Important information for audiences: Mary Poppins – Friday 24 January, 7.30pm
The weather warning in place for Edinburgh is currently due to end at 5pm today Friday and therefore the performance should begin as planned at 7.30pm.
Edinburgh Integration Joint Board draft strategic plan – HAVE YOUR SAY
A consultation on the EIJB’s draft strategic plan is now open:
We would like you to share your views on Edinburgh Integration Joint Board’s (IJB) Draft Strategic Plan.
This plan covers the three financial years running from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.
Our purpose as an IJB is to provide the best health and social care services that we can with the resources we have available.
This means working to make Edinburgh a safer, healthier and fairer place to live for everybody.
This latest version of the plan has been produced with extensive input from the citizens of Edinburgh and the many organisations and teams that serve our communities.
We would like to know if you think we have the right priorities, if you agree with what we are planning to do and if you think the way we plan to measure our success is right. Please use the form on the following pages to tell us what you think. You can answer as many or as few of the questions as you like.
Give us your views:
We are also holding two events where you can share your views with us:
You can download a copy of the draft plan document at the bottom of this page.
If you need help accessing the documents or completing the form, please email ehscp.communications@edinburgh.gov.uk.
Have your say on the priorities, planned actions and measures of success.
Due to high winds predicted we are with regret cancelling the first public session for Drylaw Good Apples today (Saturday 25th January).
The next session will be on Wednesday 29th January with RBGE teaching us how to prune apple orchard trees.
The Colinton/Fairmilehead by-election result has been announced at Waverley Court in Edinburgh.
Neil Cuthbert of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party and Conor Savage of the Scottish Labour Party have been duly elected to serve in the City of Edinburgh Council as members for the Colinton/Fairmilehead Ward.
The declaration was made in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 24 January) by Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh Paul Lawrence, said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in the by-election to elect two new councillors to represent their communities on matters affecting their ward and the wider city. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Neil and Conor as new councillors and look forward to working with them.
“I would also like to thank our elections team and council colleagues who have worked so hard on this by-election in recent months – not least given the extremely challenging circumstances of rescheduling the count at such short notice due to Storm Eowyn.”
The turnout for the by-election was 31.9%.
FIRST PREFERENCE VOTES
Con 2027
Lab 1146
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LD 1009
SNP 840
Grn 426
Ref 345
Ind 256
For further details of the results, please visit the Elections section of the Council website.
TOM ARTHUR VISITS ‘INSPIRING’ SPARTANS TO ANNOUNCE FUNDING PLANS
A scheme helping pupils to learn in a football environment is one of a range of regeneration projects set to share £62 million from the 2025-26 draft Scottish Budget.
The funding will help Spartans Community Foundation in Pilton, complete construction of a permanent classroom. This would replace temporary cabins where students who may struggle in school receive lessons in literacy, numeracy, entrepreneurship, art and physical education.
The project also assists young people to access jobs, apprenticeships and college placements as they leave school.
Other regeneration schemes earmarked for support in the draft Budget include:
Visiting Spartans to hear about the organisation’s work within the local community, Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “Regeneration is a key priority for the Scottish Government – as it contributes to growing the economy and creating jobs.
“This inspiring scheme run by Spartans illustrates how local people can identify the issues they want tackled and then come up with the solution, at which point the Scottish Government is able step in with support.
“The new classroom will help more young people leave school with qualifications, find jobs and further education opportunities, as well as enjoy free football sessions. It is an example of delivering economic growth and tackling poverty at the grassroots.”
Other recent local projects to regenerate northern Edinburgh include the transformation of derelict industrial units at Granton Waterfront into communal spaces and the ongoing development of a community hub with an early years centre, library and space for North Edinburgh Arts on Pennywell Road.
The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for wind from 10am to 5pm Friday 24 January. An Amber warning is in place from 6am to 10am.
COUNCIL SERVICES:
We will publish all the latest information about Council buildings and services on this page.
All Council schools, nurseries and early years settings will be closed on Friday 24 January. Schools will communicate directly with parents.
Bin collections – residents should not put their wheelie bins and boxes out for collection tomorrow. Friday collections will run over the weekend instead.
Residents should put their bins out for collection on Saturday when it is safe to do so for collection from Sunday.
Street cleansing will not operate.
Recycling centres – any bookings for recycling centres will be rescheduled
Special uplift services – residents who have booked a collection for tomorrow should not put the items out for collection. Appointments will be rebooked.
Anyone who needs to present as homeless should contact us by phone on 0131 529 7036.
Only emergency council house repairs will take place. Non-emergency council house repairs will be cancelled and re-scheduled.
Scaffolding will be checked and taken down if possible.
We will only run essential services on Friday 24 January.
The following buildings or parks/grounds will be closed on Friday 24 January:
Travel disruption
Police Scotland has issued a ‘do not travel’ notice. Police Scotland travel advice
Lothian Buses expect significant disruption to their services and customers are advised to check the status of their service before travelling.
Scot Rail is suspending all train services tomorrow and there will be no alternative transport available.
For travel updates check @edintravel and @TrafficScotland on X (Twitter) as well as your travel provider.
Emergency social care service 0800 731 6969 – free phone.
NHS LOTHIAN:
EDINBURGH TRAMS:
Due to the red weather warning in place across Edinburgh tomorrow due to #StormÉowyn, Edinburgh Trams will be operating a reduced service on Friday 24 January. We will be monitoring wind speeds at key places on the track and will continue to operate in order to facilitate essential travel as long as it remains safe to do so.
Please follow @PoliceScotland guidelines and only travel if absolutely necessary.
Customers are advised to check the status of their service before travelling on Friday and Saturday, using the Bus & Tram App.
More information: https://bit.ly/3Wx6TMq
LOTHIAN BUSES
CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Service Updates
http://lothianbuses.com/service-updates/… Bus & Tram App
With only a week left until the Self Assessment deadline 3.4 million customers are yet to file their 2023 to 2024 tax return. And HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning them to file now or risk missing the 31 January deadline – and getting a £100 penalty.
More than 66% (8.6 million) have already filed their tax return. Those who are yet to start can go to GOV.UK to find all the support and guidance they need at their fingertips including live webinars, video tutorials as well as plenty of online help sheets.
Once customers have submitted their return, the quickest and easiest way to pay any tax due is via the free and secure HMRC app, which takes less than a minute with immediate confirmation of payment. Nearly 360,000 have paid their Self Assessment tax bill via the app since 6 April 2024, totalling more than £605 million.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Time is running out for the millions still to file their Self Assessment tax return by 31 January. Help and support is available for those who have not yet started their return. Visit GOV.UK and search ‘Self Assessment’ to find out more.”
A full list of the different ways to pay, including payment plans, can be found on GOV.UK.
It’s important customers always include their bank details as part of their tax return to ensure that if there’s any repayment due, it can be done quickly and securely.
Customer’s reasons for not paying their tax bill or arranging a payment plan by the deadline will be considered individually. While customers who provide HMRC with a reasonable excuse may avoid a penalty, those without reasonable excuse face will be issued with a penalty including:
There are also additional penalties for paying late of 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. If tax remains unpaid after the deadline, interest will also be charged on the amount owed, in addition to the penalties above.
Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone, including a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.
The Scottish Ambulance Service is recruiting volunteers to join its North Berwick Community First Responder (CFR) group.
CFR group members respond to potentially life-threatening emergencies such as a cardiac arrest or seizure in the vital first few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives.
Anyone over 18 with a driving licence can apply to become a community first responder and no previous medical experience is needed.
Training will be provided by the Scottish Ambulance Service and will cover the Basic Life Saving (BLS) skills that may be required when attending an emergency call.
Michael Dickson, SAS Chief Executive said: “CFRs come from a variety of backgrounds and play a vital role in starting treatment whilst an ambulance is on route.
“They are highly valued by the Scottish Ambulance Service, and I would encourage those with an interest in supporting their community to apply for this opportunity.”
To register to become a CFR or to find out more about becoming a CFR, visit:
https://www.scottishambulance.com/your-community/community-first-responders/
A family from Tyneside was this week given the chance to make lasting memories after a challenging two years, thanks to South Shields-based children’s charity, The Charlie and Carter Foundation and its community partner, train operator, Lumo.
At five years old, Evie Green has already faced challenges beyond her years. Diagnosed with myocarditis at just four months old, Evie’s condition progressed to the point where, by the age of four, she was in urgent need of a heart transplant.
In the spring of 2023, Evie was placed on a Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist Device while awaiting a heart transplant. While the device was lifesaving, it meant she had to stay in the hospital and couldn’t run or play freely because she was connected to the machine.
After more than a year in hospital and a national call out for a new heart, Evie finally received a transplant in the summer of 2024 at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital. While Evie was in hospital her family was supported by The Charlie and Carter Foundation, which provides financial relief to families of critically ill children, so that they can stay by their side without the worry of financial strain.
Lumo, who selected The Charlie and Carter Foundation as its charity partner of the year for 2024/25, following a unanimous internal vote and as part of its ongoing commitment to the organisation, were delighted arrange a special trip to Edinburgh for Evie and her family to enjoy some much-needed family fun.
The day to the Scottish capital included a complimentary visit to Edinburgh Zoo, Camera Obscura and even a ride in Lumo’s driver’s cab.
Sarah Cookson MBE, Co-Founder of The Charlie and Carter Foundation, said: “The biggest thank you to Lumo for organising this very special trip out for Evie and her family, helping them make precious memories to treasure forever.
“This beautiful and brave little girl has spent so long in hospital and her family have spent so long worrying, they deserve the world and more.
“Our charity provides financial support to families who care 24/7 for their sick children who are suffering from life limiting conditions and we know only too well how much they struggle and worry each day.
“Days like these would have just been a dream before Evie received her gift of life. Thank you never seems enough, but thank you Lumo, it was a day they will remember forever.”
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have given Evie and her family a wonderful day out in Edinburgh. After spending so much time in hospital and missing out on experiences most children enjoy, providing them with a memorable day of fun together was truly the least we could do.
“We’re proud to partner with South Shields based Charlie and Carter Foundation, whose incredible work supports families like Evie’s right across the country. We look forward to continuing our efforts together to make a meaningful difference.”
Evie’s mum, Chloe Green, said: “We are very grateful to Lumo for providing a VIP day out in Edinburgh and to The Charlie and Carter Foundation for nominating our family for this special trip.
“Evie received a heart transplant last summer and was in hospital for 18 months overall, so it is so nice to be able to go on days out thanks to Evie’s special donor heart. We had a fantastic trip exploring Edinburgh, going to the zoo, Camera Obscura and walking along the Royal Mile and we will be forever grateful for this trip.”
Funding for local authorities to test and improve how they deliver wrap-around support for parents and families will be doubled to more than £6 million by the 2025-26 budget, helping expand work towards eradicating child poverty.
The Scottish Government’s Fairer Futures Partnerships will help test new approaches and identify lasting solutions rather than quick fixes, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said. Increased funding will allow Fairer Futures Partnerships to expand to more areas, supporting new approaches and holistic support.
On a visit to Irvine Royal Academy, Ms Somerville met parents and pupils and saw how North Ayrshire Council’s work is supporting families and informing the Fairer Futures programme to drive innovations in tackling child poverty.
At Irvine Royal Academy, where 32% of pupils are in receipt of free school meals, parents have been helped to maximise their incomes through welfare and debt advice and provided with support to find employment, while pupils run a ‘cost of the school day’ initiative to help ease the pressures on families.
Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission. But we can only do that by providing long-term, sustainable solutions, not quick fixes.
“The Scottish Child Payment, only available in Scotland, will this year help the families of over 330,000 children, and our five family payments could be worth more than £25,000 by the time an eligible child turns 16.
“We are extending provision of free school meals to pupils in P6 & P7 who receive the Scottish Child Payment, committing a further £14.3m to support the school clothing grant, and investing in the systems needed to end the two-child cap by April 2026.
“Through the Fairer Futures Partnerships we are working alongside local authorities, local communities and the Third Sector to test and improve how they deliver services to promote family wellbeing, maximise incomes and support people towards education and into sustained employment.
“I’m visiting Irvine Royal Academy to hear about some of the programmes and activity North Ayrshire Council has in place to tackle child poverty, support families and children in the local area with the cost of the school day and maximise incomes.
“The work with the school community is a great example of the results that can be delivered when services work together to provide wrap-around support for families. We want to explore how we can do this even better and that is why we have doubled our budget for Fairer Futures Partnerships to £6 million for the next financial year.”
North Ayrshire Council Leader Marie Burns added: “Tackling child poverty is the number one priority for our administration.
“We have the second highest rate of child poverty in Scotland and we are determined – with support from the Scottish Government and our hard-working partners in the public, private and third sectors – to improve life for families across North Ayrshire.
“We look forward to welcoming the Cabinet Secretary to Irvine to hear, first-hand, about some of the great work that is being done to support families who are struggling to make ends meet.”
