Tag: Midlothian Council
Council’s task force to continue following’catastrophic’ decisions by UK Government
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
A cost of living taskforce set up to deal with a winter crisis may have to continue longer term after some ‘catastrophic’ decisions by the UK Government, a council...
Planning permission refused for new house in garden
An Edinburgh cabbie who wanted to build a bungalow in his garden to help house his adult children has accused councillors of caring more about a hedge than his family after his planning application...
Midlothian Council to meet in person for first time since the pandemic began
Midlothian councillors will hold their first public in person meeting in more than two years next week after being told a hybrid plan may not be in place for six months.
Elected members had agreed...
Hotel plan to add glamping at Dalhousie Castle
Plans to put luxury camping pods in an historic Midlothian parkland have been lodged by a hotel chain.
Owners of Dalhousie Castle and Spa, Robert Parker Collection Hotels, want to base a dozen of the...
Drive through Costa given the green light near Sheriffhall roundabout
Plans for a new Costa Coffee drive-thru as part of new business park near Sheriffhall Roundabout have been approved, despite concerns over litter.
The proposals from Buccleuch Estate for industrial units on 8.5 hectares of...
East Lothian Council – council leader wants to remain friends
Returning East Lothian Council leader Norman Hampshire vowed to ‘remain friends’ with opposition councillors as they face tough decisions moving forward.
After weeks of meetings between the parties represented following the council elections earlier this...
Council elections 2022 – Seven councillors stepping down in Midlothian
Seven of Midlothian’s councillors have chosen not to stand in next month’s election with all three of elected members in one ward stepping down.
Among those not standing for re-election are deputy council leader Jim...
Midlothian Council votes against 4.7% council tax rise
A bid to increase council tax by nearly 5% in Midlothian was narrowly defeated as councillors clashed over the charges.
The local authority’s Labour administration put forward plans for a 4.7% increase after Scottish Government...
Costa drive through planned for business park near Sheriffhall roundabout
A new Costa drive-through is set to be developed as part of a small business development near Sheriffhall Roundabout.
The proposals from Buccleuch Estate are for an 8.5 hectare of greenbelt land which lies within...
Platinum Jubilee holiday for schools next summer
School pupils in Midlothian will be given an extra day’s holiday next summer to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The local authority wrote to Scottish Ministers asking for permission to close schools for the public...
Care village plans for Bonnyrigg
Plans for a new council-owned care village on the site of a former primary school received just one objection over a lack of fencing.
The proposals for the former St Mary’s Primary School in Bonnyrigg have...
E-bike scheme introduces £100 deposit to combat misuse
"Mindless thugs" have been blamed for a decision to introduce a £100 deposit to a publicly funded e-bike hire scheme.
Operators of the pilot GO e-bikes project introduced the hefty deposit at the weekend –...
Queen’s Jubilee holiday – extra day may be offered to council workers
Council workers could be given an extra day’s holiday to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee next summer.
The UK Government has already announced plans to make Friday, 3 June 2022, an extra Bank Holiday.
Councillors in...
Council drone plans dropped
CONCERN about council-funded drones flying over people’s gardens has resulted in plans to use them being shelved.
Midlothian Council’s planning boss said that calls for drone images to be used to give elected members a...
Midlothian Council abolished library fines
Library fines for late returns have been abolished by Midlothian Council after they were branded “outdated” and a barrier to making the service accessible.
Councillors unanimously backed a call from officials for an end to...
By-election in Midlothian
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
There will be a by election after a Midlothian councillor announced that he is stepping down from his post.
The resignation of Cllr Kenneth Baird, who has represented Midlothian East...
Midlothian Council recommend closing Glencorse Primary School
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
A primary school with just seven pupils is to close after councillors backed education chief’s recommendations.
The closure of Glencorse Primary School had been put to a public consultation by...
Concern over Midlothian party flats
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Council flats will be built on land earmarked for a community hub in the heart of a residential estate, despite objections from locals.
The plans to turn a 1.2-acre...
New ski resort at Hillend approved
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
A new £13.8million Hillend Destination resort in Midlothian took another step forward this week as councillors granted planning permission in principle to the project.
Funding for the proposed redevelopment of...
Midlothian Council’s investment decision in ‘bankrupt council’ to be investigated
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
A decision by Midlothian Council to invest £13million in a local authority which has been described as “bankrupt” is being investigated by external auditors.
Concerns over the multi-million-pound loan to...
Midlothian Council advises second vaccine on the way
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Midlothian health bosses have been told to get ready to administer a second Covid-19 vaccine from 21 December 2020.
The AstraZeneca vaccine is expected to be approved for distribution...
Taxi trade in Midlothian to be discussed with police and council
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Police will meet with representatives of the taxi trade and council in Midlothian to address concerns about rogue drivers.
Midlothian’s taxi and Private Hire trade have claimed they are losing...
Midlothian taxi drivers under siege
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Taxi drivers have asked for help in a row over rogue operators taking their business.
Claims that drivers who are licensed to operate in neighbouring East Lothian and Edinburgh areas...
Virtual public consultation about new David Lloyd club
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Members of the public will be invited to take part in a virtual consultation over plans to build a David Lloyd Health and Racquets Club at Shawfair Park...
Penicuik care home to become flats
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
A former care home will be converted into flats, despite concerns over the loss of green space for its neighbours.
A meeting of Midlothian Council’s planning committee approved the proposals...
Coronavirus – impact on housing in Midlothian
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Delays to rebuilding the economy were branded “unacceptable” by councillors after it was revealed that planning applications face a four-month wait for rulings.
As Midlothian Council held its first full...
Midlothian aiming for higher profile with new website
Anybody looking to start a new business, grow their existing company, relocate or keen to visit the area may be helped by a new website called Locate in Midlothian.
It focuses on Scotland’s fastest growing region...
A brief stay of execution in Penicuik
Earlier today we reported on the apparent felling of a 200 year-old tree in Penicuik.
Local resident Keith Allan had alerted us and shared with us his photos and video.
After the council workmen...
Thousands brought in by just three parking wardens in Midlothian
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
Three parking wardens introduced in Midlothian in April last year issued nearly 5,500 parking fines by the end of the year. The local authority raked in just over...
Letter from Scotland
It was a sweet sounding
victory for music pupils in Midlothian. The
local council was planning to be the first in Scotland to end free music
tuition for junior pupils in its
schools. But at the last minute,
councillors...
OUR NEWS BY EMAIL
Sign up to our newsletters here..
