North Edinburgh News – Page 3287 – The NEN

The North Edinburgh News has had some good news in the run-up to tomorrow’s annual general meeting. Last week, the city council’s Policy & Strategy Committee agreed that North Edinburgh is one of three neighbourhoods selected to pilot ‘community-based information initiatives’.

Since the decision was taken to scrap ‘Outlook’, the city council has been looking for new ways of improving communications and getting information out into communities, and the £50,000 ‘Contact in the Capital’ pilots will now run for twelve months in the North Edinburgh, Gorgie/Dalry and Craigmillar communities.

The council support for NEN, which it describes in background papers as ‘a locally well-regarded newspaper and blog’, is both welcome and timely. NEN last appeared in print form back in June and since then has remained alive through this online blog until decisions on the paper’s future could be made.

It’s now thought that the council support can help support a NEN relaunch, although the NEN’s voluntary board members have still to discuss the detail of what is being proposed – NEN remains an independent community organisation managed by local people.

It’s hoped that more information about how the scheme could work will be forthcoming at NEN’s annual general meeting (it’s on the Agenda, attached), which takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 12 November) at Spartans Community Football Academy at Ainslie Park. All welcome.

EDRA to dish the dirt at AGM

Disgusting, isn’t it? Dog dirt was a common theme of Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA) meetings over the last year, and the topic is sure to figure prominently once again when the residents’ group hold their annual general meeting next week.

EDRA joined with Drylaw Telford Community Council to highlight the issue of irresponsible dog owners in their major campaign of the year. EDRA also continued to raise awareness of speeding motorists on the area’s residential roads with their ‘Twenty’s Plenty’ initiative.

To find out more about what EDRA has been doing, their plans for the year ahead and how you can get involved why not go along to their AGM?

EDRA’s annual general meeting will be held on

Monday 18 November at 7pm

in Drylaw Parish Church, Groathill Road North

All welcome

Work has started on fencing at the foot of Easter Drylaw Bank to prevent the grass area being used as a dog’s toilet. EDRA supported an application for funding from Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP) to allow the project to go ahead.

Police appeal following local bogus workman incidents

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following bogus workman incidents in Drylaw, Craigleith and Pilton.

The most recent incident happened around 10.30am last Thursday (7 November). The 78-year-old victim was in her Queens Road home when the male suspect called there offering to carry out gardening work. The offer was repeatedly declined, however the suspect managed to gain entry to the house where he was later disturbed and fled the scene empty handed.

The other incidents happened the previous day (Wednesday 6 November) in the Drylaw area. The first two incidents happened around 1pm in Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Gardens respectively, when again gardening work was offered. The residents who were approached declined the offer, but during one attempt the suspect falsely told the victim that their gardening work, which is carried out by the council, had been withdrawn.

The later incident happened around 3.15pm at West Pilton Drive.

The suspect is described as white, late-thirties or early-forties, around 5ft 10inches, tall, slim build, short dark hair, of tidy appearance with an Irish accent. He was wearing a white sweatshirt with navy horizontal stripes, navy coloured jeans, carrying a dark brown shoulder bag.

Detective Constable Ben Leathes from Operation Aristotle, which tackles bogus callers in the Capital said: “The elderly victim has been left very upset that the man had entered her home. Bogus workmen target vulnerable members of our community and utilise various methods of deception to do so.

“Members of the public are reminded never to allow a caller into their home unless entirely certain of their identity. If you have any doubts, do not let them in and contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone requiring maintenance or repair work for their home should only use a company or individual whom they trust and never hand over money to anyone who cold-calls at your door.

“Neighbours and family of vulnerable people are also asked to be vigilant for suspicious people in their area and report any concerns for a member of the community to police immediately.

“Anyone wishing advice on crime prevention can dial 101 or contact their local policing team.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Lest we forget

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

5 November: fewer bonfires but rise in attacks on firefighters

Fewer bonfires in the East but a rise in attacks

This year saw a reduction in the number of bonfires attended by fire and rescue service personnel in the east of Scotland (the former Central, Lothian and Borders and Fife areas) but disappointingly there was increase in attacks on firefighters.

Group Manager Steve Gourlay, Edinburgh City area said: “The work in advance of 5th November with our Council and Police Scotland colleagues ensured a large amount of combustibles were removed before they could be set alight and potentially cause disruption, impacting on the availability of our resources.

“The arrangements for the night itself involved the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Community Action Team for the City working in the local areas with Police Scotland and Council Environmental Warden colleagues to assess bonfire safety issues, give advice and where required request SFRS resources. Six dual crewed SFRS/Police Scotland teams covered the neighbourhood areas with further police resources also being deployed as required. Early indications are that this approach has lessened the burden on vital frontline SFRS resources and improved the safety of Edinburgh communities.

“Unfortunately our crews were subject to verbal and physical abuse, with bottles and stones being thrown at our vehicles, some equipment was also stolen from a locker of one of the appliances. Fortunately no one was hurt but this is totally unacceptable and we will work with police colleagues to identify those involved. A debrief will take place between partner agencies to ensure our joint working approach is evaluated and also to log any lessons learned which will inform our planning for next year.”

Edinburgh’s experience was replicated across the country, with a drop in the number of bonfires attended but a disappointing increase in the number of attacks on firefighters, appliances and equipment.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection for SFRS, said: “This year we issued a call to action for everyone in our communities to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire. By acting safely and responsibly and attending organised displays, the public have made Scotland safer than ever before.

“SFRS front-line crews, control room and support staff have worked tirelessly over what is traditionally the busiest period of the year for the fire and rescue service. In addition the efforts of local authorities, Police Scotland, education, public and voluntary sector partners have been vital in ensuring the safety of the public, while our media partners have been essential in spreading potentially life-saving messages.”

New powers for communities

Scottish Government launches plans for greater local-decision making

A new law will make it easier for communities to take over public sector land and buildings, reform the community right to buy and give communities greater say in the provision of services. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill is designed to strengthen and nurture community participation and encourage enterprising community development.

Communities will be able to identify and ask for any public sector land or buildings that they feel they could make better use of than its current owner. The decision whether to transfer that asset will be based on which proposed use would provide the greatest benefit to the community.

Legislation will be updated and simplified to support local authorities’ provision and management of allotments.

Local authorities will have a duty to provide allotments linked to and triggered by actual demand and to protect permanent allotment sites from closure.

Where current allotment provision is not sufficient to satisfy demand, the local authority will be under a duty to keep waiting lists below a specified target whether by acquiring land or otherwise.

There will be new duties to strengthen Community Planning, so that public sector agencies work as one to deliver better outcomes for communities

Views will also be invited on how communities might benefit from legislation to improve the national and local focus on improving outcomes, currently implemented through Scotland Performs.

The Bill also proposes:

• Streamlining and extending the existing community right to buy to cover urban and rural communities as part of our ambition to have 1 million acres in community ownership by 2020.

• Providing new powers to help councils deal with defective and dangerous buildings, and to provide local relief schemes on business rates.

• Increasing transparency about the management and use of Common Good assets.

Launching the Bill consultation at Castlemilk Stables in Glasgow yesterday, Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay said: “Scotland’s people are its greatest asset and it is only with the confidence that comes with independence that people will be able to fully determine their own futures. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill is about people and communities taking their own decisions about their future.

“This will build on the support of the Scottish Government, set out by the First Minister in the Lerwick Declaration, for subsidiarity and local decision making. It will help community groups to take over public land and buildings where they think they can make better use of them than their current public sector owners. This Bill will also reform the community right to buy, giving urban communities in Scotland same rights as rural communities, where it is in the public interest.

“Rules on Scotland’s allotments will also be simplified. Allotments foster a community spirit and provide a range of benefits such as a cheap source of fresh fruit and vegetables, and therefore a healthy diet.”

COSLA President, Cllr David O’Neill, welcomed the consultation saying: “COSLA welcomes the extension of the duty of Community Planning to encompass the whole of the public sector, which we believe will improve how partners work together locally and deliver better outcomes for our communities.

“We are also delighted to see the Scottish Government being explicit in its commitment to local democracy. To this end, COSLA will be arguing that the European Charter for Local Self-Government, mentioned in the consultation, should be enacted as part of the Bill, thus guaranteeing the political, administrative and financial independence of local authorities.”

The Carnegie UK Trust said: “We welcome todays publication of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill which contains a range of proposals that we believe will help Scotland’s communities to thrive.

“In particular, we support the proposal to place a duty on Scottish Ministers to develop, consult on and publish the outcomes they seek for the people of Scotland. Scotland is already recognised as an international leader on measuring wellbeing through its use of Scotland Performs.

“The proposals would put this approach on the statute books, enabling and requiring future governments to also set out their own vision for improving the wellbeing of the people of Scotland, and ensuring that we can hold them to account for progress towards better outcomes.”

PoLHA residents have design down to a tea!

Residents from Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex are showing off their creative talents by devising a memorial 25 piece tea set for the development’s 25^th anniversary next month.

In conjunction with the Pilmeny Project and children from the Pilmeny Youth Development Project, two original residents from St Nicholas Court – Mary McNicoll (90) and Maisie McKenzie (85) – were joined by another 12 residents in designing and painting 25 cups, saucers and a tea pot at the Ceramic Experience in Leith.

Featuring key dates, milestones and local landmarks, the tea set is one of a number of initiatives the residents have been working on and will be unveiled on 5December at the complex’s celebratory party.

Residents have also been busy making a ‘Quilt of Friendship’ which features fond memories like favourite holiday locations, activities carried out by the complex and memorable events including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The quilt will also feature the PoLHA logo.

Maureen Tait, Senior Sheltered Housing Coordinator for PoLHA who manages St Nicholas Court, said: “I’m delighted the residents have got on board with the preparations for the 25^th anniversary. It’s such a special occasion for the development and given that we have two original tenants is wonderful. Many of the residents have enjoyed being creative and will enjoy having the fruits of their labour revealed at next month’s celebratory event.”

Mary McNicoll, who came to St Nicholas Court in December 1985, said: “I’ve spent 25 wonderful years living at the complex and I’m glad we are doing something different to commemorate. It will be nice for visitors to be able to see our creations.”

Local MP backs Living Wage

This is Living Wage Week and Mark Lazarowicz MP has backed Labour’s plans to raise wages for thousands of low-paid workers in Edinburgh.

If the party wins power at the next General Election, Labour says it will introduce new tax breaks for employers that commit to paying the living wage – currently set at £7.65 in Scotland. As well as making sure work really pays, it will also help cut benefit bills through savings in lower tax credits and benefit payments.

The North and Leith MP (pictured below) said: “In-work poverty has risen sharply so that many families that are being forced to turn to food banks or take out pay-day loans actually have a wage coming in. It is simply wrong that almost 60% of children in poverty in the UK come from households where at least one person is working.

“I know there are already councils like the City Council here in Edinburgh and private employers as well who are doing the right thing by their staff and paying the living wage. I strongly support Ed Miliband’s plans to encourage more employers to do the same so that hard-working staff are treated decently and paid a fair wage.”

As well as the City of Edinburgh Council, Fife, East Lothian, Falkirk and Scottish Borders Councils have also committed to paying the living wage.

Under Labour’s plans, firms that commit to paying their employees the living wage in the first year of the next Parliament will be offered a 12 month tax rebate of up to £1,000 for each individual worker that receives a pay rise. The money would be funded directly from increased income tax and National Insurance revenues.

Council unveils winter weather plans

The City of Edinburgh Council has announced plans for how the city will cope with potentially severe weather this winter.

Be Prepared for Winter will also provide up-to-date information to residents through targeted advertising in the print and broadcast media, supported with comprehensive information on the Council’s website plus leaflets and posters.

Salt stocks of 16,000 tonnes have been stockpiled at the Council’s four depots, and the city’s 2,200 salt bins will be refilled on a programmed basis. This amount is more than is required to last an entire winter season.

The city’s roads will be gritted according to which category they fall under: Priority 1 roads are main and essential routes that are pre-treated when frost or snow is forecast and receive priority treatment during snow. Traffic Regulations Orders will be enforced on certain roads this winter to allow better access for gritters, emergency vehicles and buses, where parking has caused obstruction in the past.

Residential roads fall under the Priority 2 category, and will be treated when there is a severe weather event after Priority 1 routes are clear.

High priority pavements will be treated 24 hours a day, seven days a week in times of bad weather. The North Edinburgh Cycle network and the Innocent Railway cycle route have been classed with high priority pavement routes for the second year in a row.

The Council website will be regularly updated throughout the winter and includes gritting routes, salt bins, a video encouraging residents to clear snow and ice, and information about becoming a volunteer snow warden.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Although last winter was milder than the 2009/10 and 2010/11, it is important that we continue to be vigilant in preparing for whatever this winter throws at us. In 2010/11 we experienced some of the worst conditions in almost half a century and our chief priority if this happens again is to keep the city moving.

“Our Be Prepared for Winter campaign will use our website and social and local media to alert residents about plans for the next day, such as gritting, waste collection services and schools. We’ve also got maps on our website showing gritting routes and salt bin locations throughout the winter. There are more than enough stocks of salt and grit, and the fleet of specialist snow clearing vehicles is ready to go.”

The Council’s campaign follows the launch of similar winter campaigns by the

Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

Aileen Cambell opens Opening Doors!

Youth Scotland kicked off its 80^th anniversary celebrations with ‘Opening Doors’, an event showcasing the achievements of young people, at the Edinburgh Airport Hilton Hotel last Saturday (2 November).

The interactive event, themed around the opportunities created for young people through youth work, included performances and showcased the projects that Youth Scotland currently delivers to young people across the country.

Around a hundred people attended the Opening Doors event, which featured a keynote speech from Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, a rousing choir performance from the BIG Youth Project, and a terrific dance routine performed by Kic Dance on the theme of “opening doors”.

As well as performances from young people, a marketplace showcased the range of projects and opportunities that Youth Scotland offers. Projects that are opening doors for young people include Bike Club, Girls on the Move, Stand Up To Sectarianism, Dynamic Youth Awards and Youth Achievement Awards.Ian McLaughlan, Chief Executive of Youth Scotland, said: “As Youth Scotland enters its eightieth year, we felt it was important to highlight some of the amazing achievements of Scotland’s young people. The Opening Doors event has shown just how diverse a membership Youth Scotland has, with small rural youth groups all the way to large, well established urban projects all working together to reach the common goal of creating opportunities for young people and giving them the best start in life.

There is no doubt that today there are many challenges to face, but Youth Scotland is working hard to open doors for young people and we look forward to another 80 years of positive youthwork.”

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, said: “Opening Doors is a great title for Youth Scotland’s 80^th Anniversary celebrations and an important opportunity to recognise and showcase young people’s amazing achievements and contributions.

“The theme of Opening Doors reflects all that Youth Scotland and its members are doing to deliver innovative and meaningful youth work programmes that open up positive opportunities for young people across Scotland.

“With its membership of over 1,200 groups, working with more than 60,000 young people, Youth Scotland’s network is making a significant contribution towards improving life chances and wellbeing.”

Category: North Edinburgh News

Good news at NEN AGM?