Tag: city council

Council ‘doing as much as we can’ to support Leith businesses during latest trams disruption

Cargo bikes to support deliveries and special vouchers for local shops are part of a £2.4m package of Support for Business measures helping local traders along the Trams to Newhaven route.

A Trams to Newhaven cargo bike

 

Work started in Constitution Street and Leith Walk on 18 November and the Council’s Trams to Newhaven project team has been working very closely with local traders to maintain the appeal and vibrancy of the area.  Continue reading Council ‘doing as much as we can’ to support Leith businesses during latest trams disruption

Council supports Small Business Saturday

The Small Business Champion Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron visited two small businesses this week.

Christmas shopping at The Eco Larder
This was to encourage shoppers to explore and support the exciting and interesting variety of independent and interesting variety of independent shops and businesses Edinburgh has to offer.

Continue reading Council supports Small Business Saturday

Blind campaigners applaud historic move to make ban on advertising boards permanent

The national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland has welcomed a landmark decision by the City of Edinburgh Council to make its temporary ban on street advertising boards permanent. Continue reading Blind campaigners applaud historic move to make ban on advertising boards permanent

Record-breaking first week for Edinburgh’s Christmas

The rising popularity of Edinburgh’s Christmas has been welcomed by the city council’s ‘Capital Coalition’ leaders – despite public disquiet over the over-commercialisation of the city centre.

2019/20 Christmas

Footfall figures for the first 9 days (first Saturday to second Sunday) are 522,000 – that’s 13% up on the same period last year.

These figures build on the biggest ever opening weekend for the Capital’s festive markets which saw a third more people enjoy the first Saturday of the event than in 2018.  Continue reading Record-breaking first week for Edinburgh’s Christmas

Kirk Loan residents celebrate walkable pathways

Corstorphine residents will be celebrating success later today with lunch in the residents lounge following the completion of a succesful partnership project.

Kirk Loan Residents Association have been working with Living Streets Scotland and the city council to get improvements made to local streets, enabling residents to walk more for everyday, local journeys.

Kate Joester, Project Coordinator (Walking Connects) explained:  “Living Streets Scotland worked alongside Kirk Loan residents to conduct a street audit, detailing the problems with the road.

“We then helped the residents’ group contact the correct councillors and other elected officials in order to work with the roads teams at Edinburgh Council, to help them understand the impact that the damaged pavements and lack of drop kerbs had on Kirk Loan residents.

“Edinburgh Council agreed that these concerns were valid, as the street had so many residents with mobility problems. Summer 2019 saw the council undertake and complete all the street repairs identified by the residents in their audit – the result being that many residents are now able to reach the local shops and bus stop, instead of feeling isolated in their accommodation.

“There is still some work that Kirk Loan residents would like to see done, such as shop fronts being more accessible for those who use wheelchairs and walkers.

“They are hopeful that, with the contacts they have made and the success they have had so far, they will be able to work with both the council and shop owners to make residents even more regular customers on St John’s Road, enriching the local community and encouraging a sense of belonging once more.”

Edinburgh College students show ‘X’ marks the spot

Edinburgh College students have joined the city council to encourage those studying in colleges and universities to make sure they’re registered to vote in the forthcoming UK Parliamentary General Election.

Students discuss registering to vote

With just three weeks until the country goes to the polls, Edinburgh College students have shared why they think it’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds to have their say.

According to the Electoral Commission, one in three young people risk missing out on their opportunity to vote – national research shows that only 66% of 18 to 19-year olds are registered correctly compared to 94% of over-65s.

Anyone wanting to vote in the General Election on 12 December must make sure they’re registered to vote by Tuesday, 26 November and can do so online by visiting www.gov.uk/registertovote.

People who think they may be registered but want to check should contact the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500. Those who can’t get to their local polling place on the day can also register for a postal or proxy vote.

Andrew Kerr, Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “With less than a week until voter registration closes it’s essential that anyone wishing to vote makes sure they are registered at the correct address so they can take part.

“We want everyone, whatever their age or background, to be able to participate in the democratic process. It’s great to see young people studying here in Edinburgh championing voter registration and I hope they inspire others to visit www.gov.uk/registertovote or to check with the Electoral Registration Officer to make sure their details are up to date.”

Edinburgh College Students’ Association president Carla Ford said: “It’s very important that as students we all register to vote. It’s our opportunity to have our say and vote for who we would like to run the country in the future. I would urge all eligible students, not just those at Edinburgh College, to make sure they get registered and play their part in shaping our country.”

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “I would encourage all of our students who are eligible to vote to make sure they are registered by next week’s deadline. It is vital that as members of the public we all play our part in the democratic process.”

Students who study away from home can register at both their term time and home address so they can choose which constituency they want to vote in, as long as they only vote once.

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Voter registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 26 November.

Anyone already registered for the European Election on 23 May does not need to re-register. However, anyone who has changed address since then needs to re-register to be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December. Poll Cards are due to be issued to all registered electors from 22 November.

Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday, 26 November and applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Edinburgh College students

Kevin Jenkins, 20 years old: “I think it’s incredibly important to vote in all elections because if you don’t then your say’s not heard. I think it’s also important that we encourage all of our friends and family to realise that they have to vote.”

Lauren Scott, 19 years old: “There are so many posts online that are encouraging it [registering to vote], you just need to follow the links and the instructions. It’s all simple questions so it’s not difficult to do, it’s straightforward and there’s no reason not to. If you don’t vote then you can’t complain about what’s happening – it’s the number one way to get your voice heard.”

Rachel Nicholson, 20 years old: “I think it’s really important to vote because there are so many changes being made or changes that need to be made right now. If we start to vote and make our voice heard then the topics that we think are important will get discussed more.”

Book your place: a new chapter for Central Library

Culture Convener CLLR DONALD WILSON writes about exciting literary developments with plans to transform Central Library, National Mobile Libraries Day and Scottish Book Week:

Mobile Library

They say things come in threes and that’s definitely the case in Edinburgh with all things literature at the moment!

Today we are celebrating the first National Mobile Libraries Day and Edinburgh is one of best local authorities in the country for providing this valuable service.

Edinburgh has five  vehicles which is more than any other city in Scotland (Glasgow doesn’t have any), making  over 5,800 stops every year and lending out nearly 100,000 items from books to dvds and also providing services such as storytelling sessions and craft activities.

Mobile libraries are a real lifeline for communities and using them gives people a sense of belonging and helps to reduce loneliness and isolation.

They are so much more than books which leads nicely onto this week being Scottish Book Week. Edinburgh was the first City of Literature in the world so it’s only right we celebrate Scottish Book Week with lots of fun and educational events in our libraries, schools and across the city. Why not pop down to your local library to see what they’ve got planned?

One exciting new development is the news of our ambitious plans to transform the Central Library.

Last week the Culture and Communities Committee approved proposals to create a project team to develop an imaginative, accessible and engaging future vision for one of the Capital’s most iconic buildings.

We fully realise this is a major undertaking but it’s one we are embracing with open arms as we aim to create an inspiring and inclusive learning and cultural destination.

There will undoubtedly be many challenges on the long journey but we need to transform the Central Library to meet 21st Century needs and the evolving expectations of both present and future generations.

One of the major issues facing us is poor accessibility as many areas are off limits to wheelchair users and extremely challenging for others.

Public space is limited with only about 35% currently available however our two public proposals would increase this to 75% and 95%.

Funding will be another challenge but one where there are potential options we can explore.

Doing nothing is expensive and doesn’t deliver best value – we need to be preventative rather than reactive.

We have already shown what can be achieved with the refurbishment of the Children’s Library, Music Library, Edinburgh and Scottish Collection in 2014. These spaces are now modern, bright and welcoming which has led to an increase in visitors.

Transforming the Central Library is key to widening access and inclusion, to offering an outstretched, welcoming hand for all. Sparking discovery, creativity and imagination through the power of reading and learning, in all its forms.

As Andrew Carnegie said in a telegram to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh on 27 April 1886: ‘There is one point upon which all true Scotchmen are agreed, that no city in the world compares to Edinburgh’. Edinburgh deserves a Central Library of the highest quality that matches or exceeds those anywhere else in the world – let’s all work together to deliver one!