Dear All

I wish you and your a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for 2019! 

Even over this Festive period, Porty Parkrun is a feature of some people’s weekly Saturday morning routine in Figgate Park and nationwide it is quite a phenomenon among the over 65s.  More here in this Guardian feature: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/dec/15/over-65s-join-parkruns .  More about Porty’s own particular brand here: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/portobello/

Hopefully, you have done most of your Christmas shopping in the local shops in your own local High Street.  But if you must shop on line, do beware of possible scams.  Advice here: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

‘Arts is the Catalyst’ is an award-winning documentary film about Craigmillar Festival and well worth a re-play at this time of year!  Some well-kent faces there! Click here: https://vimeo.com/52005912

As well as its new website, Craigmillar Community Council now has a Facebook page which you are invited to ‘like’ and help celebrate all things Happening locally. Click here:   https://www.facebook.com/Craigmillar-Community-Council-1980684978891604/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Because the resources available for third party grants way outstripped the supply of grant funding available to the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB), some organisations lost out and need to consider where to turn and what do.  EVOC have set up a free service to help advise those projects who missed out on this funding stream and help them find other sources and/or make sure their clients have the best chance of find a service elsewhere. Details here: https://www.evoc.org.uk/updates/free-support-for-organisations-affected-by-eijb-decision/

Not unconnected to the blow above, the announcement of the Scottish Government Grant available to Councils to meet the needs of our citizens is even worse than anticipated.  We expected to have to save £24 Million in the coming financial year 2018/19 but are having to find £35 Million and cannot increase Council Tax by more than 3% without incurring a further financial penalty from Scottish Government.  This is the fifth year in a row that Edinburgh Council’s budget has been cut and Councils are burdened with further statutory duties by Scottish Government which the Council is expected to do without being properly funded by Scottish Government. 

This time of year is bleak for some individuals, including those without a home to go to. If you come across anyone sleeping rough this winter, homeless charity, Streetwork is there to offer help where it would be welcome by that person. If you are in any way concerned about someone sleeping rough this winter, apart from offering them what comfort you can yourself, you are advised to contact Streetwork on 0808 178 2323. Keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia and do call 999 if the person is unconscious. More about the Streetwork ‘Stay Warm, Stay Safe’ campaign here: http://www.streetwork.org.uk/staywarmstaysafe/

Information about waste collections and recycling over Christmas and New Year here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/festivedates

I found this fantastic blog about visiting Craigmillar Castle – by walking or by bike: 

http://www.cyclingscot.co.uk/blog/craigmillar-castle-edinburghs-other-castle

The Proposal of Application Notice [PAN)  planning notice for the new Castlebrae Community High School has been lodged by JM Architects.  Detail on the planning portal here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planning.  The reference number you need to view it is 18/10431/PAN.  There will be consultation sessions early in the New Year w/b 7 January 2019, although the dates are not absolutely fixed yet.  There will be a leaflet drop and a lot of publicity through mainstream and social media to let local people know.

Edinburgh planners want as many people as possible to get engaged in shaping our City by getting involved in Edinburgh’s next statutory local development plan, which we are calling City Plan 2013.  More about this here : https://planningedinburgh.com/category/city-plan-2030/