Tag: NEN

Waterfront development: green light for ‘Western villages’

450 affordable homes set for waterfront as construction restarts

The first phase of housing for the latest development of Granton Waterfront was given the go ahead by councillors this week.

Granton Waterfront regeneration is expected to lead the way in sustainable development as part of Edinburgh’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030.

A £1.5m contract will now be awarded to CCG (Scotland) Ltd to take forward designs for planning approval for an affordable housing development to include around 450 high quality homes, following agreement by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday.

Over the coming months the Council will be engaging with the community to develop the designs for the detailed planning application.

As part of this early programme of works for Granton Waterfront,  the Council is planning to refurbish the Granton Station building, an Edwardian former railway station, into a modern business space and is exploring the potential to light the area’s former gasholder in a joint project with Edinburgh College, turning the latter into a focal point for the city.

The wider proposals will create one of Europe’ s largest coastal city parks linking Granton Harbour to Cramond and Lauriston Castle, reconnecting the city with its waterfront and providing the opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy spectacular views across the Forth while experiencing enhanced leisure and outdoor activity.

The plan is also set to deliver on exemplar urban design centred around climate resilience, leading the way in future sustainable development and growing the economy in an inclusive way.

The proposals will bring around 3,500 new homes of which at least 35% will be affordable, a school, medical centre, creative and commercial space, new cycling and walking routes and enhanced sustainable transport connections with the city, making a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s target to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.

With an overall gross development value of around £1.3bn, the Council is committed to investing around £196m to accelerate the regeneration, attracting significant public and private sector funding to deliver the vision.

Council Leader Adam McVey, said: “As we start the recovery from this pandemic this development is a fantastic start to building the homes our residents need.

“Our waterfront development significantly contributes towards our shared goal of a better and more sustainable Edinburgh together so it’s great news that the first phase of this vibrant new neighbourhood for Edinburgh is now going ahead.

“We’re absolutely committed to reaching our target to build 20,000 affordable homes in the city as well as investing £2bn in new Council homes over the next decade. We’re also committed to becoming a net zero carbon city by 2030 and Granton Waterfront will contribute greatly to all of these goals.

Depute Council Leader Cammy Day, said: “The award of these contracts is a welcome message for the north Edinburgh community and the construction industry.

“The first phase of housing will provide hundreds of affordable homes and going forward the regeneration of this area will create hundreds of new jobs linked to growth of new services, business, leisure and creative industries and will strengthen the retail and small businesses that already exist.

“This is only just the start of this exciting development for the city and I look forward to seeing the plans brought forward by CCG for what will become one of Scotland’s leading sustainable communities.

Calum Murray, Director, CCG (Scotland) Ltd, said: “The City of Edinburgh Council is to be congratulated for the support it has afforded the construction sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“By progressing with the Western Villages project they are helping to build essential economic resilience and mitigate the worst effects of the pandemic for key stakeholders and the supply chain.

“In so doing the City is also sustaining the delivery of necessary affordable housing which will deliver on its low-carbon objectives. CCG(Scotland)Ltd is delighted to be in the vanguard of this significant regeneration initiative.”

Blue skies and sunshine … but stay safe

Superintendent Tracey Robinson would like to remind everyone to follow the current guidance to protect the NHS, control the spread of  #Coronavirus and save lives.

She said: “The regulations are clear: people should only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, for exercise or recreation, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done from home.

“The Chief Constable has made it clear that we are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to protect the NHS and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation.

“We recognise that people have made significant sacrifices until now and while the temptation may be to head straight for one of our beauty spots, we would ask people to use their judgement and avoid going to places which are normally busy during the good weather.

“Complying with the legislation about meeting only one other household outdoors at any one time and following the Scottish Government’s guidance about avoiding travelling long distances will stop our parks, beaches, lochs and hills from becoming over-crowded and help ensure appropriate physical distancing is maintained, reducing the spread of coronavirus.

“We want people to enjoy our outdoor spaces safely and our officers will be robustly tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities.”

Cramond’s Glebe Road was closed to motor vehicles yesterday.

Too many cars were travelling down the road only to have to u-turn when the drivers realised car parks at the Cramond Inn and Cramond foreshore are currently closed.

Yesterday was Edinburgh’s hottest day of the year so far and all the popular spots saw a significant increase in visitor numbers.

Chief Constable: Do The Right Thing

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM said: “The law is changing as phase 1 of the Scottish Government route map for COVID-19 has been implemented.

“People should still only leave the house for very limited purposes, for example for basic necessities, for exercise or recreation, for medical needs or travelling for work which cannot be done from home.

“Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation.

“We are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to protect the NHS and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.

“We recognise that people have made significant sacrifices until now and while the temptation may be to head straight for one of our beauty spots, we would ask people to use their judgement and avoid going to places which are normally busy during the good weather.

“Complying with the legislation about meeting only one other household outdoors at any one time and following the Scottish Government’s guidance about avoiding travelling long distances will stop our parks, beaches, lochs and hills from becoming over-crowded and help ensure appropriate physical distancing is maintained, reducing the spread of coronavirus.

“We want people to enjoy our outdoor spaces safely and our officers will be robustly tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our communities.”

Thousands of Scottish volunteers supporting those in need

  • Nearly one-fifth of people in Scotland (16%) say they are volunteering in their communities during the COVID-19 crisis
  • 70% of these volunteers are helping out by doing grocery shopping for others
  • Over half (56%) of people in the region said they plan to buy more goods locally post-lockdown to help their local economy
  • A further 55% also said they plan to make more use of local stores after the lockdown

 

The majority of community volunteers in Scotland are helping other members of their community with essential shopping during the COVID-19 crisis, research from Legal & General and Cebr has revealed.

Seven in 10 (70%) of community volunteers in the region said they were doing grocery shopping for others during the coronavirus outbreak, according the FTSE100 financial services group’s Isolation Economy Report. Nearly one-fifth of people in the country (16%) have been involved in volunteering efforts during the crisis.

Legal & General’s research has also found that people in Scotland also plan to deliver a boost to their local economies, with 56% saying they will buy more goods in local stores and another 55% planning to make more use of local stores after the lockdown.

These new regional figures come as the Isolation Economy research showed that 10 million UK adults are serving as an informal ‘volunteering army’, supporting local communities and helping vulnerable people.

Each week, the work these volunteers are doing has an equivalent economic value of more than £357 million, according to the Isolation Economy research, with each individual contributing on average three hours of their time. 

Nigel Wilson, CEO at Legal & General said: “Being more isolated has made us also more inclusive. Britain’s community spirit has doubled down in lockdown, forging an informal army of volunteers who are now a key part of our national infrastructure in the crisis.”

“Individuals and families have come together and created new ties across communities, cutting across age, income and circumstances.

“We have become a nation of volunteers during the COVID crisis. And – judging by the millions who plan to continue after the lockdown – it is a change that is here to stay.” 

Volunteering in the crisis

According to the Isolation Economy study, one in every five UK adults (19%) has volunteered their time for community-level activities or organisations since the start of the lockdown on March 23rd. This includes nearly a quarter (23%) of furloughed workers.

Royal Voluntary Service has been leading the volunteering efforts in response to the Coronavirus crisis. The charity has been working together with its corporate partner Legal & General, with employees of the FTSE100 company taking part in volunteering efforts including making phone calls to check in on vulnerable individuals.

Sam Ward, Director of Services and Deputy CEO for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “As restrictions ease for some, many older and vulnerable people will remain isolating at home, in desperate need of practical support, mental stimulation and companionship. 

“Royal Voluntary Service has mobilised to respond to Coronavirus through a massive, co-ordinated volunteer effort. The public response has been a beacon of hope during this crisis with legions of people stepping forward to volunteer and help others. Our volunteer army is needed more than ever before to meet the need older people continue to face now, and over the coming months as they try to re-build their lives.”

67% of volunteers are helping with grocery shopping for others and a quarter (26%) have collected and delivered medicines or prescriptions. 16% of those donating their time have volunteered to make calls to people in a bid to combat loneliness. All of this activity is separate to the actions of those people serving in the formal NHS volunteer programme.

Across the generational divide, people are coming together to give up their time and help those in need, according to the Isolation Economy research.

More than a fifth (22%) of those aged between 35 and 54 were volunteering for instance, as are 18% of over-55s. Millennials, while the least likely to volunteer (17%), gave up the most time – an average of 3.5 hours a week on grocery shopping and 4.4 hours if volunteering in other ways.

Almost a third (29%) of UK adults believe that the younger generations have taken on more responsibility during the lockdown to support their parents and grandparents.

This spirit of supporting others is more than a short-term trend. More than three-quarters (78%) of those volunteering plan to continue helping those in need after the lockdown.

Bringing communities together

Community ties have also strengthened under the lockdown. The Isolation Economy research also reveals that two-thirds (64%) of UK adults feel their communities have ‘come together to help each other’ during the crisis.

This renewed community spirit includes extending financial support to local businesses. Families have tried to help those that help them, continuing to pay cleaners, gardeners and other workers for services they knew they would never be able to use under lockdown.

£637 million was spent on unused goods and services between the start of the lockdown on 23rd March and the end of April – a figure that has now risen to more than £1 billion two months into lockdown.

UK adults have spent £170 million on prepaid vouchers and coupons and 60% plan to buy more goods from local stores in a bid to help local economies following the lockdown.

Legal & General is also extending its support for volunteering and charitable work amidst the crisis. The FTSE100 group has substantially raised its cap on matching funding for any activities where its employees are raising funds or donating their time for COVID-19 causes.

The change marks a ten-fold increase in donations from L&G.

Nigel Wilson continued: “Coronavirus has changed our behaviour and our priorities. More of us are giving up our time and savings to support local communities and businesses.

“People are paying for services they knew they would never be able to use due to the lockdown – but which made a difference to people’s lives and finances. These generous, vital gestures make a positive difference to the lives of others in the isolation economy.” 

Legal & General’s Isolation Economy research previously revealed a significant shift in consumer spending habits, giving ‘at-home’ spending a boost equivalent to an £12.9bn annually.

This change is largely a result of UK adults’ increased expenditure on four key “at home” categories during the lockdown: groceries, alcohol, entertainment and hobbies & crafts.

Community council to meet again via Zoom

Hi everyone,
This is to advise that our regular meeting of the West Pilton West Granton Community Council on 2 June at 7 pm will go ahead.
Given the current COVID-19 restrictions, however, and in line with CEC guidance, we will be holding the meeting remotely, via Zoom.
Contact Peter for registration details: – wpwgcommunitycouncil@outlook.com
As Zoom places a 45 minute limit, our meeting will be for essential business.  A draft agenda is below:
1. Welcome – Lana
*2. Proposal to provide funding to community newsletter – Willie
*3. Current position with chequebook – Peter
4. Living with Covid-19
    a. Police Report – Sarah
    b. Community Food Support – Willie/ Peter
5. AOB & DONM – Lana
Regards
Peter Faassen de Heer
Secretary, West Pilton West Granton Community Council

Sustrans: Outside In activities

Videos, games, weekly challenges, themed activities and more

Weekly updates are packed with creative, active and interesting indoor and outdoor activities for all the family.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/outside-in

It’s not too late to join our #SustransOutsideIn feature in the parent newsletter.

It’s packed with activities for children to bring the outside in and enjoy at home 🏠🤸🎨

Designed by our knowledgeable, experienced and fun-loving Schools Officers. The four-week activity pack is full of cycling, walking and scooting themed fun 🚲🛴🚶

For more information and to sign up, visit: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/outside-in/

TUC: Many women remain stuck in low-paid, insecure roles

 

Coronavirus has confirmed that working women are still underpaid and undervalued in Britain today, the TUC has said today as the UK marks the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act. 

TUC analysis shows that women are much more likely than men to be key workers and, when they are, are much more likely to be on low pay.

Of an estimated 9.8 million key workers, nearly two-thirds are women. And 2.6 million women key workers earn less than £10 an hour.

TUC General Frances O’Grady said: “50 years after brave women won the legal right to equal pay, coronavirus has confirmed that pay inequality is still rife in Britain today. 

“Working women have led the fight against coronavirus, but millions of them are stuck in low paid and insecure jobs. That is not right.

“As we emerge from this crisis, we need a reckoning on how we value and reward women’s work. Without proper change it will take decades to close the gender pay gap.”

Separate TUC analysis of official data shows that at current rates of progress it will take around 50 years (until 2067) to achieve pay parity between men and women.

– Estimates of key worker earnings are based on the government’s list of key occupations and data from the most recent Labour Force Survey (Q4, 2019).

The TUC’s analysis suggests there are up to 9.8 million key workers, and that 3.7 million are paid below £10 per hour. This is based on linking four-digit occupation codes to government guidance, which is open to interpretation.

Employees Number of employees earning less than £10 per hour % of employees earning less than £10 per hour
All 27,743,698 9,361,640 34
Key workers 9,839,175 3,742,257 38
Non-key workers 17,904,523 5,619,383 31

 

Gender
All employees Number of employees paid below £10 per hour Key workers Number of key workers paid below £10 % of key workers paid below £10 Key workers as % of all employees
Male 13,935,349 3,823,471 3,572,654 1,155,611 32 26
Female 13,808,349 5,538,169 6,266,521 2,586,646 41 45
Total 27,743,698 9,361,640 9,839,175 3,742,257 38 35

For more information about the Equal Pay Act please visit: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace-guidance/case-studies/how-fords-striking-women-drove-equal-pay-act

– TUC analysis of the gender pay gap is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/news/gender-pay-gap-means-women-work-free-two-months-year-says-tuc

A cautious return to the new normal: lockdown begins to ease today

Easing of  Scotland’s lockdown restrictions have been confirmed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. While some outdoor activity restrictions will ease as of today, the public are still urged to stay at home as much as possible and maintain strict physical distancing when outdoors.

From today, two households will be allowed to meet in outdoor spaces up to a suggested maximum of eight people. However, it is important that physical distancing and hygiene rules are maintained.

Announcing the measures, the First Minister said: “The only reason the Scottish Government can make these changes today is because of the sacrifices that all of you have made. So thank you, to each and every one of you.

“No change will be risk free – and there are no certainties. While I am confident of that, there is also the chance that even these limited changes will lead to much greater change in reality.

“So please act within the rules. Be respectful of each other’s space, be kind, be prepared for things to be very different and remember that each individual decision you take affects the wellbeing of all of us. How well we follow these practices now determines whether we can go further in the future. We can only take these steps towards a less restricted lifestyle, and then consider taking further steps, if people continue to obey the guidance.

“My advice is to stay home as much as possible – the virus has not gone away. If you have symptoms, get tested; wash your hands and surfaces regularly; and if you do meet family or a friend stay outdoors. Don’t put them or yourself at risk.

“People who are shielding will be well into their third month of isolation, of not being able to leave the house at all. They are uppermost in our thoughts as we think about how to safely come out of lockdown and we’ll provide more information for them in the coming weeks.

“We can only take these steps towards a less restricted lifestyle because people have, overwhelmingly, stuck to the guidance. And we will be able to take more steps more quickly in the future – if we continue to do the right thing, and to stick to the rules.”

Measures that will come into force in Phase 1 include:

  • From today (Friday), one household can now meet up with another outdoors. This can be in one household’s garden, but physical distancing is still required. It is expected households will only meet one other household within the same day and up to a recommended maximum of eight people in the overall group.
  • From today (Friday), public outdoor spaces can now be used for recreational purposes, for example to sit in a park, sunbathe or have a picnic. People should not share food and drink between households and should avoid using shared facilities, such as bathrooms. If eating, each household should bring their own food separately and avoid sharing utensils, dishes or cups and use a hand sanitiser before eating. Physical distancing between households should be maintained at all times.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), you can now travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but should remain in your local area, suggested to be five miles from your house, although we ask people to use their judgement. People are encouraged to walk, wheel or cycle where possible.
  • From Monday (1 June), staff can return to schools subject to risk assessments and appropriate physical distancing and hygiene measures being in place to support this. This is to plan and prepare for the new blended model of learning to be implemented from 11 August.
  • From Wednesday (3 June), child minding services and fully outdoor nursery provision will be available, although capacity will be limited. Both measures will be subject to increased hygiene measures, small group working and physical distancing of adults.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), most outdoor workplaces to resume with physical distancing measures in place once guidance is agreed, including horticulture, landscaping and garden centres, forestry and environmental management. Associated cafes should not reopen at this stage except for take-away and physical distancing measures should be followed.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), the construction sector is expected to be able to implement the first phase in its restart plan. A move to ‘phase 2’ of the construction sector’s plan will follow consultation with government to ensure it is safe to do so in line with public health advice.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), food outlets, restaurants and cafes are able to provide delivery, take-away and drive-through food options in line with guidance and complying and safe physical distancing measures.
  • From today (Friday 29 May), unrestricted outdoor exercise and some non-contact outdoor activities within the local area – such as golf, outdoor tennis and angling – can resume provided physical distancing is followed. It does not mean that taking part will always be safe. You should use judgement and take part only if you can do so safely, maintaining physical distancing and not putting yourself or others at risk.
  • From Monday (1 June) Household Waste Recycling Centres to begin to reopen. Sites must operate safely, ensuring physical distancing is maintained, and should only be visited when absolutely necessary to minimise journeys.

Phase 1 guidance

Route map publication

More funding found for third party grants … but is it enough?

An additional £611,000 is being distributed to support voluntary organisations helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and their families across Edinburgh – but the funding announcement will still bring bad news for some city projects.

The decision was unanimously approved at the Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday.

The groups, which include youth projects, children’s clubs, mental health charities and BAME groups, are being funded by the third party grant programme run by the Communities and Families service of the City of Edinburgh Council.

The extra money means this year’s annual grants will total nearly £4m. Initial funding of £3.37m was proposed at the Education, Children and Families Committee in March 2020 but was put on hold after deputations from community groups.

A short life working group was set up to review the grants process and report back this month. The conclusions it reached included agreeing the previous recommendations and restoring funding to groups in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1 and 2 areas of the Capital and BAME organisations.

Although 80% of the recommended awards were being distributed to organisations tackling poverty, the integrated impact assessment identified an imbalance in funding being delivered for services across SIMD 1 and 2 areas and also significant impacts on organisations providing services for the BAME communities.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic were also taken into account by the working group as there will almost certainly be a rise in unemployment after lockdown which would adversely affect SIMD 1 and 2 areas.

As a result a cross party addendum agreeing funding for an extra £611k was approved at the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday, but for some youth organisations, following years of real-tems cuts, the extra funding won’t be enough.

Education Convener Ian Perry said: “The additional £611k that has been agreed by all political parties means we are meeting our primary objective for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and their families across the whole of Edinburgh especially in SIMD 1 and 2 areas.

“We need to ensure during this Covid-19 crisis that our most disadvantaged communities are well supported and that this support is equitable across the areas that need it most. These communities are likely to be hardest hit during the outbreak and more likely to experience the worst effects of the inevitable crisis.

“We’ve already seen countless examples in the past 10 weeks of communities coming together to support vulnerable families. Now more than ever we need to continue our partnership work with the third sector and voluntary organisations as we help people rebuild their lives again and this funding will help support this aim.”

Education Vice Convener Alison Dickie said: “Our Children’s Services Plan has been the driving force for our grants programme focussing on the outcomes that best support the children, young people and families most impacted by poverty and disadvantage.

“This has resulted in 85% of the awards now being distributed to organisations tackling poverty. We’re also supporting services that deliver for children, young people and families, particularly those with lived experience of the care system, disabilities, young carers, LGBT, and BAME young people.

“The organisations we are supporting are already working hard for people living in SIMD 1 and 2 communities and these grants and decisions will help to ensure there is no gap in provision and also an equity of investment.”

Nineteen organisations will benefit for the first time and the money will be distributed to all groups until 31 August 2023 with the first year’s funding starting on 1 September this year.

In total 186 applications were received from 129 different organisations who submitted bids of £26.4m for the £10.1m three-year fund.

Five priorities were identified to support Council objectives to improve the overall health and wellbeing of young people and their families. They are:

  • Improve learning and developmental outcomes for disadvantaged babies, infants, children, young people and their families including care experienced young people
  • Improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes
  • Support the personal and social development of young people through the delivery of effective universal youth work programmes
  • Improve the level of participation in learning opportunities for all secondary school age young people and continue to increase positive destinations
  • Ensure that children and young people’s health and wellbeing are not damaged by alcohol and drugs through the delivery of effective drugs and alcohol prevention work and substance misuse services

Outcome Report of the Short Life Working Group to Examine Communities and Families Third Party Grant

Supplement Version 3 – Motions and Amendments 28052020 1000 Policy and Sustainability Committee

Edinburgh Gang Show cancelled

EDINBURGH GANG SHOW 2020

We have made the very difficult decision to cancel the Edinburgh Gang Show 2020, due to be performed at the King’s Theatre in November, because of ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.

This will be the first time in 60 years that the Gang Show has not been performed in an Edinburgh theatre, but our priority is the safety of our young people and adult volunteers.

The Gang may not be able to meet in person, but we are planning to present a virtual performance in November which will showcase the talent of our young people from South East Scotland Scouts and Girlguiding Edinburgh and bring the unique Gang Show spirit alive and online.

Please follow our social media channels for more details.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to 2021 when the Gang will once again be back at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh to make more memories.

Edinburgh Gang Show Management Team