Edinburgh-based charity, Venture Scotland, has been awarded nearly £100,000 in funding, over three years, from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Since 1989, Venture Scotland has used the outdoors as a vehicle to transform the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of young people across the Central Belt. Every year, the charity’s small team delivers four, progressive outdoor-based personal development programmes, known as the “Journey”, to over 50 young people who are facing challenges to their mental health. Using Scotland’s natural environments to deliver group-based outdoor activities, such as gorge walking, kayaking and hill climbing, alongside groupwork, 1-to-1 support sessions and remote bothy residentials. The charity’s ethos is to use the outdoor experience to help the young people gain confidence, overcome challenges, and discover their potential – all of which they can channel into their daily lives. 

The National Lottery Community Fund has made it possible for the graduates of the various courses to “give back” to Venture Scotland. The innovative Ambassador Programme has embedded four of the graduate Young People at all levels of Venture Scotland:

• They attend and offer feedback at Board meetings
• Support the fundraising team
• Help the Outreach Worker engage with new Young People
• Volunteer with the delivery team on activity days
• And have helped recruit new staff and trustees.

Most importantly, the Ambassadors bring their “lived experience” to motivate and inspire the young people and ensure that their wellbeing is at the heart of every activity.

Jo graduated from Venture Scotland’s Journey Programme in 2019. Before Venture Scotland, Jo was stuck in a cycle of self-destruction and experienced crippling anxiety, eating disorders and isolation. After completing the Journey Programme, Jo became a Venture Scotland Ambassador.

Jo said: “The Ambassador Programme has given me a purpose and structure in these turbulent times, a chance to connect with people, learn new skills, keep up old ones and a chance to give back to a place and people that changed my life. It has given me hope; something to hold on to.”

The National Lottery Community Fund will allow the charity to officially launch the Ambassador Programme to a whole new generation of Young People.

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country. This project delivered by Venture Scotland is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.” 

Venture Scotland’s CEO, David Brackenridge added: “Our Ambassador programme has put the voices of young people at the heart of our organisation and this has already had a transformational effect. So often, our Ambassadors have given us a whole new perspective on the work we do and the decisions we make and this has changed the way we operate, govern ourselves and has shaped our strategy going forward. I already can’t imagine them not being an integral part of Venture Scotland. A massive thanks to the National Lottery for funding this programme and for ensuring we can grow and develop it with young people.”

A Leith dental practice is under new ownership following its acquisition by Scotland’s largest dental group.

KF Dental on East Hermitage Place has become part of the rapidly growing Clyde Munro Dental Group – securing the future for the practice and its team of six.

The Leith Links practice was formed in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Katrina Trocka and Fotis Pappas, who extended and refurbished the existing practice, adding a third treatment room while investing in the latest technology. Patients have been treated at the location since 1967.

KF Dental now serves close to 5,000 patients, with its dentists offering a broad range of expertise and qualifications in prosthodontics, endodontics as well as cosmetic dentistry, implants and whitening. It provides care for private, Denplan and NHS patients.

The couple will continue to practice ensuring continuity for their patients.

Fotis, 42, is originally from Thessaloniki in Greece and prior to becoming principal dentist at KF Dental, worked in London, where he held a speciality doctor position at Royal London Hospital, treating patients referred by their general dentist for advanced restorative treatment.

He said: “This acquisition is brilliant news for our team and for our patients, as it will allow for continuity of treatment and increased support from Clyde Munro, which is unmatched in Scotland.

“Katrina and I are very much looking forward to putting all of our energy into clinical care again, with Clyde Munro able to take over the vast amounts of administration and form-filling required to run a practice these days.”

Earlier this year, Clyde Munro became the first group to exceed 50 practices north of the border – a major milestone for dentistry in Scotland.

With strong backing from Investec and Synova, the group set out from day one to work solely north of the border, with a vision to become the nation’s family dentist while retaining the identity of its individual surgeries.

It is also leading the way in terms of environmental and social governance (ESG), launching initiatives to recycle dental waste, invest in electric “pool cars”, establish six trailblazing “eco practices” as well as making the patient journey more digital, reducing paper waste.

Its Scotland-focused message has resonated with dentists like Fotis and Katrina who have developed strong ties to patients and the surrounding area.

The latest acquisition sees the Glasgow-headquartered group further strengthen its presence in the Scottish capital to four locations, with existing practices including Gilmore Dental Practice in Bruntsfield, Fairmilehead Dental Practice and Implant Centre and Earl Grey Dental Practice, off Lothian Road.

Kirsty Dace, Chief Development Officer with Clyde Munro, is responsible for the acquisitions which drive the group’s growth.

She said: “KF Dental is an acquisition that we have pursued for a few years now and we’re delighted to welcome Fotis, Katrina and their team to Clyde Munro.

“KF Dental provides unwavering levels of care for its patients, with a dedication to providing the most advanced treatments possible. The team has an impressive range of qualifications and they add to Clyde Munro’s unmatched talent pool.”

Clyde Munro was founded by Jim Hall in 2015 with the acquisition of seven practices. Since then, it has enjoyed rapid growth and now comprises 54 practices across Scotland, with more than 460,000 patients and 400 staff.

A significant number of new practices are set to join Clyde Munro over the coming year.

As well as a presence in all of Scotland’s cities, it owns practices from Orkney and the Highlands to the Scottish Borders.

Police Scotland has released an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries in connection with a serious incident which occurred in the early hours of 27 August 2015 at Newmills Road in Balerno.

Officers are keen to speak to a man who was on the number 44 bus travelling west from Edinburgh City Centre towards the Balerno area late in the evening of 26 August, 2015.  CCTV footage has shown that the man alighted from the bus at Newmills Road, Edinburgh, shortly before midnight and detectives believe he may have vital information relating to the incident.

Detective Inspector Jon Pleasance, of Edinburgh CID, said: “This man may have witnessed something that could assist with our investigation and therefore it is vital we speak to him.

“There is no reason to believe he was involved in the incident itself, and he may have not realised that what he potentially saw or heard could assist police.

“I would ask if you are this man, or you recognise this man, please get in contact with police.

“Although this incident took place in 2015, we are determined to bring the offender to justice and are appealing for any information that can help with our enquiries.”

Police can be contacted on 101 quoting incident 0080 of 27/08/2015. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A major conference and events business reports that 2022 is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels – and looks to expand the number of its staff.

In a positive sign for Edinburgh’s crucial hospitality and business tourism sectors, Surgeons Quarter – the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) – has experienced demand for in-person meetings and events well ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

The Living Wage-accredited organisation which manages a vast mix of historic and purpose-built RCSEd venues, as well as Ten Hill Place Hotel, Café 1505 and Surgeons Quarter Travel – has seen events and conferences that postponed due to the pandemic rebook their events for 2022 as well as a high level of new enquiries.

This trend which has included new bookings for major conferences such as the Functional Regulatory Genomic Disease Meeting, a conference which will bring together international leaders in the study of genetics of disease in April 2022, has led to Surgeons Quarter returning to operate at close to maximum levels.

As a result, Surgeons Quarter is set to recruit for 60-70 positions during April, May and June.

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, said: “It’s a pleasure to be in a position to expand our hospitality teams again and add vital jobs to help us service the increasing levels of business we’re bringing in.

“It’s important that we get the recovery right – hospitality and the business tourism economy are integral to the city’s overall prosperity. We can see first-hand the direct effect it has on employment.

“In addition to our busy events calendar, Ten Hill Place Hotel is seeing encouraging occupancy levels predicted to exceed the pre pandemic levels.

“To further boost our activities in 2022, we are actively planning for the full return of the Festival Fringe for which we are one of the largest operators – and at the end of the year, we are looking forward to a busy festive period of celebration, which we have all missed in the past 18 months”.

The organisation is also launching its first TV advertising campaign on 25^th February with the theme highlighting guests will be ‘In Good Hands’ as a reference to its surgical connections and charitable aims which should help further raise its profile.

During the first lockdown Ten Hill Place provided free rooms and meals to key workers tackling the pandemic. Over 2,100 rooms were supplied free of charge at a cost to the company of over £100,000.

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus. All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgical standards worldwide.

Proposals for new homes for rent alongside facilities for the wider community at New Mart Road, Chesser, have been submitted to City of Edinburgh Council.

Watkin Jones Group, a leading developer and manager of homes for rent, has lodged a planning application with the Council to redevelop the former livestock sheds, which includes the World of Football and World of Bowling buildings (image of proposal attached).  

The proposed high-quality mixed-use brownfield development will comprise primarily of build-to-rent (BTR) homes, including at least 25 per cent affordable homes, addressing a drastic and increasing shortage of rental housing in the capital. In addition to this will be a limited level of managed student accommodation (occupying approximately 25 per cent of the floorspace of the development) and community facilities.

The site, which has been operated by Marco’s Leisure for 23 years, currently comprises listed and unlisted former auction mart buildings and livestock sheds which are over 120 years old. 

While sensitive to local concerns about the loss of the facilities, independent assessments show that to bring the buildings up to standard would be an unsustainable burden and cost for any organisation. The current buildings require constant maintenance, repair and upgrade, and development of the site will ensure their long-term future, with a significant proportion of frames retained and incorporated into the overall development. 

Marco’s Leisure wants to deliver new sustainable, environmentally friendly sporting facilities rather than maintain what is becoming an impossible task. The company, who are a family business with a long-term commitment to Edinburgh, are in discussions with the Council to explore alternative options for sporting facilities in the west of the city.

The proposed BTR apartments will comprise a mix of studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three-bedroom flats. Community is built into the design of the development, which reflects how people want to live now and into the future with working from home and study space, a communal lounge, exercise facilities, management suite and reception, bike storage and large shared kitchen. 

Each of the key outdoor public and residents’ open outdoor spaces will be given an identity as part of the overall masterplan, reflecting the history of the site, including a large central public square. It is envisaged that the public square will be used by performing arts groups; farmers markets; and as a gathering space for the wider community. The development is proposed as a car free scheme with parking limited to accessible parking only, and residents will be encouraged to use the good quality public transport and active travel links to their homes.

The student housing portion of the building will also offercommunal amenity spaces, bike storage, a management suite and reception areas.

Eve Ladden Timbers from Watkin Jones said: “Our planning application for this new development at Chesser will create a thriving and diverse community as part of an overall redevelopment of the area.

“There is a massive shortage of homes for people to rent in the capital and through our build-to-rent, affordable and student homes these proposals will create much-neededplaces for people to live on a brownfield site.

“We have heard and understand people’s feelings about the football pitches but know that these are unsustainable in their current form due to the condition of the buildings. We will continue to listen to the community throughout development.

“We are aware that discussions are being held to look at alternative options for new sporting facilities.”

Paul Demarco from Marco’s Leisure said: “Investment in recent state of the art facilities, such as World of Football at Marine Drive, show what we can offer through delivering far more viable spaces without the ongoing cost that old out of date buildings unfortunately provide. 

“As we are finding, it is proving near impossible to provide quality and affordable facilities under a nineteenth century livestock shed. To address this, we are currently in the process of discussing possibilities for the delivery of facilities on future sites in the west of the city with agents and City of Edinburgh Council.

“As a family business we have a long-term commitment to Edinburgh, and as the baton is passed on from the third to fourth generations of the family, who will be active for many years to come, we are dedicated to delivering high quality affordable leisure and sports facilities.”

The National Youth Orchestras of Scotland (NYOS) has announced its first full Season Brochure in over two years.

This digital guide to its 2022 spring and summer seasons marks the return of Scotland’s most talented young musicians to the concert platform. Beyond that one immeasurable highlight, the forthcoming season showcases performers across its classical and jazz ensembles in programmes full of dazzling orchestral colour, and the very latest contemporary jazz arrangements, designed to challenge and inspire. 

Kirsteen Davidson Kelly, Chief Executive, said: “It is a tremendous privilege to share this programme of concerts from the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland with you. The resilience and enthusiasm of our young players has provided hope and optimism during unprecedented and challenging times for musicians and music organisations alike. After this testing period, I am thrilled to begin my time at NYOS by celebrating our first live concerts in over two years.” 

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As Europe wakes this morning to news that Russia has launched an invasion of Ukraine, the Church of Scotland calls on all parties to renew peacemaking efforts and prepare to offer humanitarian aid to the people of that country.

The Church’s Faith Impact Forum has been in regular dialogue with members of their partner church, the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, Ukraine (Egyházkerület Kárpátaljai Református) and will continue to support them through prayer and advocacy.

The Church is also joining with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the Conference of European Churches, and World Council of Churches to work together to collectively support the churches and people of Ukraine in seeking a peaceful solution.

Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “Our prayers are with the Ukrainian people who are now under attack and in fear of their lives.

“We call on the UK Government to join with governments across the world and together persuade all parties to agree to a ceasefire and to immediately return to the negotiating table.

“At the same time we ask the UK Government to prepare a generous humanitarian response to assist people fleeing the war.

“As a matter of urgency, the government should prepare a plan to receive and resettle refugees from the conflict and support neighbouring countries to respond locally to the crisis.

“The Covid pandemic and the intensifying climate crisis has shown us that no catastrophe can be isolated and what affects one region affects all of us.

“More than ever, national governments need to find a way to work together for the sake of our common humanity.”

The Moderator also invites people to join him in praying for all those who are suffering from the violence in Ukraine.

There is still some availability to purchase the last few remaining tables for 10 guests, or individual seats, to attend this year’s Burns Supper on Friday 4 March 2022.

The event was postponed from January due to Covid restrictions.

The event begins at 6.30pm at the, five star Prestonfield House. All funds raised on the evening are in aid of Edinburgh’s local charity the OneCity Trust.

Guests will be welcomed on arrival by pipers and presented with a welcome glass of fizz as they are directed to their table for the evening. A three course meal with the finest Scottish ingredients and half a bottle of wine per guest will be served.   

The line up of speakers includes:

• Immortal Memory by Professor David Purdie, Hon. Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, UOE.
• Address to the Haggis by Cammy Goodall, popularly regarded as his generation’s greatest interpreter of Scotland’s National Bard
• Toast  tae the Lassies by Brigadier David Allfrey, Former Chief Executive and Producer of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Reply fae the Lassies by Dee Bradbury OBE, Former Scottish Rugby Union President

Music by winner of BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year, 2014 and traditional singer, Robyn Stapleton.

Tickets are £110 per person or tables of 10 for £1,100. Tickets can be booked via Ticket Tailor by clicking here. 

Contact elaine@onecitytrust.com if you have any questions about the event.  

Dress Code: Black Tie with a touch of tartan – Remember to bring your business card for a chance to win a prize.

Copies of the People’s City with a foreword by Irvine Welsh will be available to purchase on the night or you may buy online here (£7.99). The book includes short stories about Edinburgh by Ian Rankin, Anne Hamilton, Sara Sheridan, Alexander McCall Smith, and Nadine Aisha Jassat.

People living in Edinburgh are encouraged to make 2022 the year they stop wasting food, for good. 

Around 600,000 tonnes of household food waste goes to landfill every year and according to research only one third of adults understand the link between food waste and climate change.

The Scottish Government’s Food Waste campaign has launched again this week with a new message encouraging people to save food, save money and save the Earth.

If food waste is not put into recycling then it is added to landfill, decomposing and creating methane which is a greenhouse gas. If properly recycled food waste can be converted into green energy to power homes.

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater met with Zero Waste Scotland Chief Executive Iain Gulland and Rachel Green, Director, The Ripple Community Café at The Ripple Community Café on Wednesday to launch the new campaign. The Ripple Community Café offers freshly made food using redistributed produce in partnership with Edinburgh Community Food and Cyrenians Fareshare. 

Launching the Scottish Government’s Food Waste campaign, together, they showed how simple it can be to reduce your food waste and cook up a tasty and low-cost meal by using up the leftover food which otherwise would end up in landfill.

The new ‘Save Food. Save Money. Save the Earth.’ initiative showcases quick and simple steps people can take to reduce their food waste and recycle the waste they cannot avoid from banana skins to eggshells. Not only can Scots help save the earth, but each household could also save approximately £440 per year.

The new drive aims to show that more action is needed to reduce and recycle food waste to help Scotland reach net zero and stop contributing to climate change.

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater, said: “In the ongoing climate emergency, it’s impossible to ignore the global issue of food waste. That’s why the Scottish Government is investing in projects to reduce food waste and improve recycling facilities, but we all have a role to play. We can all do more to reduce and recycle food waste, cutting emissions and helping Scotland on our journey to net zero.

“Community hubs such as The Ripple Community Café play a vital role in utilising food which would otherwise go to waste while also providing a welcoming space to for locals. By utilising and supporting hubs like this we can drive home the message that each one of us can help save our food waste from ending up in landfills and ensure that it is recycled properly.”

Zero Waste Scotland Chief Executive Iain Gulland, said: “Scottish households continue to throw away a staggering amount of food waste, totalling £1.1billion in unnecessary food and drink purchases each year.

“We can all play our part by making simple, sustainable, changes – such as meal planning, storing food correctly, checking the cupboards for ingredients before hitting the shops, and getting inventive with leftovers.

“Getting food onto our plates is a resource intensive process – so, when food is thrown out, all the raw materials are also wasted. We can have a huge, positive, impact on the climate by stopping perfectly edible food from going to waste in the first place.”

For tips to save food, save money, save the earth, go to netzeronation.scot

A new company has been born out of a research project at Heriot-Watt University funded by Scottish Enterprise’s (SE) High Growth Spinout Programme.

The business will further develop advanced camera technology to be used in biomedical science, engineering and combustion research. The camera offers consistent full colour HD resolution at millions of frames per second and it is hoped it will revolutionise work in these fields and others like rail transport and quantum photonics.

Most high speed imaging systems can achieve the high frame rate but usually at the expense of the quality of the images produced.

The new camera developed by Heriot-Watt has an advanced mathematical algorithm ensuring high resolution images at all speeds. The lower manufacturing cost of the device will make access to the high speed imaging more affordable.

Dr Xu Wang is the inventor of the technology and an associate professor in the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. He said: “The most significant limit of existing high-speed cameras is poor resolution at high-frame rate coupled with high cost. Our ground-breaking camera technology provides an affordable market solution that delivers ultra-high speed without compromising high resolution thanks to its superior design and lower manufacturing cost.

“This funding will accelerate the commercialisation of our research to create a product capable of disrupting existing and new markets. The support of the enterprise team at Heriot-Watt University and Scottish Enterprise provides an incredible opportunity to build a profitable, industry-leading business at pace that is focused on driving further innovation in the field of camera technology in Scotland and beyond.”

Victoria Carmichael, Director of Strategic Investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Our High Growth Spinout Programme works with leading academics all over Scotland to help turn their innovative ideas into successful business ventures. Scotland has a long history of world-changing ingenuity and the team at Heriot-Watt has, with this camera, created a truly industry-changing and cost-effective product with the potential to deliver enhanced results for both commercial businesses and academic institutions. In Scotland we are very fortunate to have a host of enterprising, world-leading universities that can help drive economic recovery and growth in key sectors.”

David Richardson, Chief Entrepreneurial Executive at Heriot-Watt University, commented:  “Heriot-Watt University has an extensive track-record of delivering commercial, strategic and innovation support that drives real-life impact of academic discovery in existing and new industry markets. With the financial backing of Scottish Enterprise, we look forward to developing Dr Wang’s research into a world-class enterprise capable of disrupting the status-quo in high-speed imaging.

“Our GRID facility brings together a diverse range of skills and expertise that fosters a highly collaborative environment where academics can transform their research into innovative, industry-leading businesses. We look forward to working in partnership with all those involved to access a world-class talent pool, R&D opportunities and further investment to help deliver scale at pace.” 

Janet Milne, CEO Designate and Director, Genmhor Ltd: “Genmhor is delighted to be working with Dr Wang, Heriot-Watt University and Scottish Enterprise, to bring this exciting new imaging technology to market. This innovative, ultra-high speed camera has the potential to be a game changer in the market, offering full colour, full resolution, megapixel images at millions of frames per second. The potential industrial and academic applications for this novel imaging solution are vast and we are very excited to be leading the commercial development of this opportunity.

“Genmhor has extensive experience of delivering investable propositions for early-stage technologies and making products a reality.”

The National Lottery has just announced more than £1.2 million of funding for groups in Edinburgh which bring people together and make new friendships. In total National Lottery is distributing more than £13 million to 319 projects in Scotland.

Edinburgh Garden Partners will receive £93,900 to develop their garden partnership programme matching the socially isolated who may have a garden space available with volunteers who are looking for growing space.

Debs Hahn, Project Co-ordinator, Edinburgh Garden Partners, said “We are thrilled to receive this funding which will play a vital role in supporting us to further our mission over the next three years. We will facilitate relationships between people who want a space to grow and those who have garden space to share. Through this we will create lasting connections between people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds that tackle loneliness and contribute to thriving communities. As a small charity, this funding means a lot to us, giving us the opportunity to support more garden partnerships and create more opportunities for people to connect with each other and with nature.”

An award of £150,000 means that Jock Tamson’s Gairden will work in collaboration with with Dr Neil’s Garden to run a year-round programme of community events, workshops, and activities between the two gardens next to Duddingston Kirk. 

Marion Findlay and Jim Baird, Chairs, Jock Tamson’s Gairden, said: “Both Jock Tamson’s Gairden and Dr Neil’s Garden are beautiful and tranquil spaces which are enjoyed by people from all walks of life. This will enable us to maintain both gardens and develop new opportunities for volunteers.  individuals and groups from the local community will benefit – whether by tending flowers and plants, growing vegetables, learning new skills, or simply wandering and enjoying the wildlife, nature and peace and quiet.” 

In the southwest of the city B healthy Together will use their award of £104,544 to continue to deliver a programme of free health and wellbeing service to people living in Broomhouse and surrounding areas over the next three years.  

Jen Richards, Chief Executive, B healthy Together, said: ““We are absolutely delighted that The National Lottery has seen value in our work and this funding will enable us to support 800 vulnerable people to take steps towards better health and wellbeing.  

“Covid-19 has had a significant detrimental impact on those we work with; increased social isolation and fear have negatively impacted on their mental health and a lack of people’s usual activities, resulting from lockdowns and restrictions, have resulted in physical deconditioning for many older people and those with chronic health conditions.   We can now provide a range of activities and services that will reduce social isolation and loneliness and rebuild the confidence and health and wellbeing of those within our communities.”

The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still: said: “National Lottery funding continues to make amazing things happen in local communities right across Scotland. 

“I am delighted that this funding is reaching into Edinburgh, supporting projects that have been developed by and for local people. National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and helping communities thrive.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK. 

www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk     

Audit Scotland has reported on the NHS in Scotland 2021. The Scottish Government is told that its focus must now be on transforming health and social care services. This will help address the growing cost of the NHS and aid its post-pandemic recovery.

But the report recognises that the improvements needed to the health service to get it off emergency footing will have to be made in a challenging environment with competing demands, principally continuing to deal with the pandemic and plans for a National Care Service.

The report recognises that there are problems with workforce planning, a backlog of patients and lack of reliable data all adding to the ongoing pressure on the health service.

The public body watchdog has observed that the government has struggled to recruit enough people with the right skills, and the financial pressures on the NHS is unsustainable despite the many billions invested in it during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has invested £15.1 billion in the NHS in 2020/21 which is more than the £14.5 billion in 2019/20.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Reforming the NHS is key to the Scottish Government’s pandemic recovery plan and needs to remain a priority. Putting Covid costs to one side, health spending is rising every year, meaning less money for other public services. 

“There’s now a clear opportunity to do things differently by building on the innovation and collaboration we’ve seen across the NHS in the last few years.   

“For that to happen, our leaders must take the public with them and involve them in the shift from care being delivered in hospitals to much closer to people’s homes. But better-informed policy decisions and services won’t be possible without better collection and use of data.” 

The key messages are that

• the NHS in Scotland is operating on an emergency footing and remains under severe pressure
• NHS and social care workforce planning has never been more important
• The NHS’s ability to plan for recovery from Covid-19 remains hindered by a lack of robust and reliable data across several areas
• The NHS was not financially sustainable before the pandemic and responding to Covid-19 has increased those pressures.

The Auditor General issued a video report as well as the written version.

GREENS

Audit Scotland’s new assessment of the NHS in Scotland shows the need for staff retention and recruitment to be prioritised, the Scottish Greens have said.

Scottish Greens health spokesperson Gillian Mackay said: “Our NHS is under more pressure than ever before as staff deal with the effects of the pandemic while continuing to deliver routine healthcare, and this report clearly sets out that the Scottish Government must improve recruitment and retention to maintain safe levels of care. It’s vital that workforce planning reflects the new reality, to make sure services have the staff they need to care for generations to come.

“Existing staff must also be properly supported. They have been working in extremely difficult conditions for two years now and many are feeling exhausted and burnt out. The government must focus on promoting workforce wellbeing so that we do not haemorrhage staff as we begin to recover from Covid-19.”

SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES

Scottish Conservative Shadow Health Secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “This damning report confirms what we have been saying for some time – that Scotland’s NHS is in crisis on the SNP’s watch and that Humza Yousaf’s flimsy Covid recovery plan will not solve it.

“The report highlights the recruitment problem across the NHS – and that’s a product of poor workforce planning by the SNP Government. There are huge vacancies across the health service yet we can’t fill them because we don’t have enough trained people to do so.

“That’s why the Scottish Conservatives have called for the cap to be removed on the number of places at Scottish universities for healthcare-related courses.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, the ever-growing backlog in patients awaiting treatment is a ticking timebomb but, again, we see no strategy from the Health Secretary for getting on top of this.

“The report also calls on the Scottish Government and health boards to work with the social care sector to tackle the problem of delayed discharge – yet the SNP vowed to eradicate this years ago, and have failed miserably to do so.

“Scotland’s NHS is on an emergency footing but I have no confidence that the SNP and Humza Yousaf are capable of restoring it to full health given their dire track record.”

SCOTTISH LABOUR

Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “This scathing report is a damning indictment on almost a decade and a half of SNP mismanagement of our NHS and care sectors. 

“This is just about the most damning Audit Scotland report in the NHS since devolution. 

“The report is explicitly clear – the SNP government has entirely failed to support the NHS properly for years and as a result the whole system is under exceptional pressure. 

“The failure of Humza Yousaf’s so-called NHS recovery plan is plain for all to see as 1 in 8 Scots languish on waiting lists, staff are exhausted and the NHS remains on emergency footing. 

“Only robust planning will do to get our NHS back on track, but Humza Yousaf’s eyes are not on the ball. 

“Scottish Labour has repeatedly called on the SNP to back our proposals for an NHS catch-up plan to reduce waiting times and a rise to care workers pay to £15 an hour.

“It is clear only Scottish Labour has the plan and the ambition to get our NHS back on track and to deliver a National Care Service worthy of the name.” 

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP today said “patients and staff desperately need new hope” after Audit Scotland reported on the precarious state of the health service and highlighted serious gaps and oversights in the Scottish Government’s recovery plans.

He said: “The NHS and its staff are on the verge of burnout. They have been let down by fifteen years’ worth of botched workforce and pandemic planning by the SNP Government which gave them no option but to work flat out.

“There is still no realistic plan to deal with the old problems made worse, from delayed discharges to record staff vacancies and waiting lists lasting years. It is putting lives at risk.

“This report shows why the SNP/Green Government was wrong to vote down our plans for a Burnout Prevention Strategy to protect staff. It must also now back Scottish Liberal Democrat proposals for a Health and Social Care Staff Assembly that puts their expertise and experience at the very heart of the crisis response.

“At this rate, the NHS recovery plan will need upgraded to a resuscitation plan. Patients and staff desperately need new hope and deserve better than ministers who seem determined to turn their attentions towards independence.” 

Scotland will make their debut in the women’s World Carp Championships this summer and a six-strong team has been assembled.

Four anglers are based north of the Border, Catherine Robertson, the vice-captain, and Niki Wildman, both from the Glasgow area, plus Margo Robinson from Dumbarton and Lynda Chisholm from Duntocher

Captain Joanne Barlow (pictured with a 17.5lb carp) is Brighton-based and Eleanor Mitchell is from Wokingham, but the team are seeking extra bodies to form the nucleus of a strong squad to build for the future.

Squad training starts in March with the English-based members and the Scots getting together to swap information.

Joanne and Eleanor plan regular trips to Scotland to practice with the rest of the team at a suitable location and the world event, which is held over 72 hours, is at the Linear Complex in Oxfordshire at the end of August.

The squad is looking for sponsorship as they have to fund equipment, training days, travel and entry fees themselves.

The opposition will be strong with France among the favourites along with England. Joanne said: “The French run their squad like a military operation.

“England have been together for some time and are also strong and Wales have a quality team, mixing experienced anglers with new blood.

“Other teams will come from all over Europe including Holland, Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Italy. We are a new team and our objective is to work together and to fish as hard as we can in this our first major competition.”

Half of the Scotland team have long-time fishing experience and the rest are on a steep learning curve and it is not just the fishing techniques the are brushing up on, it is learning to live around a bivvy.

Joanne said: “It is massively expensive to fish for carp and the girls currently have to fund everything themselves including entry fees to competitions, travel and equipment. Other teams, for example, have sponsorship and also have their fees paid.”

Discounts from many of the big tackle manufacturers helps as well as support from DNA Baits but it all adds up and Joanne said: “Sponsorship from other tackle manufacturers and from Scottish companies would be a massive help.

“This is Scotland’s first time in the world championships and that is surely worth supporting. Overall, we want success for Scotland in the long-term, but we also want to see more women out there fishing.

“We have six girls at the moment and that is the minimum number required for a world championship team. We would love to have more women onboard to help us pick our strongest team.”

If you would like to get involved contact Joanne by emailing her at carpteamscotland@mail.com or via facebook @Carpteamscotland

Short term lets in Edinburgh will soon require planning permission as the council bids to crack down on the number of properties let out for holiday rentals in the city.

As widely promised when discussion first started about short term lets, Edinburgh councillors unanimously voted to make the capital Scotland’s first short-term let (STL) control zone at a meeting of the council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday.

Under the city-wide scheme, any property that is not principally a home being leased through any short-term letting will need the local authority’s approval of a change of use. The scheme will apply to future operators and current hosts who do not already have planning permission.

The City of Edinburgh Council says this will help to manage “high concentrations of secondary letting” and prevent STLs being set up “where it is not appropriate”.

The draft proposals will now go to Scottish Government ministers for final approval before being publicised for 28 days prior to taking effect.

The capital has become a centre of short term lets in the past decade – and despite numbers falling since 2019 it is still home to around a third of the holiday letting market in Scotland.

The rise of sites such as Airbnb – which experienced a drop in numbers from 8,000 properties to just over 4,000 during the pandemic – has fuelled concerns about the impact of STLs on the city’s housing market.

In January The Scottish Government told councils to set up STL licensing schemes by October, with whole properties being let out on a short term basis required to apply for a license by April 2023.

A report to the council in Edinburgh noted there has been “long standing concern from the council and residents of the city about the impact of STLs”.

Reporting the results of a statutory consultation on making Edinburgh a Short-term Let Area of Control, it added that 88 per cent of the 5,600 people who responded supported the introduction of the scheme.

However, the report noted there were “different degrees of support from individuals, community groups and other organisations”.

“All community groups were in favour of the designation and for the entire area to be included. There was a high level of support from individuals (89 per cent) both for the principle and for the entire area to be included (84 per cent).

“This contrasts with just over half of other organisations not in support of designation and 65 per cent opposed to the whole area designation.

“A small proportion of respondents (1.5 per cent) were unsure about the designation as they were uncertain that it would address issues; that there may be other means of control; unsure of what the effects might be on property rights; impacts on tourism and that impacts of the Covid pandemic were unknown.

“Three per cent were unsure about the inclusion of the entire area for a variety of reasons including the administration of the scheme; need for more detail; and appropriateness including more rural areas.”

Planning convenor Councillor Neil Gardiner said: “Around a third of STLs in Scotland are in Edinburgh. They’re in every council ward in the city with concentrations in some areas. So, today’s decision is great news for people across the city and I’m pleased committee unanimously got behind the proposal.

“We worked hard calling for new legislation to help us have greater controls over STLs and we’re now in a position to move forward and ask government if the whole of the city can be zoned as a STL control area.”

“If approved by government, these new powers for Edinburgh will provide the clarity we need where planning permission is required for a change of use.

“Just now, if it’s reported to us that a property has changed its use without planning permission, our enforcement team has to look at each case individually.  This is a very lengthy and time consuming process.”

Cllr Gardiner said the control area would “complement” the new licensing legislation, adding the two will “work tandem”.

“You’ll need the right planning consent for your property when obtaining a licence,” he said.

Vice-Convener Councillor Maureen Child, Labour, said: “We know short STLs are an issue for many of our residents across the city.

“The report we considered today highlights the growing pressures of the STL commercial market, which requires a cross-city approach to regulations.

“With high concentrations in central areas, there are commercial STLs in every council ward in this city. And during our consultation the vast majority of you from across the city favoured a whole city approach.

“In some areas STLs have hollowed out communities, put more pressure on the housing market causing prices to rise, and created other issues such as anti-social behaviour and noise. So, I’m delighted we’re now asking for government approval to adopt this legislation for the whole of Edinburgh.”

by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

Plans to turn the Paperchase stationery store on George Street into a restaurant have been narrowly refused by councillors amid fears over a loss of retail units on one of the capital’s main shopping streets.

Proposals for a change of use at the B-listed 77A George Street were first rejected in September as officers argued that further “erosion of retail” in this section of the city centre would have a “detrimental impact upon the vitality of the surrounding area”.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Planning Local Review Body met to discuss the application on Wednesday after a planning appeal was lodged. 

Committee members were split over whether to overturn officers’ original decision, with some eager to abide by planning regulations which stipulate no more than a third of businesses in the ‘block’, consisting of 14 units, should be “in non-shop use”.

Others, however, were more sympathetic to the applicant and highlighted financial hardship faced by businesses during the pandemic which has driven a number of retailers out of the city centre as their focus has moved online.

A report urged councillors to uphold the refusal and stated: “The proposed change of use from a class 1 (retail) to a class 3 (restaurant) would be unacceptable in that not only would it result in the further loss of retail in the defined area, but it would also not comply with policy CC 3 as over one third of the businesses would be in non-shop use.”

“It added that contributions of £38,276 towards Edinburgh Trams would be required from the applicant if plans were approved.”

A letter of support sent by Essential Edinburgh, which manages the city centre Business Improvement District (BID), called for more flexibility from the council in its decision making on proposals like these.

The organisation’s Chief Executive Roddy Smith wrote: “No one wants to see vacant units on George Street, and we would like to see high quality operators enter the vicinity.

“As the city centre recovers from the pandemic, we must look to continue to support new operators wishing to locate in the city centre.”

It was noted by the applicants, Aegon Asset Management, that there’s currently a 20 per cent vacancy rate for units on George Street.

Committee convenor Cllr Denis Dixon said: “This is a very difficult one indeed.

“We’re all very familiar with George Street and the character of the street. If we’re honest, I suppose, an additional restaurant wouldn’t be overly detrimental to the street.”

Cllr Dixon admitted it’s “very hard” to comply with the council’s existing retail policy, last reviewed at the start of 2020 prior to the pandemic.

He added: “But if we stick strictly to the policies we’ll then have to uphold officers’ recommendations.”

Councillor Hal Osler, Lib Dems, said: “We all have an enormous amount of sympathy for the applicant and it would be lovely to have a vibrant street on George Street.

“We’ve had other applications in front of us from places like Frederick Street where there’s been a change and we’ve refused it. I think as it stands, because we have guidance and it has been reviewed recently, much that we might feel sympathy and so on, we have no choice but to stick to our guidance.”

Supporting a move to grant the change of use, Conservative councillor Max Mitchell said: “I don’t think it’s necessarily correct to say this becomes a restaurant and we lose a shop forever because an application could come along again to change the use later on.

“I think the city centre is suffering greatly and I appreciate that the loss of another retail unit could have an implication but ultimately there are successful restaurants that could be added to here.

“The city centre is struggling but I think restaurants are still destinations in the way that some retail units are not.”

Green councillor Chas Booth said he could see “strong arguments on both sides” but also supported reversing the refusal.

He added: “I think we’re all aware that the pandemic has added to the effect that was already existing of a move of retail towards online and I think this application does have an opportunity to add to the vitality of George Street, to ensure that we don’t get yet another vacant unit.”

But Cllr Maureen Child said such a move would be “a backward step”.

“Retail in George Street is the right way forward,” the Labour councillor said. “In theory, yes it could come back into retail use but much more likely it will remain a restaurant forevermore.”

Members voted 3 votes to 2 in favour of upholding officers’ original decision to refuse permission.

Cllr Mitchell said after the meeting: “What Councillor Booth and I were both getting at is the city centre has had a particularly terrible time over the past couple of years compared to local town centres, which whether being a restaurant or a retail unit, have weathered the last couple of years pretty well.”

by Donald Turvill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

Young people across Scotland are being encouraged by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to explore the magnificent Linlithgow Palace from wherever they may be, with the launch of an online learning resource including a new film today (23rd February) starring the Junior Tour Guides from Linlithgow Primary School.

While Linlithgow Palace currently has access restrictions in place to allow for essential inspection work, HES have been focused on finding alternative ways to share its stories with families and young people across Scotland and continue to bring the site’s colourful history to life.

The film, which is available to watch here, is the most recent instalment of the popular Junior Tour Guide scheme, launched by Linlithgow Primary School over 40 years ago and now in partnership with HES, which gives local children the opportunity to learn more about the history and heritage of the local site, by taking an active part in promoting it.

^{Mary Queen of Scots was born in the Palace in 1542}

Individuals can join the Junior Tour Guides in their finery, and in character as 16th Century Lords and Ladies, to learn more about the Stewart Kings and Queens, understand coded messages, learn palace etiquette, discover the food eaten at royal feasts, and practise a court dance. The film also has a selection of accompanying teaching resources to extend learning about the Palace, which hosted Scottish Royalty for over 600 years.

HES continues to work in partnership with Linlithgow Primary School and other schools across Scotland to deliver the Junior Tour Guides programme. This year the Linlithgow Junior Tour Guide scheme will focus on learning about the nature and history of Linlithgow Peel and its relationship with the palace, while access restrictions are in place at the site.

Craig Fletcher, Head of Learning and Inclusion at HES said: “Despite the challenges of the pandemic it’s been great to be able to continue delivering this project in a reimagined way, making use of digital technology and the young peoples’ creativity. We are delighted to be able to launch these new resources meaning learners can take a virtual tour of Linlithgow Palace from a classroom anywhere in the world, and who better to lead them on it, than the young people of Linlithgow themselves.

“The film is a fantastic example of the creative, collaborative projects championed by Historic Environment Scotland that help to encourage young people to engage with heritage, imaginatively and on their own terms. ”

Closely linked to many aspects of the Curriculum for Excellence, training as Junior Tour Guides is designed to increase pupil’s understanding and appreciation of their local heritage as well as helping them to build confidence and develop transferable life skills.

Illuminate UK, specialists in drama education, deliver the Junior Tour Guides training programme with HES. The film was created in collaboration with Media Education.

Karen McKenzie, Director at Illuminate said: “Making this film marked 15 years for us of working in partnership with Linlithgow Primary School and HES on the Junior Tour Guide project. It is hard to express just how happy both the children and adults were during this shoot! This was a fantastic learning experience in a stunning location filled with creativity, history and laughter and we hope it shows in the quality of the children’s performances.”

Robbie Taylor, Deputy Head at Linlithgow Primary School said: “This Palace Tour Guide film was a new way to engage the children with so many aspects of learning, but also gave us a chance to be able to produce something that other children and adults could watch and learn from too. The Tour Guide programme enables our children to learn about the Palace which is at the centre of our community, while also gaining valuable life skills and helping them to build confidence.”

The video is part of a suite of learning materials available to access on the HES website. Launched at the start of the pandemic, HES’s Learn, Create and Play webpages bring together new and existing resources to help educators and families get inspired by Scotland’s past either in the classroom or at home. For further information visit https://www.historicenvironment.scot/learn-create-play

Looking ahead to June when they will present a three day festival, LeithLate is now searching for a new producer.

Full details of the position which is open for applications until midnight on 27 February 2022 are online on the LeithLate website.

The role is outlined like this:

As LeithLate Producer, you will lead on programming and delivering a 3-day festival of creative and cultural events that will take place on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of June 2022. The central component of this festival should entail an art crawl around Leith. Core funding is secured and LeithLate is in the process of recruiting a part-time Administrator, whose duties will include offering administrative support to the Producer where availability allows.

Reporting to a voluntary Board of Trustees on a monthly basis, you will be expected to be the primary lead and main organiser of the festival.  Independent working and good time management is key to the role, as well as a keen eye for detail and an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, whilst maintaining high levels of quality and professionalism at all times.

Three of the city’s libraries which have been used as test centres will reopen as libraries once more in gradual steps beginning on 31 March according to The City of Edinburgh Council.

The libraries at Oxgangs, Leith and Newington will be returned to their original role as libraries after significant work is carried out to them.

Sighthill Library will remain a testing centre for now. The council points out that there is an alternative just up the road at Wester Hailes, but Leith Library will move to Fort Community Centre temporarily as previously advised and will open in mid-March.

The temporary mobile vehicle library service for Oxgangs will continue two days a week at Oxgangs Bank – every Monday evening from 5pm to 7.30pm and every Thursday from 10am to 4.30pm – until the library reopens fully.

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “It’s been a priority for us to have our libraries back up and running again as they are invaluable resources for local communities. There’s so much more to libraries than just borrowing books – they are trusted and much-loved hub buildings which strengthen local communities and are essential for the wellbeing of our citizens. I’m delighted we now have a plan going forward to return them to their communities where they belong.”

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener, said: “No one should underestimate the value of these facilities to local communities, and the understandable demand that there has been to bring them back into use. We’ll do everything we can to bring forward these timescales as far as possible. I really hope reopening these libraries will bring some relief to those who’ve missed them during the pandemic or are still struggling with its effects.”

A selection of four-bedroom townhouses and a three bedroom mews home will be available in the first release at the site of the former Royal Blind School and Braille Press this weekend.

Cala Homes (East) has confirmed that the first release of four bedroom townhouses along with a three bedroom mews home – will be available for interested buyers, with prices ranging from £810,000 to £849,995.

Located in the heart of Newington, the development comprises a modern reimagining of the striking original school building into 21 apartments and a further mix of new build townhouses, a mews home and fully refurbished gate house.

Regarded as one of south Edinburgh’s best-known buildings, the original school building dates back to 1874 and has been vacant since 2014 after pupils were relocated to a new facility.

Cala says its development will take it back to its former glory – removing extensions and outbuildings to revitalise its surrounds.

Philip Hogg, Sales Director for CALA Homes (East), said: “This is a really exciting development for us, in one of Edinburgh’s most desirable postcodes.

“There’ll be a great mix of homes likely to appeal to a broad range of discerning buyers looking for high specification finishes and a tranquil location within easy reach of the city centre and the amenities Edinburgh has to offer.

“We believe the attractive renovation at the heart will give the development real character and charm, while preserving a historic local landmark.”

The development, within the Craigmillar Park conservation area has been designed to respect the surrounding area, with new build homes boasting beautiful sandstone detail in keeping with local architecture and facades of the main building.

Townhouses will range from 1,600 to more than 2,700 square feet, with a mix of semi-detached and terraced properties.

With ceiling heights of up to 3.4 metres and many with views of Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline, the apartments will be modern open-plan homes, maximising the features of the existing building, and delivering contemporary design, high specification and convenience with the addition of lift access to upper floors.

The first buyers will be able to move in from summer 2022, with show homes launching in April.

For more information on Newington Residences – and to register your interest – visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/newington-residences-edinburgh/

Edinburgh law firm Gibson Kerr has strengthened its Family Law division in Edinburgh and Glasgow with a number of key appointments and promotions.

The four additions and two promotions to the firm follow a recent move to new larger premises in Edinburgh’s West End.

The practice, which specialises in family law, personal law and property law, has performed strongly through the pandemic and expects client growth to continue to develop thanks to its enhanced staff profile.

Nadine Martin, who joined the firm in 2021 as a senior associate, has been promoted to Legal Director, which coincides with her being certified by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Trauma Informed Practice.

This will enhance her work with clients so that she can better understand the impact of trauma and how to mimimise its effects and mitigate further trauma. It also makes her the only solicitor in Scotland to be an accredited specialist in the four disciplines of Family Law, Child Law, Family Mediation and now, Trauma Informed Practice, underlining the depth and quality of the Gibson Kerr Family Law team.

Karen Wylie has joined as a senior associate. She is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Child Law and Family Law and has many years of experience advising private clients and a number of local authorities.

Solicitor Karen Sutherland, who has been promoted to senior solicitor, has extensive experience in Children’s Hearings and all aspects of Family Law. She has previously been a Children’s Panel member and spent four years with The Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration specialising in child welfare matters.

Solicitor Katie Fulton has also joined Gibson Kerr’s team of Family Law specialists and has experience in representing clients in the Sheriff Court and instructing Counsel in Court of Session actions. Katie advises clients across all Family Law matters, including separation, divorce, child contact issues, adoption and pre and postnuptial agreements.

In addition, Sara Boyle has joined the Family Law team as a paralegal.

Gibson Kerr Partner and Head of Family Law, Fiona Rasmusen, said: “These appointments and promotions are part of a strategic plan to enable us to deal with the ever increasing demand for our services which we are experiencing and they align with our recent move to larger new offices which will allow us to grow further.

“Karen Wylie and Katie Fulton are both highly regarded lawyers whose specialist knowledge and years of experience will reinforce our credentials as the legal firm who really care about providing families with the best available representation.

“Nadine Martin and Karen Sutherland have already proved their worth to the firm and these promotions are well deserved. We’re also excited at the depth of expertise and skill that Nadine will bring to the Family Law team through her new Trauma Informed Lawyer certification – a highly relevant area in today’s society.”

Now located in Randolph Crescent, the 4,239 sq ft office occupies four floors and is more than double the size of the firm’s previous two offices in India Street and Dundas Street.

Founded more than 100 years ago, Gibson Kerr was acquired by Partners Scott and Fiona Rasmusen in 2005. Fiona is Head of Family Law, Partner Lindsay Maclean, who joined the firm in 2007, is Head of Personal Law, and the Property team is headed by Beverley Cottrell. Scott Rasmusen is Managing Partner.

National Records of Scotland have issued a weekly update on Wednesday confirming the number of deaths involving Covid-19 for Week 07: 14 February – 20 February 2022.

As at 20 February 2022, 13,235 deaths have been registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

In the week 14 to 20 February, 75 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of five deaths from the previous week. 

Of these, 9 deaths were aged under 65, 10 were aged 65-74 and there were 56 deaths in people aged 75 or over.

Aberdeenshire, City of Edinburgh, East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow City, and Perth and Kinross (all with 6 deaths), had the highest numbers of deaths at council level. In total, 27 (out of 32) council areas had at least one death last week.

Some 51 deaths took place in hospitals, 17 were in care homes and 7 were at home or in a non-institutional setting.

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said: “The latest figures show that last week there were 75 deaths where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is five fewer deaths than the previous week.

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,152, which is 9% fewer than the five year average.”

Midlothian Third Sector Interface are holding a free online Cyber Resilience Conference on 2 March 2022.

This is aimed at anyone who works in the third sector and will be the only event combining guest speakers with some cyber essentials training.

Anthony Morris (Cyber Resilience Unit, Scottish Government) and Kevin Burns (Sight Scotland) who have helped third sector organisations become more cyber resilient will talk about keeping third sector organisations safe and the Third Sector Cyber Catalyst group (who help charities to be more cyber resilient).

Third sector organisations are often targeted due to the sensitive data they hold, so this free conference will give third sector organisations the chance to learn more about cyber security, and to take part in interactive training on the basic building blocks of resilience. 

As part of the fun training session, Jill Bunyan will talk about cyber resilient behaviours such as using stronger passwords, scam/phishing emails, and device security to make sure attendees have the tools they need to protect their organisation. 

Book free tickets:
Cyber Resilience Conference
Wednesday 2 March 2022
10:00-12:00 GMT

A newly refurbished penthouse suite at 124/125 Princes Street with views to Edinburgh Castle, has been let on a 10 year lease to Cenkos Securities plc, an independent stockbrokers.

JLL advised Hines UK on the final letting in the building shortly after the recent agreement on the fifth floor which is let to Edinburgh-based Recast, a sports video platform, and say this is a sign of a return to pre-pandemic health in the commercial leasing market.

The building of 38,500 square feet is now fully let with tenants including Urban Outfitters on the ground floor, BDG Design Limited and The Chartered Institute of Housing.

James Campbell Adamson, Landlord for Hines said: “After a strong end to 2021 with our Recast agreement, securing Cenkos at 124/125 Princes Street means that we have enjoyed a fantastic start to 2022.

“Their professional services and reputation complements our existing tenant line-up well and will be a great addition to the building.”

Brian Tweedie, JLL, led on the deal. He said: “JLL are delighted to have secured Cenkos on behalf of Hines. This latest deal is another indicator that the office leasing market in Edinburgh is continuing to reinforce itself as a strong regional centre. 2021 saw the capital’s leasing market continue to perform well after a difficult period during the pandemic, and we’re happy to have been able to assist and secure another fully occupied building on behalf of our client.”

Cenkos were advised by Galbraith Group throughout their acquisition process.

Pamela Gray, Partner, Galbraith Group, said: “We are delighted to have acted on behalf of Cenkos in sourcing and negotiating the letting of the top floor penthouse suite at 125 Princes Street.  This is a fantastic office within a prominent building and fits well with the ethos and direction of my client’s growing business and commitment to Scotland.”

The property was acquired by Hines UK in 2015, on behalf of the Hines Pan-European Core Fund (HECF).

The alternative rock band Elbow will play at Edinburgh Castle this summer on 15 July, Castle Concerts have announced.

The band graced the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 2011, regarded as one of the best in the festival’s history, and are known for their live performances. They will perform new material from the 2021 album Flying Dream 1 and their anthems like One Day Like This.

Mark Mackie, Director of Castle Concerts said today “Elbow and Edinburgh Castle are the perfect combination. This is going to be a highlight of the summer in Scotland for sure.”

Throughout their 30-year history, Elbow have released numerous no.1 albums and their critical reception has remained impressively consistent. The 2008 Mercury Prize-winner ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’ opened the floodgates for further accolades including an NME Award, Mojo Award, BRIT Award and a several Ivor Novello prizes. 

They are the only band to receive four consecutive 9/10 reviews from NME for their first four records and as they released their ninth studio album in November of last year, it became apparent that the group remain at the top of their game. 

Tickets go on sale Friday 25 February 2022 at 9am through Ticketmaster.

Ticket link:https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/venueartist/442541/886289

Tickets are NOT available from Edinburgh Castle Box Office.

City law firm Boyd Legal has taken over the client business of East Lothian solicitors Somerville & Russell.

The boutique Edinburgh practice has acquired the clients of the Musselburgh legal firm which has closed after more than 30 years of operating in the town.

Boyd Legal has promised a smooth transition and continuation of the first-class service provided to Somerville & Russell’s clients who require legal services in the fields of wills and trusts, estates and executry advice. Estate Agency and Conveyancing will also be offered, but court work and family law services will not continue.

Boyd Legal managing director, Diana Boyd, said: “We have worked closely with Somerville & Russell to ensure there will be a stress-free and efficient transfer of the firm’s private client business and would assure those clients that they are guaranteed a professional service which will meet all of their requirements.

“We understand that for individuals and families engaged in arranging wills and executory matters that this can be a challenging and sometimes daunting time, but our team of experienced legal professionals has many years of combined experience of dealing in these issues.

“While there will be no longer a presence in Musselburgh, the important thing is that clients who are transferring over to Boyd Legal will notice no discernible difference in the quality of legal advice and professional and personal support that will be at their disposal.

“We have Somerville & Russell clients’ deeds and wills in safe storage and will be writing to clients to reassure them about continuity of service. For all Musselburgh and East Lothian clients we can offer telephone and online assistance, and home visits where requested.

“Musselburgh is a thriving town which is fast expanding in response to a high demand for quality housing and excellent transport links and we look forward to introducing our team to new clients from the Honest Toun.”

Somerville & Russell recently closed its Bridge Street premises in Musselburgh, resulting in a number of redundancies.

Diana Boyd added: “Sadly, the closure of Somerville & Russell illustrates the continued consolidation of the legal sector caused by the effects of the Covid pandemic and economic uncertainty.”

Formed in 2004, Boyd Legal is a boutique legal practice with an expertise in private client, property, estate agency and lettings. It is based in Queensferry Street in Edinburgh’s West End, with an office in Kirkcaldy and facilities in Glasgow, Dundee, Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen.

The firm’s private client offering specialises in probate, wills and trusts, power of attorney, equity release, care home fees and later life planning.

Wills, Power of Attorney and Executry: Susan Malin – 0131 202 5933 (susan.malin@boydlegaluk.com)

Conveyancing: Elaine Gray – 0131 202 5938 (elaine.gray@boydlegaluk.com)

Estate Agency: Kerry Wells – 0131 202 5935 (kerry.wells@boydlegaluk.com

Volunteers from the Save the Children charity shops in Edinburgh have made an enormous patchwork quilt which will tour the city in the next few weeks before being put up for auction.

The quilters along with some help from customers and friends used their extra time during lockdowns beginning in 2020 to create the 54 square feet quilt using many colourful patches. The volunteers were asked to create blocks or strips of patchwork out of 6 inch square using whatever spare material they could find.

Save the Children Volunteer, Cherry Ledlie who was in charge of the project from the Marchmont shop said she had to stop contributions for the quilt as the response was so great. She said : “Over Christmas and New Year the patchwork was assembled and quilted. The wonderful variety of patches includes festive fabrics, sunny yellow ribbons, delicate floral prints, the stripes and checks of men’s shirts, and some really cute children’s prints – you might have spotted the unicorn! My personal favourites are the prints with a sewing theme – one of old-fashioned cotton reels and another of colourful glass-headed dressmakers pins.  

“We would like to wholeheartedly thank all of the shop volunteers, customers and friends who contributed. It is an incredible project to have worked on together, and shows how we rely on each other for community, strength and comfort, particularly when times are difficult.  The combined small efforts of individuals really can achieve great things, just as the volunteers in all the Save the Children shops do every year, raising thousands of pounds for the charity’s international programmes.” 

The tour and auction of the patchwork quilt begins this week and customers can pop in and complete an auction bid form. The quilt will be on display at the following Save the Children shops:

144 Marchmont Road EH9 1AQ, Mon 21st – Sat 26th Feb

• 45 Dalry Road EH11 2BU, Mon 28th Feb to Sat 5th March

• 112 Nicolson Street, Newington EH8 9EJ, Mon 7th – Sat 12th March

• 34a Raeburn Place, Stockbridge EH4 1HN, Mon 14th – Sat 19th March

• 390 Morningside Road, EH10 5HX, Mon 21st – Sat 28th March

• ….and back to Marchmont on Monday 30th March – Sat 2^nd April. The winning bidder will be announced on Thursday 31st March

An Edinburgh woman with a passion for baking has secured a catering position with one of the city’s finest care homes.

Rachel Murray, 21, who has Down’s syndrome, has landed her first paid role as a Food Service Assistant at Cramond Residence, after demonstrating her hard work and talent in a variety of volunteer roles in cafés at the former Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Now fully settled into the job, Rachel plays an integral part in the day to day running of the care home – supporting the home’s four chefs creating bespoke dishes, doing the daily tea and coffee run, taking breakfast orders and baking sweet treats for residents.

Rachel said: “In my role I get to do so many different things like deliver breakfasts, bake cakes, help with food prep and make cheeseboards and platters for the residents.

“My favourite thing is definitely the baking. I love to make lemon drizzle cake, cheese scones and apple crumble.

“Since starting in June 2021, I’ve learned a lot of new skills thanks to the team who have been showing me the ropes. It’s a really friendly environment and my colleagues are great.”

Rachel has now passed her level two food hygiene, is going through her basic level dementia training and has learned a variety of kitchen skills under the watchful eye of head chef, Patsy.

Outside of work, Rachel loves drama, socialising with her family and friends at the weekends and watching football. Rachel is also a first aider for a church football team – managed by her Dad, Brian Murray – and helps with physio and first aid.

The team at Cramond Residence were so impressed by Rachel’s application they created a tailored Food Services Assistant role for her.

Christian Daraio, Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence said: “Rachel is a total asset to the Cramond Residence team. Her positive attitude really brightens everyone’s day.

“I know Head Chef Patsy in particular is very appreciative of her and she’s a great help to the rest of our food service assistants too.

“Because of her past experience volunteering at Sick Kids and Broomhouse café, Rachel is versatile and can work in the kitchen or on the floors, taking orders and doing the tea and coffee runs.

“As we look to grow our staff base further for 2022, we’re hoping to give more people in a similar position the chance to progress in their career and learn some new skills.”

Speaking about Rachel’s success in landing the role at Cramond Residence, Eddie McConnell, Chief Executive of Down’s Syndrome Scotland said: “We are not at all surprised that Rachel has secured this opportunity.  She is a great role model for our community and like so many people with Down’s syndrome, she has so much to contribute and has a great set of skills.  We are delighted for her and we commend Cramond Residence for its foresight in seeing the potential of everyone who just happens to have an extra chromosome.”

Following record occupancy rates and growing demand, Cramond Residence is set to hire additional members of staff to take its team to more than 100 in response in the coming months.

The home is currently looking for applications from care assistants & registered nurses.

Located in Cramond, to the north of the city, Cramond Residence was launched in late 2018 and offers uncompromising nurse-led care, as well as respite and dementia specialist services and offers small group living in nine luxuriously appointed homes.

Included in the home’s current offering for residents is a tailored monthly activity programme, curated by its dedicated lifestyle team, bespoke physiotherapy sessions by boutique physiotherapy experts, Balanced as well as specialist dementia care.

To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

The newly completed St Crispin’s School will open to pupils on Wednesday just after the half term holiday.

The brand new building in Burdiehouse will offer pupils and staff a completely fresh beginning in a specially designed environment. Headteacher Rhoda MacDougall told The Edinburgh Reporter everyone is looking forward to the adventure, now that most of the boxes have been unpacked.

The new £12 million school has been designed by The City of Edinburgh Council completely in house from the overall architectural design by the council’s in house architect to the interior design under the watchful and creative eye of Lesley McMillan. Soft, gentle colours are used throughout – a far cry from the primary colours used in schools in years gone by – and are designed to be calming for the pupils, many of whom are on the autistic spectrum.

Lesley explained to us the importance of certain features both inside and outside the school – and she delighted in telling us all about it and that even the roof of this new building is covered in wildflowers. There are individual outside areas for each wing of the school and a communal play area outside.

She said: “This school has been a particularly fulfilling project with all the design work being conducted “in house at City of Edinburgh Council” I have loved contributing the interior design to this beautiful architectural space.  The wild flower roof and engagement with the school community have inspired the wayfinding, colours and finishes, a biophilic environment to create peaceful welcoming school, with pilot designs informing furniture selection and design to support learning and wellbeing for all, I really look forward to seeing the children and young people enjoying it once they have settled in.”

Using her creative interior design skills Lesley devised a new system enabling all pupils to hang artwork on the classroom walls using a “Velcro receptive” pin boards on the walls, making sure that the school will be maintained in the pristine condition it is delivered.

Signage is important at St Crispin’s as children with autism learn to exchange single pictures for the item or activity they want. This Picture Exchange Communication System ensures that everyone has their own sign – which can be put up outside classrooms or even the new swimming pool to show where they are in the building.

The school design also incorporates signage by Edinburgh based Lucy Richards, Creative Director at StudioLR on Breadalbane Street, who had created the Any Disability signs which are intended to encourage awareness of people with invisible disabilities.

Classrooms have been named Wildflower, Meadow and Valley and Forest with each one having its own assigned colour and tactile wayfinding – some of which is inspired by pupils’ artwork. Each classroom has furniture to suit the pupils who will learn there and Lesley explained the setup is designed to be completely flexible with modular furniture which can be moved about at different times and for different purposes. Lesley has told us before about her liking of biophilic environments which create a calm holistic atmosphere, all the more important in the case of St Crispin’s.

There is also an Art Classroom, a Music room, a Playroom, a Sensory Room with special mood lighting, a Soft Play area, a cooking classroom where children will learn by doing and a dining hall where everyone can eat together.

Lesley said she is particularly pleased with the colour coded panels which denote each classroom area, and the laser cut plywood design which has been applied to the internal walls. This feature was created in collaboration with pupils and teachers who drew what they saw in nature outside the existing school. The artwork was then translated into the final design by Edinburgh based artist Emily Hogarth.

Emily (photographed below) is an illustrator who “captures the magical in the everyday”. Her paper cut work is often used to capture special life moments like weddings and babies. Last Christmas she was invited to design the First Minister’s Christmas card, but on this occasion she was allowed to make much bigger items which have now been put in place St Crispin’s, adorning the hallways. Her other fabulous artwork may be seen in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where she designed a new space for children designed around the city and its landmarks.

Emily said: “The whole vision was all to be inspired by nature and the new location. where they have all these trees around them. It is a really good way to communicate to the children through nature. I just do the pretty part design the concept and digitally draw it to the right specifications for manufacturing. I love working on jobs that improve spaces for children, quite frankly, I worked on the Sick Kids Hospital, and getting to work on this school with children who as you know have extra needs and actually sometimes get overlooked in society, it’s nice to be able to make sure their spaces are the best they can be. To be a little a little part of that kind of process is a rewarding job. I would say for me as an illustrator.”

Rhoda MacDougall has been headteacher at St Crispin’s for only two years, joining the 54 pupil school just six weeks before the pandemic hit. She says that she claims no responsibility for the lovely new surroundings that everyone is looking forward to moving into.

She said:”We’ve had to get through the pandemic with a building that’s maybe not fit for purpose anymore. And I don’t want to be disrespectful to this building because there are people who have had their entire careers here or their child’s gone through every year of education here. The old building has served a lot of children and families and staff and people are very affectionate about the building. It has withstood the test of time and they have had tremendous support from local people here too. The children have given gifts and made cards for neighbours.

“The new school has sweeping wide corridors, soundproofing, beautiful artwork on the walls and it is all so carefully designed within the idea of the woodland and the new conservation area that we are moving into. The entire building just looks stunning. It looks brand new, but looks as though it belongs in the environment. The architect has been so accommodation and has listened to what our children and young people need. Everything in an environment can be a barrier or a support to our pupils and right now the building has become a huge barrier to learning and having an inclusive life.

“Our children have severe and complex additional support needs and the majority of our young people are on the autistic spectrum as well. We want our children to feel that they belong there. They deserve the absolute best and that’s certainly what they have delivered in this building.”

https://stcrispinsedin.com

The Scottish Government has announced a new gradual approach to relaxing protective Covid-19 measures to help Scotland manage and recover from the ongoing pandemic. These are all set out in its updated Strategic Framework.

In a statement to Parliament, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the details of the updated guidance to manage Covid-19 primarily through public health advice, vaccination, and treatment rather than legal restrictions.

The First Minister also set out an indicative timescale for remaining legal protections to be lifted:

• vaccine certification will no longer be legally required from Monday 28 February, although the app will remain available so any business that wishes to continue certification on a voluntary basis to reassure customers will be able to do so
• current legal requirements on the use of face coverings, the collection of customer details for contact tracing purposes, and for businesses, service providers and places of worship to have regard to guidance on Covid and to take reasonably practicable measures set out in the guidance are expected to be lifted on 21 March, subject to the state of the pandemic
  access to lateral flow and PCR tests will continue to be free of charge, ahead of a detailed transition plan being published on the future of Scotland’s test and protect programme in March

People who test positive for Covid-19 will continue to be asked to self-isolate to reduce the risk of infecting other people. Any changes to the recommended period of self-isolation will be considered on an ongoing basis.

The First Minister said: “Covid is unfortunately still with us and we must therefore remain vigilant and prepared for the threats it poses. But today’s new framework is an important moment in our recovery. It marks the point at which we move away, hopefully sustainably, from legal restrictions, and rely instead on sensible behaviours, adaptations and mitigations.

“Our return to normality must go hand in hand with a continuing determination to look out for and after each other. All of us have a part to play in ensuring a safe and sustainable recovery, so please continue to follow public health advice on getting vaccinated, testing as regularly as appropriate, wearing face coverings when required or recommended, and keeping rooms ventilated.

“All of this still matters, even as we lift the remaining legal requirements. It is how we can keep ourselves and each other safe, as we recover from Covid and look forward together to brighter and better days ahead.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “I welcome the First Minister’s decision to move away from blanket legal restrictions towards an approach based on public health guidance. 

“Two weeks ago, the Scottish Conservatives published our own blueprint for living with Covid, titled Back to Normality. It focused more on personal responsibility and trusting the Scottish public to make their own adjustments to protect themselves and their families. 

“When our plan was published, the Health Secretary branded it reckless, yet today large parts of it have been adopted by the Scottish Government.

“They’re moving face masks from law to guidance, finally scrapping vaccine passports and getting rid of mass testing. Reckless two weeks ago, government policy today.

“The demise of the discredited vaccine passport scheme is particularly welcome – and long overdue. There was never any evidence that the policy worked, yet it led to huge expense and inconvenience for businesses.

“In her statement the First Minister said her government is moving to a system of representative sampling, away from mass testing. Yet she has chosen to create a fight with the UK Government over this issue, just weeks before she plans to scale back testing anyway.

“Nicola Sturgeon said that ‘using restrictions to suppress infection is no longer as necessary as it once was. And given the wider harms caused by protective measures, it is no longer as justifiable either.’

“Against that backdrop, there is no justification for her extending the government’s emergency Covid powers for a further six months.

“Throughout this pandemic, Scottish businesses have been an afterthought for this government – and that remains the case. This document is supposed to be a plan for living with Covid, yet it appears from the First Minister’s response to me in the chamber that she didn’t even consult businesses before publishing her plans.”

Scottish Labour’s Health and Covid Recovery spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “At times of crisis it is more important than ever for both governments in Scotland and the UK to work together in the interests of Scots, but instead we see conflict.

“Scottish Labour have set out our plan for living well with Covid, designed to keep people safe, provide them with certainty, and build resilience into our services. The continuation of testing, contact tracing and isolation is central to this. 

“The First Minister talks about a transition phase in which testing will remain free of charge – but provides no clarity on what will happen after or what categories free testing will apply to.

“We also have no information about how risk levels will be determined, and what this will mean in practice.

“At a time when people are looking for more certainty about the future, there are not yet answers on the fundamental measures that will be in place to protect Scots.

“We were promised a framework, but this looks like a progress report.

“Public health is devolved – the First Minister must tell us now if she is going to fund testing and contact tracing in order to protect Scots.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “The gaps in our testing and contacting tracing operations were punishing. The delays ramping those up pushed Scotland into tighter restrictions. So we should not make that mistake again given the possibility of future variants.

“Testing is an important warning light. People want to have the confidence that they are going to be able to access lateral flow tests for free as they need them, regardless of their background or income. That should be within the new framework.

“I’m glad to see the end of mandatory vaccine passports, but I’m concerned about allowing businesses to demand them without a clear, defined public health rationale.

“It is in defiance of the fact that you can have a vaccine passport and still have Covid.

“These were supposed to be a exceptional measure to drive up vaccinations, so why is the First Minister normalising vaccine passports indefinitely?”

Stephen Montgomery, spokesperson for the Scottish Hospitality Group, said:
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s new Strategic Framework and the decision to downgrade the remaining blanket restrictions to guidance in the coming weeks, and will now take the time to digest its contents. The Scottish Hospitality Group has consistently campaigned for the removal of unnecessary burdens on our sector and today is a significant step in the right direction.
In particular, we welcome the end to the COVID passports scheme and test and protect, which places a heavy bureaucratic burden on hospitality venues with little beneficial effect to protecting our customer’s health. There are a number of details which will require further thought and consultation, and we would have liked to see a clearer and faster transition to the end of restrictions and mandatory use of masks, as keeping these for a further month does nothing for rebuilding consumer confidence. 

As the owners of Scotland’s best-loved pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels, we will continue to do all that we can to keep our customers safe and we know that our loyal customers will welcome this step towards normality.
Our focus now turns to restoring public confidence in Scotland’s much-loved hospitality venues and focusing entirely on supporting our sector to recover. We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the Scottish Government to help us to do so.”

Staff and pupils at Trinity Primary School say they were excited to welcome an unusual delivery to the school gates today – a load of five tonnes of quality topsoil from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

In total, 50 tonnes of earth, excavated from the Garden as part of its Edinburgh Biomes project, will go to schools, allotments and community organisations around Edinburgh, supporting local efforts to learn about, protect and enhance the environment.

Steven Poliri, Director of Estates and Facilities at RBGE said: “As the initial works in our Edinburgh Biomes project developed, we found that we were left with quite large quantities of surplus topsoil.

“We thought this would be a great resource for the local community. Balfour Beatty, our partner in these enabling works, is now making all the necessary arrangements for the removal and delivery of the topsoil to organisations around Edinburgh and we are delighted that so many people will benefit.”

Jacqueline Scott, headteacher at Trinity Primary School in Newhaven said: “We are thrilled to receive this wonderful resource, which arrives just in time for the growing season.

“The soil will be used to fill recently built new planters in the school garden where the pupils will grow their own vegetables.

“Hopefully, some of the Botanics’ teams wonderful horticultural skills will be transported along with the soil!”

Jim Blair, Project Director at Balfour Beatty said: “Giving back to local communities is integral in all that we do at Balfour Beatty, ensuring that through our work, we’re leaving a lasting, positive legacy. 

“As we deliver the enabling works for this essential conservation project, we are pleased that this surplus topsoil will enable students to learn more about growing their own plants.

Launched in 2021, the seven-year programme is RBGE’s response to the challenges of the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency. To protect the research institute’s plant science and conservation, the project will also restore the Garden’s iconic heritage Palm Houses, A-listed Front Range Glasshouses and behind-the-scenes research houses.

Learn more about the Botanics’ visionary project at www.rbge.org.uk/news/edinburgh-biomes