The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is working to ensure communities are protected on Bonfire Night amidst an anticipated spike in demand.
November 5 is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for the SFRS which last year responded to 350 bonfires over an eight-hour period following 882 calls for assistance.
Firefighters have been working closely with local authority partners and will tonight carry out joint patrols with police to share safety advice and support people to reduce the risks.
The national Service has also put tried and tested plans in place to ensure resources are effectively co-ordinated to protect communities where required.
Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Service Delivery. He said: “We are anticipating a spike in emergency calls and operational demand, but rest assured we have tried and tested procedures in place to ensure we can respond where we are needed the most.
“Our staff will be out on patrol with police and local authority partners in areas across Scotland to engage with communities and pass on advice to anyone who is hosting a bonfire.
“These patrols will also be tasked with removing any dangerous materials which may be used as part of a bonfire to prevent potential injuries or damage to property.”
He added: “Our communities can help us during this busy period by considering the impact of their actions on others and emergency services.
“It is absolutely vital that we preserve the capacity to respond to other emergencies.”
Area Commander Libby Logan has also drafted in additional Operations Control Firefighters to meet the anticipated increase in emergency calls. She said: “There is no question that this is one of our busiest night of the year – but we prepare well in advance for the challenges that this occasion always brings and we are ready to respond.
“Our Control Room Firefighters are highly trained and experienced in protecting communities and will always be there for those in an emergency – and tonight is no different.
“I would like to thank the Operations Control team for their hard work and dedication and would ask everyone across the country to follow all key safety advice and really consider the potential impact of their actions on others.”
The SFRS Fireworks Code can help reduce risk for those considering using fireworks in a private setting and can be accessed here:
A Holyrood Committee has called on the Scottish Government to set out how it intends to address the disproportionately negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on protected groups, such as women and young people as well as disabled people and black and minority ethnic communities, in its post-Covid economic recovery plan.
As part of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee pre-budget scrutiny, MSPs heard evidence from a range of organisations on the financial implications of Covid-19 on local authorities and third sector equalities organisations and how health and social inequalities exacerbated by Covid-19 can be addressed in Scotland’s economic recovery.
In a letter to the Minister for Older People and Equalities, Christina McKelvie MSP, the Committee called for human rights-based approach to budgeting, with more effective targeting of resources.
Committee Convener, Ruth Maguire MSP said: “The Committee is acutely aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing health and social inequalities, increasing the demand on third sector support services and, as the crisis continues, placing increased pressure on public services.
“We are therefore asking the Scottish Government to commit to providing further financial support for the third sector in the longer-term to take pressure away from public services, over and above the emergency funding provided.
“An equality and human rights-based approach to public spending, grounded in high quality evidence and placed at the heart of decision-making, should be the cornerstone of this year’s budget. This would give the Committee confidence that already disadvantaged people would not be forgotten, that there would not be unintended consequences, and equalities impacts could be properly addressed.
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to clearly set out the specific actions it intends to take in its Economic Implementation Recovery Plan to address the gendered impact of the pandemic, as well as for other protected groups such as disabled, BME and young people.
“The Committee is also seeking assurance that childcare will be treated as an economic issue and that the role of unpaid carers more generally will be translated into actions in the Recovery Plan.”
MSPs acknowledged that the Scottish Government had introduced new measures to monitor the impact of spending decisions on sex, race, disability and socio‑economic disadvantage, but heard evidence that Scotland was falling behind compared with international comparators.
The letter states: “The Committee very much hopes the new measures put in place by the Scottish Government will have the desired impact, however, we recognise we are coming to the end of the Parliamentary session and so it will be for another committee to continue to scrutinise whether these measures have worked.
“For this reason, the Committee intends in its legacy report to emphasise in the strongest terms to the future committee that if there has not been significant change on mainstreaming, the new committee should consider whether legislating is a viable option to promote change more quickly.”
HYGIENE-conscious staff at a top care home will never wear their uniforms or work shoes outside of their workplace thanks to a stringent decontamination laundry service.
Cramond Residence has made a substantial investment into a state-of-the-art uniform cleaning service where each employee receives three sets of work clothes, which get professionally washed after each shift, along with a pair of Sketchers trainers kept and cleaned on the premises.
Staff at the Edinburgh home must arrive in non-work clothes and have a designated locker for every shift, which is sanitised and thoroughly cleaned between shifts. Every staff member’s uniform is stored freshly cleaned and ready to be utilised.
After every shift, the dedicated team leave their uniforms within a designated area so be professionally laundered, with name labels stitched into every garment to avoid any confusion.
Alison Newton, Operations Manager at Cramond Residence, said: “We want to do everything we can to minimise contamination or risk to our residents, visitors and staff.
“While Covid-19 has sharpened the world’s focus to infection control, from day one we’ve put measures in place to reduce the chances of infection entering and spreading.
“Our staff are incredible and diligently stick to what are stringent rules. They all want to do their best to reduce the likelihoods of viruses or bugs of any description entering the home.”
Since opening in 2018, specialist Miele appliances have been used to accommodate eco-friendly elements for washing, drying and ironing from water reduction to shorter cycles.
The care home was purpose built and when it was being designed, infection control was a top priority and bosses worked with architects at every stage to include the most up-to-date best practice.
Small group living means that the home is made up of nine distinct “houses” each with their own private lounge, dining and snug areas, rather than large communal areas.
Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care.
It offers care for up to 74 residents following the small-group living concept in nine beautifully appointed houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from our highly-trained team. Each resident enjoys a luxury room with en-suite bathroom facilities. It maintains a minimum ratio of 1:4 of care staff to residents during the day.
Free trees distributed to schools and community groups across country
Woodland Trust Scotland is calling on The Scottish Government to raise the proportion of native trees to at least 50% of overall planting targets – in the fightback against climate change – and the Trust is sending out nearly 70,000 free trees to schools and community groups across Scotland this month to start the ball rolling.
Between November 2 and 22 Woodland Trust will distribute 628,005 native trees to 3092 schools and community groups across the UK.
67,830 trees will go to Scotland where 281 schools and groups will benefit. These include:
North East Scotland College SRUC Sruc Inverness College Huntly Climate Action Garthdee Field Allotment Association Donside Village Community Scio Milltown Community Charleston Development Neat (Newtonhill Environmental Action Team) Community Cleanup Udny Climate Action (Part of Put Community Scio Scottish Charity Sc045547) Mid Deeside Community Trust Cultivate Aberdeen Scio Gwens Garden Bloomfield Blooms Strichen Community Park Milltown Community Day Workshop New Deer New Homes Group Strathdon Community Development Trust Paths Group 1st Hillside (5th Angus) Scout Group Friends of Riverside Nature Park Countryside Ranger Service Downfield Golf Club Junior Section Dighty Rangers Kildonan Woodland Cormonachan Woodlands Association Deer Park Community Woodland Trust South Islay Development Kentallen & Duror Community Centre Glebe Communal Garden Netherthird Community Development Group Aceswoodwynd Gatehead Community Council Skares..Skares Kinfolk and Residents Society Galston Angling Club Abbots Neighbourhood Action Group Netherthird Community Action Training Galston Community Trust Dalleagles Neighbours Kilmaurs Plant Community 48th Ayrshire (Dundonald) Scout Group River Irvine District Bailiffs 19th Ayrshire Scouts Centrestage Communities Youth Church of Jesus Christ Of Latterday Saints Hill Foots Bee Keeping/ Hill Foots Nature Walks Gowan Lea Residents Association Dollar Community Development Trust Friends of Inchyra Park The Lodge Arts Collective Dumfries University Sustainability Team Moffat Can Moffat Community Woodlands Glenkens Beavers Moffat & District Community Nature Reserve. Summerhill Community Centre Moffat and District Wildlife Club Cloverglen Support Services Nith Valley Leaf Trust White Loch Lane Association Auchencairn Community Council Mugdock Conservation Volunteers Sustaining North Berwick Goshen Owners Association Musselburgh Shed Project Friends of the Earth East Lothian Gifford Community Land Company Ltd Levenhall Family Rangers North Berwick In Bloom Friends of Ormiston Park Dadswork Garvald Wood Beautiful Busby Village Broom, Kirkhill and Mearnskirk Community Council Siblings Reunited (Star)(Scio) Dunnikier Park Golf Club Ceres and District Community Trust Crossgates Community Woodland Kingseat Community Council Whirlbut Street Allotments Dunbog Community Park Fife & Kinross Bat Group Kinghorn Community Land Association Square Start 12th East Neuk Scouts Bat’s Wood, Growing Space & Bike Track (Scio) Friends of Coves Community Nature Reserve The Inverclyde Shed Sleat Community Trust Dunain Community Woods Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, Aigas Community Forest Abriachan Forest Trust Highland Wildlife Park Aultnaskiach Dell Scio Knockengorroch Community Interest Company Growin4good Palacerigg Field Archers Friends of Douglas Park Beecraigs Falkirk Community Trust Bonnie Blantyre Darcy’s Equine Assisted Learning Centre Cic Bluevale Shift Project Friends of Strathaven Park Cranhill Development Trust Blackwood Estate Community Association Friends of Knightswood Park Friends of the Calder 3rd Blantyre Scout Group Friends of Broomhill Avenue Greenspace Dalziel Park Golf Club Bellshill & Mossend Ymca Walmer Crescent Association Leech/Weir Residents Association. Barmulloch Tenant Managed Homes Coulter Village Development Group Baltic Street Adventure Playground Cohooley Woodland Friends of Hailes Quarry Park Little France Allotments Newhaven Heritage Community Gardens Juniper Green and Baberton Mains Community Council 28th Braid Scout Troop Elginhaugh Gardens Residents Association Tramways Community Gardens Forrester Park Residents Association Reforesting the Glens Friends of the Braid Hills Grampian Housing Association Gomde Trust Scotland Moray Sports Foundation 5th Orkney Scouting Quarry Road Residents Kilmadock Climate Action Cistern Green Community Wildlife Garden & Orchard Teen Ranch Scotland Doune Community Woodland Group Perth Station Garden Club Serenity Garden At Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church Brig In Bloom Greenhaven Ecology Centre Cic Alyth Development Trust Alyth Development Trust Garth Residents Errol Primary School Parent Council Lochwinnoch Golf Club Wegga Applecross Community Company Wester Ross Growing Communities Association Evanton Community Wood The Trot on Trust Easter Weens Residents Association Glenormiston Steading Owners Association Friends of the Monteath Mausoleum Garvald West Linton Reston Community Company Ltd (Riverside Project) Oxton and Channelkirk Community Council Works + Tweedbank Allotments Society Croft 178 St Andrews Church, Dumbarton Dalmuir Plots Association Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust Ellis Vale Community Group Oatridge Rangers and Countryside Stewards Society Binny Golf Club, Oatridge Golf Course. Friends of Zetland Park Kirkliston Community Garden Kids Gone Wild Polkemmet Beekeeping Association Slamannan Angling Protective Association Falkirk Wildlife Conservation Group Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow Broxburn United Sports Club West Harris Trust Benbecula Community Council North Harris Trust Lewis and Harris Horticultural Frugaldom Greenbrae Primary Liff Primary School Craighead Country Nursery School Riverbank Nursery Wick Childminding Group- Earth Club Baljaffray Nursery Renfrew Street Nursery School Country Bumpkins Nursery The Glasgow Academy St. Angela’s Nursery Class Kirktonholme @ Coatbridge Woodhead Primary Nursery Class Holy Family Nursery Elmcroft Nursery Stane Primary & Nursery C & K Nursery Glenmanor Primary School Chatelherault Nursery School Stramash Outdoor Nursery Callander Primary School Nursery Cowie Nursery Letham Primary School Kinder Croft Lochcarron Nursery Greenforest Nursery Armadale Primary School East Calder Nursery Class Woodside Primary Heathyrburn Primary Fraserburgh South Park School Brimmond Primary School St Pius Nursery Class Maisondieu Primary School Carmyllie Primary School Glamis Primary School Kingspark School Borrowfield Primary School Kilcreggan Primary School Easdale Primary School Hermitage Primary School Keills Primary School & Pre Five Rhu Primary School Crosshouse Primary School & Communication Centre Pennyburn Primary School Blacklands Primary Scool Borestone Primary School Gargunnock Primary School Auchencairn Primary St. Cadoc’s Primary School Carolside Primary School Victoria Primary School Aberdour Primary School Carnegie Primary School Kettle Primary School Raigmore Primary Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Phort Righ Balmalloch Primary School Greenhills Primary School St. Stephen’s Primary Blairdardie Primary New Monkland Primary School St. Brendan’s Primary School and Nursery Ibrox Primary School & Nursery Class Eastfield Primary School Morningside Primary School Law Primary School Whiteinch Primary School St Michael’s Nursery Class Elmvale Ps Harmeny School Davidson’s Mains Primary School East Craigs Primary Duddingston Primary Doune Primary School Our Lady’s Primary School Fossoway Primary School Kinnoull Primary School Deanston Primary School Breadalbane Academy Glencoats Primary School Glencoats Primary School St Clare’s Primary Golspie Primary School Ogilvie School Campus California Primary School Leverhulme Memorial School Banchory Academy Turriff Academy Westhill Academy Webster’s High School Thurso High School Moffat Academy St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School King’s Park Secondary School Lesmahagow High School Clyde Valley High School Broughton High School Nansen Highland Sir Edward Scott School The University of Edinburgh
Our tree packs have been generously funded by lead partners Sainsbury’s, players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Lloyds Bank, OVO Energy, Joules, Bank of Scotland and Sofology
Woodland Trust Scotland Director Carol Evans said: “Sign our petition at https://campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/67180/petition/1. We are calling on Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham to include an ambitious native woodland creation target in the Climate Change Plan update. We are calling for that target to be at least 50% of new woods created.”
The Climate Change Plan update will soon be in its final stages of scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament.
The more ambitious native woodland target is Woodland Trust Scotland’s specific “ask” of the Scottish Government.
Woodland Trust Scotland Public Affairs Manager Arina Russell said: “A young wood, with mixed native species can lock up more than 400 tonnes of carbon per hectare, in its trees, roots and soil.
“Currently around 40% of new planting in Scotland is with native trees. We would like to see this increased to at least 50% because native trees are more effective at capturing carbon when planted at scale and over a long period.”
Existing native woodland covers only 4% of Scotland’s land area and is highly fragmented.
Our native tree species include Scots pine, birch, alder, willow, oak, rowan, hazel, wild cherry, aspen, holly, juniper, elder and hawthorn. Over the last century commercial foresters have tended to plant non-native trees such as Sitka spruce. But native trees can be commercial crops too, while giving maximum support to biodiversity and locking up carbon.
Woodland Trust has pledged to plant 50 million trees across the UK by 2025 to help tackle climate change.
Talk to Us About Trees
Woodland Trust Scotland is seeking to work directly with more land managers to increase native woodland cover.
Senior Outreach Manager James McDougall said: “Land managers, farmers, crofters, fisheries boards – please talk to us about trees. Our advice is free and we can guide you through the Government grant process and in some cases offer financial support ourselves. Our highly-qualified advisors can help you through the entire process, from plan to planting.”
Woodland Trust’s MORE woods scheme covers 75% of the cost of trees, tubes and stakes for planting 0.5Ha – 3Ha. All the work beforehand is done by the Trust. All land managers need to do is plant the trees.
For larger areas applications can be eligible for up to 100% of materials costs.
Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 5pm, Wed 18 Nov 2020
A new £1.5million Scottish Government initiative launches today to establish a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities to respond to the impact of COVID-19.
The initiative will also provide employment opportunities and actively engage people in shaping the future cultural life of their community.
Grants of between £100,000 and £300,000 are available to organisations from the Culture Collective programme through Creative Scotland.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We recognise that culture is more important than ever to Scotland’s collective wellbeing and prosperity.
“And place – where people, location and resources combine to create a sense of identity and purpose – is at the heart of realising the full potential of communities across Scotland and supporting them to respond creatively to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
“The national Culture Collective pilot programme’s approach to establish a network of creative practitioners, organisations and communities reflects the ambition both of our Programme for Government and the Culture Strategy for Scotland.”
Iain Munro, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland said: “The Culture Collective will spark new thinking and promote collaboration locally and across Scotland as we respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on the sector and communities.
“Through the support provided by the Scottish Government, cultural organisations, local partners and creative practitioners will have the opportunity to work together, establishing important employment opportunities and developing new models of creative community engagement and participation.”
The Culture Collective programme is part of a Scottish Government package of COVID-19 emergency funds for creativity and culture being administered through Creative Scotland:
£15million Culture Organisation and Venues Recovery Fund which opened for applications on Thursday 17 September with a deadline of Thursday 24 September. 348 applications have been received totalling over £22million. Application assessments are taking place and an update on decisions will be communicated early November.
£3.5million additional funds for Creative Scotland’s Open Fund which is open for applications to individuals and organisations on a rolling basis.
£3million Youth Arts funding package comprising of at least £1.2million through the Access to Youth Arts Fund open to applications until Thursday 12 November; the £700,000 Small Grants Scheme which was open to applications until Monday 2 November; £50,000 assigned to the Time to Shine Nurturing Talent Fund, and anadditional £1,050,000 allocated to support a number of targeted national and local area youth music and wider youth arts organisations. These organisations were invited to apply for the Youth Arts Targeted Fund by Tuesday 13 October.
Previously announced funds from the Scottish Government are:
Updates on all emergency funds are being published regularly on the Creative Scotland website and publicised through media and social media communications.
Community Renewal: Lifting Neighbourhoods Together, which is being launched this month in Bingham, Magdalene and The Hays by charity Community Renewal, has received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
The initiative has already been strongly endorsed by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission* who described that it “exemplifies many of the features we are challenging the city to implement across all publicly funded services in Edinburgh.”*
“We want see if we can re-organise current resources to wrap around the needs and aspirations of people and stick with them for as long as it takes to lift them completely out of poverty.”
“We are partnering with an ever-growing number of public and third sector services, as well as private companies, to join forces as together we can provide the coordinated, multi-faceted and practical support people need.
“What is different about this is that we will work street by street and door by door to engage everyone in every household. We are, thanks to the National Lottery funding, putting the whole community in the driving seat.
“We will listen to every person and decipher how to increase their income by helping them access better work and maximise their benefits and pension entitlements.
“We will reduce their costs, by obtaining better deals for households on their monthly bills and help them access fresh food that is locally available and cheaper. We will support people in securing more affordable housing, adequate to their needs.
“We hope to close the attainment gap for young people in this neighbourhood and build a bridge to the best job opportunities the city has to offer.
“After months feeling isolated in lockdown, we will be tackling loneliness and bringing the community together.”
As soon as 2024, Community Renewal hope that by everyone working together, they will have permanently lifted the neighbourhood out of the 15% most deprived category in the Scottish Government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation.
By making use of existing resources, the project will also be delivered without any extra cost to the taxpayer.
Paul McColgan adds: “The project is a culmination of 20 years working in 17 Scottish neighbourhoods. We have conducted over 40,000 community conversations and helped lift them out of the 15% of most deprived index.
“Lifting Neighbourhoods Together will place transformative power into the hands of the residents to address key issues in their community, such as mental health and wellbeing, housing, education and training, as well as isolation and loneliness.”
Kate Still, Scotland Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund, added: “Thanks to National Lottery players, Lifting Neighbourhoods Together will put the aspirations of local people front and centre and will build upon these to bring about positive change in their lives.
“We understand that when people are in the lead, communities thrive and so we are delighted to be able to support this person-centred approach to tackling poverty and inequality.”
The project launches this month and Paul invites anyone interested in collaborating or discussing the project to get in touch. Details can be found on the Lifting Neighbourhoods website.
Read Community Renewal’s Towards a Britain Without Poverty brochure here
*From A Just Capital Actions to End Poverty in Edinburgh – Edinburgh Poverty Commission Report, September 2020
The Dominion, Filmhouse Edinburgh and Edinburgh-based touring cinema operators Regional Screen Scotland and the INDY Cinema Group are among 30 independent cinemas and two touring operators to receive £3.55 million from the Scottish Government’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and The National Lottery, through Screen Scotland.
The Fund, which aims to bridge the immediate financial gap faced by independently owned cinemas as a result of COVID-19, will now support these cinemas who can operate in the short-term, within Scottish Government guidelines, and help others towards reopening, when it is safe to do so.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culturesaid: “We understand the severe impact this pandemic has had on businesses across Scotland, including our independent cinemas which play such an important role in communities across the country.
“We have had to make some really difficult decisions recently that will impact on cinemas which have worked so hard to re-open safely, but we have to put health considerations above everything else and I hope this funding, along with the business support that will be available, will help independent cinemas cope with all the challenges they face.
“Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and we are determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis. This fund is part of the ongoing financial support the Scottish Government is making available to the sector.”
Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotlandsaid: “Independent cinemas have always played a vital role in communities across Scotland, bringing people together to immerse themselves in great film experiences from filmmakers around the world, and around the corner.
“It’s been the most challenging of times for these hard-working venues but, with the help of this Scottish Government and National Lottery support, they will continue to open and operate safely as local restrictions allow.
“By putting stringent measures in place to protect staff and audiences alike they will open where able and bring the magic and escapism of cinema back, which is something we need now more than ever.”
The Dominion Cinemasaid: “We are very fortunate to be in a position to benefit from the Recovery and Resilience Fund for Independent Cinema.
“This will allow us to maintain our position in the industry and help enable us to welcome our loyal patrons back when the time is right.”
Ian Brown, Group CEO and Founderof Edinburgh-based touring cinema operator the INDY Cinema Group said: “This support from Screen Scotland has been crucial in ensuring that INDY Cinema Group and its team are here both now and for the future to support our cinemas and communities across Scotland.
“Without the support all our work over the past 10 years to assist in building community cinemas, commercial independents and ever growing cinema support services for our industry was at risk of being lost.
“Now we are in a position to not just survive but ensure that we are ready for the challenge to come and helping all of our communities and cinemas grow again”
Ken Hay, CEO of Centre for the Moving Image(Filmhouse Edinburgh) said: “Cinemas are the heart of many communities and Filmhouse and Belmont Filmhouse are no different.
“Our communities want us to be open so that we can dim the lights and help people escape everything else for a couple of hours with the magic of cinema – and they’ve already donated over £100,000 so that we can do just that.
“And this funding from Screen Scotland will be integral in keeping both cinemas open over the next 5 months – when we’re allowed to be.”
Robert Livingstoneof Edinburgh-based Regional Screen Scotland, operator of the touring cinema The Screen Machine said: “The Independent Cinema Recovery Fund is a crucial measure to help to sustain cinemas across Scotland.
“At Regional Screen Scotland we’re very grateful for this support, as it will allow us to begin touring again with the Screen Machine, by compensating for the box office income lost through the need to maintain 2m physical distancing.
“This means we can bring at least some Christmas cheer to many smaller communities in the Highlands.”
Annual General Meeting – Thursday 19th November 2020
Apologies for an error in the last mailing which wrongly stated the date of the AGM. This will take place on Zoom at 7pm until 9pm on Thursday 19th November 2020.
Papers will be available up to the meeting at EACC Documents on the website.
The Zoom details will be sent no later than 24hours before the meeting for those registered to attend.
We request that only the nominated Community Council representative plus one other attend to keep numbers manageable.
The Office Bearer nomination form is also available on the website in EACC Documents and also attached here in MSWord and PDF format.
Nominations close at midday on Tuesday 17th November 2020.
It is hoped that a presentation by a senior CEC officer informing on plans to take the City forward currently and after the pandemic will follow the business meeting. Further details to follow.
We have also published a document, On video conferencing: guidance from the Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC) which is available to download HERE
A message to Community Councils from Living Streets Edinburgh Group:
Living Streets Edinburgh Group is very interested in working with community councils in any part of Edinburgh.
In particular, we would be keen to join in any local ‘walkabouts’ or possibly more formal street audits with the aim of identifying ways to improve streets for ‘everyday walking’. While this is obviously not a good time for such activity, please get in touch if your community council is interested in this some time in the future: edinburghgroup@livingstreets.org.uk.
We are also of course keen to hear from any individuals who would like to get more involved in our work or who may be interested in taking forward local walking projects of any kind.
David Hunter, Convenor, Living Streets Edinburgh Group
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is delighted to welcome Lisa Roet’s Golden Monkey installation to Inverleith House.
The hand-painted, 45-foot high sculpture takes the form of an endangered snub-nose monkey, highlighting the plight of these increasingly endangered primates and the urgent action needed on climate change.
Previous installations by the ecological artist have appeared on landmarks in Beijing, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Australia, but this autumn the sculpture is making its UK debut at RBGE Creative Programmes.
Discover more about Lisa Roet and the Golden Monkey installation at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh via: https://www.rbge.org.uk/goldenmonkey
A plan outlining steps to prepare and support Scotland’s social care sector through the winter has been published.
The Adult Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan, backed by an additional £112 million in funding, will support social care users in residential, community and home settings, and the people who provide that care, including unpaid carers.
This new plan and additional investment will provide further support to the sector to respond the demands of winter alongside the ongoing challenges of coronavirus (COVID-19). Earlier this year the sector received an additional £150 million to deal with the financial implications of the pandemic, bringing this year’s total extra allocation for social care to £262 million.
An evidence paper has been published with the plan outlining how the new measures have been informed by lessons learned about COVID-19 to date, including last week’s Public Health Scotland discharge report and the Care Inspectorate’s Care at Home inquiry. The plan also takes into account the findings of the root cause analysis of care home outbreaks commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary, which is also published today.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The coronavirus pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for everyone this winter, particularly those who are already vulnerable.
“One in 20 people in Scotland are recipients of adult social care and their needs are diverse. We have made this central to our approach, ensuring we support and protect people while prioritising their mental health and well-being.
“This is the first time we have published an adult social care plan. It has been produced with input from across all partners and I’m pleased to say that it has the support of our colleagues at COSLA. It sets out what support will be available for people who receive social care and those who provide that care this winter, as well as addressing the impacts COVID-19 has had on them and their families.
“The new measures we are putting in place have been informed by the lessons we have learned so far, and the evidence paper published today outlines why these measures are necessary for winter. We will continue to take firm action to protect those who receive or provide social care, and adapt our guidance based on the latest scientific evidence and clinical advice.”
Councillor Stuart Currie, COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said: “The social care sector and Scotland’s social care workers have faced enormous challenges during the COVID-19 response, and the Adult Social Care Plan will enable them to continue to provide valuable help and support to those in the community that need it most.
“The pandemic has had a drastic impact on those that require support both at home and in residential settings, and the funding announced by the Scottish Government as part of the plan will go some way to addressing that.
“COSLA will continue to work with Scottish Government and partners across the sector to ensure that they receive the support they need to continue this vital work.”
Actions outlined in the plan include:
enhanced infection prevention and control, with £7 million for Health Boards to invest in Nurse Director teams
daily review of COVID-19 symptoms in care home residents and staff, including temperature checking so early testing can be undertaken and pre-emptive infection control measures put in place
expanded testing access for the care at home workforce and designated visitors as capacity increases
NHS National Services Scotland will continue to provide free of charge top-up and emergency provision of PPE to ensure staff, unpaid carers, and Social Care Personal Assistants have the PPE they need until at least the end of March 2021
prioritise a ‘home first’ approach to care, supporting people to stay home or in a homely setting with maximum independence for as long as possible
up to £500,000 will be available to all care homes to provide access to digital devices, connectivity and support to help manage conditions from home or connect those receiving care with their loved ones
£50 million to support the additional costs of restricting staff movement across care settings
£50 million for the Social Care Staff Support Fund and winter sustainability funding, through to the end of March 2021
maintaining and promoting access to local NHS Board workforce wellbeing services, the health and social care wellbeing national hub PROMIS and the NHS 24 mental health support service to support care home staff, the third sector and unpaid carers
up to £5 million for additional oversight and administration costs associated with responding to the pandemic and outbreak management
publication of a website with information and advice for families on visiting.
