The Notice of Election to community councils in Edinburgh was published yesterday (Wednesday 5th February).
Community councils are groups of elected local residents who care about their communities. These councils play an important role in the democratic process and act in the interests of their local areas.
The nomination period runs from today until 27 February. During this time you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a community councillor.
An election will only be held in a community council area if there are more people nominated than places on the community council. Should this be necessary the election date will be 27 March.
The new community council term will start on 28 March and will last four years. The next community council elections are planned for 2029 though this may be subject to change.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “Community councils remain an integral part of the social and democratic fabric of our city. In my experience as a ward councillor, I truly value my relationship with community councils and the excellent work that they do.
“From campaigning on key local issues, to organising meetings, chairing debates, liaising with local and national representatives and much more – the life of a community councillor in the Capital is never ordinary.
“This is an excellent opportunity to take a lead in your local area and make your community a better place. I’d encourage all residents to consider standing as a community councillor. Edinburgh draws its strength from its citizens, and we need their views and ideas to move forward together.”
Secretary of Edinburgh Association of Community Councils, Ken Robertson said: “You have a community council voice in city life, by right.
Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, looks ahead to Council Budget day on Thursday 20 February:
Very soon, councillors will be making tough financial decisions to balance the council’s budget and set the rate at which Council Tax will be charged.
Given the increasing need for investment in infrastructure and services, we’ll have to raise Council Tax, parking charges and other fees to fund the delivery of services we all rely on. We are considering a recommended 8% rise in Council tax.
An 8% increase adds £9.65 per month to a band D property and would provide a total of £26 million across all bands for investment and service priorities.
A huge amount of work has already been done to consider options, with detailed proposals considered yesterday at a Special meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee. This has been informed by a huge consultation exercise with residents, and I want to thank all 3,260 people who took part.
We know from the consultation responses that people are aware of the financial challenges we face following years of underfunding, and many are open to a fair rise to Council Tax after last year’s freeze.Other councils are proposing increases of 10% and above, but we’re trying to keep Edinburgh’s increase lower because that’s what the majority of residents would prefer.
Residents also told us they’d like to see Councillors focus on several key priorities when setting this year’s budget. These include spending on education, investing in local facilities and upgrading our roads and pavements. We’ll use the money from an increase in Council Tax to protect and improve these services.
Investment proposals include continuing the extra £12.5 million for roads and pavements that was added last year, with a further £5 million for road safety, especially around schools. There will be five new schools and five extensions of existing schools and £26 million for special needs infrastructure. Fox Covert Joint Campus will be replaced and there’s £15 million for permanently replacing Blackhall Library.
The decision to recommend an 8% Council Tax increase was not taken lightly. Over the last decade cuts in core grant funding of over £400 million have been mitigated by council staff continually delivering more with less resources.
This year’s financial challenges are the UK Government’s increase in national insurance, costing the council £9 million and the Scottish Government changing the stability funding floor, taking away £6.3 million. Fortunately, the UK Government passed on £18million of pEPR (‘producer pays’) funding, which filled those gaps.
While we can expect a slightly better government grant this year following yesterday’s Scottish Parliament budget, the consequences of last year’s cuts to affordable housing remain clear to see.
Huge pressures on health and social care remain unaddressed by national governments. Yet again, Edinburgh is expected to be the lowest funded local authority in Scotland per head of population and we’ll still need to find best value efficiency savings to deal with service pressures of £40million and keep the books balanced this year.
MORE than seventy community groups across Edinburgh are shaking off the winter blues with the exciting news of their share of the latest round of National Lottery funding, announced today(Thursday 6th February).
Among the local projects celebrating this morning are Fresh Start, Living Rent, Granton Parish Church, Project Esperanza, LifeCare, Granton Youth and LIFT at Muirhouse Millennium Centre – who receive not one but TWO Lottery grants!
The Muirhouse centre recently launched an online fundraising campaign so today’s news of lottery success is a welcome boost.
LIFT receives £62,553 to continue delivery of their community support offering within Muirhouse. Through support and advocacy LIFT aims to tackle child poverty, increase wellbeing for individuals and families, and allow them to move forward from poverty and crisis.
LIFT was awarded a further £23,187 to employ a staff member to work on and develop their ‘sharing shelf’. This is a space where members of the community can come, without a referral, to pick up some food essentials and acts as a link point to other services within the centre.
Hard-pressed community centres have done particularly well in this round of grants: as well as Muirhouse Millennium Centre there are big grants for Space at Broomhouse, Craigmillar’s Sandy’s Community Centre and Southside Community Centre.
This vital support will enable them to continue to bring together local people, deliver essential services, and provide much-needed support to their communities.
This latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 549 projects across Scotland. A full list of projects is attached.
Thanks to an award of £76,336, Craigmillar Literacy Trust will continue to deliver their programme of early and family literacy activities for families, parents and carers for the next two years.
Kara Whelan, Project Manager, Craigmillar Literacy Trust,said: “This funding will enable us to continue to deliver our literacy support programmes to families with babies and young children, specifically, early communication and family literacy through home visits and one-to-one support for individual families. ”
An award of £63,399 means that Living Rent will provide support and guidance around a range of housing issues affecting hundreds of people in Leith, Newhaven and Granton over the next three years.
Emma Saunder, National Organiser for Living Rent, said: “This will have a huge impact on our ability to continue to grow and empower our members.
“This award will support us to grow in the Leith area of Edinburgh, as well as building a thriving group in Granton. We can also continue our work, supporting members who are trapped in awful housing conditions through empowering them to know their rights and take action to receive compensation, repairs or stop evictions.
“The National Lottery funding is a continued source of strength and support for local communities helping us to support them to come together to ask for change.”
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL)will expand their ‘Financial Wellbeing’ service for disabled people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians after an award of £25,000.
FlorenceGarabedian, InterimCEO, LCiL, said: “From our work, we clearly see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the lives of disabled people, their families and carers.
“This funding will help us provide a targeted response to the current financial climate, help many more people who are struggling with day-to-day costs and offer accessible advice and information around welfare benefits, income maximisation and financial security.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fundsaid: “At The National Lottery Community Fund we are so proud to be able to support local groups to make a real and lasting difference and help address the challenges their communities face.
“It’s all made possible by National Lottery players and we’re excited to see the outcomes of all of the funded projects across Edinburgh in the months ahead.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
On Saturday 15 February, Rachel Hazell, The Travelling Bookbinder, will be sharing all she has learnt about the power of creativity at her talk The Benefit of Books at the Fruitmarket Gallery’s annualArtists’ Bookmarket.
The talk is free to attend, tickets can be booked HERE.
Rachel Hazell, The Travelling Bookbinder said: “I’m excited to attend the Artists’ Bookmarket – it’s the social highlight of my year – a fantastic event to see inspiring work, familiar faces and new innovations is the artist’ book world- reconnecting with my tribe!
“After twenty-seven years of using the book as a creative medium, this talk distils what why and how books are so great.
“I’m passionate about sharing the art of bookbinding with others and hope to inspire them to create something, in whatever form, that brings relaxation and mindfulness.”
Based between Edinburgh and the Hebridean Isle of Iona, Rachel has explored and taught this ancient craft of bookbinding all over the world, and her talk will explore the physical, mental, practical and emotional impact practising the artform can have. Whether as a meditative process or a means of self-expression she will share how bookbinding nurtures well-being and personal growth and can be a key tool in pursuit of mindfulness.
Rachel’s approach to bookbinding puts a modern spin on the artform, and at the workshops she hosts across the world – from Shetland to Venice – she encourages participants to take inspiration and materials from their unique surroundings and incorporate them in their work.
Whether that’s driftwood for the cover, or maps for the pages, nothing is off the table when it comes to making it a part of your bound story.
Rachel’s fine craftmanship has made her a sought-after figure in the world of bookbinding, artistry, and wellness and she has featured in publications including Condé Nast Traveller, the Financial Times, Selvedge and The Simple Things.
In 2024 she published a book of photos of her daily swims, taken on Iona during lockdown. Today’s Changing Room featured in The Scotsman among others. All the proceeds go to the mental health charity BlueTonic.
As teacher, author and traveller, books, words and the power of imagination have always been central to Rachel’s life and the day she was taught how to make her first book; she knew she’d be a bookbinder for the rest of her life. Hear a bit about her story and how and she believes that everyone has a book inside them.
What: Rachel Hazell: ‘The Benefit of Books’ at Artists’ Bookmarket 2025
Volkswagen’s ‘evergreen’ supermini receives major accolade
This year the Polo is celebrating its 50th anniversary
With 20 million sales to date, the Polo has become an international bestseller over the course of six generations
The Volkswagen Polo has started 2025 with a bang, after being named the Best Car of the Half Century as part of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships. It means the UK’s number-one motor manufacturer can celebrate back-to-back wins for this prestigious award, after the Golf received the same accolade last year.
The Best Car of the Half Century title plays a significant part in the annual British Motor Show, which this year is due to take place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 to 17 August. Visitors to the show will be able to see the Polo for themselves and learn why it has been the supermini of choice for millions of people for the past 50 years.
The judging panel responsible for the award comprises a who’s who of international motoring experts, including car designers and engineers, auto industry figureheads, motorsport personalities, journalists, broadcasters, media professionals, vehicle retailers, automotive consultants, motor club chiefs and motoring event organisers.
One of the judges was automotive journalist Mike Rutherford, who founded the awards. He said: “The 20 million motorists who’ve been buying Volkswagen Polos since 1975 can’t be wrong.
“It’s been the most consistently credible supermini of the past 50 years and has repeatedly hit the sweet spot in terms of design, overall dimensions, build quality, competitive retail pricing, efficiency and low standing and running costs.
“It’s a real-world car for budget-conscious real-world motorists who appreciate the affordability and durability of their long-lasting Polos. And it’s fair to say that since the birth of the Mk 1 version in 1975, it has grown in size, stature and market relevance.
“No longer is Polo a basic supermini to be driven on tight, slow streets in busy towns and cities across the world. At more than four metres long in its current Mk 6 guise, it’s more of a small, credible, borderline premium-quality family hatchback.”
Rod McLeod, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: “We are delighted to see the Polo claim this award; it’s a great way to kick off its 50th anniversary celebrations.
“The Polo is not just a pioneer in terms of technical innovations, but also represents affordable mobility for all. These attributes and values are as relevant and important to customers today as they were half a century ago, and we believe that’s why our evergreen supermini has stood the test of time.”
With more than 20 million vehicles sold worldwide since 1975, the Polo has established itself as one of the most successful models in its class. The car has gone from strength to strength over six generations, combining everyday reliability, comfort and affordability with technological breakthroughs and high-performance GTI thrills. In motorsport guise, the Polo R WRC secured four World Rally Championship titles in a row from 2013.
A total of 166,304 new Volkswagen passenger vehicles were registered in the UK in 2024, making Volkswagen the UK’s best-selling new-car brand for the fourth year running. Almost 29,000 of those were Polos, second only to the Golf (32,370) among Volkswagen sales in the UK last year.
New demonstration homes showcase hydrogen appliances which enable households to cook and heat their homes without any carbon emissions
Homes are part of H100 Fife, a world-first green energy project which will see hundreds of households switch from natural gas to hydrogen
Local residents taking part in project can get hands-on experience ahead of appliances being installed in their own homes later this year
Opening marks a major milestone for H100 Fife and Scotland’s net zero ambitions
The First Minister John Swinney has hailed the opening of Scotland’s first hydrogen homes as a ‘shining example’ of how the country is leading the way in solutions to tackle climate change.
The homes are part of gas network company SGN’s H100 Fife project and showcase the potential for hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in households and businesses across Scotland and the UK.
Located in Levenmouth on Fife’s east coast, the demonstration homes showcase how hydrogen can provide heating and cooking experiences very similar to natural gas. Familiar appliances like gas boilers and hobs are installed in the homes delivering the instant and responsive heat customers are used to, but with zero carbon emissions.
H100 Fife is a world-first green hydrogen project which will see up to 300 households switch to hydrogen for cooking and heating. Residents involved in the trial can now visit the demonstration homes to get hands-on experience ahead of appliances being installed in their own homes later this year.
The First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, opened the homes alongside SGN’s CEO Simon Kilonback and members of the community.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s net zero future depends on our ability to create innovative solutions to tackle climate change; and the H100 Fife project is a shining example of this ambition.
“These demonstration homes offer residents a glimpse of the role that hydrogen can play in delivering warm and comfortable homes with zero carbon emissions.
“I welcome this significant milestone in the project’s journey and look forward to its completion.”
Residents who have signed up for the project and those who live locally1 can visit the homes to see hydrogen boilers and hobs from leading manufacturers Baxi, Worcester Bosch, and Bosch Home Appliances. These are the appliances that will be installed in their own homes later this year.
SGN’s CEO Simon Kilonback said: “SGN is incredibly proud to mark this important milestone for green energy in Scotland with the First Minister. We are working in partnership with the local community and look forward to welcoming them to our demonstration homes.
“We believe H100 Fife can act as a catalyst for regional decarbonisation, positioning Scotland at the forefront of the transition to net zero.
“However, this project is also far more than just a hydrogen for home heating trial and will provide key evidence to support the development of the hydrogen economy, whether that be production, storage, distribution or operations.”
SGN is partnering with Fife College to open the UK’s first hydrogen training facility in the coming months, located just a mile away from the H100 Fife network in the college’s Levenmouth campus.
Existing Gas Safe engineers in the region will be upskilled at the facility on how to fit new hydrogen appliances and connect homes taking part in H100 Fife to the new 8.4km hydrogen network which was completed last year.
During the event, the street on which the newly constructed homes are built was officially named ‘Newhaven Street’2 by students from local school Denbeath Primary, highlighting historic links to nearby Methil docks.
A BEAUTIFUL city centre wedding recently brought together family, friends, and culture, as a couple celebrated their special day in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic venues.
Ciara and Morgan Bywater, a couple with ties to both the arts and the British Army, tied the knot surrounded by friends, family, and the rich history of the Royal College of Surgeons in the heart of Edinburgh at the prestigious Surgeons Quarter.
Ciara Bywater, 30, a Strategic Partnerships Manager in the Cultural Sector, and Morgan Bywater, 32, a British Army Officer, have called Edinburgh home since 2019, settling in the vibrant Morningside area. Their love story began at Leeds University, where they met in the final week of their last year, eventually leading to a romantic proposal in Puglia, Italy, in 2022.
Reflecting on their decision to host their wedding at Surgeons Quarter, Ciara explained: “We wanted a city-centre wedding, somewhere easily accessible for our family and friends.
“Surgeons Quarter, with its connection to Edinburgh’s cultural heritage and stunning architecture, felt like the perfect fit.”
Surgeons Quarter, located in the heart of Edinburgh, is known not only for its historic venues but also for its ability to host events of any scale.
The venue is a hidden gem, offering a perfect blend of tradition and modern elegance, catering to weddings, conferences, and special events with accommodation available at its on-site Ten Hill Place Hotel.
One of the couple’s highlights was the incredible food provided by Surgeons Quarter’s talented culinary team.
Morgan said: “The food was one of the best parts of our experience.
“We’ve been to a lot of weddings, and this was by far the best we’ve ever tasted. The tasting session was fun and generous, and the Surgeons Quarter team made the whole process feel seamless.”
The couple chose the venue not just for its beauty, but also for its practicality. With friends in the medical field who recommended Surgeons Quarter, it made sense to have their celebration at a venue so closely linked to Edinburgh’s medical and cultural history.
Ciara, who works in the cultural sector, was drawn to the venue’s proximity to the Festival Theatre and the artistic atmosphere surrounding Surgeons Quarter.
She added, “The architecture, the columns, and the courtyard made it feel special. It tied in so well with my love of the arts and Edinburgh’s rich cultural heritage.”
The flexibility of the venue allowed the couple to transition from the day’s formalities into a lively evening celebration in a different part of the venue.
The couple added: “We appreciated how the day flowed, moving from one beautiful space to another. It made for a refreshing change of scenery and kept our guests excited throughout the evening.”
Surgeons Quarter has been a prime choice for couples looking for an affordable, yet elegant wedding venue in the heart of Edinburgh. Morgan emphasised: “It’s tough to find a wedding venue in any city centre, let alone a capital like Edinburgh, and Surgeons Quarter was both beautiful and affordable. Their team did everything to make the day as stress-free as possible.”
With profits from Surgeons Quarter going towards the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s charitable objectives to improve surgical standards worldwide, the Bywaters felt their wedding was contributing to a greater cause.
Ashley Mok, Events Co-Ordinator at Surgeons Quarter said: “It was a pleasure to help Ciara and Morgan bring their wedding vision to life.
“At our venue, we pride ourselves on offering more than just a beautiful space — it’s about delivering a seamless experience from start to finish.
“From the stunning architecture to the exceptional culinary offerings, our team is dedicated to ensuring that every detail of the day is perfect.
“We were thrilled to see their guests enjoying both the unique atmosphere and the central location that makes our venue so special.”
Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells, and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus.
These include facilities for conferences, meetings, private events, parties, and weddings, as well as its own four-star hotel, Ten Hill Place, Café 1505, and SQ Travel.
More than £60 million for pilot projects focusing on essential services and eradicating child poverty
A new Fairer Funding pilot to deliver on the Scottish Government’s top priority of eradicating child poverty will provide additional multi-year funding in the form of 45 grants to organisations across Scotland.
The funding, subject to budget approval, will support projects in areas including health, education, poverty and culture and have a total value of £61.7 million in 2025-26 and £63.2 million in 2026- 27.
Speaking on her visit today to the Gathering, the largest third sector event in the UK, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I know many charities, faced with rising costs and falling donations, need more security and stability to enable them to plan and develop.
“Child poverty, in particular, requires longer-term interventions to help achieve the solutions we want to see. For that, the third sector needs financial stability and certainty. That’s why I have prioritised delivering on our commitment to provide more multi-year funding where we can to support the vital work of the third sector in Scotland, as part of our fairer funding approach.
“The pilot is the first step in mainstreaming multi-year funding agreements more widely across the third sector. It will give organisations the ability to plan for the future and make the most of their resources.
“The pilot’s focus on grants connected to tackling child poverty and the delivery of frontline services to our communities will maximise the impact of longer term funding and support the delivery of our number one priority, eradicating child poverty.”
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive Anna Fowlie said: “The voluntary sector has a crucial role to play in delivering essential services across Scotland that people and communities rely on.
Multi-year funding models are vital, providing security to voluntary organisations and, crucially, allowing them to get on and deliver for people and communities.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to piloting multi-year funding for a range of voluntary organisations across Scotland – a first step, we hope, towards rolling out Fair Funding principles to voluntary sector funding.”
Organisations to receive multi-year funding for 2025/26 and 2026/27
Social Justice
Scottish Refugee Council
Scottish Empty Homes Partnership
Homeless Network Scotland
Housing Options Scotland
Poverty Alliance
CentreStage – Social Innovation Partnership
COVEY – Social Innovation Partnership
Flexibility Works – Social Innovation Partnership
Heavy Sound – Social Innovation Partnership
MsMissMrs – Social Innovation Partnership
Street Soccer – Social Innovation Partnership
WorkingRite – Social Innovation Partnership
MCR Pathways
Economy and Gaelic
Scottish Mountain Rescue
Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
Youth Music Initiative
Sistema Scotland
Health and Social Care
Cruse Scotland Bereavement Helpline
Penumbra Self-harm support pilots
BASICS Funding PHEC BASICS Scotland
The Listening Service Samaritans
Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for adults
Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Management
Autism Advice Line Scottish Autism
Young Scot Carer support funding
Active Play Development Programme Inspiring Scotland
Active Play Development Programme Actify
Community Food Networks Edinburgh Community Food
Community Food Networks Lanarkshire Community Food and Health Partnership
Community Food Networks Community Food Initiative North East
Community Food Networks Glasgow Community Food Network
Drugs Policy: Core Funding Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Drugs Policy: Family Recovery Initiative Fund Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD Hub Scotland Service
Finance and Local Government
Planning Aid Scotland
Education and Skills
Dyslexia Scotland
Children’s Advocacy for Children’s Hearings
Who Cares Scotland
Inspiring Scotland
Children in Scotland Enquire National Advice and Information Service on Additional Support for Learning
Scottish Book Trust Bookbug
Access to Childcare Fund
Scottish Association of Minority Ethnic Educators
Justice and Home Affairs
Victim Centred Approach Fund
Apex Scotland
Medics Against Violence
These pilots are in addition to the multi-year funding announced last week by Creative Scotland, which has been funded as part of a record £34 million uplift for culture in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget.
I’m writing about a new, exciting BBC quiz show called The Inner Circle – we’re looking for contestants from Scotland and I wondered if this opportunity would be of interest to your audience?
Hosted by TV & radio star Amanda Holden, we are looking for people with bags of personality to apply for this ultimate game of general knowledge, strategy and gut instinct that comes with a chance of winning a cash prize!
Getting the questions right is only half the battle as players must also decide who they trust enough to keep in the game.
I hope I’ve made that sound exciting!
If this is of interest, anyone who wishes to apply should fill out the online application form here:
A Bill that would allow all pupils in state and grant-aided schools to have at least four nights and five days of residential outdoor education during their school career has been supported by a Holyrood committee.
Following a vote, members of the Education, Children and Young People Committee agreed with the general principles of the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill. However, the Committee unanimously agreed that concerns related to the costs, provision for pupils with additional support needs and the impact on teachers need to be resolved if the Bill is to become law.
The Bill was introduced by Liz Smith MSP against a backdrop of declining provision of residential outdoor education, with only a quarter of Scotland’s primary pupils and a third of secondary pupils having the chance to attend.
During evidence the Committee heard strong arguments for the Bill based on the “life-changing benefits” residentials have on pupils’ confidence and resilience. Several witnesses also spoke about the positive impact this can have on pupil-teacher relationships and attainment.
The Committee heard that residential outdoor education could be particularly beneficial to pupils from more deprived areas, however these pupils were often not able to go on trips as they were unaffordable for many parents.
The Committee identified several practical concerns that would need to be overcome though for the Bill to be delivered, with costs proving a significant barrier.
Estimates suggest delivering the Bill would cost the Scottish Government between £20 million and just over £40 million a year. However, in its report, the Committee says that national funding of residential outdoor education is a good example of preventative spend where the benefits are well documented.
The report also raises concerns about staffing, which currently is provided by teachers on a voluntary basis. While teachers were positive about their experiences, if residential education became statutory it might lead to a renegotiating of teachers’ terms and conditions, adding further barriers to delivering the Bill.
Douglas Ross MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee: “Throughout this inquiry we heard about the hugely positive impact that outdoor residential education can have on the development and attainment of children and young people.
“While we agree with the general principles of the Bill, there are financial challenges attached to the delivery of outdoor residential education that need to be overcome for it to become law.
“We want to see the Scottish Government and the Member who introduced the Bill, Liz Smith MSP, work together to resolve these.”
