Tag: city council

Edinburgh Community Climate Fund is now open for applications

THE Edinburgh Community Climate Fund (ECCF) has officially opened to applications from local groups across the city.

The initiative is designed to support the delivery of the Council’s climate change targets together with providing learning to inform the wider approach to participatory budgeting (PB). Participatory budgeting is a way for citizens to have a direct say on how money is spent. In Edinburgh, PB has been used as an approach to distribute funding since 2010.

The Edinburgh PB Framework was approved in 2021 which included a commitment to a number of PB initiatives including the ECCF.

The ECCF provides £100,000 of one-off funding which is available for local groups to undertake projects which align with the objectives of the Edinburgh Climate Strategy and goal of becoming a net-zero city by 2030. 

Groups can apply for up to £20,000 worth of funding, providing that the activities can be delivered within 12 months, do not replicate or replace a Council service, and are in line with at least one of the project’s aims.

Applications are open until midnight on 12 February. The final projects will then be shortlisted and put to a public vote. We hope to announce the results of the ECCF in mid-March.

To apply please visit the Your Voice webpage where you can download an application form.

Completed forms should be emailed to: communityplanning@edinburgh.gov.uk

For more information, please visit our Participatory Budgeting and the ECCF webpage.

There will be an in-person Application Support Drop-In at the City Chambers on 23 January between 10.00am-12 noon and 1.00pm-3.00pm.  

There will also be two online information sessions on 24 January between 6.30pm-7.30pm and 26 January from 10.00am -11.00am.

For further information or to book a place at these sessions please email: 

communityplanning@edinburgh.gov.uk

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The Edinburgh Community Climate Fund is a brilliant opportunity for local groups across our fantastic capital city to make their voices heard on how this money should be spent, as we deliver on our key priorities.

“We have a bold and ambitious plan to become a net-zero city by 2030, alongside our wider Climate Strategy. Our citizens and communities should rightly be at the heart of this process. I am confident that in the ECCF projects, Edinburgh and her citizens will once again show the creativity, innovation, and care that we have so often seen over the years.

“I would also like to thank all the organisations and individuals who have contributed to the development of the ECCF.”

Criteria for the ECCF are set out below:

  • Creating opportunities for community leadership and learning on climate change.
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within communities and contributing to the net-zero agenda for Edinburgh.
  • Generating sustainable projects for the benefit of local people to build resilience or adapt to climate change within communities. 
  • Building relationships between neighbourhoods of different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds to work together on just, equitable and accessible climate and resilience activities contributing to the city’s net zero agenda, also ensuring that activities work towards reducing or removing barriers for disabled people in the transition to net-zero.

Edinburgh schools awarded grant to support anti-racism library project

Edinburgh’s school libraries have been awarded funding for a progressive anti-racism project, as part of the 2022/23 School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).

Administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Fund supports creative and innovative projects within the school library sector in Scotland.

Available to all state-run nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools with a library, this year’s funding priority was given to applications which focused on supporting anti-racism and racial equality.

The £200,000 2022/23 SLIF has been allocated to a total of 18 initiatives across Scotland, including the ‘The Library is Anti-Racist’ project in Edinburgh.

The funding will support the creation of an anti-racism toolkit and collection of travelling resources for Edinburgh’s school libraries to ensure the service is diverse, inclusive and reflective of the school and its wider community.

This brings the total investment from the Scottish Government to £1.5m over the lifetime of SLIF, playing an important role in helping school library services achieve the key aims of ‘Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools: A National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland 2018-2023’ – the strategic document for the development of school libraries in Scotland.

Congratulating the successful applicants, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “School libraries play a key role for young people by providing access to educational resources, supporting learning and helping to close the poverty-related attainment gap.

“The School Library Improvement Fund continues to support creative and innovative projects in school libraries.

“The anti-racism focus of the projects will allow school libraries to engage with pupils on the importance of belonging, inclusion and social justice.”

Schools can apply via individual or collaborative applications with SLIC accepting up to two individual approaches per local authority and an unlimited number of collaborative applications to ensure equal opportunities across Scotland.

Pamela Tulloch, Chief Executive of SLIC, said: “School libraries play a valuable role in education and learning, and ensuring every young person has the chance to fulfil their full potential. 

“Projects funded through programmes like SLIF help to improve and expand the services school libraries can provide, so it’s great to see such strong applications coming in from schools eager to further develop these resources.

“We’re particularly proud to award support to those advocating for anti-racism and anti-discrimination through this year’s Fund and we can’t wait to see these initiatives come to fruition.”

For more information on The School Library Improvement Fund, visit: 

https://scottishlibraries.org/funding/the-school-library-improvement-fund/

vibrant-libraries-thriving-schoolsDownload

2023 Wellbeing: New Year, New You  

Check out some courses for well-being  

A hammock on a beach Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Mondays

Latin and Salsa Dancing at Rosebery Hall in South Queensferry from 4pm

Wednesdays

Drawing and Painting at Broughton High School at 7pm

*Fencing for Wellbeing (fun and playful -no need to be fit) Brunstane Primary at 6.30pm

Quiltmaking (sewing by hand) at Drummond High School 7pm

Horror Film Discussion at Drummond High School 7pm 

Sketching Animals in the Zoo at the Zoo 

Thursdays

Drawing and Painting at Leith Community Centre 3pm

Crochet for post beginners at Drummond High School 6.30pm

Felt Making at Drummond High School 7pm  

Fridays 

Dressmaking Alterations at Craigroyston Community High School 2pm

*Fencing is specifically a meditative well-being style of fencing movements to give you time and space to reflect 

Enrolling right now at https://www.joininedinburgh.org

Book on asap to confirm a place or ring 0131 556 7978

Standard fee £69.60 & senior / student concession £34.80 & reduced fee for benefits £17.25

New Year, new round of school strikes

INDUSTRIAL ACTION IN SCHOOLS NEXT WEEK

Industrial action in schools next week: all primaries closed on Tuesday 10 January, all secondaries closed on Wednesday 11 January, special schools are also affected.

Full details incl. nurseries and free school meal payments here:

https://edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/15311/school-closures—letter-to-parents-and-carers

The EIS has said that the New Year’s resolution for both the Scottish Government and COSLA must be to pay Scotland’s teachers fairly by coming back with a greatly improved pay offer.

Scotland’s teachers have not received a pay rise for the year 2022, despite being due for a pay increase in April.

Commenting as schools broke up for the Christmas holidays, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “As 2022 comes to a close, Scotland’s teachers are still waiting for a pay settlement that should have been paid to them in April. What Scotland’s teachers have been offered by the Scottish Government and COSLA amounts to a record real-terms pay cut of up to 11% in a single year.

“This is in the context of the value of teachers’ pay dropping by a massive 20% since 2008. It is little wonder that teachers voted so overwhelmingly for strike action, and remain determined to stand firm against the unprecedented pay cuts that have been offered.”

Ms Bradley continued, “Having taken one day of strike action in November, EIS members will resume a programme of strike action in the New Year. We have offered every opportunity to the Scottish Government and COSLA to settle this dispute, but they have stubbornly failed to take advantage of those opportunities.

“Reheating old offers and repeating tired spin is not going to fool Scotland’s teachers, and it is not going to resolve this dispute or end the ongoing programme of strike action. Neither teachers nor the public believe the claims that Scottish teachers are better paid than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK and internationally – in England the top of the pay scale is higher than in Scotland, and 14 OECD countries sit above Scotland on the league table of teachers’ pay.

“The only OECD league table on teachers’ conditions that Scotland has climbed is the one which quite shockingly shows that Scotland has the third worst record in the world when it comes to excessive class contact hours.

“Rather than Scottish Government spin, only a substantially improved, fair and credible offer can end this dispute and let teachers focus fully on teaching young people rather than having to fight for a fair wage.”

Ms Bradley added, “The Scottish Government and COSLA must do better. They owe it to Scotland’s teachers – the majority of them women – and Scotland’s pupils to end this dispute by committing to pay Scotland’s teachers a fair pay increase. This is about pay justice and gender pay justice.

“Teachers worked tirelessly as key workers throughout the pandemic, often putting their own health at risk to ensure the best possible education for Scotland’s young people amidst very difficult circumstances. Now, in the early stages of education recovery, teachers want to be in the classroom supporting pupils. But, as the cost-of-living soars, teachers deserve and expect an appropriate increase in their pay – not a deep real-terms pay cut, as they have consistently been offered.

“Education must be a top priority for government and for local authorities, and that means investing in Education, including investing in teachers, to ensure the best possible educational experience for all of Scotland’s young people.

“Scotland has a stated commitment to reducing the gender pay gap and to being a Fair Work nation by 2025. Having made these commitments and as the new year dawns, it has to be time for the Scottish Government and COSLA to resolve to offer a fair pay settlement to all of Scotland’s teachers.”

Letter_to_Parents_and_Carers_4Jan23Download

First-of-a-kind, carbon-neutral Santa sleigh to debut in Kirkliston

Santa will be touring the village on Christmas Eve with a revamped sleigh powered by state-of-the-art technology 

#santaiscomingtotown

#christmasinkirkliston 

Santa and his team are set to tour the streets of Kirkliston on Christmas Eve again this year, in a newly revamped, first-of-its-kind, magical sleigh. Powered by a new Lithium Iron Phosphate technology, similar to the technology used in Tesla electric vehicles, the sleigh will operate all night long, on a powerful and sustainable energy source.  

Kirkliston Community Council applied to the City of Edinburgh Council for a community grant fund, which was topped up by local event business 21CC Group Ltd. enabling the Community Council team to refurbish the sleigh in spectacular style, using brand new battery technology that will mean that it can operate without any carbon output. 

Geoff Crow, Director of local business 21CC Group Ltd. comments, “The Kirkliston Community Council sleigh brings the magic of Christmas to the village each year.

“The sleigh hasn’t had any investment for some time and was in much need of refurbishment ahead of this year. We are absolutely delighted to top up the grant award to support the sleigh refurbishment and to enable the Community Council to create something very special this year for the village of Kirkliston.” 

“Santa touring the streets of Kirkliston on Christmas Eve is a tradition that has been upheld and cherished for many years gone by. This investment in the sleigh brings it right up to date, with modern cutting-edge technology, lighting and sound systems, guaranteeing the future of the sleigh for many years to come. We are certain that Rudolph and his herd will be proud that we have been able to continue this tradition with a sharp focus on sustainability.” 

The Christmas Eve celebrations are expected to bring over 8,000 locals to the streets between 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm to enjoy the festivities as Santa and his sleigh tour the village. There will also be a collection on the night for Queensferry Care in the Community.  

David Buchanan, Chair of the Kirkliston Community Council, said, “This is such a wonderful example of community solidarity and togetherness, and we’re very pleased to be doing something a bit different this year.

“Our new sparkling sleigh will be used to bring joy on Christmas Eve. I personally cannot wait to see the smiles on so many faces after what has been a particularly challenging year for so many.” 

Established in 1999 and headquartered in Edinburgh, 21CC Group regularly sow into local community initiatives and events. With event design, management and technical production teams all part of 21CC Group Ltd., they manage and deliver Christmas installations, events and experiential lighting trails all around the country, bringing joy to many at this time of year.   

Edinburgh’s Welcome Centre supports over 500 people facing homelessness this winter

The City of Edinburgh Council and national homelessness charity Bethany Christian Trust are operating a Welcome Centre this winter.

The Centre is providing accommodation of last resort, tailored support and positive move on options for people who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. Since opening in October, it has already supported and accommodated over 500 people and will continue to operate over Christmas until May 2023.

Founded by Bethany Christian Trust in partnership with the Council, and supported by the Scottish Government, the Welcome Centre was pioneered in 2020 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.

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.

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 Jane Meagher, the Council’s Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, said: “When temperatures drop to this extent it’s more important than ever that we do all that we can to support anyone who may be at risk.

“With Bethany we’re operating a Welcome Centre this winter to provide an additional 65 beds for people with wrap around support, and demand for this service this winter has already been high.

“We’re also offering street-based outreach seven days a week through our partners to anyone we see rough sleeping and this involves checking in with people three times a night, specialist pharmacy and mental health services available on street and supporting people directly into Rapid Access Accommodation. 

“The rise in homelessness we’re witnessing in Edinburgh is deeply concerning and the Council has a campaign to spread awareness of the support which exists for people who are struggling financially. We need to prevent more people from becoming homeless as far as we possibly can.”

Commenting on the increase in demand for the service, Alasdair Bennett, Chief Executive at Bethany Christian Trust said: “The Welcome Centre provides emergency en-suite accommodation of last resort for anyone who would otherwise be sleeping rough in Edinburgh. 

“We have accomodated over 500 different people with the majority staying less than seven nights as they are assisted to rapidly move on to more appropriate accommodation. The centre is a place of warm welcome, hospitality and intensive support, tailored to the individual and involving multiple health, housing and charitable partners to respond to individual needs. 

“We are seeing an increase in the number of people attending and being referred for this crisis intervention, even prior to the colder weather coming in, and we are working with all partners to find alternative options when there are no available bed spaces at the Centre. With a focus on rapidly re-accommodating people, new bedrooms become available at a rate of about 50 each week, or 7 a day, in order to support individuals in crisis that night.

“Even when we are full we are able to provide food, warm clothing and access to support here at the Welcome Centre, so we encourage anyone who is at risk of rough sleeping that night to come and we will do all that we can to support them, including linking them up with partner agencies and local authority housing options.”

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 2021 – 2022 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, is also in place again this year and gift vouchers can be purchased in Bethany Shops and online: 

https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/support-work/buy-a-bed/.

Edinburgh welcomes Kyiv delegation

The City of Edinburgh Council has welcomed a delegation of representatives from Kyiv City Council.

During a three-day visit where they exchanged views with the Lord Provost and Council Leader on Ukrainian and Scottish culture, the current situation in Kyiv and Edinburgh’s response to the crisis, members thanked the city for welcoming Ukrainians fleeing from war. 

The delegation included Viktoriia Mukha, Maryna Ratova and Serhii Anzhyiak from the Culture and Tourism departments.

During the trip, the group were provided with a tour of the City Chambers, Assembly Rooms and the Usher Hall. They discussed the possibility of hosting a joint art exhibition in Edinburgh in 2023 to highlight the culture, architecture, and beauty of the city of Kyiv which has been devastated this year during Russian strikes.

The delegation also met with members of the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Usher Hall, Assembly Rooms, the Council’s Culture and Tourism teams and the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain Edinburgh (AUGB Edinburgh) during the visit.

Viktoriia Mukha, member of Kyiv City Council’s Culture and Tourism department, said: “Our cities have been twinned for over 30 years and despite the distance between Edinburgh and Kyiv, we have found our cities to be very similar sharing common values. Both are steeped in history, boast UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and have acted as hubs for science, culture, music and education.

“Over these last 10 very difficult months, thanks to the people in this city, Edinburgh is now a home from home for so many Ukrainians. It has been reassuring to see first-hand the support which is in place for people, and we are very grateful for Edinburgh’s response, which has been incredible. Thank you for helping our displaced people find a home.

“As a member of the culture and tourism department, we have also enjoyed seeing incredible venues during our visit, like the Usher Hall and the Assembly Rooms. There is a lot of work we hope to achieve together, to keep Kyiv in people’s hearts and minds and to build on our cultural ties even further in the New Year.”

The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: “The courage of the Ukrainian people this year has been incredible, and it was my honour to welcome members of Kyiv City Council to see our city – the place where so many Ukrainians and people from Kyiv now call home.

“As twin cities we have a long working relationship and Edinburgh and Kyiv have many similarities. Early in the crisis we answered the city’s call to ship over sandbags, to help the City Council to protect monuments and other artworks. Since then, we have remained in close contact. We have donated further sandbags and deliveries of food during Kyiv’s time of need, and we are of course supporting thousands of people who have come to Scotland to seek safety.

“It is heart-breaking how this beautiful Capital city has been shattered, but it is clear to the world that despite the devastation the city has experienced the spirit of Kyiv’s people is unbreakable. As a result of this visit, I hope we can work together on an exhibition to highlight the lasting strength and beauty of Kyiv and its people.”

City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day, said: “I’m so proud of the way our residents, our volunteers and everyone around Edinburgh has opened their doors and their hearts to people from Ukraine this year.

“It’s been an incredible effort to receive more than 10,000 people safely through our Welcome Hub, and I’m pleased to have been able to meet delegates from our twin city Kyiv to reassure them of all the support we have in in place.

“During their stay we’ve been able to discuss some ideas for how we can continue to work with Kyiv, building on the cultural ties we have and which we’re strengthening.”