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Shelter Scotland calls for “immediate intervention” against City of Edinburgh Council after vote to strip homeless households of human rights

“Elected and unelected members have shown themselves to be incapable of following the rule of law“

Charity says it has “lost confidence” that the City of Edinburgh Council will uphold the rule of law and calls on Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator to intervene immediately – the first time the charity has called for special measures to be taken against a local authority
City Council acting unlawfully in use of unlicensed HMO accommodation to house some homeless households
City’s elected and unelected members voted in favour of suspending lifeline housing rights until March 2028, breaching housing laws they are charged with upholding
If the Scottish Government and SHR decide to intervene, it will be the first time that they have exercised the powers afforded to them to protect the housing rights of people experiencing homelessness

Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity has today (12 December) called on Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator to intervene against City of Edinburgh Council after the local authority voted in favour of stripping homeless households of their basic rights.

At a meeting of the city’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, councillors voted six to five in favour of proposals to strip people experiencing homelessness of their right to adequate housing through the provision of suitable temporary and permanent housing.

The vote follows confirmed cases of homeless households being placed in unlicensed HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupancy) properties as temporary accommodation – a criminal offence. (2)

In a letter to Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Housing Regulator (3), the charity’s director Alison Watson warned that the Council’s plans are a concerted effort to undermine Scotland’s housing and homelessness rights system and that sanctions must be taken.

She states that: “We cannot stand by and watch efforts to strip people of their housing rights without putting up a fight on behalf of the most disenfranchised people in our communities. Law breaking on this scale cannot be normalised.”

The call comes following the Scottish Government’s reversal of cuts to the affordable homes budget last week after pressure from housing campaigners.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland said: “It should outrage everyone in Scotland that officers and elected members within a local authority have unilaterally decided to strip people in the capital of a fundamental human right.

“Edinburgh’s homelessness crisis is partly of the Council’s own making, but instead of showing compassion and seeking to help some of the most disenfranchised people in our society, they have chosen instead to punish them in this inhumane way by taking away hard-won rights.

“Shelter Scotland has lost confidence in the leadership of the City of Edinburgh Council to do the right thing and uphold the rule of law. The leadership has systematically failed homeless people for years and is now stripping them of their rights to cover up their own failures.

“I have written to the First Minister John Swinney MSP, urging him to use his powers to call in the council’s homelessness strategy for scrutiny. It is our belief that this will highlight that the current strategy is not only unfit for purpose and cannot guarantee the rights of people at risk of homelessness but is in fact in breach of the law.

“The Scottish Government must do more to fully fund local services through the upcoming budget. However, more money won’t work if the wrong decisions are being taken locally on how to spend it.

“I have also written to the Scottish Housing Regulator as recent assurances provided by the council leadership in their annual statement clearly do not hold up to scrutiny.

“Elected and unelected members have shown themselves to be incapable of following the rule of law. They must reverse the committee’s decision or else immediately step aside.”

Shelter Scotland is calling for the Regulator to consider its powers to use sanctions up to an including the appointment of new management in the housing department within the City of Edinburgh Council, under its powers contained in the Housing (Scotland) 2010 Act.

Under Scottish housing legislation, Scottish Ministers have the powers to call the City of Edinburgh Council’s homelessness strategy in for review, including its provision of temporary accommodation.

Alison Watson added: “Shelter Scotland has never called on the Regulator or Ministers to intervene in this way. We do not do so lightly. However, we will not stand by – and nor should the people of Scotland – and watch people’s rights be eroded without a fight.

“We cannot normalise law breaking on this scale. There must be consequences otherwise there can be no prospect that other rights will be protected, nor of the situation improving for the thousands of people in desperate need of a safe and secure home.”

There are currently around 5,250 households in temporary accommodation in Edinburgh. It is estimated that over a quarter (1,488) of these households are living in properties under an Unsuitable Accommodation Order.

NHS: Winter Vomiting Bug advice

How to Cope with the Winter Vomiting Bug

We have some important advice for dealing with norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, after a recent increase in calls to the 111 service.

Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. While it can be very unpleasant, it usually goes away in about 2 days. Symptoms include:

Feeling sick (nausea)

Diarrhoea

Vomiting

High temperature

Headache

Aching arms and legs

Unfortunately, norovirus spreads easily and quickly. If you catch it, here’s what you should do:

Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

Avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food.

Remember, alcohol-based hand gels don’t kill the virus.

To prevent spreading norovirus, maintain basic hygiene and cleaning:

Disinfect surfaces and objects that could be contaminated using a bleach-based household cleaner.

Wash clothes and bedding separately on a hot wash (60°C).

Don’t share towels and flannels.

Clean toilets and surrounding areas with a bleach-based household cleaner.

Dr. Ron Cook, NHS 24’s Medical Director, advises: “If you experience sudden diarrhoea and/or vomiting, stay at home until you’re feeling better.

“There’s no treatment for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse.

“Babies should continue to feed as usual. You don’t usually need medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem. Alleviate fever or aches with paracetamol and get plenty of rest.

“If you or someone you’re caring for shows signs of dehydration, use special rehydration drinks from your local pharmacy. Once you feel like eating, try plain foods like soup, rice, pasta, and bread.”

Stay healthy and take care this winter!

Corstorphine Public Hall site sold

The site of the former Corstorphine Public Hall has finally been sold.

CCC is happy to announce that the sale of 14 Kirk Loan was completed on 21 November 2024 to Stone Acre Corstorphine Ltd.

Details of the proposed development, which will retain the existing façade of the original public hall building, are available on the Council’s planning portal.

The community has been responsive and resilient in it’s support to set up a new Hub since the fire in October 2013 and CCC would like to thank everyone for all their efforts.

The net proceeds from the sale will now be utilised in the refurbishment of the new CCC Hub at 5 Kirk Loan, which will commence as soon as possible.

Keep up to date with the progress of the new CCC Hub at 5 Kirk Loan on:

www.corstorphinecommunitycentre.org.uk and

https://www.facebook.com/CorstorphineCommunityCentre

Shulah Allan, Chair

Local group keep the pressure on Senior Housing Staff

On 27 November 2024, North Edinburgh Parents Action Group met Edinburgh Council’s Senior Housing Staff including the chair of the housing committee for the second time.

Cases shared with the director of housing

As a result of the group’s work e.g. producing a report, launching an exhibition and organising meetings with senior housing staff, the director of housing requested that the details of all people involved in this project be sent to him so that they could try to resolve all these issues and learn from this. The group felt that the managers listened to the issues and are trying to understand what is going wrong.

Change is possible

22 cases were sent to the director of housing and his team in October and November. There have been some successes;

some people have been rehoused
some work on repairs and some dampness issues have been addressed
families have been provided with support.

More needs done

There is still much more work to be done and the group are waiting on a detailed update from the director of housing regarding all the outstanding work. This should be completed by the next meeting with the parents at the end of February.

Suspension of EdIndex

The group are concerned about the suspension of EdIndex and non-urgent repairs and feel this is going to make the situation even worse. The group are also concerned that there are not enough larger houses being built at the waterfront and not enough houses for social rent. Many of these new houses will be out of local people’s reach.

The group heard that no council properties are going to be advertised until 7 Jan 2024 or later. This is due to the council putting homeless families in unlicensed (illegal) accommodation. The council need to move these families into long term empty houses (voids) with minimum work done to them apart from minimum Health and Safety checks.

Use Tourist Tax (Visitor Levy) to invest in Housing

The group believe that the tourist tax should be spent on housing where it is most needed (the consultation on the tourist tax ends on 13 December).

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/visitor-levy

Further Action

Th group told the senior managers that they plan to:

raise this issue with the Minister for Housing at the Scottish Parliament
explore group legal action as a last resort
invite senior managers and the chair of housing to a third meeting at the end of February 2025

Sara, a group member said: “We are serious about keeping up the pressure on the council to ensure people have a safe, warm, damp free home to live in.

Some options that the group are considering include going to the media to highlight people’s stories, taking the campaign to the Scottish Parliament, and contacting a law firm about the possibility of a group action.”

Housing Report FINAL AW (1)Download

£15 billion for Scotland’s councils

Local authorities receive ‘real terms increase’ in funding

Councils will share a record funding settlement of more than £15 billion subject to passing of the 2025-26 Budget, provisional allocations show.

The 2025-26 Local Government Settlement includes a £289 million increase in funding to be used by councils to meet local needs and £120.5 million additional funding for pay deals.

The Budget also includes a one-off payment of £40 million to help councils respond to the climate emergency, and additional funding to support free personal care, teacher numbers and island communities.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “Our Budget is laying the foundations for Scotland’s future success, with investment to help improve the public services that people rely on.

“Local authorities provide some of the most important services to our communities – from schools to social care – which is why we’ve increased their funding by more than £1 billion compared with last year’s Budget.

“The settlement is the result of meaningful budget engagement with COSLA and Councils. While council tax decisions are a matter for individual local authorities, with record funding of over £15 billion there is no reason for big increases in Council Tax next year.

“This is a Budget that will deliver increased funding for schools, social care and other vital council services. But this funding will only reach communities if the Budget passes, so I am asking Parliament to unite behind it.”

Local government finance circular 10/2024: settlement for 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot

Edinburgh International Book Festival Communities Programme participants celebrate success of 2024

12 2024, participants of the Edinburgh International Book Festival Communities Programme came together to celebrate a successful 12 months that has seen 26 authors and artists engage with over 28 community organisations and 1,800+ individuals
The Edinburgh International Book Festival Communities Programme 2024 is year-round and brings local people and organisations together with professional writers and artists.
Thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the programme engaged communities across Scotland
Authors including Jordan Stephens, Jenni Fagan, Andrew O’Hagan, Amy Liptrot, Joe Coelho, and Sophy Henn visited schools, prisons, hospitals, and local reading centres in 2024
Other activity included events streamed to The Birks cinema in Aberfeldy and a public stories submissions campaign collecting memories linked to the Festivals new home; Words from the Wards
The 2024 Festival itself saw the culmination of a activity that took place throughout the year, with performances from Scotland 2049 and Stories & Scran presented on stage.

Participants of the Edinburgh International Book Festival Communities Programme came together in Edinburgh today, Thursday 12 December, to celebrate a year that saw 26 authors and artists engage with over 28 community organisations, and over 1,800 individuals, over the course of it.

A year-round calendar of events made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the Communities programme connects authors and artists with communities across Scotland who may not otherwise have had access to cultural experiences. In August authors including Andrew O’Hagan, Amy Liptrot, Joe Coelho, and Sophy Henn connected with new audiences for readings and in-person events in eight prisons including HMP Barlinnie and HMP & YOI Polmont, as well as the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

Jenni Fagan, author and poet, said: “Edinburgh International Book Festival create partnerships whereby writers can visit and host workshops or readings within the Scottish prison system. This is an extraordinarily important programme. It allows those currently trying to rebuild their lives, access to a wide demographic of writers and stories.

“My most recent visit was with Lilias Centre in Glasgow, whose groundbreaking and progressive facility should be upheld as a blueprint for allowing women in prison to live in an environment focused on their journey and how best to facilitate skillsets that will build confidence and independence on their release.

“It is not possible to overstate that this access to workshops with guest writers, should be considered a cornerstone element, it generates conversation from the women in prison, inspiration in sharing stories, listening (writers must open the floor and really listen all attending the workshops / as they listen to each other too). It is vital to host these workshops in a way that puts each individual in a position where they may choose to share their own voice, or their own stories, if they choose to.

“As part of my writing life, I have found taking my work out into communities that maybe cannot attend readings or may have less easy access to a wide library, is some of the most important and rewarding work I do.”

Thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the power of words was brought not only to prisons, but schools, hospitals, cinemas and local reading centres across Scotland in 2024, as part of the Communities Programme.

In Edinburgh, the team worked with Simon Community Scotland’s Streetreads Library, which helps to support those experiencing homelessness, on reading events with visiting authors Jordan Stephens and Salena Godden.

Jordan Stephens, British musician, actor, and presenter and author, said: “I had the absolute privilege of being able to chat to people struggling with homelessness and addiction at the [Streetreads] library.

They listened to me read out sections of my book and asked me questions. It was actually a really great experience because I felt super connected to everybody’s journey, people who have been through much harder times than me. Any opportunity to be part of a communities programme means a lot to me.”

Further afield in Aberfeldy, The Birks cinema, for the fourth year in a row, screened a record number of 22 events with a total audience of 254. Organiser Fiona MacEwan said that both The Birks team and the local community were ‘delighted’.

Fiona McEwan, Programme and Community Development Manager at The Birks cinema, went on to say: “Many of our audience love the book festival but are unable to get to Edinburgh anymore to attend in person due to personal circumstances but love feeling that they are still part of the audience …thanks again to the whole team for enabling this possibility – it is so amazing to get this opportunity to participate as it can be really challenging (sometimes impossible) to get to Edinburgh.”

Fiona also highlighted that these events have a positive impact on the wider community and tourism economy, saying: “Some audience members were on holiday and said they would be back again next year at the same time so that they could come again.”

Throughout the year community memories were collected and shared in Words from the Wards, a project celebrating the Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute and honouring the building’s incredible legacy as the city’s former Royal Infirmary.

The project collected stories and memories already created in the building – from new births and mourned passings to the careers of the doctors and nurses who worked there – and saw them shared in the former wards alongside new contributions from eight leading writers and artists, including previous and new Edinburgh Makars Hannah Lavery and Michael Pederson, Dr Gavin Francis,, Sara Sheridan, Lisa Williams and Kirstin Innes.

Schools writer-in-residence Ryan van Winkle also invited young people from across Scotland to share their vision for the country’s future with Scotland 2049, a project celebrating the milestone of 25 years of devolution in partnership with the Festival of Politics.

The hugely popular Stories & Scran event returned for a fifth year, with Communities writer-in-residence Eleanor Thom teaming up with local social enterprise Scran Academy to present storytelling created by young people and adults from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, while the Festival’s residency at the Alternative School at Spartans Community Foundation continued with young people from the school alongside writer Chris Barkley sharing their brand-new documentary film, If the World Was Mine, in a fun and fast-paced live event.

500 free tickets for events during the Festival were also given to community groups across Edinburgh, while more than 4,500 school children from 89 schools across Scotland were transported to the Festival (31 groups free of charge), to attend free events and each take home a free book.

Noëlle Cobden, Communities Programme Director at Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Year on year we see the impact that our Communities activity, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, has, not only in Edinburgh but in communities across the country.

“We bring the world of books to those who may never come across it otherwise. For many, meeting an author like Jordan Stephens or Amy Liptrot, Jenny Fagan, can be life changing.

“Our programme also boosts local economies by providing the opportunity for other organisations to engage with new and existing audiences, exemplified by The Birks cinema in Aberfeldy.”

Yesterday’s celebration at the Grassmarket Community Project concluded with a moving tribute to much-loved Citizen participant Jane Murray, who sadly passed away last month.

Improving access to help with council tax debt

Citizens Advice Bureaux to provide support in six more areas

The Scottish Government has awarded £400,000 to Citizens Advice Scotland to improve access to help for people struggling with Council Tax debt.

Building on successful pilot schemes funded in 2023-4, the additional funding will enable targeted advice on Council Tax debt to be provided in six new areas: West Lothian, East Lothian, Dumfries and Galloway, Highlands, Argyll and Bute and East Renfrewshire.

The pilot bureaux gave targeted advice on Council Tax debt as well as wider holistic support and also worked with councils to support best practice in Council Tax debt collection.

The additional funding was announced by Housing Minister Paul McLennan on a visit to West Lothian Citizen’s Advice Bureau, in Livingston, which will use the funding to provide more adviser hours and appointments and extend help to more people using outreach locations to target the most vulnerable.

Mr McLennan said: “We know how worrying public sector debt can be for people in low-income households. Advice services can provide vital support to those with money worries and debt.

“Good working relationships with local authorities can be key and the Scottish Government is working to support best practice across the whole of local government.

“The Scottish Government has both legislated and acted to ensure that people who are financially vulnerable are protected and that debt collection is handled sensitively and appropriately.

“Ministers continue to encourage public bodies to promote empathy and dignity for people struggling with debt.”

Karen Nailen, CEO of CAB West Lothian said: “Council tax debt is the single biggest debt issue that is brought to our CAB every year. It creates real pressure on people’s lives, and for many it can be a sign of wider financial distress.

“This pilot funding is vital to allow us the time and space to look at ways to tackle some of the underlying issues. Working in collaboration with West Lothian Council will enable preventative measures to be identified alongside better advice outcomes for individuals and families.”

MEANWHILE in Edinburgh the Citizen Advice Bureau is one of three advice organisations – the others are CHAI and Granton Information Centre – facing a combined cut of £1 MILLION as Edinburgh Integration Joint Board struggles to balance it’s books.

The EIJB meets on Tuesday to consinder new recommendations.

£150 million for offshore wind

Capital investment almost trebled to unlock private sector growth

Record funding of £150 million capital investment from the Scottish Government will support the growth of the offshore wind sector and support thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland over the next decade.

Overall strategic investment of up to £500 million over five years is expected to boost private investment in the sector by up to £1.5 billion and unlock opportunities for growth in a variety of industries in key areas from ports, manufacturing and assembly work to major supply chain opportunities.

The 2025-26 Scottish Budget also sets out a commitment to establish an offshore wind hub in the North-East to provide an additional route for industry to engage with policy teams.

The investment follows the recent publication of the Green Industrial Strategy which highlighted Scotland’s wind economy as one of five priority areas to secure growth and investment.

Acting Net Zero and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Accelerating Scotland’s offshore wind capabilities presents enormous economic opportunities for our country.

“Our vast resources provide us with significant opportunity to create thousands of well-paid, green jobs across Scotland while accelerating our journey to net zero. We must maximise the economic benefits from offshore wind deployment if we are to ensure a just transition that takes our existing skilled workforce and supply chain with us.

“This significant investment will help boost innovation and expertise in the sector, create a highly productive and competitive economy and deliver a sustainable supply chain that will benefit all of Scotland for decades to come.

“We will work with industry and public sector partners to ensure we identify and deliver the best projects at pace.”

Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “The renewable energy industry is pleased that the Scottish Government will increase the next tranche of its funding commitment to the offshore wind supply chain. It is also encouraging to see the revenues from ScotWind directly utilised for clean industrial growth.

“We will work closely with the Scottish Government to help shape how this funding can be used as part of the wider investment landscape in order to secure the flow of significant private capital into the infrastructure that will help Scotland optimise the opportunity brought by offshore wind.”

Charter of Rights for people affected by substance use

First Minister welcomes human rights advance

The Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use has been launched, aiming to improve the experience of anyone needing support.

The Charter, recognised as the first of its kind in the world by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will help ensure people know their rights and the support they can expect to receive, and that those who use drugs and alcohol, and their families, are treated with dignity.

It contains key human rights – mostly drawn from national and international law – belonging to people affected by substance use, most importantly the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, along with the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to a healthy environment.

The publication was developed by the National Collaborative – a network of people with lived experience and service providers. It was chaired by human rights expert Professor Alan Miller.

Speaking at the launch, the First Minister said: “My condolences go to all those who have lost a loved one. We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol or drug use to be able access the support they need and through our £250 million National Mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of actions.

“This Charter is a key part of that mission and draws on the experience of communities and families affected by substance use. It significantly strengthens our public health and human rights-based approach to substance use-related harms and, over time, it will contribute to significantly improving and saving lives.

“I welcome the support of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which recognises the Charter as the first of its kind in the world.

“We will continue work with the National Collaborative, which developed the charter, and key stakeholders towards its implementation.”

National Collaborative Chair Professor Alan Miller said: “The Charter places people and their human dignity, not punishment and stigma, at the centre.

“It has been developed by people with life experience of what hasn’t worked and what will work. Let’s all now make these rights real.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said: “Criminalisation and prohibition have failed to reduce drug use and deter drug-related crimes.

“We need new approaches prioritising health, dignity and inclusion, guided by the International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy.”

Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use

Energy advice at Heart of Newhaven

CHANGEWORKS SESSION – MONDAY 16 DECEMBER 11am – 12pm

Come along to the free energy advice event with Changeworks at the Heart of Newhaven on Monday 16th December from 11.00 -12.00

Managing your heating and electricity can feel overwhelming.
Whether it’s understanding your bill, managing any debt, or accessing funding you’re entitled to – Changeworks can give you free and impartial advice and support to feel confident about your bills.