The Scottish Parliament Notice of Election has been published.
Nominations open tomorrow (Tuesday 16 March) for candidates wanting to stand in the election.
Additional hygiene and distancing measures will be in place on polling day for voter and staff safety
If voters do not want to go to a polling place to vote they have the option of voting by post. Anyone can apply for a postal vote but this should be done as soon as possible.
Nominations open tomorrow (Tuesday 16 March) for candidates to stand in the forthcoming Scottish Parliament Election.
The Notice of Election was published today for Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western Constituencies and the Lothian Region.
In order to stand as a candidate, individuals must submit nomination papers, which are available on the Council website, by 4pm on Wednesday 31 March.
The Scottish Parliament Election will take place on Thursday, 6 May 2021, when people living across Scotland will elect MSPs to represent them at Holyrood.
Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for the Edinburgh constituencies and the Lothian Region, said:“The Notice of Election signifies the official start of the election period.
“The forthcoming election will allow the city’s residents to have their say about the government of Scotland, and I urge all citizens to make sure they’re registered in plenty of time, think now about the way they’ll vote and then to use that vote on 6 May.
“We are keen to continue the enthusiasm demonstrated by voters during the UK Parliamentary Election in 2019 and even our recent by-election in Craigentinny/Duddingston when we had the same range of safety measures in place. Anyone unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.”
At the UK Parliamentary Election in December 2019 turnout in the capital was high, at an average of 73% across Edinburgh’s five constituencies.
People aged 16 and over and all those legally resident – including foreign citizens – can register to vote in this election.
Voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote. For those who choose to vote in person, polling stations will be following all public health guidance on 6 May.
The deadline to register to vote is midnight Monday 19 April, to apply for a postal vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 6 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.
Find out more about voter registration and the election, including the safety measures we’re taking to ensure polling stations are safe and covid secure, on the Council’s website.
Jackie Kay’s tenure as Scotland’s national poet has come to an end after five years. Scotland’s third Makar – Jackie succeeded Edwin Morgan and Liz Lochhead – described her time in the role as an “incredible journey”.
Ms Kay’s time as Makar saw her read Threshold at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 2016, take up residency at Young Scot during the Year of Young People in 2018 and develop a digital project bringing poets and musicians to the public during lockdown.
Other highlights include a collaboration in 2020 called Fare Well which formed the centrepiece of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations and the lullaby Welcome Wee One which has featured in every Baby Box, more than 167,000, since the scheme launched in 2017.
Ms Kay also wrote The Long View partly in Gaelic, partly sung and partly in sign language, which was performed for the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.
Her replacement will be announced in the coming months.
Jackie Kay said: “It has been an extraordinary journey these last five years and I’ve gained so much in terms of peoples’ love and interest in poetry.
“I’ve found out so many things about my country.
“I wanted to take poetry to unexpected places and I feel that I have achieved that. Up until the lockdown I was on and off boats, on and off trains, in and out of cars and buses, travelling north, south, east and west, going to all sorts of different places I hadn’t been to before.
“It’s been a glorious, joyous, interesting ride to have been to every major city and to have been to so much of the Highlands and Islands, rural parts of Scotland. It gave me a real sense of the country and its changing attitudes to politics, to race to diversity and to poetry.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Jackie has made an outstanding contribution as Makar and helped widen the appeal of poetry to a broad and diverse audience both here in Scotland and internationally.
“The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unique challenges, but Jackie’s vitality, warmth and tremendous talent has helped to keep the role of Makar relevant.
“Her Fare Well Hogmanay collaboration was a memorable event which shows the universal appeal of poetry and her lullaby Welcome Wee One has been the first introduction to poetry for thousands of children.
“The legacy of Jackie’s tenure as Makar will be the enduring and positive impact she has had on so many, particularly the younger generation from her period in residence at Young Scot. She takes our best wishes for the future.”
The role of Makar involves taking a leadership role in promoting poetry nationally, as well as producing work relating to significant national events.
During her time in the role, Ms Kay has attended hundreds of events across Scotland. The national commissions she undertook were Threshold, Sasine, the Long View, Queensferry Crossing and Fare Well.
To commemorate Jackie Kay’s term, a scroll which will include lines from the work of each Makar is being created which can be passed from one Makar to the next.
Work is underway to appoint a new Makar to succeed Ms Kay, which will be overseen by the new administration. Current planning is for the new Makar to be in place for the opening of Parliament.
Full service Scottish law firm Thorntons has swelled its ranks with thirteen new trainee solicitors.
Three of the new recruits started their traineeship in September but, this month, ten others have joined them. All thirteen will undertake a two year traineeship across the firm’s network of offices and will develop their skills and knowledge working across a variety of legal disciplines.
All trainees will adopt a blended work approach, initially based remotely at home, before moving into the Thorntons offices in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Perth, Cupar and St Andrews once current restrictions allow.
The trainees are Maryam Abdel-Razik from Dunfermline, Emma Alderson, Rebecca Argo, Laoibhse Griffin and Eve McBride from Edinburgh, Anzal Baig, Iain Buchan, Baktosch Gillan, Rory Mellis, Sophie Kirk and Kiran Bahia from Dundee, Lucy Henderson from Perth and Matthew McAnaw from St Andrews.
Structured round four six-month department rotations, the trainees will gain hands-on experience, complete practical work and have direct client contact from early on. The group will also benefit from Thorntons’ diverse learning and development programmes, mentoring scheme and internal virtual networking opportunities which are all designed to further advance skills and knowledge.
Colin Graham, Chair of Thorntons, (above) said: “It’s fantastic to welcome a further ten trainees from our 2020 intake as we know that our trainees are the key to the future success of our business.
“Circumstances are different for our new trainees as they start from a remote working environment but we have established protocols to ensure their learning and development is not restricted. We wish our new colleagues the very best of luck with this exciting stage of their legal career.”
New Trainee, Kiran Bahia, added: “I was a Paralegal in the firm in the personal injury team for over five years before starting my traineeship, so I already knew the firm and its culture and believed I associated with its values of doing what’s right for their colleagues, their clients and the community.
“I admire these commitments and the friendly atmosphere that you encounter when you are chatting to people in the firm. Starting as a paralegal has provided a great foundation ahead of my traineeship. I started my traineeship a little earlier, back in September, and I am currently finishing my first seat in the Corporate team in Dundee and moving on to my second seat in Commercial Property in Edinburgh, albeit virtually for the foreseeable future.
“Being a virtual trainee can be challenging but I have embraced it and I am grateful to my colleagues for being so kind and approachable. I look forward gaining further knowledge of the firm and the journey that lies ahead.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
IMPROVING SLEEP QUALITY
March is National Bed Month and therefore there has never been a more relevant time to start thinking about our sleep.
Many people across the UK can find it difficult to get the quality and quantity of sleep that they need. Lack of good quality sleep can affect how our body works, such as by changing the levels of hunger and stress hormones in our body during the day, which can increase our blood pressure and affect our heart and circulatory system.
For adults it is recommended to try and get around 8 hours of sleep per night, but sometimes it can be the quality of our sleep which keeps us from topping up our energy levels.
With this in mind, here are some tips for getting the shut-eye we need:
Exercise
Exercising can strengthen our heart and arteries but can also improve the quality of our sleep. Whilst any kind of exercise can be of benefit, ensure that any exercise conducted 1-2 hours before going to bed is at a low to moderate intensity to prevent an increase in stress hormone release before going to bed. This may include a short walk or activities such as yoga.
Be Consistent
Having a consistent bedtime routine can help us to wind down during the evening. Simple steps such as taking a hot bath or changing into pajamas can help to prepare both our body and our mind for sleep.
Regulate Light Exposure
Light exposure helps us to regulate our body clock. When it gets dark, our body secretes a hormone called ‘melatonin’ which helps us to sleep. By getting exposure to natural light in the day and limiting our exposure to screens and bright lights late at night, we can help to improve our overall sleep quality.
Avoid Late-Night Coffees
It is recommended to avoid caffeine past 2pm. This is because caffeine, a stimulant found mainly in coffee and tea, has a half-life of around five hours. This means that if you drink a cup of coffee at 5pm, half of it will still be left in your bloodstream at 10pm and this can affect your sleep quality.
Avoid Alcohol
Although some people may find it easier to get to sleep after having a glass of wine, alcohol is known to stop us from being able to enter the deepest stage of sleep and therefore can leave us feeling tired the next day. Excess alcohol consumption can also lead to weight gain which can place strain on our heart.
Plans for a new legal requirement for all homes to meet the same standards will be included in a major national housing strategy published today.
The new Housing Standard, applying to all tenures, is an important element of Housing to 2040, which will set the path for how Scotland’s homes and communities should look and feel in 2040
The new standard will create a single set of quality and accessibility standards, no matter whether a home is owned or rented.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Everyone living in Scotland is entitled to a warm, comfortable and safe place to live.
“That’s why we will develop a new Housing Standard which will be aligned to standards for energy efficiency and heating, meeting expectations for housing as a human right and delivering homes that underpin health and wellbeing.
“This will cover all homes, new and existing, with no margins of tolerance for sub-standard accommodation. Importantly we will also enshrine the Standard in law.
“The Scottish Government will work with local authorities, registered social landlords, private landlords and communities to drive improvements to the quality of all homes so that everyone is living in good quality accommodation, regardless of whether they own it or rent it from a private or social landlord.
“Our existing homes need to keep pace with new homes to ensure no one is left behind.”
Following consultation, and subject to the outcome of the election, the Scottish Government will publish a draft Standard in 2023 and introduce legislation in 2024-25, for phased introduction between 2025 and 2030, recognising that different types of homes in different places may need more or less time to achieve compliance.
Housing to 2040 was published by the Scottish Government this morning.
The University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants scheme is now open!
The scheme helps the development of projects, community activities and sustainable local action through funding and collaboration.
Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh and/or the neighbouring local authority areas, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.
If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work.
The deadline for application is 5pm on Friday 9th April.
As secondary school pupils start to return to the classroom, those aged 12-15 who have smartphones are being encouraged to download the Protect Scotland app.
The app, extended to include the younger age group in December 2020, will help pupils protect themselves and those in their household from COVID-19, as the part-time return to school gets underway.
The Scottish Government today reminded people of the importance of not only downloading the app, but also ensuring that the code provided is entered if a person tests positive, to anonymously alert those who have been in close contact.
App users who are then alerted are able to isolate quicker, and get tested, to stop the spread.
To date, 1.8 million people in Scotland have downloaded the app, and it has, so far notified almost 40,000 people to self-isolate.
The aim is to increase the app’s reach further, particularly as people start to come together in school settings over the coming weeks, to offer an additional layer of protection and reduce the risk of people spreading the virus unknowingly.
https://youtu.be/rzGzh0msKNA
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, John Swinney, said: “The Protect Scotland app has been and remains a vital tool in the reducing the spread of COVID-19, particularly with the new, more transmissible strains in circulation.
“Whilst lateral flow testing is in place for senior secondary pupils and will be extended to S1-S3 pupils after the easter holidays, the app runs in the background and adds an additional protection meaning pupils will be notified far quicker if they come into contact with someone who has the virus.
“As pupils start to come back together, the more people that use it, the more effective it will be in slowing the spread of COVID-19.”
Download the free app today at protect.scot and protect yourself, your family, and Scotland against coronavirus.
Education, Children and Families Vice Convener Cllr Alison Dickie writes about support for children with disabilities:
Being everything you can be.
It’s a grand line, and actually one of the aims of our new children’s services plan. In true Council style though, there are more words: ‘It is important to promote and support every child’s aspirations to ensure they can become everything they can be, now and in the future.’
Yip, that all sounds hunky dory but I’m wondering … does that truly include children with disabilities, particularly those with the most complex needs?
Let’s put it this way. Have you ever watched a parent’s eyes well up as they plead for their young person to be given a purpose to get out of bed every morning? Or for recognition of their worth, and their ability to contribute to society in some way?
Or, as fears replace tears, hear them voice their deepest dread …what will happen to them when I am gone?
I have and it’s heart-breaking.
Despite the wide range of dedicated work going on across Edinburgh to deliver for children with disabilities and their families, parents have shared that it can sometimes feel that they’ve had to fight for the right of their child to be everything they can be.
I first questioned the message we send out to young people with disabilities whilst on a tour of St Crispin’s school in my ward. I was appalled at its condition, its failure to reflect the fantastic work of the staff and pupils within, and the story of our value of them. Thankfully, a new chapter has been written and they will, this year, move into their wonderful and much deserved new school at Burdiehouse.
How do you solve a ‘problem’ like … the holiday support programme?
I’m asked this every year, and the education committee discussed it just last week. In the past, it’s been cited as a non-statutory service, even a luxury not afforded by other Councils. But, listen to the stories of families at breaking point, who cry out for this need, and you’re convinced this is vital respite for the whole family and to help young people thrive.
So, whilst there are big issues to be addressed, such as safety and staffing, we aim to return to the pre-covid provision in the summer, and through engagement with parents, look to how we can further improve this service.
And what of those positive destinations…more so, the lack of them, for young adults with the most complex needs?
Here, communication about what is available, earlier and stronger transitional support, an understanding that one size doesn’t fit all, and a more flexible and collaborative approach are all being considered as we explore with parents how to grow these opportunities and give every young person a future.
Some of this will have budgetary implications, and some the need for more innovative thinking, but one thing’s for sure…every young person has strengths, interests and potential to use in their unique way.
Lockdown has been difficult for everyone, but it’s been particularly challenging for these children and their families. As part of the recovery process, let’s push for progress and help all young people to be what they can be.
This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News
Charities write open letter to encourage those with underlying health conditions to come forward for the jab
More than half of cohort 6 have already been vaccinated
Vaccine drive includes NHS text alert sent to more than 2 million people in this group
People with underlying conditions including cancer, diabetes and heart disease are being encouraged to come forward for a Covid-19 vaccine by leading UK health charities.
Frontline charities, including Mencap, Diabetes UK and Lupus UK, have asked those with underlying medical conditions, their carers, and those with learning disabilities on their GP register, to book a vaccination to protect themselves and those around them from coronavirus.
People in cohort 6 have been prioritised for the vaccine because they have conditions that mean they are more likely to become seriously unwell from coronavirus.
More than half of those in cohort 6 have already received their first dose of the vaccine and it’s hoped that the charities’ letter – alongside text messages from the NHS – will help to increase take up further among those in this at-risk group.
The charities who signed the open letter are among 22 who have joined together in partnership to reassure those they support about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
GP services already have been contacting this cohort but those who have not yet received a letter can get a quick and convenient appointment at a vaccination centre or community pharmacy by using the national booking system or calling 119. The NHS have sent text messages to people in this group with a link so they can book their appointment.
The vaccine is safe and effective and very few people are advised not to have it. However, if you have any concerns, you can discuss these if you book over the phone, or with a health professional at your appointment.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The backing of the charities who work every day to support those who are entitled to a jab as part of cohort 6 is a great boost for the vaccine rollout and shows what we can achieve when we pull together.
“This open letter is a hugely important way to reassure those with underlying health conditions, and their carers, about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
“The charities’ support for this national vaccine effort is invaluable in encouraging more people to come forward and helping us to save lives.”
These vital charities support those included in priority vaccination categories, including cohort 6 which covers individuals aged 16 to 64 with certain long-term conditions identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as being at higher clinical risk from Covid-19.
Underlying health conditions faced by people in cohort 6 include chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver disease and neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy, stroke, vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression due to a health condition or treatment, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, morbid obesity, severe mental illness, as well as sickle cell, lupus and those on GP learning disability registers.
Cohort 6 also includes carers who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of Covid-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable.
Minister for Vaccines Nadhim Zahawi said: “We have already given a first dose of the vaccine to more than half of those in cohort 6 and I am grateful to the charities who are encouraging more people in that group to come forward.
“The vaccine is our way out of this pandemic and offers the chance to protect yourself and others – that’s why it’s vital that people get their jab.
“This open letter should help to reassure those with any concerns the vaccine is safe and supported by more than twenty of our most trusted charities.
“I would like to thank them all for backing this life-saving campaign and offering their expertise and assistance to support the largest medical deployment in British history.”
Open letter
We are writing today to encourage people living with an underlying health condition in cohort 6 to come forward for a Covid-19 vaccine.
People with these conditions, including their carers, and those with learning disabilities on the learning disability register, have been prioritised by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation because they are more likely to become seriously unwell from Covid-19.
The vast majority of you should already have been invited for vaccination and more than half of you have already received your first dose.
Some of you may still be waiting for a letter from your GP.
But the good news is, even if you have not received your letter yet, you can now get an appointment at a vaccination centre or community pharmacy, quickly and easily, by using the national booking system or calling 119 in England.
We are proud to support the vaccination roll-out and are here to support you.
The vaccine is safe and effective and very few people are advised not to have it. However, if you have any concerns, you can discuss these when you book, or with a health professional at your appointment.
Over 20 million people in the UK have had their first dose and great progress has been made by the NHS.
We are very pleased to see the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out providing protection for people, like you, who are most at risk from the virus.
Underlying health conditions in cohort 6 include chronic respiratory, heart, kidney, liver disease and neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy, stroke, vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, due to a health condition or treatment, asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, morbid obesity, severe mental illness, as well as sickle cell, lupus and those on GP learning disability registers.
Cohort 6 also includes carers who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, or those who are the sole or primary carer of an elderly or disabled person who is at increased risk of Covid-19 mortality and therefore clinically vulnerable.
The vaccines that have been approved for use in the UK have met the strict safety standards set by the medicines regulator on safety, quality and effectiveness.
To protect yourself and your family, friends and colleagues, you still need to follow the current government guidance on social contact after receiving your vaccine.
Please come forward to have the jab. It will help save lives and offers the best form of protection from this terrible virus.
The organisations within the partnership, 18 of which have also signed the letter, are:
ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust)
Anthony Nolan
Asthma UK
British Heart Foundation
British Liver Trust
British Lung Foundation
Cancer Research UK
Carers UK
Diabetes UK
Epilepsy Action
Kidney Care UK
Kidney Research UK
Lupus UK
Macmillan Cancer Support
Mencap
MS Society
National Kidney Federation
Rethink Mental Illness
Sickle Cell Society
Stroke Association
Terrence Higgins Trust
Versus Arthritis
Unpaid carers are included in cohort 6 providing they:
are eligible for a carer’s allowance
are identified as a primary carer by their GP
are receiving support following a carer’s assessment by their local council or from a local carer’s organisation
are the sole or primary carer who provides close personal care or face to face support for an elderly or disabled person who is clinically vulnerable to COVID-19
The group, which is made up of community activists and trade union representatives, is appealing to Edinburgh residents to share the reports’s findings with their elected representatives:
‘Our full report on The City of Edinburgh Council services and communications has now been published. Please read, share and let your councillors know what you think – and let us know how you get on.’
