This week, Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, visited Oaklands School in Edinburgh with Edinburgh Northern MSP, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie where they received a warm welcome from both staff and pupils.
Oaklands provides a supportive and significantly adapted learning environment for those with profound learning disabilities and associated health care needs.
The main topic of conversation centred on respite care throughout the school holidays, as many pupils and families from the school struggled to secure some, if any. This pressure on families, often unpaid carers, can be difficult to sustain.
Alex is now calling for the Scottish Government to support the City of Edinburgh Council in providing a higher level of provision for families, especially in the school holidays.
Speaking after the visit, Alex said: “Visiting Oaklands School always brings me so much joy. The staff and pupils are a delight and welcome you into their space with such kindness.
It is so hard to see these pupils struggle outside of term time, as well as their families, by not having access to appropriate levels of respite care and holiday hubs.
“Many families are also going without Section 23 assessments. The awareness amongst families of their right to a Section 23 assessment is not nearly high enough. The Scottish Government needs to act on this to ensure families have the support they need.
“Councils need support from the Scottish Government as to how we up the ante for those who need it most during the summer months and other school holidays. We need to get it right for them and their families.”
Fire caused by lithium-ion batteries disposed of in general waste
The quick actions of Waste and Cleansing Operatives at the City of Edinburgh Council avoided a fire taking hold in a waste lorry at the end of last month.
Many of our tech and electronic devices, including vapes, contain lithium-ion batteries. When crushed these cause fires in our bin lorries and recycling centres.
The Operative spotted smouldering rubbish in general waste that had been collected from Polwarth area of the city. They immediately pulled the vehicle over safely and spilled the waste out on the street where The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were able to extinguish it quickly.
The Council’s street cleansing team then disposed of the rubbish and the vehicle was taken to be checked over.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:“I’d like to thank these colleagues for their quick actions as well as the fire service for stopping an actual fire from taking hold.
“This incident is an example of why residents must be vigilant in making sure batteries are disposed of correctly, so this doesn’t happen again.
“We’ve had several other incidents like this in the past and it’s important we highlight the potentially dangerous consequences that incorrect disposal of batteries can have for residents, the environment, and our colleagues.”
ALMOST FIFTY KNIFE INCIDENTS IN EDINBURGH SCHOOLS IN FIVE YEARS
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has today urged the SNP government to step up efforts to tackle youth knife crime as she revealed that there have been almost 50 such crimes in Edinburgh schools since 2021.
New figures uncovered by the party show that since 2021 there have been:
37 crimes of possession of an article with a blade or point in Edinburgh schools.
10 crimes of these articles being used in some other kind of criminal activity in Edinburgh schools.
Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that the police have recorded almost 700 crimes of possessing an article with a blade or point in schools across Scotland over the last five years.
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said:“Each one of these crimes will have been hugely distressing for the staff and pupils involved.
“These figures do not sit in isolation, and we need to understand the part played by events like the pandemic, which had a severe and longer-lasting impact on young people.
“That impact hasn’t been helped by the Scottish Government’s failure to recognise the importance of interventions like youth work.
“Youth work can stop this kind of violence from happening in the first place by offering young people valuable support and guidance, often from someone who is neither a parent nor a teacher.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats will fight for a proper investment in youth work so that we can give young people the choices and the futures they deserve.”
Liberton residents can now enjoy access to a brand-new pay-as-you-go gym right in the heart of the community
This week, Edinburgh Leisure launched public access to the new Liberton High School gym, a fully equipped fitness studio complete with modern exercise machines, squat racks, free-weight areas and stretching spaces.
The pay-as-you-go gym is open during evenings and weekends, providing flexible access for residents who want to improve their fitness without committing to a long-term membership. For just £6.50 per session, gym-goers can benefit from high-quality fitness equipment in a welcoming, inclusive gym environment within their local community.
The opening marks a significant milestone for Edinburgh Leisure, with 2026 marking ten years since the leisure trust acquired responsibility for community access to the city’s high schools. This partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council has helped open up school sports facilities for thousands of people across Edinburgh.
Reflecting on the success of this agreement, Edinburgh Leisure Schools Manager Jimmy Livingstone said: “Over the past ten years we have worked closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to make school facilities available to local communities outside school hours, creating more opportunities for people to be active where they live.
“We’re delighted to add the new gym at Liberton Community Campus to this portfolio, giving residents access to a high-quality fitness facility on their doorstep.”
Developed by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of its Living Well Locally strategy, Liberton’s new Community Campus is designed to provide residents with convenient access to essential services and amenities within a short walk, wheel or cycle from home.
The new campus brings Liberton High School together with a new gym, a public library, a café and an NHS GP practice in an accessible community hub in the centre of Liberton. Information on when the other community facilities within the building will be ready for use will be published soon.
In addition, the facility has been built to Passivhaus standards in line with Edinburgh Leisure and the council’s respective Net Zero strategies.
Children, Education and Families Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “Liberton Community Campus is a lifelong learning and sports hub that will bring together education, public services and local amenities in one accessible place, from the new Gym to a Community Library to an NHS GP Surgery.
“This reflects our ‘Living Well Locally’ strategy, ensuring local services are co located where people need them most.
“Our aim is simple: to put local people at the heart of this campus, giving everyone the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive. I’m delighted that this exceptional new building will help to bring more local people in the community together, and we’re looking forward to announcing more about the other new community facilities soon.”
With affordable pricing and no membership commitment, the new gym gives Liberton residents greater access to high-quality fitness opportunities close to home, supporting healthier and more active lifestyles within the local community.
Next Monday, 24th August we will be starting Mindful Colouring In at Blackhall Library. These are casual sessions for anyone to join, no need to book, just come along.
THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER 5.15pm – 8.30pmat GRANTON STATION
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ONLINE from WEDNESDAY 26th AUGUST
Come and talk to us about our proposals to build a new Primary School and Nursery at Granton Waterfront.
The new proposed building will be able to accommodate a Nursery for 128 pupils between the ages of two and five, and a new two stream (15 classes) primary school with the potential for an Enhanced Support Base (ESB) with four additional classes. The facility will have the ability to expand to up to a three stream (22 classes) primary school in future.
You’ll be able to view the proposals and take part in our public consultation online from Wednesday, 26 August 2026 until Thursday 15 October 2026 at 5.00pm.
‘Our aim is simple: to put local people at the heart of this campus’
Cutting-edge building replaces existing Liberton High School as part of new community, lifelong learning and sports campus
Staff and pupils at Liberton High School have started the new school year in their brand new state-of-the-art learning and community campus this week, after the building was handed over to the Council.
Balfour Beatty was appointed by the Council to deliver the new building, which has been designed by jmarchitects. The new campus has been formed with the needs of learners in mind. To encourage collaborative learning, the school building features breakout and retreat spaces to offer pupils choice on where they want to work, socialise or take time out.
Large windows fill the building with natural light, while helping to connect departments and classrooms with outdoor spaces. Internal spaces have been decorated with warm colours and light woods to create comfortable spaces for learning and coming together.
Outdoor sports facilities include a new 3G synthetic rugby and football pitch and a multi-use games area. A new grass recreation area that can be lined for football or other sports activities will be added following the demolition of the former Liberton High School building.
The 1,200-space school forms the centrepiece of the new Liberton Community Campus, a multi-purpose facility to help meet the needs of young people, their families and the wider community.
Its spaces have been designed to allow all generations to come together in a number of ways, including a community café, library, GP surgery and workspaces for Council partners. New sports facilities operated by Edinburgh Leisure will feature bookable amenities for the whole community, including a fitness suite and dance studio.
Information on when the other community facilities within the building will be ready for use will be published soon.
The new Community Campus has been built to Passivhaus standard, minimising energy consumption and reducing the reliance on active heating or cooling systems, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly construction.
In addition to the Passivhaus design, the new school contains other sustainable features supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments. This includes measures to improve the air quality and thermal performance of the building which are vital to achieving Passivhaus certification.
The new school building has been designed in line with the guiding principles of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy and is one of the projects in the second phase of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, alongside the project to redevelop Wester Hailes High School.
Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “The opening of the new Liberton High School marks a major milestone for pupils, staff and the wider community.
“This building has been designed to be futureproof with sustainability at its core, and I’m proud that it stands as one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools.
“The school’s leadership team has played a crucial role in shaping a learning environment that puts the needs of young people first, while also meeting our commitments to a net‑zero future.
“This project is however about more than just a school. It’s the foundation of a community lifelong‑learning and sports hub that will bring together education, public services and local amenities in one accessible place, from a Community Library to an NHS GP Surgery. This reflects our ‘Living Well Locally’ strategy, ensuring local services are co‑located where people need them most.
“Our aim is simple: to put local people at the heart of this campus, giving everyone the opportunity to learn, participate and thrive.
“I’m delighted that this exceptional new building will help to bring more local people in the community together, and we’re looking forward to announcing more about the new community facilities soon.”
Stuart Danskin, Project Director at Balfour Beatty said: “As Balfour Beatty’s first Passivhaus secondary school and the centrepiece of the new Liberton Community Campus, the successful completion of Liberton High School demonstrates our expertise in delivering innovative and sustainable infrastructure that creates lasting value for communities.
Council Leader Jane Meagher has met with business representatives, heritage organisations, community groups and Councillors to provide an update on efforts to reopen Princes Street.
The meeting also discussed the Council’s wider response to the disruption.
Cllr Meagher hosted the summit in the City Chambers on Wednesday evening, at which council officers set out in detail the complexity of making the former Debenhams building safe to allow the thoroughfare to reopen.
Initial proposals for a communications campaign to promote those businesses and communities most affected by the disruption were also presented and discussed. This will also include resident and visitor spend incentives, events and other promotions.
This activity will be paid for from the Scottish Government funding announced last week and would continue beyond the reopening of Princes Street and into next year.
Key points from the on-site progress update:
Five weeks on from the fire, work on site continues to progress well. The focus continues to be on making the building safe – allowing Princes Street to reopen – while aiming to retain as many of its historic features as possible.
This is complex and challenging work which is carried out from cranes by a team of highly skilled engineers.
The eastern gable of the building has been secured and made safe. This involved reducing it in height by approximately two metres and supporting it with scaffolding.
The front façade of the building is now being stabilised with steel beams – more than 40% of these are now in place internally and externally to support the western end of the Princes Street façade – with work ongoing on the remainder of the upper floors.
Several tonnes of bricks and unsafe stonework – some weighing as much as 850kg – from the upper levels of the façade have been carefully removed and carefully stored on site for reuse.
Debris and dangerous materials continue to be removed from inside the building – with several tonnes already removed.
Subject to favourable weather conditions (this restricts when this can be done safely) the hope is that work carried out will allow Princes Street to reopen by the end of August.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“We’ve been working tirelessly to make sure Princes Street can fully reopen and I’m reassured by the progress being made. It goes without saying that we want to do this as soon as possible – but only when it is safe to do so.
“I want to reiterate just how complicated, hazardous and challenging this work is – and it was helpful to be able to share more of this detail during, what was, a very positive and constructive meeting with local business and community representatives last night.
“I was extremely grateful to all those who attended and gave us their feedback – which I committed to taking on board, either immediately or as part of our lessons learned exercise that will follow. I also welcomed the views of Edinburgh World Heritage and the Scottish Architectural Society who spoke in praise of the steps we’re taking to preserve an important part of our city’s heritage.
“Clearly, the resulting disruption continues to have a significant effect on businesses, particularly on the north end of the tram route, and last night we outlined our plans for a communications campaign to promote Leith, the Shore and Newhaven – and everything all they have to offer for our residents and visitors.
“This is being developed very much in partnership with the businesses and communities themselves – and we hope it will encourage people to visit businesses in the area well into the future.
“What also came across strongly last night was the effect this is having on our residents who are struggling to get to work, meet commitments or make appointments. I want to put on record again my thanks for your patience and understanding and to reiterate my determination to bring this disruption to an end as soon as it is safe to do so.
“In the meantime, I want to give special thanks to Lothian Buses, particularly their drivers, for their support in keeping the city moving.”
Local Lib Dem councillors report: We’ve been alerted to major works to resurface the Crewe Toll roundabout and upgrade the pedestrian crossings.
The project will start on Monday 17th August and last for approximately 12 weeks.
The works will be completed via overnight shifts (between 7.30pm and 6.30am) but will require temporary closures of Crewe Road South, Crewe Road North, or the Ferry Road West approach.
Only one of these approaches will be closed at any one time.
Phase 1 will start with the closure of Crewe Road South at its junction with the Crewe Toll Roundabout. During these temporary road closures, traffic on the remaining four approaches will be managed via temporary traffic lights.
A signed diversion route will be in place for each of the closed approaches.
END THE “MARKETISED FAILURE” OF SOCIAL CARE WITH A PUBLICLY OWNED NATIONAL CARE SERVICE, DEMAND COMMUNISTS
THE Communist Party of Britain (CPB) has spoken out on social care policy in its campaign for the upcoming City of Edinburgh Council by-elections, taking aim at the “marketised failure” of privatised care services.
Standing candidates Richard Shillcock (Southside/Newington ward) and Peter Olech (Portobello/Craigmillar ward), the party is offering a distinct socialist alternative to the mainstream parties ahead of the vote on Thursday, 3 September 2026.
The Communists argue that Edinburgh’s current social care landscape—deeply reliant on private contractors and plagued by low wages—is failing both the vulnerable and the workforce.
The party is campaigning for a structural overhaul that mirrors the founding principles of the National Health Service (NHS): care that is fully nationalised, universally accessible, and free at the point of use.
A Local Blueprint for a National Care Service
The Communist campaign in Edinburgh centres on three localised demands designed to reverse decades of council privatisation and outsourcing:
Insourcing Care Services: Bringing outsourced adult social care contracts back under NHS and local authority management, creating a pathway toward a unified National Care Service.
Ending Low Pay and supporting Union Bargaining for Care Workers: Ending the exploitation of a predominantly female and ethnic minority workforce by establishing standardised council contracts. These will guarantee decent wages, fully compensated travel time, paid sleep-ins, and robust sectoral collective bargaining.
Funding People Not War: Rejecting regressive local taxes or service cuts. The party calls for the expansion of municipal budgets by taxing the city’s vast private corporate wealth and shifting resources away from international military spending toward vital local services.
Peter Olech, Communist Party candidate for Portobello/Craigmillar, said: “Edinburgh is a city of immense, concentrated wealth, yet our social care infrastructure is crumbling and working-class communities are paying the price.
“Turning care into a profit-driven market has driven down wages for care workers and diminished the quality of life for those needing support.
“We are standing to ensure care is treated as a fundamental human right, managed for the many rather than corporate shareholders.”
Richard Shillcock, Communist Party candidate for Southside/Newington, said: “The choice facing Edinburgh voters on 3 September is simple: welfare or warfare.
“While mainstream parties manage austerity and watch our social care system fracture, we demand that Edinburgh Council takes direct responsibility for our local public services.
“We could fully fund a dignified, publicly owned care system and reverse years of devastating budget cuts if we prioritised investing in people.”
The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood.
The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar to use their ballot papers to reject performative political tinkering and demand real, socialist structural change for Edinburgh’s working class.
MAJOR WORKS TO CREWE TOLL ROUNDABOUT 
