Tag: city council

Unite exposes cleaning crisis in Edinburgh schools

Unite the union has highlighted a number of shocking stories from cleaners in Edinburgh schools due to council service cutbacks. Unite’s ‘Fight for 5’ campaign to improve cleaning standards has uncovered a number of practices that compromise health and safety due to a lack of school cleaners, and cleaning materials.

In one instance a cleaning supervisor had to visit several other community buildings to ensure a major Edinburgh high school had sufficient materials to begin an afternoon cleaning shift.

Unite has been informed of cleaners being shipped from various schools across Edinburgh city in order to complete afternoon cleaning shifts. Cleaners have also complained to Unite about the lack of health and safety training, and the union has been made aware of cleaners working with machinery and hazardous equipment without any proper structured training.

The union has spoken to cleaners and heard from teachers within Edinburgh schools, who are bringing in wet wipes to clean teaching tables due to the pressure being put on under-resourced and under-staffed cleaners.

Mary Alexander, Unite’s deputy Scottish secretary, said: “Unite has launched our ‘Fight for 5’ campaign to improve cleaning standards and provision in Edinburgh schools.

“Unite has heard numerous stories from cleaners across the city highlighting the lack of cleaning materials, and staff due to council cuts. Cleaners are in some instances being transported around schools to address the lack of provision. The situation is compromising health and safety standards. It is a ridiculous situation where those working in our schools have to bring in cleaning materials to compensate for the lack of cleaning staff, and also a lack of materials. We believe those pupils, parents and the general Edinburgh public deserve better.”

It is estimated that Edinburgh city council has endured £250 million of budget cuts in the last five years. It will face at least £41 million of cuts in the coming financial year and a predicted £106 million in the following three years.

Lifelong Learning: New courses in North Edinburgh

Hello there, 
I still have spaces for these courses – starting very soon!
Lorrane
___________________________________________
Skills for Life
Still spaces left for this new course!
Starts Thurs 21st Feb, 2pm – 4pm.
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Lots of topics to choose from.
Small friendly group.
Contact Lorrane to have a chat.
Tel: 0131 552 5700
____________________________________________
Creative Writing Course
Come along and try something new.
Have fun with words, join this small group.
No experience needed.
Starts Fri 22nd Feb, 10.30 – 12.00
Granton Library
Contact Lorrane to have a chat.
Tel: 0131 552 5700
_____________________________________________
Lorrane Borwick, Lifelong Learning Locality Development Officer, Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh EH5 1NF
Tel: 0131 552 5700
Mon – Wed, 10 – 2

Edinburgh’s budget: still time to have your say

There’s still time to share your views on the City Council’s draft council change strategy and proposals for the 2019/20 budget.  Continue reading Edinburgh’s budget: still time to have your say

Integration of health and social care ‘progressing well’, says report

Work to ensure people get access to the health and social care services they need is progressing well but needs to happen faster, a joint report by the Scottish Government and COSLA has found. Continue reading Integration of health and social care ‘progressing well’, says report

Council picks up the pieces following McGill collapse

The collapse of building maintenance company McGill has left a number of local people in hot water – or, rather, without it. Continue reading Council picks up the pieces following McGill collapse

Community Council cancelled: activists speaking at tonight’s Localities meeting

Tonight’s Drylaw Telford Community Council meeting has been cancelled as all Inverleith councillors will be attending another meeting – North West Locality Committee is meeting tonight at 6.30pm in the Dean of Guilds Room at the City Chambers.

Two local activists representing Save Our Services North Edinburgh will be  speaking about the impact of the Health and Social Care cuts in a deputation to the Localities Committee.

The meeting is open to the public: go along and support local services if you can!

Tourist Tax takes a step closer

The City of Edinburgh Council has completed its work to develop and agree a Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) scheme for Edinburgh.
The Council will recommend its proposal to Ministers and MSPs for consideration, subject to approval from elected members at a meeting of the Full Council next week (Thursday 7 February).
The Scottish Capital would become the first Local Authority in the UK to introduce such a scheme, if the Council gets the power.
Shaped in response to public feedback, Edinburgh’s case for a TVL recommends:
A flat £2 per night room charge
Edinburgh’s TVL would be set as a flat rate. This is the most straightforward approach – easier to apply and communicate than a percentage charge – and, importantly, the preference of accommodation providers who will need to administer the charge.
An exemption for campsites
Edinburgh’s TVL would apply to all accommodation types within Council boundaries including short term lets but, in response to the consultation feedback, visitors staying in campsites would be exempt.
A cap of seven consecutive nights
Edinburgh’s TVL would be designed to protect seasonal and festival workers who stay in Edinburgh for extended periods of time.
Investing an estimated £14.6m every year
It is estimated that £14.6m would be raised annually through the introduction of a TVL and reinvested into providing sustainable investment in supporting and managing the impacts of tourism within the city. Further, detailed consideration on investment options is proposed to take place through a forum of key stakeholders.
Making the case for a TVL in Edinburgh, Council Leader Adam McVey, said: “Having listened carefully to all of the feedback we’ve received from industry partners and the citizens and businesses of Edinburgh, we’ve refined our proposals and are in a really strong position to take forward a TVL.
“The Capital’s population is increasing rapidly and visitor numbers continue to grow, due to Edinburgh being a fantastic place to live, work, visit and invest. Our economic strength has brought us a great deal of success as a city but the reality is, without an additional income stream, we will struggle to manage and support this success in future. Tourism and hospitality are key drivers of our economy and this levy provides us with a way to sustainably support its continued success and reduce impacts on residents all year round.
“That’s why a visitor levy is an obvious choice for Edinburgh. It will help us continue to invest in and manage the success of tourism on our city, making sure we continue to offer one of the most enviable and enjoyable visitor experiences in the world. Plus, all of the research points to visitors being happy to pay a modest sum – just £2 – to help us do just that. A TVL is an obvious solution for the Council, for our people and for the future of our city.”
Cammy Day, Depute Council Leader, added: “A TVL would be a fair and efficient mechanism to raise funds to reinvest in our beautiful, historic city. Being successful as a visitor destination comes at a cost. Why shouldn’t it come at a modest price to visitors, too?
“This isn’t just a case of the Council saying, ‘let’s introduce a visitor levy’, these proposals have the overwhelming backing of Edinburgh’s residents, businesses, attractions and even support from accommodation providers. I hope to see the Scottish Government look favourably upon what I believe to be a strong submission and completely reasonable request.”