Dear All

This Sunday, 10am-3pm, you can join in some seaside wild flower planting with Edinburgh Shoreline Project at Joppa.  More here: http://edinburghshoreline.org.uk/events/grassland-planting-joppa/

On Monday, do come along to Craigmillar Library 23 September from 1pm – 3pm  for the Big Coffee Celebration for MacMillan Cancer Care. Enjoy a cuppa and cake and support this fantastic service and learn more about the amazing work they do.

There is an ongoing consultation by the Council’s Active Travel team on secure bike parking, including sites in Portobello, north of Portobello High Street as some of the first proposed sites.  Can you log on and respond please – and maybe suggest other potential sites too? https://t.co/MChpqzFzMU

Doors Open Days are coming up next weekend (28 and 29 September) and some visits need planned in advance. East Edinburgh sites include Bellfield, Bridgend Farmhouse, Portobello Baptist Church, The Ramp House, St Marcus Episcopal Church and Thistle Foundation Centre of Wellbeing. Programme link here:  https://edinburgh.org/whats-on/edinburgh-doors-open-days/

Portobello Community Council [PCC) consulted on the proposal for another ice cream van on Straiton Place Park.  PCC had 120 responses, of which 68% were against the proposals. PCC has consequently put in an objection to the licence application. More here: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2019/09/18/straiton-place-park-ice-cream-van-licence-consultation-results/  The application will be heard and decided upon by Regulatory Committee Councillors, in due course.  I have sustained my objection too.

Community Councils do matter –  a lot – so do please consider putting yourself forward to serve or nominate someone else who would make a good contribution to the work they do.  More here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20017/our_main_offices/571/find_your_locality_ward_and_community_council. Thanks very much to the Neighbourhood Alliance for helping encourage individuals and groups to come forward to serve on Craigmillar Community Council.  https://www.facebook.com/132232343521230/posts/2350297215048054?sfns=mo.

I already have two valid nominations and need 14 more. The sooner we Returning Officers, across the cIty, get your forms the better, so they can be checked and validated in ample time for the 30 September 4pm deadline. 

Eight fabulous students from Castlebrae Community High School prepared and served food for us all on Full City Council Meeting on Thursday. They are all Skills for Work Hospitality students and they were absolutely superb and highly professional.  It was a privilege for us Councillors to meet them.

I hope to have helped make sure a few remaining glitches in the refuse collection system – Mountcastle Drive South, foot of Morton Street and Flint Terrace are now (fingers crossed) properly sorted.  Please do email me if you and your street have ongoing problems with any of your refuse or recycling collections.  The new ‘Routemaster’ system is great – when the street is actually ­on the system, that is!

Another diary date: On Sunday 6 October at 2pm, there is a Market at Tribe Porty.  “For laid back Sunday vibes mixed with super-talented traders, great tunes and delicious food and drink.” Sounds good to me!

Next year marks the Centenary of Craigmillar joining the City of Edinburgh, something that happened to Portobello in1896.  Some of us think this offers a great opportunity to celebrate the history of the area and the remarkable things that have happened in the villages of Niddrie, Craigmillar and Greendykes over the last 100 years.  If you are interested in getting involved, do get in touch and I will keep you posted.

The Brighton Place construction work is progressing well, reaching it’s final phase.  The road should be open to vehicles again on or before the end of November 2019, just in time for Christmas.

Niddrie Medical Practice,106 Niddrie Mains Road, host Citizens Advice Bureau every day providing free confidential advice on welfare benefits, money and debt, housing, employment issues and much more.  An adviser is available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings and in Tuesday and Friday afternoons.  Just ask at reception for more details to make an appointment or phone 0131 652 2004. The CAB also hold a session at The White House, 70 Niddrie Mains Road every Monday from 9.30am. To book an appointment there, call 0131 652 6320.

Here is a lovely newsletter from St John’s Primary School: https://stjohnsportobello.com/

Bridgend Farmhouse is just on the edge of Portobello/Craigmillar Ward (EH16 4TD) and it is a fabulous resource for much wider afield, on the southern corner of Craigmillar Castle Park.  Lots going on there: https://mailchi.mp/999716eb18ad/lots-of-events-coming-up-at-the-farmhouse-plus-new-groups-courses-and-more

The Health Opportunities Team (HOT) is delighted to be celebrating its 18th birthday. Based in Craigmillar, the charity supports young people in the area to improve all aspects of their mental, emotional and sexual health. Like all 18 year-olds they have a lengthy present list, so if you would like to support them buy buying a birthday gift, please have a look:  https://www.health-opportunities.org.uk/hot-wish-list/ You can buy anything from a packet of sunflower seeds to a camera. Congratulations to HOT!

My constituent caseworker file weighed in at 507 ongoing open cases this week. I wish I hadn’t asked!  But don’t let that put you off getting in touch about anything! Liz and I did spend a couple of hours closing off a few of them and there is always room for more – unless you expect miracles beyond my limited ‘power’s!

That’s all for now.  Do let me know if you want ‘updated’ on anything else. 

Best wishes for a good weekend.

Maureen

Councillor Maureen Child

Labour Councillor Portobello/Craigmillar Ward

Office: 0131 529 3268

Mobile: 07718 666 481

Facebook Page: Maureen Child Standing Up for Portobello/Craigmillar

Twitter: @MaureenChild1