North Edinburgh News – Page 3770 – The NEN

D Day for Leith Waterworld

Councillors will decide today (31 January) whether to back a community bid to operate Leith Waterworld.

An officer report, which will be considered at today’s council meeting, concludes that the revised business case submitted by campaign group, Splashback, is not commercially viable and does not offer best value to the Council, and recommends that the property be remarketed for sale. However campaigners believe that their plans do stack up and that Leith Waterdworld could be reopened as early as October this year.

Councillors agreed on 20 September to offer an extension to the campaigners and to provide dedicated assistance from the Council’s Economic Development unit to enable them to prepare a more robust business case.

The revised submission features two options: the first would be to operate the venue using its existing facilities; the second would add a large soft play feature in the glass entrance atrium and create a new café.

Both options would still require a significant ongoing subsidy from the Council, for which no budget currently exists, and neither would generate the funds required to help pay for the recently completed refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

The process had previously been postponed for six months to allow Splashback to come forward with alternative proposals for the pool, which has been closed since January 2012. This followed a decision taken in 2005 to put the property up for sale.

Splashback, the community group set up to save Leith Waterworld, believes their figures stack up. They claim:

“Through running the facility as a community led iniatitive, we believe we can

provide a fun and enjoyable leisure destination for over 150,000 users per annum
reduce the subsidy required from Council for the pool to well under the Scottish average for pools – £260,000
In fact through increased soft play and additional revenue streams, we can bring the subsidy right down to circa £20,000 by year 3
In doing so we would bring potentially approx 60 jobs to the Leith area through direct employment and supply chains
and generate an additional £460,000 for the local Leith economy.
These benefits are in addition to the potential saving to public spending through increased wellbeing in the area.

We will be asking the Council on 31st January for an agreement in principle, to allow us to progress with more detailed planning and fundraising. At the end of six months, we would take the shared decision with the Council whether to progress to reopening, which is currently rescheduled for October 2013.”

Splashback conclude: “With the massive success of the Olympics and the Paralympics last year and the
Commonwealth Games next year, there is much talk, at the moment, of ‘legacy’. There appears to be a growing awareness and understanding that yes whilst these elite events can provide an amazing spectacle, more than that participation and sport can make a real difference at community level. Dundee Council are
currently building a new leisure pool at the cost of £31m, as are Perth at the cost of £15m. Edinburgh has had no leisure pool for over a year. We hope that the Council after reading our business plan, share with us, the desire to rectify that and reopen Leith Waterworld.”

Cllr Richard Lewis, Culture and Leisure Convener, said: “I said previously that I would be delighted if an affordable and achievable community bid came forward and I acknowledge the time and effort that Splashback have invested in this. We gave the group the opportunity to bring back a more robust bid and it is now up to us as councillors to consider the arguments and reach a decision in the best interests of the city.”

New Multicultural Family Group Programme at Royston Wardieburn

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre has just established a new Multi-Cultural Family Group and there will be loads of activities over the ten-week pilot – see the attached Programme for a taste of what’s being planned at the Centre – the programme will evolve over the weeks.

Interested? Call Lydia at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on 552 5700 or email her at lydia.markham@ea.edin.sch.uk

Multi Cultural Programme

Sainsbury’s adds spice to Drylaw Burns Supper

Just thought I would let you know about the recent event at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

The store provided the ingredients for a Burns Supper that was enjoyed by the North West Support Services Monday Cooking Club, the Jubilee Club and the Youth Club. They had a great time celebrating the life of our
great bard, Robert Burns.

The photograph shows service users from the centre and some of our colleagues.

Shay, Sainsbury’s

Residents’ memories transformed into art

Residents of a Stockbridge care home recently got the chance to see their memories brought to life in a book created by an exhibited artist. Astrid Jaekel, originally from Ireland, compiled the book called ‘We Used to Jive a Bit … I Couldn’t Do That Now’ after her quest to find out more about the capital from peoples experiences.

Four residents from Bield’s Haugh Street care home in Stockbridge were given the chance to tell their stories for the book after providing Astrid with anecdotes of their time in Edinburgh.

The book which was originally an art installation for Astrid’s degree show looked at the lives of the Bield residents aged between 70 and 80 and also included portraits of them and different memories of life growing up in Edinburgh, from summers on Portobello beach to the hardships of being homeless.

Astrid (pictured above) said: “I had a great time speaking to the residents at Haugh Street and thoroughly enjoyed putting this book together of what was a real life account of life in Edinburgh. This project was born out of a genuine sense of curiosity I felt when moving to Britain and to Edinburgh. My aim was to delve beyond the obvious and to find out people’s attachments to a city as opposed to the more official accounts of history. Through this project I have discovered a side of Edinburgh that otherwise may have not opened up to me”.

Astrid first broke the ice with the four residents by having tea and biscuits with them which then turned into a series of recordings taken over three months.

Isabella Crawford who has been a resident at Bield’s Stockbridge care home for over 13 years, said: “This experience has let me remember the good old days and how pretty Edinburgh used to be. I had not thought about my days spent on Portobello beach and the games we played for a long time so it was good fun going through my memories and having them illustrated. It was also great to see how my portrait turned out.”

Astrid said: ‘It was lovely to see how excited and proud the residents were of the book. We all became good friends and I still visit them now for cups of tea”.

Brian Logan, Chief Executive of Bield said: “As Scotland’s leading provider of housing, care and community services for older people we are dedicated to providing quality care which enhances and enriches lives. Our ‘Free to Be’ philosophy which is at the heart of what Bield is all about, allows older people who still have ambition and drive the freedom to do the things they love but which might otherwise be taken away without the right help and support.”

Isabella Crawford who has been a resident at Bield’s Stockbridge care home for over 13 years, said: “This experience has let me remember the good old days and how pretty Edinburgh used to be.

Should Scotland be an independent country? That is the question!

The Electoral Commission has published its assessment of the Scottish Government’s proposed independence referendum question and has also given its advice on what campaign spending limits in the run-up to the poll should be.

John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland said: “Voters are entitled to a referendum which produces a result they can have confidence in. The recommendations we have made today are an important part of giving voters that confidence. But it is of course for the Scottish Parliament to have the final say.”

The Commission was asked to test the following question by the Scottish Government:

“Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country? Yes/No”

The Commission’s established question assessment process involved talking to people across Scotland, asking for advice from accessibility and plain language experts, and writing to people and organisations, including the main political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament and campaigners to seek their views.

We found that the language in the proposed question is clear, simple and easy to understand. However, we also concluded that the words ‘Do you agree’ potentially encouraged people to vote ‘yes’ and should be replaced by more neutral wording.

The Electoral Commission recommends the question should be altered to:

“Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes / No”

The research also showed that voters want factual information ahead of the referendum. In the event of a “Yes” vote there would be a range of issues to be resolved within the UK and internationally about the terms of independence.

Although we would not expect the terms of independence to be agreed before the vote, clarity about how the terms of independence will be decided would help voters understand how the competing claims made by campaigners before the referendum will be resolved.

The Commission has therefore recommended that the UK and Scottish Governments should clarify what process will follow the referendum, for either outcome, so that people have that information before they vote. To avoid confusion we have asked the Governments to agree a joint position if possible.

John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland said: “We have rigorously tested the proposed question, speaking to a wide range of people across Scotland. Any referendum question must be, and be seen to be, neutral. People told us that they felt the words ‘Do you agree’ could lead voters towards voting ‘yes’.

“People had a clear understanding that ‘independent country’ meant being separate from the UK. But they did want factual information in advance about what will happen after the referendum. We’re asking the UK and Scottish Government to provide that clarity and we’ll then make sure it gets to voters as part of our public awareness campaign.”

The Scottish Government has welcomed the announcement, and confirmed it will accept all of the Electoral Commission recommendations on the referendum question and campaign spending limits.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was delighted with the recommended question – ’Should Scotland be an independent country? Yes/No’ – and confirmed that it will be this question that is put before the Scottish Parliament. The Deputy First Minister also said she was satisfied with the recommended spending limits as they provide a level playing field for both sides of the debate.

In line with established practice in referendums throughout the UK, the Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill, which will be introduced in March.

Ms Sturgeon also welcomed the Electoral Commission’s calls for clarity around what a ‘No’ vote will mean for Scotland and its recommendation that the Scottish and UK governments work together to give clarity to the process that will follow a ‘Yes’ vote. She called on the UK government to accept these recommendations.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I would like to thank the Electoral Commission for the work they have done on testing our proposed referendum question and giving advice on campaign spending limits. I am pleased to confirm we will accept their recommendations in full.

“I am particularly delighted with the conclusion the Electoral Commission has reached on the question. While its view is that our proposed question was clear, simple and easy to understand, I am nevertheless happy to accept their recommended change.

“Their advice is based on rigorous testing and we will submit the Electoral Commission’s recommended question – ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ – to the Scottish Parliament as part of the Referendum Bill.

“I am also pleased with the spending limits proposed by the Electoral Commission – they deliver a level playing field and will allow a fair and balanced debate on both sides. I am also pleased that the Commission has modified the position set out in their response to our consultation in March, as this would have resulted in an imbalance between the two sides of the campaign.

“We have always said that Scotland’s referendum will be run to the highest international standards of fairness and transparency, and the Electoral Commission plays a vital role in that.

“The Scottish Parliament will take the final decision on the wording of the question and campaign spending limits as part of its consideration of the Referendum Bill which reinforces that this is truly a referendum made in Scotland.

“I also welcome the Electoral Commission calls for both the Scottish and UK Governments to clarify what process will follow the referendum if most voters vote ‘Yes’ or most voters vote ‘No’ vote. The Electoral Commission rightly point out this is in line with the Edinburgh Agreement.

“I have been calling for the UK Government to enter discussions to allow the voters to be better informed, but so far they have refused. This would not be pre-negotiation on the terms of independence but vital information for voters that will allow them to make an informed choice in autumn 2014. Given the Scottish Government is accepting all recommendations from the Electoral Commission I would hope that the UK Government is prepared to do the same.”

The leader of the Labour Party in Scotland Johann Lamont MSP has also welcomed the EC’s findings. Responding to the Electoral Commission report on the proposed referendum question and campaign financing, she said: “We welcome the Electoral Commission’s findings and will, of course, vote for them to e accepted in full. We did not get everything we asked for, but the most important people in this process are the people of Scotland and we believe that in the interests of clarity and certainty all parties should agree to these proposals which have been arrived at independently.

“We also welcome the suggestion that both sides of this debate clarify what will happen after the referendum. The Scottish Labour Party plans to set out before autumn 2014 proposals for how devolution can be developed and extended after Scotland has reaffirmed our place in the United Kingdom in the referendum. I believe it is only right that we set out the process by which such a development of devolution can be achieved after the referendum in which I am confident Scotland will vote to remain in the UK.

“I hope that the Scottish and UK governments, civic Scotland and all interested parties can at least outline how this can be achieved before we go to the polls. The people of Scotland deserve to have as much clarity and certainty in this process as possible.”

Campaign spending limits

As part of the Edinburgh Agreement the Electoral Commission was asked to provide advice on the spending limits for the referendum campaign.

In deciding what advice to give the Commission has applied its established principles for well-run referendums, taking into account the specific circumstances of this referendum, including the Edinburgh Agreement and information we now have about the likely shape and scale of campaigning.

The Commission invited views from campaigners and political parties on what the limits should be, and has considered what campaigners will need in order to put their arguments to voters.

John McCormick, Electoral Commissioner for Scotland said: “The campaign spending limits we have recommended are designed to ensure there are no barriers to voters hearing from campaigners in what will be a historic vote for the people of Scotland.

“We have listened carefully to the views of the Scottish Government and to campaigners, and have set out proposals based on our principles that spending limits should allow effective campaigning for all outcomes, deter excessive spending and encourage transparency.”

The Electoral Commission recommends that campaign spending limits for the independence referendum should be:

Designated lead campaigners: £1,500,000

Political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament:

Scottish National Party: £1,344,000
Scottish Labour: £834,000
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: £396,000
Scottish Liberal Democrats: £201,000
Scottish Green Party: £150,000

Other registered campaigners: £150,000

Threshold for registration: £10,000

Government ‘caught red-handed’ over pension reforms

Hundreds of local women will lose out as a result of the latest pension reforms, according to North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz.

House of Commons Library research has revealed the true cost of last week’s pension reforms to 500 women in Edinburgh North and Leith and 2,900 women in Edinburgh as a whole who are set to lose out. Five hundred local women born in 1952 and 1953 will not be eligible for the single tier pension since they are due to retire in 2017, before the state pension reforms come into effect. Men born during the same period, however, will qualify.

The news comes after the Government claimed that “we have to be absolutely transparent [about who will lose]” yet it has failed to make clear the full consequences of the planned reforms.

The unravelling of this latest pension announcement is the second time this government has been caught trying to hide the full impact of its changes for pensioners following the Granny Tax, according to Mr Lazarowicz.

He added: “Ministers have been caught red-handed hiding the truth on pension reforms. This government’s pension changes have hit hardworking women in Edinburgh time and again and these reforms are no different. 500 women will be nearly £2,000 worse off compared to men, but instead of being honest with the women that will lose out this government tried to bury the truth. Once again Ministers have been caught with their hands in pensioners’ pockets – it’s about time this government had the decency to be honest about who will lose out under their plans.”

Man abducted in Royston street

A man was threatened with a knife before being bundled into a car and driven off.

The 45-year-old Chinese man was going into a common stair in Royston Main Crescent, Edinburgh at 5.30pm on Tuesday when three men went up to him.

The assaulted him before pulling out a knife and emptying his pockets. The man was then forced into the back of a black car which drove off towards Crewe Road North.

The car did not travel far before stopping at a walkway running between Morrisons and Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and the man was thrown out. He then tried to get help from passing cyclists before he was dragged back into the car.

The kidnappers then dropped him off back at Royston Mains Crescent before driving off.

The three men were white, in their 30s, of average height and wearing scarves over their faces.

Detective Sergeant Andy Macmillan said: “While the victim was not seriously injured, this was a terrifying ordeal for him to endure and he was left understandably distressed.

“Police are carrying out local enquiries to see if anyone remembers seeing anything suspicious in the area, or can help us identify the men responsible.

“We are particularly keen to speak to the cyclists who rode past the man after he exited the car. These individuals are asked to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone with other information relevant to this investigation is also asked to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Happy harvest for Granton gardeners!

Granton Community Gardeners are among the grassroots environmental projects in Edinburgh to received over £5,000 funding support from the Central Scotland Green Network’s (CSGN) Community Projects Fund, to improve their local greenspace and enhance the quality of their environment.

Supported by Forestry Commission Scotland, the CSGN Community Projects Fund is designed to help local communities get involved in delivering green network improvements on the ground to foster community pride in their local greenspaces.

In total, £5,826 was awarded to three projects in the Edinburgh area. The Granton Community Gardeners group has been awarded £2,000 to support North Edinburgh Harvest by purchasing a range of tools, so that the group can accomodate more people working in the garden. The funding will also be used to make access improvements to the garden for older or disabled people.

The Friends of Cammo group has been awarded £1,826 to carry out improvements to the Pinetum at the Cammo Estate in Edinburgh. This project is part of an ongoing series of works to improve the habitat and amenity of the Estate. The funding will be used to plant hedgerows, create areas of wildflowers and to commence management of the Pinetum by replacing trees, clearing scrub, and providing additional space for young “endangered” species of conifers.

Finally the GreenFerry Trust has been awarded £2,000 to improve the nature conservation value of Hopetoun Road Community Woodland and to provide a high quality landscape that the local community can experience and enjoy.

Keith Geddes, Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network Partnership Board, said: “After the positive response our Community Projects Fund received in its inaugural year, it is great to see the programme continue to go from strength to strength and cement our commitment to providing support to grass-roots environmental projects.”

“The CSGN Community Projects Fund aims to break down barriers and provide much needed support for projects that are delivering environmental improvements on the ground. It is these initiatives which are instrumental in achieving our goal of creating a high-quality green network across Central Scotland that will meet environmental, social and economic objectives and ultimately improve the quality of life for local communities.”

Thirty three environmental community projects throughout the CSGN area received a share of this year’s Community Projects Fund.

As one of the Scottish Government’s 14 ‘National Developments’ for Scotland in the second National Planning Framework, the CSGN will change the face of Central Scotland, by restoring, transforming and greening the landscape of an area stretching from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west, to Fife and the Lothians in the east.

The CSGN encompasses 19 local authorities across 10,000 sq km and has the potential to benefit 3.5million people, equating to 70 per cent of Scotland’s population. The network’s overarching vision is that by 2050, Central Scotland will be transformed into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality.

For further information about the CSGN Community Projects Fund, please visit www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org

Body washes up at Cramond Island

The body of a man has been found washed up on Cramond Island.

A member of the public called police after making the discovery at around 10am on Wednesday.

Lothian and Borders Police said the man’s body had been washed up onto the island near Edinburgh and an investigation is under way.

The man will be identified at a later date.

A police spokesman said: “Lothian and Borders Police responded to Crammond Island at around 10am after the body of a male was discovered on the beach.

“Enquiries are now underway to establish the male’s identity and determine the circumstances surrounding his death.”