Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Save the Date: Edinburgh Diwali returns for 10th celebration

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER 1 – 7pm

Edinburgh Diwali returns to the Capital for it’s tenth celebration of the Indian festival of lights on Sunday 3rd November 2024. Festivities will include a colourful and multicultural parade through Edinburgh city centre, as well as performances and fireworks display in Princes Street Gardens to celebrate the spiritual victory of good over evil.

Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights and is now celebrated internationally by 1.5 billion people to ward off the darkness and welcome the light. Originally hailing from India, Diwali is marked across globe with large public events in Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States of America.

Edinburgh Diwali, a registered Scottish charity, started in 2015 as an initiative by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Indian diaspora from the city, and has gone on to become Scotland’s largest public Diwali event.

In 2020, Edinburgh Diwali was recognised as one of seven ‘best places to celebrate Diwali around the world’ by The Telegraph for it’s digital celebration which lit up Edinburgh’s City Chambers with Happy Diwali messages.

The Indian celebration is one of Edinburgh’s most popular community led events, attracting around 10,000 spectators to the parade and performances in Princes Street Gardens.

Last year’s festivities included performances from Dance Ihayami, Bollyfeat, Classsical Confluence and Dance@Studio21 with a presentation of Indian, Scottish, and fusion dance; plus music from the Stockbridge and Glencorse Pipe Bands as part of the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and a headline performance from Kaykay & Co, the London based British Asian fusion band led by Kaykay Chouhan.

This year’s Diwali celebration promises to be equally spectacular, with the full programme to be revealed closer to the event.

Edinburgh Diwali 2024 will take place 13:00 – 19:00 on Sunday 3rd November. The event is open to all with free entry, encouraging everyone to participate in this family-friendly festive celebration of light.

For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit:

edinburghdiwali.co.uk or facebook.com/edinburgh.diwali.

PICTURES: Robin Mair

Chancellor urged to deliver Budget of ‘investment and opportunity’

The UK Autumn Budget should focus on “investment and opportunity”, with more funding for public services, infrastructure and measures to eradicate child poverty, says Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison.

The Finance Secretary pledged to work with the UK Government and devolved administrations to ensure the Autumn Budget on October 30 “works for all four nations and delivers the change that people need”.

She called for the Chancellor to:

  • change the rules around borrowing to allow for greater investment in public infrastructure and services
  • reverse the forecast cut to capital funding, enabling the Scottish Government to invest more in hospitals, schools and transport
  • abolish the two child limit
  • deliver an Essentials Guarantee providing basic necessities for those who need them most
  • take greater steps towards delivering net zero, including by reforming motoring taxation
  • ensure any changes to tax take account of Scotland’s distinct and devolved tax system
https://twitter.com/i/status/1838594647918084161

Ms Robison said: “When I met with the Chancellor last month, we were in full agreement that we must put people first in all that we do. This principle must be at the heart of the decisions at the Autumn Budget.

“I want to work with the Chancellor, and the governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure that we have a Budget that works for all four nations and delivers the change that people need.

“It does not need to be another Budget of challenge and constraint. Instead it can be a Budget about investment and opportunity.

“We’re calling for measures to tackle child poverty and grow our economy. We’d like to see new rules around borrowing that support investment in public services. We want the UK Government to work hand in hand with the devolved administrations to provide the funding to deliver on our priorities.

“These are the choices I encourage the Chancellor to make.”

UK Autumn Budget: Letter to UK Government – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Edinburgh sport facility set to benefit from £200,000 Sportscotland investment

Community sport across Scotland is to receive a boost thanks to almost £1.2million of investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund to local partners, including £200k for Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled (Ravelrig RDA).

The organisation is one of 10 projects across Scotland to receive investment from sportscotland to develop their facilities or create a new home for sport and physical activity.

It sees much-needed funding for rural communities, areas of deprivation, and for projects designed to make sport more accessible and inclusive. The investment has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK. 

Ravelrig RDA have been awarded £200,000 towards a new indoor riding arena in Balerno which will increase participation throughout winter when the use of the current outdoor venue is at the mercy of the weather. The organisation support people with a range of disabilities and provide therapeutic and recreational riding opportunities.

The work will also ensure improved accessibility between the new arena and the existing stables, office, clubroom, grazing field and toilets. The new arena is predicted to increase participation by 28%, with bad weather and poor light currently causing 15 weeks of cancellations throughout the year.

Ravelrig RDA work with a wide range of children, young people and adults with physical, learning disabilities, emotional and behaviour difficulties and mental health challenges supported by over 100 volunteers. With an ever-growing waiting list and demand high from ASN schools and the community, a year-round facility will help satisfy that demand.

Work is already underway and its hoped will be completed in February 2025.

Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “It is inspiring to see the number of projects looking to improve opportunities for sport and physical activity in the latest round of Sport Facilities Funding.

“We know that sport and physical activity have an important role to play in bringing communities together and building resilience. Thanks to the continued commitment of our local partners more people will have an opportunity to become physically active and feel part of their local community.

“Ravelrig RDA has demonstrated a real commitment to ensuring that more people in Edinburgh will have an opportunity to become physically active and connected to their local community.”

Welcoming the investment, Elaine Jefferies, Chair of Ravelrig RDA, said: “The new arena has long been a long-term goal of Ravelrig RDA volunteers, participants and supporters. to enable lessons to continue all year round. At our previous outdoor arena many are rescheduled or cancelled due to the challenges we have with the weather. 

“The vision, drive, commitment and support of everyone involved past and present is wholly appreciated and we’d like to thank sportscotland and our other funding partners for helping make the new arena a reality.”

The Sports Facilities Fund prioritises projects that widen access to participation or allow people to progress further within their chosen sport locally by removing barriers, particularly in rural areas or areas of deprivation, and for under-represented groups.

In addition to the investment, projects can benefit from the expertise within sportscotland’s facilities team to maximise the impact that their plans will have, ensuring they meet the needs of their local communities now and in the future.

Scottish NHS pay rise agreed

Agenda for Change pay offer accepted by trade unions

Almost 170,000 nurses and healthcare workers in Scotland will receive a 5.5% salary increase this year, ensuring they have the best reward package in the UK.

Unions representing NHS Agenda for Change staff – which includes nurses, midwives, paramedics, allied health professionals, porters and others – unanimously agreed to an investment of more than £448 million for improved pay conditions. 

The pay rise, backdated to 1 April 2024, will come into effect from next month.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “I am pleased that trade unions have unanimously agreed to accept this pay offer, which ensures that nurses and healthcare staff in Scotland, who are part of Agenda for Change, will have the best reward package in the UK.

“I want to express my thanks again to Scotland’s hardworking healthcare staff for the care they provide to patients, day in, day out.  They are the very backbone of the NHS and we are committed to ensuring they feel supported and valued.”

ECCAN to announce GreenLight awardees at Autumn Assembly

The Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) is excited to  announce the recipients of its annual GreenLight Seedgrant Fund, worth  £100,000.  

The overwhelming response to this year’s grant, with applications totalling  £386,522 from 49 organisations, underscores a strong desire across the city to  drive meaningful climate action. 

This year’s awardees reflect a wide spectrum of grassroots campaigns and  innovative, community-driven solutions aimed at tackling the climate crisis. These  projects will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for Edinburgh, building upon the creative and impactful work that is already happening in our  communities. 

The GreenLight Funding Awards will be presented at ECCAN’s Autumn  Assembly today (Wednesday 25 September). This gathering will bring together  members, individuals, and policymakers from across Edinburgh. 

The event is being held in alignment with Scottish Government’s Climate Week,  a celebration of the positive climate action being taken across the country, whilst  inspiring further collective, transformative change. 

Seed Grant Funding Across Key Categories 

A total of 21 recipients were selected for the GreenLight fund, with projects  spanning several critical areas, including: 

1. Mitigate climate change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and  damaging environmental impacts. 

2. Biodiversity Protection: Initiatives that protect, enhance, or increase local  biodiversity. 

3. Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Projects helping communities adapt to  and build resilience against the impacts of climate change. 

4. Climate Awareness and Action: Raising awareness and inspiring action on  climate-related issues. 

5. Community Collaboration: Encouraging communities, organisations, and  residents to work together in addressing the climate emergency. 

A Commitment to a Sustainable Future 

ECCAN is proud to support these exceptional individuals and organisations. The  GreenLight Seedgrant Fund not only sustains the progress already being made in  Edinburgh’s communities, but it also serves as a catalyst for others to join the  collective fight against climate change.

Mark Dowey, ECCAN Network  Lead, said: “We were blown away by the ambition and energy of the 49 applications we  received. It was incredibly challenging to narrow it down to 21 awardees, however  we believe that the projects we’ve selected are set to make a real difference in  Edinburgh.

“I am excited to see the impact these initiatives will have in the  coming months, and I hope we can continue to build on this momentum as we  continue to ambitiously tackle climate change.”

Starmer confirms Aberdeen to host Great British Energy HQ

2 smaller sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow

  • Prime Minister confirms Great British Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen, a world-leader in engineering and infrastructure
  • Edinburgh and Glasgow will host 2 smaller sites, maximising skills and expertise across Scotland
  • the move will kickstart plans for the new publicly-owned company to ‘drive investment in clean home-grown energy, creating jobs and supporting growth across the UK’

Aberdeen has been named the new home of Great British Energy, drawing on the city’s world-leading engineering expertise to kickstart a UK-wide clean energy revolution.

As the location of the new headquarters, Aberdeen will be at the heart of the company’s plans to scale up clean homegrown power to boost energy independence, create skilled jobs across the UK and to support economic growth.

Two additional sites will open in Edinburgh and Glasgow, once Great British Energy is up and running, to benefit from local skills and expertise. The company will be initially located in government buildings across the cities, while permanent bases are established.

This marks the next step to kickstart Great British Energy, as part of its mission to become a clean energy superpower. An interim Chief Executive will soon to be appointed to take the lead on launching the new company and building its Aberdeen base – along with the start-up Chair Juergen Maier, former CEO of Siemens UK.

Within the first weeks of the new government, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband took immediate action to introduce the Great British Energy Bill to Parliament and – along with the Prime Minister – confirm a new partnership with The Crown Estate, to help accelerate new offshore wind farms.

The company – owned by the British people, for the British people – will attract private investment in the UK’s clean homegrown power, backed by £8.3 billion in government funding over this Parliament.

The move forms part of the government’s plans to support clean energy in the North Sea, ensuring Aberdeen continues to thrive as Scotland’s clean energy capital.

The UK Government recently announced the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and continues to progress technologies like carbon capture and storage and hydrogen – as well as ensuring that oil and gas is used for decades to come as part of a fair and balanced transition away from fossil fuels.

Preparing health and social care for winter

Record high NHS 24 workforce to meet increased demand

A record number of NHS 24 call handlers will support the public to access the most appropriate care this winter as services deal with increased demand.

Through the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint Winter Preparedness Plan, continued investment for NHS 24 will increase service capacity to provide clinical supervision for at least 150,000 additional calls per year and help prevent unnecessary A&E attendances.

Key measures to support services in the face of increased demand, include; improving discharge planning for patients admitted to acute or community hospitals, maintaining established care at home packages and a Government led delayed discharge response team to directly support Boards in need of assistance. Planned care capacity will also be safeguarded with a continued focus on clearing long waits.

The annual winter vaccination programme, which includes respiratory condition RSV for the first time, will support a reduction in severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality – while protecting health and social care service capacity. The joint plan also sets out action to support the mental health and well-being of service staff through increased flexible working options and dedicated mental health resources.

This year’s plan has been published a month ahead of last year, and earlier than ever before, to allow more time for NHS Boards and care providers to prepare for winter surges in demand.

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “As winter approaches, the NHS will see surges in demand across all health, social care and social work services. Our joint Winter Plan with COSLA is just one part of a wider programme of work to respond to heightened demand.

“A record number of NHS 24 call handlers will be available this winter to direct people to the most appropriate care, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances. We will continue our work to reduce delayed discharge in hospitals with an increased focus on effective discharge planning and protecting care at home packages. We will also ensure planned care capacity is protected as much as possible in the face of winter pressure so patients are seen as quickly as possible.

“We are prioritising frontline services with over £14.2 billion investment in our boards this year – an almost 3% real terms uplift – and also investing £2 billion in social care services.

“I thank all health, social care and social work staff for their continued efforts and dedication to deliver high quality care. It is fundamental we safeguard their wellbeing, and improved options on flexible working and continued access to mental health resources will ensure staff are supported over this challenging period.”

COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly said: “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that people and communities have timely access to quality care and support when they need it most.

“We know that Local Government and Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland are working hard to plan and deliver the essential health and social care services our communities rely on every day.

“The context within which this takes place is increasingly challenging, which is why COSLA have worked jointly with the Scottish Government to produce this plan. Local Government plays a key role in supporting people to experience better wellbeing and better outcomes, so it was only right that this plan reflects the whole system of integrated health and social care, from acute and primary care to social work, our care homes, community settings, and our partners across the sector.

“Winter is often a time of exceptional pressure on our services so I am pleased that this plan, produced with our partners across the sector, reflects the challenges and the opportunities we face.”

Health & Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan for 2024-25

Warning: Telford traffic misery to continue for a while yet

Telford Road

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TWO-way temporary traffic lights at the top of Groathill Avenue from 7am on Tuesday 24 September for ongoing power cable renewal works – expected until 11 October.

Closures on Groathill Avenue and Groathill Road South remain in place for a few more weeks.

#edintravel

Scottish Government seeks views on building safety levy proposals

Legislation to raise funds for fixing cladding issues

Proposals for a tax on developers, aiming to raise funds to fix building safety issues in Scotland, have been published for public consultation.

Views are being sought on the proposed Scottish Building Safety Levy, which will be introduced under powers due to be devolved by the UK Government later this year. The consultation will open on 23 September and run for eight weeks, closing on 18 November. 

The levy would apply to the construction of new residential buildings, mirroring measures being introduced in England through the UK Building Safety Act. Funds raised would support the Scottish Government’s cladding remediation programme.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “We are keen to hear from people across Scotland about our proposals, which would raise funds from developers to help safeguard people living in buildings with unsafe cladding.

“I know that developers share our determination to keep people safe and have continued to make significant progress. This legislation will build on that momentum, ensuring developers make a fair contribution to address building safety defects in Scotland, just as the UK Government is asking them to do in England. 

“We are continuing our work in partnership with developers, in line with our New Deal for Business and Framework for Tax, to ensure this levy best contributes to our mission of keeping people safe.”

Background

Views sought on building safety levy proposals – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Scottish Parliament going to Glasgow to continue 25th anniversary events

HOLYROOD Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone will go to Glasgow next week as she continues her series of visits to all eight Scottish Parliament regions as part of marking the Parliament’s 25th anniversary.

The visit is an opportunity for the Presiding Officer to hear directly from local people about their reflections on the Parliament and their aspirations for its future. The Presiding Officer is seeking views on 25 years of devolution and how the Parliament has impacted local communities.

Taking place on Monday 30 September, the visit has been set up in collaboration with community organisations Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector and Willowacre Trust.

In the morning the Presiding Officer and Glasgow MSPs will meet with people who are supported by local community groups, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises. They will discuss the opportunities that exist for people to get involved in the Parliament’s work and will also hear about efforts to improve citizen engagement in the city.

In the afternoon, the Presiding Officer and MSPs will attend an interactive presentation of Willowacre Trust projects from community members. This will be followed by an opportunity to hear their views on the Parliament at 25 and what their priorities are for the future.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “I’m excited to continue our visits across Scotland to meet with local people and to hear their views on the Parliament and their aspirations for its future.

“Although in its 25 years the Parliament has become an established part of public life in Scotland, we know there is work to do.

“Having already visited the Highland and Islands region and the Borders, this visit to Glasgow is an opportunity to meet with local community groups to hear about the challenges facing them and how their Parliament can best meet the needs of their communities.

“Scotland’s Parliament belongs to its people and its vital their voices are heard and help shape the Parliament’s future.”

Linda Allan, Community and Support Services Manager at Willowacre Trust said: “We are excited to welcome the Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament to Willowacre Trust’s community centre at the heart of Glasgow’s bustling Barrowfield community.

“Our team works in partnership with a diverse range of residents, volunteers and organisations from the local area to provide services and host events that address the needs of residents and help encourage community togetherness.

“This visit will be a valuable opportunity for our community members to meet the Parliamentary Team, and to speak with them about their experiences and the issues that matter most to them.”

Ian Bruce, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) said: “We look forward to welcoming people to this Scottish Parliament anniversary celebration with the Presiding Officer and MSPs.

“This event will contribute to people feeling that the Scottish Parliament is accessible to them, which is so important. It won’t be too serious, though, and we’ll make sure everyone has fun with a little help from our friends at Nemo Arts.”