Today there is a splash of politics, with some more news about Summerhall and a date for your diary with the Edinburgh Canal Festival coming up on 15 June as well as dinner on the Flower Moon.
Government declares a housing emergency – six months after Edinburgh Council
This was supported by Scottish Labour for the second time in six months. Mark Griffin Labour MSP for Central Scotland said that he moved for the parliament to declare a housing emergency supported by housing charity Shelter. Mr Griffin said: “Every 16 minutes, one household becomes homeless. Around 10,000 children are now in temporary accommodation. Three more councils have declared housing emergencies and more are likely to follow.”
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “It has been six and a half months since we declared Edinburgh’s housing emergency and in that time our funding from the Scottish Government has been slashed and homelessness has risen.
“It is astounding that it has taken Parliament so long to recognise this as a national emergency, but I welcome the move. To declare a housing emergency on a Scotland-wide scale points to changed priorities for government.
“I do hope this also signals a rethink on funding for affordable housebuilding and a better housing system that works for everyone. We would be delighted to work with the government in doing the right thing and listening to the ever-growing voice that is saying: housing must be its priority.
“As the only council in Scotland to develop an action plan in response to our local housing emergency we look forward to supporting the government on its response.”
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Summerhall
The story of Summerhall, the former Dick Vet, being put up for sale has attracted a lot of comment – and some action.
At today’s Culture and Communities Committee Cllr Finlay McFarlane has lodged an emergency motion asking that the council “opens a dialogue with the current owner and management of Summerhall to ascertain what support the city council can offer that would help secure the sustainability and future of Summerhall and its vibrant programme of events, community projects, visual arts and exhibitions with an update brought to the August Culture and Communities Committee”
Watch the Culture and Communities Committee live from 10am here.
There is a petition to Preserve Summerhall as a Cultural Hub in Edinburgh here signed by around 6,000 people in just under two days.
There is also a Reddit petition to Save Summerhall here.
Full Moon Dinners
The Secret Garden is hooding a full moon dinner in their glasshouse with candlelight on 24 May 2024 when there will be a Flower Moon. “The Full Moon in May is known as the Flower Moon because of the abundance of flowers that grow in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year.”
The price is £75 per person.
Canal Festival
The 2024 Edinburgh Canal Festival is free and will take place on 15 June 2024 featuring local businesses, organisations, and local community groups operating on or near the canal. Mark your diary now. .
Rachel Sedman, Development Manager of FCCT says, “What a lot we have in store for 2024!!! There’s so much to see and do it’s hard to pick out our highlights.. Watch the Canoe Polo at the Lochrin Basin. Find out about some of the great local charities and social enterprises at the Leamington Liftbridge. Learn about how you can live more sustainably and help environmental causes by visiting our partners at Fountainbridge Green. There’s tons of family fun at Harrison Park East, whilst Harrison Park West showcases great groups that operate outdoors. As your local Community Development Trust, our aim to is to make the local area a better place to live, work, do business and visit. Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust, together with the non-profit organizations, charities and local businesses featured, invites everyone to join in on this uplifting celebration of community and canalside. So come on down, enjoy the day and show your support.”
A full programme and map are available on our website – www.edinburghcanalfestival.org.uk – and there are regular updates on social media channels – https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghCanalFest and https://www.instagram.com/fcctedinburgh
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
