At the Council this week
It is part of the council’s own standing orders that papers for committee meetings are published online at least a week before the meeting is held. This gives the councillors attending time to read them – and of course the media time to report on what they contain.
This same rule does not seem to apply to the meetings of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee. This is a £1.3 billion deal involving money from The Scottish and UK Governments and also the various local authorities around Edinburgh to be spent on specific projects.
It was signed in 2018 by Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon, and included initial funding of £20 million (£10 million from each of the Scottish and UK Governments) for the new concert hall behind the Royal Bank in St Andrew Square – known for now as the Dunard Centre. It also included £120 million for the Sheriffhall Roundabout – which is now estimated will cost more than double that figure. A further £5 million has been contributed by The City of Edinburgh Council.
The building on the Dunard site may get underway again this summer if a deal can be agreed with a new contractor, Balfour Beatty. In March 2024, the Dunard Centre parted ways with the project’s then main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine. A few weeks later, Dunard entered into a pre-construction service agreement with a new contractor, Balfour Beatty, and are now awaiting their tender.
Jo Buckley who is Chief Executive of the Dunard believes it will be a four year build whenever it gets started.
The plan is for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra to move into the hall as their home hub – which will have state of the art acoustics and a moveable and adaptable stage setting with audiences on several levels in Sir David Chipperfield’s design.
When the papers for the City Region Deal meeting are published – hopefully before the committee meets on Friday, we will report on what they say.
Monday, 2 June, 2025
No Meetings
Tuesday, 3 June, 2025
- 9.30 am Licensing Sub-Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers
Wednesday, 4 June, 2025
- 9.30 am Planning Local Review Body (Panel 2) – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers
- 6.00 pm Consultative Committee with Parents – Virtual Meeting – via Microsoft Teams
Thursday, 5 June, 2025
- 10.00 am Culture and Communities Committee – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers This will be the first committee meeting under a new Convener, Cllr Margaret Graham, who has taken over from Cllr Val Walker who died suddenly in April.
- At this meeting Cllr Thornley has raised the question of how £15 million allocated in the budget will be spent. He states: ”
- 1) Notes the £15m to upgrade and integrate community spaces, including Community Centres, in the budget agreed by the Council in February 2025.
- 2) Notes the outstanding unfunded need for repairs across the Community Centre estate, as considered by both Culture & Communities and Finance & Resources Committee.
- 3) Therefore, requests a briefing note is sent to members of the Culture and Communities committee outlining how it is proposed to spend this agreed funding in the 2025/26 year and that spending is to be, or has been, prioritised.
Friday, 6 June, 2025
- 10.00 am Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee – Virtual Meeting – via Microsoft Teams
Canongate Youth
When the council agreed to lease the premises at Infirmary Street to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for £1 (On the understanding that the Society would renovate the former South Bridge Resource Centre with the £7 million package they received from the UK Government), there were many tenants to be accommodated. Some were moved to other venues, but some will be given space in the renovated building. One of these is Canongate Youth. However the charity has just announced a “reorganisation”. The Edinburgh Reporter understands this has involved redundancies among at least six members of staff.
The charity has said “While there may be some short-term changes or disruptions, we are committed to continuing our work with young people and to rebuilding a strong and sustainable future for Canongate Youth.”
Any parent or carer with questions may contact the charity [email protected] or 0131 556 9389.
Drylaw Parish Church Summer Fair
If you are organising a summer fair (or just know about one) then do let us know please! It is time…
At the Heart of Newhaven
There are lots of things on at the Heart of Newhaven to get involved in as you can read below – from a Monday lunch club to Crafternoons on Fridays.
Fundraising for the late Brian Kellock
The talented and popular Brian Kellock died suddenly last week, and in the few days afterwards a fundraising team has set up a JustGiving page to raise money to release an unpublished album of his music. Some of the funds will also be used to settle “unfinished business” and some debts.
“The musical genius, the wonderful warm, playful, and funny human being and the all round legend that is Brian Kellock has left us. The sadness and shock is being felt by everyone who knew him or heard him. He has also left behind a bundle of unpaid bills and unfinished business. Please donate money so that the situation so suddenly left behind can be properly sorted out and, the plan is, the rest will be used to release an album Brian dearly wanted to be released. The music business, and indeed the whole universe, is such that a brilliant human being and stone cold genius musician like Brian may not be properly rewarded for his talent or the joy and beautiful music he has brought us all for many years. That is the just the way it is. Your generosity, support, and concern is much appreciated. Money raised will be administered by Brian‘s long serving accountant Iain McFadden and Tom Bancroft.
“We are trying to raise £7500 to cover unfinished businesses, unpaid bills, and the release of an album of beautiful music by the musical genius Brian Kellock.
“Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will withdraw funds directly. It’s the most efficient way to donate and saves time and costs.”
