Five things you need to know today

What’s on this week at the Council

Monday, 17th November, 2025

• 10.00 am Meeting of Lothian Valuation Joint Board on 17/11 at 10.00 am – Dunedin Room – City Chambers

Tuesday, 18th November, 2025

• 10.00 am Meeting of Finance and Resources Committee on 18/11 at 10.00 am – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers
• At this meeting councillors will read in the 94 page report on the Budget Strategy and Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2025/30 in the committee papers that there is a budget gap of £14 million for 2026/27 which has dropped from £21.8 million reported in September 2025. The gap is expected to rise to £88.4 million by 2029/30 (stated as £95.8 million in September 2025). Councillors on this committee receive regular financial updates on the council’s performance against the budget set each February. The council’s budget setting in the new year will be affected by the late running of the UK and Scottish Government budget processes. The Scottish Government will publish its draft budget on 13 January 2026 (this is usually December in any year) and it has already advised it has a gap of £2 billion. The council will receive an officer led budget proposal at its meeting in February 2026 – said to be a “more comprehensive assessment of the draft budget than Members have typically received in the past”. The draft budget will include measures to establish five Neighbourhood Prevention Partnerships in five areas of the city with a “corporate team to drive a prevention focuses transformation programme across the Council”.
• The estimates in the papers show a projected increase in Council Tax of 5%. (Council tax rose by 8% last April).
• Also on the agenda at this meeting there will be discussion of the final Business Case for Phase 1 at Granton Waterfront which will require additional prudential borrowing of £38.4 million. This will provide funds to decontaminate the land near (but not next to) the Gasholder area at Granton. This work will take two years and the council will then build 847 net zero carbon ready homes. Of these almost half will be affordable homes. There will also be a new school and other buildings for mixed use along with public realm. The decision on this item will require to be ratified by the full council at their next meeting later this month. Read more about Granton Waterfront here.
• And there is an uplifting report about the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) which reported record revenues of £16 million – and increase of around 25% on the previous year and a statutory account profit after tax of £1.432 million. A total of 79,314 delegates attended events at EICC during the year generating an economic impact of £78 million.

Wednesday, 19th November, 2025

• 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Meeting of Development Management Sub-Committee on 19/11 at 10.00 am – 5.00 pm – City Chambers There will be the usual proposals for retrospective consent for premises used for short term lets, all of which are recommended for refusal.
• As part of the Regeneration Masterplan for Pennywell in Muirhouse there is an application to construct Block 3 which will have 90 council homes and shops on the ground floor. The application is recommended for approval.
• At 254 Leith Walk there is an application to demolish existing vacant warehousing and replacement by an apart hotel which officers recommend for approval.

Thursday, 20th November, 2025 – no meetings

Friday, 21st November, 2025 – no meetings

Charlie Miller Hairdressing marks six decades in business

It is 60 years since Charlie and Janet Miller first set up a hairdressing salon in Prestonfield Avenue, a reason to celebrate. The group now has three salons in the city centre as well as a training academy. The team of stylists have looked after generations of clients but the company’s deep rooted commitment to care is a constant.

Over six decades, the Charlie Miller family has witnessed life’s big moments – weddings, first haircuts, confidence boosts, reinventions – and takes pride in being a trusted part of their clients’ stories. Many members of the team have built lifelong careers with the company, reflecting a culture where kindness, creativity, and respect sit at the heart of the brand.

Directors, Jason & Josh Miller said: “As we celebrate 60 years, our hearts are full.

“Our journey has been shaped by the people around us. To every client who has sat in our chairs, every team member – past and present – who has shared their talent, and every supplier who has supported our vision, we are profoundly grateful. This milestone belongs to all of you.”

Read more here

At Dovecot this week

Join the British Tapestry Group at their Meet the Makers event to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Featuring 68 artists from nine countries to create over 90 tapestries, Picking up the Thread: The Past, Present and Future of Tapestry highlights the skills and experience of the British Tapestry Group, and reflects the diversity and richness of contemporary tapestry weaving. The British Tapestry Group, which has members across the world, promotes and sustains the heritage of tapestry weaving as a contemporary art form, raising awareness of how craftsmanship and artistic inspiration can come together in woven works. This show, which opened at the Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries before arriving at Dovecot, will also tour to Market Hall in Plymouth and then Morley College in London. 

Curated by the Brunton – Concert by Candlelight

The festive season in Musselburgh starts on Friday 28 November at 7.30pm with the Royal Northern Sinfonia’s Concert by Candlelight curated by The Brunton at Northesk Church.

The church will be aglow with candlelight creating a beautiful atmosphere for this string concert, directed by Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska.

When it is dark outside, it is good to be cosy inside and Royal Northern Sinfonia’s carefully chosen pieces will create a warm feeling from the inside out. Henry Purcell’s The Fairy Queen and the music of Jean-Philippe Rameau take centre stage while principal viola Michael Gerrard takes the spotlight in Telemann’s Viola Concerto.

Founded in 1958, Royal Northern Sinfonia are based at The Glasshouse in Gateshead. They are committed to sharing the joy and wonder of orchestral music with as many people as possible, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The programme will include:

Jean-Philippe Rameau La Danse from Les Fêtes d’Hébé
Jean-Marie Leclair Violin Concerto in A Minor
Giuseppe Torelli Christmas Concerto
Henry Purcell Prelude from The Fairy Queen
Henry Purcell Dance Of The Haymakers from The Fairy Queen
Arcangelo Corelli Concerto Grosso in C major, Op. 6 No. 10
Henry Purcell Chaconne from The Fairy Queen
Pietro Locatelli Christmas Concerto
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Scene 2 of Dardanus
Jean-Philippe Rameau Orage from Platée
Georg Philipp Telemann Viola Concerto
Henry Purcell Entry Dance from The Fairy Queen
George Frideric Handel Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 2
Jean-Philippe Rameau Prologue from Scene 5 of Nais

Tickets for all The Brunton’s events in Musselburgh and Haddington, can be booked online at www.thebrunton.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0131 653 5245, Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm.

University of Edinburgh Christmas tree lighting

On Tuesday the lights will be lit up on the Christmas tree in the Old Quad at the University of Edinburgh on Nicolson Street in a ceremony at 5pm.

There will be carol singing and Christmas music at the free event. No tickets are required but it is first come first served!