Dear All

The 380th meeting of Portobello Community Council (PCC) will be held next Monday 22 February at 7:30 pm via Microsoft Teams. All the information you need, including the link is here: http://www.portobellocc.org/

The Portobello CC have published further information from the two organisations hoping to take over a lease of the Portobello Town Hall.  Published here: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2021/02/16/answers-to-questions-regarding-the-town-hall/ to inform the consultation here: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2021/02/03/have-your-say-on-portobello-town-hall-options/. Do tell them what you think about these proposals, which Portobello Central, the community bid, are developing further.  The Council’s finance and resources committee is due to consider a report on both proposals in May and must take community views and commitment into account. 

This week, the Scottish Parliament is debating legislation on managing the impact on communities of short term lets which is being brought forward particularly in response to lobbying from the City of Edinburgh Council and partners.  We have been working closely with the PLACE group of local residents on this issue.  More here: https://placeedinburgh.org/legislation-update/

On Friday, the Council’s transport and environment committee will be considering the City Mobility Plan which is the result of a huge amount of work that some of you have been involved in too.   Coverage here in the Edinburgh Reporter: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/02/council-introduces-the-city-mobility-plan-a-plan-for-the-next-decade/

Take a walk through Little France Park and contribute to an emerging community art walk project. For those who can’t get out there, you can use your imagination.Read the score here: https://www.artwalkporty.co.uk/craigmillar-and-communities-walking-residency.html, This project forms part of an ongoing Craigmillar and Communities walking residency with artist, Jonathan Baxter, running throughout 2021.

Lovely wildlife story in the Evening News this week: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/it-was-just-relaxing-minding-its-own-business-video-captures-adorable-seal-hanging-out-portobello-beach-3124954.  I got people excited about fallow deer last week, but they were actually roe deer, often seen around Duddingston and this week sighted in Figgate Park.

Last week, we Councillors and other local representatives had a Teams meeting with some local residents about the Duddingston Road changes as part of the Spaces for People programme near Duddingston and St John’s Primary Schools.  There will be a citywide public consultation on the whole Spaces for People Programme and which traffic measures residents wish to make permanent.  There is no start date for yet, but that consultation will be publicised widely to encourage as many people as possible to take part.  One of the new proposals to come through is a cycle route to Musselburgh.  More here: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/02/new-cycle-path-to-be-created-from-portobello-to-musselburgh/

Don’t read this if you are addicted to cars and driving: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/sep/20/roads-car-use-health-driving. George Monbiot makes a lot of sense to me, on this subject at least.

This fabulous programme on the history and Impact of community arts in Craigmillar is well worth listening to.  A mention of our new initiative – Craigmillar Now –  in there too. Click here, listen and enjoy! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000sb0h

That is all I can manage for now.

Stay safe and well!

Maureen