Update from Maureen Child

Dear All

I might prefer to be at the fabulous historic film night in the 100 year old cinema Portobello and/or the Craigentinny/Telferton Allotments AGM tomorrow night.  Instead this is where will be: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20004/council_and_democracy/1502/question_time

Fear not if you are having even more fun elsewhere – the Budget Question Time will be recorded live, posted on the internet and capable of repeated on line viewing. Oh joy!

There might still be tickets for that fabulous film night. Reminder here: http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2016/10/portobellos-historic-cinema-hosting-premiere-event-in-november/

And remember about the Save Bellfield Meeting next Tuesday 15 November 7pm at Portobello and Joppa Parish Church (formerly St Phillips).  Register here:  https://actionportylaunch.eventbrite.co.uk

Come to the Wash House Benefit Ceilidh, organised by Fun Fiddle! Sunday 27 November 3 5.30pm at The Wash House, Adelphi Grove EH15. Tickets are for sale online www.funfiddle.co.uk , (or on the door), £30 family ticket, £10 full price, £6 concession, and under fives free. All profits to The Wash House, for a new kitchen!

Local news provider Chronicle Online would like to invite you along to a meeting with the Digital Sentinel on Thursday 17 November 2016 at 6:30pm in the White House.  Find out more and book here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-role-and-advantages-of-community-news-tickets-29069788520?utm_source=Chronicle+Online+subscribers&utm_campaign=40654642a9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_06709144fa-40654642a9-144280557

Why not subscribe to Chronicle Online, see what you think and take part in the survey!  The volunteers who run the Chronicle are asking their users to take part in a short survey to gather views on the site. Your comments will be used to make improvements. http://chronicleonline.net/2016/11/06/what-do-you-think-of-chronicle-online/

On the Portobello Community Council website, Out of the Blue have published their feasibility study report on The George, 14 Bath Street. They say that unless the current owners decide to sell or lease the George there is little more that Out of the Blue are able to do at this stage to take the project forward.  http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2016/11/01/the-george-14-bath-street-feasibility-study-published-by-out-of-the-blue/

The Council’s waste and street-cleansing services have undergone a period of significant change over recent years.  There were changes to collection frequencies, the introduction of food waste collections and new shift patterns which have seen services delivered seven days a week.

Then there was the roll-out of a new kerbside recycling service to more than 140,000 households.  The Council’s Transformation Programme brought in a new management structure and revised job descriptions for all the staff in the service.

The further changes, coming soon, have been published as a plan, so that everyone knows what to expect:  http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/download/meetings/id/52201/item_71_-_waste_and_cleansing_improvement_plan

Suggestions for those of you like to explore parts of the city you might not have been for a while or never seen before, here’s walk in Craigmillar https://mobile.twitter.com/ActiveEdinburgh/status/793414913033179136/photo/1 or Duddingston https://mobile.twitter.com/ActiveEdinburgh/status/793415400830697472/photo/1

The Community Empowerment Act (Section 119) requires each local authority to prepare a food-growing strategy for its area to identify land that may be used as allotment sites, identify other areas of land that could be used for community growing, and describe how the authority intends to increase provision, in particular in areas which experience socio-economic disadvantage.  Lots going on locally and lots more about growing projects here: http://www.growyourownscotland.info/

If you are interested in finding more out about the local area and how to get involved more in local decisions, here’s a good place to start – at the Neighbourhood Partnership website: http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/

Another note for your diary: Towerbank School Christmas Fair is on Saturday 10 December, 2-5pm.  It is taking place on a Saturday for the first time so the school community will want to invite as many local people as possible. It’s a big fundraiser and they even have commitment from Santa to come to the Fair!

Local pantomime this year is Jack and the Beanstalk at Porty Wash House 3 Adelphi Grove EH15 1AP between 9 and 11 December.  Tickets can be booked here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/174483682999917/?ti=icl  More information and poster here: https://www.facebook.com/StevenDavidsonComedy/posts/922518267881926

Parents of children starting primary school P1 in August 2017 can register this week anytime at their local school between and 3.30pm or up until12.30pm on Friday.

We have a lot a of challenges ahead as our city is growing.  Edinburgh needs an ambitious vision; one that we can all understand and buy into.  The whole city has embarked on a project to develop a vision for 2050.  Join the conversation here:  http://edinburgh.org/2050-edinburgh-city-vision/

The Thistle is having a Sponsored Santa Walk on Wednesday 14 December starting at 12 noon at the Centre for Wellbeing, 13 Queen’s Walk, Craigmillar.  Register on line or at the Centre Reception. https://www.facebook.com/thistlefoundation/posts/10153816074282827:0

Eight year old Cody McManus is training to prepare for a charity boxing challenge to inspire people to donate toys to ensure every child in Edinburgh wakes up to gifts this Christmas. You can drop off your unwrapped gift until Friday 25 November 2016 at Holyrood Boxing Gymnasium on 146 Duddingston Road West, Edinburgh, EH16 4AP.

Toys’R’Us will also have a collection point in store for any gifts bought in store. You can also donate cash if you prefer by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/codystoybox

Newhailes might be a good place to visit with small children: https://nts.cloudvenue.co.uk/santasgrottoatnewhailes

Bridgend Inspiring Growth (BIG) have Wednesday and Sunday drop-in sessions from 11 till 3pm. Their work recently involved developing a new path and fence around the wildlife area, building an outdoor shelter, and working on the surrounding stone-wall. Do feel free to come and get involved and drop-in and join in any Wednesday or Sunday. More here: www.bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk

For Book Week Scotland this year, Portobello Library are delighted to have local author Millie Gray visiting on Monday 21 November at 6.30 p.m. Millie will be talking about her latest book “Moving On” and reading us some excerpts from this exciting new saga. Tickets are completely free so just ask a member of library staff. Porty Library also have a display of some of Millie’s earlier books, so do feel free to pop in and borrow some of these mean time.

A new food bank centre has opened officially this week in Craigmillar coming under Trussell Trust Edinburgh East network. Their partners are Links Community (part of Central Church) and Bristo Memorial offer three slots a week based at Bristo Memorial Church, 196 Peffermill Road EH16 4AJ.  Trussell Trust are currently raising money to buy a van to transport food around the city. Further information at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/D4AD 

New names have been chosen for new developments at the Greendykes North site on Greendykes Road; some suggested by local people in workshops. All have some historical connection to the area.  They include, Campion, Egan, Capella and Friary.  I can give you a map and full details, if you like.  If you have an idea for a street name, contact StreetNaming@edinburgh.gov.uk with the name and its historical connection to the area.

Like a lot of local services, going through a painful transformation process, the Council’s building control service has been organised into four locality teams.  Ours is the North East Locality and the team can be contacted by email at  Building.WarrantsNorthEast@edinburgh.gov.uk.  Full details here:  https://planningedinburgh.com/2016/11/04/building-standards-update/

Matthew Cresser is an Equalities Ambassador for the Equality and Rights Network (EaRN) based at Edinburgh Volunteer Centre. EaRN is running a drop in session on accessibility and are looking for people to share experiences if they have difficulties accessing services/buildings/transport/public spaces. The event will take place on Saturday the 19 November 11am to 2 pm at People Know How’s Community space, 2nd Floor of Ocean Terminal.

Edinburgh is among the Council areas likely to be hit hardest by Council Tax reforms decided by Scottish Government. An extra £15.6million will be raised in Council Tax in the Capital next year though raises in the higher band property bills. But the extra monies raised in Edinburgh will not stay in Edinburgh. Edinburgh’s schools will receive only around £6.1million of the £15.6 million to tackle the attainment gap, with the remaining £9.5million sent to other parts of the country. What do you think of that?

On a totally unconnected topic – as some of you will know I will be standing again in the Council Elections next term.  Just saying, in case you thought I might be ‘jumping ship’ as some other Councillor colleagues have.  I have passed two of the ‘interviews’ for the job, so far in the process, but the final test is much more public and won’t happen until May 2017.

Best wishes

Maureen

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