Community Hub morning at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

FRIDAY 21st FEBRUARY from 10am – 12.30pm

Need advice, support, or just a friendly chat? Drop into our Community Hub Morning this Friday 10am – 12:30pm for a cuppa and connect with local organisations that can help.

Meet experts from:

✅Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – money, benefits & housing advice

✅ Manor Estates & Tenants Federation – tenant support & housing help

✅ Community Police – safety & local issues

✅ Energy Advice & Home Energy Scotland – energy-saving tips

…and more!

You can also find out about how you can support your local community by becoming a Community Councillor.

Community Council recruitment is underway across the capital and Drylaw Telford’s returning officer Cllr Vicky Nicholson – who was a member of the local community council before becoming a city councillor – will be available to provide information and answer your questions

No appointments needed – just drop in! Come along, bring a friend, and let’s build a stronger community together!

Take the chance to represent your community

YOUR COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEEDS YOU!

It’s been over half a century since community councils came into existence in Scotland in 1973 – and in that time, we’ve seen over 1,200 established across the country (writes Culture and Communities Convener CLLR VAL WALKER).

These bodies are groups of residents who are passionate about their communities and play an important role in grassroots democracy.

Here in Edinburgh, the election period for our community councils has begun. Last week nominations opened to stand for election as a community councillor, this closes on 27 February. Following that we’ll hold an election only if there are more people nominated than places on the community council.

This is your chance to take a lead in your local area and make your community a better place. From campaigning on key local issues, organising meetings, chairing debates, looking out for vulnerable individuals and groups, to liaising with local and national representatives and much more – the life of a community councillor in the Capital is never ordinary.

I’m continually inspired by the stories I come across of community councils. In Lady Nairne, the Northfield and Willowbrae Community Council worked tirelessly to ensure that a solution was found when the previous 69 supported bus service ceased operations several years ago.

Following extensive engagement with ward councillors and Council officers a new route was implemented just in time for Christmas last year, which I know was a welcome gift to those residents who had long campaigned for its reinstation.

We’ve also seen Longstone Community Council lead a campaign to erect a new bridge to link their community to the Hutchison/Chesser community, as part of a new active travel project.

Initially a bridge was not part of these plans but following successful meetings with their ward councillor, Council officers and the developer some £170,000 worth of contributions were earmarked to support the delivery of the bridge. This will now go to consultation as part of the as the Longstone Link project.

These are just a couple of the many examples of the excellent work community councils are doing across our city every day. I’d encourage all residents to consider standing as a community councillor.

From Pilton to Portobello, Muirhouse to Morningside and beyond, Edinburgh draws its strength from its people, and we need their views, ideas and expertise to move forward together.

Find out more about community councils and how to stand for election on CEC website.

Community Council elections: Nominations now open

The Notice of Election to community councils in Edinburgh was published yesterday (Wednesday 5th February).

Community councils are groups of elected local residents who care about their communities. These councils play an important role in the democratic process and act in the interests of their local areas.

The nomination period runs from today until 27 February. During this time you can nominate yourself to stand for election as a community councillor.

An election will only be held in a community council area if there are more people nominated than places on the community council. Should this be necessary the election date will be 27 March.

The new community council term will start on 28 March and will last four years. The next community council elections are planned for 2029 though this may be subject to change.

Find out more about community councils and how to stand for election on our website along with the full text of the Notice of Election. 

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:Community councils remain an integral part of the social and democratic fabric of our city. In my experience as a ward councillor, I truly value my relationship with community councils and the excellent work that they do.

“From campaigning on key local issues, to organising meetings, chairing debates, liaising with local and national representatives and much more – the life of a community councillor in the Capital is never ordinary.

“This is an excellent opportunity to take a lead in your local area and make your community a better place. I’d encourage all residents to consider standing as a community councillor. Edinburgh draws its strength from its citizens, and we need their views and ideas to move forward together.”

Secretary of Edinburgh Association of Community Councils, Ken Robertson said:You have a community council voice in city life, by right.

“Don’t step to the side and stay silent.”

Community gardening at PYCP

To all our PY Parents, Guardians, Family, friends and Neighbours.

Do you want to join us in the Community garden (behind PYCP) on Wednesdays 10 – 12 midday and get gardening!

Enjoy fresh produce, herbs and flowers. Meet new friends and neighbours and enjoy the outdoors.

Find out more by emailing gardening@pycp.co.uk

#greenthumb

#communitygardening

EVOC: CEO Update

I have now been in post as CEO with EVOC for 25 days (on 22/1), though it sometimes feels like a lot longer! I have had a whirlwind of an introduction, and my feet have hardly touched the ground, which has made it exciting. 

I have met a lot of great people from across the sector and our partner organisations, including the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government. I have been made to feel welcome and have learned a lot from a diverse mix of individuals.

I have heard of the challenges different organisations are facing right now, and these conversations are shaping my understanding and giving me insights that I will be distilling, with colleagues, into our future planning. 

We are currently seeking the views of members and voluntary organisations in Edinburgh to tell us about their needs and the challenges that they are facing in 2025 and beyond. To increase the number of people who can contribute, we are using a survey that will be circulated to our members.

Please take a few minutes to complete it to ensure we consider the needs of more organisations in shaping how we work in future and what our priorities will be.

This month we are preparing for our Annual General Meeting at 4pm on Wednesday 26 February which will be held on Zoom. We will report on the year 2023/24 and give a flavour of our plans for the future.

We are looking for new individuals with business skills to be elected to the board of EVOC to join a committed group of volunteers who are interested in the development of EVOC as representatives to serve third sector organisations in Edinburgh. You can find how to apply to join the Board of Directors here.

Separately we are seeking a new Convener to chair the board and provide leadership to the organisation and directors. We’re looking for somebody with integrity good governance, leadership, finance and change management experience. If you are interested in this role, please see the details here.

We are spending a great deal of time currently in seeking ways to support those organisations affected by the impending cuts to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) grants scheme which is a partnership between the NHS and the City of Edinburgh Council. 

In recent months we have increased our engagement across the sector, so that we are better able to represent the views and interests of voluntary organisations in strategic forums such as the EIJB and the Edinburgh Partnership.

We are doing this as we strengthen our culture of service, to our members and to the sector. 

With best wishes  

Bruce Crawford, CEO 

Involving communities is vital as councils face financial strain

Scotland’s councils continue to face severe financial pressures. The need to consult with communities, clearly communicate the impact on local services, whilst working together to shape and deliver urgently needed transformation, is more important than ever.

Councils closed a budget gap of £759 million during 2023/24, but this required them to make further and deeper savings.

Reflecting on the state of council finances in that financial year, the Accounts Commission reports many councils made savings or used reserves to deliver services within budget and offset a 3.3% real-terms reduction in revenue and income.

Using reserves to routinely balance budgets isn’t sustainable and risks financial sustainability.

Despite an overall increase in funding in 2024/25 and a further funding increase announced for the year ahead, intensifying demand for services, greater borrowing and depleting reserves pose ongoing challenges.

In 2023/24 councils borrowed more to invest in buildings and infrastructure, whilst Scottish Government money to support capital investment continued to decline. Council borrowing increased by over £400 million and almost all councils now face higher levels of debt and annual interest costs.

This investment is vital, however, in supporting spending on key areas including new schools and housing projects, whilst reducing the risk of buildings becoming unusable and impacting services still further.

Jo Armstrong, Chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “Scotland’s councils face a challenging future, with significant financial risks and uncertainties.

“This has been compounded by pressures out with their control, including ever-increasing demand on services and inflation. An expected increase in funding for the year ahead doesn’t cancel out the urgent need for transformation, at a pace and depth we’ve not yet seen.

“With services already being impacted, councils must be clear with communities the scale of financial challenge being faced. Working with communities to deliver differently is vital.”

Democracy Matters: Community Councils update

Still time to sign up for our Community Councils webinar at 6pm on Wed 29 January, when we will get an update on the Democracy Matters consultation from the Scottish Government.

https://ow.ly/2tCt50UiYkI

The Democracy Matters engagement process asked communities to consider what the future of community decision making should look like where they live. 

On 19 September 2024, COSLA and the Scottish Government published the Democracy Matters National Conversation report alongside a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to this work.

In this session Scottish Government officials will be presenting the process findings and outlining next steps for this important work.

Broughton High School Parent Council needs YOU!

We need you! In fact – YOU need you!

Parent Council works best with lots of people involved. So why not spare a few hours a month to join in and help on the committee?

You can get more involved in your child’s school, find out more about what they’re up to and contribute to how the school works.

You can decide how much time you want to spend on it.

We would love people to do anything, but in particular these jobs – which can all be shared:

  • Vice chair(s)
  • Minute taker
  • Communications – website and social media
  • ASN
  • Parent reps from specialists – football / dance / music

So when you’re writing your New Year’s Resolutions, remember to add Parent Council!

Our first meeting of 2025 is online in January.

You can message us here or by email at intouch@broughtonhighpc.org

Reminder: Community Planning ‘Transformation’ Events

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