Do you have a local 'cultural event' which needs a bit of support?

There is a small fund available for distribution in the South East locality of the city in 2019.  Below are the details you need to apply. 

£20,000 has been allocated to the South East Locality for the promotion of local cultural and artistic events to take place in 2019, and applications between a minimum of £2,500 and maximum £5,000 will be considered.

The fund aims to stimulate and support artistic and cultural activity that benefit audiences and artists who live in the Locality, especially those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. The fund is intended to encourage arts and events development, co-operation and partnership within the South East Locality.

Proposals that demonstrate benefit to the Locality Improvement Plan small areas are encouraged, and we ask applicants to consider both geographic and communities of interest within the Locality.

More information, and all the relevant documents including the application form can be found on the Neighbourhood Partnership Website https://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/south-central/funding/south-east-local-events-fund/

We are now taking applications and the deadline is noon on 21st January 2019.

HMO decision in Mayfield Gardens delayed

Many residents have contacted me about the proposal to convert the Abcorn Guest House in Mayfield Gardens into a 15 person HMO. (It is application 18/07251/FUL - search here.) It was up before the Planning Committee today.

At the request of residents I had the application brought forward for full scrutiny.  By happenstance I was on the Committee today and noted that there was no assessment of the number or intensity of HMOs in the area recorded within the report.

The Committee accepted that was relevant information and accordingly decided to delay a decision until that information was available - probably for the next meeting of the Development Management Committee on January 9th

Changes for cycle route through Grange

I understand that proposals for three new crossings are planned for Grange Road as part of the new QuietRoute through the Grange area.  Here is the explanation from the Council:

"As part of the Council’s programme to improve pedestrian and cycle links across the city, it is proposed that three new road crossings are installed on Grange Road at Tantallon Place, Lauder Road and Lover’s Loan.  Upgrading this route will make it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians and cyclists crossing Grange Road for everyday local journeys and reaching key destinations. 

"To achieve this, the necessary legal procedures are required to make changes to the Traffic Regulation Orders for changes associated with parking and loading; as well as Redetermination Orders which are required to allow pavements at the crossings to be shared use for pedestrians and cyclists.  The Orders are now live and available for review and comment until 31^st December 2018."

Links to the plans can be found here with background information here.  Look for TRO/18/81 and RSO/18/17.  Work is to be done on streets including Grange Road, Grange Loan, Lauder Road, Cumin Place and Tantallon Place.

Morgan Playing Fields decision delayed to allow consultation

After consideration lasting an hour and a half, a decision was taken to initiate community consultation, led by the Council, before the joint application from Edinburgh South Football Club and Change Centre (Scotland) is considered.  The webcast can be seen here beginning 5:50 into the meeting.

Although the Locality Committee is advisory on this issue, the matter will now come off the agenda of the Finance Committee due on 4th December.  It is likely to be March before the decision is made.

Background details for those who haven't been following can be found here.

Kaimes School dispute resolved

Although not in the Southside & Newington ward a number of constituents have written to me about the situation at Kaimes School where some teachers were sent home after refusing to teach some children they claimed were violent or abusive.

The teachers are now back to work after an agreement.  Details here.

Morgan Playing Fields - The report and two committees

The proposals for Morgan Playing Fields are now close to the first stage of decision making.  This post links (below) to the report coming to two forthcoming committees.

Recap: Edinburgh South Community Football Club and Change Centre (Scotland) Ltd have combined in a bid to lease the Morgan Playing Fields from Edinburgh Council to provide training  and playing facilities for young footballers in South Edinburgh, and a Change Centre to help homeless people get back on the road.

Meetings:
1. South East Locality Committee on Monday 27th November, 2018 at 6:30pm.  This meeting will be in the City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh. As the title infers this is a local committee and any decision it takes will be advisory.
2.  Finance and Resources Committee on Tuesday 4th December, 2018 at 3:00pm.  This meeting will be where the decision to offer a lease is taken (but note that it will be subject to planning permission being granted).

The Report:  Details for the Locality Committee can be found at this link.  These papers include the draft report for the Finance Committee.

Views:  I will be in the Prestonfield area between 1pm and 3pm this Saturday to hear any views.  Contact me if you wish me to call and discuss.

Some background can be found in previous posts here and here and here and here and here.

Sick Kids Hospital Update

Edinburgh Evening News has reported that an independent assessor has concluded that there are three key issues regarding building specifications which will delay the opening of the new Sick Kids Hospital at Little France:

• There are issues regarding the design of the building's drainage system;
• As it stands there are currently not enough fire alarms in the hospital; and
• More batteries need to be installed to enhance temperature control and ventilation for patients who will be in isolated beds.

New design solutions will now have to be agreed with Arcadis UK (the independent assessor), before a timeline for the work can be drawn up.

All of which gives no real clarity on the date of the move from Sciennes.