Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Tenants to have their say in housing strategy

Paul EdieCouncil tenants will continue to shape the city’s housing services after the green light was given to include them in future decisions. Tenant  Participation Strategy 2012-2015 was approved at a meeting of the City of  Edinburgh Council’s Health, Social Care and Housing Committee this week. The strategy’s aim is to improve the ways tenants can  participate in decisions on housing and related services in their  communities, and it builds on previous tenant  participation events organised by the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Tenants Federation including the annual Tenants’ Conference.

Housing Leader for the City of Edinburgh  Council, Cllr Paul Edie (pictured), said: “It’s important that tenants have a voice in how  their services are provided and this Strategy allows them this opportunity. They can tell us what matters most to them  as we want to ensure the services we provide are meeting their needs. There are  undoubtedly some huge housing challenges ahead but with the help and support of  our tenants we can be confident that these issues will be tackled  together.”

Betty Stevenson, Convenor, Edinburgh Tenants  Federation, said: “I am delighted that the Tenant Participation Strategy has  been passed by the Councillors. Volunteers from Edinburgh Tenants  Federation have worked tirelessly with the Council to agree the content of the  strategy and this is the culmination of a lot of hard work. We look forward to  working with the Council to ensure there are better  housing conditions and services by involving tenants in decision  making.”

A series of events will be held in the city  later in the year to promote the new strategy.

Don't let smoking be your downfall

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service are wishing good luck to all the smokers giving up today, National No Smoking Day, and reminding them of the very real risks of an accidental fire if you smoke or drink alcohol at home.

A significant number of the fatal fires in the past year have been caused by smokers’ materials, and alcohol consumption has also played a part in many cases.

Community Safety Manager Geoff Aird said: “In many incidents where cigarettes start a fire, it is entirely preventable. Avoid smoking in bed, make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly and take extra care smoking if you have been drinking alcohol. Under the influence of alcohol, you will be slower to react if fire breaks out. A few simple safety measures when smoking can prevent fires from happening.

‘Just a few months ago we highlighted this danger, after seven out of eight fatal fires in the first ten months of last year were caused by a cigarette. We have had a number of fatalities since with similar circumstances. If you do smoke, we urge you to avoid smoking in the home, especially if you have had an alcoholic drink – your reactions are slower and it can so easily end in tragedy for you and your family.

“Whether you smoke or not, a working smoke detector in your home provides essential protection from fire and could save your life one day. To arrange a home safety visit where firefighters will fit a free alarm, call free on 0800 169 0320.”

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service

Don’t let smoking be your downfall

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service are wishing good luck to all the smokers giving up today, National No Smoking Day, and reminding them of the very real risks of an accidental fire if you smoke or drink alcohol at home.

A significant number of the fatal fires in the past year have been caused by smokers’ materials, and alcohol consumption has also played a part in many cases.

Community Safety Manager Geoff Aird said: “In many incidents where cigarettes start a fire, it is entirely preventable. Avoid smoking in bed, make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly and take extra care smoking if you have been drinking alcohol. Under the influence of alcohol, you will be slower to react if fire breaks out. A few simple safety measures when smoking can prevent fires from happening.

‘Just a few months ago we highlighted this danger, after seven out of eight fatal fires in the first ten months of last year were caused by a cigarette. We have had a number of fatalities since with similar circumstances. If you do smoke, we urge you to avoid smoking in the home, especially if you have had an alcoholic drink – your reactions are slower and it can so easily end in tragedy for you and your family.

“Whether you smoke or not, a working smoke detector in your home provides essential protection from fire and could save your life one day. To arrange a home safety visit where firefighters will fit a free alarm, call free on 0800 169 0320.”

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service

Spring clean your finances on Dosh Day!

Lottery-funded Money Matters is offering a free opportunity to get your finances in order on Dosh Day – 21 March – at North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

Come and talk to representatives from:

Citizens Advice Bureau,Edinburgh.

Castle Rock Edinvar H.A. financial inclusion team.

Specialist Energy Advisor – advice on reducing your gas and electric bills.

North EdinburghCredit Union

LGBT – promote health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Also information and advocacy.

Healthy Living – help with stop smoking, healthy eating and drink awareness.

Adult Education – help with reading and writing.

JobCentrePlus – help in finding a job.

Volunteering and work information.

PLUS MANY MORE!!

Money saving ideas and a day of free advice from a range of organisations, plus free giveaways, free prizes, free things to do in Edinburgh, and more.

on Wednesday 21 March 2012, from 10.30am till 3pm,

 at North EdinburghArt Centre, 15A Pennywell Court.

(next to Muirhouse library, walk through Muirhouse Shopping Centre)

Lothian Buses – 27, 32 and 37

Feel good at Pilton Community Health Project

Staff and volunteers at Pilton Community Health Project are looking forward to welcoming you to come in and find out more about what we do on Thursday March 29th from 11am – 2pm. There will be plenty to make you feel good:

–       Cooking demonstrations and a chance to taste recipes from our Its Yummy Mummy cook book

–       Zumba and other fitness class demonstrations

–       Kids activities and competitions

–       Meet the new manager

–       Healthy snack café

And the launch of ‘Source’ our new health information library!  With interactive quiz and prizes. Its all free and staff from all parts of the project will be available to answer questions  and tell you more about what we do. Watch out for more information on our website www.pchp.org.uk and facebook page, or give us a call on 0131 551 1671.’

Anita Aggarwal –  Senior Development Worker (Health Inequalities), Pilton Community Health Project

 

Community Safety in Forth

Community Safety and young people were the themes of Wednesday’s Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meeting held in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. Local youth agencies and police officers from the area’s Safer Neighbourhood Team ensured a lively and informative discussion at the teatime event.

The event opened with an excerpt from a drama currently being devised by Forth Youth Theatre. ‘Kieran’s Story’ tells a young local man’s true story and it promises to be a ‘must see’ when it’s performed at North Edinburgh Arts next month.

Pilton Youth & Children Project’s Daniel Rutherford gave a brief presentation on the one-to-one service provided through the local project, and this was followed by a short presentation by young people from Muirhouse Youth Development Group who described – despite a serious collective bout of the giggles – the wide variety of activities they are involved in!

A session of ‘breakout’ workshops in small groups was then scheduled, but Forth Neighbourhood Partnership convener Councillor Steve Cardownie decided instead to invite officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Team to take questions and comments from the floor. This more informal forum proved to be very successful, with questions and contributions on a wide range of issues both from young people and from members of the wider community.

Neighbourhood Partnership member George Gordon chairs Forth’s Clean, Green and Safe action group. Summing up the event, he said: “The young people’s presentations were first class and we have had a very successful debate. Some specific issues have been flagged up – lighting at the Millennium Park, for example – and we have taken note of these. There have been changes to community policing and it takes a while for these changes to bed in and new faces to get known, but police officers continue to play a very active role in our communities.  Communications need to be improved, but that’s an issue not just for the police but also for Neighbourhood Partnership and the action groups”.

There was only one item of formal business decided by the meeting. Neighbourhood Partnerships allocate Neighbourhood Environmental Project funding, but registered tenants groups are unable to submit applications or propose NEP projects directly. Councillor Cammy Day’s motion to amend the criteria to open this process up to registered tenants organisations was agreed without dissent.

For further information on Community Safety in Forth, telephone 529 7050.

Witnesses sought following Pilton attempted robbery

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in Pilton around 9pm last night.

A 19-year-old man alighted a bus on Crewe Road North and turned onto Pilton Avenue as he walked home. After passing the entrance to Crewe Place, a male approached and engaged him in conversation before demanding his bag. The man refused and the suspect swung a punch, which was blocked before the victim ran off and contacted police.

Officers are now keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries. The suspect is described as white, 20-25 years old, 6ft tall with a medium build and short blond hair. He was wearing a red and white checked shirt, khaki-coloured trousers and spoke with a local accent. It is believed he was also under the influence of alcohol at the time.

A police spokesman said: “Fortunately the young man was not injured as a result of this attempted robbery, nevertheless, it was an unpleasant experience that left him quite shaken. We believe there were a number of motorists who would have driven past as this incident was happening and they are asked to come forward if they remember seeing anything suspicious.
Similarly, anyone who can help identify the suspect is also asked to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Millennium Centre celebrates despite tough year

It’s been a tough twelve months for Muirhouse Millennium Centre, but despite ongoing problems with limited funds the Centre’s staff and volunteers have had an impressive year. Members attending today’s annual general meeting heard that Muirhouse was the first community centre in Edinburgh to receive a Healthy Living Award and that careful financial management has seen the Centre’s deficit cut from nearly £18,500 to just under £400!

Millennium Centre vice-chair Jim McGinty told the meeting: “Funding has been a huge challenge for us and we have had to become even more efficient in everything we do. We’ve sharpened up our fundraising efforts and we are also working hard to develop the Centre’s profile, which helps to attract additional income by encouraging outside agencies in need of a satellite office space to use the Centre”.

Manager Peter Airlie said: “What a year it has been! With a budget cut of 54% the Centre had to go it alone, but anyone can see we did manage pretty successfully. It wasn’t easy, but with the support of centre users – who helped generate the extra income needed for heating, lighting, insurance and general running costs – we got there!”

The year ahead looks sure to be as busy and eventful as ever. A new website is currently being planned, and the Centre’s staff and management committee are looking forward to forging new links and new partnerships in the months ahead.