The Scottish Government is pushing ahead with its work to improve the transparency of land ownership. Ministers are seeking views on proposals for a register of controlling interests in land owners and tenants. Continue reading Our land: who owns what?
Residents are invited to comment on Edinburgh’s draft Open Space Strategy, which sets out Edinburgh’s open space needs in the period up to 2021. Continue reading Help shape the future of our city’s open spaces
Views sought on how best to use Edinburgh’s key public spaces
Residents, local organisations and businesses are being asked for their opinions on proposals to balance the use of civic spaces, both owned by the Council and not, in the city centre.
Feedback from an online consultation will be used to inform the development of a Public Spaces Protocol, which will support Council decisions on the most appropriate use of spaces like the Grassmarket, the Mound precinct and the High Street.
Edinburgh’s status as a world renowned Festival City, World Heritage Site and visitor destination will be considered alongside residents’ quality of life, the requirements of established local businesses, as well as seasonal traders, and promoters or organisers of events and activities.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “As a capital city, Edinburgh boasts a wide range of attractive and accessible spaces in which the public can spend time and enjoy diverse and world-class events.
“In order to cater to all those who use these spaces, including residents, visitors, businesses and traders, as well as ensuring the fair and balanced staging of events across all the areas on offer, it is necessary that we establish a clear set of guidelines.
“By trialling a number of approaches across spaces in the city, I am confident that we will able to create informed and relevant criteria, and I look forward to hearing what the public think of our approach.”
Trials are already in place to test the different approaches to managing public spaces across the city. In George Street, a set of criteria has been developed to assess proposals put forward by event organisers for large scale festival-related events, while this summer in the Grassmarket a series of measures are in place to deliver a more coherent approach to managing activity in the area.
Evaluation is also currently underway on best practise for Castle Street, which was redeveloped in 2008 but is now considered under-used. Outcomes from this and the other two trials will contribute to the final Public Spaces Protocol.
The Public Spaces Protocol is part of the City Centre Programme, which incorporates a number of projects with a ‘place-making’ agenda. The Programme focuses on a vision for the city, ensuring that everyone who cares about the centre has an opportunity to have their say.
The Use of Public Spaces consultation is open until Tuesday, 6 September and can be accessed through the Council website.
Your opportunity to shape the benefits system in Scotland
People across Scotland are being given the chance to help shape the country’s first ever social security system. The Scottish Government has launched a 13 week consultation looking for views on the benefits being devolved to Scotland, as well as how they are delivered. Continue reading Social Security consultation underway
The threat of terrorism is the main issue of concern to people across Scotland, according to the first results from Police Scotland’s new online survey, ‘Your View Counts’. Edinburgh citizens highlighted housebreaking and antisocial behaviour as their main concerns. Continue reading Terrorist attack is biggest fear, public tell Police
Lothian Green MSP Alison Johnstone is calling on constituents to make their feelings known on the future of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns before a council survey closes on 25 July.
Council chiefs are seeking people’s views to help create policies to preserve and enhance the World Heritage Site and Johnstone wants guarantees that the city’s large tourism numbers won’t mean that prospective hotel developers are given carte blanche.
Alison Johnstone MSP said: “People from the capital are all too aware of planning issues in the city and now we have an opportunity to give our views on Edinburgh as a place to live, work and visit in this survey before it closes at the end of the month.
“Given our World Heritage status, our growing population and increasing development pressures it’s important that people make clear their opposition to developments that may not be the most optimal or necessary use of precious city centre sites.
“We need to have an honest conversation about how many luxury hotels the city needs and where they should be situated. Tourism is vital to Edinburgh, but we need to ensure that Edinburgh caters for travellers on all budgets, and essentially, for those who live and work in the city.”
Access the consultation below:
Members of the public are invited to have their say in how the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site should be run. The consultation will gather feedback for the three organisations who manage the site – The City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh World Heritage, and Historic Environment Scotland, and closes at the end of July. Continue reading Have your say on Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site
Granton Youth Centre
Saturday 18 June 10am – noon & 2 – 4pm
I am writing on behalf of Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council (SICC) to invite you to come along to a community meeting on Wednesday 8 June 2016 at 7 pm at Stockbridge Parish Church, 7b Saxe Coburg Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5BN. Continue reading Reminder: Stockbridge & Inverleith community meeting tonight
SFRS launches public consultation
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) wants people throughout the country to share their views and help it continue to deliver an effective emergency service for every community. Continue reading Share your views on the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service
