The city council is issuing guidance so everyone is able to cast their vote in the General Election on 4 July.
If you applied for a postal vote by 7 June, then this has been posted out and should arrive soon if you haven’t already received it. If you applied for one between 8-19 June it will be sent out by this weekend. Further information can be found on our website.
Please fill your postal vote in as soon as possible once you receive it and post it back to us.
When filling out your postal vote if you’ve separated the statement from envelope A this isn’t an issue, please just send everything back. Don’t worry about using blue ink.
If you need a proxy vote, where someone votes on your behalf, the deadline for new applications is tomorrow (26 June) at 5pm. Guidance on proxy votes is available on our website.
If you are going to vote in person, this is the first UK General Election where voters must show a form of photo identification (ID) to cast their ballot.
With just over a week to go until global pop superstar Taylor Swift arrives in Edinburgh, the city council has released advice for residents, businesses and visitors.
The three sold out shows taking place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June will go down as some of the most significant performances ever seen here in Scotland’s capital city.
To ensure our city maintains its vibrancy we will be ensuring the key areas surrounding Murrayfield will be tidied up all three nights after each show. We will also be dedicating extra litter collectors at Roseburn Park from 4pm – 1am daily.
We request that you only travel to Murrayfield and the surrounding area if you have a ticket.
There will be a number of Council Marshalls on hand to assist Swifities navigate the area.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:“As we get ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of Swifties to our vibrant city, we are eager for everyone to have an enjoyable experience, not only at the show, but on their way before and after.
“Whilst we relish hosting the biggest and best events and want everyone attending to truly enjoy themselves, it’s important that we’re conscious of our residents.
“We ask that visitors are considerate and respectful of them whilst enjoying our fantastic capital city. These concerts are just the start of an amazing summer of events and culture here in Edinburgh.”
To find out more, and for helpful information in the lead-up to the concerts visit our dedicated Taylor Swift webpage.
The third North Edinburgh Community Festival will take place on Saturday 1th May 2024 in West Pilton Park. The park sits in the heart of North Edinburgh and draws its audience from Pilton, Muirhouse, Granton, Drylaw, Davidson Mains, Silverknowes and Wardie.
The event which has grown year on year is a fun, free to attend, family day out for new and existing residents to enjoy – promoting opportunities, creativity, enhancing community cohesion, reducing social isolation and celebrating the diversity of the area.
The Festival is going from strength to strength with over 100 local groups, organisations and charities taking part and providing workshops, information and activities – from glitter tattoos to video games, from dodgeball and football to obstacle courses and interactive theatre.
In the open area at the far end of the park we will have the Army, Marines and the Airforce in attendance showing as well as the Scottish Fire Services.
This year and moving forward, one of the key aims of the festival will be to work with young people in North Edinburgh and encouraging young people to take the reigns for future events and festivals.
One of the ways to engage with the young people is through music and over 600 young people from across North Edinburgh have taken part in the Tinderbox Garage Band Challenge, creating their own new music for the event. The winners will perform their original tracks on the main stage at the festival.
The music for the festival has been curated by local organisations Tinderbox Collective and Granton Youth’s Mixtape Music Club.
There will be more than 30 acts playing over the afternoon including over 160 performers, almost all of them from the local neighbourhood. On the outdoor stage, highlights include the incredible Fischy Music, Ama-zing Harmonies Choir, Heritage Of India Through Dance and Edinburgh Ukrainian choir.
On the indoor stage we have an exciting lineup of youth bands who are part of ‘North By North West’ a collaboration project between 5 youth music organisations across North Edinburgh the aim is to get the very best emerging talent out onto the Edinburgh music scene.
From the slick electronic pop of Muirhouse local (and BBC Introducing alumni) Laurent, Granton rapper Leon Highway, or the pop-rock stylings of Drenched in Dreams – we’ve got something to suit all tastes. Look out for amazing youth artists A420, Kieran Crosbie, Mezari, and Trisha Muco finishing out the festival in collaboration with players from Tinderbox Orchestra.
Head into the Sports Hall of West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre to find Tinderbox Games Showcase, an exhibition of playable games made by young game designers of all ages from North Edinburgh.
These will be featured alongside an exciting new escape room made in collaboration with young people from Granton Youth, which draws inspiration from trips to the Granton Hub archives and the area’s rich history, as well as a selection of games made by previous winners of the East Lothian Game Jam.
You’ll discover a mix of digital, physical and table-top games made by the next up-and-coming generation of game designers and creators from the neighbourhood.
Look out for Granton Youth’s stall advertising its youth work provision, which includes work with local schools, detached youth work, counselling for parents and young people, open access youth clubs, family support, and Mixtape – our music club.
This year we are extremely excited to have so many of the Edinburgh Festivals joining us on the day.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society will have street performers on the day and will be handing out free tickets to shows at this years Fringe Festival under their new Fringe Days Out Scheme which offers free Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets to people who wouldn’t normally get to experience the Fringe.
The Edinburgh Science Festival are back with bigger and better street performance style science shows as well as their cargo tricycle for their science demonstrations.
And there will be storytelling activities for families from the Edinburgh International Book Festival Citizen Adults Writing Group plus loads of free books for children.
North Edinburgh Arts have a host of activities planned across their two large marquees this year. There will be drop-in arts activities for children and families, carpet bowls, and information on their newly refurbished and extended building opening later this year.
There will be family-friendly performances by commissioned artists, selected by local children from Forthview Primary School and Pilton Youth, as part of the Creative Encounters project, delivered in partnership with Imaginate, the Childrens Festival and North Edinburgh Arts.
And there will be storytelling activities for families from the Edinburgh International Book Festival Citizen Adults Writing Group plus loads of free books for children.
Of course, there cant be a festival without a parade and this year North Edinburgh Childcare have stepped up and organised the parade which will leave from their premises at 1130am and make its way along Ferry Road Drive around West Pilton Park and entering the park for the official start of the festival at 12noon.
The theme is Superheroes and any families looking to join in are most welcome. Pulse of Place will lead the parade and if you are around North Edinburgh on Saturday 11th May, you’ll most certainly hear the parade before you see it!
Other activities on the day include:
Important information from around 80 third sector organisations
Badge making with Pilton Community Health Project
National Galleries of Scotland’s Art in the Open electric cargo-bike for a sustainable art making workshop
Storytelling with Muirhouse and Granton Libraries
Human tower building with Colla Castellera d’Edinburgh
Horses from Edinburgh Equilearn
Each year the festival provides free food – the amazing RRT (Rapid Relief Team) hand out a few thousand burgers and will return again this year.
There will also be free food from Bangla Kitchen and Multi-Cultural Family Base.
This year we have yet again a larger food presence with some new vendors but as always there is cap on the cost of food at £5.
Lyndon Cane from RRT says “RRT is pleased to support North Edinburgh again by providing the signature burger meal at the North Edinburgh Community Festival.
“Care and Compassion is at the heart of what we do, and this event is important for us to attend so we can widen our support to communities during times of need.”
North Edinburgh Community Festival really does have the community at its very heart and we can’t wait to see everyone on the day.
A few places still available at LifeCare’s free info event to help local people simplify the future
Thinking about what would happen in the future if our, or our loved ones, faculties deteriorated can be stressful and worrying. How would someone manage our affairs, access our accounts to set up the right care for us, or pay the bills? Without the right processes in place, an already very emotional situation can be made worse with often very serious consequences.
Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh understands how daunting and complex these situations can be and will next month host a free information giving event to help debunk the complexities and help people put the right practical support in place to ensure someone trusted can quickly make decisions on behalf of a loved one if they’re not able, or no longer able, to make them themselves.
Power of Attorney is a legal document where someone – while they still have mental capacity – nominates a trusted friend or relative to look after their affairs if they later lost capacity in the event of an emergency, illness or accident.
It is not limited to people who are older or unwell, everyone needs to consider setting up a Power of Attorney at any stage of life to avoid any future complications. For example, due to having a stroke, serious accident or dementia.
Delivered in partnership with experts from Lindsay’s Legal Services team, LifeCare will host its first information giving event designed to encourage people to stop and think about what they need to put in place to help simplify the future.
Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said “Unfortunately at LifeCare we are well aware of how stressful life can be when people don’t have the right documents in place. No one can predict when they may face an unforeseen illness, accident or other debilitating event that may render them incapacitated.
“As one of Edinburgh’s leading charities providing practical care support we know how emotional these situations can be at the best of times but we also know how much worse they can be when family members and loved ones are locked out of helping access the support for the people they care for.
“Relatives can’t just walk into a bank and access your money, even if it is to pay for your care. Unless you’ve a Power of Attorney, loved ones would need to apply through court, which can be long and costly.
“We understand that thinking about the future can be upsetting and frightening. Our free and informal information giving event delivered in partnership with Lindsays is designed to simplify matters; there will be no jargon and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussions and an opportunity to discuss any concerns with legal experts for free.”
LifeCare’s ‘What is Power of Attorney’ event, delivered in partnership with Lindsay’s, will take place at 2pm on Wednesday 1st May in the charity’s fully accessible community café, CafeLife at 2 Cheyne Street, EH4 1JB.
Free tea and coffee will be available along with the opportunity to find out more about LifeCare’s vital services for older people and the community overall.
Six men have been charged with attempted murder following an incident at Southhouse Square, Edinburgh, in January.
Around 8.35pm on Friday, 26 January 2024, emergency services attended Southhouse Square, following reports of a disturbance involving several men.
One man, aged 25, was found seriously injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. A second man, aged 24, was also injured in the altercation and sought medical treatment.
A black BMW car was also stolen during the incident.
Extensive enquiries were carried out and six men, aged between 20 and 58, were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “I would like to thank the members of the public who responded to our appeal for information and came forward with information.”
With the start of the New Year also being the introduction of the XL Bully ban in England and Wales, the countdown is now officially on for owners to comply with the new legislation before time runs out.
In the latest news from the Scottish Government, there are now plans for an XL Bully ban to come into force in Scotland as well, with little known detail just yet, but it was shared the ban will mirror the measures that have been introduced in England and Wales.
PDSA Vet Lynne James shares a breakdown of the timeline impacting owners in England and Wales, plus some key information, as well as some of the charity’s concerns.
Timeline of the ban
“The timeline of the ban is one of the most important factors, especially now, as owners in England and Wales do not have very long to ensure they comply with the new rules soon to come into force.”
Right now, all XL Bully type dogs must be wearing a muzzle and kept on a lead when in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow an XL Bully type dog to stray.
Owners can no longer apply for a Certificate of Exemption by email or by post (deadline was 15 Jan) – the only way to now apply is through the government website.
The deadline to apply for an Exemption through the Government website is by midday on 31 January.
From 1 February, XL Bully type dogs must have a Certificate of Exemption.
By 30 June 2024, all XL Bully type dogs over 1 year old on 31 January 2024 must be neutered.
By 31 December 2024, all XL Bully dogs under 1 year old on 31 January 2024, must be neutered.
What we know
“Although there is now a ban in England and Wales, the current population of XL Bully type dogs is going to be around for years to come, and this will likely be the same in Scotland too. With the average lifespan being around 10-12 years, the ban does not mean these dogs will suddenly disappear.
“The government has determined the physical characteristics which will decide if a dog fits the ‘breed type’ of the XL Bully. They have shared DNA or simply what owners were told their dog was when they were bought or rehomed will not count as evidence of breed.
“However, they have confirmed that other established breeds, such as those recognised by the UK Kennel Club, who may meet some of the characteristics of the XL Bully breed type, are not covered by the ban.
“The Government has also stated that owners are responsible for determining themselves if their dog is classified as an XL Bully type or not, and whether that means they should apply for an Exemption.
“We also know, regardless of personal thoughts about the ban, all owners of dogs deemed to fit the XL Bully type will now need to follow the guidance. Owners found not complying with the legislation may face a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type without a Certificate of Exemption, and their dog could be seized, or in some cases, dogs may even be put to sleep by the authorities.
“We’re aware this a worrying time for many, in England, Wales and now Scotland, and we maintain our position that Breed Specific Legislation is not the right course of action to protect the public.
PDSA’s concerns
“In addition to our concerns about this rushed through legislation, the timeline of the ban in England and Wales is adding unnecessary pressure on owners who are already in a stressful situation.
“We know recent years have been financially tough for many, with PDSA seeing an increase in demand for our low-cost services. Finding the funds in a short space of time to cover the cost of an Exemption, as well as what is needed to comply, including neutering, may not be easy for many, and may have long-term impacts. With no help to cover these costs announced from the Government, it leaves animal charities like PDSA left to pick up the pieces.
“We’re also concerned that the potential stigma of owning a ‘banned breed’ could sadly lead to owners feeling unable to walk or socialise their dogs. This will no doubt have a severe negative impact upon the welfare of these dogs, whose health and welfare must remain an upmost priority.
“We know the announcement in Scotland may not be the news many want to hear, but we will continue to support owners across England, Wales and Scotland however we can. PDSA’s main focus remains supporting owners with our aim being to keep people and pets together.”
As the weeks go by, and the deadlines get closer in England and Wales, and more information is shared about the upcoming ban in Scotland, PDSA will continue to update their website to ensure all of the information is up to date and relevant for owners.
The trade association for Scotland’s news publishers, the Scottish Newspaper Society, has been renamed Newsbrands Scotland, dropping “newspaper” from its title for the first time in a history stretching back 108 years.
While printed newspapers remain an important part of news publishers’ operations, the name change reflects modern newsrooms which reach far bigger audiences through digital platforms, with news operations working round the clock to deliver news to readers in the format they want, when they want it.
Newsbrands Scotland’s inaugural president, National World plc’s chief commercial officer Mark Hollinshead, said: “Our newsbrands reach more people than they ever did in the print-only days and the new name of our trade association reflects the multi-platform reality of the modern newsroom.”
Industry research [TGI, December 2022] shows that nine out of ten adults in Scotland engage with print or digital newsbrands at least once a week and are seven per cent more likely to rely on newspapers to stay informed than UK adults. And according to the latest JICREG analysis, 96 per cent of Scots read a local brand once a month.
Mark added: “Ever since the advent of the internet, Scottish news publishers have been evolving and innovating to keep their audiences well-served with up-to-the-minute, trusted information and analysis, and the audience figures speak for themselves.
“Scottish newsbrands keep communities across the country well-informed and connected, have a vital role to play in holding national and local politicians to account for the decisions they make, and are an essential means for services, businesses and charities to communicate with their users and customers.”
Further research from the news industry marketing body Newsworks reveals people are 2.4 times more likely to find news brands reliable than social media, and three-quarters believe it is important their news comes from a respected and recognised news provider.
Newsbrands Scotland director John McLellan said “Our titles continue to provide a depth and breadth of coverage that few, if any, networks can match, and the fact that all our members are independently regulated is also vital for maintaining public trust.
“Readers want to know they are being provided with professionally produced news, and our commercial partners benefit because readers recognise they are in a trusted environment.
“News publishers also continue to support and train the journalists of the future, and it’s important for our name to reflect an industry that is always looking forward.”
The rebranding project was a collaborative effort across member companies, with the branding design produced by DC Thomson and the marketing campaign devised by National World, with input from News UK and Newsquest Scotland.
“This was a very good example of publishers working together for the benefit of the whole sector in Scotland, whether society members or not,” added John McLellan.
The creation of a £1.3bn connected and sustainable new ‘coastal town’ at Granton Waterfront has reached its next major phase.The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to transform Edinburgh’s largest brownfield site has now been published.
The plans have been developed in partnership with Cruden Homes (East) Ltd. They include plans for over 700 net zero homes, of which at least 35% will be affordable, capacity for a primary school, commercial units, active travel routes and other sustainable transport infrastructure as well as attractive public and open space.
The Council would like to find out what people think about the plans for Phase 1 and have organised in-person events: Tuesday 13 June from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday 17 June from 11am to 2pm at the Granton Station building, 1 Granton Station Square.
People will also be able to share their views online.
An online event will be held on Thursday 22 June from 6pm to 7.30pm and a ‘You Said, We Did’ event will be held in person on Wednesday 23 August from 4pm to 7pm at 1 Granton Station Square.
The City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day, said: “It’s great to see that plans have now been submitted for the largest regeneration project of its kind in Scotland at Granton Waterfront. The PAN is for the first phase of this ambitious and exciting £1.3bn regeneration project for the city.
“Sustainable regeneration like this is so important as we transition towards a greener economy in our Capital. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here to build a 20-minute neighbourhood completely from scratch with affordable net zero homes, shops, cultural and leisure and education facilities all close by.
“We’ve been consulting with people at every step of the way during this project so please be a part of this transformation of the north of the city and give us your views either at one of our events or online.
“This will help us to make sure we get it right for those who will be living in, working, and visiting this new area as well as everyone currently living in the many established communities nearby.”
Further information:
The new area will be well connected to the rest of Edinburgh and beyond with sustainable travel links and active travel routes running through the site following the principles of sustainable travel in our City Mobility Plan.
The Council is also progressing plans to bring forward a low carbon heat network – solution for the first and future phases of the project contributing to its target to reach net zero emissions by 2030.
Cruden Homes (East) Ltd design team comprises Smith Scott Mullan Associates as lead architect along with OPEN (Optimised Environments Ltd.) as landscape designers. Together, they set extremely high standards using exemplary design to help to develop a blueprint for the Capital’s 20 minute neighbourhood model, making sure those who live in the area have all the facilities they need including workspace, retail and cultural opportunities close to home.
Several early development projects are also well underway in the area including construction of over 500 net zero homes for sale and affordable rent at Western Villages and the site behind Granton Station Building. Work is progressing to restore the iconic gasholder including creation of a public park within its frame, and the former Granton Station Building is ready to welcome its new tenant social enterprise and arts charity WASPS, who will work from the building. The new Granton Station Square outside the station building is also ready to be used as an exciting space for public use in the future.
