Maureen Child: Report & Updates November 2011

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Dear All

A reminder that the regular 'first of the month' Portobello Organic Market is taking place tomorrow morning in Brighton Park. More details at http://pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobel ... ic-market/

Two planning applications for Newcraighall (References: 10/03449/PPP an 10/03506/PPP) are due to come to Development Management Sub Committee at two separate Hearings on Wednesday 23 November. The report detailing the planning officers' assessment and recommendations will be available 6 days before then on the the Council's website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cpol

Whatever the decisions made there, two planning consultations are kicking off which will shape the development of our city and have implications for decisions made on future land use across Portobello and Craigmillar, in decades to come:

Strategic Development Plan

The Plan has been approved by all six SESplan Councils. The next stage is to place it on deposit for a six week period for any party to submit representations. This period will run from 7 November to 19 December. Any representations should be submitted to SESplan at: http://www.sesplan.gov.uk/index.html

Local Development Plan

The Main Issues Report was approved by the Planning Committee on 6 October. The next stage is to undertake a consultation exercise. This will last three months from 31 October to 31 January. Any comments should be sent to the Council using either the on-line or printed questionnaire. A short video and details of the consultation arrangements can be found at:
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/178/lo ... ment_plans

A Special Joint Meeting of the Portobello/Craigmillar and Craigentinny/Duddingston Neighbourhood Partnerships is booked for Wednesday 23 November 2011, at 6.30pm, in the Royal High Primary School. The advert for this says: "The Council is continuing to face tough financial challenges over the coming years, with significant savings needing to be made. The special meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss what actions the Council can take to maintain, develop and improve services in Edinburgh given this difficult financial situation, with the feedback helping to inform the setting of future service priorities within the Council. Senior Managers from across the Council will be in attendance."

The Neighbourhood Partnership Meetings are held in public with opportunities for people in the audience to ask questions and make their views known. I understand quite a few people are intending to attend to ask very serious questions about the Council's 'Alternative Business Models' . This is a proposal whereby refuse collection, parks, street cleaning and recycling might well be carried out by a private company instead of the Council itself, under a seven year contract. A final Council decision on this was postponed for a month on 27 October, by the current Council Administration Councillors, and the matter will come back to Council on 24 November - the day after this meeting. All six Local Councillors who sit on the two Neighbourhood Partnerships and are due to be at the Meeting.

Have a good weekend!

Maureen

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Dear All

Some coverage of Portobello and Paul Lambie's latest creative idea to promote Portobello. Click on
http://www.scotsman.com/news/porty_s_pa ... _1_1952369

I first met Paul two winters ago when he had the bright idea of using volunteer power to grit the local pavements, first of all with sand form the beach, then with the piles of grit that I got the Council to provide. We gritted all the pavements on north side of Portobello High Street from King's Road to Bellfield Street, and beyond, on a day of action involving more than thirty people.

Since then others - including the Council - have taken up Paul's idea that people will want to help their neighbours if (when?) we get the really severe weather again. The Council are offering potential volunteers some training, equipment and organisation. See the leaflet attached.

Be Prepared For Winter 2011.pdf

(301.86 KiB) Downloaded 217 times

I have also attached details of how the special joint 'Budget Consultation' meeting of the Portobello/Craigmillar and Craigentinny/Duddingston Neighbourhood Partnerships will operate. This meeting is on the 23 November in The Royal High Primary School, Northfield Broadway starting 6.30pm. We have been advised that local Councillors won't be allowed to speak at this meeting - so it's over to you!

324 - budget engagement.doc

(89.5 KiB) Downloaded 210 times

I have also notified you about the Main Issues Report which forms the main document for the consultation on the Edinburgh Local Development Plan. To find out what it says about South-East Edinburgh, including options for 1000 new houses, you are invited to a Council planning department consultation event. Drop in at the Faith Mission, Auditorium, 548 Gilmerton Road, on Tuesday 22 November any time between 5pm and 8pm. The event will include a short presentation on the Main Issue report at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. The information tables will be staffed by planning officers and you will be able to look at documents and ask questions. There will be a comments board to post your views and suggestions. Contact 0131 529 3794 if you need more information or view the Main Issues Report on line at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan

I hope you have a good weekend!

Best wishes

Maureen


Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 |

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Dear All

is a request for the final push to support PEDAL (Portobello Transition Town) and Greener Leith in their bid for Energyshare funding for a community-owned wind turbine at Seafield - deadline is 3 December.

I will be at an Older Person's Information Event tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday 23 November, 2pm to 4pm, at Northfield Community Centre. This will be a chance to discover the services available for older people locally - from public, private and voluntary sector providers - and a chance to network. There is free admission with complimentary team, coffee and biscuits. More information on http://www.homeinstead.co.uk/edinburgh or phone 0131 300 0599

Portobello High School Parent Council is having a Girls' Night Out 'Swish Evening' on Friday 25 November from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Portobello High School, Duddingston Road. Good music and good company. You can get a new (to you) outfit and make room in your wardrobe at the same time. Tickets are £3 (£1 to High school pupils) form the School Office or at the door. Spread the word - all welcome.

A few people have asked me about the closure of the road through Holyrood Park - what's happening and when will it be fixed. Historic Scotland said Scottish Power are working on a cable fault within Holyrood Park. SP anticipated that the low road within the park would be reopened by now, but they discovered another thing that needed fixed. The Low Road is expected to be open again by 22 November - today in fact.

Regards

Maureen

Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 |

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