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Category: North Edinburgh News
Short term lets: council consults on proposed new planning guidance
The City of Edinburgh Council is consulting on new planning guidance to be used as the Capital became the first short term let control area in Scotland last month.
This followed new Scottish Government legislation in 2021. In a control area, these new laws mean if you offer a flat or a house for a short term let that is not the home you live in, you will need planning permission for it.
Now that Edinburgh is a control area, the Council has updated its proposed guidance and is looking to get views on it from anyone with an interest including residents, those operating short term lets and those involved in the tourism industry, by Thursday, 22 December.
Planning Convener James Dalgleish said: “The control area was put in place in Edinburgh last month. This is a huge step forward in tackling issues caused by short term lets across the city.
“It’s so important that those operating short term let accommodation can only do so if they have planning permission where this is needed. Going forward the control area and guidance will greatly simplify the process and make it clearer how decisions will be made for all involved.
“So, for anyone with an interest in short term lets in Edinburgh please give us your views and help us shape the final version. We aim to have the new guidance in place by 2023.
“Following extensive consultation, we’ve also just agreed the licensing scheme for short term lets in Edinburgh which addresses concerns around the management of secondary letting. When applying for a licence applicants will also have to make sure they have the right planning permission in place.”
Local healthcare heroes win prestigious NHS Lothian awards
Local healthcare workers at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh have been honoured for their exceptional work at a prestigious ceremony.
Sponsored by NHS Lothian Charity, the annual Celebrating Success Awards 2022 are nominated by fellow healthcare workers across the organisation.
Thomas Faulkner, Specialist Biomedical Scientist at the Western General Hospital won the Young Achiever award for going the extra mile in everything he does.
Although in the very early stages of his career, Thomas has played a huge part in the implementation of a new system and training in the laboratory. His team praised him for his dedication, commitment, energy, passion and enthusiasm.
Thomas said: “I’m very grateful to everyone who has nominated me. I was not expecting it so very happy that I’ve won.”
The Visible Haematuria One Stop Clinic Team at the Western General Hospital won the Best Example of Quality Innovation and Productivity Award.
The clinic is a collaboration between the Urology & Radiology department and Quality Improvement Support Team. It has greatly improved the patient experience and significantly reduced the time from referral to diagnosis for patients with urgent suspicion of cancer as well as the number of visits they make.
The Team said: “We’re very surprised but very thankful to have won this award.”
Calum Campbell, Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said: “It is fantastic seeing staff being able to come together again and celebrate in person.”
“Even though we still face significant pressures across NHS Lothian, I continue to take pride in the work that our staff do 365 days a year. I want to extend my warm congratulations to all this year’s finalists for their achievements.”
Professor John Connaghan CBE, Chair of NHS Lothian Board added, “The resilience and dedication of staff over the course of last year and since the start of the pandemic has been remarkable. They have provided high quality care under the greatest pressure.”
“It is testament to the commitment of our staff that they continuously innovate in the delivery of care to our patients.”
“I’d like to say well done to all of our finalists as we celebrate success.”
For the full list of award winners, including some short winners film please visit the NHS Lothian Celebrating Success Winners page.
Self Assessment customers could be a target for fraudsters, HMRC warns
Self Assessment customers who are starting to think about their annual tax returns for the 2021 to 2022 tax year should guard against being targeted by fraudsters, warns HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
In the 12 months to August 2022, HMRC responded to more than 180,000 referrals of suspicious contact from the public, of which almost 81,000 were scams offering fake tax rebates.
Criminals claiming to be from HMRC have targeted individuals by email, text and phone with their communications ranging from offering bogus tax rebates to threatening arrest for tax evasion. Contacts like these should sound alarm bells – HMRC would never call threatening arrest.
Anyone contacted by someone claiming to be from HMRC in a way that arouses suspicion is advised to take their time and check the scams advice on GOV.UK.
Customers can report any suspicious activity to HMRC. They can forward suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Any tax scam phone calls can be reported to HMRC using the online form on GOV.UK.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.
“HMRC will never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.
“Tax scams come in many forms. Some threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion, others offer a rebate. Contacts like these should set alarm bells ringing, so take your time and check ‘HMRC scams advice’ on GOV.UK.”
Fraudsters target customers when they know they are more likely to be in contact with HMRC, which is why Self Assessment customers should be extra vigilant to this activity. There is a risk they could be taken in by scam texts, emails or calls either offering a ‘refund’ or demanding unpaid tax, thinking that they are genuine HMRC communications referring to their Self Assessment return.
Some customers who have not done a Self Assessment return previously might be tricked into clicking on links in these emails or texts and revealing personal or financial information to criminals.
The deadline for filing paper tax returns for the 2021 to 2022 tax year is 31 October 2022, and 31 January 2023 for those filing their tax return online. Customers who file their return online via GOV.UK should not share their HMRC login details. Someone using the details could steal from the customer or make a fraudulent claim in their name.
HMRC is actively tackling the scams and fraudsters who attempt to mimic genuine HMRC activity and messages. The department’s dedicated Customer Protection Team works continuously to identify and close down scams.
HMRC also tackles misleading websites designed to make people pay for services that should be free or low cost, charging to connect people to free HMRC phone helplines. To protect the public, HMRC formally disputes and takes ownership of HMRC-branded internet domain or website names. Since 2017, the department has recovered more than 183 websites hosting low-value services such as call-connection sites, saving the public millions of pounds.
How you can up your game, raise funds for charity and save lives on World Gaming Day
Pick up your controller and help good causes raise money by taking part in the very first World Gaming Day, on Saturday 22 October 2022.
Headline charity, Leukaemia Care and the online fundraising platform GivePenny, along with 20 other charities, are asking supporters to raise vital funds by getting together to play games. Gamers of all ages can sign up for what is anticipated to be the country’s biggest gaming for good fundraising campaign.
Leukaemia Care and their fellow charities are inviting gamers to hold social gaming events around the country to raise money to support their favourite cause.
This gaming for good initiative is the first time several charities have come together to create a national moment for a campaign. Level one partners include the Stroke Association, Epilepsy Society, Action for Children, Fareshare, Water Aid, Street Child, along with many other charities coming on board.
Nicole Scully, Director of Communications and Fundraising for Leukaemia Care, said: “We are delighted that over 20 charities have come together to harness the power of gaming.
“There has never been a better time to get friends together doing something we all love to do, so I can’t wait to see the gaming day parties happening on 22 October.”
World Gaming Day will harness the technology of online fundraising to make donations and has added options for Playlist Fundraising thanks to GivePenny’s integration with Spotify. This enables fundraisers to raise even more money by supporters adding tracks to their gaming day playlist in exchange for a charity donation.
Lee Clark, CEO at GivePenny, said: “Without a doubt, the charity sector is stronger together and World Gaming Day has been built with everyone in mind.
“The popularity of gaming and its potential for charities is huge. By giving charities a tailor-made fundraising package, we are helping even the smallest charity to tap into that potential and engage more supporters in ways that they might never have been able to do before.
“We’ve created World Gaming Day as this generation’s charity coffee morning so people can have fun and raise lots of money for many different good causes in the process.”
Want to find out more about World Gaming Day or want to sign up to host your very own event? Simply go to worldgamingday.org
For more information, call 08088 010 444 or email support@leukaemiacare.org.uk
Vet charity appeals for volunteers ahead of South Bridge shop launch
PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is calling on kind-hearted volunteers to support its life-saving work by offering a helping hand in its soon-to-be launched Edinburgh charity shop.
The store, which is set to open next month, will help to fund vital veterinary work across PDSA’s 48 Pet Hospitals – including its local centre in the city – which care for thousands of pets whose owners struggle to afford essential treatments.
Cluster Shop Manager Fiona Lawrie, who will co-ordinate the opening of the South Bridge shop, is encouraging animal lovers who can spare a few hours a week to get in touch and find out about the exciting opportunities available.
Fiona said: “The pandemic had a huge impact on PDSA’s fundraising activities which is why the support provided by the incredible people who volunteer in our shops is so important.
“We receive no government funding towards running our vital vet services and everything we do is supported by the generosity of the pet-loving public whose kind donations of time, money, and items mean we can be there for pets and their owners when they are most in need.
“Volunteering is an excellent way to assist charities and do something that makes a real difference to the lives of others, but it is also a great way to make new friends, gain confidence, and enhance your CV.
“We’re looking for friendly and dedicated people aged 18 or over to join our team at South Bridge in Edinburgh – it doesn’t matter if you don’t have previous retail experience, we provide full training and we’ll reimburse your travel expenses so you’re not out of pocket. All you need is a few spare hours a week, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.”
To find out about volunteering opportunities at the new store, please contact Fiona Lawrie by calling 07557 196831 or email lawrie.fiona@pdsa.org.uk.
Alternatively, visit the following link to apply for a role online: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/volunteer-south-bridge.
No pet owner should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.
PDSA encourages all supporters to sign up for Gift Aid* if they are a UK taxpayer, to help their donations go even further. Gift Aid allows PDSA to claim an additional 25 per cent of the value of each item sold.
Ukraine invasion: Truss to tell G7 leaders ‘We must not waver one iota’
- Prime Minister Liz Truss will join a virtual gathering of G7 leaders and President Zelenskyy today (Tuesday 11 October).
- Meeting comes in the wake of Putin’s illegal annexation of four Ukrainian territories and a brutal assault on Ukrainian civilians in Kyiv and elsewhere.
- The Prime Minister will ask countries to maintain biting sanctions and call for a full meeting of NATO leaders in the coming days.
G7 leaders will meet today (Tuesday 11 October) to reiterate the unity of opposition to Putin’s continued brutality in Ukraine.
In the last 24 hours Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, killing civilians and cutting off electricity and communications. This follows Putin’s orchestration of sham referendums in an attempt to annex four Ukrainian regions.
Today’s video call, which will also be attended by President Zelenskyy, is the first gathering of all G7 leaders since Ukraine’s counter-offensive started to take hold in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will use the call to urge fellow leaders to stay the course. She will point out that Ukraine’s military advances have been made possible thanks to the international support they are receiving – not just in terms of military aid, but also humanitarian assistance and the impact of western sanctions against Russia.
The Prime Minister is also calling for an urgent meeting of NATO leaders, ensuring allies remain united and resolute in their opposition to Putin’s behaviour.
Addressing fellow G7 leaders, the Prime Minister is expected to say: “The overwhelming international support for Ukraine’s struggle stands in stark opposition to the isolation of Russia on the international stage.
‘Their bravery in the face of the most brutal acts of violence has earned the people of Ukraine global admiration.
‘Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine. And for our part, we must not waver one iota in our resolve to help them win it.’
Yesterday the Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy to condemn the recent attacks on Kyiv and the annexation of Ukrainian territories, and to reiterate the UK’s support.
This year the UK has committed £2.3 billion in military support to Ukraine, which has enabled the provision of Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, hundreds of rockets, thousands of rounds of ammunition, crucial defence vehicles and five air defence systems including Starstreak.
As the Ukrainian Armed Forces face a difficult winter, the UK is also providing critical cold weather gear and other forms of non-lethal support to bolster their resilience.
Later this week, all UN members will vote on Russia’s breach of the UN Charter with its annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. 141 UN member states voted to condemn Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March, and earlier this month the majority of UN Security Council members voted against the recent annexations.
In their call today, G7 leaders are also expected to discuss the global energy crisis precipitated by Putin’s actions. The group is currently working to finalise and implement an international cap on the price of Russian oil, which will further damage Putin’s revenue stream.
The Prime Minister will point to this action as evidence of what the G7 can do both to constrain Putin and act as an economic NATO, defending our countries’ interests.
The Prime Minister is working with fellow leaders to increase our energy independence and end the global reliance on malign states, such as Russia, in our critical resources.
Girlguiding: #GirlsAreMadeOf
Girlguiding shows the true face of four-year-old girls with stereotype-challenging portrait series
- To mark International Day of the Girl, Girlguiding collaborates with award-winning photographer Emily Stein, to celebrate girls now being able to join Rainbows from four-years- old
Girlguiding – the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK – today announces, on International Day of The Girl, that they are officially opening the doors to four-year-old girls nationwide.
Rainbows, the charity’s youngest section, will now welcome girls from the age of four up to seven years old, providing more opportunities for more girls to experience the fun, friendship and adventure of Girlguiding.
Rainbows has been running for 35 years and to celebrate this achievement, Girlguiding has collaborated with award-winning portrait photographer Emily Stein on a photo series entitled ‘Girls Are Made Of…’, celebrating the true face of four-year-old girls, challenging the dated stereotype that little girls should be ‘sugar and spice and all things nice’.
International Day of The Girl
Launched to coincide with the annual International Day of the Girl, selected images from the series will be on display at Girlguiding’s London headquarters on Buckingham Palace Road, both in the windows and a gallery open to the public. The bold images perfectly capture what girls are made of, from strength and joy, to mischief, courage, and curiosity.
Free to be four
For the photo series, Girlguiding invited existing Rainbows and girls keen to start their own Girlguiding journey to a photoshoot, designed to showcase their individuality — representing the many faces, qualities and quirks embraced by the organisation.
Photographer Emily Stein is known for her bold aesthetic and documentary approach to shooting children and young people; capturing authentic emotions and real ‘moments’ that bring a sense of intimacy and honesty to her subjects.
Emma Guthrie, Assistant Chief Guide, said: “Four-year-old girls have spent a huge portion of their lives in a pandemic, missing out on essential play, exploration, confidence building and friendships, and parents are keen for them to make up for lost time.
“Too often girls are still expected to be sugar and spice and all things nice, but working with girls and young women for over 100 years, we know they are made of so much more. We’re extremely happy to warmly welcome four-year-olds to the organisation and start them on their Girlguiding journey – opening up a community where girls can always be free to be themselves. Free to be four.”
Rainbows focuses on developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things and having fun through games and activities. When asked what they enjoyed about Rainbows, four-year-old Mia-Belle, said, “We get to play, play, play!” – a sentiment echoed by Neylah, also four, who added that she “loves going to Rainbows” because “we play fun games”. Adah-Rose added that she “can’t wait” to be a Rainbow and is “really excited” that she can now join her local unit.
Girls can work towards badges throughout their Girlguiding journey, with Rainbows and the other sections following a diverse and engaging programme built around six themes1 offering girls a broad range of experiences. In Rainbows, girls are encouraged to gain skills in areas such as exploration, story-telling, construction and nature, and even explore at a young age what it means to have a healthy mind.
Rainbows is all about developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things, and having fun. Members get their hands dirty with arts and crafts, get in touch with nature and play games. It’s all about learning by doing.
Emily Stein, Photographer, said: “For this special collection of images, I really wanted to capture all the behaviours, contradictions, energy, purity, beauty and emotions of being four.
“It’s a really significant time in a girl’s life; sitting between the ‘toddler’ years and just before the structure of school begins, with the world opening up a little more every day, in all of its exciting glory. It’s a magical year in time, that was truly a joy to document.”
#GirlsAreMadeOf…
Girlguiding is encouraging its community and members of the public to join the charity and celebrate all the incredible things that they were made of at age four, by sharing their own ‘face of four’ photos on Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtag #GirlsAreMadeOf… and adding their own word, to best describe their image.
The ‘Girls Are Made Of…’ exhibition will run for two weeks from Tuesday 11th October, with free admission to the general public.
You can follow the #GirlsAreMadeOf… campaign, view the online gallery or share a picture of yourself at four by visiting Girlguiding on Instagram.com/girlguiding, and at facebook.com/girlguidinguk.
For more information, and to register your daughter’s interest in joining, please visit: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/joinus/
Christmas Cheer: Extra cash for low-income families this winter
First Minister announces doubling of December Bridging Payment to £260
Families of an estimated 145,000 children will benefit from extra support this winter to help with cost of living pressures – backed by Scottish Government investment of £18.9 million.
Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the extension of the Scottish Child Payment to 6-15 year olds. The final quarterly Bridging Payment, due in December, will now be doubled to £260, meaning families will receive up to £650 per eligible child this year.
All children registered to receive free school meals on the basis of family low income are eligible and will receive this payment automatically.
Total Scottish Government funding for the Bridging Payments will increase to an estimated £169 million across 2021 and 2022.
This is in addition to the Scottish Child Payment which will be extended to all eligible under-16s from 14 November and will rise to £25 per child per week on the same date – a 150% increase in the benefit within eight months.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am proud of the work the Scottish Government is doing to tackle child poverty. The Scottish Child Payment is paid to eligible families and is unique in the United Kingdom.
“It started for under-6s at £10 per week per eligible child. In April we doubled it to £20. Five weeks from today we will increase it again, to £25 and will also extend it to families with children up to age 16.
“That is vital financial help for well over 100,000 children, delivered in time for Christmas. That is the sign of a government with the right priorities.
“But we need to do more because we know this winter is going to be really tough. Rather than looking forward to Christmas, too many families will be dreading it because they don’t know if they can afford to heat their homes or even pay for food.
“As part of our help to the poorest families over last year and this, ahead of rolling out the Scottish Child Payment to under 16s, we have made quarterly bridging payments of £130 to children and young people in receipt of free school meals.
“I am delighted that the Scottish Government will double the December Payment from £130 to £260.
“That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people. I don’t pretend it will make all of their worries go away – no government with our limited powers can ever do that. But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most.”
Bridging Payments were introduced in 2021 ahead of the roll out of the Scottish Child Payment to under 16s. The £130 payments are paid quarterly by councils on behalf of the Scottish Government. Families received up to £520 per eligible child in 2021 and will receive up to £650 in 2022. Bridging Payments support around 145,000 school age children.
Povery campaigners have welcomed the announcement.
The Poverty Alliance tweeted: ‘We welcome @NicolaSturgeon announcement today that the @scotgov will double the final Scottish Child Payment bridging payment, up from £130 to £260.
‘This will put cash in the pockets of those who need it most. This is how we #ChallengePoverty‘
Triassic specimen found to be early relative of pterosaurs a century after its discovery
A new study of a tiny Triassic fossil reptile first discovered over 100 years ago in the north east of Scotland has revealed it to be a close relative of the species that would become pterosaurs – iconic flying reptiles of the age of the dinosaurs.
In a new paper published in Nature, a team of scientists led by Dr Davide Foffa, Research Associate at National Museums Scotland, and funded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, have used Computed Tomography (CT) to provide the first accurate whole skeleton reconstruction of Scleromochlus taylori.
The results reveal new anatomical details that conclusively identify it as a close pterosaur relative. It falls within a group known as Pterosauromorpha, comprising an extinct group of reptiles called lagerpetids together with pterosaurs.
Living approximately 240 -210 million years ago, lagerpetids were a group of relatively small (cat or small dog-sized) active reptiles. Scleromochlus was smaller still at under 20 centimetres in length. The results support the hypothesis that the first flying reptiles evolved from small, likely bipedal ancestors.
The finding settles a century-long debate. There had previously been disagreement as to whether the reptile, Scleromochlus, represented an evolutionary step in the direction of pterosaurs, dinosaurs or else some other reptilian offshoot.
The fossil of Scleromochlus is poorly preserved in a block of sandstone, which has made it difficult to study in sufficient detail to properly identify its anatomical features. The fossil is one of a group known as the Elgin Reptiles, comprising Triassic and Permian specimens found in the sandstone of the Morayshire region of north east Scotland around the town of Elgin.
The specimens are held mostly in the collections of National Museums Scotland, Elgin Museum and the Natural History Museum. The latter holds Scleromochlus, which was originally found at Lossiemouth.
Dr Davide Foffa, Research Associate at National Museums Scotland and lead author of the paper said: ““It’s exciting to be able to resolve a debate that’s been going on for over a century, but it is far more amazing to be able to see and understand an animal which lived 230 million years ago and its relationship with the first animals ever to have flown.
“This is another discovery which highlights Scotland’s important place in the global fossil record, and also the importance of museum collections that preserve such specimens, allowing us to use new techniques and technologies to continue to learn from them long after their discovery.”
Professor Paul Barrett at the Natural History Museum said: “The Elgin reptiles aren’t preserved as the pristine, complete skeletons that we often see in museum displays.
“They’re mainly represented by natural moulds of their bone in sandstone and – until fairly recently – the only way to study them was to use wax or latex to fill these moulds and make casts of the bones that once occupied them. However, the use of CT scanning has revolutionized the study of these difficult specimens and has enabled us to produce far more detailed, accurate and useful reconstructions of these animals from our deep past.”
Professor Sterling Nesbitt at Virgina Tech said: “Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight and for nearly two centuries, we did not know their closest relatives. Now we can start filling in their evolutionary history with the discovery of tiny close relatives that enhance our knowledge about how they lived and where they came from”
In addition to National Museums Scotland, the Natural History Museum and Virginia Tech, the study also involved the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh as well as the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Scotland claimed another special milestone in pterosaur history earlier this year with the unveiling of Dearc Sgithanach, an unusually complete and well-preserved fossil discovered on the Isle of Skye and the largest pterosaur known to the Jurassic period.