Dear All

I hope you are all well, and stay wel,l in these very difficult and worrying times!  I am sending this Update from home.  A first for me, as the City Chambers is closed and Councillors are working remotely as best we possibly can.  No Council meetings for me, apart from one or two to decide planning and licensing applications.

The Council’s website is a source of information:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus-4/coronavirus-can-help/1

There are a large number of community planning partners working together behind the scenes, not least the voluntary sector.  You will no doubt be aware of the emerging, fantastic community response to the coronavirus pandemic.  People all over Edinburgh are offering to help one and other and forming groups on-line. Volunteer Edinburgh is keen to encourage this amazing active citizenship and good neighbourliness, while supporting people to undertake these activities in a positive and safe way. The key message to people is think local and act local.  It’s all about being a good neighbour!  It is the very best thing that people can do.  More here: https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/

Quick access to their frequently asked questions note: https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/covid-19-faqs/

And here are 10 main positive things you can do to help in this tough time: https://www.positive.news/society/10-ways-to-help-others-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

The Scottish Government Information Unit is also a good source of reliable information https://spice-spotlight.scot/2020/03/19/coronavirus-covid-19-constituency-support-updated-19-march-2020/. It’s regularly updated.

Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams are reducing their service and a good way to find out more is to get the app. See here: http://tfeapp.com/

Do not neglect to respond to to two main ones currently in circulation. One day life will return to a new normal and don’t we want that to be the best it can be? The City Mobility Plan is here https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/city-mobility-plan/

And respond to the Choices report to prepare us for City Plan 2030 here:   https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/choicesforcityplan2030/

Getting out into the fresh air is still highly recommended, keeping the 2m recommended physical distance between us.  Porty Prom seems to be the only part of the Science Festival still going ahead. The ‘Into the Blue’ exhibition is on Portobello Promenade between John Street and Laing Terrace and I hope you will find a few moments to enjoy it at some point.  It’s open until 27 April.

Someone sent me this link, which is a fab idea that has been taken up by a number of citizens and neighbourhoods locally: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-51880695. something similar has been used in Magdalene, Bingham and the Christians organised by St Martin’s Church, Community Renewal and the Neighbourhood Associations there.  All the leaflets were out for distribution within 20 mins of the Church opening it’s doors at 12 noon today. Superb communities there!

And in other local news…..

The Portobello Reporter team are looking for new members – one or two more people to contribute to writing, editing and the admin necessary to make the paper happen (including e.g. liaising with advertisers).  It’s a fun thing to be involved in, and needn’t involve a major time commitment.  Anyone interested should contact the paper on portyreporter@btinternet.com.

The Council is proposing to alter road markings and parking restrictions as well as upgrade traffic calming features on Duddingston Road. There is also a proposal to make Stanley Street a no through road for vehicles.Preliminary plans have been developed and we now wish to obtain views on the proposals, which can be found at the link below:

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/duddingston-road-safety-improvements

My face to face surgeries are cancelled, but there is always, phone, email and increasingly social media as ways to contact me.  I‘ll do my very best to help with anything Council service or community-related.  I am also walking at least 8km a day around Portobello and Craigmillar.  I warn you I do have a chesty cough, but it is well over six weeks old.  Nothing new!  Do say hello or wave from 2 meters away, if you we are out and about!

Take care and stay well!

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