19/09/2025 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Minister for Parliamentary Business resigns

JAMIE HEPBURN LEAVES GOVERNMENT

Minister for Parliamentary Business Jamie Hepburn has tendered his resignation from government and the First Minister has accepted.

Mr Hepburn joined the Scottish Government in 2014 as Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health. He was appointed Minister for Employability and Training in 2016, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills in 2018, Minister for Independence in 2023, before being appointed as Minister for Parliamentary Business in May 2024.

Changes to the ministerial team will be announced in due course.

See full text of the letters from Mr Hepburn and the First Minister below:

Letter from Mr Hepburn:

Dear First Minister,

Over the course of yesterday evening and today I have been reflecting on the incident that has been widely reported in the media in the last two days and discussing it with my family. I have come to conclude that I want to offer my resignation as your Minister for Parliamentary Business.

I understand that that a complaint has been made to you with a suggestion that I be referred to the Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Irrespective of whether or not the Ministerial Code has been breached, even if there had been no complaint made, I believe I have not acted in accordance with my own personal code of practice. This decision is one that I feel is for the best in these circumstances and the one that for my own part feel is the appropriate course of action.

I hope it would be felt by most, and not least you, that in my personal and professional undertakings I have always tried to act courteously in interacting with colleagues, either of our own party or others. There is no denying that my interaction with Douglas Ross fell well short of that standard.

Despite whatever annoyance I felt at that particular moment, there is a manner in which that might have been conveyed, or indeed shouldn’t have been conveyed. That is not in utilising the language that I did. I hope it is recognised on your part and others that this behaviour was quite out of character on my part.

I do not want to cause any distraction for you or the Government, or indeed to that of the primary position of responsibility I have as the constituency representative for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. I believe my continued presence as one of your Ministers would do so. In such circumstances I believe it is best that I stand down with immediate effect.

With no sense of personal pity, having served continuously in Government for almost eleven years it is a source of regret that my tenure in Ministerial office comes to an end in this fashion.

In the immediate period it will be the greater part of what is reported out of my time in office, but I hope it is felt that I have made a positive contribution across the various roles I have held serving in your government and that of your two predecessors. Others will of course be the judge of that.

I am grateful to you for the support you have shown me during my time as a Minister and you can be assured of my ongoing support for you and the Government in this critical period.

Yours sincerely

Jamie Hepburn

Letter from the First Minister:

Dear Jamie,

It is with much personal regret that I accept your letter of resignation as Minister for Parliamentary Business.

I am deeply grateful for your efforts on behalf of the Government, where you have always worked across Parliament in accommodating the requests and views of other parties over the matters that should command the time and attention of the chamber. I know there will be no one more frustrated than you, over this one slip in your normal approach of courtesy and respect to all.

I know that my predecessors also valued the contributions that you made in their governments. Your work in delivering the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 while a Health Minister has made a real difference in the lives of carers, and the people they care for. While Business Minister you championed support for consumers and were instrumental in the establishment of Consumer Scotland.

As we progress toward independence, I appreciate the work that you carried out as Minister for Independence to make the case for a better future for our nation. And during the Covid pandemic, I recall our work together in supporting the business sector and your efforts to support the recovery in higher and further education during your time in the Education portfolio.

Your efforts as a Minister have benefited the people of Scotland in myriad walks of life. Despite your decision to step down, you will continue to play an important role in our Party and in public life, as well as continuing to be a vocal advocate for the people of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

You leave office with my warmest thanks and my appreciation for the constant support that you have given to me.

Yours for Scotland,

John Swinney

Earth in Common is growing!

We’re thrilled to announce that Earth In Common is growing!

Earth In Common is expanding beyond Leith and will be setting up two new urban crofts in the Trinity and Costorphine neighbourhoods!

Get involved in these exciting new projects by helping out at our very first volunteer days at our new sites. We will be at St Margaret’s Park on 23rd Sep and Victoria Park on 24th Sep so come along to lend a hand and meet the team!

Swipe through for more details and get in touch with us if you have any queries!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Making a Statement: Craft & Activism in Edinburgh

Exhibiton explores the intersection of traditional craft and social activism

A new colourful and vibrant exhibition bringing together historic objects and contemporary protest material to explore the recent explosion of ‘Craftivism’ in Edinburgh is now open.

Running until 26 January 2026, the exhibition will explore Craftivism – the practice of using traditional craft techniques like knitting, sewing and collage to address political, social, and cultural concerns. Over the past two decades, the movement has gained significant momentum, especially in the wake of the global pandemic.

Edinburgh has become a centre of Craftivist activity due to its position as Scotland’s capital and the home of its Parliament, as well as its strong heritage in teaching and nurturing craft skills.

The exhibition shines a light on how these humble, time-honoured practices have been repurposed as powerful forms of expression, from political protests to expressions of personal identity.

It will feature a rich variety of items from Edinburgh’s collections, including pieces from the People’s Story, Museum of Edinburgh, and the Museum of Childhood.

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: Edinburgh has strong craft heritage so I’m delighted that the Museum of Edinburgh will be showcasing how the tradition of craft has evolved into a powerful form of activism.

“It’s wonderful to see historic examples of work from across our museums displayed alongside the work of talented contemporary makers. The range of creativity displayed, and the issues engaged with, shows what a vibrant city Edinburgh is.

“This exhibition is a testament to the resilience and spirit of communities who are using their craft to advocate for change, from environmental justice to mental health awareness.”

Curator Vicky Garrington said: “It’s been a fascinating experience, diving into Museums & Galleries Edinburgh’s historic collections to explore the history of crafting and protest in the Capital.

“We hope viewers will enjoy seeing objects from our collections alongside works by talented contemporary makers.

“From quiet explorations of wellbeing through lacemaking to bold knitted panels demanding climate justice, there is something for everyone on display.”

Highlights include crocheted protest banners, a Victorian scrap screen, and even a Jacobite drinking glass, each providing a unique lens through which to understand Edinburgh’s history of activism.

Alongside these historic items, the exhibition will present the work of contemporary Craftivists, with pieces that touch on topics such as politics, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, and mental health.

Among the featured works are those made in collaboration with MindRoom, a charity that supports neurodiverse young people, and the City Art Centre South Asian Youth Group.

The exhibition will also host a variety of public programmes, lacemaking demonstrations, interactive workshops.

It runs from Wednesday 17 Sept 2025 until Monday 26 Jan 2026.

Museum of Edinburgh 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD

Refurbished Meadows tennis courts officially reopened by Davis Cup Captain Leon Smith

Summer brought more than sunshine and the Fringe to Edinburgh’s iconic Meadows – it marked the beginning of a major refurbishment of the city’s much-loved tennis courts.

On 7 April, Edinburgh Leisure and the City of Edinburgh Council began a comprehensive upgrade of all 16 outdoor courts, including resurfacing, repainting, and installing new posts and nets. The phased approach ensured that at least six courts remained open throughout the works, allowing players to continue enjoying the game.

Yesterday (18^th September 2025), the newly refurbished courts were officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Leon Smith, Davis Cup Captain and proud Edinburgh local. Smith also joined pupils from Preston Street and Sciennes Primary Schools for tennis drills, supported by S6 pupils from James Gillespie’s High School.

Recognised as Tennis Scotland’s Park of the Year for 2024, the Meadows continues to offer open access to players of all levels, with no club membership required. The floodlit courts are open seven days a week and host a wide range of coaching programmes for young players – from toddlers to teens – helping nurture the next generation of tennis talent.

Alex Harkins, Tennis Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “The Meadows has always been a special place for tennis in Edinburgh, and this refurbishment ensures it remains a top-class facility for years to come.

“We’re proud to offer inclusive, accessible tennis opportunities for everyone – from complete beginners to aspiring young athletes. Seeing the courts buzzing with activity again is fantastic.”

With the new term in full swing, the upgraded courts are set to serve up even more opportunities for recreation, and competition, in the heart of the city.

Find out more about coaching and booking courts: –

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/meadows-tennis/

Playlist for Life event at Holyrood

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our parliamentary reception at Holyrood yesterday, whether in person or from afar!

We had an entertaining and productive evening hearing from some amazing speakers about how personal music can improve wellbeing and why it is crucial that decision-makers support embedding playlists into dementia care to help people across the U.K. now.

Playlist for Life president Sally Magnusson shared her personal experience with using in dementia care with her mother Mamie that led to her founding the charity in 2013, and we heard some powerful testimony from our lived experience ambassador Carol about how discovering and using playlists has been life-changing for managing symptoms.

We received some wonderful endorsements for our work from MSPs including Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport Tom Arthur, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party @Anas Sarwar and our generous event sponsor Foysol Choudhury. We were also delighted to have Neil Bibby, Kaukab Stewart, Michael Marra and Jackson Carlaw at our event, all of whom have supported our work, including visiting some of our amazing +2600 community partners distributing free playlist resources that make up our Help Point network.

We enjoyed a performance from our new musical ambassadors The Bluebells, plus our wonderful dementia-inclusive choir and charity partner the Westerton Male Voice Choir whose rousing renditions got the whole room singing, including a track that tops the playlist of our ambassador Sir Alex Ferguson of ‘Moon River’.

We want to see everyone singing from the same song sheet when it comes to embedding personal playlists into dementia care in the U.K., where if nothing changes, 1 in 2 people will be affected by dementia by either developing the condition, caring for someone with it, or both.

There’s no cure for dementia but we know that personally meaningful music can help, so we look forward to continuing our discussions with key decision-makers about making personal playlists in dementia care a reality from diagnosis to end-of-life care

Net Zero Committee to visit Scottish infrastructure projects

TODAY (Friday 19 September), the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee will visit Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, as well as XLCC, a subsea cable manufacturer, and Peel Ports Group in North Ayrshire.

Taking their scrutiny out of Holyrood, the Committee will be hosted by Ferguson Marine for an overview of the shipbuilding operations, an update on the progress of delivery of Glen Rosa and a meeting with the Senior Leadership Team, including the new chief executive, Graeme Thomson, who took up the position on May 1, 2025.

The Committee has taken a long-term interest in monitoring the much delayed and over-budget delivery of the Glen Rosa (Hull 802), as well as its sister ship the Glen Sannox (Hull 801), which finally went into operation earlier this year. The Committee continues to receive quarterly progress updates.

Read the latest MV Glen Rosa Quarterly progress update

Inquiry into ferries services in Scotland

The delegation will then travel to North Ayrshire to visit XLCC Hunterston to learn more about their new subsea cable manufacturing facility.

Members hope to gain a broader understanding of how renewable energy can be transmitted over long distances, including from offshore wind farms and international interconnectors.

The Committee’s final meeting will be at Fairlie with Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second largest port operator. The Committee hope to learn more about the Hunterston Port and Resource Centre (PARC), a large deep-water industrial port campus owned by the Group, which is being made into a multi-industry energy and marine campus.

The Committee will take the opportunity to discuss the Peel Ports owned Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment project, which aims to upgrade both marine and landside infrastructure to improve ferry services to the Isle of Arran.

Committee Members attending are Convener Edward Mountain MSP, Deputy Convener Michael Matheson MSP and Monica Lennon MSP. Irene Campbell, Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran will also be attending the North Ayrshire portion of the visit.

Convener of the Committee, Edward Mountain MSP said: “This visit will begin with us hearing first-hand from FMPG about progress in getting the Glen Rosa fit for launching next year.

“Ferry users on the Firth of Clyde – residents in Arran in particular – have been waiting a long time and want reassurance that the timetable will not slip any further.

“We look forward to hearing about the Glen Rosa’s completion from FMPG’s management and workers and about their hopes and plans for the yard’s future.

“Later when we travel to Hunterston, we’ll have a chance to put questions to Peel Ports about the prospects for the Brodick service being restored to Ardrossan.

“We’re also interested to hear from Peel Ports about their plans to transform Hunterston PARC into a green economic hub and bring skilled employment opportunities to the area. These include exciting opportunities in subsea cable manufacturing and the role this can play in connecting renewable energy to where it’s needed most. We look forward to hearing from XLCC about their cabling project.

“Scrutiny doesn’t just happen at Holyrood. Getting out and about, engaging directly with industry and local stakeholders is an important way of our being able to better understand sectors under our remit.”

Major study to assess public health benefits of Community Wealth Building

Researchers have launched a major new investigation into the power of Community Wealth Building (CWB) to affect local economies and improve population health.

Glasgow Caledonian University will lead a £1.5million study to determine whether retaining more wealth in local communities can prevent premature deaths and tackle health inequalities.

CWB is an approach to economic development that aims to generate, circulate and retain more wealth within local areas.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funding the three-year study to examine how CWB is being implemented and how it is impacting local economies and population health.

GCU will work in partnership with researchers from the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, the University of Glasgow and Lancaster University to assess whether CWB is improving economic and health outcomes. The findings will inform local economic polices across Scotland and other parts of the UK.

Neil Craig, Professor of Public Health Economics at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University and Co-Principal Investigator, said: “Economic inequality is a cause of health inequality.

“Ultimately, if CWB is found to be effective in improving health and reducing inequalities, this could lead to fewer premature deaths, particularly amongst economically disadvantaged communities.”

North Ayrshire became the first area of Scotland to adopt a CWB strategy in 2020. The approach is now being piloted in Clackmannanshire, Fife, Glasgow, the South of Scotland and the Western Isles. Councils work alongside major employers, businesses and partner organisations and commit to generating employment and spending resources locally.

Dr Micaela Mazzei, Reader at the Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health and Co-Principal Investigator, said: “Previous research shows that there is a need to better understand whether and how CWB can make a real difference.

“The stakeholders recognise the importance of this work and have pledged to offer practical support, share their expertise and act on the findings.”

Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy at North Ayrshire Council, added: “CWB has become an integral part of how we operate, helping to support both our local community and businesses.

“In the last financial year alone, more than £70million was spent locally with almost 900 suppliers. This research is timely and important as it will deepen the evidence base to increase our understanding of the wider impacts of CWB.”

Dr Jennifer McLean, Interim Director of the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, said: “We will work to ensure that the voices, expertise and perspectives of those working across various sectors involved in local CWB implementation in Scotland are able to shape and inform this project, so that the evaluation is grounded in local insights, and that learning is relevant to local people and communities.”

Empty Kitchens Full Hearts closed for essential maintenance

NO COMMUNITY LUNCHES TODAY AND NEXT FRIDAY (26TH)

We’re undergoing essential maintenance next week, which means a change in our usual operations!

As a reminder, this means:

There will be no community lunch today (19 September) or 26 September

Our kitchen is closed from the 22nd to 26 September. Meal deliveries restart on the 30 September.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding

Council delivers multi-million-pound investment in buildings

Over £188 million is being invested towards improving public buildings in Edinburgh, with £20 million set aside for the next 12 months.

As part of a major programme of work being delivered over 10 years, dozens of schools, libraries, offices, museums and monuments are being brought up to a better standard, helping to improve facilities in line with the city’s climate goals.

In a report to Finance and Resources Committee today (Thursday 18 September), Councillors heard how £113.7 million has been invested since 2018, with 90% of the Council’s estate now in a good or satisfactory condition.

In the last 12 months, the Asset Management Works Programme has successfully upgraded several schools including Parson’s Green Primary, where a new air source heat pump is helping to provide a low carbon heating system, in addition to new roofing with solar panels and LED lighting.

This year, improvements are planned at a further nine schools and early years settings, including the Victorian-built Stockbridge Primary and to Tollcross Nursery, where new windows and improvements to roofing will reduce heat loss.

Notable upgrades have also taken place at the Nelson Monument and Usher Hall, where acoustically designed seating has replaced all 2,200 seats in the 111-year-old auditorium.

Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, said: “This is a huge programme of work to make our schools warmer and our community spaces more welcoming.

“We have close to 600 buildings in the Council estate, some of them up to 200 years old, so it’s important that we maintain these spaces and make them fitter for the future.

“As a result of the investment we’ve made to date, facilities are in a better condition and our carbon footprint has reduced. I’m pleased that we’ve managed to bring over 90% of our estate up to a good or satisfactory standard – up from 83% in 2018 – with further significant improvements planned in the coming year.”