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An update from Ben Macpherson MSP

The following was originally circulated by Ben Macpherson MSP on 20 April 2020.

As your local MSP, I’m writing to ask whether there’s anything I can help with or that you’d like to raise with me? I also want to update you on a few things, mostly to do with the coronavirus outbreak. As always, the best way to keep up-to-date with what I’m doing is to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Working together with our Councillors, Deidre Brock MP, Tommy Sheppard MP and local organisations, my team and I have been very busy this month responding to a large number of enquiries about the lockdown and its consequences. Please do let me know if you or any of your neighbours need assistance.

In line with the emergency regulations and guidance, I have had to close my constituency office and cancel my advice surgeries because of the outbreak. However, constituents can of course contact me as normal at ben.macpherson.msp@parliament.scot or by telephone on 0131 600 0134.

This section of my website has various useful links too and recently the Scottish Government also launched a national helpline(0800 111 4000) to provide essential assistance to those who don’t have a network of support but who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Furthermore, please visit http://www.nhsinform.scot to access medical information and advice.

Holyrood update

As some of you will be aware, in February I was appointed as Minister for Public Finance and Migration in the Scottish Government. I support the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes MSP. In recent weeks we have of course been fully focused on the government response to the pandemic and supporting both public services and businesses through this crisis.

Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency update

Again, as you would expect, I have mostly been working to support constituents in need, local businesses and local organisations in this crisis.

Keep in touch

As your local MSP, and as a Minister in the Scottish Government, I’m constantly working with colleagues to help as much as I can in this challenging time. It’s always great to hear from local members, so please do get in touch if there’s anything you want to raise or suggest – or even if you just want to say hello. And as mentioned previously, I regularly post updates on social media if you’d like to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Let’s all keep doing what we can to stay safe and support others through this crisis.

Keep in touch, take care and best wishes,

Ben

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith

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Police coronavirus messages: domestic abuse, coronavirus

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE, HELP IS AVAILABLE

Don’t delay in seeking help during the current coronavirus situation.

Call the 24-hour Domestic Abuse Helpline in
confidence on 0800 027 1234 or visit safer.scot

Domestic abuse is a crime.

Call 101 to report it or 999 in an emergency.

Letter from POLICE SCOTLAND – Edinburgh City Division

I wish to convey my sincere thanks for your cooperation, support and fortitude during this period of unprecedented challenge.

Many of you will have been directly affected by the unfolding coronavirus pandemic and my thoughts are with you and your families during these uncertain times.

The sacrifices made by colleagues in health and social care are truly humbling and Police Scotland is committed to supporting NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, statutory partners and the third sector to meet the welfare requirements of
those in need.

I wish to reassure you that, as ever, we stand ready to serve Edinburgh’s communities and keep people safe. You can contact us in the following ways should you require our assistance:

The Police Scotland website provides helpful crime prevention guidance and practical advice to stay safe. It can be accessed at https://www.scotland.police.uk.

I have been heartened to witness, first-hand, Edinburgh’s communities pulling together and supporting each other in this time of crisis. Please continue to play your part by
following our Government’s instructions and adhering to social distancing requirements.

It’s important to me that we best meet your needs and those of your community. Therefore, I’d be grateful if you’d take a few moments to share your views and suggestions by completing the ‘Your Police 2020-2021’ survey which is available at the following link: https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-2020-2021

Edinburgh is a strong, resilient and adaptable city, as are its people and your help and continued forbearance will see us through this testing period.

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott

Divisional Commander, Edinburgh City Division, Police Scotland.
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Edinburgh Council interactive map of COVID-19 services

Click this link (https://edinburghcouncil.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3f516cd826d04c76ad3e93d41be48341) to see mapped information on

  • Crisis Support
  • Financial Assistance/Benefits Advice
  • Food Bank
  • Food Shopping/Delivery
  • Hot Meals
  • Multiple Services
  • Online Support/Advice
  • Other
  • Phoneline
  • Reducing Social Isolation

We are not aware of how often the mapped information is updated, or when it was last updated. So please be careful!

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Webinar on Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19

(copied from an email from the Improvement Service)

Planning for Place programme have asked us to make you aware of an upcoming webinar (30 April, 4-5pm) on Reallocating Road Space for Walking and Cycling During Covid-19.  Facilitated by Irene Beautyman, Place Lead at the Improvement Service, the webinar will be of particular value to council officers, elected members, community groups and all interested in pursuing the role of place as an enabler of healthier lives.

The online event is open to all those with an interest in facilitating active travel during the Covid-19 lockdown and in enabling safer conditions for walking and cycling.

Here is the link to sign up to the webinar: https://www.improvementservice.org.uk/events/reallocating-road-space-for-walking-and-cycling-during-covid-19

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Edinburgh Council Planning Service Update: 24 April 2020

Following on from this post about the SG’s planning guidance on pre-applications, Edinburgh Council’s planning department has emailed community councils about how it is changing services in response to coronavirus.

Dear Community Councillors

We are writing to make you aware of a recent change to our service.

We are adapting our service so that we can support communities and businesses across Edinburgh through this difficult time. Our aim is to boost online public input to planning processes so that we can make and issue decisions which will both help with a swift recovery and a positive future for the city.  To do this we have introduced ways for people to stay informed and comment on planning proposals despite the coronavirus lockdown.

We are now:

  • Starting our publication of applications that we have received since the lockdown commenced in March.
  • Issuing neighbour notification letters by post, with the planning portal open for comments to be made on applications.

Continue reading →

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Kerbside glass recycling: reintroduction

(copied from a members briefing forwarded to LHNCC by Cllr Gordon Munro)

We will be reintroducing kerbside glass recycling collections from Tuesday, 28 April, when they will return to usual fortnightly collection schedules.

The service was suspended in March to help prioritise resources for other essential bin collections while enabling waste collection crews to observe social distancing guidelines.

Following the return of several team members from absence, as well as the bedding in of new collection arrangements, we will be able to reintroduce the collection of blue boxes for glass recycling.

We’re encouraging residents to put out only one blue box on their collection date, filled to the brim and not over-filled, and to store any excess glass for the next collection. This is to protect the safety of crews, as boxes may become too heavy to lift if overflowing.

Garden waste collections and special uplifts are currently suspended while Household Waste and Recycling Centres remain closed, though we’re working hard to reintroduce these services as soon as it is safe to do so.

Further information on changes to bin collections and other services can be found on the Council website.

For further information contact:

Andy Williams
Waste and Cleansing Service Manager
Email: andy.williams@edinburgh.gov.uk
Tel: 0131 469 5660

 

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Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning guidance on pre-application consultations for public events

(text copied from a post on the Scottish Government website dated 23 April 2020)

Guidance issued on the temporary suspension of the requirement for public events in relation to pre-application consultation (PAC) and on both the effect of the Town and Country Planning (Miscellaneous Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, which makes that temporary suspension, and on alternative online consultation.

A PDF is available here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning guidance on pre-application consultations for public events Continue reading →

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LHNCC agenda: April 2020

Given the unusual nature of the circumstances we are in, we are doing our best for the Community Council and also the best in our responsibility to deliver upon our commitment to the community which we serve.

Because LHNCC is currently learning how to conduct meetings online, this will be a members-only ‘discussion’ meeting.

  • LHNCC welcomes public input in advance via the website contact-form at https://lhncc.org.uk/contact-us/.
  • Public input is equally welcome at any time after the meeting.

LHNCC is aware that online meetings exclude those who cannot access them, whatever the reason. However, this is the best it can offer under the current circumstances.

We would also like to thank all the valiant people who are providing essential services across all sectors in our community and beyond.

  1. Introductions, apologies
  2. Declaration of interests
  3. Minutes of February 2020 meeting
  4. Matters arising
  5. Police Report tbc
  6. Report from Councillors
  7. Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and tbc Vice Chair reports
  8. Standing reports
    1. Planning
      1. 20/01447/PAN (SCHEME): 106 – 162 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 5DX
      2. 20/01313/FUL: 57 Tower Street – 1 Bath Road, Edinburgh EH6 8BB
      3. Letter in response to CEC circular reporting on changes relating to Coronavirus
      4. Feedback from Cockburn Society Civic Trust meeting
      5. Scottish Government letter from Chief Planner – circulated to members
    2. Licensing
    3. Transport
      1. Trams/CCTT (Community Councils Together on Trams) – tbc Meeting 30 April
      2. EBUG (Edinburgh Bus Users’ Group) – Tbc Meeting with Lothian Buses 30th April
    4. Environment
    5.  Heritage
      1. Update on Steel Shed
    6.  Community
      1. Coronavirus
      2. Leith Festival Gala Day – Saturday 30 May 2020 tbc
  9. Choices for City Plan 2030 and City Mobilty Plan consultations – closing date extended to 30 April 2020
  10. Neighbourhood Networks
  11. AOCB
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What’s happening with £eithChooses projects?

(copied from a post on LeithChooses website)

The £eith Chooses team is of course very aware that normal service delivery and activities have been massively disrupted, for everybody. We have contacted all the community groups that won £eith Chooses grant funding awards in February 2020, to say that we would like to help in whatever way we can.

We understand that some organisations may not be able to deliver their project exactly when and how they had planned to, and that some really creative conversations will take place about possible /necessary adaptations.

We have allocated a named volunteer from the £eith Chooses Steering Group to link supportively with each project group, to join conversations about the direction groups feel they can safely take with their project, to reach the most vulnerable members of our community..
We are hoping that all groups can agree a plan before / by 28 June about how they will be able to use the funding within the spirit of the original agreement.
For example, project groups may aim to –

  • Stick pretty much to the original idea but tweak the delivery methods e.g. food going out to people rather than people coming to gatherings for food.
  • Deliver the original project idea but with a later start date (probably affecting the finish date).
  • Re-prioritise / redesign their original plan and suggest a new project idea that combats social isolation or food poverty right now, in this Covid-19 crisis.

Hopefully groups will not feel that their project cannot be rescheduled or tweaked or revamped in some way and want to return the funding.

Meanwhile, thanks and best wishes to all groups for everything they are doing in Leith