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Tag: city council
City to shine support for Nepal
‘There is no time to lose’ – Lord Provost Donald Wilson
Edinburgh residents are being encouraged to shine to show their solidarity with the people of Nepal tonight following Saturday’s tragic earthquake.
The City of Edinburgh Council is a partner of the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee which is asking residents to help survivors during the aftermath of the disaster. A fund has opened with the Edinburgh-based humanitarian organisation Mercy Corps for urgent donations.
To pause to reflect on the devastation, the Lord Provost will lead a candlelight vigil which will be open for all residents to attend. The candle lighting will take place at 4pm on Saturday 2 May at the City Chambers.
Tonight is the last evening of the Council’s interactive light installation in St Andrew Square with the Edinburgh International Science Festival. In a display of support for Nepal, Twitter users will be asked to turn the Melville Monument red which is the shade of the Nepalese flag and the Mercy Corps Earthquake Appeal.
The Lord Provost Donald Wilson plans to lodge an emergency motion at Thursday’s meeting of the Full Council to call on support of the appeal. He said: “Edinburgh residents are known for their generosity of spirit and together we can make a difference to people in Nepal by providing urgent donations. Even a gesture of solidarity like the red lighting of St Andrew Square or a candle at Edinburgh’s vigil demonstrates support and raises awareness of the appeal. There is no time to lose.”
Edinburgh based international charity Mercy Corps has been working in Nepal since 2006. The humanitarian organisation has launched an emergency response in Nepal following the massive earthquake and their dedicated team of more than 90 people has been working tirelessly to evaluate conditions and deliver emergency supplies to desperate families, whilst dealing with their own tragedies.
Simon O’Connnell, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps Europe, with their headquarters in Edinburgh, said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and all those in the region experiencing the effects of the quake. Our team has begun distributing urgently needed relief kits to people most affected and we are also working hard to get more supplies to reach the thousands in need.
“On behalf of the Mercy Corps team, we thank the Edinburgh community for your generosity and compassion as we race to help the Nepalese people.”
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with about one-third of its citizens living below the poverty line. The country’s dramatic landscape makes it hard to reach remote villages even in the best circumstances. These next days are critical for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of survivors and Mercy Corps is reaching families left homeless who desperately need shelter, food and water.
Council leader hails taxi accessibility talks
Access Action Plan is on it’s way
Council Leader Andrew Burns and Convener of the Regulatory Committee, Cllr Gavin Barrie met with charity campaigner Gordon Aikman yesterday to discuss concerns about taxi accessibility in Edinburgh.
Recently Mr Aikman, who has motor neurone disease, struggled to find a taxi that was able accommodate his wheelchair. He was due to introduce Ed Miliband at the Labour Party Conference in the capital but missed the opportunity after two taxis he called were unable to pick him up – one because the electric ramp was not working and the other because he ‘took too long to come down’.
Cllr Burns said: “What happed to Gordon is of course completely unacceptable and the purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss what we can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again. We have identified steps that we can take as the licensing authority for taxis in the city, to ensure that these vehicles are accessible to wheelchair users.
“For example, we will be cracking down on drivers who fail to stop for disabled customers and increasing the number of spot checks to check that the taxis’ ramps are operational. We will also be calling for taxi companies to review their allocated waiting time for collections with a view to extending this for people with mobility issues.
“We want to make sure that wheelchair users in Edinburgh have a positive experience when using taxis and I would like to thank Gordon for highlighting this very important issue.”
Other actions agreed include a review of the current driver training arrangements to improve accessibility training and looking at introducing refresher courses. Taxi drivers who are exempt from manually loading wheelchairs for health reasons may also be asked to display a prominent sign on their vehicle indicating that they are not accessible.
The agreed measures will now be taken forward by the Council, led by Councillor Gavin Barrie as Convener of the Regulatory Committee.
Welcoming the outcome of yesterday’s meeting, Gordon Aikman said: “This crackdown is very welcome. Wheelchair or not, each and every one of us should be able to get into a cab and get from A to B without any hassle. I’ve only been in a wheelchair for a couple of weeks, but have been shocked by the treatment disabled folk have to put up with.
“I’m confident this Access Action Plan will help make taxis in our capital more accessible. I hope other councils follow Edinburgh’s lead. This is not about special treatment – it is about equal access. No disabled person should have to put up with second rate service.”
SNP leader Steve stands down
Deputy council leader Councillor Steve Cardownie is to step down from front-line politics. The Forth councillor will stay on as an elected member but has relinquished leadership of the SNP group – and with it his Deputy Council Leader post. Mr Cardownie says he is leaving for personal reasons and to spend more time with his family.
Formerly a trade union official, Steve Cardownie became a Labour councillor on Edinburgh District Council in 1988. Always a colourful and often a controversial figure, Cardownie infuriated many when he ‘jumped ship’ to join the SNP in 2005.
Mr Cardownie was a lonely figure as the sole SNP councillor on the local authority for two years but an upsurge in his new party’s fortunes saw a greatly-increased SNP group share power in successive coalitions – first with the Liberal Democrats in 2007 and then with Labour in 2012. He has served in his current role since 2007 and is widely recognised as the city’s ‘Festival Czar’.
With over 25 years of political experience under his belt the SNP will find Steve Cardownie’s skills as a negotiator and fixer hard to replace. The new group leader is Sandy Howat, but he’ll find the Jambo from Leith a hard act to follow.
Cllr Howat said: ““Steve will still have a large role to play in the group. He has been a very successful politician on many and all levels, and he goes with a great deal of thanks. Honestly, I would have liked him to stay for another year – I thought he still had a lot to offer.”
Steve Cardownie said: “It had been my intention for some time to relinquish the position as leader, but I wanted to ensure the coalition got to the other side of the referendum intact. I have successfully negotiated two coalition deals – first with the Liberal Democrats and then with Labour – which has kept the SNP in the administration for eight years now.
“Having got through the referendum, the coalition is still strong and I felt it was time to give someone else the opportunity to develop their style. I have a ten-year-old son and I want to spend a bit more time with him.”
Edinburgh is world’s third safest city
We’ve had our share of problems recently, what with gun crime, armed robberies and acts of violence, but it seems we’re better off than most – Edinburgh has just come third in a survey of the world’s safest cities!
The survey was conducted on behalf of Post Office Travel Insurance, and while the sample size is relatively small Edinburgh sits proudly behind the top two – both of which are cities in England.
The winner has a wealth of history and quaint, narrow streets and closes – and it boasts the glorious mediaeval Minster. It is indeed a great place to visit, and it seems there’s another reason why tourists go there all year round – Britons reckon York (above) is the world’s safest city!
According to those surveyed, Britain is definitely best when it comes to safe travel destinations – Bath, Edinburgh and Brighton make up the top four safest places in the world. Edinburgh was rated by 69 per cent as ‘safe’ and only three per cent thought Edinburgh ‘risky’.
Travellers found Cairo, Bangkok, Istanbul and Marrakech the cities most risky to visit on a short break.
The survey by Post Office Travel Insurance of 2,075 UK adults showed that 72 per cent felt York was safe, compared to only one per cent considering it risky. By contrast, only seven per cent thought Cairo was safe – and more than half -56 per cent – felt it was dangerous to visit.
Britain’s most popular holiday destination is London, but the capital didn’t even make the top ten – 58 per cent see London safe while 16 per cent think it’s a risky place to visit.
Theft – in particular stolen wallets (24 per cent) – was the most common occurrence for those who had had problems in cities. More than a quarter of respondents (26 per cent) felt they had been ripped off on city visits, with this figure rising to 43 per cent among the 18-24 age group.
Of eight UK and Ireland destinations in the survey, the least-safe was Belfast with only 37 per cent deeming it safe.
While four home cities took the top honours in the poll, Venice, Vienna, Dublin, Florence, Stockholm and Copenhagen made up the rest of the world’s top ten safest cities.
Edinburgh city council’s community safety leader Councillor Cammy Day welcomed the findings. He said: “To be rated so highly for safety in not one but two national surveys is a fantastic accolade for the city, and I’m delighted that people feel secure when they holiday here.
“It’s not just visitors either – the most recent People’s Survey found that 91% of our residents feel safe here after dark. I’m really proud of these results and the good work carried out daily by the Council, Police Scotland and communities across the city.
“Tourism is vitally important to Edinburgh with millions of people coming here from around the world each year to enjoy the culture and attractions it has to offer. As well as being renowned as a festivals city, we can also now claim to be classed as one of the safest cities in the world.”
Shedding some light on community concerns
Inverleith councillor Lesley Hinds has asked officers to carry out an urgent appraisal of new street lights following complaints from local residents.
Councillor Hinds chairs the city council’s Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Commitee, which has responsibility for street lighting. She said last night: ““Following a very successful pilot project in 2012, the Council is replacing street lights across the city with new, more energy-efficient and more environmentally friendly lighting. In particular, this will result in brighter and clearer lighting throughout the night.
“A number of residents have been in touch regarding lighting in certain streets and, having now visited them myself, I have asked officers to carry out an appraisal and report back as soon as possible.”
Forth councillor Cammy Day – who is also the city’s community safety ‘champion’ – also discussed ‘some concerns’ with the lighting team yesterday.
Many North Edinburgh residents have expressed anger over the brightness and quality of new ‘eco-lights’ installed across the area over the last week. They believe the lighting makes the streets unsafe and could result in more crime and antisocial behaviour.
However the city council says the lighting project will achieve:
- Reduced energy costs. Energy costs are expected to double in the next decade. The use of modern lighting equipment will greatly assist in reducing the impact of increasing energy costs.
- Improved environmental performance. This new equipment is more energy efficient and lamps have a longer life span.
- Provide continuous lighting throughout the night. A number of local authorities have been switching off lights for periods of time during the night to save energy. The City of Edinburgh Council is not currently considering this option.
- Compliance with EU directives.
- Brighter and clearer lighting. White lights improve colour recognition and improves images captured on CCTV at night. They also allow clothing colours and car registration numbers to be more easily identified.
The council also cites an October 2012 pilot project undertaken in the Gilmerton and Saughton Mains areas of the city: 271 lights were changed and the results from consultation with local households achieved around 90% satisfaction levels.
Local groups unite to say: NO CUTS!
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Edinburgh Council is planning to cut millions from its budget over the next three years. These cuts will affect all our public services.
We say
NO CUTS
to our schools, nurseries, community centres, youth services, libraries, museums, social and day care services.
Join local groups and communities from across Edinburgh to save our services on budget day.
Thursday 12 February 2015
8.30 am – 9.45 am
City Chambers, High Street.
For transport to and from the Chambers call Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre on 552 5700.
Stop the cuts. Save our Services. Defend public sector jobs.
North Edinburgh is standing together and fighting back.
Womens International Group
Power to the People Group
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
Council budget cuts: meeting at Royston Wardieburn next week
Womens International Group (WIG) are holding a follow up meeting from our 9 December one – the council budget Cuts will be announced soon.
The meeting will take place on:
Wednesday 14 January
at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre at 6-30pm.
We are hoping the local councillors will be in attendance to be able to answer questions regarding the cuts .
All welcome
Anna Hutchison (on behalf of WIG)
COUNCIL BUDGET NEWS:
It was announced this week that more than 1,200 council jobs could go over the next three years under proposals to plug the city’s £67m funding gap.
The council insists there will be no compulsory redundancies and said the planned ‘transformation of services’ was designed to make them more efficient and customer focused.
City council Finance Convener Cllr Alistair Rankin said: “Of course change on this scale brings challenges but we need to take decisive action now to meet our targets and create a stronger, leaner, more agile council to better serve the people of Edinburgh.”Among the proposals under consideration are offering more services online, having a neighbourhood approach for face-to-face services and cutting grants to the voluntary sector by as much as 10%.The latest restructuring proposals will be considered by the Finance and Resources committee on Thursday and consultation with staff and trade unions is also being planned.
See below for relevant Council reports:
Item_7.3___BOLD_business_cases___delivering_a_lean_and_agile_Council
Lord Provost launches Fair Trade Awards
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, has launched the Fair Trade Awards 2015. Now in their ninth year, the awards recognise the difference that residents, businesses and schools make in promoting fair trade in Edinburgh.
The Lord Provost will invite nominations (or in the case of schools, applications) in four categories – Achievement Award, Newcomer Award, Faith Community Award and Fair Trade Schools Award – before the closing date of 13 February 2015.
The awards will be presented during Edinburgh’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from 23 February to 8 March 2015.
Lord Provost, Donald Wilson, said: “I am very proud of Edinburgh’s long-standing commitment to fair trade and these awards provide us with an excellent opportunity to praise the generous contribution individuals and businesses are making to fair trade throughout the city.
“I would encourage people to have a think about where they shop or where they eat and whether that business or organisation promotes fair trade – and, if so, get nominating!”
In 2014, the capital saw its fair trade status renewed for the tenth year in a row. last year’s winners included the Fair Business Alliance Ltd, who introduced fair trade plantain crisps to the market, and Gorgie Dalry Parish Church which was recognised for promoting fair trade across the city. Their Saltyard coffee shop serves fair trade hot drinks and snacks and promotes Created Gifts, Tearfund’s fair trade range, while a mural at their entrance demonstrates their support for fair trade to all those who enter.
Awarded in the schools category last year was St George’s Junior School, whose pupils engaged with local shops to stock fair trade products.
Visit the Council’s Fair Trade webpage for further information and to make an online nomination for the 2015 awards.
The award categories in full:
Achievement Award
This award is for any organisation, business or individual based in Edinburgh showing outstanding commitment to fair trade over a long period of time and has enhanced fair trade within the city.
Newcomer Award
This award is for any organisation, business or individual operating with fair trade in Edinburgh for five years or less which has adopted fair trade products as a key part of the business and promotes fair trade in their marketing.
Faith Community Award
This award is for a faith community in Edinburgh that can demonstrate a strong commitment to fair trade and provide evidence of fair trade activities in the faith community.
Fair Trade School Award
This award is for any school that can demonstrate a strong commitment to fair trade activities throughout the school and its community. Each school must apply through the school community, for example, by parent/teacher council, Eco schools team, fair trade group, for consideration. The school can be working towards Fairtrade status but should not yet have received it.
Small Is Beautiful
This new award is for small organisations or business projects based in Edinburgh, which promotes Fair Trade or Fair Trade products.
Council weather advice: be prepared
Well, winter’s here and the city council is offering advice on how to stay safe as the bad weather bites …
The Council’s website has information on what to do when gales and storms are forecast, such as parking vehicles in garages or away from buildings and trees etc or securing loose objects that could be blown away.
As temperatures look set to plummet once again towards the end of the week with snow in the forecast as well, residents can also log on to see an interactive map of salt bins across the city and find out the priority streets and pavements for gritting patrols. You can now use online forms to report problems with salt bins or to request a new one for your area.
Preparing for wintry conditions is strongly recommended and the Ready for Winter web page includes tips such as investing in a good, strong snow shovel and arranging a winter health check for your car.
During severe weather, remember to check on your neighbours, particularly if they are older or live alone. Keep up to date with roads, schools and travel information on the website, via Twitter and local radio.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Winter is definitely here now and the Council has been hard at work for many weeks getting the Capital as prepared as possible for whatever the weather has in store for us.
“We’ve got 16,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled – more than three times the amount we used in the whole of winter 2013/14 – and gritting teams have been patrolling and on standby since late October, responding to the detailed and regular forecasts we receive from the Met Office.
“As always, we’d remind residents to do whatever they need to do to get themselves ‘winter ready’ and would urge everyone to look out for those in their community who might be less able to look after themselves.”