Charter presentation put on hold

Local campaign group North Edinburgh Fight Back has cancelled plans to present their anti-poverty demands to councillors at tomorrow’s full council meeting – the last before the 3 May elections.

Last month, the group announced their intention to present all 58 councillors with individual copies of the Community Charter scroll and to send a deputation to address Thursday’s meeting.

The group has been in touch to say that this will NOT now be happening and has asked us to let our readers know.

More information on why tomorrow’s deputation was cancelled – and when the scrolls will be handed over – when we have it.

Scott Hastings opens Inverleith fitness trail

Inverleith resident and former Scotland rugby star Scott Hastings officially opened Inverleith Park’s new fitness trail this morning. Scott was joined by members of the Friends of Inverleith Park group at a ribbon-cutting ceremony organised to mark the occasion.

Funded by the city council, wooden fitness equipment has been installed at ten stations around the park’s northern perimeter, and Scott was joined by his training companion Parker the dog as he demonstrated the delights of the exercise trail!

Inverleith Park is already a very popular location, used by a number of sports clubs, fitness groups and thousands of individuals, particularly joggers. The Council, along with the Friends of Inverleith Park and other user groups, decided that a fitness trail would improve the facilities and equipment for users of the park wanting to exercise.

Installation was completed at the end of March and fitness enthusiasts can now complete a circuit of the park whilst tackling bench sit-ups, a tyre run, wobble board and a number of other challenges along the way!

Scott said: “As a local resident and a regular jogger I am very impressed with the fitness trail. I am amazed at the number of people who have been using it to boost their exercise. I have had a bit of fun using the exercise stations as a break from my regular running route. Inverleith Park is a really fantastic space and this new fitness track enhances the amount of things that one can do whilst admiring the wonderful views across our great city”.

Friends of Inverleith Park convener Tony Cook added: “Comments about the fitness trail have been overwhelmingly positive and the new facilities will mean that even more people will come to enjoy this wonderful park.”

Scott Hastings opens Inverleith fitness trail

May 3 candidates confirmed

The following candidates will be seeking your support in the Local Government elections on 3 May. Four councillors will be elected in both the Forth and Inverleith wards from the following lists:

4. Forth Ward

Steve Cardownie – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Cammy Day – Scottish Labour Party

George Gordon – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Ruth Ann Henderson – Scottish Anti-Cuts Coalition

Allan George Jackson – Scottish Conservative and Unionist

Kate Joester – Scottish Green Party

Seumas Stiubhard Macmhicean – Liberal Party in Scotland

Vicki Redpath – Scottish Labour Party

Tim Wight – Scottish Liberal Democrats

5. Inverleith Ward

Nigel Bagshaw – Scottish Green Party

Gavin Barrie – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Scott Douglas – Scottish Conservative and Unionist

Lesley Hinds – Scottish Labour Party

Tim McKay – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Iain Whyte – Scottish Conservative and Unionist

John Young – Scottish National Party (SNP).

This election uses the STV (Single Transferable Vote) system, which involves putting numbers against preferred candidates.

You must be on the register of electors to be able to vote. You can register to vote for this year’s council elections:

if you are 18 or over, or will be 18 on or before 3 May 2012
if you are a British or Commonwealth Citizen
if you are an EU national
even if you are homeless or living in temporary or long-term hostel accommodation.

A registration form is sent to homes every autumn but you can check if you are registered to vote at the Local Government Elections on 3 May 2012 by calling the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500. But remember – you only have until Wednesday 18 April to register to vote, so check now!

Council official sees the light!

Council official John McFarlane has responsibility for street lighting, and last month he attended a Drylaw Telford Community Council meeting to hear concerns over inadequate street lighting in the area. As well as just listening, however, Mr McFarlane decided to see the problems for himself and left the meeting with a small group of local residents to visit some of the problem areas. Last night’s community council meeting heard that Mr McFarlane has been in touch and is now relooking at lighting in Drylaw.

In an email to community council Chairman Mike Clark, Mr McFarlane said: ‘I can confirm that the residents’ concerns were noted at the walkabout and my design team are currently working on a few change scenarios which will hopefully address these concerns. It is our intention to install alternative solutions in separate areas in Drylaw after which we will liaise with adjacent residents to determine the effectiveness of these solutions. Once a preferred solution is agreed through consultation with the residents we will implement these changes”.

Mr McFarlane added that he would be delighted to attend a future community council meeting and will contact the community council again ‘once we have progressed things at our end’.

Speaking after the meeting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Mike Clark said: “This is a positive development. Our February meeting was one of the best attended for some time as local residents wanted to make their concerns known. With the new lighting, some people feel that parts of the neighbourhood are just far too dark. It’s encouraging that the council is listening to those concerns and, more importantly, appears willing to act to address them”.

Street lighting has dominated Drylaw Telford agendas for some months now, but among other issues also discussed at last night’s meeting were the proposed skate park for Easter Drylaw Park, the cost of upgrading and maintaining Drylaw Field in Wester Drylaw and two forthcoming special meetings – the annual Thomas Tierney Award presentation and, with the council elections coming up, a hustings event.

The community council also discussed the curious case of the missing goal-posts – this long-running mystery may yet be solved at a future meeting. Watch this space, all may be revealed!

Drylaw Telford Community Council meets on the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. All welcome.

Council cash for local paths

North Edinburgh’s path network is set for a spruce-up as a £153,000 clean up kicks off. The investment was announced in February as part of the £2 million in extra funding made available by the City of Edinburgh Council, of which £650,000 was earmarked for street cleansing and environmental projects.

Other projects across the city include:

Cleaning up the Water of Leith basin and Niddrie Burn;
Improving access in Liberton Park;
Fixing fences and installing bike racks in the Meadows;
Constructing tree pits and replacing trees in Saughtonhall Drive;
Landscaping the entrance to Campbell Park.

Environmental task forces teams in each of Edinburgh’s neighbourhood areas drew up the list of projects they felt would benefit in the short term.

A total of £21,000 is being spent in the south west neighbourhood, £22,000 in Leith and the city centre, £26,000 in the west, £24,000 in the east, £20,000 in the north, £30,000 in the south, and £10,000 to paint play parks throughout the city. In North Edinburgh, the money will be spent on landscaping and habitat improvements to the North Edinburgh Path Network

David Lyon, Head of Environment at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This extra money means that we can carry out targeted improvements to local areas across the city which are in need of a bit of a facelift. It is an excellent opportunity to enhance some of our open spaces to the benefit of both local residents and visitors.”

Tenants to have their say in housing strategy

Council tenants will continue to shape the city’s housing services after the green light was given to include them in future decisions. Tenant Participation Strategy 2012-2015 was approved at a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Health, Social Care and Housing Committee this week. The strategy’s aim is to improve the ways tenants can participate in decisions on housing and related services in their communities, and it builds on previous tenant participation events organised by the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Tenants Federation including the annual Tenants’ Conference.

Housing Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, Cllr Paul Edie (pictured), said: “It’s important that tenants have a voice in how their services are provided and this Strategy allows them this opportunity. They can tell us what matters most to them as we want to ensure the services we provide are meeting their needs. There are undoubtedly some huge housing challenges ahead but with the help and support of our tenants we can be confident that these issues will be tackled together.”

Betty Stevenson, Convenor, Edinburgh Tenants Federation, said: “I am delighted that the Tenant Participation Strategy has been passed by the Councillors. Volunteers from Edinburgh Tenants Federation have worked tirelessly with the Council to agree the content of the strategy and this is the culmination of a lot of hard work. We look forward to working with the Council to ensure there are better housing conditions and services by involving tenants in decision making.”

A series of events will be held in the city later in the year to promote the new strategy.

Edinburgh voters urged to register

With the Independence Referendum being the main focus of political discussion across the country it’s easy to forget that the Local Government Elections are now only ten weeks away. Edinburgh residents are now being urged to join the thousands already registered to vote in the Local Government elections on Thursday 3 May 2012 – and you only have until 18 April to make sure you have your say on how Edinburgh is governed.

Almost 60,000 people have already registered to vote by post, out of more than 330,000 electors. This is the highest number of postal voters registered for any council in Scotland.

Sue Bruce, Returning Officer for Edinburgh said: “We are pleased to see that so many people have already registered to vote. For those who have not yet done so, I would urge you to make sure you register by the deadline of 18 April.

“Registering is quick and easy and makes sure that you will be able to vote in a way that is most convenient for you – by post, at a polling station near your home or even in exceptional circumstances, by proxy – so that you can have your say in the elections on Thursday 3 May.”

You can check if you are registered by phoning the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500. If you are not already a postal voter and wish to apply you can download a form from www.lothian-vjb.gov.uk or phone 0131 344 2500 and ask for a form to be posted to you.

In the forthcoming Local Government election, voters will be electing 58 councillors to represent them across the city’s 17 wards. There are 7 four-member and 10 three-member wards in Edinburgh. The election will be conducted under a voting system called the ‘Single Transferable Vote’ (STV). Voters can vote for as many candidates that they like, ranking them 1, 2, 3 etc in order of preference. A formula then calculates who is elected based on those preferences.

Further details on the 2012 Local Government election will be available on the city council’s website over the coming weeks.

Stay safe for a Happy Hogmanay

With the big night upon us, organisers of Edinburgh’s world famous street party are urging revellers to be warm, to stay safe and to enjoy all that Edinburgh has to offer this Hogmanay. City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian and Borders Police, NHS Lothian, G4S Events and the Met Office mt earlier this week and offer advice to help revellers bring in the New Year safely.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, Environment Leader, said: “”To make sure you and your friends have the best possible time seeing in the bells at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, take some simple steps to look after yourself: dress for the weather, bring your New Year cheer in plastic bottles, and use your common sense. It’s also a good idea to heed the advice from police and stewards, who will be working extremely hard on the night to make sure everyone enjoys themselves safely.

“Look after yourself and your friends and help us welcome 2012 in style at the official ‘World’s best Hogmanay celebrations’.”

Jim Watson, Public Weather Service Advisor for the Met Office, said:

“The weather is currently looking good for the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations, generally dry but with the possibility of some showers reaching the City. Although temperatures are likely to stay above freezing the strong southwest wind will mean that it will feel cold. As always revellers should dress for the conditions and wrap up warm.”

Dr. David Farquharson, Medical Director, NHS Lothian said: ““We want everyone to have fun at Hogmanay and a few simple precautions will help make sure that celebrations are a night to remember – for all the right reasons. If you are heading for the street party, you will probably be outside in the cold for several hours. It’s worth remembering that alcohol lowers your body temperature, so warm clothes are vital. It’s also important for people who take regular medication to make sure they have what they need with them. When it comes to drinking, it is best to pace yourself and have a meal beforehand to soak up some of the alcohol – starchy foods are best. It is also a worthwhile tip to try drinking a soft drink or water in-between having an alcoholic drink. The temperature will drop throughout the night and icy weather can lead to nasty slips and trips, which in turn may mean a trip to the minor injuries unit or even the accident and emergency departments so try and take extra care when out and about.”

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party organisers are offering a few extra tips for revellers to bear in mind:

-Follow the instructions on the Hogmanay Street Party tickets

-Dress for the weather

-Look after each other and arrange a meeting point

-Think about how to get home

-Police and stewards are on duty to look after everyone’s safety – bags may be searched on entry

-Revellers are encouraged not to bring under 16s to Street Party on the 31 December.

-People under the influence of too much alcohol may be refused entry

-No one will get in unless they have an Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party ticket

-Don’t bring glass into the arena

-Pay bars and food outlets are located within the Street Party Arena.

The three day festival began in style with the last night’s annual Torchlight Procession but the biggest draw to the programme is undoubtedly tonight’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party. Now in its 19th year, the world famous event welcomes 80,000 revellers from around the world to the ‘Home of Hogmanay’. With seven live music stages featuring headliners including Festival favourites The Vaccines and Friendly Fires, superstar DJ Mark Ronson, Celtic superheroes Peatbog Faeries and Capercaillie, Fringe Favourites Frisky & Mannish and The Cuban Brothers alongside an unmissable mix of artists including Kassidy, Wild Beasts, Jaymo & Andy George and Rura. Throw in one of the world’s largest New Year fireworks displays and a host of surprises and you have the ultimate Edinburgh’s Hogmanay experience.

On the same night, Concert in the Gardens headliners Primal Scream will be having their own party beneath Edinburgh castle and are joined by special guests, Bombay Bicycle Club, Sons and Daughters. The Concert in the Gardens is opened by Matt Norris and the Moon, the new, unsigned Scottish band from Edinburgh, winners of this year’s Hog The Street Competition.

If you like a bit more birl with the bells, then The Keilidh is the place to be. Dance the night away on the outdoor ceilidh dance floor on Mound Precinct to the very best in traditional music with Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, Ceilidhdonia and The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience.

GETTING HOME: Lothian Buses will be running free services from various departure points around the City Centre to return revellers safely home after the Street Party. For the first time Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have teamed up with Citylink Buses to offer late night buses to destinations outside Edinburgh after the Hogmanay celebrations. Revellers will be able to travel home from the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party to a range of destinations in Glasgow, Fife including Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews, Dundee, Perth and Kinross. Tickets cost £30 and can be booked online or by calling 0871 266 3333. Passengers wishing to travel on these services are required to pre-book their ticket to guarantee a seat.

The fun continues on Sunday 1 January with the Loony Dook, the annual dip in the River Forth at South Queensferry at 11.00am. Revellers are also invited to come and play at the all new event, The New Year Games, which will take place in the Grassmarket and around the Old Town. Two teams – the Uppies and Doonies – will play games in four stunning venues – Dancebase, The Hub, St Giles Cathedral and the National Museum of Scotland.

Working with innovative Scottish artists and game design studio Hide&Seek, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has re-imagined some of the traditional Scottish street games with the support of the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund. Giant board games, re-imagined classics, secret missions and a huge playground in the Grassmarket invite residents and visitors to play, participate or just spectate in a fun-filled afternoon of mental stimulation and physical challenges.

So enjoy yourself – but stay safe!