Greater direct control of funding by schools will help improve education, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said as he called for parents, teachers and young people to have their say in revamping the way schools are funded. Continue reading Fair funding for schools: have your say
One of Edinburgh’s largest primary schools has secured £5,000 to buy tablet computers for its students after winning a national award. Continue reading OneFamily Foundation community award for city school
Dear Editor
Cuts in funding for services affect people differently; most are appalled at the frequency and the damage it is doing to the local social fabric. But, as always, it is those who most in need of services are denied them, with all the consequences including further isolation within the community.
Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), an organisation based in North Edinburgh, runs many services for local people including:
These activities are attended by approximately 200 people each week.
PEP minibuses pick up from and return people to their homes; all the buses are staffed with volunteer escorts. Up to 80 other volunteers help throughout the week with other activities.
Funding cuts from the city council or Scottish Government will hit the provision of these services and the very people who are most in need.
PEP makes every effort in appealing to various social and charitable organisations for grants and support to keep these vital services going, but it is not sustainable in the long run if funding cuts continue.
PEP’s volunteers carried out 13,000 hours volunteering for local people in 2016, adding greatly to the quality of life and indeed their health.
As one of those volunteers, the reason for this letter is to raise public understanding of how serious are repeated cuts in funding for local services. With the best will and efforts, volunteers cannot operate on insufficient funding for their organisation.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
West Granton-based social enterprise MY Adventure is to receive almost £98,000 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund. MY Adventure is one of eight Edinburgh-based projects to receive a share of the £9.9 million fund which supports local action to tackle climate change. Continue reading Climate cash windfall for MY Adventure
A new £45,000 fund to support Edinburgh-based artists is now open for applications. The City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture Project Fund will focus on support for the performing arts this year. Continue reading City’s new Culture Fund is open for applications
Projects to support children and families coping with disabilities, mental health problems and the challenges associated with poverty and charities working more widely with children, families and adult learners are among dozens of beneficiaries of grants worth a total of £15 million confirmed today by the Scottish Government. Continue reading Making a difference: £15 million boost for community and families projects
Charities supporting looked after children and vulnerable families to help prevent children becoming looked after have been awarded £3.28 million by the Scottish Government. Continue reading Charities awarded £3.3 million to support vulnerable children
Thursday 8 December 2016 11am – 2pm
Meet the Funders is a free marketplace event providing access to funding information for community projects. It is an opportunity for groups to discuss their ideas with potential funders and collect a range of information about possible sources of grant aid. The event also offers the groups an opportunity to meet and work together.
The next Meet the Funders event will take place on Thursday 8 December in the Gorgie Suite at Heart of Midlothian Football Club’s Tynecastle Stadium, McLeod Street, Edinburgh EH11 2NL from 11am to 2pm.
Police in Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council are inviting people to apply for funding to deliver projects which will help create a city free from Islamophobia. Continue reading Tackling Islamophobia: funding applications invited
Andy Wightman MSP, Local Government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has highlighted a report showing the social impact of the 2016-17 local government budget. The MSP says the report highlights a need to re-address the way councils are funded.
The SPICe/Glasgow University/Heriot Watt University report shows most council expenditure is on services used by less affluent communities – services such as social work, public transport and citizen’s advice – but that most cuts have also landed on these services.
Andy Wightman, Local Government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Local authorities provide a lifeline for many communities struggling to make ends meet. Good quality education, social care, public transport, libraries and citizen’s advice are essential if we want a fair society.
“I welcome this new social impact methodology which, although not ideal, is very useful in understanding the impact of cuts to local government budgets.
“Ultimately this report shows the negative impact on local services from the Scottish Government’s cuts to council funding and underlines the need for a fiscal framework between the Scottish Government and local authorities and the need to scrap the Council tax and provide greater fiscal autonomy to local government.”
