New city wide litter campaign, ‘Clean Up Edinburgh’, launches on 28 October

What’s happening?

A new city wide litter campaign, ‘Clean Up Edinburgh’, will be launched on 28 October.

The  campaign starts with a day of action on 29 November, bringing together communities, businesses and individuals across Edinburgh for  clean-up events across the city.

Why do we need the campaign?

A Keep Scotland Beautiful survey showed that more than half of the Scottish population has dropped litter, and almost half do it regularly. This is a problem for all of us, caused by most of us. That is why Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched the Clean Up Scotland campaign to tackle these issues nationwide, and we are proud to be supporting this.

Edinburgh is a beautiful, vibrant city but litter can be a blight on our landscape. Litter can have a huge impact on quality of life, our environment and costs us millions to clean up. We want to encourage staff, residents, schools, communities, business and visitors, to all play a part and pledge to tack action on litter and be proud of the city we live in.

In a nationwide poll by Zero Waste Scotland, 44% of the Scottish population believes that a major education and awareness drive is the best way to tackle our litter problem, with only 10% opting for investing more in clearing it up. We therefore hope this year long programme of engagement and awareness raising activity can help us to start changing people’s attitudes towards littering.

How can you get involved?

We have a number of ways that you and your community can get involved from small individual actions to holding your own community clean up. Find out more below:

Join a clean-up

Join one of our clean-ups on 29 November, happening across the city. You can find out where and when these will be held by visiting www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter

Or why not encourage your community to organise their own clean-up? We can provide advice on locations, health and safety and promotion. We can also provide some equipment if necessary. Let us know if you do have any events planned and we can help promote it.

Public Meeting on Royal Edinburgh Hospital Development Plans - 5 Nov at 19:30 (plans available for perusal from 18:30)

Nominations are now open for the Edinburgh Award 2013

This is your chance to help the City recognise someone whose work has enhanced Edinburgh's reputation both at home and abroad. Nominate someone you think deserves the Edinburgh Award by filling in the online nomination form.

The Edinburgh Award was established in 2007 and is now a prestigious annual award to honour an outstanding individual who has made a positive impact on the city and gained national and international recognition for Edinburgh. Criteria for nomination are that the individual:

• was born in Edinburgh or has lived in the City for the past 12 months;
• has not previously been awarded The Freedom of the City;
• is not a previous winner of The Edinburgh Award;
• is not a serving politician.

The winner is presented with an engraved Loving Cup at a ceremony hosted by the Lord Provost and has their hand prints reproduced on a flagstone in the City Chambers Quadrangle.  

Previous recipients of the Edinburgh Award are:

• Ian Rankin OBE [Presented 2007]
• JK Rowling OBE [Presented 2008]
• Sir Chris Hoy MBE [Presented 2009]
• George Kerr CBE [Presented 2011]
• Professor Peter Higgs [Presented 2012]
• Dame Elizabeth Blackadder [Presented 2013]

The recipient of the 2013 Award will be honoured at a ceremony at the beginning of 2014.

Agenda for Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council Meeting - 7:30pm on We 23 October 2013

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its October meeting on 23 October 2013 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls on Beaufort Road/ Grange Road. 

This will be our second meeting of 13/14.  Further meetings will be on the fourth Wednesday of November 2013 and January, February, March, April, May and June 2014.

All who live and work in the area are most welcome!

A G E N D A

 1            Sederunt and apologies

 2               Minutes of last meeting, 25 Sep 2013 (draft until approved)

 3               Matters arising from the minutes 

·            Planning objection – W Pk Cres

·            Marchmont Crescent Noticeboard (repairs)

·            Garden Competition

·            Plant pots on Meadow Place

·            Zebra Crossing on Marchmont Road

·            Jawbones refurbishment

·            HMOs

 4            Police Report

Items for discussion

 5             Induction of new Community Councillors

 6              Vacant Chair

 7              Events on the Meadows

 8             ChristmasTree Lighting

Items mainly for information

9              Planning matters

·            Cycle Parking Trial

·             Sainsbury’s in Marchmont

10              Treasurer’sReport

11               AOCB

12             Date of next meeting: 27^th November 2013

Natural Neighbourhoods in Edinburgh: what's your patch?

Do you live in Edinburgh? If someone asks you which part you come from, what would you tell them? 

Abbeyhill or Alnwickhill, Brunstane or Bruntsfield, Craigmillar or Craiglockhart? 

That's the question that’s being asked a by new Council project, which is looking at the idea of natural neighbourhoods in Edinburgh. 

The Council are hoping to capture the information through a short online survey. They’ll use this information to create a new set of natural neighbourhood boundaries which will improve the Council’s understanding of customers, their measurement of outcomes and enable closer working with partners.

Don't miss out on your chance to vote in the Independence (or not) referendum and the European election

Marchmont & Sciennes residents, including sixteen and seventeen year olds are encouraged to register ready for the independence (or not) referendum next year.

Lothian residents will shortly receive their annual electoral registration form through the post and are being encouraged to complete and return it promptly so they can have their say at next year's polls.

In 2014 Electors will be able to cast their vote at the European election in May and at the independence referendum in September.  Anyone who is aged 16 or over on 18 September 2014 will be able to vote in the referendum, so every house is also being sent a 'young voters' form to register their details. People completing the registration forms are being urged to make sure the details of any soon-to-be 16 or 17 year olds in their household are included.

People who don't receive their forms should contact the electoral registration office on 0131 344 2500.

Electoral Registration Officer Joan Hewton said: "People are talking about the referendum with family and friends, but the only way to have your say is to vote on 18 September 2014, so make sure you're registered to vote. Registering is quick and simple. All you have to do is update and return the registration forms with details of everyone who lives in your household and is eligible to vote; and remember to include anyone who will turn 16 by 18th September 2014. It’s straightforward, any young person who is 15 and will be 16 by the 18th September 2014 should add their details to the young person’s form and anyone 16 or over should add their details to the main household canvass form."

Active Communities funding programme is open in South Edinburgh

 ‘Active Communities’ in Edinburgh and the Lothians is a funding programme which may be of interest to groups and charities in South Edinburgh. People's Health Trust are offering grants of between £5,000-£50,000 for projects lasting up to two years. The programme closes for applications on Wednesday 16 October 2013 at 12pm.

Applying is easy via an online form, and there is detailed guidance to support applicants through each step.

Speak up Speak out: don't let abuse or neglect go unreported

Edinburgh residents are being asked to Speak up Speak out about harm. The campaign is reaching out to anyone being harmed to come forward for help or for others to report concerns about someone they know.

Abuse could be physical, psychological or be in the form of neglect. It could be domestic abuse or families suffering through someone’s drug or alcohol problems. It can happen regardless of age, gender or the colour of their skin. It can happen anywhere and be caused by friends, relatives, colleagues or strangers. By encouraging people to be open about their concerns and talk to care professionals, it is hoped that more adults and children can be protected from harm.

The campaign aims to ease fears that involving the authorities will make things worse. The worst of these fears are of splitting up families or prosecution. That may happen in the most severe of cases but in most cases the Council and the many organisations it works with will ease the situation by providing practical support.

You can pick a leaflet up from community venues, voluntary organisations, doctor and dentist surgeries and in hospitals.  You can also find out more at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/speakupspeakout

If you are being harmed or if you think you know someone who is, speak up:

Social Care Direct

0131 200 2324

socialcaredirect@edinburgh.gov.uk

Police Scotland

101 or in an emergency call 999

New edition of Edinburgh Economy Watch available

The new edition of Edinburgh Economy Watch, compiled by the City of Edinburgh Council is now available.

The Edinburgh Economy Watch presents and analyses a range of economic indicators to describe the impact that current economic conditions are having on the capital and benchmark Edinburgh's economic performance against similar-sized UK cities.  From this month, you can download the data in the publication at the same link.

Scottish Water: Be Prepared For Winter

Scottish Water launched its winter campaign earlier this week to encourage customers in communities across Scotland to follow their winter code - protect your pipes - be prepared and heat, insulate and protect your home. 

They are also urging holiday home owners, businesses, agents and landlords to take steps to heat, insulate and protect properties and any vacant commercial properties. 

For more details (including winter information, films, and advice) visit their Winter Website.

Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens

The Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens have now been running for just over two years. 

Located within the grounds at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Morningside, the gardens offer fantastic opportunities to grow your own food, build community, and keep active. 

There are often events, workshops, and courses available - see their website to find out more. You don't need to be an expert gardener. Enthusiastic and interested amateurs are most welcome.

New development with Sainsbury's planning applications for Marchmont

According to a letter to Ian Murray MP, linked from the Myhood EH9 website, comments on the applications are again being accepted until 18 October. 

• Installation of automatic sliding door and ATM; installation of illuminated and non-illuminated signage; and, internal alterations to ground floor and basement floors.
  102 - 104 Marchmont Road & 108-110 Marchmont Road Edinburgh EH9 1BG
  Ref. No: 13/03095/LBC | Received: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Validated: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Status: Pending Consideration
• Proposed installation of new and replacement louvres to shop front and rear elevations.
  102 - 104 Marchmont Road & 108-110 Marchmont Road Edinburgh EH9 1BG
  Ref. No: 13/03094/LBC | Received: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Validated: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Status: Pending Consideration
• Proposed shop front alterations: installation of an automatic door and ATM
  102 - 104 Marchmont Road & 108-110 Marchmont Road Edinburgh EH9 1BG
  Ref. No: 13/03093/FUL | Received: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Validated: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Status: Pending Consideration
• Proposed installation of new and replacement louvres to shop front and rear elevations.
  102 - 104 Marchmont Road & 108-110 Marchmont Road Edinburgh EH9 1BG
  Ref. No: 13/03092/FUL | Received: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Validated: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Status: Pending Consideration
• Proposed installation of illuminated fascia signage, ATM surround and window vinyls
  102 - 104 Marchmont Road & 108-110 Marchmont Road Edinburgh EH9 1BG
  Ref. No: 13/03096/ADV | Received: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Validated: Tue 06 Aug 2013 | Status: Pending Consideration

This is because the original council advertising of the applications had only part of the proposed site address (although the full address was on the documents available).

Agenda for Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council Meeting - 7:30pm on We 25 Sep 2013

Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will hold its September meeting on 25 September 2013 at 7:30pm, in our usual venue of St Catherine's Argyle Church halls. 

This will be our first meeting of 13/14.  Further meetings will be on the fourth Wednesday of October, November, January, February, March, April, May and June

A G E N D A

 1            Sederunt and apologies

 2               Minutes of last meeting, 26 June 2013 (draft until approved)

 3               Matters arising from the minutes 

      ·            delays to refuse collection

      ·            Marchmont Crescent Noticeboard (repairs)

      ·            Garden Competition

 4            Police Report

Items for discussion

 5             Induction of new Community Councillors

 6              Vacant Chair

 7              Plans for Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Astley Ainsley Hospital

 8              James Gillespie's High School and impact on neighbourhood/ TTRO

 9              HMOs (including case in Lauderdale Street) – Anne Laird

10              Edinburgh's Christmas - Decorate Edinburgh

11              Christmas Tree Lighting 7th December

12              Sainsbury’s in Marchmont

Items mainly for information

13              Planning matters

      ·            Cycle Parking Trial

      ·             Gillespie's Playing Field

14              Treasurer’s Report

15              Reports from Meetings

       ·            Meadows & Bruntsfield Links Advisory Group  (Alison Service)

       ·            Neighbourhood Partnership

16             Other Matters for noting

      ·            Review of Community Council Scheme

17             AOCB

18             Date of next meeting: 23rd October 2013

Approved SESplan Strategic Development Plan now published

On 17 September 2013 SESplan formally published the Approved SESplan Strategic Development Plan including the modifications, as approved by the Scottish Ministers. The SESplan Strategic Development Plan, as modified, is constituted as the Strategic Development Plan for the SESplan Strategic Development Plan Area from 27th June 2013.

Copies of the Approved Strategic Development Plan, the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Post Adoption Statement and Scottish Ministers decision letter approving the plan, as modified, are available on www.sesplan.gov.uk. They are also available for inspection at the SESplan offices in Claremont House, 130 East Claremont Street, Edinburgh EH7 4LB and all public libraries in the SESplan area. The documents are available for inspection for free during normal opening hours.

The Scottish Ministers decision letter advises that Scottish Ministers decision is final, subject to the right conferred by Section 238 of the above Act, of any person aggrieved by the Scottish Ministers' decision to apply to the Court of Session within six weeks from the date of publication of the plan (17 September 2013), as modified, whereby the Court may quash the plan (in whole or in part) if it is satisfied that it is not within the powers of the Act or that the applicant's interests have been substantially prejudiced by a failure to comply with any requirement of the Act.

The modifications include a requirement that SESplan prepares Supplementary Guidance to identify the individual housing requirements for each Local Development Plan area. The preparation of the Guidance is ongoing and further updates will be posted at www.sesplan.gov.uk.

Nominations to join Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council close next Monday

The closing date for nominations for the community council elections (link to previous post) is Monday 23 September at 4 pm.    If an election is required it will be held on 24 October 2013. Individuals and groups can be nominated.

For a nomination form visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils or www.edinburghnp.org.uk/community-councils 

By joining your local community council you can make a real difference to your neighbourhood, meet new people, learn new skills and take action on issues that local residents raise.  Everyone has something to offer regardless of experience, interests and backgrounds.  Anyone 16 or over and on the electoral register can join.

A new video clip has been added to the Neighbourhood Partnership website  which  provides an insight into what’s involved in being a community council member and how community councils can make a difference.   

Next meeting of MSCC is on 25 Sep at 7:30pm at St Catherine Argyle

The next meeting of the Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council will be on Wed 25 September 2013 at 7.30 PM at St Catherine's Argyle Church Halls, Beaufort Road.

All who live and work in the area are welcome to attend.

The agenda will be available next week and will be posted on this blog and in the local MSCC noticeboards.

Any queries to the secretary.

Edible Edinburgh: a Sustainable Food City

The Edible Edinburgh initiative aims to inspire, motivate and connect everyone across the city in developing new relationships with food, choosing healthier and tastier food and bringing social, economic and environmental benefits for the whole community.

The Edible Edinburgh steering group has therefore drafted a consultation document to encourage everyone to join in the debate about our food. Edible Edinburgh: A Sustainable Food City initiates a collective conversation about how we re-imagine a new food system and culture for our city. You can get involved by completing a short survey once you’ve read the consultation document.

Edible Edinburgh is also hosting a Feed the 5,000 event in Bristo Square on Saturday 5th October. Go along for a free lunch, find out more about food initiatives in the city and have your say on how you would like to see Edinburgh develop as a sustainable food city.

Your chance to comment on the Local Transport Strategy

After consideration of comments on the 'Issues for Review', a full Local Transport Strategy has now been drafted, and has been approved by the Transport and Environment Committee to be circulated for comment. 

A copy of the Committee report can be found online.

Key new initiatives include:

• moving forward with improvements to the City Centre;
• a major extension of 20mph speed limit areas;
• developing proposals to extend parking controls on Sundays;
• piloting an approach to close streets in the immediate neighbourhood around schools for short periods at school start and finish times;
• consulting on options to reduce air pollution from traffic; and
• developing a new travel planning service to work with Edinburgh's employers.

Please send your comments on the Local Transport Strategy to Lynda Haughney by mid October. It would be helpful if correspondents could specify which Chapter or Policy their comments refer to.

Comments will be considered, and then the final version of the document will be submitted to the Transport and Environment Committee early in 2014.

Bin it and win it – student recycling campaign

The City of Edinburgh Council have launched a campaign to inform Edinburgh students about recycling and litter.  Students make up a significant proportion of our residents – there are more than 94,891 studying and living in Edinburgh.[1]

Although they are often are a transient population, students are a key group to engage about recycling to ensure that they know about services from the outset of their studying in Edinburgh. It's good to support their wish to have an active involvement in their community and help keep it clean, especially at the end of term time when the amount of waste collected increases as people move out of their accommodation.

The Council are running an online Facebook competition under the strap line of “bin itand win it”. Like the Facebook page and answer three easy questions on recycling to be in with the chance of winning. This competition is now live (from the 2nd of September) and will run until 18 October. 

For further info contact ryan.mcewan@edinburgh.gov.uk.

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[1] Across the four Universities in Edinburgh, during the year 2011/2012 there were 57,850 students enrolled. In the years 2010/2011 there was 37,041 students enrolled in Edinburgh Colleges. This totals over 94,891 students.

Learn something new

If you’re looking to learn something new, brush up on your skills, meet new people or improve your job prospects then the Adult Education Programme is for you. The day, evening and weekend classes start up again in September with a range of subjects for adults aged 16 and over. The numerous classes include; art, crafts, creative writing history, computing, cookery, health and fitness, languages, music, drama, walks and talks and much more.

Our courses can help you to develop confidence and keep mentally and physically active as well as acquiring new skills. Research shows that people who are in lifelong learning are more likely to be employed, to remain in work and to be involved in their communities. It truly is about learning for life and it’s never too late to start.


For more information, visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/adultcourses or phone 0131 556 7978 to get a brochure or pick one up from your local library, Community Centre or GP surgery.