees need to follow the latest developments. As it stands, if Brits can work from home, then they should continue to do so.
“But this could change by August. Retail, hospitality, service and leisure industries are reopening from 4th July, it’s important to look at what employees need to know ahead of a return to the ‘new normal’.
“It’s worth mentioning that Brits should not return to work if they have been advised by the Government to shield. This will apply only to those in receipt of a letter, who are in the extremely vulnerable category.”
Here is a need-to-know checklist when it comes to returning to work:
Has the employer carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment?
Sounds simple, but before reopening the office, employers should ensure the safety of the workplace by carrying out a risk assessment. This might result in reorganising the office layout to give employees more space between work stations and/or install sneeze guards between spaces. A phased return might also be an option to employers.
Check employer’s cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures
Employers should encourage staff to wash hands regularly, and provide hand sanitiser around the workplace as well as the washrooms. There also needs to be a schedule that allows frequent cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and objects that are touched regularly.
Clear use of toilets may sound too particular, but employers need to outline cleaning guidance for the toilets, as well as providing adequate hand drying facilities, either paper towels or hand dryers.
Ask the employer to clarify working from home stance
Employers have been advised by the UK government to take all reasonable steps to help people work from home.
Has there been internal discussing home working arrangements? Do employees have the correct equipment to allow effective working from home such as remote access work systems?
Employees who have family members that are at greater risk from COVID-19 will understandably be concerned about returning to work. Hence the need for employers to consider employees working work from home.
For employee physical and mental wellbeing, this is an important step for employers to help look after their staff. Mental health issues that can arise from periods of isolation, and employers need to allow the best possible working conditions for their staff.
What is there in place to ensure social distancing?
Where possible, social distance between colleagues should be maintained. Employers need to put up signs to remind workers and visitors of social distance guidance. Workstations should not be shared. Floor tape is a cost-effective way to visualise social distancing guidelines.
Employers may need to look at their processes too, and perhaps switch to visitors by appointment only, or do meetings via video service platform such as Zoom, or Google Hangouts.
What to do if British workers aren’t happy?
If you have raised concerns or requested clarification with your employer, but you don’t feel they have been addressed, you can consider whether to contact the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about your concerns. They are the Government body with responsibility for safety in the workplace and can take enforcement action against employers who are lacking.
Future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues will be protected with emergency grants and loans
Funding will also be provided to restart construction work at cultural and heritage sites paused as a result of the pandemic
Britain’s arts, culture and heritage industries will receive a £1.57 billion rescue package to help weather the impact of coronavirus, the UK government has announced.
Thousands of organisations across a range of sectors including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema will be able to access emergency grants and loans.
The money, which represents the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture, will provide a lifeline to vital cultural and heritage organisations across the country hit hard by the pandemic. It will help them stay afloat while their doors are closed. Funding to restart paused projects will also help support employment, including freelancers working in these sectors.
Many of Britain’s cultural and heritage institutions have already received unprecedented financial assistance to see them through the pandemic including loans, business rate holidays and participation in the coronavirus job retention scheme. More than 350,000 people in the recreation and leisure sector have been furloughed since the pandemic began.
This new package will be available across the country and ensure the future of these multi billion-pound industries are secured.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “From iconic theatre and musicals, mesmerising exhibitions at our world-class galleries to gigs performed in local basement venues, the UK’s cultural industry is the beating heart of this country.
“This money will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat and support their staff whilst their doors remain closed and curtains remain down.”
Oliver Dowden Culture Secretary said: “Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast growing creative industries.
“I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations. Today we are announcing a huge support package of immediate funding to tackle the funding crisis they face. I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.”
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “Our world-renowned galleries, museums, heritage sites, music venues and independent cinemas are not only critical to keeping our economy thriving, employing more than 700,000 people, they’re the lifeblood of British culture.
“That’s why we’re giving them the vital cash they need to safeguard their survival, helping to protect jobs and ensuring that they can continue to provide the sights and sounds that Britain is famous for.”
The package announced today includes funding for national cultural institutions in England and investment in cultural and heritage sites to restart construction work paused as a result of the pandemic. This will be a big step forward to help rebuild our cultural infrastructure.
This ‘unprecedented’ package includes:
£1.15 billion support pot for cultural organisations in England delivered through a mix of grants and loans. This will be made up of £270 million of repayable finance and £880 million grants.
£100 million of targeted support for the national cultural institutions in England and the English Heritage Trust.
£120 million capital investment to restart construction on cultural infrastructure and for heritage construction projects in England which was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The new funding will also mean an extra £188 million for the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland (£33 million), Scotland (£97 million) and Wales (£59 million).
Decisions on awards will be made working alongside expert independent figures from the sector including the Arts Council England and other specialist bodies such as Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.
Repayable finance will be issued on generous terms tailored for cultural institutions to ensure they are affordable. Further details will be set out when the scheme opens for applications in the coming weeks.
Changes to the way we travel around the Capital could be introduced through the reform of Edinburgh’s transport companies, according to a report to be discussed by councillors this week.
The proposals could see Lothian Buses merged with Edinburgh Trams to form a single entity. The report claims the merger would eliminate competition between the two organisations and cut management costs.
A shift from car to sustainable public transport alternatives will help Edinburgh achieve its ambitious carbon neutral goals by 2030, managing the impact of rapid population growth and aligning with local and national sustainable travel policies.
Three options for the future operation of Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and Transport for Edinburgh are explored in the report, ranging from a ‘do nothing’ scenario to the creation of a single company to deliver all functions.
Once a preferred option has been agreed upon by councillors, the plan will be consulted on through discussion with the existing companies, the other councils in the Lothians and trade unions, alongside robust legal analysis.
The report notes that Edinburgh, like other cities, will experience significant change to employment, leisure, and wider activity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and new approaches to public transport will be central to the overall adaptation and renewal process.
The recommendations aim to improve governance structures, collaboration and, importantly for the travelling public, integration across the transport network.
The report acknowledges the ongoing success of the companies in providing high quality, award-winning transport services which are greatly valued by the public and predicts a growth in transport provision across the city. It is intended to retain and capitalise on the valued Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams brands while eliminating unnecessary competition between the two, particularly as the Trams to Newhaven project progresses.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: This is about creating a sustainable, accessible and joined-up public transport system that is fit for the future. As we’ve experienced over recent months, and will continue to do so, our city, like others, is undergoing a significant period of change as a result of COVID-19, and we must adapt in response.
“We simply must change the way we move around the city if we are to meet our ambitious goals to become carbon neutral by 2030 and to create a fairer, more inclusive environment.
“We wholeheartedly appreciate the roles of both Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams in providing high quality, award-winning public transport and excellent customer service, and will always do everything we can to help our companies achieve that.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “For the many employees across these companies who play such an important role in delivering essential services, particularly during the current COVID outbreak, I want to reassure them that these changes will not negatively impact on their jobs.
“Rather, as we lead the charge toward a zero-carbon future, we want to increase reliance on sustainable public transport, and as bus and tram use continues to grow, we’ll need more drivers and staff to run the companies.
“However, we can’t move forward with these aspirations as it stands – we know that the current structure has led to inefficiencies. Of course this will take time and a great deal of engagement and planning, but by driving better integration, ensuring improved governance and putting the needs of the public at the centre of public transport delivery, I know we can provide a system that future generations will thank us for.”
Transport for Edinburgh Limited was formed by the Council in 2014 as parent company, with a wholly owned subsidiary Edinburgh Trams Limited and a 91% ownership of Lothian Buses Limited, where East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian are minority shareholders. This model was intended to achieve maximum integration between transport companies.
As Edinburgh continues to grow, so too does the need for seamless, reliable and environmentally friendly public transport as an attractive alternative to private car journeys, helping to reduce congestion, drive down air pollution and limit carbon emissions.
The report says that the current structure of ownership – shareholding, parent company and group of companies, all responsible for delivery of different aspects of the transport network – has led to inefficiencies and a lack of collaboration, hindering aspirations to provide joined-up travel options.
In order to improve upon the current model, officers have undertaken an analysis of the outcomes required from a public transport company structure and in light of these have considered three options.
These are:
Do nothing: Leaving the existing corporate structure and agreements in place but looking to strengthen existing relationships between companies and the Council to deliver change
Do minimum: Retaining existing corporate structure or parts of it but reviewing Shareholder Agreements and Memorandum and Articles of Association to promote transport priorities of the Council and improve integration
Single company model: Creating a single company to deliver an integrated transport system. Owners of the company would provide strategic direction as well as exercising shareholder power to ensure accountability
The third option, to create a single company, is being put forward as the preferred option.
The council says this will allow ‘the ongoing delivery of high-quality public transport with no negative impact on the travelling public or frontline staff’.
It is proposed that existing bus and tram services, as well as the city’s cycle hire scheme, would be maintained as separately branded divisions, while integrated back office functions would be delivered, along with potential senior management savings.
A single company would require a new shareholder agreement between the owners and the company, with the new structure to be developed in consultation with the minority shareholders. The needs of partner councils, both from a transport policy and financial perspective, must be fully addressed.
Before a final preferred option is confirmed, a further report will be brought back to Committee for decision. This will follow discussions with the public transport companies, minority shareholders and trade unions to gather views on proposals and will set out any changes required on the shareholder side.
Read the full report, Reform of Transport Arm’s Length External Organisations, on the Council website. This will be discussed by Policy and Sustainability Committee on Thursday (9 July) – you can watch the webcast of the meeting online.
As pubs with beer gardens begin to throw open their doors again today, spare a thought for Leith’s Alhambra Bar. Faced with a double whammy of Covid-19 restrictions and ongoing tram works, the traditional boozer is facing a fight for it’s very survival:
