Tag: community engagement

Help the council to develop your future community

Convener of the city council’s Planning Committee Cllr Joan Griffiths encourages residents get involved in plans to improve local communities

Are you passionate about your local community and interested in helping us shape how it looks in the future? Local Place Plans have been introduced so you can tell us what you care about, like and don’t like about where you live as well as your community’s aspirations.

Every area is different and so your plan can address your community’s needs and concerns. The Council is required to recognise Local Place Plans when preparing the next local development Plan – City Plan 2040.

So how does this work? There is no right or wrong way to develop each plan. It will depend on the resources you have available. But it must include a map of the relevant land, and a proposal of how the land will be used. You can make it very simple, and it doesn’t need to be professionally designed. A word document and a map can be enough.

You can help shape future housing, business, or community spaces by bringing forward proposals to improve quality of life, health and well-being, and help to protect buildings and green space in line with your community values.

If you have an idea, I’d suggest you team up with your local community council or relevant trusts or charities. Children and youth groups, local schools and organisations big and small may also like to get involved with your plan.

A Local Place Plan needs to relate to a specific area, but it can be any size. It can cover a whole district, a neighbourhood, or a single plot of land. It is up to you what you cover.

It doesn’t need to be clearly defined in the beginning. It can evolve during the process.

A good Local Place Plan has information on what life is like in your area and who lives there. It could have ideas for new buildings and homes, improving how you get around, additional spaces for playing, sports or growing food, or proposals to reuse important buildings.

To prepare one you’ll also need to reach out to your community to find out what is most important to them. You should ask about the changes you’d like to make, what you’d like to protect, what they think is missing in the community and you can point out planning policies you think can be influenced in your plan.

You could do this through surveys and questionnaires, drop in events, exhibitions and by attending planned local events. Schools and youth organisations will be able to help you talk to young people too.

Our aim with City Plan 2040 and local place plans is to strengthen communities and make sure that they look after the wellbeing of their residents.

We want to build attractive places where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, walk to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access sustainable transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.

You will find further information on local place plans on our website.

SP Energy Networks prepares 3.5m homes and businesses for adverse weather this winter

SP Energy Networks is planning to engage with 3.5 million homes and businesses, including customers across Edinburgh and The Lothians, over the coming weeks, as it helps local communities prepare for adverse weather ahead of winter.

This critical safety campaign forms part of a wider UK roll-out of communication to customers across Central & Southern Scotland, Cheshire, Merseyside, North & Mid Wales and North Shropshire, giving vital advice on how to stay safe and supported during a power cut.

By engaging with households, SP Energy Networks aims to help customers better understand what to do if the lights go out, who can access extra support through the free Priority Services Register, and the measures SP Energy Networks takes every day to keep communities safe and the power flowing.

Even though power cuts don’t happen often, being prepared can make all the difference. That’s why SP Energy Networks are sharing four simple steps everyone can take to prepare for a power cut.

To get prepared ahead of adverse weather, SP Energy Networks’ recommends:

1. Save the 105 number in your phone or write it down somewhere safe.

2. Keep a torch and some new batteries nearby.

3. Charge your phone and any power packs.

4. Have some extra blankets or warm clothes ready.

SP Energy Networks is also encouraging those who may need extra support in the event of a power cut – including people with medical equipment at home, those over 60, households with children under 5, or anyone who feels they could use additional support – to sign up to the Priority Services Register.

This free service provides tailored help and proactive updates when there are problems in a customer’s area, as well as offering a 24/7 dedicated helpline number to contact.

Kendal Morris, Customer Services Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “At SP Energy Networks, keeping our customers safe and supported is our top priority.

“While power cuts are rare, being prepared can make a big difference. That’s why we’re delivering vital safety messaging directly to homes across Edinburgh and The Lothians to make sure everyone has clear, practical advice on what to do if the lights go out.

“From knowing the national 105 number to signing up for our free Priority Services Register, this vital information helps customers feel confident and reassured that they’re ready for any eventuality this winter.”

SP Energy Networks plans to distribute over 3.5 million leaflets directly to households and businesses over the next month, with all homes across Edinburgh and The Lothians receiving a leaflet by the 20th of October.

The distribution of these leaflets forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring customers have the information they need to feel safe, supported, and prepared.

For more information and guidance on how to prepare for a power cut, visit: 

www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/powercut

ELGT: West Pilton Park activities

Thanks to funding from a local charitable trust Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust are able to deliver a programme of community engagement activities as part of the redevelopment of West Pilton Park.

The first sessions are on 10th & 17th September. 

ELGT are keen to work with local groups and individuals so please contact emily@elgt.org.uk  to get involved.

Museum in Motion: National Museums Scotland’s new cargo bike brings history and culture to communities

A new bespoke cargo bike commissioned by National Museums Scotland will bring hands-on learning and cultural experiences directly to communities across Edinburgh.   

Developed by National Museums Scotland and designed by XYZ CARGO UK, the bike will enable museum staff to deliver accessible creative workshops and storytelling sessions with local communities. It will be based at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton in the north of Edinburgh.

The Collection Centre is home to some 12 million objects and is also a regular part of National Museums Scotland’s community outreach work, hosting visits from local groups and schools.  

The bike is completely electric, generating low carbon emissions in its outreach. It has a large storage compartment which enables it to transport objects from the Museum’s handling collection, including replicas of the Lewis Chess pieces, Pictish chains and Roman helmets, and even a 3D-printed chimpanzee skull.  

Jane Miller, Community Engagement Manager at National Museums Scotland, said:  “While admission to the National Museum of Scotland is free, we know that there can be all sorts of barriers to access traditional museum spaces.

“That’s why it’s important that we have an active programme of community engagement, and the Museum in Motion cargo bike is a colourful, fun and sustainable way of bringing the Museum to communities on their doorsteps.”  

The project is funded in part by the Edinburgh Airport Community Fund. Gordon Robertson, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “Our Community Fund is designed to support a wide range of groups and organisations within our neighbouring communities, and this project is a fantastic example of the fund in action. 

“By contributing to the purchase of this cargo bike, we’re helping National Museums Scotland reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the accessibility of its collections by bringing them directly into local communities.” 

Anyone interested in inviting the Museum in Motion cargo bike to visit their community or wants to find out more, can contact the Community Engagement team at National Museums Scotland by email at communities@nms.ac.uk.   

Be part of a Summer of Resistance!

TOMORROW: SONGS OF PROTEST WORKSHOP

TUESDAY 19 AUGUST: PHOTOMONTAGE ART WORKSHOP

ALL WELCOME!

Drylaw Telford CC meets tomorrow

DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE – MONDAY 30 JUNE at 6.30pm

Drylaw & Telford. Don’t forget!

@everyone

The Drylaw Telford Community Council meets on the last Monday of every month (except July & December) at 6:30 PM at the Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

Pop the next date in your diary and come along! We’d love to see new faces. 🗓️

Supporting climate education and engagement

First Minister announces funding at award winning Eco-School

First Minister John Swinney has announced new funding to support groups and schools across Scotland to learn more about climate change and nature loss, and take climate action where they can.

The Scottish Government supports the Eco-Schools programme to help embed climate environmental and outdoor learning as a meaningful part of daily learning and teaching. The programme is set to benefit from £425,000 funding in 2025-26.

The Government is also investing a further £275,000 in the Climate Engagement Fund to support grassroots organisations to champion their own local initiatives and build understanding of climate change – such as workshops, podcasts and festivals.

First Minister John Swinney announced the funding ahead of a visit to the Royal School of Dunkeld to mark the celebration of their 11th consistent Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.

The First Minister said: “Children and young people have been leading the charge for urgent action to address climate change and nature loss. That is right, since they will be the ones who will face the greatest impacts of climate change over their lifetimes.

“However, the responsibility to become climate resilient and reduce emissions cannot just be up to the next generation. This Government has committed to Scotland reaching net-zero by 2045 – five years ahead of the rest of the UK – and we are introducing bold measures, like ending peak rail fares for good, to reduce our emissions. I am proud that we are also pushing forward with embedding climate education in our schools.

“The Scottish Government has supported the Eco-Schools Scotland programme for over two decades, and pupils and teachers at the Royal School of Dunkeld have collectively achieved a remarkable feat. Over 800 schools in Scotland now have a Green Flag and I hope that others will be inspired to follow suit.

“It is vital that everyone in our society understands the positive opportunities of climate action, and how that can improve their own lives. The Climate Engagement Fund will help to increase awareness and empower people of all ages to take action in their local communities in the best way they can.”

CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful Barry Fisher commented: “We are delighted to once again to receive funding from the Scottish Government to support our Climate Action Schools Programme, ensuring that our fantastic work with local authorities, schools, educators, and children and young people across Scotland grows and develops further, and helps to deliver our national ambitions on Target 2030 and public engagement on climate change.

“This year we mark 30 years of environmental education in schools through the international Eco-Schools Programme and we’ve been visiting schools across the country to celebrate their participation and success in its activities over the years, highlighting just how important the framework has been, and will continue to be, for Scotland’s young people.”

Eco-schools is an international programme that gives pupils the opportunity to tackle issues like climate change and to consider environmental changes that they can make in their school to make it more sustainable.

In Scotland, Eco-Schools is delivered by Keep Scotland Beautiful as part of the Climate Action Schools framework. Eco-Schools was launched in the UK, Denmark and Germany in 1994 with Scotland awarding the first Green Flag in 1995. 

Keep Scotland Beautiful – Climate Action Schools

Climate Engagement Fund – gov.scot

Royston Wardieburn’s creative writers celebrate Windows To Our Past

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s social history group launched their new publication, ‘Windows To Our Past’, at the Centre on Thursday.  

Windows to our Past: A  Collection of Stories from North Edinburgh remembers times long gone and also pays tribute to the local people – activists, volunteers, class mates and good friends – lost in recent years.

The group worked with creative writing tutor Jim Aitken to produce Windows To Our Past and members read a selection of their stories to an appreciative audience.

There were lots of laughs – the event opened with a comical This Is Our Lives sketch performed by the group – but there was time for reflection, too.

Some We Remember, a slide show created for the event, brought back a wealth of poignant memories of fondly-remembered activists no longer with us – men and women who each in their own way dedicated much of their lives to making the North Edinburgh community a better place to live.

The perennial challenge of fighting for adequate resources goes on, of course, and the latest round of funding cuts has seen North Edinburgh’s community centres and local projects fearing for their futures once again. In a discussion following the launch, however, it was clear that the appetite to campaign to challenge cuts to local resources remains as strong as ever.

The fight goes on – and, as a previous publication produced by activists urged: NEVER GIVE UP!

THE QUIET REVOLUTION

by SANDRA MARSHALL (2009)

And what about the quiet revolution

A circle of people

Growing with every breath

Spinning ever wider

Living in peace and harmony

A family

A community

Sharing good and bad

No more war, loneliness, anger or greed

A family of humanity

Starting from a whsiper

Growing steadily brighter and brighter

Louder and louder

Until

No darkness remains.