North Edinburgh News – Page 3742 – The NEN

Complaint over LACK of council cuts in ‘forgotten estate’

Muirhouse in June - a 'forgotten estate'? — Muirhouse in June – a ‘forgotten estate’?

Usually, community groups and voluntary organisations are up in arms over council cuts to services in their area. However one Muirhouse man is on the warpath over a lack of cuts!

TRIM (Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse) member Robert Pearson has written to the local council team to demand action over the state of local green spaces – weeds, long grass and the general state of the area.

He said: “Yet again I feel it necessary to email you regarding Muirhouse, I am absolutely fed up with the way Muirhouse is being left to rot by you, Edinburgh City Council. It was you who caused the area to fall apart in the first place and now you are leaving us in a mess.”

He goes on: “Back in March this year local children join the Centipede project and planted over 2000 bulbs which spelt Muirhouse Is Home (pictured below). It looked fantastic, the children loved it and it was never vandalised. Unfortunately we are not able to see it anymore as the grass and weeds have taking over the place. Walking around the estate the green areas are all overgrown and basically in a mess; why is this happening again? Does this happen elsewhere in the city? Or does it just happen in the forgotten estate?”

North Neighbourhood Team Business Manager Mandy Rudden said she has requested information from her Regeneration and Task Force colleagues and will update Robert when this has been received.

Local support for Leith Walk revamp

Local residents and organisations have given the thumbs-up to council plans to improve Leith Walk. Ambitious plans would see upgrades and improvements along the full 2.2km length of the famous Leith thoroughfare.

Following a comprehensive public consultation earlier this year, the Council announced it would be seeking additional funding from the Scottish Government in order to give Leith Walk the best possible revamp.

At a 6 June meeting in McDonald Road Library, an enhanced design – which would make the thoroughfare more cycle and pedestrian-friendly – was presented by the Leith Programme team to local residents, business leaders and community groups.

Features of the enhanced scheme include:

clear pedestrian priority over 1.8km, including safer crossing points;
significant sections of uninterrupted cycle space (both dedicated on and off road sections);
redesigned, simplified junctions;
largely segregated cycle provision from Pilrig Street uphill for around 1km to Picardy Place;
two-way segregated cycle provision from Annandale Street to the Omni centre;
replacement of London Rd roundabout with a signalled junction to significantly enhance conditions for both pedestrians and cyclists;
1.75m wide cycle lane provision on the road in both directions between Foot of the Walk and Dalmeny Street (into town) Pilrig Street (out of town);
Narrower road environment with frequent zebra crossings, with a design that supports slower vehicle speeds;
a simplified streetscape more conducive to community activity, trading and business; and
better connectivity for sustainable forms of travel between the waterfront and the city centre.

Given the scope of this new design and the need to obtain a Traffic Regulation Order to implement the changes, stakeholders were advised that opting for the enhanced design would affect the timescale.

For anyone wishing to view the designs in detail and speak to the project team about any aspect of the programme, a drop in session will be held at

McDonald Road Library on Tuesday 23 July, from 2 – 8pm.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It was very useful for us to be able to present this potential enhanced design for Leith Walk to local stakeholders tonight. It prompted a lot of interesting debate and we are pleased that there was such overwhelming support for the plans from those present.”

Sustrans Scotland Director, John Lauder, said: “Sustrans Scotland wants to see Leith Walk reach its full potential as a busy, vibrant shopping and residential street. In order to achieve this aim, the City of Edinburgh Council, in partnership with ourselves, has put forward an ambitious proposal to Transport Scotland for the full 2.2km length of the street.

“Sustrans strongly backs the features of this ‘enhanced design’ for Leith Walk, including the addition of new crossing points, wider pavements and better cycle lane provision. We now call on the Scottish Government to carefully consider the Council’s ‘enhanced design’ proposal and fully back its implementation.”

Keith Hales, Vice Chairman of the Leith Business Association, who attended the meeting, said: “This is a massive improvement on what we thought the designs were going to be and we will be commending the designs to the membership.”

Charlotte Encombe, Chair of Greener Leith, said: “Greener Leith welcomes the improvements shown in these exciting new draft designs for Leith Walk, which will give pedestrians and cyclists a vastly improved public realm and help to revitalise the economy of the area. We are also delighted that officers and councillors have included local people’s priorities for the street and have made real changes to the design. We look forward to collaborating on the detail of the designs as the project moves forward.”

YOUth decide in Inverleith!

YOUth Decide!

The next meeting of Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership, which takes place at 1.30pm on Friday (14 June) at Broughton High School, will be focused on the young people of Inverleith.

Anyone living in Inverleith aged under 18 years is invited to send us your thoughts on small projects that might improve the neighbourhood for young people, and those present will vote on favourites. The NP will then look at ways of finding the resources or funding to make it happen!

Please send us your ideas and come along on the day to cast your vote. The day will also include entertainment from pupils and information stalls.

Download proposal form and guidance or complete online form here

MYadventure: Cyclone update

New taster video of Bike Track at Gypsy Brae http://youtu.be/S8gMmqz6Yng worth a watch (better with sound)

Volunteer Days coming up at Gypsy Brae:

Monday 10 June – 9am – 5pm – TOMORROW !!!

Monday 17 June – 9am – 5pm

Launch Saturday 22 June 1-4pm

Races, refreshments, side stalls

Jonny Kinross

Social Enterprise Manager www.myadventure.org.uk

Office: 0131 332 7132 Direct: 0131 208 3321

M: 07794 467 351 F: 0871 528 4830

Date set for Active Lives Forum

As some of you know we are planning to develop an Active Lives Forum.

The forum will enable better link working between organisations in the local area, help us to avoid duplication and enable us to support each other in terms of developing physical activity in Greater Pilton.

The first meeting is due to take place on

Wednesday 19 June 2-4pm at Pilton Community Health Project

It would be great to see you or someone from your organisation there. The aim of the first meeting is to explore what people think the forum should look like, identify its primary aims/objectives and to start the process of building relationships.

Some local people who took part in our project review would also like to take the opportunity to present the findings; these include some very novel and interesting ideas!

Please get back to us by Tuesday 18 June to confirm your attendance at the meeting if possible and please circulate to anyone else you think might have an interest or would benefit from being involved in the forum.

Lianne Pipskyj

Physical Activity Project Coordinator, Pilton Community Health Project

0131 551 1671

liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk

www.pchp.org.uk

Listen up … local radio for North Edinburgh?

A Local Radio Station?

Various people have suggested that a local radio station for Muirhouse/West Pilton/Drylaw and the surrounding area might be a positive development. Some of the positive aspects of this proposal might be:

Training opportunities for local people in radio and media (with possible links between local high school and Edinburgh College)
Opportunities for local bands and individuals to gain experience produce demos and be given air time
Opportunities for local projects to get their information across to the local communities
Slots throughout the week with different types of themes ie music, younger and older audiences, new migrant communities etc
An overall increase in artistic and creative activity in the area

Interestd? An initial meeting has been organised to discuss the possibility of creating a local radio station, and will take place on

Wednesday 12 June at 5pm

in North Edinburgh Arts Centre

15A Pennywell Court, Edinburgh, EH4 4TZ.

All welcome

Location: http://www.northedinburgharts.co.uk/locate.php

Allan Hosey

Community Learning & Development Worker, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Phone 0131-551-3194

Allan.Hosey@ea.edin.sch.uk

Salmond praises Scotland’s volunteers during Western General visit

First Minister Alex Salmond worked alongside longstanding Royal Voluntary Service volunteers at the Western General Hospital yesterday. As part of Volunteers’ Week, the First Minister spent an hour meeting volunteers and staff of the Royal Voluntary Service (formerly known as the WRVS), serving tea at the hospital café and chatting to staff, patients and visitors. The First Minister said that the nation’s volunteers are ‘a true credit to Scotland’.

During the visit Mr Salmond met a number of older volunteers including Margaret Collinson, age 83, Eleanor Taylor, age 79, and Agnes McFarlane, age 88, who between them have given more than 100 years of voluntary service.

The First Minister also encouraged people to nominate volunteers for a Diamond Champion award which recognises and highlights the fantastic, selfless volunteering that is being done by older volunteers across the country.

Mr Salmond said:

“Scotland has a rich tradition of volunteering and community involvement is part of the core fabric of Scottish social and community life. Volunteering represents a huge investment of time, energy and commitment by individuals who want to improve the lives of those around them, give something back and help make their communities better places to live.

“The Royal Voluntary Service volunteers who have given so much of their lives in voluntary service have been inspirational to meet. Not only are these individuals doing a wonderful job in serving those who come to their café, they also get so much out of it for themselves.

“A service like this is not just crucial for those who visit hospital, for patients and their families, nurses, doctors and hospital staff but also for the older volunteers as it provides an opportunity to work together, to socialise and to remain active.

“I am overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication of the volunteers here at the Western General and touched by the care and compassion with which they deliver their roles. Volunteers are a true credit to Scotland and I sincerely thank them for all that they do.”

David McCullough, Royal Voluntary Service chief executive, (pictured above) said:

“We are delighted to welcome the First Minister to our cafe at the Western General Hospital and introduce him to some of our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers’ Week is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of our army of 7,000 volunteers across Scotland who, without making a fuss or asking for reward, give their time selflessly to others, which is why this week we are launching Diamond Champions our search for volunteers over the age of 60; the hidden gems in our community.

“So if you know an older volunteer who deserves some recognition then please nominate them for this prestigious award. We know that our volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of older people and they themselves also get great satisfaction from the work they do; so it’s win-win!”

Carol Crowther, NHS Lothian’s Assistant Nurse Director Person Centred Care, Quality, Patient Experience & Professional Standards, said:

“The presence of the Royal Voluntary Service volunteers in our hospitals is very welcome and contributes to the overall positive experience for users of our services through the warm and welcoming atmosphere in their cafes and shops and their cheerful attitude toward staff and patients.

“The Royal Voluntary Service outlets on our sites give back proceeds to the hospital from income generated from these outlets. This means that these volunteers not only give their time but their support enables this financial gifting through which we are able to provide additional patient comforts at the Western General Hospital.

“We are very proud of the contribution all our hospital volunteers make. They bring a range of skills and life experiences and are extremely beneficial in the delivery of all our services.”

About Royal Voluntary Service Formerly known as WRVS, Royal Voluntary Service has been helping people in Britain for 75 years. Originally set up as the Women’s Voluntary Service in 1938, the charity played a crucial role during the Second World War. Whilst keeping the same values of community service, Royal Voluntary Service has now focused its work on helping older people to remain independent and get more out of life.

Royal Voluntary Service supports over 100,000 older people to stay independent in their own homes for longer with tailor made solutions. Through its army of 40,000 volunteers, the charity runs services such as Good Neighbours (companionship), Meals-on-Wheels and Books-on-Wheels that alleviate loneliness and help older people. Royal Voluntary Service also provides practical support for older people who have been in hospital through its On Ward Befriending and Home from Hospital services. For further information please go to: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Communities to benefit from social housing reforms

Social tenants and landlords are set to benefit from a number of reforms announced yesterday by Housing Minister Margaret Burgess. The reforms will change the way social landlords allocate and manage their housing. They will allow social landlords to address the specific needs of the local community, ensuring best use of available social housing, tackling antisocial behaviour and providing further protection for tenants.

Speaking at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations’ Annual Conference, the Housing Minister outlined the measures, which are likely to form part of a forthcoming Housing Bill.

This includes:

Replacing prescriptive and outdated priority groups with a broader framework that gives landlords and their communities more local flexibility
Allowing landlords to consider any property that a social housing applicant already owns when allocating housing
Introducing a qualifying period before succession to a tenancy following the death of a tenant
Allowing a minimum period to be put in place before antisocial tenants are eligible for the allocation of social housing
Introducing a new right for tenants to appeal a landlord’s decision to suspend them from being allocated a property
Allowing landlords to give Short Scottish Secure Tenancies to applicants and tenants with a history of antisocial behaviour
Simplifying eviction procedures for tenants convicted of a serious offence

During the SFHA Conference Mrs Burgess also announced that initial or probationary tenancies will not be included in the Housing Bill.

She said:

“The changes I am announcing today will ensure that we deliver first-rate homes and services to tenants, residents and homeless people – the most vulnerable in our society. By giving landlords greater flexibility at a local level they will be able to respond to the needs of their local community.

“In order to provide affordable warm homes for people in Scotland it is vital that we continue to find ways to increase supply and quality across all tenures. Despite Westminster’s cuts to our capital budget, we have taken every opportunity to increase our investment in housing. By the end of April we had allocated £200m additional funding for housing supply, bringing total investment to almost £860m in the three years to March 2015.”

Home to Stay

HOME TO STAY PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday 13 June

We want private tenants to feel secure in their homes, and not be forced out of their houses without due cause. Currently, tenants can be asked to leave without reason, even if they have been good tenants. This leaves many unable to plan for the future, or generally feel secure in their homes. And many tenants won’t report repairs or bad practices for fear of being kicked out. ‘Home to stay’ is a grass-roots campaign to abolish the insecure ‘short assured tenancies’ in Scotland.

Join us for a public meeting:

Thursday 13th June, 7-9pm

Augustine United Church

George 4th Bridge

http://goo.gl/maps/lauUZ

Speakers:

Tenants telling their stories about the lack of security in the private rented sector; Shelter Scotland; National Union of Students Scotland; Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group.

Read about first hand accounts of how insecurity affects private tenants, and submit your own stories here:

http://home2stay.tumblr.com/

Website: www.eptag.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/edinburghprivatetenantsaction

Twitter: @eptag

Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group

Broughton High School thanks community partners

Broughton High School staged a showcase event yesterday to thank agencies, organisations and businesses that have supported Broughton pupils over the last year.

Broughton’s Partnership Group was only established last year but the group has already built a considerable support network among voluntary sector community organisations, public bodies and private sector companies – many of whom were represented at the showcase event alongside Broughton staff and membes of the school’s Parent Council.

These included – and this is far from an exhaustive list – Ernst and Young, Pilton Community Health Project’s counselling service, Community Learning and Development, Active Schools, Police Scotland, Red Cross, Screen Education Edinburgh, Lyceum Theatre Company, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Out of the Blue, Western General Hospital, Science Festival, Standard Life, Scottish Business in the Community, Co-operation Education Trust Scotland, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company … you’ll get the picture!

The event was held to show how pupils benefit from the many business and support partnerships that Broughton are already involved with, and also to highlight how this has positive benefits for both the partners themselves, school pupils and the wider community.

In a short film, pupils told how the support of external partners has had a positive impact on their lives – whether through increasing self-esteem and self-confidence or by offering new and different opportunities and learning new skills.

Broughton’s Head Teacher John Wilson summed up: “We’re now seeing a variety of services centred around the school – far more than used to be the case. School and education is no longer just about the basics, teaching pupils to read and write – there are now so many other elements to be considered.

“Because of that huge diversity, where once we could look at education as a triangle – with the school, the parents and the pupil as the three sides – the triangle has had to develop a fourth side. It’s become a rectangle; partnerships have become that fourth side. As the inspiration film has shown, your support and encouragement has made such a huge difference to these young people. Thank you”.

And thank you, too, to the Health and Food Technology pupils who provided the freshly baked scones, shortbread and cakes for the showcase event!