Two thirds of Scots are dissatisfied with the frequency of their local bus services, with over half saying that those which do exist are often late. The figures are published today by Citizens Advice Scotland following a major national survey.
Continue reading Two thirds of Scots unhappy with their bus services
Happy International Women’s day to all!
Celebrate by attending SHE Scotland’s Empowered Women event today from 5.30-7.30pm at Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Dalmeny Street, Leith.
Edinburgh has lost 60% of it’s bank branches in just seven years
The closure of more than a third of Scotland’s banks since 2010 is set to come under the microscope, as the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee calls on local businesses and consumers to ‘speak out’ on the impact on local communities and economic growth. Continue reading Speak out on bank closures, urges Holyrood committee
New recommendations to ensure the commitment to eradicate rough sleeping is met have been set out by the Scottish Government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group. The recommendations have all been accepted in principle by the Scottish Government, and build on the group’s earlier advice to tackle rough sleeping over the winter period.
The measures include a national system of rapid rehousing, involving integrated support from frontline outreach services and local authorities. This will include moving to a ‘Housing First’ model for those with most complex needs – where people move straight into a permanent, settled home rather than temporary accommodation.
In December, £328,000 was invested to support additional capacity for night shelters and extra staff to help get more people into accommodation over winter. The Scottish Government will now provide a further £150,000 to continue to provide some services to the summer, while the latest recommendations are taken forward.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “As we come out of a particularly bad winter period, the action group’s work so far has been vital in ensuring front-line staff are supported and that people are helped to move into safe and warm places to stay. Additional funding will allow the work that has taken place in our main cities to continue while we take the group’s hard work forward.
“I was extremely impressed by the fast and effective work of organisations supporting those sleeping rough during last week’s unprecedented and extreme winter weather and want to thank everyone involved for the work and commitment they have shown. It is now important that we build on this good work and these latest recommendations provide a blueprint to do that and reach our national priority to eradicate rough sleeping for good.
“The group’s recommendations focus on improving advice and support for those sleeping rough, and ensuring that housing, funding and services are directed at those who need them most.
“They will play a vital role in meeting our commitment to end homelessness and transform temporary accommodation, backed by our £50 million fund – which is why we have accepted them all in principle, and will now work closely with partners to implement.”
Action group chair and chief executive of Crisis UK, Jon Sparkes said: “Nobody in Scotland should have to endure the danger and indignity of sleeping rough, and these recommendations show what is needed to prevent people from being forced to live on the streets.
These include providing immediate access to permanent housing for people who are sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness, such as people leaving a state institution, such as care or prison, and giving frontline staff the power to make informed decisions based on the needs of each individual.
“The members of the action group have gone above and beyond to dedicate themselves to bringing forward the right recommendations that will have the biggest impact on the way people sleeping rough can access and receive services. The group members have engaged colleagues across the sector, reviewed international evidence on what works, and listened to people from across the country who have experience of homelessness.
“We can end rough sleeping in Scotland. Other countries and cities around the world have done it, so we know it’s possible. With the right political will and momentum, we can make this a reality in Scotland too.”
The full recommendations of the group are available online.
Registration opens today, International Women’s Day (8th March), for PROCESSIONS, one of the UK’s largest ever mass participation artworks, which will take place simultaneously across the four UK capitals on 10th June 2018. Continue reading PROCESSIONS Scotland Details Announced
‘Survey showed that a majority of residents think trams will make a positive difference to Leith’
Starting later this month, a major local consultation exercise will seek feedback on (a) traffic management and business support plans for the construction period and (b) the outline road layout for Leith Walk and the rest of the route.
The consultation comes as the results of an independent survey carried out in Leith are published, showing that the majority of respondents believe Leith would benefit from the introduction of a tram.
However the vast majority of those interviewed – 91% – said they are satisfied with current transport provision on Leith Walk.
From 19 March, six weeks of public consultation and engagement will provide the public, businesses and wider stakeholders with general information on the project, an opportunity to meet the team and specific details around traffic management during construction, support for business proposals and the outline road layout, ahead of final plans being drawn up.
Views will be sought on traffic management and phasing currently proposed, including proposals for the closure of Leith Walk northbound and a single lane open southbound, along with the closure of sections of Constitution Street, for approximately 18 months during construction.
The traffic management proposals have been drawn up following in-depth traffic modelling and discussions with key partners and stakeholders, including bus companies, local community groups, businesses and elected members.
The plans include support for businesses who will be most affected by the works, including provision for parking and loading between worksites, an Open for Business campaign, on-street customer service staff, logistics hubs and financial support.
Views will also be sought on the plans for the permanent design of the street along the route, including a dedicated public transport-only lane on Leith Walk for tram and bus during morning and evening rush hour.
This is the first stage in a consultation process that is scheduled to continue through to the end of 2018.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “When the Outline Business Case was approved by Council in September we pledged to dedicate the following year or so (ahead of the final decision) to establishing mutually beneficial relationships with local residents and businesses who would be most affected by construction works.
“We’ve been working very closely with the local community and our partners ever since to model traffic management plans and look at options for supporting businesses as much as possible if the project goes ahead.
“These plans have been developed taking on board lessons learned from the first phase of tramworks and the current traffic management arrangements in place around Leith Street.
“The recent Leith survey showed that a majority of residents think trams will make a positive difference to Leith.
“However, there are clearly some very real concerns about disruption and congestion during construction. This consultation gives people the chance to help shape how we manage things if and when work gets under way. We hope as many people as possible will have their say, either at one of our four information events or via the Consultation Hub, which will host the consultation from 19 March.”
The consultation will include:
28,000 letters delivered to residential addresses in the area surrounding the planned tram route
4 public information events*
4 local business forums
– 4 community council briefings
LEITH SURVEY
In November 2017, the project team commissioned an independent survey to understand local behaviours and attitudes towards Tram to Newhaven. Research done by Progressive Partnership – 368 ten-minute on-street interviews carried out on three different stretches of Leith Walk.
*Public information events
Thursday 22 March: Leith Theatre, 11am – 6pm
Tuesday 3 April: McDonald Road Library, 10am – 4pm
Thursday 12 April: Leith Community Education Centre, 3pm – 9pm
Saturday 21 April: Ocean Terminal, 12 noon – 5pm
The ‘First Mentor’ initiative, which gives a young woman aged between 18-23 a chance to be mentored by the First Minister, will run again in 2018. Following the success of the 2017-18 opportunity, a new round of applications opens today. Continue reading First Mentor initiative to run again
Edinburgh International Science Festival, powered by EDF Energy, visited St David’s R.C. Primary School on Monday to give a hand in launching the school’s Science Week to show how much fun learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) can be. It involved some thrilling experiments that saw the pupils learn how rockets work by launching their own made from balloons and bottles! Continue reading Science Festival gets off to an explosive start at St David’s!
Royal Voluntary Service, the volunteering charity, is looking for local volunteer co-ordinators and leaders to set up and run new social activities for older people in the community in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, and volunteers to help support them. Continue reading Volunteer Co-ordinators needed to set up social activities for older people
For those who can’t commit to a monthly membership, Edinburgh Leisure’s 10 for 8 card might be just the thing for you. Continue reading A workout feels even better when it’s free!
