Tag: community engagement

NO fracking thanks!

Hundreds take part in anti-fracking event

forth anti frack EileenPenman

An estimated two thousand people took part in the Hands Over Our Forth event on the Forth Road Bridge yesterday.

Anti-fracking groups, community organisations and concerned individuals from across Scotland and beyond joined together to answer a call to demand an all-out ban on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG). They argue that UCG is a dangerous experimental technology with a track record of failure and plans for projects in Scotland must be stopped.

The protesters are urging the Scottish government to include UCG in the temporary ‘fracking’ ban prior to demanding an all-out ban in Scotland.
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In what was a good-natured event, around two thousand protesters joined hands to form a human chain across the Forth Road Bridge. They came from far and wide – North Edinburgh was well-represented (above) – and there was international support from absent friends on the other side of the world too. Kindred spirits joined hands across Tasmania’s Forth Bridge and used social media to add their voice to the protest (below)!

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Pictures by Eileen Penman, Elaine Graham, Lynn McCabe and Bob Brown down under!

 

Granton on Sea seeks community support for Lottery bid

A Way Forward for Community Regeneration?

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A local project which hopes to oversee the regeneration of Granton’s waterfront is asking the local community to support a bid for Lottery funding. 

Granton Improvement Society says, if successful, a lottery grant would be used to stage art work for a garden festival, employ a member of staff and take regeneration plans on to the next stage.

Granton Improvement Society administrator Ross McEwan explained: “GIS was invited to make an application to the BIG Lottery Peoples Project for an award of £50,000. The process involves joining the community blog that they had set up – we had to write a 500 word submission on the blog page together with three images.

“The shortlisting process will take into consideration comments made on the blog, so we are asking members to please make comments in as positive a way as possible, especially about what huge benefits would come to the community from the income generated and from the major new facilities in the area.”

In ‘Granton on Sea – A Way Forward for Community Regeneration’, their submission to the webpage, GIS say:

‘We held several public events with guest speakers, this has increased the membership from local people considerably and means the GIS is now the largest membership organisation in the area.

‘A new exhibition of the current project proposals and promotional material have proved to be a great success especially when attending events and for getting the project more visible in the local community and with City Councillors.

All of these new initiatives have helped in being commissioned by Scottish Government Regeneration Unit and DTAS/COSS to undertake an Asset Mapping exercise over the whole area we have chosen to work within.

The project will allow us to find out what the physical and social assets are of the area. As part of this we will identify the wider community need and aspirations, this information will lead to a community plan and strengthen the communities

Since the Granton Improvement Society was established in January 2013 the membership from local residents has gradually risen to just under 200, The management committee of 11 trustees is comprised of seven local residents and four who are just on the boundary of the EH4 & EH5 area that we have chosen to operate within.

If we were successful the new money would take the project to a stage where we would do small art interventions related to the garden festival in underused derelict green space, the focus of which is creative design, all will be for the community to undertake. We will show the health and wellbeing benefits of the outdoors and creative process.

As part of the new exhibition we have taken the design proposals to another more detailed stage in preparation for a future planning application in doing so it has brought the landowner to the table to negotiate the sale of the land.

New money would allow us to commission architects and energy consultants to explore the sustainability and environmental impact of the project. A model of the project will be commissioned something which is more accessible than architectural drawings. A more detailed financial impact study should prove the community benefit of the project locally and nationally.

A Social Hub: reaching out to a wider community base.

Sea containers will be bought and converted using local people gaining construction skills, this would be the studio space for the GIS, the local community could come and interact with the project and talk about needs and aspirations. This will inform the project.

It will allow us for the first time to employ a dedicated project worker and not rely upon volunteers all of the time, local people will gain skills, training and education.

More community events would be organised, creating greater community involvement and a more cohesive and resilient community.

All of these bigger initiatives will create a sense of community ownership, pride and care for the future when the project is realised. It will be owned by the community through large community consultation and participation.’

To make a comment on the Granton submission, go to 

https://l.facebook.com/l/cAQGDEGKxAQHdf8hPg9BMzmlg16PQ82Nm-dsg03LQxMt00g/https%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.biglotteryfund.org.uk%2Fuk-wide%2Fscotland%2Fdefault.aspx

Ross added: “Go to top right of page ‘Not a member yet?’ and join. Just follow the instructions. After registering you are directed to a Welcome page. Go to the heading The Peoples’s Projects. On this page go to Search Blogs by ITV region – we are in STV East.

“Our blog is the fifth one in the list. Open the blog and and join the group at top right of the page then you should be able to begin commenting at the end of the blog in the comments box. We want as many of you as possible to do this!”

Glasgow Girls in Muirhouse!

Glasgow Girls

Please help to publicise the screening of the Glasgow Girls next Thursday night (8 October) at North Edinburgh Arts (writes Lynn McCabe).

We will be joined by one of the young women from Drumchapel High School who helped to initiate the campaign against dawn raids and deportation of asylum seekers in her community in 2005.

Transport will be available for anyone who needs it. For further information call 552 5700 or email lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk

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So long, summer – hello, Halloween! News from Trinity

TCC resumed its meetings on 14 September – Summer is officially over! But as (admittedly meagre) compensation, here’s the September newsletter!

And remember, we would really like to have your feedback on what’s good around Trinity, what’s not so good and what could be better. How else can we represent your views? Look forward to hearing from you!

Bill Rodger, Trinity Community Council

Trinity CC September Bulletin

TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER UPDATE

Twenty five people came along to TCC’s first meeting after the summer break. Here are the main points …

Police Report

No representative available but a written report was received:

  • Enquiries are in hand concerning recent housebreaking reports including incidents in Larkfield Gardens.
  • Several people have been charged with break-ins in Forth. Some are in custody whilst others are on bail curfews.
  • Three addresses in north Edinburgh searched for stolen property to try to identify perpetrators and return property.
  • Overall domestic housebreakings in Forth are down 2% over the same period in 2014 (which was lower than 2013).
  • Detection rates are also increasing with more culprits being taken to court.
  • Additional Police resource has been deployed City-wide.

We can do a lot ourselves using security measures such as alarms, locks, lighting etc. Crime prevention advice or a personal visit with more specialist advice can be arranged through the local Forth Community Policing Team.

Waterfront Developments

Cllr Hinds provided a map showing the ownership pattern for the development area following our concerns about piecemeal development and potential impact on Trinity residents. We will be discussing this with Granton CC. The Second Regeneration Conference has been scheduled for 2.30pm on 30 September at Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre. All are welcome to attend.

Traffic Issues

Feedback about East Trinity Rd suggests that the improved Lower Granton/Trinity Rd junction has improved matters and that no further measures are needed meantime. The knock-on impact to the west end of Lower Granton Rd will continue to be monitored with the 20mph limit expected to be very helpful in the first instance. An application for a pedestrian crossing on Craighall Rd has been assessed and turned down and we are seeking further information on the reasons for that.
CEC officials have advised that nothing is scheduled to review the North Edinburgh Transport Strategy. Cllr Hinds has undertaken to review that position with them in light of previous assurances.

South East Scotland City Region Plan (SESPLAN) Major Issues Report (MIR)

This is the VERY IMPORTANT first stage of a new 20 year strategic plan for 1.5m people living in Edinburgh, Lothians, Borders and southern Fife. It is a consultation document and open for comment until 30 September. You can make your thoughts known at

http://sesplan-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/mir/mir

Alternatively pass them on through TCC as we will be making a representation. Or do both!

Other Planning Matters

Application to trade vehicles from 144 Newhaven Rd resubmitted. We have repeated our previous objections and trust that CEC will maintain the firm stance it took last time.
No further movement regarding 127 Trinity Rd or Sainsbury.

Reduction in Local Banking Services

Following RBS Goldenacre closing its doors on 13 August, Bank of Scotland has now advised a reduction in its opening hours. This is disappointing news for local customers and businesses.

Your Parks Need YOU!trinity halloweenKeep Scotland Beautiful has awarded a Green Flag to Starbank Park recognising the magnificent efforts of the Friends and CEC staff in restoring the park to its place as a jewel in Trinity’s crown. So now both Trinity’s parks have a Green Flag. Celebrate by coming along to see for yourself. Party on Halloween! (see above)

And on the Glorious Twelfth, Victoria Park’s renewed basketball and tennis courts were formally opened by Cllrs Lesley Hinds and Richard Lewis together with Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport. Our parks are really going from strength to strength!

To get the best use of the courts, discussions are in hand about booking but we must ensure these and other amenities stay high grade. We are therefore looking for people to join a Friends of Victoria Park group.

Email tcc-comms@outlook.com if that’s you!

Other Improvement Matters with CEC

Bins installed at Trinity Academy Vennel. Surface improvements under discussion.
 Enforcement of yellow lines at Boswall Rd to be pursued.
 Ownership of Lower Granton Rd foreshore being clarified.
 Denham Green lighting to be investigated.

Clean, Green, Safe & Engaged?

This report from Forth Neighbourhood Partnership compared us against the rest of Edinburgh. Measures cover North: i.e. Forth + Inverleith unless stated. The good, the bad (+ some ugly!):

  • Street Cleanliness (Trinity): Well above target. Some litter on Granton Road.
  • Refuse Collection Complaints: Roughly double target (in common with rest of Edinburgh)
  • Park Quality: 100% achieved across all North¡¦s 5 parks!
  • Safety: Anti-social behaviour orders are low for the size of our population but a disturbing number go unresolved and we suffer a lot of repeat ASB¡¦s.
  • Satisfying Place to Live (Forth): Third worst in Edinburgh.
  • Community Engagement (Forth): Best ward in Edinburgh.

Come along and give your thoughts to our next meeting on

Monday 12 October at 7 pm

in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road.

We need to know what you think!

Did you find this bulletin useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.

Join Easter Drylaw residents at September meeting

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Live in Easter Drylaw? Do you have any issues or concerns about your local area?  Than why not join other like-minded people and attend the next meeting of Easter Drylaw Residents Association (EDRA)?

Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month from 7 – 9pm in Drylaw Parish Church, Groathill Road North.

The next meeting takes place on Monday 7 September at 7pm. Why not go along and have your say? All welcome!

Creating a more inclusive community? That’s Positively Diverse!

PCHP_BME_INVITE

Is your group or organisation fully engaged with the BME community? Would you like to think about ways to do this more effectively?

Forth Neighbourhood Partnership and Pilton Community Health Project’s Living in Harmony Group are staging a Positively Diverse, a free one-day learning event for local workers to encourage and support them to think about how to include a more diverse section of the community in their activities.

The event takes place at

Spartans Community Football Academy at Ainslie Park

on Thursday 1 October from 10am – 3.30pm.

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To book your place call PCHP on 551 1671 or email admin@pchp.org.uk

 

Health and Social Care tops INP agenda

Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership Public Meeting

Monday 24 August 6.30 – 8.30pm, Stockbridge Library

inp aug poster

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The attached poster gives information about Monday’s public meeting which is focusing mainly on raising awareness of, and giving people a chance to have their say on, changes to the way Health and Social Care (HSC) Services in Edinburgh are provided.

An easy to read version of the consultation plan is available here https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/hsc/edinburgh-health-and-social-care-partnership-draft/supporting_documents/EHSCP%20Draft%20Strategic%20Plan%20%20easy%20read%20version%20plus%20questionnaire.pdf

and the full documents can be seen here https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/hsc/edinburgh-health-and-social-care-partnership-draft/consult_view

All Welcome

Last chance to nominate your Real Heroes

The clock’s ticking … get those nominations in!

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The deadline for people to nominate community champions from Edinburgh for the new STV series of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes is fast approaching – nominations close at MIDNIGHT TONIGHT! 

The new series, presented by Carol Smillie and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, will air on STV this autumn with viewers across Scotland casting their vote. The overall winner will be announced at a star-studded awards ceremony shown later this year.

Carol Smillie said: “The wonderful thing about real heroes is that they don’t think they’re heroes at all, and they believe they’re just doing what anyone would do. What we need is for the public to come forward and nominate these incredible people so we can shine a light on the local heroes making a real difference within their community.”

The public can nominate online at stv.tv/realheroes, by phone and by post.

Elizabeth Partyka deputy director of channels at STV of said: “The response so far has been inspiring with nominations coming in from across Scotland. The deadline for nominations is fast approaching so we are calling viewers to let us know about their friends, colleagues, neighbours or local groups who have dedicated their time and effort to helping the lives of others.” 

For more information, visit www.stv.tv/realheroes.