Tag: North Edinburgh News

UN General Assembly calls for immediate end to war in Ukraine

The UN General Assembly yesterday called for ending the war in Ukraine and demanded Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the country, in line with the UN Charter.

At its resumed eleventh emergency special session, the world body adopted a new resolution calling for an end to the war, only hours before the conflict enters its second year on Friday.

The results were 141 Member States in favour and seven against – Belarus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. Among the 32 abstentions were China, India and Pakistan.

By the terms of the 11-paragraph resolution, the Assembly reiterated its demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities”.

The Assembly, through the resolution, urged Member States to cooperate in the spirit of solidarity to address the global impacts of the war on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear security and safety. Underscoring that arrangements for a lasting peace should consider these factors, the Assembly also called upon all nations to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to address these impacts.

The  resumed session had met on Wednesday to begin debating the resolution, with the General Assembly President, Csaba Kőrösi, saying that for a full year, the 193-member Assembly, the Secretary-General, and the international community “have been consistent and vocal in our calls to end this war, and to adhere to the UN Charter and international law”.

The resolution reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

The Assembly also emphasized the need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Ukraine through independent national or international investigations and prosecutions to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.

A woman stands in her damaged home after a missile struck her apartment complex in Zaporizka, Ukraine.

© UNOCHA/Matteo Minasi

Rejected proposals

The world body on Thursday rejected two amendments proposed by Belarus. The first proposal would have altered several of the resolution’s provisions, and the second would have had the Assembly call on Member States to, among other things, refrain from sending weapons to the zone of conflict.

‘New chapter of history’

At the outset of the resumed session on Wednesday, the Assembly President said that in this “new chapter of history”, the world is facing “stark choices about who we are as an international community. These choices will either set us on a path of solidarity and collective resolve to uphold the tenets of the UN Charter,” he said, “or a path of aggression, war, normalized violations of international law and collapsed global action.”

Days after the 24 February 2022 invasion, UN Security Council members had voted to allow the General Assembly to convene the eleventh emergency special session after Russia had vetoed a resolution that would have condemned the invasion of Ukraine.

In line with resolution 377A(V), adopted in 1950, the Assembly is able to take up international peace and security matters when the Council fails to do.

For more information on the emergency special sessions, visit UN Meetings Coverage.

Foreign Secretary urges international support to Ukraine for as long as it takes

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly addresses the UN Security Council in New York, calling on international partners to support Ukraine, ahead of one year on since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

  • The Foreign Secretary will address the UN Security Council today urging allies to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, one year on from Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.
  • He will also meet with key allies including Ukraine’s Foreign Minister. Dmytro Kuleba and the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
  • The UK and 140 other countries voted on a UN resolution underscoring the need for Ukraine to secure a sustainable, just peace.

The UK will urge the international community to give the Ukrainian people the tools they need to win at a special session of the UN Security Council today [Friday 24th February], one year on from Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is expected to say: “One year into this terrible war, let us send this clear message: Our support for Ukraine is not, and will never be, time-limited. We will keep the promises we made to the UN Charter and the Ukrainian people. And will give the Ukrainians all the help they need. For as long as it takes. Until Ukraine prevails.“

Russia’s continued targeting of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, and key agricultural infrastructure, including grain silos, has significantly disrupted Ukraine’s food exports. This has directly exacerbated the increase in global food prices, hitting the poorest the hardest.

Today’s UNSC meeting follows a vote in the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, in which 141 countries voted in favour of a resolution underscoring “the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.”

The vote highlights how from food and fertiliser shortages to Russia’s escalatory language on nuclear escalation, Putin’s actions have worldwide repercussions beyond Ukraine.

Following the vote, the Foreign Secretary said: “When Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, he expected his brutal assault to succeed and international support to crumble within weeks. He has been proven gravely wrong.

“12 months on, yesterday’s vote is testament to the infinite resolve of the international community that Ukraine will win the war, end Russia’s threat to Ukraine’s sovereignty, and forge a sustainable peace.

“Ukraine is turning the tide and Putin is losing. One year into this terrible war, our support will continue for as long as it takes.”

As Ukraine enters its second year living under a full-scale Russian bombardment, the UK will continue to work with its international allies to secure a just and lasting peace which respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and defends the UN Charter.

While in New York, the Foreign Secretary will meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to discuss accelerating UK support to Ukraine, establishing a lasting peace and the road to economic stability.

Later today, a national minute’s silence will take place at 11am today to mark the one-year anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, offering the UK public a moment to reflect on the courage of the Ukrainian people and demonstrating the UK’s unwavering solidarity with the country.

January: the Last Post

As a dark and dreary January draws to a close, I’m pleased to share at least one wee nugget of positive news.

The NEN blog passed a memorable milestone this week. Your community news website reached and passed the one million hits mark on Thursday.

It’s taken a while – the NEN blog was set up ten years ago this month (the first post was made on 19 January 2011) – but we got there in the end!

Since that first blog post there have been more than 18,300 more. The blog has over 5,000 subscribers and thousands more followers on Facebook and Twitter

When that first post was written, I’m pretty sure the word ‘coronavirus’ didn’t exist. And I know I would have been using ‘lock in’ a lot more than ‘lockdown’ back then. Social distancing. Face Coverings. Blended learning. PPE. Nightingale hospitals. These words and phrases are part of our everyday language now.

It’s twelve months to the day since the first cases of the new virus were confirmed in the UK, on 31 January. Life has changed so much since then, perhaps forever. It’s a darker, more uncertain world.

The NEN first mentioned coronvirus in a post on 25th January 2020. Since then, coronavirus has been tagged 1300 times, COVID-19 1700 times and vaccine close to 300 times in NEN posts.

It’s been a relentless litany of grim statistics and horror stories, lightened only sometimes by tales of heroic workers and volunteers working flat out to support the most vulnerable people in our poorest communities.

But despite the daily awfulness of it all, I do think it’s important to record it. One day, we’ll look back on these unprecedented times to establish what we could have done better – and sooner – and where our leaders got it horribly wrong.

But for now, it’s encouraging that the word ‘vaccine’ is being used more and more in NEN posts; goodness knows we’ve needed a glimmer of light at the end of a terribly dark tunnel.

Last week, the UK death toll surpassed 100,000. One hundred thousand people; each and every one of those deaths will have affected so many friends and families. Coronavirus will leave it’s mark on us all for years to come – perhaps forever – but there will be life after the virus.

As more and more vaccines come on stream, the future is looking an awful lot brighter than it did a few short months ago. IF enough of us remain sensible – and there are still a surprising number of foolish people out there – we will get there.

So while passing the one million mark is a reason to celebrate in these cheerless times, I will put the celebration on hold until life gets back to something like normal again when I will enjoy a real pint in an open pub!

Until then, if you keep reading I’ll keep writing. Deal?

Stay safe everyone.

DAVE PICKERING

Editor, North Edinburgh News

Second COVID newsletter produced

North Edinburgh’s COVID-19 Food Share Consortium has produced a second newsletter.

The limited print run eight page publication will initially be distributed through the Group’s food distribution network and will also be available at local projects and offices.

For further information please email northedinnews@gmail.com

NEN_2_8pp_A4_AUG20_LRDownload

Councillors to consider reopening public toilets

A proposal to reopen public toilets in ‘hot spot’ areas near busy parks and beaches has been published by the city council following a city-wide review.

Councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider a report on Thursday ( 9 July) which outlines how some public toilets could be reopened safely following government guidance, having been closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With lockdown restrictions being gradually relaxed in recent weeks and the weather improving, areas such as the Meadows and Portobello Beach have become increasingly popular. Unfortunately, this has also led to people relieving themselves outdoors and in the vicinity of people’s homes causing a significant health hazard.

Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “The city is slowly starting to return to a ‘new normal’ and as more restrictions are gradually eased we know a lot of people are out enjoying our beautiful parks and beaches, and more recently returning to visit the many and varied quality shops and other businesses Edinburgh has to offer.

“We are reopening some toilets to ease the situation but I would ask that everyone is respectful they’re when out and about. Plan ahead and if you’re caught short, get home to use your own facilities if there are none open nearby.

“It’s only possible to reopen some public toilets in busy areas as we must make sure we’re following government guidance and putting in all of the necessary measures required such as additional deep cleaning and physical distancing to keep everyone safe. The cost of reopening can’t be underestimated but it’s important that we do all we can to support our communities and combat the negative anti-social behaviour some of our residents have experienced.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “We know the situation is far from ideal, but we have limited resources and the priority here must be protecting public health.

“We’ll keep everyone updated as soon as it is possible to reopen all of our toilets safely. Until then we’ll be using signage, our website and social media to keep everyone up to date with health and safety measures we’re putting in place and which toilets are open when.”

Assuming the report is approved, and all health and safety measures are put in place, selected public toilets would reopen on Monday, 13 July.

This would be on  a temporary basis until 30 October from 11am to 6pm, seven days a week. A further review will be carried out in September and an update report will be considered by councillors in October. This report will outline details of customer numbers, costs incurred, and any updates on public health advice.

Public toilets to reopen 13 July – 30 October:

  • ·         Pipe Lane in Portobello
  • ·         Hope Park in the Meadows
  • ·         Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens
  • ·         the Courtyard at Saughton Park
  • ·         Bruntsfield Links
  • ·         Hawes Pier, South Queensferry
  • ·         Cramond

Keep Scotland Beautiful launches new online summer education programme

Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, launches new online summer education programme.

Ten brand new interactive online learning courses will be available for young people across Scotland during the month of July. These exciting new online learning programmes have been developed to provide a fun and enjoyable way for young people to continue their environmental learning during the summer holidays.

The courses cover a range of topics and environmental activities which encourage young people and families to explore the world around them and to think how to protect and improve the places they love. Included are courses on Eco-Schools, heritage, food and the environment and climate change, as well as other environmental topics.

Each course consists of a combination of online learning and practical, fun activities, and all those who complete a course will be rewarded with a certificate of involvement.

Registration is now open for each course and the full list, more information and details about how to take part, can be found at: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/learning

Daniel Barrie, Education and Learning Manager, said: “Following the huge demand for our online environmental education programme during lockdown from both educators and young people, we have developed a series of exciting and interactive courses for children to take part in during the summer holidays.

“These courses will provide a fun and engaging way for young people and their families to explore some important environmental issues, such as climate change and sustainable food, and the work completed can contribute towards their school’s next Eco-Schools Green Flag award. We have something exciting available for all ages – from nursery through to S6.”

As well as the online summer courses, Keep Scotland Beautiful will also be providing environmental education support to educators once blended learning begins in August. This will build on the existing partnership with E-Sgoil and will include a range of online learning activities for pupils coupled with professional learning for staff.

Utilita Hub raises funds for Leith Foodbank

Utilita, the UK’s leading Smart Pay As You Go Energy supplier, is running ‘The Utilita Energy Hub-to-Hub Challenge’ in Leith to support South Leith Parish Foodbank whose vital fundraising and community-building activities have been curbed by the coronavirus crisis.

The charity fundraiser kicked off on 18th May and includes a team from the Leith Energy Hub either walking, running, cycling or skipping the equivalent distance from the Utilita Hub in Newport in the Isle of Wight to the Hub in Leith – totalling a whopping 516 miles.

They are clocking up the miles by making the most out of outdoor spaces, such as doing laps in their local park until they reach the 516-mile milestone.

To promote positive physical and mental health during the lockdown, members of the Utilita Energy Hub team are also recording their weekly body mass index, to demonstrate the health benefits of the challenge.

Debra Clason, Utilita Hub Manager in Leith, said: “The Utilita Energy Hubs exist to give local communities a place to go to talk about reducing their energy usage, as well as providing a space free of charge where local community groups and good causes can host their own activities, so we wanted to fill that current void with something equally as community-centred, whilst keeping the staff active to promote positive physical and mental wellbeing.

“Each Energy Hub has chosen a local charity or support group to raise money for, reflecting Utilita’s ethos of engaging with and supporting local communities.

“The team in Leith chose to fundraise for the South Leith Parish Foodbank because on a daily basis, we see people access the service, some of whom are also our customers. It’s a sobering thought to think there is an increasing need for reliance on food banks in the UK, with many families just one pay cheque away from becoming homeless.

“The energetic Hub team will happily put in the leg work and would be grateful for your donations via a dedicated JustGiving page to help them on their way.” 

Rev Iain May, Chair of the South Leith Parish Church Food Bank, said: “The support from Utilita is really appreciated. In Leith, there are over 6,000 people, including over 1,500 children, who live on or below the poverty line.

“The efforts of the team from Utilita will make such a difference in allowing us to provide essential food to those in need in these challenging and difficult times.

 “The support of the local business community here in Leith has been amazing, and Utilita has been in many ways at the forefront of this recently. So thanks again for all many miles, running, cycling, skipping that Utilita staff are doing, it will really make a difference.”

Visit the Leith Energy Hub JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hub2hubchallenge

The Utilita Hub teams have been busy taking part in the challenge across the UK, clocking up more miles each day – please see an infographic providing an update on how far they have travelled below.

You can download this here: https://we.tl/t-7mqEN1fpzT 

Newsletter deliveries resume this morning

Volunteers will be hitting local streets once again today to deliver the NEN Coronavirus special edition newsletter across North Edinburgh.

An enthusiastic team of volunteers delivered thousands of newsletters across Drylaw and Telford, Muirhouse, Salvesen, West Pilton, Granton and Royston Wardieburn last week, and a final push will see the last of the newsletters delivered this week.

If you would like to lend a hand – full guidance and protective equipment will be issued – teams will be leaving from the following locations from Tuesday – Thursday this week:

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Groathill Road North at 11am

Fresh Start, Ferry Road Drive at 11am

Pilton Community Health Project, Boswall Parkway at 11am

Ainslie Park Leisure Centre car park, Pilton Drive North at 2pm

The newsletter contains helpful information and key telephone numbers to help local people get through the pandemic.

The North Edinburgh Covid-19 Foodshare coalition would like to thank our magnicent volunteers who have done so much to support the community dring these most difficult of times.

Thanks also to the following organisations for their terrfic support:

Funders:

Cash for Kids,

Inspiring Scotland,

North Edinburgh Community Councils,

Muirhouse Housing Association,

Pilton Central Association (PCA),

SCVO,

STV Appeal,

The National Lottery for Communities,

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Cairn Energy

Cramond FC

Edinburgh City Council

Lindsay’s Charitable Trust

Martin Lewis Foundation

Murray Foundation

National Emergencies Trust

Neighbourly Community Fund

Places for People Foundation

Port of Leith Housing Association

Queensberry House Trust

Richardson and Starling

Scottish Government

Stewart Investors.

Food, supplies and support have kindly been donated by:

Baillie Gifford, Chand & Co Group,

Edinburgh Academy,

Fettes College,

Mathieson’s the butchers,

Morrisons,

PrepTable Scotland,

Porto & Fi cafe,

Scottish Gas,

Social Bite,

Tesco,

TB McKay Energy Supplies

Investec

Neighbourly Community Fund.

We couldn’t do it without you – THANK YOU ALL !

 

Carry On Tramworks!

Construction site preparation works for Edinburgh’s Trams to Newhaven project will restart tomorrow (Monday, 1 June) in line with the Scottish Government’s Phase 1 pre-start site preparation.

Work on the project was stopped at the end of March to comply with Scottish Government guidance and to protect the safety of workers and residents during the coronavirus outbreak.

Following the First Minister’s announcement on 21 May of a phased return for construction sites, plans have been drawn up in line with Scottish Government safety guidelines and industry best practice to ensure the safety of workers and the public. At a briefing on Thursday the First Minister confirmed that site preparation could begin.

In advance of the main work beginning, works to prepare construction sites and project offices will include the introduction of infection control stations, additional water stations and toilet facilities for workers within the site and in the project office, and ensuring all office workspaces and facilities are set up appropriately.

Other works on site will include the removal of the protective in-fill material that was used to ensure the work site remained safe and protected during the shutdown.

Measures to protect workers’ health will include daily briefings, continuous on-site inspections and health and safety ‘ambassadors’. The numbers of workers on-site will be kept to a minimum and the majority of project office staff will continue to work from home.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Following updated advice from the Scottish Government, we will be carrying out site preparatory works on the Trams to Newhaven project from Monday, 1 June.

“The safety of workers and the public is of utmost importance during this time and all works will be undertaken in compliance with the Government’s guidance on construction working and to allow physical distancing.

“The tram team have put in an enormous amount of hard work with our contractors to take us through this challenging period and it will take some time to fully remobilise sites. The implications of COVID-19 are unlikely to be understood for some time but we continue to work to mitigate the impact as we progress with the project.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “The Trams to Newhaven project is being delivered for the future of our city and is one of a number of schemes that are crucial to the sustainable, long-term development of the city, helping decarbonise the way we travel.

It is exactly the kind of investment we need post-COVID-19 to ensure Edinburgh is a thriving, forward-looking place for people to live and work in and will help to encourage much needed affordable housing, jobs and investment into North Edinburgh.”

Alejandro Mendoza Monfort, Director of Sacyr Farrans Neopul, the main infrastructure contractor, said: “SFN are delighted that we can restart our works on the Trams to Newhaven project. We understand the importance that this project will have for Edinburgh’s future and are committed to ensuring that we continue to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus 19. During this pause period, concentrated efforts have continued behind the scenes to develop and test a series of robust systems and procedures, whilst ensuring the highest level of health, safety and wellbeing can be provided.

“We have used this time to adapt to our new working world and developed new operating procedures that provide information, guidance and site-specific measures that will be implemented when conducting works to mitigate the impact, so far as reasonably practicable, of the virus.”

Mike Thomson, Director of Morrison Utility Services, said: “We are very pleased to be able to begin to prepare to restart this important project for Edinburgh.

” The safety of colleagues and the public is paramount and MUS has been working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and SFN to ensure that our working practices are fully compliant with the guidance given by the Scottish Government, while also looking at ways in which we can mitigate the impact of the recent enforced shutdown.”

Once the construction industry is given the approval to move to Phase 2, works on the existing sites will recommence and the Leith Walk construction site will be established as planned prior to site shutdown.

Any commencement of main works will be subject to the Scottish Government giving approval to move to Phase 2 of their construction guidelines which states: ‘soft start to site works (only where physical distancing can be maintained)’.

The project team has been working on plans to mitigate the impact of the enforced shutdown as a result of COVID-19 on the programme and budget. Despite the current circumstances, the project continues to operate within its £207.3m budget. The project is paid for by borrowing monies that are repaid over a 30-year period through future revenues from customers.

While work on the latest phase of the Edinburgh tram project gets back underway, SIX YEARS ON there’s still no sign of a long-awaited report on the shambolic first phase.

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry was commissioned by Scottish Ministers and in June 2014, the Inquiry was formally announced by then First Minister Alex Salmond. The Inquiry is chaired by Lord Hardie.

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry aims to establish why the Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than projected.

The official terms of reference for the Inquiry are to:

  • Inquire into the delivery of the Edinburgh Tram project (‘the project’), from proposals for the project emerging to its completion, including the procurement and contract preparation, its governance, project management and delivery structures, and oversight of the relevant contracts, in order to establish why the project incurred delays, cost considerably more than originally budgeted for and delivered significantly less than was projected through reductions in scope.
  • Examine the consequences of the failure to deliver the project in the time, within the budget and to the extent projected.
  • Review the circumstances surrounding the project as necessary, in order to report to the Scottish Ministers making recommendations as to how major tram and light rail infrastructure projects of a similar nature might avoid such failures in future.

 

 

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

Covid Life: How’s It Been For You?

Hi folks

Hope everyone coping with the present situation – it looks like it is going to be a long haul. It would be good if we come out of this with lessons learned … citizens standing up for the NHS and Social Care and the vulnerable in our communities.

Edinburgh University’s Generation Scotland team and network are urgently researching the effect the Covid-19 situation – and the government’s policies regarding it – are having on the lives of people in the U.K, and, importantly, who is being affected.

It is a major survey of which interim results are already beginning to have an impact at national policy level in Scotland.

Its important that with all the work ongoing across NW Edinburgh and the issues we know local people are facing daily, that we feed into this.

It would be great if you would complete the survey through the link below and also share it around youre networks:

https://edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Fc6S8ttNkyDHNP
Thanks
 
Linda
on behalf of the MAKING CONNECTIONS GROUP