Dear All

A great initiative from the Evening News and our fabulous local bus company.  Nominate your favourite ‘random act of kindness’ by local bus drivers! One driver stopped his Number 3 service to hop out and assist a pensioner struggling with his shoelace at the side of the road. Another on the 44 route jumped out at a stop to assist an elderly resident across the street, while another went to the rescue of a hedgehog stranded in the road. Awarded or not, bus driver or not, if we all did those random acts of kindness, we’d find our own reward!  More here:  http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/random-acts-of-kindness-how-to-nominate-your-lothian-buses-champion-1-4597191/amp

Evidence is mounting that diesel emissions are causing serious health problems and making Edinburgh city air quality worse and many cities are already taking steps to combat this. What do you think of the idea of adding a surcharge to Edinburgh residents’ parking permits for diesel vehicles? Have your say here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2376/should_diesel_cars_incur_a_parking_permit_surcharge_in_edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Licensing Board has begun an initial, informal consultation on the terms of its Statement of Licensing Policy.  The Board is required to agree the terms of its new policy, to be published by the end of 2018.  The details of the consultation are located on the Council’s online Consultation Hub:-

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/cg/edinburgh-licensing-board-consultation-on-statemen/

Faulty lamp post in your street? Each one has a registration number, which helps, but if you can’t get the number, the exact location will do.  Report it to streetlighting@edinburgh.gov.uk

Traffic congestion might be driving you mad – and I told you so in 2003 – but even so research by the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Mobility Index has revealed Edinburgh’s transport infrastructure is the second best in the UK, only pipped to the top by London. More here:  http://www.scotsman.com/news/report-finds-edinburgh-s-transport-network-is-one-of-the-best-in-the-world-1-4600884/amp

Portobello High School Fair is on Saturday 4 November 10am-1pm, organised by the school’s Parent Council.  I’ll be on the Fairtrade stall for a while, so do come and say ‘Hello!’.

Fancy an outing to Craigmillar Castle Park? Events planned throughout autumn.  Details here:

http://www.elgt.org.uk/uploads/Craigmillar%20Castle%20Park%20Events%20Programme.pdf

Portobello and Leith Guides Jumble Sale Saturday 4 November in Portobello and Joppa Parish church hall 1pm-3pm. 

At Portobello Market this Saturday you can place orders with your favourite trader to be collected on the 2 December market.The market is in Brighton Park, Brighton Place, from 9.30am to 1.30am. Check out the PEDAL website to see the full list of traders and any updates. http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobello-market/stallholders-for-portobello-market-saturday-4th-november/ 

BG Cycles of Portobello is back on site, offering a free check on your bicycle, so bring it along and make sure it’s fit for winter riding. Please Like & Share our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/portymarket/ Next market is on Saturday 2nd December. There is no market in January.

If you’re looking for a venue for a local event or meeting, Portobello Community Council usefully complied a list which is freely available on their website : http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/porty-places/

Local Opportunites for Older People (LOOPS) are open Mon-Fri 10am-4pm to answer your calls. Call fabulous LOOPS on 0131 603 8311 to speak to a friendly adviser about activities in your area. More here: https://loopsphoneline.org.uk/

Best wishes for a good weekend, whatever you are up to.

Maureen

Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | The City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 | Mobile 07718 666 481 |  Twitter @MaureenChild1 | Facebook Maureen Child for Portobello/Craigmillar