September 2023 – Page 20 – The NEN

Schools Out? Unions reject latest pay offer

COSLA offer condemned as ‘far too little, far too late’

School strikes likely to go ahead this month

UNISON Scotland’s local government committee met yesterday morning (Thursday) and have voted unanimously to reject Cosla’s revised offer outright, which was sent to the union on Wednesday evening.

The union say that unless a significantly improved offer is received by 5pm on Wednesday (September 20th), schools strikes planned for September 26th 27th and 28th will go ahead.

UNISON have written to Cosla to say that “the revision is miniscule and as a result the unanimous decision of our committee is that we reject this offer outright and proceed with strike action on the dates already notified.”

UNISON letter to COSLA here

The letter to Cosla points out that the revised offer represents an increase on the previous offer of only 0.17%. For those on the lowest pay the revised offer represents an increase of only £0.01 per hour, effective from 1st Jan 2024. Those working full-time and earning £25K or above are being offered no increase on the previous offer, which has already been rejected.

UNISON Scotland head of local government, Johanna Baxter said: “It is deeply disappointing that it has taken COSLA five months since our members rejected the initial offer to present such insignificant changes.

“We have made very clear that COSLA must put forward a significantly improved offer to avert mass school strikes. Members of our Local Government Committee this morning described this offer as insulting.

“It is staggering that COSLA have still not approached, and continue to refuse to approach, the Scottish Government for additional funding to make a meaningful improvement to the pay offer.

“Given the state of local authority budgets we believe this to be a dereliction of the duty to stand up for local government and fight for the funding needed to both properly reward the local government workforce and keep our public services running.”

UNISON Scotland chair of UNISON Scotland local government committee, Mark Ferguson said: “The strike mandate we have is the strongest show of strength by our members in decades – their resolve to fight for the decent pay rise they, and all their colleagues across local government, so richly deserve is clear.”

COSLA’s revised pay offer here

GMB Scotland rejects latest council pay offer as school staff prepare to strike

GMB Scotland has rejected the latest pay offer to council workers and warned time is running out to avert strikes threatening to disrupt schools this month.

The offer from Cosla, representing local authorities, was dismissed as “far too little, far too late” to avert three days of strike action by support staff in schools and early years education.

The union, which represents more than 21,000 workers across Scotland’s 32 councils, said strikes involving cleaning, janitorial, catering and pupil support will now go ahead without a revised offer and urged ministers to intervene.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: “The latest offer is no significant improvement on the previous offer that was overwhelmingly rejected.

“Strike action is not something our members ever take lightly but, after a long, frustrating process, they have been left with no choice.

“This offer, like the previous offer, does not come close to maintaining the value of their wages as prices rise. It is far too little and far too late.

“Why should local authority workers in Scotland be offered less than in England? Why should they be asked to accept the unacceptable?

“If Cosla does not have the resource or the will to properly protect the wages of some of the country’s most important workers then the Scottish Government needs to intervene and intervene urgently.”

Members of GMB Scotland and sister trade union UNISON plan to strike in schools in most council areas in a fortnight on Tuesday 26^th of September and the following two days.

Earlier this month, the union suspended strike action planned in schools across Scotland to agree concerted action with the other unions.

Industrial action involving school staff not including teachers was suspended in Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Falkirk, Glasgow, Orkney, Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire.

UNITE is still to announce a decision on the COSLA pay offer but it’s members are also likely to reject the deal.

COSLA RESPONSE ON REVISED PAY OFFER REJECTION

COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann responded yesterday: “I am doubly disappointed today, firstly with the rejection itself, but perhaps more importantly, with the fact that they did not take the revised offer to their membership for consideration.

“We have continued to conduct these negotiations in good faith and kept communication channels open at all times.

“We absolutely value all our Local Government Workforce and throughout these negotiations Council Leaders have re-iterated the value we place on the Workforce and the work that they do.

“That is why we enhanced an already strong offer yesterday, with Council Leaders going to the absolute limits of what Local Government can afford. The simple fact of the matter is that we have no more money available for pay without real cuts to jobs and services.

“It must be remembered that we are talking about a pay package worth over £440 million, specifically targeted at the lower end of our workforce. A pay package which not only compares well to other sectors but recognises the cost-of-living pressures on our workforce and which would mean the lowest paid would see a 21% increase in their pay over a two-year period.

“Whichever way you cut it, this is a very strong offer in the financial climate we find ourselves. We have a duty to ensure that services are sustainable within the funding for pay we have available.

“I am disappointed with today’s rejection . However, we will continue to engage as positively as we can with the Trade Unions as strike action is in nobody’s interests.”

Tea Dance at Corstorphine Astoria Centre

SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER from 2 – 4pm

Unique university-approved course kicks off in Edinburgh

Novel holistic courses to enrich Capitals students

A DISTINCTIVE course is set to start in Edinburgh to give students the unique opportunity of gaining rare qualifications in complementary therapy.

The Complementary Therapy School is the first and sole private training provider authorised to offer University endorsed Clinical Reflexology and Swedish Massage Therapy qualifications.

The courses undergo a rigorous and thorough process of quality assurance, which is overseen by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and underpinned by the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) principles.

The two unique part-time courses offer students the highest possible qualification levels in the UK through its credit rating partnership with the University of the West of Scotland, with students able to achieve qualifications at SCQF level 8.

The course has been spearheaded by one of the best-known names in the complementary therapy industry. Melanie Bell founded The Complementary Therapy School in 2006 and has since opened seven branches across the UK, training up therapists from Inverness to London.

Melanie said: “This a huge milestone for us and all of our trainers at The Complementary Therapy School. Teaching unique, valuable skills as part of the high-quality course across the UK is certainly a rewarding feeling.

“We’re very passionate about what we do here, and we not only want to offer students the opportunity to learn this skill but also the opportunity to follow a new career pathway at the highest level.

“People from across the country are due to start the course in September and we see a mix of backgrounds on our courses – with students like full-time athletes, nurses and lawyers looking towards a career in complementary therapy.

“The partnership with the University of the West of Scotland is extremely exciting and highlights the powerful nature of holistic treatments and how much they are growing across the UK.”

The Complementary Therapy School has been delivering university credit rated courses for 11 years, and now has credit rated provision endorsed by the University of the West of Scotland.

Complementary therapies take a holistic approach to care, and look at supporting patients as a whole person, incorporating physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

With an extensive 28-year background as a qualified massage therapist and 26 years as a reflexology practitioner, Melanie is a multi-award winning teacher who brings a wealth of expertise to the classroom.

University-educated in Biomedical Science, Melanie’s unique blend of skills and insights sets a new standard for holistic therapy education.

Designed to cater to anyone with an interest in Clinical Reflexology or Swedish Massage, the courses encompass not only the core therapies but essential subjects like Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology.

The courses span one academic year, and are designed to accommodate a range of schedules and preferences.

The Complementary Therapy School has six trainers working across the UK, with venues as far north as Inverness and as far south as London.

Founded in 2006, The Complementary Therapy School also provides courses in Indian Head Massage, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Sport and Remedial Massage and Diploma in Complementary Therapies.

For enrolment details, course information, and more, please visit:

https://www.thects.co.uk/

Long live the Bat! Celebrate Batman Day on the big screen with Vue Edinburgh

Catch the caped crusader at Vue on Saturday

To mark 83 years since his very first appearance in DC’s Detective Comics back in 1939, Vue is celebrating the iconic superhero Batman by bringing some of the most iconic films back to the big screen this Batman Day this Saturday (16 September).

Throughout the day, Vue Edinburgh Omni and Ocean Terminal will be allowing comic book fans to enjoy three films featuring the caped crusader and his gang of infamous rogues in some of their most beloved and acclaimed moments.

With Michael Keaton donning the famous cowl, Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989 brought the world of Gotham City to life with thrilling action pieces, an iconic score from Danny Elfman and a comically wicked turn from actor Jack Nicholson, who played his iconic archnemesis The Joker.

In 2009, director Christopher Nolan took the helm with The Dark Knight, portraying the DC superhero in his most daring and dramatic role yet, leading to one of the most entertaining blockbusters to date, complete with award-winning performances and jaw-dropping set pieces.

With Christian Bale grappling the dual role of Batman / Bruce Wayne against a very different take on the clown prince of crime, Heath Ledger’s legendary performance as The Joker which saw the actor win an post-humous Academy Award.

Finally, Gothamites can revel in the more recent capers that put DC’s fictional city in Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix in a much grittier and personal take on the infamous Batman villain. Watch the warped world of the man who would put a smile on people’s faces, for better or worse, become the iconic big screen baddie we know and hate to love.

All three of these epic Batman blockbusters also return to the big screen as part of Warners Bros 75^th anniversary, which Vue has marked by rescreening a number of the production company’s most iconic films, including the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and sci-fi film Interstellar, all of which will be screening at Vue venues later this year.

Robert Lea, Head of Screen Content at Vue Entertainment, said: ‘Some of the most recognisable big screen moments of all time come from the adventures of Batman in his many blockbusters, so we’re thrilled to offer film fans to chance to catch some of his greatest adventures this Batman Day.

‘Our Back on the Big Screen releases have been proving incredibly popular with film fans looking to rewatch their favourites or even see classics for the first time – and we’re hugely excited to bring Batman back at Vue this September.’

Super Saver Tickets available online from just £4.99 at selected venues. Book now at myvue.com

Bike to the Botanics

Why not join us on a family-friendly Led Ride to the Royal Botanic Gardens?

Marvel at one of the finest botanical gardens in the world.

Ride departs Meadows at 11am, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre at 11:30am, returning for 3pm at Drylaw and 3:30pm at Meadows.

Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

Performing arts academy opens the curtain on campus

Brand new multi-million pound campus in Livingston opens its doors

ONE of Scotland’s largest centres of performing arts is putting its best foot forward as it ushers in the new era of students with the opening of its brand new campus.

The newly renovated 30,000 sq ft campus in Livingston marks a significant expansion for the MGA Academy of Performing Arts.

This expansion will enable the academy to triple its student enrolment and broaden its educational offerings to include 11 BA degrees and two post-graduate Master’s degrees, while also providing accommodations for 18 state-of-the-art studios.

The new campus, based in the former tax office in Almondvale, Livingston, received a multi-million pound investment and will feature one of Scotland’s largest sprung dance floor which spans 347 sq ft.

Established in 2015 to address a demand for an innovative performing arts academy outside of London, MGA has produced a wealth of talented graduates who have appeared on stage and screen in major productions, including Disney’s Descendants, Wicked, Gossip Girl, Six! The Musical, Outlander and Frozen.

Giles Auckland Lewis, Chief Executive of The MGA Academy, said: “It’s a very exciting time for the academy as we open the doors of our brand new campus. There has been a great buzz with new and returning students as they explore all the exceptional facilities.

“Being part of this chapter of the academy’s story has been incredibly rewarding, and as we’re now located almost exactly half way between Edinburgh and Glasgow it’s much more convenient for students and staff.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure the new campus can offer our talented students the opportunity to advance their skills in singing, dance and acting and achieve their full potential within the industry.”

Included in the new campus is seven rehearsal studios for acting and musical theatre, seven fully sprung dance studios, four singing rooms and a TV production suite. Other features include a student welfare and physiotherapy room, a learning resource centre and library, IT suites, study areas and a cafe and social areas, as well as 130 parking spaces.

The MGA Academy’s Balgreen campus will continue to be an integral part of the academy’s facilities, serving as a central hub for junior age groups.

Mr Auckland-Lewis added: “The new campus in Livingston is truly state of the art, we’re in a great position to continue to develop our reputation as a leading international competitor to the world’s most successful arts education institutions.

“The platform we’re providing for aspiring performers allows them to remain in Scotland while studying at a level equivalent to other prestigious UK colleges. We also now have the ability to attract even more students and world class tutors from across the world.”

The MGA Academy is approved by the Scottish Qualifications Agency, the Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance, and is Scotland’s only fully accredited college with the UK’s Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.

Learn more about The MGA Academy and how to enrol for courses here:

https://www.themgaacademy.com/

Development underway on 400 new homes for South Queensferry

A sod cutting ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of the delivery of 100 new social homes for Sanctuary Scotland in South Queensferry.

The properties are part of Lovell Partnerships’ The Crossings at Bridgewater Village development, which will bring around 400 homes to the area.

The Crossings will be a mixed-tenure development of 398 homes and 14 commercial units, delivered in partnership by Lovell Partnerships, Sanctuary Scotland, Sigma Capital, the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council

Development of the new site is expected to deliver around 200 jobs, directly by Lovell and through the supply chain. Many of the new roles will be for apprentices, including joiners and bricklayers.

Lovell is proud to support the local community everywhere they build and, in addition to creating jobs, has invested nearly £7million in local business.

The sod cutting ceremony took place on Scottish Housing Day, which this year focuses on housing as a career. It was attended by City of Edinburgh Council Housing Convenor, Councillor Jane Meagher.

The development is set to boost housing stock in the area, with several impressive views of the historic bridges crossing the Forth.

Those properties not earmarked for Sanctuary Scotland will be rented by Sigma Capital or sold on the open market by Lovell Homes.

The Crossings will include active travel infrastructure and measures such as rain gardens and green/blue infrastructure that work with the water cycle to promote the health of the site and proper water management.

The homes will also be environmentally sustainable, using solar panels and energy efficient boilers.

The Crossings will be a 20-minute neighbourhood, meaning that residents will be able to have most of their daily needs met within a short walk or cycle.

Sarah Freel, Head of Partnerships at Lovell, said: “We are particularly proud to be working with Sanctuary Scotland to provide social housing at this development, which will go towards achieving the Scottish Government’s target of building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

“With views of the historic Forth bridges and great access to amenities, this development is certain to be one of Edinburgh’s most desirable neighbourhoods.

“Today’s sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of this exciting new community, which will become home to many families over the coming years.”

Gillian Lavety, Sanctuary’s Development Director for Scotland, commented: “As a leading national housing association, we’re committed to ensuring local people have access to affordable, good-quality homes.

“The Crossings at Bridgewater Village is an exciting development that will make a real difference, and we’re delighted to be working with our partners to help meet the established need for more affordable homes in the area.”

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Jane Meagher said: “Today marks Scottish Housing Day and it is important to use this opportunity to reflect on this hugely important sector, not just here in Edinburgh but across the country.

“It was fantastic to be able to mark the day by attending the ceremony to see the start of construction of one hundred social rented homes here in South Queensferry.

“This exciting start represents an important step forward in the area’s development and will help to alleviate some of the critical pressures that face the Edinburgh’s housing sector.”

Who’s returned to Picardy Place? It’s elementary …

Sherlock Holmes has returned to keep a watchful eye over Picardy Place, as his newly refurbished statue is unveiled.

Marking the nearby birthplace of the super sleuth’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the life-sized bronze sculpture was removed in 2018 while Trams to Newhaven works were carried out. It has been renovated by Black Isle Bronze in Nairn.

On Wednesday, 13 September, Conan Doyle’s relative and creator of the Sherlock Homes Tartan, Tania Henzell, helped to unveil the statue in position on the newly redeveloped Picardy Place island, which will open to the public next week.

The island includes new pedestrian routes and cycleways, ‘rain gardens’ and trees and shrubs, which will be planted on the island in October, during planting season.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Sherlock’s return has been the finishing touch for Picardy Place island – I’m pleased to welcome him back to his creator’s birthplace, taking pride of place in this transformed public space.

“For so long this area has been disused and unloved, so it’s wonderful to see it brought back to life. Not only will it link walking and cycling routes to and from the city centre, but will provide a spot to relax, meet up and enjoy some of the fascinating cultural artefacts on display.”

Tania Henzell added: “I am pleased to see that Sherlock Holmes has returned to the new location, Picardy Place island, to keep a watchful eye in the heart of Edinburgh. Many of his followers have asked where he had gone; to the north of Scotland to solve a long running case, I replied!

The Holmes statue was sculpted by Gerald Ogilvie Laing and was originally installed near 11 Picardy Place, where Conan Doyle was born, which has since been demolished.

The reconstruction of Picardy Place has been delivered as part of the Growth Accelerator Model Agreement for the St James Quarter development.

Commenting on Sherlock’s return, Barry Young of The Sherlock Holmes Society of Scotland said: “It’s wonderful to see Conan Doyle’s most famous creation back in the heart of the capital.

“We understand that in his absence Holmes has met the head lama in Tibet, travelled through Persia and sorted out a spot of trouble with the Statue of Liberty, the results of which he has communicated to the foreign office.

“He now retakes his rightful place in Picardy Place, overseeing the teeming metropolis and ready to undertake the investigation of whatever mysterious domestic issues might be puzzling the authorities.”

City Archaeologist John Lawson said: “We are delighted to see this statue back in place, now due to the creation of this new island we were now able to place closer to the original birth place of Arthur Conan Doyle.“

Edinburgh Deaf Festival: Stacy’s story

RNID’s STACY WORBOYS writes about her time at the second Edinburgh Deaf Festival (11-20 August 2023) and the community she found there as a deaf person:

“This year was the first year that I have been back to Edinburgh since before the pandemic, so I thought I’d make the most of it and visit during the second Edinburgh Deaf Festival.

A little bit about me – I have been deaf since birth, diagnosed when I was 4, but grown up in a hearing family, attending mainstream schools with support and equipment and not learning sign language. There was only one other deaf person (that I know of) when I was at secondary school.

I relied entirely on lip reading and my chunky radio aid linked, to my hearing aids, to understand speech. My mum tried to get us enrolled on a family British Sign Language (BSL) course, but they were too expensive, and we couldn’t afford them.

Starting to sign

When I was 18, I moved from the outskirts of Sheffield to Cardiff for university and, after attending a volunteering fayre, started volunteering with RNID on their information stalls and campaigns.

This is where I started to meet other deaf people and learn more about sign language. It wasn’t until I left university and started working that I started learning BSL.

After passing my Level 1, I felt confident to start signing with other deaf people, so began going to deaf clubs and joined different events in the deaf community to meet new people. In the last eight years, I have worked my way all the way up to Level 6 and now use BSL regularly to communicate with friends and work colleagues.

Growing up, I used to love going to the cinema and theatre, but I always struggled to understand what was happening. I relied entirely on the visual aspect of film and theatre and the occasional chance to lip read what someone was saying.

I still love going but I cannot manage without captions or BSL interpreters.

So, I jumped at the chance to attend a week full of performances and events that were done entirely in BSL, with voiceover provided for any hearing attendees and captions for deaf people who didn’t use BSL.

For the first time, I was surrounded entirely by BSL users from different walks of life. A truly different experience and one that I will remember for a long time.

Developing my knowledge and identity

For the last 6 years, I have been developing my knowledge of BSL, deaf culture and deaf identity – including finding my own deaf identity.

I was lucky enough to meet a great group of deaf people, who welcomed me into the local deaf clubs and were patient with me, as I practiced my BSL and learnt about different parts of their culture.

Many people shared their experiences of education, work and social lives with me and made me more aware of the barriers that people with profound deafness have.

In a normal week, I spend time with deaf friends around three times a week. At work, I rely on lip reading and speech-to-text reporters for catch-ups and meetings.

Going to Edinburgh

An outdoors poster saying "Edinburgh Deaf Festival"

When in Edinburgh, I was surrounded by deaf people every day and it was such a different experience.

It was so nice to see deaf people all packed into a room chatting away before the show, and then continuing the conversation afterwards.

It has always been said that deaf people are the last to leave, and almost everyone stuck around, so I knew that was true!

I was fully emerged in the culture for the first time. For one week, I really embraced and accepted my own deaf identity, knowing that there were people in the room who shared similar experiences.

Everyone had a different story to tell, and no-one’s experience was the same. Being deaf doesn’t mean that you cannot hear anything, it is a spectrum. There were people in Edinburgh with similar levels of deafness to myself. This is something that I have struggled with in my local deaf community, because there aren’t many people with my level of deafness.

At the festival, there was a complete range of performances and events that I was able to attend. This included stand-up comedy shows with John Smith, Gavin Lilley and Elf Lyons and Duffy, to dance, comedy, magic and drag shows. There were also BSL tours of the Edinburgh Castle and Botanical Gardens, and – my absolute favourite – a good old fashioned pub quiz!

My personal highlight was just getting to spend time with like-minded individuals and loving life in a different city for seven days.

I really am glad that I made the decision to go to Edinburgh’s Deaf Festival and I am already looking forward to going back in 2024.”

Two charged over production and supply of illicit diazepam

POLICE in Midlothian have charged two men and seized a significant quantity of controlled drugs following an intelligence-led operation.

On Tuesday, 12 September, 2023, officers attended a property in the Danderhall area suspected of being involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs.

Seized from within the address were items believed to be involved in the production of diazepam, including a pill press, along with approximately 900,000 tablets.

A range of other substances, including powders currently undergoing further forensic testing, were also recovered.

It is anticipated that the items recovered had an estimated street value of over £1 million.

Two men, aged 42 and 60, were arrested at the scene and have since been charged. Both are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Thursday, 14 September, 2023.)

Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns said: “Officers discovered a sophisticated criminal enterprise believed to have been producing vast amounts of illegal drugs with a significant quantity, and mechanisms to produce more, successfully seized.

“Our officers are removing drugs from communities right across Scotland day in, day out. In addition we will continue to do everything in our powers to strip those responsible of their criminal assets using the Proceeds of Crime Act, so they do not benefit from criminal activity.

“This operation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.”