Tag: city council

It’s beginning to look a lot like … Edinburgh’s Christmas is back!

On behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, Underbelly announces that tickets for Edinburgh’s Christmas 2021 are now on sale.

–          Tickets on sale for selected rides and attractions.

–          The much-loved ice rink returns, sponsored by Lidl GB and partnered by Essential Edinburgh.

–          East Princes Street will see the return of festive food & drink and the Christmas Market.

–          West Princes Street will include Santa Land, featuring the magical Santa’s Grotto and family friendly attractions.

–          EH postcodes receive 20% discount.

Edinburgh’s Christmas is back and set to bring festive cheer to the heart of the city.

This year we see the return of the city’s much-loved Christmas ice rink, sponsored by Lidl GB and partnered by Essential Edinburgh, in its new home on George Street. The firm favourite will include a first for Edinburgh’s Christmas, skate up festive food and drink offerings alongside family sessions. Lidl on Ice will open on 19 November.

Once again East Princes Street Gardens hosts one the UK’s favourite Christmas Markets. The fantastic festive market will offer a wide range of European and local food, drink and crafts which are bound to get you into the Christmas spirit. 

The Forth 1 Big Wheel will return, alongside the Star Flyer, all against the backdrop of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas at East Princes Street Gardens will open on 20 November.

In a first for Edinburgh’s Christmas, those looking to get to the top of the nice list will find the city’s magical Santa’s Grotto in West Princes Street Gardens.

The lower gardens will be transformed into Santa Land featuring family friendly attractions including the Christmas Tree Maze and market stalls, full of festive treats and gifts. 

Santa Land will open on 19 November.

Tickets for Ice Skating, Santa’s Grotto, The Forth 1 Big Wheel and Star Flyer are now available to purchase through the Edinburgh’s Christmas website. Those with an EH postcode receive 20% off their tickets. 

This year, Edinburgh’s Christmas is going contactless and introducing a new ‘tap and ride’ scheme, rather than purchasing tickets from the traditional box office you will be able to purchase your ticket at each ride.

Further additions to the programme include:

Winter Windows will return throughout the city, and this year’s theme is “Connections and Kindness”. 

This special creative project encourages Edinburgh’s young and budding artists to showcase their talents to residents and visitors outside of the classroom. School pupils are invited to design their own stained-glass window to be displayed in our streets and community hubs.

This year’s theme allows Edinburgh’s school children to reflect on the connections made and kindness that they received and gave during the global pandemic.

The Nativity Scene, which this year moves to St Andrew Square. 

The Nativity Carol Concert, organised in conjunction with Edinburgh Churches Together, takes place on 28 November in St Andrew Square.

Following on from the success of the Light Night rainbow installation on the Mound in 2020, Edinburgh’s Christmas is working with Edinburgh based artist Hannah Ayre who will produce a beautiful contemporary art installation, illuminating the Mound with cascading geometric snowflakes.

This installation will sit alongside Edinburgh’s Christmas tree donated by the Hordaland County Council in Norway and will replace the Light Night event. 

The Mound installation will be illuminated from 20 November.

The Neighbourhood Market will return in 2021 and offer free listings for local Edinburgh businesses and attractions to showcase their products. In 2020, 207 local Edinburgh businesses showcased their products on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website.

To make sure Edinburgh’s Christmas is an experience as enjoyable as possible to all, Underbelly is pleased to be offering sensory packs to children and adult visitors with additional needs.

These will be available to hire, free of charge, and will contain a fidget toy, earplugs, water bottle, stress reliever and ear defenders. These items are designed to help users relax in situations they might find stressful.

The sensory packs are designed and kindly provided by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

Underbelly is meticulously planning Edinburgh’s Christmas with Covid-19 in mind and is dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment for the 2021 Christmas celebrations.

Working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Essential Edinburgh, Underbelly has created an unmissable festive programme, helping to boost domestic tourism and reinvigorating Princes Street and the surrounding areas. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas is designed to support economic recovery across the capital, driving footfall to the wider city centre area, bringing some much-needed cheer and happiness to both residents and visitors to Edinburgh.

This year’s festivities will also support Edinburgh’s Social Inclusion charity, the OneCity Trust with donations being taken at point of sale on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website and collection points at bars.

Underbelly Co-Directors, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam said: “The Underbelly team has been working tirelessly to create a bespoke Edinburgh’s Christmas programme that not only provides unforgettable memories and experiences, but also makes visitors feel safe and at ease at all times.

“It’s been a very challenging couple of years for everyone but our proposed plans for Christmas are designed to support economic recovery throughout the capital, and to help Edinburgh be together again.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive and Director of Essential Edinburgh said: “We’re delighted to be able to partner with Underbelly to restore Edinburgh’s world-renowned festive celebrations for 2021.

“This year’s event has been designed to provide a much-needed boost to local business by supporting footfall throughout the wider city centre, providing more businesses with the chance to reconnect with residents and visitors to our spectacular capital city. 

“We are especially pleased to support the fantastic ice rink on George Street which I am sure will be a great hit with everyone.”

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and President of the OneCity Trust Frank Ross, said: “The festive season is a very special time for our city and our communities and I’m sure this year’s programme will be warmly welcomed by residents and visitors.

“Whilst the safety of everyone remains a priority it will be fantastic to see people coming together again and enjoying Edinburgh’s Christmas this year where there really is something for everyone.

“Festive favourites like the big wheel and the Christmas market will be back and it’s great that the fun is spread out a bit further this year, with Santa Land in West Princes Street Gardens and a magical festive ice rink at the west end of George Street. It promises to be a cracking Christmas party for everyone to enjoy.” 

Commenting on the partnership with the OneCity Trust, he added: “After months of lockdowns and social distancing, tackling the challenge of social isolation and inequalities has never been more pressing.

“Partnerships such as this with Underbelly and Edinburgh’s Christmas are crucial to our work. Not only will the return of Edinburgh’s Christmas help bring people back together and promote social inclusion, but the money raised will be a vital lifeline for so many community projects across Edinburgh through our main grant funding programme.”

LISTING INFORMATION

Edinburgh’s Christmas 2021
19 November – 4 January

Facebook: EdinburghsChristmas
Instagram: EdinburghsChrsitmas
Twitter: EdXmas
Website (and to subscribe to the Edinburgh’s Christmas newsletter): www.edinburghschristmas.com

Prices start from £6. EH postcodes receive 20% off

Edinburgh’s Christmas, East Princes Street Gardens
20 November – 4 January

Santa Land, West Princes Street Gardens
19 November – 4 January

Lidl on Ice, George Street
19 November – 4 January

Winter Windows around the city centre
19 November – 4 January

Edinburgh’s Christmas Neighbourhood Market Place
20 November – 4 January

Council urges landlords and homeowners to get ready for new fire safety legislation

The City of Edinburgh Council is reminding all city landlords and homeowners that every home in the Scotland must comply with new fire safety legislation which will come into force early next year.

By February 2022, all Scottish homes will need to be fitted with interlinked smoke and heat alarms which talk to each other – so when one goes off, they all go off.

As Edinburgh’s biggest social landlord, the Council is currently working with its contractors to fit new interlinked smoke and heat alarms, so that every one of its 20,000 Council-owned homes meets the new legislation and is made even more fire safe.

When this work’s done in each property, the electrical contractors will also undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) if one has not been carried out recently.

Older residents in particular are being asked to be aware of the new fire safety legislation.

The Council’s Older People’s Champion, Councillor Catherine Fullerton, is calling on everyone who manages properties for older tenants in Edinburgh to make sure all new standards are met so everyone has the best chance of getting to safety in the event of a fire.

Cllr Fullerton said: “It’s absolutely vital that landlords and property management companies, particularly those that have a responsibility for older people within our communities, understand the new fire safety rules coming into force and act on them as quickly as possible. All properties, without exception, must be fitted with the new interlinking alarms, heat alarms and, where required, carbon monoxide detectors too.    

“I’d also urge older people or people with older relatives who own their own homes to check out the Scottish Government’s dedicated ‘Fire safety for homeowners’ webpages for more details and, if necessary, to help them to get their homes fitted with the right kind of alarms. There is also clear guidance for private and social tenants as well as new build homes.

“I’d encourage everyone to be sure they are using a Trusted Tradesperson to change their fire alarms to meet the new law – please don’t run the risk of having faulty or non-compliant ones fitted.”

A ‘Trusted Trader’ in Edinburgh can be found by using this website: 

www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh/

If an older person is receiving Universal Credit, Edinburgh Care and Repair Service has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government to provide this service for free. If not, there will be a reasonable charge. 

You can telephone for further advice on 0131 337 111 or email reception@cre.scot.  

Events planned to celebrate 200 years of the Union Canal

A line-up of events is being developed to celebrate the Union Canal’s bicentenary next year.

The City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Canals and partners will join to mark the 200th anniversary of the 16km waterway, which links Edinburgh with The Falkirk Wheel in Tamfourhill and onwards to the Forth and Clyde Canal.

On Thursday, members of the Transport and Environment Committee agreed to take forward a programme of projects celebrating the history of the Union Canal, as well as renewing the vision for its future and accelerating landmark initiatives along the route. Members also approved recommendations to co-fund a fixed term post, along with Scottish Canals, to take forward the programme.

Amongst activities proposed for 2022 are the refresh of the Edinburgh Union Canal Strategy, commemorating the canal’s heritage through various events including a special edition of the Edinburgh Canal Festival in June 2022 and work to secure a new future for the Lockharton Bridge Boat House.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It’s wonderful that we’re going to be able to celebrate the Union Canal and its rich historical and social significance. Not only does it shed light on our industrial past but now serves as a haven for boating, walking, cycling and spending time.

“Over the coming months I’m looking forward to getting to work with Scottish Canals, Edinburgh Union Canal Society, our Canals Champion Councillor Gavin Corbett and other partners to finalise plans fitting for this iconic route.”

David Blair, Revenue and Regeneration Director at Scottish Canals, said: “Scottish Canals are delighted to be working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to celebrate the bicentenary of the Union Canal in 2022.

“The Union Canal has a rich history, once powering the industrial revolution in the city it has been transformed for the 21st century and almost 200 years on from its opening it remains a hub of activity. The anniversary will not only celebrate the heritage of the network but will also create new and exciting opportunities for canal side communities to learn more about the canal’s past as well as its present use.”

The Union Canal, which is managed by Scottish Canals, stretches from the Lochrin Basin in Fountainbridge to The Falkirk Wheel in Tamfourhill and was originally opened in 1822 as a means of transporting goods. It was closed in 1965 with the advent of freight trains and heavy goods vehicles but was reopened in 2001 as part of the Millennium Link project.

Earlier this year the Leamington Lift Bridge, near the canal’s Lochrin Basin terminus, was awarded a ‘Red Wheel’ by the National Transport Trust, recognising its historical importance to transport heritage.

The bridge was originally installed at Fountainbridge in 1906 but was moved to its current location in 1922 when the canal was shortened to make Lochrin Basin its terminus.

Other potential projects to mark the bicentenary are the formation of a canal-based ‘Blue-Green’ community development trust, launching a citizen science programme with nearby schools to promote biodiversity and completing the WaveGarden at Ratho.

While the programme will focus on the Edinburgh section of the Union Canal, discussions would be held with other communities along the route such as Broxburn, Linlithgow, and Falkirk.

Find out more about the history of the Union Canal on Our Town Stories.

Read the full report, Union Canal Bicentenary, on the Council website.

Edinburgh aims to become a Million Tree City

Edinburgh has officially launched its ambitious target to become a Million Tree City by 2030 as part of its commitment to be net zero by the end of the decade.

Lord Provost Frank Ross was joined by representatives of the Edinburgh Million Tree Forum on Wednesday to plant a gingko tree in the grounds of Lauriston Castle as they pledged their commitment to making sure Edinburgh will be home to one million trees by the end of this decade. Edinburgh will join counterparts all over the world in becoming a Million Tree City.

The Edinburgh Million Tree Forum is made up of representatives from relevant Council services, the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, the Woodland Trust, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Trees of Edinburgh, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the Edinburgh Living Landscape Initiative who are all working together on an updated vision for trees in Edinburgh and find ways of planting more trees, more quickly.

Following the planting of the gingko tree, the group were then taken on a tour of the grounds by volunteers from the Friends of Lauriston Castle where two more trees were planted. 

Edinburgh already outstrips other Scottish cities by having more trees per head of population – there are currently more than 730,000 urban trees, compared to around 519,000 residents.

The move to increase the number of trees in the city will help Edinburgh lessen the impacts of climate change by providing cooling in heatwaves, surface water management for heavy rainfall as well as some carbon storage and a home for wildlife.

The city council is working with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust and Woodland Trust to deliver this ambitious target for the city.

Woodland Trust has contributed a grant of £298,055 from its Emergency Tree Fund to support project delivery. This money will support project management and kick-start tree planting, fundraising, public engagement and volunteer activity between 2021 and 2023.

Before planting the tree, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “We may have more trees in our city than people but to get to our city’s 2030 net zero target, we must plant more.

“Climate change will impact on all of us, and we all need to play our part to mitigate the effects. A key aspect of the proposed Climate Strategy is for us all to build upon our previous efforts, and Edinburgh Million Tree City Project, offers us all the opportunity to do just this.

“This is not a project for the Council, it is a project for our city, our communities, and for us as citizens, with a shared ambition for Edinburgh to have at least one million trees by 2030.

“While 75% of our trees are privately managed, we have a shared responsibility to manage our trees well, and to act when they get damaged or require treatment or replacement. I’m delighted to plant this gingko today and I am keen that this young tree symbolises, like a barometer, the growth of the project.

“Each inch demonstrates how our stakeholders and communities are coming together to plant more trees, delivering the millionth tree or more.”

Culture and Communities Convener Donald Wilson said: “We’re very proud that Edinburgh is already one of the UK’s greenest cities, with more trees than people, more green space and more green flag parks than any other place in Scotland for people to enjoy. But we want to do even better, especially as we strive towards our hugely ambitious target of making the city net zero by 2030.

“It’s impossible to overstate the benefits trees bring to the urban landscape. They help clean our air, reduce the risk of flooding, keep us cool in the summer and warmer in winter and give the wildlife in our city a home, as well as making neighbourhoods look and feel tranquil and appealing. They are essential to the wellbeing of our citizens.

“We estimate that Edinburgh needs around 250,000 more trees to be planted in the next 10 years on a both public and private land and I’m excited that our project has now officially launched and look forward to working with partners and citizens as we go forward. As the project continues we’ll be reaching out to residents and advising on ways they can help help and get involved.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “By joining other global cities such as New York and Shanghai, as a Million Tree City we’ll be able to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to lessen the impact of climate change and help Edinburgh take climate action and make the city an even greener place to leave for future generations.

“Our dedicated Parks, Greenspace and Cemeteries service is leading a project to increase tree cover to help Edinburgh fulfil its Climate Emergency commitments and become a Million Tree City by 2030.

“It is an ambitious target but it is an achievable one and we’ll reach it if we continue to work together with our partners and citizens. Whether you live in the city, own land or property, if you are a business, charity or a school, or if you just love Edinburgh and want to see it flourish for future generations, we can all do our bit and I look forward to the project progressing.

Tim Hall, Head of Estates and Programmes with Woodland Trust Scotland said: “We launched our Emergency Tree Fund to support local authorities planting new urban trees needed to help tackle the climate and nature crises.

“I am delighted we are backing this ambitious bid to make Edinburgh a Million Tree City, which will bring huge benefits to people and wildlife.”

Charlie Cumming, the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust Chief Executive said: “ELGT are delighted to be working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and the Woodland Trust to deliver such an ambitious and worthwhile tree planting project over the next 10 years.

“The benefits of this increase in tree planting will not only address the effects of climate change but will also encourage community participation with the residents of Edinburgh and will benefit people’s health and wellbeing.

“With so much focus this month on COP26 we appreciate that we need to start making an impact now; with more tree planting we will be able to improve our neighbourhoods and streetscapes and have a long lasting impact on our local environments.”

Two further community tree planting events took take place this week organised by partners.

School pupils helped Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspaces Trust to plant a “Wee Forest” of 600 whip trees in West Pilton Park funded by Nature Scotland yesterday and a further 400 whip trees were planted in Redwood Park in Colinton Mains by The Conservation Volunteers, organised and funded by the Council.

More details will be released about how citizens can get involved in the coming months or the team can be contacted via email.

On-street electric vehicle charging roll-out begins in Edinburgh

Work has begun to install the first of 132 on-street electric vehicle charging points in the initial phase of a project to implement charging bays across Edinburgh.

Six new rapid charging bays and 30 new slow charging bays are being built at Ingliston Park and Ride, with 20 new charging bays to follow at Hermiston Park and Ride in December.

The installation of 66 charging points hosting, in total, 132 fast, rapid and slow chargers in residential streets around the city will continue throughout winter. Work is expected to be complete and all chargers up and running by spring 2022.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’re all more aware than ever of the urgent need to address the way we travel, and how this impacts on the world around us, so it’s really encouraging that more and more people are making the switch to electric cars. We want to support that.

“I’m delighted that the installation of charging points across the city is now underway, marking the start of our ambitious, strategic programme. Soon, thousands of people across the city will be able to benefit from charging infrastructure right outside their homes on a daily basis.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Not only do electric vehicles help to lower our carbon footprint, but they limit air pollution, which is so important to our quality of life.

“This increase in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, along with the many changes we’re making to help people travel by foot, bike, wheel or public transport, is essential if we are to become a safe, healthy, net zero city by 2030.”

During the current works at Ingliston the bus lane through the park and ride has been closed for one week from Monday (11 October), with a diversion for buses in place.

In addition, the existing charging points will be unavailable until Friday, 22 October.

Alternative charging points can be found by visiting the ChargePlace Scotland webpage, with the nearest points at Hermiston Gait Park and Ride and Scottish Midland Co-operative Society in Newbridge.

The city council is currently looking at future locations for electric vehicle chargers using data from two Energy Savings Trust studies and have developed a scoring framework.

They are also exploring the utilisation of street lighting columns as charging points, avoiding issues of cabling trailing across footways while complementing the existing street scene in Edinburgh, especially in conservation and heritage areas.

Read more in the latest Business Bulletin to Transport and Environment Committee. 

The UK Government is currently accepting applications for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme which provides funding for 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle chargers with the remaining 25% of the cost being provided by Energy Savings Trust Scotland.

Once future locations have been assessed a further report will be submitted to Transport and Environment Committee seeking permission to apply for the funding by February/March 2022. This will be used to roll out the next phase of electric vehicle chargers across Edinburgh.

Find out more about new electric vehicle charging points on the Council website.

Welcome Centre reopens its doors for people facing homelessness this winter

The city council and national homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust announced the re-opening of the Welcome Centre earlier this week.

The Welcome Centre, which provides accommodation of last resort, tailored support and positive move on options for people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets, opened on 4 October. It will operate until 2 May 2022 in the Haymarket Hub Hotel in Edinburgh’s West End.

Founded by Bethany Christian Trust in partnership with the Council, and supported by the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre was pioneered last year in an emergency response to the outbreak of Covid-19, providing en-suite rooms as a deliberate move away from congregate shelter provision, and has since helped to establish a new model of tailored support for people rough sleeping.

Ahead of World Homeless Day (10 October), the Council’s Convener and Vice Convener for Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, Councillor Kate Campbell and Councillor Mandy Watt, together with Bethany’s Chief Executive, Alasdair Bennett visited the Welcome Centre to meet some of the front-line staff from both the Council and Bethany Christian Trust that manage, work and volunteer at the facility and offer vital support for its service users.

The Welcome Centre takes an innovative and person centred approach, providing 24 hour tailored support for individuals all in one place. Guests receive their own en-suite room and 3 meals a day, including a hot evening meal prepared by volunteers.

Crucially, they are also able to work with dedicated staff and visiting professional services with support to access longer term accommodation as well as on site assistance with mental health, addiction, wellbeing, health needs and accessing benefits.

Councillor Kate Campbell, the Council’s Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, said: “It’s been inspiring to meet staff at the Welcome Centre. Everyone is united in a strong desire to end rough sleeping and the Welcome Centre plays a crucial role. It’s somewhere that anyone who is at risk of rough sleeping can go and have a place to stay that night.

“But it can’t stop there. Which is why it’s been so good to see so many partners working together, from the third sector, health and social care and the council, to make sure that anyone who stays at the centre has support wrapped around them. From advice to health care and support to register as homeless.

“Bethany’s Welcome Centre has to be a first step on resolving people’s homelessness long term. And the warm welcome and support they are given here is vital to building trust and relationships that enable that journey to begin.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, the Council’s Vice Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, said: “It’s been fantastic meeting everyone here at the Welcome Centre and seeing the vital work that they do. But on World Homelessness Day it’s important to say that our long term goal is to prevent homelessness in the first place.

“Which is why our Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan is not just focussed on how we resolve rough sleeping, or improving temporary accommodation, but on long term actions we can take.

“It’s crucial that we prevent homelessness by supporting people early on when they’re at risk of losing their home.

“Ultimately I think we all want to get to a place where there isn’t a need for the Welcome Centre, because we’re able to intervene to make sure that in the future no one faces being without a home or having to sleep on the streets.

Cameron Black, Director of Crisis Intervention, Bethany Christian Trust said: “People need genuine support when they are having the worst day of their lives and that is what they find at the Welcome Centre.

“The staff are there for people 24 hours a day to offer professional and real care. We are so grateful to the Edinburgh Collection Hotel’s accommodation and our partner agencies who go the extra mile to bring their expertise to where people are.

“All of the support from volunteers from the local churches and all who help fund this innovative project saves lives. We just couldn’t do it without you!”

Relying on the financial support of the general public, local churches, trusts, businesses, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre shows what can be possible when the people of Edinburgh come together to create change.

With a large professional staff team, over 1,000 Bethany volunteers and more than 20 visiting partner services, the Welcome Centre saw remarkable success in 2020 – 2021 in helping people recover from the crisis of homelessness and move on to a more stable situation.

The service accommodated and supported over 860 individuals who had fallen into homelessness because of a wide range of circumstances as well as those rough sleeping, with 97% of known outcomes positive.

Bethany’s Buy a Bed campaign, which is vital in enabling the service, will launch on the 18 October and gift vouchers can be purchased in Bethany Shops and online: https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/support-work/buy-a-bed/

Nominations are now open for Edinburgh Award

The search has begun for the next recipient of the Edinburgh Award as nominations are now open.

Established in 2007, the Edinburgh Award is a way for the Capital’s citizens to pay a lasting tribute to outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on the city and gained national and international recognition for Edinburgh.

Recent recipients include philanthropists Sir Tom Farmer and Tom Gilzean and rugby legend Doddie Weir – each of whom has a cast of their handprints imprinted in flagstones in front of the City Chambers.

2020’s recipient – world-famous city author Alexander McCall – became the 14th person to receive the Edinburgh Award, in recognition and celebration of his bestselling writing and legal career, and academic work.

Communities, businesses and individuals across Edinburgh have three weeks to cast nominations for the 2021 award, before a recipient is selected by a panel chaired by the Lord Provost.

Urging citizens and businesses to nominate someone for the Award, the Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “Edinburgh may be a small city, but it is well known for punching well above its weight on the world stage thanks to the talents and achievements of our fellow citizens.

“The Edinburgh Award is your chance to celebrate those people who make Edinburgh such an inspiring place. Please help us celebrate the people of Edinburgh’s achievements by proposing a nominee.

“We continue to see outstanding commitment and care demonstrated by the people of Edinburgh. Throughout the pandemic there has been a huge community effort made by individuals and organisations to tackle the impacts of coronavirus. People continue to go above and beyond to help their fellow citizens and to help the city recover. I’m hoping to see many recognised in this year’s nominations.

“The Edinburgh Award has been presented to many truly outstanding recipients over the years, most recently Alexander McCall Smith. Nominees can come from all walks of life from culture and sport to literature and philanthropy. We need everyone’s help to tell us – who should be next? Who deserves to follow in their footsteps to become the 15th recipient?” 

Nominations can be made online and must be received no later than noon on Friday 29 October 2021.

The winner will be presented with an engraved Loving Cup at a ceremony hosted by the Lord Provost and will have their hand prints reproduced on a flagstone in the City Chambers quadrangle.

A Just Capital? End Poverty in Edinburgh first annual report

Poverty Week

The first annual report of how Edinburgh is progressing in its aim to end poverty by 2030 has detailed significant positive developments taking place in the Capital.

It is a year since the Edinburgh Poverty Commission, an independent group sponsored by the City of Edinburgh Council in 2018 to define the steps the city needed to take to end poverty, published its final report.

A Just Capital: Actions to End Poverty in Edinburgh concluded that poverty in Edinburgh is real and damaging, but it is not inevitable and set seven calls to action needed to end poverty within a decade. 

In the first 12 months following publication of that call to action, the work of the Council and partners has involved building a strong foundation for the long-term actions needed to change ways of working and prevent poverty in Edinburgh, as well as providing immediate improvement and upscaling of support for people experiencing poverty in the city.

The latest data on poverty rates in the city show that an estimated 78,900 people in Edinburgh were living in relative poverty after housing costs in the period to 2020, including 16,100 children.  Most commentators project a risk of significant rising poverty across the UK during the next 12 months, driven by rising living costs, energy costs, slow wage growth and benefits changes.

In response to this challenge, the commitment to end poverty in Scotland’s Capital is now one of three strategic priorities embedded in the new Council Business Plan approved earlier in the year.

The plan outlines actions to ensure that the Council is on track to end poverty by 2030 by meeting targets set by the Commission and deliver the End Poverty Plan 2030.

This first annual progress report was discussed by Councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday (Tuesday 5 October) with the debate taking place during the nationwide Challenge Poverty Week.

The report outlines key actions delivered in 2021 for providing immediate crisis support to people in need, expanding income maximisation services, promoting fair work, improving access to employability support, helping those at risk of homelessness and improving prospects, opportunities, health and wellbeing.

Specific outcomes described in the report include:

  • Over 44,000 crisis and community care grants delivered in the past year (more than double the previous year) alongside 8,800 Free School Meal payments and 8,300 School Uniform Grant payments (a 50% increase in take up). In addition, led by the third sector, partners across the city provided 45,864 meals as food parcels and 3,654 pre-prepared meals during the first half of 2021 alone for people in food crisis
  • Investment in advice and income maximisation services across the city. Council and third sector work in this area has secured a total of £22m of financial gains for Edinburgh citizens through improved access to entitlements and reduced costs
  • Expansion of the successful the Discover! programme to help 671 families and 1,346 children with support to reduce and prevent food and financial insecurity, doubling the number of families supported this year
  • Delivering £41.5m of Council investment in building new homes and through partnership working, reducing the number of people sleeping rough in Edinburgh to 10 or less on any given night, down from 80-120 before the pandemic
  • Supporting 3,800 people in Edinburgh through Council funded employability programmes
  • Committing to pay all Council staff the Scottish Local Government Living Wage, changing the pay structure so that 4,400 employees in grades 1 to 3 received a pay uplift

Leading a new action group of employers committed to making Edinburgh a Living Wage City, with a goal to encourage 500 new living wage accredited employers in the city in the next five years.

These outcomes have been given additional financial support thanks to an extra budget investment of over £2.5m earlier in the Spring directly focused on meeting the Edinburgh Poverty Commission actions.

Last year’s report marked the end of the work of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission and the start of a movement that needs to take root to create an Edinburgh without poverty.

As a legacy, Commissioners helped to develop End Poverty Edinburgh – a new independent group of residents with first-hand experience of living on a low income and their allies who want to be part of shaping the solutions.  With the support of the Poverty Alliance, End Poverty Edinburgh has been meeting regularly throughout 2021 and aim to raise awareness of poverty in Edinburgh, influence decision-making and hold the city to account.

Councillor Cammy Day, Depute Chair of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission and Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Whilst there has been positive progress made in the first year since the Commission’s call to action no one is underestimating the scale of the challenge we face.

“Tackling poverty is one of our key priorities as a Council and our 2030 target is ambitious but one I’m convinced can be achieved.

“There’s no doubting the enormous impact the pandemic has had on families in this city especially those on the lowest incomes. However our work to limit this impact has seen 44,000 crisis and community care grants issued, over 8,000 free school meal payments and an action group of employers set up to make Edinburgh a living wage city to help lift 40,000 city workers out of low pay.

“We are one year into a long and difficult journey, but if all our partners, communities and residents work together, along with support from the UK and Scottish Governments, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a real difference to those most in need.”

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “As a city, we’re trying to eradicate poverty by the end of the decade and we’re the first local authority in the UK to set such a target. Tackling poverty and inequality in our city drives the choices we are making as a Council such as our new business plan which has ending poverty by 2030 as one of its three core priorities.

“Additional investment is also required and this Spring we agreed a budget package of £2.5m specifically targeted at poverty. This is expanding our money advice and income maximisation services, providing new resources to help those at risk of homelessness, increasing our Discover! programme to help families reduce and prevent food and financial insecurity and the relaunch of the Edinburgh Guarantee to help people of all ages into work or learning. Last year we spent or administered over £100m in core anti-poverty measures to support our citizens.”

“We have made an encouraging start but these are just the first steps and it’s critical the positive work of the past year continues. This isn’t something the Council can achieve in isolation, however, and we need a Team Edinburgh effort and Governments supporting our efforts through housing and welfare policies if we’re going to succeed in meeting the call to action the Commission has set for us all to end poverty in Edinburgh.”

Business Gateway Edinburgh strengthens its recovery support with new programme

Small business owner

More resource is being put into supporting local business leaders through a new Growth Recovery Programme as the Capital’s business community looks to survive and thrive following the past 18 months.

As challenges continue to arise from the pandemic as well as UK’s exit from the European Union, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Business Gateway service has developed a programme designed to assist small business owners and/or directors to develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence to recover and grow their businesses.

Part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the six-session, small group programme will take place virtually and cover a variety of topics including ‘Redefining Your Business Model’, ‘Developing as a Business Leader’ and ‘Financing Growth’. 

Starting on Wednesday 27 October and running until Wednesday 1 December, participants will be able to gain new knowledge and tools they need to support their businesses within the evolving business landscape.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Fair Work Convener, said: “Businesses have had to innovate and diversify in order to survive in what has been an extremely difficult time for everyone. Many still face challenges they have to navigate, but there are opportunities too. Business Gateway Edinburgh has developed this new programme to help equip people with up-to-date knowledge, expertise and advice.

“We hope to be able to support a wide range of businesses from different sectors across the city. We’ve found that many of the business leaders involved in these programmes often go on to build their own networks and build valuable relationships while benefiting from peer-to-peer support.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Fair Work Vice Convener, said: “This new programme adds to the variety of initiatives already offered by Business Gateway Edinburgh, including Women in Business and Gateway to Investment, while supplementing the ongoing one-to-one and on-call support offered by the team.

“We are committed to helping businesses through what continues to be a very challenging time. Through the Council’s wider services we have extended outdoor seating arrangements for the hospitality sector, facilitated grant funding, provided rent assistance to our business tenants, and through the Forever Edinburgh campaign, we continue to inspire people to visit and drive footfall in and around the city.”

To apply please speak to your Business Gateway Adviser for an application form or email: bglothian@bgateway.com