Uncategorized

by

Scottish Water CSO improvement project works on the Water of Leith stop until further notice – statement from SW

(copied from a post on the Water of Leith Conservation Trust blog) 

Posted: 25 Mar 2020 09:17 AM PDT

Statement from Scottish Water

We would like to update you on our response to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Scottish Water’s priority is the provision of water and waste water services to its customers across the country.

As the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) develops, we’re continuing to work around the clock to keep customers supplied with water and treat the country’s waste water, while maintaining the health of our employees and our customers.

We continue to work closely with water sector partners and follow guidance from UK and Scottish Government as well as the NHS.

Following the latest advice our capital investment programme has temporarily halted to protect public health and limit potential further spread of the virus, in line with government guidance.

With immediate effect, all construction / project sites will close and will be reviewed to progress works which have a critical impact on core water supply or waste water management.

Water of Leith Environmental Improvements

Therefore all preparations for the start of work on the CSOs along the Water of Leith will stop immediately. Please help us inform the local community in the area by sharing this message where you can.

We understand that this is an anxious time for everyone and we are acutely aware of our role in the communities we serve.  Please go to our website for the latest information and advice for customers around Covid-19 – https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/help-and-resources/coronavirus-alert

We’re working around the clock to keep Scotland’s water cycle flowing – and we’re asking everyone across Scotland to help play their part.

Please remember:

  • Only flush 3Ps – toilet paper, pee and poo.  Un-flushable items like wet wipes, kitchen roll, cotton wool or tissues should be put in the bin, not down the toilet.
  • Wash your hands regularly and properly with soap and water – but don’t keep the tap running.
  • Top up from the tap to stay hydrated
by

Community Councils Together on Trams/Trams Team meeting, 27 February 2020

Minutes of the Community Councils Together on Trams/Trams Team meeting (No 2 Construction Phase) at 165 Leith Walk on Thursday 27 February at 5:30pm Continue reading →

by

LHNCC January 2020 minutes

Minutes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council meeting, held at the Leith Community Education Centre on Tuesday 28 January 2020 at 7pm Continue reading →

by

Leith Creative – Making Places

Adapted from an email form Citizen Curator, with apologies for late posting by LHNCC. (The email was received in good time.)

I wanted to initially flag that Leith Creative and the Scottish Community Development Center will be co-hosting three meetings over the coming months.

Building on from the Leith Conference in October 2019, the meetings will focus on the key issues effecting the area, the development of a Local Place Plan and the potential of a new Leith Community Development Trust.

I will circulate booking details early February, but for your diary – meetings will be held in the Leith Community Center between 6.30 and 9pm, on the;

  • 20th February
  • 19th March
  • 23rd April

The meetings are open to all so please do share as soon as bookings open. A light bite and refreshment will be available on the night.

As some of you know over the break I took the decisions to step down from Citizen Curator, the charity that supported this Leith Conference and founded Leith Creative. It will be winding down over the coming months. I hope to finish this project and focus on the foundation of something new for the area to continue this work.

In the mean time, just a quick thank you for your support so far, and I will be responding in person shortly.

Best wishes

Duncan

by

Partnership Agreement on litter and debris accumulations in the Water of Leith

(copied from a PDF – see original here)

Partnership Agreement on litter and debris accumulations in the Water of Leith

1. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust (WOLCT)

  1. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust (WOLCT) will organise volunteer clean-ups along the length of the Water of Leith from Balerno to Great Junction St, supported by City of Edinburgh Council’s Natural Heritage Services and Waste and Cleansing teams.
  2. Periodically, but no more frequently than once a month, WOLCT, financially supported by Water of Leith 2000 Limited*, will clear litter accumulations at the boom and corners of the area known as basin 1. Volunteers will not collect wood accumulations
  3. Periodically, but no more frequently than once a month WOLCT, supported by Bluefield 1502 LLP, will assess and clear litter accumulation in the corner areas and under the bridges, where safe and practical to do so in basin areas 2 and 3. Volunteers will not collect wood accumulations

*this support will include access to or funding for a safe and maintained boat, life jackets and an electric outboard motor

2. Forth Ports Ltd

  1. Forth Ports Ltd will arrange specialist marine contractors to assist with the removal of debris at the Victoria Bridge when accumulations of wood and litter have become significant and are no longer able to be dealt with by volunteers.

3. The City of Edinburgh Council

  1. The City of Edinburgh Council will work with Forth Ports Ltd to co-ordinate the removal of significant accumulations of wood and litter (Action 2.A) and arrange for the disposal of the waste.
  2. The City of Edinburgh Council will provide waste collection services for all litter collected during volunteer activities listed in 1 – A, B and C
  3. The City of Edinburgh Council will oversee the general H&S under the Agreement of the debris collection and removal works, although each individual party will be responsible for ensuring specific H&S provisions and RAMS are in place for their own area of involvement.

4. Water of Leith 2000 Limited

  1. Water of Leith 2000 Limited will maintain the areas of the Basin under their ownership and ensure the area of the Shore from Commercial St to Victoria Bridge is kept free from litter and debris, especially around all boats.
  2. Water of Leith 2000 Limited will financially support WOLCT in action 1 B

5. Bluefield 1502 LLP

  1. Bluefield 1502 LLP will maintain the areas of the basin under their ownership and support WOLCT in the action of 1 C.

6. Friends of the Water of Leith Basin

  1. FOLWB will regularly patrol the basin area and report to WOLCT and relevant owners (Forth Ports, Water of Leith 2000 or Bluefield 1502 LLP) as to the level and status of litter and debris accumulations.
  2. Where practical and suitable FOWLB will support WOLCT with actions 1 A and B

Timeframe and review

It is the intension of the partnership to review the accumulations of litter and debris on a weekly basis and after a high flow event. This information will be gathered by local residents and FOWLB, and then passed to the WOLCT who will assess if a clean-up (1.B.) is required. If a clean-up (1.B.) is required the WOLCT will endeavour to clean-up within a month of this assessment, weather permitting.

Should the accumulations be significant and require specialist contractors the WOLCT will inform Forth Ports, who will arrange specialist contractors to access the accumulations at Victoria Bridge and liaise with The City of Edinburgh Council over waste disposal. A 2.A clean-up will be scheduled no longer than a month after this assessment, weather permitting.

WOLCT has confirmed that they are able to fulfil the role as set out in the agreement and require no additional revenue support to do so in the short term. WOLCT currently receives grant funding from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Parks, Greenspace and Cemeteries department and there are is no intention to reduce this grant further in recognition of the key role that WOLCT play in fulfilling this agreement. Capital funding has been provided to WOLCT by Water of Leith 2000 Ltd for the purchase of equipment to assist in undertaking the clearance of litter and smaller items of debris. The financial arrangements and burden on the WOLCT and Forth Ports will be reviewed after 6 months.

Overall the agreement will be reviewed after 6 months by all parties, with all parties providing feedback of what action has taken place during that period and a partnership update meeting will follow after 12 months, to review the efficacy of the agreement.

All public enquiries regarding litter and floating debris should be forwarded to WOLCT on admin@waterofleith.org.uk

by

Consultation on updating the planning performance and fee regimes

adapted from an email from the Scottish Government

Recently, the Scottish Government published a consultation on updating the planning performance and fee regimes which will run until 14th February 2020. This was a key action identified in our work programme which was published in September 2019. The consultation reflects Scottish Ministers’ commitment to the principle that any increases to planning fees must be linked to improved performance.

The consultation seeks to move planning fees towards covering the costs of determining applications for planning permission as well as seeking views on what additional services which planning authorities provide should be subject to a fee, the circumstances whereby an authority may reduce or waive a planning fee and the introduction of charges for appealing planning decisions.

https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture/planning-performance-and-fees/

by

National Lottery Celebrate Fund

(LHNCC does not encourage gambling.)

The National Lottery says

The National Lottery Celebrate Fund is now open.

We’re offering you the chance to receive a grant of between £100 and £1,000 to fund your ideas during The National Lottery’s 25th birthday year.

If you have an idea that will bring people together, we’d love to hear from you. The fund is open to applications right now and will close at 2pm on Friday 6 December.

More details are on the NL website.