Invitation to Participate in Community Planning Transformation and Improvement Stakeholder Engagement Session
The Edinburgh Partnership agreed to look afresh at the role of Community Planning in Edinburgh to maximise the relationships between public sector agencies and the voluntary and community sectors to address poverty and inequality and the climate and nature emergency.
We need your views to help shape the future of community planning in Edinburgh.
These sessions aim to bring together key partners to discuss, plan, and drive forward positive changes for communities. Your insights and contributions are highly valued, and we would be pleased if you could join us.
Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to book your place as soon as possible to secure your spot at your preferred session.
To register, please email communityplanning@edinburgh.gov.uk with your name, contact details, and the date of the session you would like to attend:
Wednesday, 23rd October | 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM | St. Bride’s Community Centre
or
Thursday, 24th October | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
or
Monday, 28th October | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Microsoft Teams
MS Teams Meeting on Tuesday 22 October 2024 from 6-7:30pm
In advance of Community Council elections in February 2025, we are reaching out to invite you to the above meeting to discuss how community councils and the Council can collaboratively work together to promote community councils.
Some of the areas we are keen explore are:
Positively communicating to the public who community councils are and the work they do.
Encouraging membership to community councils.
Promoting upcoming community councils elections in February 2025.
If you would like to attend, please use the MS Teams link below:
Edinburgh Libraries are developing a new Future Libraries Strategy that will provide a framework for service delivery and development for public and school libraries over the next five years.
To help shape the new strategy and inform future proposals for change, Council Committee agreed to carry out an engagement and consultation process to gather feedback from individuals, groups, and stakeholders across the city.
The first stage of the engagement process was successfully carried out earlier this year, and I’m pleased to let you know that the next stage of our “Future Libraries” consultation is now live and will run until 18 December.
As a valued stakeholder, we would appreciate your involvement and to hear your views and ask that you complete the consultation questionnaire which can be accessed here https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/futurelibraries
Over 14,000 individuals, groups and organisations provided feedback in our initial engagement activity held between 26th January 2024 – 19th April 2024.
We have now considered the views and ideas that were gathered through this activity alongside our existing data on service use and knowledge of how the service operates and have used the information to shape our new draft Future Libraries Strategy 2024 – 2029.
The information has also helped to inform the identification of potential options for change to library opening hours and how the service manages events and activities. Both the draft Strategy and information about the potential options for change are available at the above Future Libraries website.
You can also find our Engagement Report there, which provides a summary of the findings from the engagement process. We hope you will find it of interest and that you might find some time to give us your views on the draft Future Libraries strategy and any proposals for change to opening hours and how the service manages events and activities by completing the consultation questionnaire.
We would also appreciate your support in ensuring the questionnaire is promoted widely and reaches as many people as possible including those who do not currently use library services. It would therefore be very helpful if you are able to let your service users, clients or group members know about the questionnaire and encourage them to provide us with a response.
Invitation to Participate in Community Planning Transformation and Improvement Stakeholder Engagement Sessions
The Edinburgh Partnership agreed to look afresh at the role of Community Planning in Edinburgh to maximise the relationships between public sector agencies and the voluntary and community sectors to address poverty and inequality and the climate and nature emergency. We need your views to help shape the future of community planning in Edinburgh.
These sessions aim to bring together key partners to discuss, plan, and drive forward positive changes for communities. Your insights and contributions are highly valued, and we would be pleased if you could join us.
Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to book your place as soon as possible to secure your spot at your preferred session.
To register, please email communityplanning@edinburgh.gov.uk with your name, contact details, and the date of the session you would like to attend.
Thursday, 10th October | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Craigentinny Community Centre
or
Friday, 11th October | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre
or
Wednesday, 23rd October | 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM | St. Bride’s Community Centre
or
Thursday, 24th October | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | West Pilton N/hd Centre
or online
Monday, 28th October | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Microsoft Teams
Background Information on the Edinburgh Partnership Transformation and Improvement Programme –
HOLYROODPresiding Officer Alison Johnstone will go to Glasgow next week as she continues her series of visits to all eight Scottish Parliament regions as part of marking the Parliament’s 25th anniversary.
The visit is an opportunity for the Presiding Officer to hear directly from local people about their reflections on the Parliament and their aspirations for its future. The Presiding Officer is seeking views on 25 years of devolution and how the Parliament has impacted local communities.
Taking place on Monday 30 September, the visit has been set up in collaboration with community organisations Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector and Willowacre Trust.
In the morning the Presiding Officer and Glasgow MSPs will meet with people who are supported by local community groups, voluntary organisations, and social enterprises. They will discuss the opportunities that exist for people to get involved in the Parliament’s work and will also hear about efforts to improve citizen engagement in the city.
In the afternoon, the Presiding Officer and MSPs will attend an interactive presentation of Willowacre Trust projects from community members. This will be followed by an opportunity to hear their views on the Parliament at 25 and what their priorities are for the future.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said:“I’m excited to continue our visits across Scotland to meet with local people and to hear their views on the Parliament and their aspirations for its future.
“Although in its 25 years the Parliament has become an established part of public life in Scotland, we know there is work to do.
“Having already visited the Highland and Islands region and the Borders, this visit to Glasgow is an opportunity to meet with local community groups to hear about the challenges facing them and how their Parliament can best meet the needs of their communities.
“Scotland’s Parliament belongs to its people and its vital their voices are heard and help shape the Parliament’s future.”
Linda Allan, Community and Support Services Manager at Willowacre Trust said:“We are excited to welcome the Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament to Willowacre Trust’s community centre at the heart of Glasgow’s bustling Barrowfield community.
“Our team works in partnership with a diverse range of residents, volunteers and organisations from the local area to provide services and host events that address the needs of residents and help encourage community togetherness.
“This visit will be a valuable opportunity for our community members to meet the Parliamentary Team, and to speak with them about their experiences and the issues that matter most to them.”
Ian Bruce, Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector (GCVS) said:“We look forward to welcoming people to this Scottish Parliament anniversary celebration with the Presiding Officer and MSPs.
“This event will contribute to people feeling that the Scottish Parliament is accessible to them, which is so important. It won’t be too serious, though, and we’ll make sure everyone has fun with a little help from our friends at Nemo Arts.”
THE city council is looking for views on the local housing strategy which will set out the vision for housing related services in the city for the next 5 years & beyond
Come along to one of our consultation workshops to share your thoughts.
Monday 23rd September 2024, 9.15 am – 12.30 pm (in person)
Location: City Centre venue
This workshop provides an opportunity to share an overview of the strategy, set out current thinking on key issues, challenges and priorities, share the findings of the early engagement survey and open up for break-out group discussion across a range of topics including the private rented sector, housing quality/energy efficiency, and accessible housing/independent living.
Housing supply will be considered separately in other forums and via an on-line feedback route.
For residents
LHS consultation workshop for residents
Wednesday 25th September 2024, 1pm – 2.30pm (online)
LHS overview and scene setting, break-out discussion across a range of topics and interactive visuals. The programme is being finalised and updated information will be added here shortly.
LHS Consultation workshop for residents
Tuesday 1st October 2024, 6pm – 8pm, (in person)
Location: City Centre venue
LHS overview and scene setting, break-out discussion across a range of topics and interactive visuals. The programme is being finalised and updated information will be added here shortly.
organisation and job title if attending the organisation event
We will confirm your booking and provide further information such as venue details and meeting format. Please let us know if you have any particular accessibility needs. Tea/coffee will be available at the events. Thank you for your interest.
Phase 2 online engagement survey for organisations and residents
If you are unable to attend any of these events, but would like the opportunity to share your views on housing issues and actions in Edinburgh, please email us directly at localhousingstrategy@edinburgh.gov.uk with your comments, or write to us for free – you only need to include the words; Freepost Housing Research on an envelope, by 1st October 2024.
More than fifty people representing community organisations from across North Edinburgh attended the ‘Garden Party’ held by R2 at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday.
The networking and information event, which was also attended by politicians Ben MacPherson MSP and new MP Tracy Gilbert, was a great success and initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
R2 Coordinator Anita Aggarwal said: “We were more than 50 people and it sounded like there was lots of good chat.
“Thanks again to everyone who contributed, particularly the team at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Jed for the tunes and Scran for tasty food. You can see the lovely picture of us all here Facebook
“I also collected a lot of information about what you want from and can offer to R2. I’ve attached what I have heard so far.
“If you weren’t at the meeting yesterday (or have thought of something else) you can still feedback your thoughts on R2 by completing this short form:
“And one more request for information: I’m trying to build a better sense of what organisations have to offer, so please, if you haven’t already, could you also complete this little table for your organisation – you’ll see some examples in the notes attached.
Organisation
Strengths of my organisation that I could share
Stuff that my organisation has that I could lend
Eg R2
Knowledge of organisations in north EdinburghFund raising experienceUnderstanding and experience of Community Development and Participatory Action Research
Post it notes
“Please respond by end of Monday 26 August.
“I’ll use what you tell me to inform the workplan for R2 for the next few months.”
DAVE P. writes: I had the pleasure of hosting a session where local projects were offered a five-minute opportunity to talk about their activities and share what they are up to with others.
North Edinburgh has a wealth of amazing organisations supporting our community and it was fantastic to learn what is being achieved across the area, despite the many challenges faced by North Edinburgh’s third sector groups.
Many thanks, then, to Adele (North Edinburgh Community Festival), Sarah (NEDAC), Jed (Tinderbox), John (Community Renewal), Lynn and Rebecca (North Edinburgh Childcare), Billy (Royston Wardieburn Community Centre), Anna (Granton Goes Greener), Holly (National Galleries Scotland), Tom (Pianodrome), Debbie (Muirhouse Housing Association) and city council engagement officer Elaine Lennon for your positive contributions!
Do you have an idea that will make a difference to your local community? Apply now for a grant of up to £5,000 to make your idea a reality!
The Community Grants Fund was set up in 2007 to kickstart projects that benefit local communities. It is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to empowering communities and fostering grassroots initiatives.
There are 13 local funds, each covering a different area of the city. If you are part of a community group with a project in mind, see if you can apply to your local Community Grant Fund .
The next application deadline is Monday 26 August, excluding Western as the deadline is Monday 12 August.
If you are in Leith, applications for the Leith fund should be submitted to £eith Chooses between 16 August and 10 October this year.
The Community Grants Fund has supported some fantastic projects in the past, such as The Friends of Victoria Park pumphouse mural, ‘Place to Pause’ at The Eric Liddell Centre and the Broomhouse Street Party – and yours could be next!
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:“Our communities are the lifeblood of our city and we’re committed to ensuring that they have the resources to bring their ideas to life.
“As this is the final round of funding for 2024, the amount available in each neighbourhood varies. Our City Centre, Liberton/Gilmerton, and Portobello/Craigmillar neighbourhoods have already allocated their available funding for 2024, applications will be open again in the spring of 2025.
“I always enjoy seeing the projects in our communities come to life, and I’m really excited to see the projects that apply for funding during this round of applications.”
Chair of Friends of Victoria Park Lucy Metcalfe said:“Thanks to community grant funding from the Council, the park has been greatly enhanced by the vibrant artwork that replaces the unsightly dirty and graffitied walls of the old pumphouse.
“The students from the local high school were able to spend a week working with a renowned artist, developing, painting and teamwork skills.
“The mural is a testament to the commitment of the school and its students to the park and the local community. The Friends are very proud of this achievement.”
