Day: October 31, 2024

Kids Operating Room and Smile Train roll out solar surgery system to improve care of children in Nigerian hospitals

  • Kids Operating Room and Smile Train successfully install solar surgery systems in 23 hospitals across Nigeria
  • The Solar Surgery system ensures reliable power for medical equipment during surgeries, addressing frequent power cuts
  • Initiative boosts patient safety and surgical outcomes, and reduces carbon emissions
  • Partnership aims to upgrade more than 30 paediatric theatres across Africa by 2025

Kids Operating Room (KidsOR), the Scottish charity dedicated to ensuring every child has access to safe surgery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused charity, announce the successful implementation of the Solar Surgery system in 23 hospitals across Nigeria.

In their groundbreaking partnership, the two organisations are taking significant strides to enhance surgical care in Nigeria through the creation of new surgical facilities, training of local surgical teams, and now the deployment of solar powered operating theatres to ensure every child has access to a safe operation, free from the risks of power outages.

Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of the operating facilities in Nigeria, charging smart battery units that power vital medical equipment in an operating room. This innovative approach combats the frequent power cuts experienced in many African hospitals, ensuring uninterrupted care and better outcomes for patients.

The system monitors what power is needed by the surgical team and provides that directly from the panels, meaning children across Nigeria are now having operations powered entirely by the sun. However, the system can seamlessly switch to a blend of solar and battery power on cloudy days and can go on to provide 8-hours of continuous use into the night. Only when there is no sunlight, and the reserve is being depleted will the system start to pull power from the local grid. 

The partnership between KidsOR and Smile Train promises to deliver reliable power to Nigerian hospitals, improving patient safety and improving surgical results while also reducing the carbon emissions of the facilities – setting a sustainable standard for medical treatment across Africa.

Globally, one in 700 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Sadly, many of these children miss out on the vital reconstructive surgery they need, which can lead to challenges in eating, breathing, and speaking. Smile Train is the world’s leading charity focused on transforming the lives of these children and recently announced supporting their 2 millionth cleft surgery.

Nkeiruka OBI, Vice-President and Regional Director, Africa of Smile Train, commented: “Erratic power supply is a norm in Nigeria, like most developing countries. Interruption of power during a surgical procedure could jeopardise the life of the patient. It is not a desirable experience.  

“By harnessing clean and renewable solar energy, which by the way we have in abundance in this part of the world, surgical teams can confidently operate critical medical equipment and ensure that children with clefts can receive safe, timely surgeries regardless of power outages.  

“The solar-powered theatre is a game changer, in transforming healthcare delivery across Africa, especially in areas where unreliable power limits access to safe surgical care. 

“With each solar-powered theatre, we take a step closer to universal access to safe surgery, amplifying the impact on children, families, and entire communities. Smile Train and KidsOR’s partnership truly serves as a model on how meaningful collaboration and innovation can overcome healthcare challenges and drive sustainable change across the continent.”

David Cunningham, CEO of KidsOR, commented: “Our partnership with Smile Train is making a life changing difference to children in developing countries across the globe. In Nigeria, and across Africa, we are working with Smile Train to pave the way for a future where no child has to fear a power outage as a significant risk to their life during an operation.

“In Nigeria, we will shortly have moved 30 operating rooms onto the exciting Solar Surgery system, which means surgical facilities across the country will be able to operate at full capacity and are no longer restricted by frequent power outages.”

Around three quarters of older people feel their issues are not understood by Scottish Government

Scottish Parliament debates committee report on commissioners

  • Over seven in ten (74%) older people (over 65)  in Scotland feel their issues are not understood by the Scottish Government.
  • Charity Independent Age calls for greater focus on the issues affecting older people in Scotland and the creation of an Older People’s Commissioner. 
  • Polling revealed as Scottish Parliament set to debate Finance and Public Accounts Committee report that proposes a pause on new commissioners in Scotland.  

Independent Age, the national charity supporting pensioners in poverty is calling on the Scottish Parliament to ‘carefully and urgently’ consider how it will ensure older people on a low income will be protected, have their voices heard and their rights upheld.  

As the Scottish Parliament is set to debate a report from the Finance and Public Accounts Committee into the commissioner landscape in Scotland, new polling commissioned by the charity shows that 74% of pensioners in Scotland feel their issues are not understood by the Scottish Government.1  

The report calls for a moratorium – a pause – on any new commissioners in Scotland until a review can be carried out2  , which the charity says risks continuing to leave older people without an independent champion in these times of rising energy costs, the onset of winter, and recent changes to the eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments.

Support for an Older People’s Commissioner is wide-spread. In May last year, over 30 organisations working with and supporting older people across Scotland called for an OPC.3 The MSP Colin Smyth introduced a Private Member’s Bill calling for the creation of the position which recently secured the cross-party support required to be formally introduced to Parliament.   

The charity says this has never been more urgent as the number of pensioners in poverty – 150,000 – is up in number by 25% since 2012 and has remained stubbornly high in recent years. 4

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “It’s hard to overstate the devastating impact that deepening poverty is having on older people across Scotland.

“In a socially-just society, no one should live in poverty. It is also incredibly worrying that the majority of older people feel their issues are not understood by the Scottish Government. 

“While we welcome the robust efforts of many MSPs to support their older constituents and represent their views in Parliament, polling shows that more needs to be done. Careful and urgent action is required to support the many pensioner households suffering the impacts of poverty.

“We firmly believe the only way to tackle pensioner poverty in Scotland is through a strategic approach. A key part of this being the introduction of an independent Older People’s Commissioner. Without such a champion we worry that older people’s issues will continue to fall between the gaps.” 

Missing woman: Have you seen Emily?

POLICE are appealing for the assistance of the public to trace 30-year-old Emily Owens, who is missing from Livingston.

Emily also goes by the name Megan McFallon. She was last seen around 5.45pm on Wednesday, 30 October, 2024 in the Howden area of Livingston.

She is 5 ft 2 ins in height with closely shaved hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a black tracksuit with graffiti-style writing on the back.

Emily is also known to frequent the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas and officers are liaising with police colleagues in those areas too.

Inspector Geraldine Josey said: “We are extremely concerned for Emily’s wellbeing. Searches and enquiries are ongoing to trace her as soon as possible to ensure that she is safe and well.

“We urge anyone who has seen Emily or who has any information regarding her whereabouts to contact 101 quoting reference number 3273 of 30 October.”

Sports presenter Jill Douglas collects honorary doctorate from ENU – where she began her journalism career

Borderer has been honoured for her reporting and charity work

Sports broadcaster and motor neuron disease (MND) charity leader Jill Douglas has returned to her roots to collect an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).

Best known for her on-screen coverage of rugby, cycling, snooker and athletics, Jill began her career by studying newspaper journalism at ENU while working in the Scottish Borders at her local paper, The Southern Reporter.

She would go on to become a well-recognised face in broadcast sport, covering the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cups and British & Irish Lions tours for the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky Sports.

In a journalism career full of highlights, she was the first female to present the BBC’s Rugby Special programme, reported from cycling gold medal wins at the 2012 London Olympics, and interviewed South Africa’s Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi on the pitch following their win in Yokohama in 2019.

As a close friend of the late rugby player Doddie Weir, Jill has been involved with My Name’5 Doddie Foundation since its inception, serving as CEO until the spring of this year. She remains a patron at the charity, which was set up in 2017 following Doddie’s diagnosis with MND and has since raised more than £20m to back research and support.

Jill now lives with her husband Carl and their two children in Cheltenham and is President of Cheltenham Tigers RFC.

Reacting to her graduation, which took place at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall today [Thursday 31 October], Jill said: “I began my life in journalism and broadcasting at Edinburgh Napier. It is where I laid the foundations for my career, and I still rely on the many skills and lessons I learned on campus at Craiglockhart and Merchiston.

“It is a great honour to be recognised by the University with an Honorary Doctorate. It is very special to share graduation day with so many students who are embarking on their own careers.

“Journalism and broadcasting have allowed me to travel the world and experience some amazing events and I hope those graduating in 2024 have as many opportunities and great times as I have enjoyed over the years. I’d like to thank my old lecturers for their patience and the current team for this honour.”

Presenting her with her honorary doctorate, Dr Tony Westbury from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences said: “It has always been the qualities of knowledge, understanding and preparation that established Jill as an authoritative and skilled broadcaster.

“There is no doubt that her professionalism, knowledge and authentic love of sport has contributed to the enjoyment of many and inspired the next generation of journalists, both male and female.”

Edinburgh Napier University’s autumn graduation ceremonies conclude at the Usher Hall on 31 October.

Healthcare awareness campaign launched

Where to seek help over winter

An awareness campaign is underway to ensure people know the best place to access healthcare this winter.

Right Care Right Place helps the public decide the most appropriate service for their healthcare needs – whether they should contact their GP or pharmacy, call NHS 24 on 111 or use self-help guides on the NHS Inform website. Hospital emergency departments should only be visited for critical emergencies.

The campaign features targeted advertising on television, radio and online and aims to help alleviate pressures on the NHS and social care ahead of an expected seasonal increase in demand.

Health Secretary Neil Gray visited East Lothian Community Hospital to hear about work being undertaken to address delayed discharges. The hospital supports patients leaving acute hospitals who require intermediate care before returning home.

Mr Gray said: “We have been working closely with colleagues across the NHS and social care to make sure we are as prepared as possible ahead of winter.

“Public information and awareness of the treatment options and how to access them when needed is key to ensuring services are directed where they are most needed.

“This will help everyone to get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible while helping alleviate pressures on the rest of the NHS. People can also help by making sure they receive their Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Covid-19 and flu vaccinations if eligible.”

Self-help guides can be found on NHS inform and include advice on the most common winter illnesses.

Health and social care: winter preparedness plan 2024 to 2025 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Collaborations to research Arctic Whales is signed by Heriot-Watt and HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

Pioneering research to protect and conserve Arctic whale populations is to begin under a new five-year collaboration between Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), a world leader in travel exploration.

The partners have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), beginning in 2024, to research challenges facing marine life in the high Arctic – the most northern part of the Arctic region and one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.

The agreement will see Heriot-Watt University and HX work together on the Whales & Arctic Vessels Project (WAVE), a collaboration driven by the urgent need to better understand how often and where whales are encountering vessels in the high Arctic, and how whales are responding to these interactions – an area of research that remains largely unexplored.

“We have very little understanding about how frequently Arctic whales are encountering vessels in the high Arctic and how they may be impacted by these interactions,” explained project lead Dr Lauren McWhinnie, an Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt’s School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.

“We know in other areas of the world that whales can be affected by vessels in a variety of ways, from exposure to underwater noise to being physically stuck or disturbed.

“As vessel activity increases in the Arctic, it’s important that we work with industry, policy makers and communities to ensure that the maritime sector is operating in a responsible and sustainable manner and is not placing any further pressure on these animals whose habitat is significantly changing due to climate change.”

Heriot-Watt University is the first UK university to partner with HX in a project of this scale. The collaboration will see the two organisations jointly publish findings, delivering impact reports and scientific results that will further the understanding of the pressures on Arctic whale populations and contribute to global conservation efforts.

The partnership will harness HX’s extensive expedition network and will benefit vastly from the company’s ability to engage both guest passengers and the wider public in this important environmental research.

Heriot-Watt’s researchers will benefit from access to multiple vessels within the fleet, enabling scientists to conduct multi-year data collection in areas rarely surveyed. Passengers aboard HX ships on planned commercial voyages will also have the opportunity to participate in citizen science programmes, both contributing valuable data and allowing them to see how their contributions can make a difference.

Dr Verena Meraldi, Chief Scientist for HX, said the research would help improve our understanding of the pressures on Arctic whales and enrich the knowledge and experience HX can provide to its guests: “As Chief Scientist for HX, I have the honour of working alongside various scientists across different disciplines to get a deeper understanding of the processes governing our planet, and the impact we (as humans) are having on it,”

Dr Meraldi said. “Conveying this to our guests and getting them involved in projects such as WAVE is exactly the kind of project we look to support. We hope by supporting this project we will support further knowledge and understanding of Arctic whales, and also enrich the journeys and mindset of our guests.

“This MoU represents a vital collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to advance the scientific understanding of Arctic ecosystems, while making a tangible contribution to whale conservation in the region.”

The collaboration aims to promote global awareness and support the conservation of Arctic whale species, while gathering critical data to inform and support evidence-based management strategies. WAVE also seeks to foster academic growth in marine sciences by supporting and developing the next generation of researchers.

With increasing vessel activity being documented in the Arctic, it is crucial for academia to work alongside industry partners, policymakers, and local communities to ensure that both future and current use of this marine space takes place in a responsible and sustainable manner, the scientists say.

This is particularly important given the significant changes to the habitat of Arctic whales, caused by climate driven sea ice reductions, and the need to avoid adding further pressures on these vulnerable species.

Dr McWhinnie said: “When we are working to conserve whales, we are so often on the back foot – reacting to deal with a problem that is already having a documented impact.

“What’s incredibly exciting about this research is that we are being more proactive, trying to make sure an impact doesn’t occur, and learning from lessons we’ve seen arise elsewhere.

“As a researcher this is a truly fantastic opportunity to bring about a positive change, and I’m incredibly excited to work with our partners, HX Hurtigruten Expeditions, to ensure that future vessels visiting the Arctic will have a minimal impact on these incredible animals.”

Leith Street incident: Two 15 year old youths charged

Two 15-year-old males have been charged and will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the serious assault and robbery of a man and a woman in Leith Street, Edinburgh.

The incident took place around 10pm on Monday, 28 October, near to the Princes Street junction.

Officers are continuing further lines of enquiry in relation to the incident.

Detective Sergeant Steven Gray said: “We would like to thank the numerous members of the public who have assisted our investigation so far and continue to appeal for information, as enquiries remain ongoing.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 4015 of 28 October, 2024. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Community Projects receive £829,692 from Scottish Land Fund

A grade A listed octagonal church in Renfrewshire is set to be bought by the local community following a £233,300 grant from the Scottish Land Fund.

Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust will purchase the former Lochwinnoch Parish Church and develop it as a community hub, with space for a range of services and activities.

The grant is amongst eight, totalling £829,692, that have been announced during this year’s Community Land Festival, which celebrates community landowners and their achievements, and runs until Sunday, 3 November.

(https://www.communitylandscotland.org.uk/community-land-festival/)

Other groups receiving funding to pursue their community ownership ambitions include Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association SCIO, which has been awarded £217,340 to purchase a piece of land in Drumnadrochit, Inverness in order to develop a community sports, health and wellbeing hub and Sanday Development Trust, which has been given £98,098 to acquire a three-bedroom detached bungalow on the island of Sanday, Orkney. The house will be used to provide affordable rented accommodation for the community, primarily aimed at key workers.

The Scottish Land Fund reopened to applications in April 2021. The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which have extensive experience of helping communities to acquire and develop their assets for over a decade.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “The Scottish Land Fund gives people an important say in the way that assets in their communities are run and used.

“The variety in the recipients in this round is really encouraging and I would like to congratulate all the groups behind the projects and wish them all the best as they take these forward.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “These awards will provide groups across the country with the resources to acquire and develop assets that they themselves have identified as important, helping to strengthen and empower communities”.

Sandra Holmes, head of community assets at HIE, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland have all identified opportunities to help their local area to thrive and are great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.

“Through the purchase of land and properties including a parish church and a memorial hall, groups will be in a position to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the community.

“Ownership will give them greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come.”

Diarmid Harris, Chair, Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust (LCDT) said: “The award from the Scottish Land Fund will allow us to acquire the Lochwinnoch Parish Church, a beloved, iconic building in the heart of Lochwinnoch.

“The power of community ownership of our own cultural heritage, symbolised by the restoration and refurbishment of this building, will be a catalyst for local innovation, creativity and economic development in our village.

“LCDT believes that the revitalisation of this building will have a significant impact on Lochwinnoch for generations to come.”

Susan Griffin, Chair, Glenurquhart Rural Community Association, said: “This award will allow us to purchase the Old Shop in Drumnadrochit, which has lain derelict for a number of years.

“Working with the Glen Urquhart Shinty Club and the Glen Urquhart Football Club, this will allow us to move ahead with our plans to develop a sports focussed health and wellbeing centre with enhanced changing facilities.

“A fitness suite and range of treatment rooms for use by our growing community are also planned, reducing the need for our residents to travel a 30 mile round trip to access such facilities.”

And Clive Struver, Chair, Sanday Development Trust, said: “Sanday Development Trust is immensely grateful for the funding awarded by the Scottish Land Fund towards the purchase of Viggie House, which will help provide the additional low-cost, affordable rental provision that Sanday desperately needs.

“We look forward to Viggie becoming a new home for a family or those with the essential skills that Sanday requires to survive. Affordable housing is essential, particularly in remote rural communities where it is very difficult to attract professionals and those with a trade.

“We still have a long way to go but Viggie is a very important part of achieving a sustainable population on the island. We also thank the Sanday community for their engagement and support of this acquisition.”

Other groups receiving funding are:


Westray Development Trust
Awards – £83,128 and £37,838

Westray Community Development Trust (WDT) will use its grant of £83,128 to purchase a property on the outskirts of Pierowall for a phased affordable housing project. The building comes with several outbuildings and five acres of land. With a second grant of £37,838 the group will purchase a further property on the edge of Pierowall. The space is in poor condition and being used for storage, the group proposes to demolish it and build a multi-functional community space.

Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company Award – £44,800

Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company (FAGCC) will acquire the Memorial Hall building in Canalside, Fort Augustus. The group will develop it into a warm, welcoming, accessible community space and an office providing shared workspace.

Sunart Community CompanyAward – £61,188

Sunart Community Company will acquire Strontian Parish Church in Strontian for future transformation into a modern heritage centre. This will benefit the community by enhancing learning, providing an additional community meeting place and attracting visitors to the area.

North Sutherland Community Forest TrustAward – £54,000

North Sutherland Community Forest Trust is seeking to acquire the site of Rosal clearance village. The group aims to preserve, interpret and promote the historic site for community benefit.

Warning about ticket fraud after significant number of reports this year

POLICE are warning the public to be vigilant of fraudulent online ticket sales following a significant number of reports over the past nine months.

Between January and September, 2024 there were 313 reported incidents of frauds across Scotland involving the online sale of tickets for major events. This equates to 6% of all cyber fraud incidents.

60% relate to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Edinburgh with others for concerts and sporting events.

These frauds are not connected to the artists, venues, promoters or reputable ticket sale sites. The majority take place on social media and online marketplace platforms by individuals and groups looking to exploit members of the public for financial gain.

According to the figures, woman between the ages of 18 and 24 are most at risk from this type of fraud.

Inspector Alasdair Penny, Cybercrime Harm Prevention, said: “We’ve noticed a trend in this type of crime reported around major events happening in Scotland. The figures represent a significant proportion of cybercrime, but we believe these types of incidents are underreported and the true figure will be much higher.

“Reports relating to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour have made up the majority and we’re aware there are a number of highly anticipated events next year, including the Oasis tour and TRNSMT.

“We have publicly raised the threat of cyber criminality and the increase in online offending and have put plans in place to address it. The Chief Constable unveiled a new vision for Police Scotland, including a commitment to establish a new Cyber Command and increase our capabilities to tackle online fraud.

“We want to make sure the public is aware of potential fraudulent sales and provide advice around how to spot it. Our message is: be vigilant. If a price or offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Before purchasing, carefully review the ticket details for authenticity. Check for accurate event information, including the date, time, and venue. Pay attention to the seating section or assigned seats, which can indicate fraudulent tickets.

“Buy from legitimate sources, check bank details provided and use secure payment methods. Credit cards and reputable online payment platforms offer additional protection against fraudulent transactions. Avoid paying with cash, wire transfers, or unsecured payment methods.

“Please report any fraudulent activity to police. We will fully investigate and we work alongside partners to raise awareness and tackle those involved in such offences.”

More information on online safety can be found on our website at:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/student-online-safety-guide/

or on the Trading Standards Scotland website:

Secondary ticket sales

More voices speak out against devastating EIJB funding cuts

EDINBURGH INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD PLANS TO END £4.5 million GRANTS TO 63 COMUNITY PROJECTS

SCOTTISH COUNCIL of VOLUNTARY ORGANIATIONS (SCVO)

SCVO response to proposal by Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board to remove grant-funding from voluntary organisations:

Letter to Councillor Cammy Day, Leader of City of Edinburgh Council,

Professor John Connaghan OBE, Chair of NHS Lothian 

cc Pat Togher, Chief Officer EIJB

Proposal by Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board to remove grant-funding from voluntary organisations  

I am writing to add SCVO’s voice to the protests regarding the IJB’s proposal to withdraw funding in-year from charities and community groups. 37 of our members are impacted by this decision. 

The intention outlined in the board paper to take a more strategic and collaborative approach in the future has been totally undermined by the impact of reneging on this year’s grant funding.

Trust is a fragile thing, and it will take a long time to rebuild any sense that the council and the health board have an understanding of, or respect for, the voluntary organisations that do so much to support our communities.

When you look to build your strategic partnership in 2025, many of them simply won’t be there because they will have gone out of business. 

Far from saving money, this will generate significant costs to public services as people fall through the cracks, and the additional millions of pounds voluntary organisations bring in from trusts and foundations or the private sector through match funding and other fundraising activities will disappear. A truly strategic approach would be looking to maximise that income-generation, not cut it off. 

It appears that over 100 people who were already in a precarious enough position will lose their jobs. And the discretionary effort of hundreds more volunteers will be lost. 

It is evident that when money is tight, which I recognise it is, the council and the health board have retrenched and focused on short-term savings rather than the public good.

The table in the board paper which illustrates where the money could be “better spent” says it all – to the IJB, acute services matter more than prevention or early intervention. As well as being short-sighted ethically and financially, it flies in the face of all the evidence around what communities need and the rhetoric around person-centred services and prevention.  

I would urge you to intervene and stop the IJB making a decision everyone involved will regret. 

Yours sincerely,

Anna Fowlie
Chief Executive, SCVO

BIG HEARTS: “The value the charity sector brings to our local communities should never be in doubt.”

VOLUNTARY HEALTH SCOTLAND:

VHS Chief Executive @MistryTej has commented on the recent cuts being proposed by Edinburgh IJB.

What will it take for recognition of the crucial work the third sector are doing to reduce health inequalities?

#WEAREVITAL

VOLUNTEER EDINBURGH:

Along with the rest of the sector we are extremely concerned by the proposed early cessation of EIJB grant funding to 64 voluntary sector organisations.  As well as the loss of important services and the associated job losses, this will impact volunteering.

Volunteers are at the heart of the affected organisations, contributing 206,000 hours of support to people in the community worth over £2m. These volunteering opportunities are not only a lifeline to people they help support.

They also enable local people to be active in their communities, build confidence, develop skills, reduce isolation – all of which contribute to better health outcomes for volunteers themselves.

The impact of the loss of these volunteering opportunities cannot be understated.

LIVING RENT:

64 charities are at the risk of closure due to £4.5 million worth of proposed cuts. This will have devastating effects for tenants, for workers and for communities across Edinburgh.

Let’s defend our community centres, services & jobs.

Join us to say NO to Labour-led cuts!

SCOTT ARTHUR MP:

I have today (Wednesday) written to the Cheif (sic) Officer of the EIJB opposing the proposed cuts to the third sector in my constituency – I expressed my concerns in the strongest possible terms.

I support @cllrcammyday fully in his call for fair funding for Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Integration Joint Board meets TOMORROW (Friday 1 December) in the Dean of Guilds Room at The City Chambers at 10am.

The following organisations will make their case against the cuts at the meeting:

Papers for the meeting are below:

EIJB-Public reports pack 01112024Download