Tag: city council

Feelgood Edinburgh? Aye, right! say North Edinburgh parents

Survey findings reveal Edinburgh’s ‘bounce-back to better health’

Record levels of residents are feeling positive and say they’re satisfied with life in Edinburgh, according to a new survey produced for the city council.

According to the city’s 17th annual Edinburgh by Numbers – a statistical snapshot of the Capital collated by the Council – feelings of ‘worthwhile’ are the highest they have been for a decade.

Echoing the findings of an Edinburgh Partnership survey last year, which revealed 93% of residents are happy with life in the Capital, improved levels of resident happiness and life satisfaction have been recorded by Edinburgh by Numbers despite a small increase in anxiety levels.

Alongside personal wellness scores, the health of Edinburgh’s environment and economy is also on the up – with the data confirming Scotland’s Capital has the highest percentage of residents who consider the climate emergency to be ‘urgent’.

It comes as greenhouse emissions drop by 37.9% in Edinburgh as part of concerted efforts towards net zero by 2030, with more than half of city journeys under two miles now being made by walking or cycling, according to the findings. Public transport satisfaction rates have also hit 86%, which is significantly above the Scottish average. 

Pointing to the resilience and growth of the Capital’s economy, Edinburgh by Numbers data suggests job opportunities in the city remain some of the best in the UK and that unemployment rates have more than halved from 6.3% to 2.6% in less than 10 years.

In continued signs of Edinburgh’s post-covid rebound, Edinburgh’s economy is listed in the data as the UK’s most productive economy outside of London, at 32.7% higher regional GVA per person than Glasgow.

Visitor numbers are also starting to return to pre-covid levels with a noticeable increase in visits from October to December, making Edinburgh second in the UK for overnight visits after London.

This complements the aims of Edinburgh’s sustainable tourism management plan which involves  targeted Forever Edinburgh activity to promote the spread of tourism across the seasons.

The data suggests there are over 170,000 students across all education levels but overall, Edinburgh’s population is aging. And while poverty levels are lower than national averages, tackling poverty and reducing inequality remains a key Council priority and a slight increase in relative poverty has been recorded following the cost-of-living crisis.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “This year’s Edinburgh by Numbers paints a feel-good picture of a successful, growing Capital city where people really enjoy living and working.

“It’s great to see so much evidence of people living well, feeling happy and caring about climate change here in Edinburgh. The data points to good news for business, for jobs and for tourism and I think it’s fair to say that Edinburgh’s economic – and environmental – outlook is healthy.

“There has been a joint effort in recent years to work together as one city on everything from poverty to climate change, supporting the Festivals and our parks, ensuring Edinburgh remains a special, welcoming and unique place to live.

“Of course, with this good news comes the other side of the same coin: the pressure of complex population changes on our core services and on the people who live and work here.

“The recovery of tourism provides a welcome boost to our economy, but this means greater use and upkeep of facilities and isn’t always accessible for everyone. Likewise, a thriving economy does not mean that every resident is able to benefit equally, and we face a growing housing emergency and pressure supporting our people and our planet.

“That’s why we’re set on becoming the first city to introduce a visitor levy when the legislation comes into force. It’s also why the Council budget we set in February prioritises poverty, climate, and key services for residents. I’m pleased to see the Edinburgh by Numbers findings demonstrate just how vital this is.

“We’ve still got work to do, but we’ll continue to do everything in our power to reach our ambitious goals to eradicate poverty and become net-zero by 2030. We need the city with us though, and the success depends on everyone’s participation and will be the result of collective efforts.”

Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Lothian Buses, said: “It’s really encouraging to read that satisfaction with public transport in Edinburgh sits at an average of 86%, which is significantly above the Scottish average of 58%.

“Our teams work incredibly hard to deliver sustainable, affordable, and reliable bus services for all, so it’s particularly heartening to read that overall satisfaction is so high.

“We are continuing to grow our network following a strong performance throughout 2023 which saw Lothian deliver for more than 110 million customers  – an increase of 17% on the previous year.”

FEELGOOD EDINBURGH? LIKE F***!

AN INVITATION FROM NORTH EDINBURGH PARENTS ACTION GROUP

On behalf of the North Edinburgh Parents’ Action Group 

You are invited to their launch of their photographic exhibition and publication with local stories and medical experts discussing the impact of poor housing on mental health and wellbeing.

Home Sweet Home?

10am to 12.30pm on Wednesday 1 May

Refreshments and lunch included at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

11 Pilton Drive North Edinburgh EH5 1NF

Edinburgh_by_Numbers_2023_v2Download

Support for Edinburgh’s growth plans

Edinburgh’s new local development plan has received support from the Scottish Government.

City Plan 2030 – which sets out the strategy for development, proposals, and policies to shape development and inform planning decisions in the coming years – was subject to a 15 month-long examination by the Scottish Government Reporter.

In the report on the examination, published this week, the Reporter supported significant elements of the Plan – including affordable housebuilding targets, mixed used commercial development, and ambitious and sustainable development plans for West Edinburgh.

Planning Convener Cllr James Dalgleish said: “Our ambitious City Plan 2030 meets the needs of the Capital’s growing population, making better use of land across all neighbourhoods, and supporting our commitment to be net zero by 2030. I welcome the news that the Reporter has recognised and endorsed these ambitions, with only minor changes required to the Plan. 

“We want to strengthen communities and make sure that our policies focus on the health and wellbeing of our residents. We want to build sustainable places where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, walk, or wheel to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access public transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.

“Following today’s report, we can move forward with positive changes to our affordable housing policy, with developments now having to include 35% affordable homes. This will help address the housing emergency in Edinburgh. We can also take forward policies on student housing and reducing carbon emissions from new buildings, while our mixed-use approach for commercial developments is also supported.

“We won backing for our plans around creating new sustainable neighbourhoods with a new vision for the west and for sites elsewhere in the city to be transformed into net zero neighbourhoods fit for the 21st Century. This is all consistent with our 20-minute neighbourhood approach as well as directing development to and maximising the use of brownfield land rather than allocating new greenfield housing sites.

“I’d like to thank all those residents, community groups and businesses who contributed to this Plan and acknowledge the hard work of Council officers who’ve spent years preparing this complex submission. The fact that so few changes were made as a result of the Examination is testament to all the dedicated individuals who contributed to this Plan.

“I’m looking forward to final approval and implementation of City Plan 2030 – contributing to the ongoing success and sustainability of our great Capital City.”

A final version of City Plan 2030 will be considered by the Council’s Planning Committee and Council in June before being submitted to Scottish Ministers as the Plan the Council wants to adopt.

Edinburgh’s budget challenge – map out what matters to you

An interactive tool that lets residents map out the community services and issues they care most about has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council. 

As part of a 16-week budget consultation that went live on Tuesday (9 April), the council is engaging with residents in new ways to capture hyperlocal feedback on specific issues.  

People will be able to geotag areas where council services are being delivered well or areas where spend could be made differently. This information will help to inform the challenging decisions councillors need to make next year and, in the future, to balance the city’s budget. 

As the way we use and access public services shifts, the council needs to deliver services efficiently and invest in the future of Edinburgh and its population, which is expected to grow by almost 60,000 people over the next 20 years.  

To prioritise investment in the next budget year and beyond, the consultation seeks community-level views on where the Council could save money, where it is doing well and where it needs to improve. It forms the first phase of a wide-ranging budget engagement programme agreed by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee in March. 

Residents who take part in the online consultation may also be invited to sign up to series of focus groups to take place in the Autumn, to discuss their concerns, ideas, and ambitions for Edinburgh in-depth. 

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The council continues to face high and growing demand for services, and the reality is that this demand exceeds the funding that’s available.

“As we grapple with these additional pressures, we’ll face significant financial challenges and some tough decisions. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be ambitious for our capital city – or our commitment to protect those services that we know many of our most vulnerable residents rely upon. 

“Just as our 2024/25 budget invests millions of pounds towards protecting and improving vital frontline services, we want to continue to get the basics right and plan for our future. Be it continuing to improve our roads, parks, and greenspaces, supporting our schools, addressing poverty and homelessness, or working towards tackling our climate crisis, we need your views to make sure this continues in your communities. 

“We remain the lowest funded local authority in Scotland, and I won’t tire of fighting for fairer funding from the Scottish Government for our capital city so that we can continue to deliver the best for Edinburgh.

“We’ve already had to make £400m in savings over the last decade despite the unique challenges and growth Edinburgh faces and – if this squeeze on local authority budgets continues – we face a further £143m reduction by 2028/29.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, said: “The council is facing the same hard choices about spending that many of you are experiencing. We’re trying to make our income stretch further and we’re making every effort to reduce costs without cutting the services or facilities that you rely on.

“Your local councillors will be thinking about the impact that any changes could have on our citizens, our communities and our workforce – but we want to be sure that we’ve not missed anything that’s important to you.

“That’s why we’re asking you to take part in the ongoing discussion about the financial challenges we’re facing. I’m hoping that you’ll choose to take part online or by contacting your local councillors.”

Edinburgh’s Libraries: Ten days left to have your say

Last few days to tell us by what library services are important to you and what services you think people would like to see in the future.

It only takes a few minutes to fill in our survey:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/futurelibraries

Survey closes on 19 April.

Have your say on Dalry ‘town centre’ proposals

Proposals to make Dalry greener, healthier and more vibrant are now being presented for consultation.

Plans to make the town centre a more attractive place have been designed to make it easier to access local shops, schools and services with wider pavements and better cycling provision. Ideas include features to create better spaces to spend time, with trees and nature, planting, public art, and opportunities to rest.

Improving public transport is a key focus, with measures to reduce travel times through the area put forward alongside more space at bus stops and resurfaced roads. Better cycle connections and safer routes to local schools are also presented.

Dalry Living Well Locally is one of the first projects that implements the recently announced Our Future Streets approach to provide both a more integrated transport network, and a greener, more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone in Edinburgh’s neighbourhoods and key travel corridors. 

It is part of a new 20-minute neighbourhood strategy to help local people meet most of their daily needs within a short walk, wheel or cycle from their home.

To make these changes possible, proposals include measures to reduce traffic driving through Dalry on the way to somewhere else, while retaining vehicle access for everyone. This would be achieved through a proposed filter for cycles, buses and taxis just south of the Haymarket junction, operating between 7am and 7pm.

All homes and businesses would still be accessible by car, but most traffic heading from or to the city centre would use alternative routes such as the West Approach Road instead of Dalry Road. The Council will also use this is an opportunity to review the weight restrictions on the West Approach Road.

If approved, the works would be undertaken alongside the Council’s scheduled road renewal programme to minimise disruption to everyone using the area. 

There are also proposals to introduce more one-way streets in the area including along Caledonian Road, Caledonian Place, Orwell Place and Orwell Terrace, and the streets around Murieston Park. 

Ideas for segregated cycle lanes connecting the town centre to local schools, Haymarket and the wider network, including the new Roseburn to Union Canal active travel scheme, are also being put forward. This includes a redesign of the junction between Gorgie and Dalry at Murieston Road to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. 
It is also proposed to improve and expand the pedestrian space to the front of Dalry Swim Centre, enhancing the setting of the B-listed building. Footways will be widened where possible. 

The proposals have been designed using the findings of a survey of local residents and businesses to understand the needs, opportunities, and any barriers that limit people making more active, greener travel choices in Gorgie Dalry.

The survey, conducted between November 2022 and January 2023, identified common issues amongst people who live, work in and visit the local area, including a need for:

  • Wider and better quality pavements, especially at busy bus stops and around local shops
  • More and safer pedestrian crossings, with shorter waiting times
  • Safer and more attractive routes to local schools
  • More pleasant, greener streets and public spaces with more places to stop and rest
  • A less car-dominated environment that retains easy access for people with mobility issues and deliveries to shops and local businesses
  • Safer cycle provision along Dalry Road and Gorgie Road, and secure cycle storage

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Like many of the town and local centres across our city, Dalry has plenty of shops, services and facilities that people need every day but it is divided a busy road with cramped public spaces.

“Residents have told us this makes it a difficult area to access and spend time, and we want to improve the way it works for people, allowing everyone to live, shop, work and move around more easily.

“The local area has one of the lowest rates of car ownership in the city, and we want to create more pleasant streets that are better connected with local services and public transport options.

“We are proposing some changes to the flow of through traffic to achieve this, so people who would usually travel along Dalry Road by car to reach destinations like the city centre will simply use other routes such as the West Approach Road instead. Everyone will still be able to drive into and out of the area to reach homes and support businesses.

“This will help walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport to become the natural first choice for most of the shortest journeys. It will help make Dalry more of a destination in its own right, rather than a place people drive through on the way to somewhere else. 

“We will be listening to the local community, and I will make sure all voices are heard. I am also keen to hear from local businesses in the area. I firmly believe high-performing local businesses are at the centre of places like Dalry, and these enterprises need support and a safe and high quality environment for their customers to thrive and grow.

“Residents across Edinburgh tell me they want to be able to access work, leisure and shops easily without having to use their car because they know it’s good for them and the environment. These plans for Dalry could meet that need locally, and become something other parts of our capital may want to follow.”

Sam Valentine, Senior Grant Advisor for Sustrans said: “Working closely with the local community, these early designs present a comprehensive and ambitious vision of a place where people are able to walk, wheel and cycle with ease.

“Safer routes to school and better connections with public transport will create a more inviting space for everyone and restore peace and enjoyment to an area sorely overburdened with car dominance from through traffic. We encourage everyone living and working in the Dalry area to engage closely with these exciting proposals and help make this project a success.

The consultation on the proposals is now open and will close on Wednesday 26 June.

In addition to the 2022-2023 public survey, the Council has organised workshops with local school pupils and engaged with a wide range of community groups.
A ‘Community Advisory Group’ (CAG), including local councillors and community organisations, was established in spring 2023. 

The project team has also joined local community council meetings, visited local businesses and issued leaflets to residents in the area to encourage them to share their views. 

The consultation is being promoted through measures including door-to-door leafletting, lamp post wraps and a local engagement event at The St Brides Centre on Thursday 11 April between 3 – 7pm. 

Following the consultation, any agreed changes to local traffic restrictions or redetermination of carriageway or footway will go through the required statutory processes.

Granton gasholder taking shape for future public park

New footage released by the Council shows the tank in the iconic gasholder frame has been infilled in preparation for the site to become a public park in the future.

Around 50,000 tonnes of infill material has been placed and compacted within the 11 x 78 metre tank ready for placement of the bentonite membrane. This follows the dramatic removal of the tank walls and bell last year.

Work is currently being carried out on the enormous amount of steel making up the structure with every steel member being looked at and repaired if required. This involves replacing corroded sections or filling holes. To repaint the structure the process involves blasting it with cooper ore which removes the old lead paint and corrosion, cleaning it down and prepping the surfaces then priming coats before the final paint colour.

The progress is the latest in the restoration of the site which began last year. McLaughlin & Harvey are completing the work on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council using £16.4m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund and an additional £1.2 million from the Scottish Government.

The gasholder, which sits at the heart of the Council’s £1.3bn regeneration project for a new sustainable coastal town at Granton Waterfront, will become an exciting multifunctional public area.

The space within the restored gasholder is to have multi-sensory play zones, a dedicated area for permanent and temporary public art and one for relaxation, outdoor trails, and tracks for exercise as well as a large outdoor space for sports, markets, seasonal events, community use, festivals, performance arts, exhibitions, and play. Work will also be carried out to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers improving biodiversity and local habitat in the area.

Councillor Cammy Day, Council Leader, said: “It’s exciting to see this footage and the culmination of all the hard work that has already gone into bringing this fantastic project to life for the area. The transformation of the structure will give the local community a much-needed place to come together to enjoy arts, sports, and culture.

“The project forms part of the wider £1.3bn regeneration of the Granton area where we are unlocking brownfield land to build a new sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood. We’re continuing to work hard to ensure Granton is somewhere residents will be proud to live and I look forward to seeing progress continue throughout this year.

Graham Brown, McLaughlin & Harvey Senior Contracts Manager, said: “We are delighted to have reached another milestone on this exciting project.

“The Gas Holder tank has been dewatered, demolished and infilled alongside the ongoing structural frame refurbishment works. This has involved in-depth logistical planning to ensure both aspects of the project can progress side by side whilst ensuring the safety of our workforce.

“The finished paint surface is also progressing well under the cover of our immense scaffold structure and in the coming months we will commence the public realm works as the final phase of the project.”

Planning Minister, Joe FitzPatrick, said: “Derelict sites can be a blight on communities and often hold back development.

“The Scottish Government’s low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme is helping to unlock these sites by providing investment to create great places for people to enjoy, regenerating communities and tackling climate change.

“I am delighted that £1.2 million from the programme is supporting this transformative project on this historic site with the creation of a biodiverse, multi-use, and accessible park within the frame of the gas holder, opening it up to public access for the first time.”

Community Grants Fund: Applications now open

Do you have an idea that will make a difference to your local community? Applications are now open for a grant of up to £5,000 to make your idea a reality.

The Council set up the Community Grants Fund in 2007 to kickstart projects that benefit local communities. It is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to empowering communities and fostering grassroots initiatives.

There are 13 local funds, each covering a different area of the city. If you’re part of a community group with a project in mind, apply to your local Community Grant Fund today.

The total amount of funding available in your local fund depends on how many people live in your area. If there’s any money left over after this round, we’ll open another round of applications later this year.  Unlike previous years, grants will be awarded a maximum of 3 times a year.

We want to make sure that the projects we fund are the ones that matter most to you. That’s why our funding panels are made up of local community representatives, such as Ward Councillors, Community Councillors, and representatives of community organisations.

If you’re in Leith, keep an eye out for a chance to vote on your favourite projects in January 2025 – information will be available for Leith applicants in the autumn.

The Community Grants Fund has supported some fantastic projects in the past, such as ‘Place to Pause’ at The Eric Liddell Centre and the Broomhouse Street Party. Your project could be next!

For the best chance of securing a grant, apply by the deadline of May 20, 2024. We’ll review all applications in June and let you know if you’ve been successful.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “Our communities are the lifeblood of our city and we’re committed to ensuring that they have the resources to bring their ideas to life.   

“From the Pentlands to Portobello and beyond I’m really excited to see the projects that apply for funding during this round of applications.”

Melville Crescent set for ‘major improvement project’

DOES MELVILLE CRESCENT NEED IMPROVEMENTS?

Work will soon get underway to significantly improve public spaces on Melville Crescent, thanks to £2.1m in Transport Scotland funding secured by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Improvements to the historic west end street will complement the recently completed City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) scheme, which connects Roseburn to Leith Walk via Haymarket and the West End with a safe and direct cycle route, as well as enhancing streets for those walking and wheeling.

The public realm scheme, which begins on 22 April, will include wider and resurfaced pavements using sandstone slabs in-keeping with the World Heritage Site and the reintroduction of setts on the road along Melville Crescent, reusing the setts which currently lie hidden under the existing asphalt surface.

There will also be improved and additional crossing points, new lawn areas and street trees and cycle parking and benches added.

Designs for the project were originally developed as part of CCWEL and involved close collaboration with local stakeholders, along with Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, to ensure that proposals celebrate the unique World Heritage Site location.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I’m delighted that we’re now able to press ahead with these improvements on Melville Crescent thanks to this significant funding secured from Transport Scotland.

“Not only will the changes create a much more welcoming environment, but they will restore some of the historic features unique to the street’s World Heritage status.

“As well as street trees and wider sandstone footways, I am delighted the setted street carriageway throughout Melville Crescent will return – using the setts which currently lie hidden under the existing  asphalt surface.

“What’s more, the project will also benefit people travelling by foot, wheel or bike, complementing the fantastic, world-class CCWEL route, which I helped celebrate the opening of last week.”

There will be some changes to traffic during the work, which will be delivered by CCWEL contractors Balfour Beatty and is expected to last until December. This includes the closure of Walker Street North and one-way, northbound traffic only on Walker Street South, from William Street to Melville Street.

CCWEL was completed in March following two years of construction and will tie into a new George Street cycling thoroughfare delivered as part of the George Street and First New Town project.

The scheme will additionally link with walking and cycling improvements on Leith Walk as part of Trams to Newhaven, the Roseburn to Union Canal route, due for completion this year, and Meadows to George Street.

Find out more about CCWEL.

Social Care Direct workers to strike

Senior Practitioners will take industrial action in a dispute over failure to deal with workers’ issues and imposition of changes

Unite members within Social Care Direct (Children’s Services) are set to strike from 16 to 18 April in a dispute about imposed changes at work, continued mistreatment from management and the failure to deal with issues raised by workers.

Read on to understand the impact and how you can help your colleagues in dispute:

Front door to social work

Social Care Direct is the ‘front door’ to social work for children and families in Edinburgh, therefore the strike will have a significant impact. However, the Council have chosen to ignore workers in this area, knowing that this would result in industrial action that creates risks.

The workers are long-standing council workers and senior professionals. They have dedicated their lives to protecting children’s welfare and are committed to safeguarding and helping families in Edinburgh. All along Unite members have been ready to engage with management to find a resolution. However, members have been forced to take action as a last resort as management refuse to take their concerns seriously or engage in a meaningful way.

How we got here

Unite members raised concerns in January 2023 and are still awaiting a response. All the while chances were impose on the service, without consulting with workers or including them in the process.

Unite members are welcoming of changes—in fact, have been calling for them for some time—but we are clear that all changes must be done with workers not to them.

All too familiar

The Council’s failures here come in the context of the Council having allegedly improved how they deal with employee concerns following the Tanner Inquiry and last year’s Stanyte vs Edinburgh Council employment tribunal, which ruled that the council failed to appropriately handle a grievance.

How you can support your colleagues

Donate to the strike fund to support striking Unite members.