THE City Council wants to hear from communities across the city about neighbourhoods they would like to be considered for firework control zones next November. FCZs are for private spaces such as gardens. These zones help reduce noise, stress and littering caused by fireworks.
Of the nine zones in place in 2025, four continue this year as the application was for two years – Balerno, Calton Hill, Niddrie and Seafield.
Resident groups, community councils and other community groups – apply by 24 April if you wish your neighbourhood to be a firework control zone.
Apply for a firework control zone in your community:
The full list of candidates standing for election to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh’s six constituencies alongside those contesting the seven seats from the Edinburgh and Lothians East Region has now been finalised.
Nominations closed at 4pm yesterday. The candidates for each constituency at that deadline are listed below and on rhe city council’s website:
Edinburgh Central:
BONNIE PRINCE, Bob – Independent
CREIGHTON, Chris – Independent
DALGLEISH, James William – Scottish Labour Party
DUNDAS, Charles – Scottish Liberal Democrats
LAIRD, Tam – Scottish Libertarian Party
MOWAT, Jo – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MURRAY, Craig John – Alliance to Liberate Scotland
NEILL, Gary – Reform UK
POWNALL, Robert Neil – Independent
ROBERTSON, Angus – Scottish National Party (SNP)
SLATER, Lorna – Scottish Green Party
Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith:
LEES, David – Reform UK
MACPHERSON, Ben – Scottish National Party (SNP)
NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party
OWEN, Liss – Scottish Liberal Democrats
THOMAS, Oliver Philip – Scottish Labour Party
YOUNG, Haris – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Edinburgh North Western:
AHMED, Irshad – Scottish Labour Party
CAIRNS, Rachel – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
COLE-HAMILTON, Alex – Scottish Liberal Democrats
HENRY, David – Scottish Workers Party of Britain
JARDINE, Lyn Ann – Scottish National Party (SNP)
THOMSON, Davie – Reform UK
Edinburgh Northern:
COWDY, Christopher – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne – Scottish Liberal Democrats
HYSLOP, Euan – Scottish National Party (SNP)
KINROSS-O’NEILL, Kayleigh Ferguson – Scottish Green Party
MCLAUGHLIN, Andrew – Reform UK
MERON, Abu – Scottish Workers Party of Britain
RYAN-SAHA, Eleanor – Scottish Labour Party
Edinburgh South Western:
KUMAR, Simita – Scottish National Party (SNP)
MUNRO, Catriona – Scottish Labour Party
ROSE, Cameron – Reform UK
WEBBER, Sue – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
WILLIAMSON, Andy – Scottish Liberal Democrats
Edinburgh Southern:
ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Patricia – Scottish Liberal Democrats
BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
JOHNSON, Daniel Guy – Scottish Labour Party
MUNRO, Marie-Clair – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
TURNER, Charles – Reform UK
WILKINSON, Marc – Edinburgh & East Lothian People
Edinburgh and Lothians East (Region):
ADVANCE UK
MOFFAT, Sean
ALLIANCE TO LIBERATE SCOTLAND
MURRAY, Craig John
SMITH, Joe
KERR, Hugh
DALY, James
CARO, Anna
ANIMAL WELFARE PARTY
SCOTT, Mark
WILLISCROFT-FERRIS, Lee Christopher
MOIR, Vivienne Margaret
SMITH, Jane Catherine
COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN
CULLEN, Chris
EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE
WILKINSON, Marc
SISSON, David Henry Alan
EQUALITY PARTY
RENTON, David
MACKINTOSH, Laura
DYKES-JOHNSON, Caitlin
INDEPENDENCE FOR SCOTLAND PARTY
HANNAH, John
INDEPENDENT GREEN VOICE
BURNS, Megan
REFORM UK
ROSS, Angela
CHIDAMBARAM, Pal
DOUGLAS, Nigel
LEES, David
TURNER, Charles
MCLAUGHLIN, Andrew
NEILL, Gary
THOMSON, David
ROSE, Cameron
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY
BRIGGS, Miles
WEBBER, Sue
MUNRO, Marie-Clair
COWDY, Christopher
MOWAT, Jo
JONES, Tim
CAIRNS, Rachel
YOUNG, Haris
SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY
HOLDEN, Philip
DEEPNARAIN, Niel
LUCAS, Mairi
MACEACHEN, Helen
COX, Peter James
SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY
SLATER, Lorna Jane
NEVENS, Kate
MANIVANNAN, Q
KINROSS-O’NEILL, Kayleigh Ferguson
BOOTH, Chas
AL-KHATEB, Adam
PHILLIPS, Jo
WADHWA, Mridul Machindra
HEAP, Dan
KVASSNES, Astri JS
STANIFORTH, Alex
CEBULSKI, Mariusz Artur
SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
AHMED, Irshad
SANGSTER, Katherine
JOHNSON, Daniel
MUNRO, Catriona
WHITFIELD, Martin
STOTT, Caitlin
DALGLEISH, James
RYAN-SAHA, Eleanor
THOMAS, Oliver
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne Carlien
ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Particia
DUNDAS, Charles Christopher
YOUNIE, Lewis James
BUTLER, Jenny Claire Marr
OWEN, Alissa Jayne
GRANT, Alan
SCOTTISH LIBERTARIAN PARTY
LAIRD, Tam
SMITH, Gary Finlayson
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)
SHEPPARD, Tommy
BROCK, Deidre
KUMAR, Simita
ROBERTSON, Angus
MCLENNAN, Paul Stewart
BEATTIE, Colin
JARDINE, Lyn
SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY
FOX, Colin
REID, Natalie
MAXWELL, Ally
SCOTTISH WORKERS PARTY OF BRITAIN
HENRY, David
MERON, Abu
INDEPENDENT
BONNIE PRINCE, Bob
BALFOUR, Jeremy Ross
DAVIES, Morgwn Carter
REGAN, Ash
Paul Lawrence, the Constituency Returning Officer and Regional Returning Officer, said: “Today marks a significant step closer to the Capital going to the polls, crucially we now know who our residents will have the opportunity to vote for on 7 May.
“We want everyone to be able to exercise their democratic rights come polling day. I encourage everyone to make the appropriate arrangements as soon as possible – whether that’s registering to vote or applying for a postal or proxy vote if that is your preference.
“I want to thank our colleagues who are working hard to ensure this election runs smoothly and efficiently for the people of Edinburgh and the broader region.”
People aged 16 and over can vote in this election. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April, to apply for a postal vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, and for a proxy vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday May 7. You can find your polling place on our website. The count will take place on Friday May 8.
On Monday Living Rent campaigners took action outside Edinburgh City Chambers as the councillors voted to strike off four landlords from the landlord register.
Living Rent said: ‘This is a big win and shows the tide is turning against landlords in the city who thought they were untouchable. But now the council needs to go further and faster if they are going to fully clamp down on the city’s rogue landlords.
‘Across the city, many of Edinburgh’s tenants are being forced to live under the thumb of rogue landlords who force tenants to live in slum-like conditions, with chronic disrepair, force up the rent illegally, threaten and abuse the privacy of tenants and neglect their legal responsibility as a landlord.
‘Everyone should have a safe, warm and affordable home. The council has proven they can take action, now they need to go further and clamp down on all rogue landlords across the city!’
Education, Children and Families Convenor, Cllr James Dalgleish writes about work to address child poverty across schools and communities:
It has a been ten years since the introduction of our 1 in 5 Raising Awareness of Child Poverty campaign – ambitious and extensive work to tackle the stigma associated with poverty and to support families and children.
We built on this in 2018 with the rollout of our Making Education Equal for All framework, providing schools with practical guidance on how to help those in their communities living in poverty. I’m pleased that an updated version has just been launched.
A decade on and around 18,000 children and young people citywide are still living in poverty. It is hard to comprehend what this means day to day unless you’ve seen or experienced it first-hand. The tired faces of children starting the school day with an empty tummy, the endlessly forgotten school trip money – and on top of this the extra burden of shame, isolation and exclusion that living in poverty can bring.
It is unacceptable that this is Edinburgh’s reality and it is imperative that we continue to do everything we can to level the playing field for all children and young people.
It is positive that in the last ten years, the action we’ve taken has narrowed the poverty related attainment gap, helped more learners to take part in activities and to achieve, and supported families with their wellbeing and finances.
Reducing the cost of the school day – including removing/reducing the cost of uniform, trips and extra-curricular activities has been a priority. We went even further last year, when we removed the requirement for branded school uniform – minimising unnecessary costs and reducing pressure on family finances.
Our Active Schools teams provide extra-curricular sport activities, before and after school and at lunchtimes at no charge. We have also invested in musical instruments to enable more pupils to learn an instrument and to progress – it is fantastic that those who wouldn’t have done before, are now taking part in our ensembles.
I firmly believe that our schools should be a place of equity, where regardless of a child’s background, where or who they live with – they have every opportunity to achieve their goals and ambitions.
There is still a long way to go to remove poverty-related barriers. We are committed to doing all we can to make sure that all children and young people in Edinburgh have equal access and opportunities to participate in, and make the most of, their school experience – and every chance to succeed.
This article fist appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News
A high-quality, energy efficient development at Coatfield Lane, Leith will deliver much-needed family housing and improved greenspace.
Plans to deliver 49 new affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have been approved, marking a significant step forward in the Council’s ongoing programme to increase the supply of high-quality affordable housing across the city.
The new homes will be delivered on behalf of the Council by CCG (Scotland) Ltd in collaboration with Collective Architecture. The development, designed to meet a range of housing needs will include a mix of 1–4 bedroom flats and family houses and will be located in the heart of the Leith Conservation Area, close to the historic Kirkgate.
The homes will be well insulated and highly energy efficient thanks to a combination of advanced construction methods and the adoption of air source heat pump technology.
In addition to the homes, the project will provide improvements to the existing public realm including greenspaces, rain gardens and biodiverse planting.
Councillor Tim Pogson, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Unfortunately too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.
“The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused. And, as we build these new homes, we’ll create well designed places that respect the historic character of the area while delivering modern high-quality homes.
“I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.”
CCG Managing Director David Wylie said: “We are delighted that plans for 49 affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have now been approved.
“Our team has worked collaboratively with the design partners to develop the proposals and realise the Council’s aspirations to deliver what will be a transformative development for the Leith community, and we look forward to commencing construction later this year.”
Collective Architecture said: “We’re delighted that the scheme has received planning approval.
“The new homes are sensitively integrated into the historic Kirkgate setting, sitting comfortably within the existing urban grain and immediately adjacent to the Category A-Listed Linksview House.
“Our proposals enhance the surrounding public realm and prioritise high quality architectural and urban design, incorporating social and environmental needs. This approach ensures meaningful benefits for both new residents and the existing community in Leith.”
The balance of funding required to bring the historic Granton Lighthouse in the north of Edinburgh back to life and transform it into a community arts & education hub has been secured.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visited Granton Lighthouse in Edinburgh to outline projects benefiting from our Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in 2026-27.
The initiatives are expected to create more than 1,200 jobs and 800 training opportunities.
The restoration project, part of the wider £1.3bn regeneration of the Granton Waterfront area, will transform the historic building once used as a place to teach lighthouse keepers their trade into a flexible, accessible modern workspace to be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
As part of its original use, the ‘C’ listed nineteenth century building, an important part of the built heritage of the Granton Waterfront area, was also used to test new illuminations for other lighthouses.
This historic building will be fully refurbished to create a learning, enterprise and exhibition/cafe space. As well as restoring some original features such as the lantern, the outside space will be transformed into a social space for people to sit and relax and enjoy some greenery. Disabled parking and cycle storage will also be provided.
A planning application to carry out the work has been submitted and work could start as early as next year.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“I’m delighted the funding is now in place to restore this historically significant building to be enjoyed by the local community for generations to come.
“The former lighthouse building is a strong visual reminder of the area’s history. It will now start a new chapter as it continues to be a place of learning and creativity as well as a focal point for the local community to meet.
“Arts and Education Trust Out of the Blue were selected as a suitable operator to lease the building following feedback from local people who told us they need a flexible, accessible work and events space for arts education.
“It’s also another great milestone reached for our £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area and follows our announcement at the end of last year that the Council had been successful in securing funding for this and several other heritage buildings.
“This includes funding to refurbish and restore structures such as Madelvic House, Granton Castle Walled Garden and the platforms in Granton Station Square, the latter of which are located beside the beautifully restored former Granton Station building.”
The first part of a Framework Agreement to support the delivery of new, affordable homes in Edinburgh, worth around £350m, is now live.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s four-year New Build Housing Framework Agreement will provide an efficient route to procure the construction of new build housing. This will help tackle the city’s housing emergency by aiding the Council’s ambition to deliver 25,000 affordable homes.
Lot 1, the first of two lots encompassed by the Framework, was approved by Finance and Resources Committee in January and, after a mandatory standstill period, is now live. The Lot is split into three sub-Lots based upon the size of prospective sites – one to 30 homes, 31 to 100 homes and 100+ homes. By splitting Lot 1 into sub-Lots the Council aimed to encourage greater participation from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), reducing overall reliance on a small number of contractors.
Now that successful contractors have been awarded a place under the Agreement, the Council can progress housebuilding projects with them more quickly, without the need for a full tender process each time.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Tim Pogson, said: “We’re fully committed to addressing the housing emergency in Edinburgh, pledging a record £1.6bn to housebuilding in this year’s budget, helping to realise our ambition to build 25,000 new affordable homes across the city.
“Procuring the right contractors to deliver these homes can take time, so I’m pleased that Lot 1 of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement is now in place, helping to streamline the process and letting us tackle the issue at pace.
“Our Procurement Service’s innovative approach to the Framework has opened opportunities to a broader range of contractors, including SMEs, increasing capacity for house building projects.”
Lot 2 will focus on collaboration, allowing the Council to work with other partners to jointly procure sites to achieve economies of scale.
A further award report for Lot 2 will be presented to Finance and Resources Committee in the coming months. Contracts awarded under both Lots of the New Build Housing Framework Agreement are valued in total at an estimated £600m.
A robust tender process carried out by Commercial and Procurement Services involved engagement with the market and attracted 22 responses across both Lots.
According to the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA3) for the South-East Scotland area, there is demand for between 36,000 and 52,000 new homes in Edinburgh between 2021 to 2040, between 24,000 and 35,000 of which need to be affordable.
Libraries across Edinburgh are celebrating after being recognised at the prestigious Library of the Year Award at The British Book Awards 2026.
The collaborative work of Oxgangs Library, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and the Mobile Library Service have been named Scotland Regional and Country Winner for Library of the Year.
Their Secret Santa Project saw individuals in custody receive specially selected library books, gift-wrapping them so recipients would have something meaningful to open on Christmas Day.
The partnership will now go forward for the overall Library of the Year Award, with the final winner to be announced at The British Book Awards 2026.
Alongside the regional win, other Edinburgh libraries were also recognised as finalists in the Scotland category.
Kirkliston and South Queensferry Library were recognised for their role supporting children and young people through transition between primary school and high school by working with local schools to promote literacy, encourage reading for pleasure and expand educational opportunities for children and young people in the local areas.
Meanwhile, Craigmillar Librarywas shortlisted for their work with young people to create a teenage book group, where the young people have not only developed a love of reading, they have also learned new skills in areas such as creative writing and research.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been recognised as a Regional and Country winner for Library of the Year. This achievement is testament to the dedication and creativity of the teams at Oxgangs, Saughton Library at HMP Edinburgh and our Mobile Libraries service, whose hard work has made this possible.
“They delivered a thoughtful Secret Santa initiative that provided gift-wrapped books for people in custody at what can be a particularly lonely time of year. The project not only helped boost participation with the library but brought comfort to so many.
“My congratulations also go to the teams at Craigmillar and Kirkliston and South Queensferry Libraries who were recognised as finalists.
I’m so proud that we have such a fantastic library service across the whole city.”
Council Leader Jane Meagher reflects on the strength of Edinburgh’s diverse communities
I’ve used the time since the knife attacks in the Calders last Monday to reflect on the strong sense of community that we enjoy here in Edinburgh – and on the many benefits that come from our incredible diversity (writes City of Edinburgh Counci leader JANE MEAGHER). As Nelson Mandela famously said, ‘our differences are our strength ’.
What has struck me most following this isolated, albeit frightening incident, is the way that those in the community were able to rally and unite in the face of adversity.
This was abundantly clear when I visited the Calders to spend time with the community and with council colleagues in our schools, early years centre and in our housing service – all of whom were impacted by what had happened.
What stood out was the selfless way they focused on the safety and wellbeing of those in their care – and I want to thank everyone who played their part during and after the incident, including of course the Police and other emergency services.
I was particularly heartened by the conversation I had with local shopkeeper, Mr Hussain, whose store was badly damaged by the attacker. Despite what he’d been through, he spoke proudly of the kind-hearted support he’d received from across the community and how they’d helped him clear up his shop.
We are all reminded in these circumstances of the need to stand together – and of the importance of community spirit and tolerance.
From our long-standing links with the Norwegians and Poles during and after World War II to the thousands of Ukrainians, Afghans and Syrians who now call Edinburgh home, we’re proud to be a city of sanctuary – welcoming all those who come here in search of a better life.
Many have lived here for generations and some of our best loved institutions – cafes, bars, restaurants and other family businesses – are only here thanks to incomers. Those who care for us, either in the community or in hospitals include people from other parts of the world. Our city and its culture are all the better for it.
Sadly, there are those who will seek to spread hate, division and misinformation on the back of last week’s incident. Of course, people have a right to make their views heard, and to travel great distances to do so, but I condemn the opportunism and ignorance shown by some, particularly online.
One way we can combat such intolerance is to recognise and celebrate the strength and diversity of our communities across the city, comprising people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds.
It was timely, then, that earlier this week councillors agreed a new Equal Edinburgh framework, which will help us do just that. We want all residents to be able to easily access and benefit from the services that meet their needs – without stigma and in a way that suits them.
Developed in partnership with our communities and partners, we hope that this will also help to reduce isolation, while fostering good community relations across the city.
We’re lucky to live in such a welcoming and diverse city. Our strength lies in all those who call Edinburgh home – our shared experiences sit alongside our differences – and we all have a part to play in keeping it that way.
This article first appeared in Edinburgh Evening News (12 March)
