I received the below from a constituent and she has asked me to share it . I have no doubt that there will be some views in the other direction but if you agree with the below you can sign the petition by clicking on the link. ...

 Subject: Controlled Parking Zones Gorgie and Gorgie North

 

Dear David

I was notified last Thursday (11th) that the council are planning to create CPZs in my area restricting parking between 8.30 to 5.30 Monday to Friday and requiring residents to purchase permits to park on the street. Unfortunately myself and my neighbours were only advised of these proposals after the local meetings were held (the last one being on the 7th), which is not helpful of the council and could be seen as a reason to not encourage participation. I strongly object to the proposals for the following reasons:

1.  We do not have an issue with parking in this area (certainly not on my street) apart from when a game is on at Tynecastle or Murrayfield, which these restrictions will not help. Plus games are not very often.

2. Introducing parking bays will limit the number of parking spaces on the street so fewer cars can park there. 

3. In a time where costs are going up, it adds additional pressure to household finances. As a new to be single mum I will find this an additional pressure.

4.  There are no benefits here to residents, it is a money making scheme for the council.

5. Using Green credentials as a reason is not fair. Many of us do use public transport as much as we can but unfortunately need a car to transport elderly, young or to travel to places where public transport is minimal. For example my family live in a remote part of the highlands and I can only get there by car. 

I’ve highlighted this on the Nextdoor app and I’ve started a petition against the proposals. We only have until the 5th December to raise any objections, which hasn’t given much time. 

As my local councillor I would appreciate if you could share this petition for those who wish to object and advise how people can raise any objections to the council. I appreciate that some will be for the changes, however it is only fair that those of us who don’t have a fair chance to object and raise awareness of this, so the changes are fairly considered and not introduced my stealth. The link is below.

https://chng.it/W6ym8NBknS

Together Fund

This seems like a good one for local groups and organisations. Deadline is 14th June however so time is short. Click the link to apply.

'Virgin Media O2 has launched a £500,000 fund to supercharge hundreds of local charities across the UK as the nation emerges from the pandemic. The “Together Fund” is a nationwide initiative designed to specifically support local charities that champion and celebrate community spirit, belonging and togetherness across the UK. Grants of £1,000 are available for environmental and community belonging projects, inspiring people across the UK to get together and create positive change for the causes they care most about. '

Together Fund

Vintage Vibes looking for volunteers

Got the below from Vintage Vibes so anyone interested please see contact details at the bottom...

 Dear Cllr Wilson,

 

I hope that this finds you well and that you're having a good week.

 

My name is Georgia Artus and I work for Edinburgh charitable partnership, Vintage Vibes. We tackle isolation in older people in Edinburgh through creating long lasting friendships based on shared interests.

 

The reason I'm getting in touch is because we've been recruiting for volunteers in the Gorgie over the past couple of months and we currently have more volunteers than isolated older people (over 60s) in the Gorgie area.

 

In addition, we are about to outreach for volunteers in the Broomhouse/Sighthill area and we anticipate the same situation occurring. 

 

We're looking to increase the number of referrals we receive surrounding isolated older people in and around the Gorgie/Broomhouse/Sighthill areas.

 

Would you perhaps be able to help us spread the word that we are currently open for referrals from Gorgie/Broomhouse/Sighthill?

 

If you need any more information please don't hesitate to let me know. 

 

Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

Georgia

 

Georgia Artus

Development Manager - LifeCare / Vintage Vibes

t:  0131 343 0958 | e: georgiaartus@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk  | t: @GeorgiaArtusEd  

For information - From the Red Cross via Space & Broomhouse Hub

 British Red Cross Resources – Please share in your networks

At the British Red Cross, we are committed to delivering help to those who need it most. Over the last few months, the number of people at risk of feeling lonely or isolated has increased – in some groups at a disproportionate rate – as connections with friends and family may have shifted or changed in light of restrictions.    

We have recently launched our new Tackling Loneliness Digitally program funded by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It particularly focusses on reaching young people, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, the digitally excluded, refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable migrants, people at risk of loneliness due to health issues and older people.  

We have some exciting new online resources to help empower people who may be feeling lonely, and provide them with tools to build confidence, reach out to others and look to the future.    

Please share these resources with your networks. All of our resources are free and can be found at www.redcross.org.uk/loneliness-resources. Anyone wishing to be notified when we have new resources live on our website can sign up for updates here. 

Our new Loneliness Digital Classroom is now open for booking, where participants can explore how it might feel to be lonely or isolated and learn skills to help others who may be experiencing loneliness. There are two sessions available, one for children and young people aged 10-19 and one for adults aged 19+.   

Sessions can be booked by emailing RedCrossEducation@redcross.org.uk or calling 0344 412 2734.  

We also have hard copy wellbeing packs available to those who cannot access online resources, if you would like some packs to distribute you can submit your request via our online forms. Click here to order packs for adults and here for packs for children and young people.  

 

 

 

 

Hazel Bell

Office Manager

Space & Broomhouse Hub

 

Tel: 0131 455 7731

 

 

 

The Broomhouse Centre trading as Space, and managing the Broomhouse Hub, is a Registered Charity No, registered in Scotland SC003706, & Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in Scotland SC320027

Just received the following good news for the local area!

A new community grants fund . See below from the Space & Broomhouse Hub, who it applies to and how to apply.

Space are delighted to confirm we have been awarded £25,000 from the Scottish Government’s Investing in Communities Fund to distribute small grants to organisations, projects and community groups in the Broomhouse, Sighthill & Parkhead locality and extending into the wider South West Edinburgh area.

 

These small grants will be up to £500 for “Little Thrivers” and up to £2000 for “Strivers.

 

The Investing in Communities Fund has been established to help support community and third sector organisations in our most disadvantaged and fragile communities to develop and deliver sustainable local solutions that:

·       that address local priorities and needs,

·       increase active inclusion and

·       build on the assets of local communities

 

to reduce poverty, inequality and disadvantage and to enable inclusive growth.

 

How to Apply:

 

You can access the online application form here

 

Applications should be submitted by Friday 26^th February

 

Alternatively there is a Word version of the application form attached to this email. Please complete and return this by 26^th February to - events@spacescot.org

 

or post/drop in to:

 

Space & Broomhouse Hub, 79 – 89 Broomhouse Crescent, Edinburgh, EH11 3RH

 

We will respond to all applications by Friday 5^th March.

Saughton Park - the UK's first Eco Powered Park!

What meets the eye in Edinburgh’s beautiful Saughton Park almost has to be seen to be believed but there is a lot more to it than that! It is green in more ways than one!

The completion of this incredible project makes it the UK’s first eco-powered greenspace, proving that modern technology can be introduced to historic public parks. These are both aspects I have been personally involved in and I’m passionate about. The turbine was part of an original idea brought to me over a decade ago by Paul Turner. The idea was to return the weir to its original use with the installation of a water turbine that would power the winter gardens and possibly more. The reality is even better with the max output of 39kw and the addition of two ground source heat exchangers, this more than powers the new renovated park including the new cafe with plenty left over to feed into the grid.  It has been a dream of mine for over a decade and to have it become reality in such an impressive way is just fantastic.

Read the full article here -

Saughton Park - the UK's first Eco Powered Park!

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Changeworks

Now is your chance to participate in an exciting new project and receive a free heat pump!
We're working with Warmworks to deliver the project. Click here to find out more www.warmworks.co.uk/electrification-of-heat
Funded by Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Heat pumps are a renewable energy source that can provide all the heating and hot water you need for your home and could be the ideal solution if you want to generate your own heat.
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