Dear All 

Councillors been through an IT migration this week, which is always a traumatic experience but it went OK, so I am up and running again and no contacts or key files lost.  I think.  But I now can’t get Pages.  And Word doesn’t seem to let me harvest and the copy links to articles I want to share with you.  So I’ll have to find my way round that little setback before next week. 

Great news that the Portobello Sailing and Kayak Club (PKSC) is to receive £77,625 to create a permanent water sports hub, funded by Sport Scotland. The new facility will allow the club to offer more and better opportunities for participation in the local community, particularly for young people from disadvantaged areas, women and girls, and people with additional support needs. The development of a water sport hub is a long-held PSKC vision, and reward for the considerable effort that past and present trustees of the club have put into making this vision a reality.  

Volunteers wanted! Keep Porty Tidy (KPT) is forming a group of volunteers to help tackle litter on the beach and along the Promenade. KPT will provide all the kit you need, a chance to meet others and a cup of tea or coffee at the end of your pick thanks to Oscar’s Gelato. When restrictions allow, KPT  hope to plan bigger beach clean events. Please email kpt@porty.org.uk if you’re interested. 

Last week’s news of that street traders license application has divided Portobello opinion once more.  The proposal has been greeted with welcome and elation in some quarters and disbelief and anger in others.  The Evening News asked me for a quote and I gave one.   Comparing this application to the one for the Ferris Wheel, I mistakenly said  ‘east’ when I should have said ‘west’ – as you will have spotted if you read the piece.  Unlike that Bridge Street Ferris wheel application, everyone in the Council’s licensing section must know that nothing lacks controversy in Porty and this one will definitely not go through on the nod of a junior officer. The full details are on Portobello Community Council’s website: www.portobellocc.org and they have a virtual meeting on Monday evening you could tune into.

Notwithstanding the controversies and general grumpinessof Porty People on Facebook, a Times article calls Porty one of the best places to live in the UK in 2021.  That is, if you can actually afford to buy or rent a home in Porty these days. There are downsides to all this apparent success. 

I’m going to leave it here for this week and try and sort out how to use this new system to best effect.  Normal service may resume next week, depending on how well I do tech-wise. 

Have a good weekend and stay safe and 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