Scottish Government

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LHNCC April 2020 minutes

Notes of the Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council members-only meeting, held via Zoom on Tuesday 28 April 2020 at 7pm
Actions and decisions are red italic. Nem con means that no-one spoke or voted against an item.

1 Introductions, apologies for absence, CEC requirements for online CC meetings

1.a Present

Elaine Dick LHNCC Neil Tulloch LHNCC
Don Giles LHNCC Bruce Ryan Minutes secretary
Rob Levick LHNCC Cllr Adam MacVey Leith ward
Jennifer Marlborough LHNCC Lisa Clarke Representing Ben Macpherson MSP
Douglas Tharby LHNCC Deidre Brock MP Edinburgh North and Leith

Apologies

Arthur Young LHNCC Cllr Chas Booth Leith ward Cllr Gordon Munro Leith ward

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Active travel update

On Friday, the Council launched a campaign encouraging everyone to be considerate of other people and follow Scottish Government guidance when enjoying their outdoor exercise and travel.

The press release which was published on Friday can be found here.

Increase in people using off-road paths and parks

Since restrictions were introduced to help manage the coronavirus outbreak, there’s been an increase in people using the city’s network of paths, as well as parks, as part of their daily exercise and for travelling to work or local amenities – with up to five times their normal use.

Data up to week five of lockdown shows increases on the Union Canal towpath, with 17% growth in pedestrian numbers at Harrison Park, whilst cycling numbers have grown by 76% at Wester Hailes. On the North Edinburgh Path Network at Rodney St, pedestrian numbers have grown by 14%, cycling numbers by 32%.  At certain times of the week, especially weekends, much bigger increases have been recorded.

While it’s great that the routes are popular and well-used, we want to make sure that everyone can undertake and enjoy their daily exercise and travel in safety and comfort.

Paths for everyone code of conduct

The campaign will direct people to the Paths for Everyone section of the Council’s webpages, where we hope to be able to display information such as busy routes/times, coming from our pedestrian/cycle counter data.  This aims to encourage people to use alternative routes if they can, or exercise at a less busy time.  Smarter Choices, Smarter Places funding for this project is gratefully received from Paths for All.

About the campaign

example of temporary signageTemporary signage (example on the right: click the thumbnail to see the full-size image) will be rolled out this week, starting on the active travel network entry points, and signage in the parks will follow.  We will be running a complementary social media campaign also, and we would really appreciate your support with sharing this content amongst your followers and networks.

Report issues

There might be local issues that you are aware of where additional signs may help. Please email your suggestions to spacesforpeople@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Wishing you all the best and thank you in advance for your support with our campaign.

Kind regards,

Judith Cowie
‘Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ Programme Manager
Active Travel
Road Safety and Active Travel
Transport Networks, Place Development
The City of Edinburgh Council
Judith.cowie@edinburgh.gov.uk

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‘Safer Communities Safer Scotland’ booklet

Click the graphic to access the full PDF:

From the introduction:

This booklet is packed with practical tips on how to keep you, your family and your community safe – from protecting your home and possessions to helping your children enjoy the benefits of the internet in safety. By following the guidance in the following pages, we can all help make Scotland an even safer place to live and work. The information should not alarm you or make you think that you are not safe in your home and your community. It is simply a reminder of what you can do to keep your home and community safe.

The content-list is

  • Home and Possessions
  • Road Safety
  • Scams
  • Fire Safety
  • Safety at Home
  • Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks
  • Scottish Gas Network (SGN)
  • Staying Safe When Out and About
  • Antisocial Behaviour
  • Preparing for and coping with Emergencies
  • Household emergency plan
  • Water Safety
  • Victim Support
  • Don’t feel trapped by loan sharks
  • Further Information
  • Neighbourhood Watch
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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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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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Call for groups to apply for grants to improve access to the outdoors

(copied from an email from CEC)

Thousands of pounds worth of grants are available to community groups looking to spruce up local community paths.

Scotland’s walking charity Paths for All has launched the 2020 Community Paths Grants programme which is offering funding of up to £1500 to constituted groups and organisations looking to create, promote and maintain parts of the path network.

Now, community organisations and registered charities such as community councils, development trusts and community woodland groups working in Scotland are being encouraged to apply for funding.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest is Monday, 13 April with applications closing on May 11, 2020.

Continue reading →

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Helping communities affected by COVID-19

(from the Scottish Government website)

An additional £350 million will go to those most affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The funding will be made available to councils, charities, businesses and community groups and designed to be flexible, cutting down on red tape to enable them to respond swiftly and according to local need for people impacted economically or through reduced contact with society, including anyone struggling to access food.

Read more here: https://www.gov.scot/news/helping-communities-affected-by-covid-19/

 

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Community Councils Together on Trams/Trams Team meeting, 30 January 2020

Minutes of the Community Councils Together on Trams/Trams Team meeting (No 1 Construction Phase), at 200 Bonnington Rd, on Thursday 30 January at 5:30pm Continue reading →

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‘Community right to buy’ event

(adapted from an email from the Scottish Government)

The Scottish Government Community Land Team are holding a free event at Eric Liddell Centre, Edinburgh, 7th April 2020. The event will give an overview of the various types of community rights to buy that communities can use, practical advice on how to become a compliant body and the application processes. If you would like more information or are interested in coming along please follow this link to our Events page and book your place.

If you have any queries then please get in touch at crtb@gov.scot

Kyle Anderson
Community Land Team (Community Right to Buy)
Q Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD
Tel: 0300 244 9822