Category: Newhaven

Brock: John Lewis staff ‘deserve more for their loyalty than a P45’

Jobs blow as John Lewis Bonnington depot to close

Department store John Lewis is to close it’s Leith warehouse, with the loss of up to 78 jobs. The company plans to centralise distribution from it’s delivery hub in Glasgow, where 40 new jobs are to be created.

Commenting on the John Lewis proposals to close the Bonnington Road distribution depot, local MP Deidre Brock said: ““This is a deeply disappointing decision which has come as a bolt out the blue to staff at the Leith depot, many of whom have worked there for decades. They deserve more for their loyalty than a P45.

“The Leith depot is a busy hub and it seems daft to me to send trucks from Glasgow to deliver in Edinburgh when we’ve a perfectly good set-up here. I’ve asked John Lewis for more information on these proposals and stand ready to help where I can.”

The profits and benefits created by the company’s success are shared by all of John Lewis’ partners (i.e staff).

The John Lewis Partnership mission statement reads: ‘The John Lewis Partnership’s reputation is founded on the uniqueness of our ownership structure and our commercial success. Our purpose is ‘the happiness of all our members, through their worthwhile, satisfying employment in a successful business‘, with success measured on our ability to sustain and enhance our position both as an outstanding retailer and as a thriving example of employee ownership. With this in mind, our strategy is based on three interdependent objectives Partners, customers and profit.’

 

Victoria Primary on the move?

A statutory consultation on a proposal to relocate Victoria Primary School to a new building in the Western Harbour and undertake catchment changes in the Western Harbour and North Leith areas of the city has begun. The public consultation period will run until 5pm on Friday 17 March. Continue reading Victoria Primary on the move?

North Edinburgh hit by car vandalism spree

At least 25 cars damaged in overnight vandalism attacks

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Police are investigating following a wave of car vandalisms across North Edinburgh. A series of incidents occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday and took place across the area -incidents were reported in Granton, Boswall, Trinity and Hawthornvale. Continue reading North Edinburgh hit by car vandalism spree

Side by Side? Labour councillors to host community event

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Housing and care services are in crisis. Can local community co-operatives help to meet local needs?

These are questions for a ‘radical’ new community project in Edinburgh Northern and Leith. Side by Side aims to explore how we can learn from each other and work together to create positive practical change in our local neighbourhood.

Housing, environment and care of the young and elderly were the top concerns to emerge from two community Open Space events in the last 12 months.  The first event identified the needs; the second came up with bold ideas to fill gaps in local services – including housing and childcare co-operatives

Now Side by Side aims to take the next step with The Gathering, at Norton Park Conference Centre on Saturday 3 December.  And this time the event will start by celebrating the successes and achievements of local groups who are already changing lives.     

‘Through our events we discovered fantastic creative enterprises in Edinburgh Northern and Leith,’ says Fay Young, one of the organisers, ‘But not everyone knows about them. We hope to learn from each other to build on what is here already and generate new ideas to enhance quality of life in our area.’  

Keynote speaker Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, will set the tone of an event which seeks to ‘share best practice and build on local achievements’. A panel of experts from Pilton Community Health Project, Port of Leith Housing Association, Shrub Swap and Reuse Hub and North Edinburgh Childcare will also provide first hand accounts of successful community enterprises and projects.

Workshop discussions and outcomes will be led and decided by the audience and facilitated by Judith Chivers. Proposals put forward by The Gathering will contribute to a community manifesto for our neighbourhood in time for the local authority elections in May 2017. 

Side by Side has grown from two Open Space community discussion events hosted by Councillor Lesley Hinds, in December 2015 and April 2016.  Local organisations and residents were invited to explore how we might make use of new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to improve life in our part of Edinburgh. 

Councillor Hinds who is standing down after 33 years on City of Edinburgh Council said:  ‘I promised to turn words into action and that is what The Gathering aims to do. My colleagues will ensure this is taken forward”.

Side by Side is a community project open to all. The Gathering will be introduced and hosted by Labour Councillors for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, and is supported by Leith Open Space, an intercultural community discussion group formed in 2005.

Edinburgh based Selah Corbin, a cinematic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work has been likened to “paintings that come alive”   will provide the music and a light lunch of delicious food from Punjabi Junction will be served.

To take part, book now on   Eventbrite   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/side-by-side-edinburgh-northern-and-leith-gathering-tickets-28336222404?aff=es2

and follow Facebook.com/SBSGathering   and   http://www.edinburghlabournorthernandleith.org.uk/ for updates.

For further information please contact Marion Donaldson councillormariondonaldson@gmail.com

Your community needs YOU! – be part of something great!

Community Council nominations open on Monday

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Nominations for Edinburgh’s community councils open on Monday (5 September) and the city council is calling on people passionate about their area to play an active role and be part of something great! Continue reading Your community needs YOU! – be part of something great!

Port of Leith secures finance deal to build hundreds of homes

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Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has secured a new £35m private funding facility to support its plans to build over 480 homes for social and mid-market rent in Leith and North Edinburgh by 2020. Continue reading Port of Leith secures finance deal to build hundreds of homes

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership public meeting

The next Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Public Meeting is on Wednesday 31 August 2016 at 7pm in The Church Hall, Granton Baptist Church, 99 Crewe Road North. See below for further details.

FORTH

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership

Public Meeting

At 7pm on Wednesday 31st August 2016

Granton Baptist Church, 99 Crewe Road North

Come along and hear about:

  • Progress on the move to Locality Working by City of Edinburgh Council and Partners – and what this means for residents of North Edinburgh 
  • Potential changes to flight paths at Edinburgh Airport 
  • Improvements at West Pilton Park 
  • Progress on the Regeneration of North Edinburgh 

There will also be a short period during the meeting for Neighbourhood Partnership business.

An agenda and papers will be available nearer to the meeting. For further information contact Jim Pattison, 529 5082 – jim.pattison@edinburgh.gov.uk