Tag: city council

Celebrating 30 years of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site

Planning Convener Cllr Joan Griffiths writes about birthday celebrations for Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site ahead of World Heritage Day on Saturday:

It’s three decades since Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns were inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list in 1995, recognising the city’s diverse and iconic buildings and landmarks –  thirty years on and we have a lot to celebrate this World Heritage Day,  Saturday 18 April.

The status recognises the Towns (collectively) as one of the most extraordinary urban landscapes in the world and helps us along with our partners, Historic Environment Scotland and Edinburgh World Heritage, to make sure its value and beauty is preserved for generations to come.

As partners we’re tasked with preserving the organic medieval Old Town and the planned Georgian New Town including the city’s iconic skyline. The Site offers a rich contrast of styles between the Old Town’s narrow, winding closes and the broad, elegant streets of the New Town. Along with our partners we look after around 4,500 individual buildings and for around 30,000 Edinburgh residents the Site is their home.

UNESCO’s values include working with communities and young people. Celebrating this big birthday is giving us a fantastic opportunity to engage residents and visitors in activities to help them find out more about this historically important and internationally renowned area of our beautiful Capital city.

If you’re a photography enthusiast, we’re running a competition with our partners to help celebrate this milestone. We’re asking you to share an image with us before the end of October that captures what inspires you most about the World Heritage Site and makes Edinburgh so special in your eyes. There are 12 categories to choose from, ranging from the Medieval Old Town to the Living City.

Winning images in each category will become part of a year-long calendar and you will be able to buy one in our Museums and Galleries shops, at Historic Scotland sites and at Edinburgh World Heritage events to raise money to help manage the Site going forward.

For our young residents we’ve asked a class of primary four Granton Primary pupils to work with a freelance artist over the summer term. The children will visit the Museum of Edinburgh and be given a special educational tour of the World Heritage Site.

The artist will carry out a number of sessions with the pupils in their classroom guiding them to paint their impressions of what they found interesting and memorable during their trip around this historic area of our city. When complete the work will be exhibited in the Museum of Edinburgh from 5 October to 10 January for everyone to enjoy.

Why not use this week to find out more about the Old and New Towns World Heritage Site and enter any special images of the area you are proud of into our photography competition. Good luck and happy snapping!

Takeaway cup recycling made easier in Edinburgh

Recycling takeaway cups in Edinburgh is now easier thanks to a collaborative scheme Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched with the National Cup Recycling Scheme and City of Edinburgh Council.

Dedicated cup bins will be deployed on Market Street, Waverley Bridge and outside Haymarket Station to collect single-use cups in a new trial to test the effectiveness of on-street cup recycling and see if it is possible to boost the number of cups being recycled in Scotland – currently 4% – and prevent them from ending up as litter or in landfill.  

Furthermore, the partners have teamed up with retailers including Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, Greggs and McDonald’s to launch Take It Back in Edinburgh. 

This is the first time our Cup Movement campaign has taken place in Edinburgh and will build on the previous success and learnings of trials in Glasgow and Dundee. 

More than 30 stores in Edinburgh are participating in Take It Back, allowing customers to take a single-use cup back to any of the above retailers to be recycled.  

Heather McLaughlin, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Campaigns Manager, said: “Single-use cups make up a huge percentage of the items polluting Scotland’s environment. 

“More than half of people in Scotland (59%) often see littered single-use cups. In Edinburgh alone a recent bin audit of on-street bins outside Waverley Station found that single-use cups made up 59% of the drinks waste. 

“The reality is that these single-use products are already ending up as litter. We need to address our over consumption of single-use products and make an effort to choose reusable options. 

“However, we know that reuse is not always possible or practical. This scheme will make it easier for people who use single-use cups to ensure they are recycled properly.” 

Hannah Osman, National Cup Recycling Manager at Valpak Ltd, said: “Transport hubs are some of the highest footfall locations in Scotland, and we know from our data that a significant volume of single-use cups are consumed on the go.  

“By targeting key commuter routes, this trial allows us to test how dedicated infrastructure in the right locations can capture more material and significantly increase recycling rates. 

“Through this partnership, we’re using real-time data and evidence from previous trials to understand what works, measure contamination levels, track capture rates, and build a scalable model for on-street cup recycling. 

“The goal is simple: make cup recycling visible, convenient and data-driven so it can be rolled out effectively across other cities in Scotland and beyond.” 

Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, City of Edinburgh Council’s Environment Convener, said: “Increasing recycling rates in the city is one of our key priorities. 

“It’s important we support targeted projects like this to make it easier for people to dispose of takeaway cups, which have become so popular in recent years and the prominent locations of these three new dedicated bins will hopefully do that. 

“I’d also always encourage residents and visitors buying a regular cuppa to wherever possible take their own cup into takeaway stores to cut down on the need to use the disposable ones at all.” 

Typical single-use hot drink cups cannot go into standard recycling bins or be recycled at home. To avoid cups ending up in landfill, it is really important to #TakeItBack.  So, even if you forget your reusable cup, you can still help reduce the negative environmental impact of single-use cups if you #TakeItBack. 

Find the participating Edinburgh stores on our interactive map.

Read more on our website and remember to #TakeItBack next time you’re in Edinburgh: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/…/takeaway-cup…/

Councillors respond to Cramond public transport concerns

SHUTTLE BUS SOLUTION TO D MAINS ROUNDABOUT CLOSURE

Important update on 47 bus diversion

We wrote to you yesterday about Lothian Buses’ decision to divert the 47 bus service during the 9 week duration of the roadworks at the Davidson’s Mains roundabout.

The consequence of the change, due to start from Monday, is that the 47 will run along Queensferry Road to the terminus at Cammo without serving Cramond Road South and Whitehouse Road.

As we explained yesterday, it was completely unacceptable to us for Cramond to be left without a key bus link for so long.

We want to thank the literally hundreds of our constituents who have emailed us about this. Please accept our apologies for the fact we’ve not been able to reply to everyone.

We hope you’ll understand our focus over the last 24 hours has been in finding a solution for our constituents who rely on the 47. As councillors, we felt our job was to keep up the pressure on both Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Council officers to get action.

Our strong preference was for Lothian to simply route the 47 right at the Barnton junction and into Whitehouse Road for a loop around Cramond. This would replicate the old route of the service. We pressed Lothian to consider this.

However, Lothian have refused to adopt this temporary route because of their concerns over the impact it could have on the timings of the service as a whole.

Nevertheless, we have now managed to secure an important new alternative service which we hope will help –

We’ve had it confirmed tonight that that a free to use shuttle bus will be available for Cramond residents. This will operate between Cramond and Cammo. People can then connect to the 47 bus for journeys along Queensferry Road and onward.

This will be up and running by the middle of next week – ahead of the schools returning from their Easter break. We will share more specific details of when we have them.

We know this shuttle service is far from ideal – however, it will mean people can still get public transport to connect to the 47 bus service when they need it.

We also want to make sure the work in Davidson’s Mains is completed as quickly as possible so things return to normal just as soon as they can.

We will of course keep you informed as we get more information.

With best wishes,

Cllr Kevin Lang

Cllr Louise Young

Cllr Lewis Younie

Lib Dem councillors for Cramond and Barnton

Disruption warning as D Mains roundabout to close on Monday

Davidson’s Mains roundabout closed from Monday (13 April) for work to improve road safety. There will be no access for vehicles from Cramond Road South, Main Street or Quality Street.

This will affect Lothian Bus services 47 and 21.

Find out more about bus diversions: www.lothianbuses.com/service-updates

The city council is working hard to limit disruption and working closely with Lothian Buses to put alternative plans in place for Cramond residents from next week.

More information www.edinburgh.gov.uk/davidsonsmains

Charity warns lives are at risk as specialist funding withdrawn

Deaf Action says EIJB decision has left some people in dire situations

The lives of deaf people have been put at risk by Edinburgh Integration Joint Board’s (EIJB) decision to withdraw specialist social work funding, according to Scotland’s leading deaf-led charity.

Deaf Action is urging Edinburgh’s health and social care body to reinstate the services, including social work support, specialist equipment and preventative, community-based assistance with immediate effect.

The organisation argues that the EIJB’s decision contradicts council leader Jane Meagher’s claim that a four percent rise in Council Tax will see it “protecting frontline services for those most in need of our support”.

Deaf Action has highlighted numerous examples of how the decision has affected the deaf community in the city, including one of a woman who had a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) order added to her medical records after a stroke because staff thought she couldn’t communicate.

In fact, as a British Sign Language (BSL) user she needed an interpreter and it was only an ad hoc welfare visit to the woman in hospital by a BSL-using Community Care Assistant that identified the problem. The woman involved was too unwell to be interviewed for this press release.

Deaf Action’s campaign has won the support of several MPs and MSPs, including the deputy first minister, Kate Forbes.

Philip Gerrard MBE, chief executive of Deaf Action, said: “Edinburgh once had specialist, deaf-led BSL-first services that helped people navigate daily life in their own language. Those services have been dismantled, one after another, and the result is that deaf people are now being pushed into generic systems that are not designed for BSL users.

“When you take away that language provision, you take away accessibility. It increases the risk of people being misunderstood, left isolated or falling through safeguarding gaps. The Council must restore these services as a matter of urgency.”

Jennifer Staples, who was born deaf and has lived in Edinburgh all her life, relied on Deaf Action’s specialist BSL-led support for more than four decades.

Through regular access to a dedicated social worker and later community-based services, she was able to manage everyday tasks, understand important correspondence and live independently with confidence.

Since the withdrawal of these services, Jennifer says she has been left struggling to navigate basic aspects of daily life, facing increasing isolation and uncertainty.

Jennifer said: “Every Thursday I knew that there was a two-hour slot, I could see a social worker, a person I knew, and I would go regularly. They could sign fluently and we communicated directly. But then the contract was changed and I was lost. It’s so different going through an interpreter. There were barriers everywhere.

“For example, I had a problem with my gas meter. The company stopped sending me printed bills and sent emails instead. They put on my account that I was deaf, but they kept trying to call me and I obviously can’t take a phone call.

“Nowadays I have to ask my family for help, but they don’t have any time, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. It’s really stressful. I’m worrying about it all the time and I don’t sleep well because of it.

“I really hope that the Council brings something back for deaf people in Edinburgh – we need support.”

Deaf Action points to a further example of a deaf man with special educational needs who went without heating for four months over the winter due to communication failures within generic social care services.

Despite raising concerns, he did not fully understand the advice given by a visiting social worker about arranging an engineer, leaving the problem unresolved from November until February.

Deaf Action argues that the replacement of specialist provision with generic services is a false economy. The charity produced a cost analysis study which concludes that removing specialist deaf-led support does not eliminate need or reduce public spending; instead, it shifts demand into far more expensive crisis services.

Three key services have been cut in sequence over the past 18 months:

  • Deaf Social Worker (cut September 2024) – specialist, deaf-aware support with cultural understanding and BSL-first assessment and safeguarding
  • Specialist Equipment (March 2025) – deaf-specific equipment such as alerting systems, with repairs, replacements and specialist advice
  • Community Care Assistant Service (November 2025) – deaf-led, preventative support helping deaf people navigate health, care and day-to-day life

Philip Gerrard added: “The cuts contradict Scotland’s stated ambition under the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act, passed a decade ago, to be the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, learn and visit,

“And this all comes just a few months after a UK Government report (link below [1] ) called for the reintroduction and strengthening of the role of specialist social workers and sensory teams across local authorities”.

As well as calling for the reintroduction of the specialist services, Deaf Action wants the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership to publish a full equality and social impact assessment that considers the cumulative effect of the cuts.

Philip Gerrard, who has met with the City of Edinburgh’s leader, Jane Meagher, and Connor Savage, the Chair of its Integration Board, said he hopes constructive discussions can continue.

REPORT: Locked out: Exclusion of deaf and deafblind BSL users from health and social care in the UK (full report – BSL and English versions)

Foundations mark next phase of Powderhall regeneration

Foundations have been laid on the next phase of the Powderhall regeneration, marking significant progress in delivering new homes and an educational facility as part of the long-term transformation of the former waste transfer station, bowling greens and adjacent stables sites.

Above-ground construction is now underway on the former bowling greens site, where contractors CCG (Scotland) are installing substructures, foundations and drainage.

This phase will deliver 27 council homes for older people alongside a 128-place early years centre and improvements to St Mark’s Path which is part of QuietRoute 20. The homes will deliver much needed affordable housing in the city centre including 19 wheelchair adapted homes which there is an acute shortage of across the city.

The new nursery, which will be managed by Broughton Primary School, is part of the city’s expansion of early learning and childcare provision and will increase the accessibility, affordability, flexibility and quality of funded early learning and childcare places to meet the needs of the local community.

The regeneration of Powderhall also includes the restoration of the historic Powderhall Stables into flexible workspace and artist studios, which is due to open soon, and upgrades to the Broughton Road and McDonald Road junction.

The final phase of the project will redevelop the former waste transfer station site where over 200 new affordable and private homes, as well as a new civic square on Broughton Road, will be built.

The complete  redevelopment of Powderhall will create a new residential neighbourhood alongside community facilities, green space and improved walking and cycling routes completing the transformation of Powderhall into a vibrant new neighbourhood.

The development received a £1.4m funding boost from the Scottish Government through the Vacant & Derelict Land Investment Programme.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This is a very exciting moment for the Powderhall regeneration. Seeing foundations now laid for the next phase marks real progress in delivering more homes our city urgently needs.

“I am looking forward to seeing the new affordable homes and early years centre take shape. Once all phases of Powderhall are complete there will be more than 200 homes alongside new community facilities and green space. This development will create a vibrant and inclusive new neighbourhood for people to live and thrive in.

“Two years on from declaring a housing emergency, we know we must keep pushing forward with solutions to deliver more housing at pace. Plans to regenerate city centre brownfield sites such as the former waste transfer station will form part of this.”

CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Powderhall will soon become a valued asset for Canonmills. Not only will it help to address the growing demand for amenity housing and nursery spaces, but its delivery will also help to create a lasting positive legacy for the wider community, far beyond bricks and mortar.

“Six new jobs, one trade apprenticeship and 13 work placements are set to be created, alongside £7,500 of investment and a commitment to undertake 50 volunteering days in support of Broughton Primary School.

“We thank the City of Edinburgh Council for their continued support, and I look forward to seeing how construction will take shape in the months ahead.”

A term of musical achievement for Edinburgh’s young musicians

Even more pupils have had the opportunity to perform as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s citywide ensembles and events programme.

Over 5,500 young people in Edinburgh receive weekly music lessons in their schools through the Instrumental Music Service. Over the last month (28 February – 31 March 2026) even more children and young people in Edinburgh have had the opportunity to experience the benefits of live music making, performing as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s citywide ensembles and events programme.

  • At the end of February, 60 young pianists took part in the second annual piano festival, hosted in the City of Edinburgh Music School. Young pianists performed a range of pieces on the Steinway Grand Piano in the recital room.
  • On the 1 March, the Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Senior Guitar Ensemble were selected, from a range of national entries, to perform at the Scottish Young Musician Ensemble Final at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
  • Young jazz musicians have had the opportunity to showcase their talent this term, including on the 10 March at the city’s iconic Jazz Bar. The Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra performed an hour-long set, featuring the internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Sue McKenzie.
  • BBC Proms presenter, saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam, delivered an inspiring masterclass for young saxophonists on Thursday 12 March, prior to her Scottish premiere with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
  • On the 15 March, three bands from Leith Academy, James Gillespies High School and Boroughmuir High School performed a sold-out gig at the Jazz Bar as part of Edinburgh Rocks! Festival. The Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble took to the stage as the headliner for the festival.

On 23 March, over 600 young musicians, with pupils from the majority of Edinburgh’s schools, took to the stage at the Usher Hall, performing across seven different ensembles.

The first half featured Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Guitar Ensemble and Edinburgh School’s Rock Ensemble.

The first half closed with the inaugural performance of the City of Edinburgh Schools Training Wind Ensemble, with over 120 wind musicians from 17 secondary schools taking part.

The second half opened with over 120 string players performing as part of the Edinburgh Primary String Ensemble – the first public performance for many of these learners. The concert closed with the Edinburgh Schools’ Wind Ensemble performing music from three iconic movie scores and the Edinburgh Schools’ Symphony Orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Festive Overture.

This school session is the first time all Edinburgh’s secondary schools have been represented as part of the Instrumental Music Service’s Usher Hall concert series. In recent years, the Instrumental Music Service has invested in additional resources including instruments, with a focus on equity, to further remove barriers to learning and participation.

Education, Children and Families Convenor, Councillor James Dalgleish said: “We want as many children and young people as possible to have the opportunity to not only learn an instrument, but to make progress, have the chance to play as part of a group or ensemble, and to perform to an audience.

“All of this is hugely beneficial for young people in both the short and long term, helping to build perseverance, self-esteem, communication and creativity. These skills and experiences, together with the sense of achievement, pave the way for better attainment and life chances.

“We are committed to making sure that pupils who may not have had the opportunity to do so before are now taking part in our ensembles and getting to experience the buzz of performing to an audience.

“I want to thank our dedicated instrumental instructors and those who give up their time to coach and lead our ensembles – I am confident that these experiences will stay with our young people well beyond their time at school.

To round off the term, on 31 March, the city hosted their Scottish Young Musician Regional Final, in Portobello High School. The competition featured representatives from 12 secondary schools, all competing for the coveted title of The City of Edinburgh Council Young Musician of the Year.

In the end, it was pianist Joshua Gibson, from Queensferry High School, who found favour with the judges.

With singer Liza Aquado, from St Augustine’s R.C. High School, awarded runner up and guitarist Ivar Mackie, from Portobello High School, awarded the most promising young musician. Joshua will now represent the City of Edinburgh Council, performing at the national Scottish Young Musician Final, at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in May.

Oscar, S4 pupil at Boroughmuir High School said: “The Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble is brilliant fun, I really enjoy it, it’s an opportunity like no other!

“Our teachers and all the young musicians are totally committed to our weekly rehearsals and to all our gigs throughout the year – of which our recent performances at Edinburgh’s Jazz Bar and the Usher Hall were just two.

“I’ve made some really good friends and I cannot wait to go on tour in June!

Should your community be a Firework Control Zone?

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:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/firework-control-zones

Holyrood candidates confirmed

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.

Detailed advice on registering to vote, the use of postal and proxy votes and other guidance is available on the Council’s website.

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. 

Victory for campaigners as rogue landlords struck off

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!’