Category: North Edinburgh News

TODAY: Celebrating Care Day at the HUB for SUCCESS

A PROJECT which increases the educational opportunities open to people who have spent time in care is throwing open its doors to visitors to mark Care Day 2020. 

Edinburgh’s HUB for SUCCESS is hosting a drop-in session on Friday (February 21) to showcase its work helping students into and through further and higher education. 

The HUB for SUCCESS (Support for University and College for Care Experienced in South-East Scotland) operates from the City of Edinburgh Council Customer Hub in the Royal Mile.

 The project was launched in late 2018 to try to counter the trend of care experienced young people leaving school at the minimum age, and only a very low proportion going directly from school to higher education. 

The HUB provides individual information and advice on education opportunities, study pathways, accommodation and finance, both on a drop-in basis and by making home/campus visits.

 In 2019, only 28 people who were looked after young people across the whole of Scotland went from school to higher education, but, since its launch, the HUB has provided one-to-one support to more than 140 people as part of a drive to improve the picture. 

Today, from 11am-1pm, HUB manager Lorraine Moore is opening the doors at 249 High Street to those with care experience, their supporters and project partners to highlight its success in helping people get into, stay in and return to education.

Lorraine, who is employed by Edinburgh Napier University, said: “On Care Day 2020, everyone is welcome to drop in and hear about our amazing care experienced community. 

“Whether you are care experienced or someone who is interested in finding out more, we want to bring together learners, partners and collaborators to share what is on offer.

 “It will be a celebratory event which promotes networking and positive conversations underlining the message that there has never been a better time to study if you are care experienced.”

 Edinburgh Napier is one of the HUB’s core partners alongside the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Queen Margaret University, the Open University in Scotland, Edinburgh College, Newbattle Abbey College and City of Edinburgh Council. 

Last October, Deputy First Minister John Swinney visited the HUB to meet young people who had benefited from the project, including a teenager in foster care who was planning to study at university and others who had already entered further and higher education.

 Mr Swinney said: “We want to make it easier for people to move into further or higher education, no matter their age, and services like HUB for SUCCESS have a vital role in this.” 

Who Cares? Scotland, Barnardo’s, Skills Development Scotland and Action for Children are among the organisations taking part in the Care Day drop-in event. 

Were you in care? Adopted, foster care, kinship care, looked after at home (with a social worker) or in residential care – think you may be care experienced – get in touch to find out more www.hubforsuccess.org

HUB for SUCCESS student case studies

Mum thanks ambulance service after collapsing at gym

A mum said she owes her life to the Scottish Ambulance Service when she collapsed at the gym after being struck down with an exercise-related medical condition.

Vicky Tallentire, from Corstorphine, became unwell while on a treadmill at a city gym.

She was suffering  from a rare disorder in which anaphylaxis occurs after physical activity and was unresponsive after having collapsed. She was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by ambulance crew Mark Ferrier and Alex Vesco.

Since the incident, she has been reunited with both on separate occasions.

Vicky, a medical consultant of Acute Receiving at Western General Hospital, said: “It was a Saturday morning and I was at the gym. 

“I was on a treadmill when I started to feel really unwell. I went downstairs with my husband Mike, who was with me and I collapsed in quite a confined bathroom area of the gym, with what evolved into an episode of anaphylaxis. I have had one previous episode of anaphylaxis and I sort of recognised some of the symptoms.” 

She “very rapidly” started to lose consciousness and added: “My husband, who is a doctor as well, phoned 999. I don’t remember much about the intervening period between the phone call going out and me kind of regaining consciousness in the emergency department in the Royal Infirmary. I do remember a crew arriving and having a sense I was being managed really well.  

“My husband, an ICU consultant, thought I was going to [cardiac] arrest.  I was in a small toilet area of the gym, making logistical issues even more challenging.” 

An ambulance crew was soon dispatched, staffed by Mark and Alex. 

Vicky said: “The crew were everything I could have asked for – efficient, effective and kind, all at the same time.  I didn’t care much about kind words; I knew I needed adrenaline and fluids and hospital.  

“But whenever I was conscious I felt a sense of control by the crew; I heard specific and effective communication, I heard rapid decision-making under pressure and I knew I was in safe hands. 

“I have only ever been in an ambulance transferring patients between hospitals, never as a patient myself.

 “I know I owe my life to that crew – being at the front line is tough.  I know, I live it.  But just occasionally you do get to make a real difference to someone’s life.”

Accompanied by her son Wilson, Vicky recently met up with paramedic Alex just before Christmas. She also ran into Mark earlier this month while at work.

Wilson also thanked the crews: “Thank you for having my mum back for Christmas.”

On meeting Vicky again, Alex said: “It was a real unique experience to meet a patient after the event, it’s not something we commonly get to do, and quite often we don’t get to find out how are patients are after we take them into the Emergency Department, so this has been really good to have an informal debrief, and ask each other questions, so it was really nice to meet up.”

Vicky has since made a very full recovery and added: “I really can’t express how grateful I am to both of the crew involved, and also the amazing team at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh ED. From the bottom of my heart, I am so immensely grateful to everyone involved.”

Capital Coalition votes to slash services

Edinburgh’s ruling SNP-Labour ‘Capital Coalition’ voted though cuts of £35 million to public services last night – and agreed to raise Council Tax by almost 4.8%. Labour councillor Gordon Munro abstained.

And if you think the cuts will end after next year, think again: the Council set a three year budget and plans to make cuts of £87 million over the next three years.

Council leaders say the budget will protect vital services, but opposition parties argue that the scale of the cuts will damage communities.

SNP Cllr Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “We’ve agreed a bold budget which protects the most vulnerable in society and guarantees a fairer quality of life for future generations. It prioritises those Council services which work to help those who are most in need of our support – protecting our young people, our communities and our planet in the process.

“In the face of growth and a global climate emergency, we’ve outlined plans for the biggest investment ever to be made into new, sustainable and affordable homes in Edinburgh.

“The people of Edinburgh have told us they want their city to be sustainable, to be fair and for frontline services to be protected. That is what we are delivering with a budget which invests in the services our city needs. I’d like to thank fellow Councillors for standing up for a plan which is fair and sustainable.”

Labour Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader, said: “The plans passed today support new schools, sustainability and the regeneration of this city and I’m pleased we’ve been able to – yet again – agree a balanced budget, despite the ongoing financial uncertainty we and all local authorities face.

“This forward-thinking approach will provide much greater certainty to residents, to workers and to partners right across the city and will help us tackle poverty in all its forms.

“Under today’s budget, this Council is committing to do all that we can with the resources we have to improve residents’ lives and protect those services which are vital to our most vulnerable citizens. This will be supported by the thousands of new, affordable homes we’ll help to build and the community regeneration we’ve pledged to deliver.

“For too long we’ve turned our back on our fantastic waterfronts and this budget plan will allow us to move forward with our plans to regenerate Granton, providing new homes and a fantastic community for people to work and visit.”

Far from moving forward, Lib Dem councillors Kevin Lang and Louise Young believe the budget is a backwards step.

Commenting last night, the brother and sister councillors for Almond ward said: “We are sorry to say the SNP’s Council budget was passed tonight. We argued strongly for our alternative which avoided the worst of the service cuts but the votes weren’t there.

This means:

❌ an end to all Council funding for community policing, putting dozens of officer posts at risk.
❌ removing all 130 teachers from our nurseries.
❌ a big cut to headteacher school budgets.
❌ slashing the funding for local sports and leisure centres.
❌ opening the door to library cuts.

“The SNP also refused to accept our fully costed plan to put more money into road and pavement repairs or into new park playground equipment.

“We always try to be optimistic but there’s no getting away from the fact this is a bad budget for our constituents.”

Earlier this week the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities warned that the Scottish Government’s Budget will hit vulnerable communities the hardest.

COSLA said the Government has not considered successive years of cuts, or rising inflation and demand and have therefore put council services at risk.

Councils have said they believe the budget will have a major impact on the Government’s ability to address the four priorities of inclusive growth, tackling child poverty, wellbeing and climate change, and puts Scottish Government commitments at risk if no further funding is found as part of the Budget Scrutiny process.

COSLA’s view is that taken on its own, the Scottish Government’s announcement of an additional £495m for councils is misleading to communities.

Councils are required to deliver an additional £590m worth of new Scottish Government policy commitments, resulting in a cut to council budgets of £95m. It is vital to note that this doesn’t account for inflation and therefore the real terms cut to the Local Government revenue budget is nearer £300m.

The draft capital budget is equally as devastating. Whilst £54m of new capital money has been announced this is negated by £171m worth of Scottish Government commitments. This leaves a £117m cut to core capital budgets of 17%. Again, if we include inflation the real terms cut to capital budgets is £130m.

This settlement does not address any of the restoration called for in light of many years of cuts.

Speaking ahead of an evidence session at the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee on Wednesday, COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “COSLA has campaigned hard in recent months for the Scottish Government to address falling Local Government budgets.

“We called for Scottish Government commitments to be funded, inflation to be accounted for and restoration to the budget to reflect successive years of cuts to Local Government. It is unfortunate that a sphere of government in this country has not been listened to. 

“This draft budget will impact on jobs, frontline services and Local Government’s ability to address inclusive economic growth, child poverty, wellbeing and climate change and does not address the growing demand most councils are facing in relation to services.”

COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison added: “Recent benchmarking statistics have shown that 10,000 FTE jobs have been lost in Local Government since 2010/11. The impact of this on communities is real and cannot continue. 

“We are calling on Scottish Government and the Parliament to address these concerns, listen to our asks and prevent the loss of essential council services which communities rely upon.

“Make no mistake, councils and the services which communities rely upon will be at risk as a result of this budget.”

Councillors voyed to raise Edinburgh’s Council Tax by 4.79%. The tax band levels for Edinburgh in 2020/21 will come into effect on 1 April 2020 and will be:

A – £892.39

B – £1,041.13

C – £1,189.86

D – £1,338.59

E – £1,758.76

F – £2,175.21

G – £2,621.41

H – £3,279.55

Fire Service launches Youth Volunteer Scheme

A young person has told how he is helping to change views of a “tearaway youth culture” in Scotland – by volunteering with the national fire and rescue service.

Oliver McKenzie spoke movingly about his commitment to helping others as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service launched its new Youth Volunteer Scheme on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old was just one of more than 80 young people from across the country who gathered at the Service’s National Training Centre in Cambuslang to mark the initiative which was formally launched by Community Safety Minister Ash Denham and SFRS Chief Officer Martin Blunden.

Previous SFRS volunteer schemes have seen young people representing Scotland at UK-wide competitions – and even standing shoulder to shoulder with royalty.

Oliver, who is based at Helensburgh Community Fire station, said: “Being part of the programme has taught me how to talk to and help members of the community, and it lets them see that not all children are up to no good and being tearaways.

“It feels good to go along to events and be out and about in the community and wear the Service crest with pride because you know you’re part of something.”

He added: “I’ve wanted to be a firefighter since I was two or three years old, it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.

“I will be 18 when the Youth Volunteer Scheme finishes, then I would like to apply to the fire service or become a special constable with the Police.

“Being part of this has allowed me to push myself, to learn new skills and follow instructions. I think this will help me find a good job when I turn 18.”

The Youth Volunteer Scheme is currently operational in Helensburgh, Dumbarton, Campbeltown and Kilmarnock. Stations in Tobermory, Peterhead, Wick, Alloa and Methil will also participate in the initiative over the coming months.

It is open to teenagers aged between 12 and 18 and developed around a three-phase programme, designed to deepen and broaden knowledge, skills, competence and confidence.

Volunteer Isla Overend even found herself rubbing shoulders with HRH the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.

Dumbarton based Isla, who was crowned Young Firefighter of the Year in 2018 and 2019, said: “I would say my pinnacle moment was when I was chosen as the Scottish Firefighter Cadet representative at Prince Charles’ 70th birthday garden party celebrations at Buckingham Palace, the week after Harry and Meghan’s wedding – and literally stood feet away from them.”

Isla rose quickly through the ranks in her unit to become a Watch Commander –  and now has a SFRS support job, while continuing her higher education studies for a degree in Health Science.

She continued: “I have no doubt in my mind that had I not been part of this scheme, I wouldn’t have had the confidence, experiences, determination, skills and knowledge to choose what is thought of as a leap of faith – especially as my guidance teacher told me I was capable of more when I told her I was leaving school and not returning in 6th year.”

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John Miller is the strategic lead for the Youth Volunteer Scheme. He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people across Scotland to develop their skillset and make a valuable contribution to their local communities.

“The Youth Volunteer Scheme is not about recruiting future firefighters and we cannot guarantee any young person further employment or involvement with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“What we can guarantee is that we will offer as much support and guidance as possible to young people with an interest in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and anyone who participates in this scheme will grow in confidence and be equipped with improved life skills.”

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “I was very pleased to have the opportunity to join with service personnel and the fantastic young volunteers for the launch of the SFRS Youth Volunteer Scheme.

“We all have a part to play in making our communities safer and this initiative provides an excellent opportunity to engage with our young people and promote the behaviour and skills that can improve the safety of the people of Scotland. It will also help develop the overall confidence and life skills of the volunteers involved.”

If you are interested in participating in the Youth Volunteer Scheme contact sfrs.youthengagement@firescotland.gov.uk

“Do You Love Me?” among top five questions we most want to ask our dogs

Dogs Trust is calling on owners in Edinburgh to show their four-legged friends some extra love this Love Your Pet Day (20th February), as new statistics show the number one question that we most want to ask our dogs is “Are you happy?” 

The UK’s largest dog welfare charity polled 2,000 dog owners and 73% of people in Edinburgh said they wish their dog could talk, especially as 70% of owners say their dog surprises them at least once a week.

Among the top questions owners in the area said they would most want to ask their dogs if they could talk were “are you happy” (50%), “how could I make your life happier” (44%),  “do you understand me when I talk to you” (44%), “what do you dream about”  (30%) and “do you love me” (28%)?

Dogs Trust has some top tips to show your pet pooches just how “paw-some” they are:

  1. Have a treasure hunt – hide some of your dog’s favourite treats in different rooms around the house and see how quickly they manage to locate them.
  2. Play their favourite game – Catch? Fetch? Tug of war? They’re all great fun to your dog! Show them some love by spending time playing their favourite game with them.
  3. Make them their very own Snuffle Mat! – A snuffle mat is an enrichment toy that encourages your dog to sniff and search out hidden treats amongst the mat.
  4. Build them a Doggy Den – has your dog’s bed been looking pretty well lived in recently? Create your furry friend a cosy, comfortable place to sleep.
  5. Teach them some new tricks! With our easy to follow Dog School videos or enrolling them in some classes.
  6. Take your dog out on an adventure to their favourite walking location. Allow them to have a run around and really stretch their legs!
  7. Teach your dog to treat bob! – Keep your dog entertained with these easy to make toys by following these simple instructions.
  8. Give them a squeaky-clean smile – Dental hygiene is important for dogs. Head to our advice page to follow our helpful guide on how to brush their teeth.
  9. Buy your dog a new collar – Your dog wears their collar 24/7, so why not make sure it’s nice, comfortable ‘fetch’ing?! Head here to get a personalised dog tag to complete the look.
  10. Make them a delicious treat! There are plenty of recipes for treats which can be eaten at all times of the year on our website, including dog friendly pancakes and mince pies!

Susan Tonner, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust in West Calder, said: “Dogs are such wonderful characters and play such a big part in our lives, and what’s clear from these statistics is that we want nothing more than to make our dogs’ lives even happier. 

“Of course, every day should be love your pet day and there’s lots of different ways you can show your pet pooch just how much you love them from building them a doggy den to playing their favourite game.

“This Love Your Pet Day why not show some extra love to our rescue dogs as well and make some of their wishes come true by donating toys and treats to your local rehoming centre.”

The charity also asked owners in Edinburgh what they loved most about their dogs. How affectionate they are (65%), how much of a good companion they are (45%) and how much happier they make our own lives (51%) were among some of the main reasons why we can’t live without our four-legged friends.

For more information on how to donate to your local rehoming centre through its Amazon Wish List visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/wishes

110 – Hermie Now and Then

Hello,

Please find attached a poster and link to our online plea for past Hermitage Park Pupils to share stories with us.

As you know, this is part of our ‘110 – Hermie Now and Then: an intergenerational story told in film, podcast and print’ project with author Dan Gray.

The completed ‘110- Hermie now and then” short film will be screened at our community ceildhi event on 24th April.

Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Warm regards,

Lisa Black

Lisa Black | Depute Head Teacher (PEF)

Hermitage Park Primary School | Hermitage Park, EH6 8HD | 0131 554 2952

Scotland’s prisons creaking at the seams

Developing a contingency plan for HMP Barlinnie in the event that it fails must be of the highest priority for the Scottish Prison Service, says Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee.

Given the condition of Scotland’s prisons in general, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) must also develop robust contingency plans in case any other part of the prison estate becomes uninhabitable.

All contingency plans should reflect the immediate capacity issues faced by the SPS and the fact that there is no evidence to suggest that prisoner numbers will decrease in the short term.

In a report published today, the committee says ten years of capital underspend to stay within budget should have raised serious concerns at an early stage given the deteriorating state of prisons. The impact of the delay in the capital programme cannot be overestimated.

Urgent action by the Scottish Government and SPS is needed to address under-lying pressures on the prison service, with solutions required from across the justice system.

The report says this situation is now undermining the Scottish Government’s policy objectives of rehabilitating prisoners and reducing re-offending.

Jenny Marra MSP, Convener of the Public Audit Committee, said: “Audit Scotland says HMP Barlinnie presents the “biggest risk of failure in the prison system” but warns there is no clear contingency plan for accommodating the 1,460 prisoners it currently holds should it fail.

“Developing a contingency plan for Barlinnie in the event that it fails must be of the highest priority. Given the state of prisons generally, the Scottish Government and the SPS must develop robust contingency plans should any other part of the prison estate become uninhabitable.

On underlying pressure on the prison service, Ms Marra added: “It is clear to the Committee that there are significant and wide-ranging challenges both the SPS and Scottish Government must overcome. The SPS is currently accommodating around 500 prisoners above capacity and there is no evidence to suggest that prisoner numbers will decrease in the short term.

“At the same time, the SPS’s revenue budget is down by 12.5 per cent in real terms; the capital programmes for HMPs Barlinnie, Inverness and Greenock are behind schedule and prisoner violence is on the increase. At its core, this situation is undermining the Scottish Government’s policy objectives of rehabilitating prisoners and reducing re-offending.”

The report finds that either the numbers entering prisons needs to be reduced or additional capacity provided to ensure that prisons are a safe and adequate environment for those who live and work in them.

As such, the service should be funded for the population it currently holds and for the expected increase rather than it being assumed that prisoner numbers will fall. Suggestions of doubling up prisoners in individual cells are a backwards step, says the committee.

The report states that action needs to be taken now by both the SPS and the Scottish Government to address these significant pressures. Such action must be based on a whole-system approach, requiring solutions from across the justice system.

On HMP Barlinnie, the report says: ‘Given the history of the prison service capital programme to date, it would seem that further delays in the completion of HMP Barlinnie are likely. It is crucial that the SPS and the Scottish Government anticipate and plan for such delays and put in place robust contingency plans.

‘The Scottish Government and the SPS must take all steps to ensure that the proposed timetable for the completion of a replacement for HMP Barlinnie is adhered to because if HMP Barlinnie fails, the whole prison system is at risk’.

Read the Committee’s report here.

Cutting football club expenses by just 5% could help 118,137 vulnerable people

  • Top football clubs could improve the lives of 118,137 vulnerable people by giving just 5% of their expenditures to the local community, new research shows.
  • Football club expenses equate to help for 2.3 million vulnerable people.
  • Club vs Community reveals the potential social impact top clubs could have if they were to reduce their inessential expenses over a year.
  • Real Madrid could reduce the risk of poverty for 2,321 children by cutting their spend on acquiring players by 5%, or help 1,431 adults find employment.
  • It would cost €1,669 to provide intervention for a homeless adult in the UK, and just €800 to teach workers the skills they need to find employment in Paris.
  • Top football clubs could improve the lives of 118,137 vulnerable people by giving just 5% of their expenditures to the local community, new research shows.
  • Football club expenses equate to help for 2.3 million vulnerable people.
  • Club vs Community reveals the potential social impact top clubs could have if they were to reduce their inessential expenses over a year.
  • Real Madrid could reduce the risk of poverty for 2,321 children by cutting their spend on acquiring players by 5%, or help 1,431 adults find employment.
  • It would cost €1,669 to provide intervention for a homeless adult in the UK, and just €800 to teach workers the skills they need to find employment in Paris.

If the world’s top football clubs were to cut their inessential expenditures by just 5%, they could collectively improve the lives of 118,137 vulnerable members of society, new research shows. 

The 15 highest-earning teams in the world, as decided by the Deloitte Football Money League 2019, have spent a staggering €6.923 billion on salaries and bonuses, upgrading facilities and acquiring players over the past year.

Club vs Community calculates the cost of rectifying key social issues in various countries around the world – including homelessness, social care and unemployment – and measures this against football clubs’ expenditure as detailed in the latest available financial reports.

However, with the question as to whether footballers are overpaid remaining a point of contention among fans, Club vs Community asks how much more teams could be doing to help address prevalent social issues.

Although directly rectifying hard-hitting social issues may be beyond the remit of football clubs, the fact remains that the average pay in the Premier League is around €230,000 per month – a staggering 120 times more than the typical €1,916 EU monthly wage.

In Spain, raising the income for all impoverished households with children to the OECD average and thereby reducing the risk of poverty would cost €5,365 per capita – while Real Madrid spent €249 million on player transfers alone in 2019.

The highest-earning football clubs and their potential social reach

Over the past year, Manchester United have spent €27 million on sponsorship and broadcasting, while Inter Milan have splashed out €183,000 on PR and gifts. If both teams were to cut these expenditures by 10%, they could improve the lives of 1,839 local people.

To find out more about the cost of tackling social issues, and how high-earning clubs can help reach this goal, view the full Club vs Community study here: https://www.netbet.co.uk/blog/club-community/.

Over a quarter of people with liver disease say they were diagnosed too late, survey reveals

Over a quarter of people with liver disease in Scotland say they were diagnosed too late, survey reveals

26% of people with liver disease in Scotland said they were diagnosed late, by which time there were very few treatment options and the disease had progressed, a survey carried out by leading liver charity, the British Liver Trust, reveals.

The largest ever UK survey of over 2,000 liver patients also showed that in the region:

·         18% of people said their condition was dismissed as nothing to worry about when they were first seen by a medical professional.

·         15% of patients were very unsatisfied with the medical care they had received.

·         Over half of liver disease patients had no signs or symptoms of a liver problem before diagnosis.

The survey also shows that in the UK:

·         A third of patients were diagnosed after being tested for another condition

·         Tiredness, abdominal pain and itching were the most common symptoms experienced by half of respondents

·          More than half felt they were given not enough or no information upon diagnosis

·         22% of patients waited more than six months before being referred to a specialist

Experts are warning that late diagnosis of liver disease is causing a liver disease crisis across the UK, denying many of these people the chance of getting the best possible treatment.  Evidence shows the earlier a patient is diagnosed, the greater their chance of survival.

Professor Stephen Ryder, Consultant at Nottingham University NHS Trust said: “We need to be diagnosing people with liver disease at a much earlier stage in primary care. We have equipped GPs with a very poor test for diagnosing liver disease – Liver Function Tests (liver enzymes).

“Repeat testing of liver enzymes just wastes NHS money and does not provide early diagnosis. We now have excellent tests for liver scarring, the process which matters in the liver, and those tests should now be universal in primary care.”

Over 14,000 people will die from liver disease this year – more than 40 people a day.  It is the third biggest cause of premature mortality and it’s the only major disease increasing year on year.

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive, British Liver Trust said, “The UK is facing a liver disease crisis.  Liver problems often develop silently as patients do not tend to experience symptoms until the disease has progressed.  This survey highlights the shocking number of people who are diagnosed late and who do not feel they are receiving the care they need.

“The survey also highlights the need to help people understand how to reduce their risk of liver damage to address the increase in deaths from liver disease. Although the liver is remarkably resilient, if left too late damage is often irreversible.”

The British Liver Trust is the largest UK charity for all adults with liver disease. Their national awareness campaign, Love Your Liver, aims to raise awareness of the risk factors for liver disease and includes a roadshow that stops in locations across the UK offering free liver screening and scanning.

The Love Your Liver campaign focuses on three simple steps to Love Your Liver back to health:

·         Drink within recommended limits and have three consecutive days off alcohol every week

·         Maintain a healthy weight by eating well and taking more exercise

·         Know the risk factors for viral hepatitis and get tested or vaccinated if at risk

To find out if you are at risk visit www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener

Council announces latest plans for Waterfront regeneration

The latest proposals to transform Edinburgh’s largest brownfield site at Granton Waterfront – this time into a new ‘coastal town’ – have been published.

With a rich history and heritage, this former industrial land is set to become one of Scotland’s leading sustainable developments, bringing new homes, business, culture, leisure, learning and employment opportunities.

The plans will be presented to the Council’s Policy and Sustainabiltiy Committee, which meets on Tuesday next week.

A new coastal city park linking Granton Harbour to Gypsy Brae will re-connect the city with its waterfront providing the opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy spectacular views across the Forth while experiencing enhanced leisure and outdoor activity. The plan is also set to deliver on exemplar urban design centred around climate resilience, leading the way in future sustainable development and growing the economy in an inclusive way.

The proposals will bring around 3,500 new homes of which at least 35% will be affordable, a school, medical centre, new cycling and walking routes and enhanced sustainable transport connections with the city, making a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s target to become a net zero carbon city by 2030. With an overall gross development value of around £1.3bn, the Council is committed to investing around £196m to accelerate the regeneration, attracting significant public and private sector funding to deliver the vision.

The Council’s housing association partners are currently delivering around 700 new homes for sale and rent within the Granton Waterfront area with commitment by key public sector partners National Museums Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland and Edinburgh College to work in collaboration to make this one of Edinburgh’s best places to live, work, learn and visit.

Following extensive consultation with the local community and other key stakeholders, a Development Framework for Granton Waterfront will be published by the Council today.can b

This sets out the vision, key principles and design guidance and will be considered by the Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday, 26 February. When agreed it will be used as a guide for developers when making future planning applications to ensure placemaking stays at the heart of any future proposals.

The Framework supports the Council’s  draft City Mobility Plan as it proposes a vast network of new routes which promote walking and cycling over car use. Car parking has been reduced to a maximum of 25% or less for the area and there is a commitment to improve bus services and other forms of sustainable public transport which will include looking at the business case for a future phase of the tram. Cultural hubs and business start-up space are also part of the framework to create a diverse place for people to live, visit and work in.

An exhibition of the Framework opens today at Edinburgh College Granton Campus and runs until Friday 6 March. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions at the exhibition today from 4 -7pm.

Cllr Adam McVey, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’ve made a commitment to become a net zero carbon city by 2030 and the regeneration of Granton offers the perfect opportunity to showcase how this can be delivered.

“We are committed to working with the local community and partners to create vibrant new neighbourhoods where people live and travel and grow the economy in an eco- friendly way.”

Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council and a Forth ward councillor, said: “The regeneration of Granton will create hundreds of new jobs linked to growth of new services, business, leisure and creative industries and will strengthen the retail and small businesses that already exist.

“Our public sector partners Edinburgh College, National Museums Scotland and National Galleries Scotland, who all have land or buildings within Granton Waterfront, are committed to working collaboratively to maximise the impact of combining our resources.

“I’d encourage everyone interested in this exciting new plan for the area to go along to Edinburgh College and have a look at the plans which will be on display for two weeks from the 20 February.”

Following committee approval, the Council will work with the Scottish Government and other key partners to develop the funding strategy. A programme of temporary uses for the site and early action projects in vacant buildings or land awaiting development will also be taken forward to encourage community empowerment and activity aimed at enhanced social and economic growth and health and wellbeing.

The Council will shortly be bringing forward plans for an initial phase of development at Western Villages ahead of the wider transformation. Proposals for the development of around 400 new homes for sale and rent in the area will be out for consultation in Spring 2020.

Progress on site so far

• Over 700 affordable homes recently completed or under development within Granton  Waterfront by our RSL partners, Polha, Link and Places for People
• Council support for Friends of Granton Castle and Walled Garden and Granton Hub in Madelvic House – projects aimed at supporting community enterprise and health and wellbeing
• Lease granted to Edinburg Wake Ltd on the quarry pond for leisure use as a wake boarding park – site due to be operational spring/summer 2020
• Council appointed contractor to restore Granton Station – work due to commence in Summer 2020 to create a new enterprise hub, with completion due in early 2021
• Council contributed £100,000 towards the lighting of the Granton gas holder and a launch event. Work is continuing to seek additional funding to complete the project
• Promotion of temporary uses for empty buildings as a valuable resource for the local community while the site is being permanently developed – possible uses include
Urban Wind Turbine Pilot
Beach Box Granton – shipping containers on the shoreline to provide affordable space for cafes and leisure
The Platform – market and events at the station building and surrounding open space
Lighting of the gas holder
Adventure playground – outdoor learning space for children in collaboration with Edinburgh College
Hoarding exhibitions – animate the hoardings while showcasing work of partners and local people or organisations
Forthside festival – use the open space at Gypsy Brae for a range of outdoor activities set against the backdrop of coastal views