{"NewsItems":[{"headline":"Edinburgh Council using 30 illegal HMOs as homeless accommodation","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Edinburgh-council-office.webp","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Edinburgh-council-office.webp\" alt=\"Edinburgh-council-office\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Donald Turvill<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Edinburgh Council is facing \u201cserious questions\u201d after it emerged it is breaking the law \u201con an industrial scale\u201d by placing homeless people in 30 unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) across the city.<\/p>\n<p>The authority\u2019s top legal expert has warned the practice \u201ccannot continue\u201d and that the cost of finding alternative temporary accommodation \u201ccould be substantial\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Homeless charity Shelter called on the council to clarify what its plans are for anyone who might be forced to move out of unlicensed HMOs and said forcing residents on to the streets \u201csimply should not be an option\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Jane Meagher, convener of housing, homeless and fair work committee, admitted the situation was \u201cunsustainable\u201d but said a \u201cguillotine approach\u201d would be \u201cinhumane\u201d and could lead to an increase in rough sleeping.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>A new report written by Nick Smith, Edinburgh City Council\u2019s monitoring officer, said that during the pandemic when urgent action was taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 homeless accommodation was \u201cprocured at short notice\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>This included using B&#038;B-type accommodation which did not comply with the council\u2019s own regulations requiring HMOs \u2013 properties occupied by three or more people who are not from the same household \u2013 to be licensed to ensure residents are kept safe and afforded suitable living conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Smith said the decision was taken \u201con a balance of risk, considering the public health requirements at the time, as well the need for the landlord to be (or become) registered\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>However the council\u2019s reliance on unlicensed HMOs has continued long beyond the end of the pandemic. The number of households in temporary accommodation across the capital has risen to over 5,000 from 3,570 at the start of the first lockdown in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>This has been driven in part by increasing numbers of asylum seekers and refugees presenting as homeless, and various policy changes by the UK and Scottish Governments including the removal of local connection, the early prison release scheme, changes to the welcome accommodation policy for Ukrainian Displaced People (UDPs) and accelerated asylum decisions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Further enquiries by the Local Democracy Reporting Service confirmed 30 illegal HMOs are still being used by Edinburgh Council, with around 700 rooms currently occupied in non-compliant shared houses.<\/p>\n<p>Inspections of all properties have been undertaken prior to placing any people within them, according to the report.<\/p>\n<p>The council wrote to  landlords \u201cto request that they register for an HMO licence to resolve the position,\u201d Mr Smith wrote. \u201cMany did so or have undertaken to do so, but others have refused or taken no action.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe council therefore remains in breach of its HMO licensing duty by maintaining the support of homeless persons and households in some unlicensed HMO properties.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOperating an unlicensed HMO is a criminal offence. The council is empowered to take appropriate enforcement action against any unlicensed HMO properties and their landlords.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe normal enforcement response would be to serve a rent penalty notice and consider reporting the offending landlord to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal for potential criminal prosecution in circumstances where they do not apply for a licence and continue to operate the HMO property.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>The report, which will be discussed at a full council meeting next week, added this \u201cpotentially undermines\u201d the council\u2019s crackdown on unlicensed landlords, amounted to illegality and maladministration \u201cand cannot continue\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Edinburgh Council now spends around \u00a350m a year on temporary housing, up from \u00a316.7m in 2019-20. As demand has risen, the council has been forced to place hundreds of households in B&#038;B-type provision, which the Scottish Government classes as \u2018unsuitable\u2019 and says should only be used as a last resort and for a maximum of seven days.<\/p>\n<p>However amid a housing emergency in Edinburgh and increasing rates of homelessness, the local authority regularly fails to meet this target.<\/p>\n<p>Finding alternative accommodation for people currently staying in the 30 unlicensed HMOs is likely to drive costs up even higher. \u201cWhilst the cost of finding alternative temporary accommodation for homeless persons of households in Edinburgh could be substantial,\u201dMr Smith wrote, \u201cit is not possible for the council to remain legally non-compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A report to the housing, homelessness and fair work committee on Tuesday, October 1 recommends councillors to instruct officials to \u201ctake immediate steps to secure safe transition to compliant temporary accommodation from all unlicensed HMO accommodation for all homeless households affected\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It said: \u201cOngoing efforts have been made with providers to achieve licensed status. Seven operators who require an HMO and are currently unlicensed, and have no application in process, are undertaking renovations and have indicated they will apply once these renovations are complete. The majority of these providers are on \u2018spot purchase\u2019 contracts, requiring no notice period.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, said: \u201cThis report raises serious questions which need answers quickly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost pressingly, we need to know what plans are in place for anyone who might be forced to move out of their temporary accommodation; forcing residents on to the streets simply should not be an option.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEdinburgh\u2019s homelessness system is failing, the council is breaking the law on homelessness on an industrial scale, and it\u2019s devastating lives.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen the capital declared a housing emergency we made clear that every part of the council had to work together to tackle it, but it was also a call to action for every level of government.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is another stark reminder of why that action is so urgently needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Cllr Meagher said: \u201cThe broad situation is that we are under phenomenal pressure to provide accommodation for people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn the one hand we have a legal obligation to provide accommodation for people and on the other hand we have a severe shortage of accommodation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese are the kinds of dilemmas we are caught in. We have to prevent people from being at the worst end of homelessness which is being on the streets \u2013 rough sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The housing convener said while some HMOs were not licensed all were subject to fire safety gas and electricity checks.<\/p>\n<p>She said: \u201cSome of the premises are in the process of being licensed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not just a question of filling in a form and submitting it, it\u2019s about much more complicated and costly things than that. For example, it might include having to install kitchens or having to make alterations to the building which would be costly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do understand this situation is not sustainable, but we also understand we can\u2019t have a situation where it would be the owners of the unlicensed HMOs would be locking the doors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA guillotine approach would be inhumane and in my view completely unacceptable, but also would potentially lead to a significant number of people rough sleeping.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe can\u2019t continue forever with this situation. It\u2019s not a situation where you can just say \u2018we\u2019re going to stop now\u2019. Because we\u2019re talking about human beings and responsibility for them and their welfare, as well as the welfare of the wider city.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Amazon-2024.png\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24147},{"headline":"Anger as Mayfield school campus faces more delays","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mayfield-1.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mayfield-1.jpg\" alt=\"mayfield\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Parents have warned something \u201ccatastrophic\u201d could happen after plans to replace their dilapidated primary school building with a new multi-million pound campus were put on hold by Midlothian Council.<\/p>\n<p>Families with children attending Mayfield and St Luke\u2019s Primary Schools, in Dalkeith, had expected the building to be demolished and work on the new campus to get under way this autumn.<\/p>\n<p>However a letter from education chiefs this week revealed the construction contract had fallen through and the work would be delayed.<\/p>\n<p>Masonry from the building fell onto the playground last year sparking surveys of the building and work to make it secure as they awaited the new facility.<\/p>\n<p>Now parents say they are concerned their children are being sent into classrooms which are \u2018verging on dangerous\u2019 after months of \u2018patching up\u2019 problems.<\/p>\n<p>One mum said: \u201cMayfield is the most deprived area in Midlothian. Nevertheless, our children deserve to have a learning environment that is both safe and will encourage them to reach their full potential.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI fear something catastrophic will happen before there is any action.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Last June Councillor Ellen Scott brought a \u2018brick of shame\u2019 from fallen masonry at the school into the council chamber as elected members agreed to give \u00a360,000 towards repairs and maintenance at the school.<\/p>\n<p>They were told that following the incident in the playground \u00a336,000 had been spent on putting up scaffolding and protective measures which will need to remain in place for the rest of the schools\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n<p>Funding for the new campus was secured four years ago as part of an \u00a3800 million Scottish Government education investment.<\/p>\n<p>However parents have claimed that since then problems at the school have been \u2018patched up\u2019 in anticipation of the new facility.<\/p>\n<p>One said: \u201cThere have been numerous stories from people within the school about problems with plumbing, sewage, water leaking through the ceiling, and other maintenance issues which are \u201cpatched up\u201d or \u201cbodged\u201d by the council due to the school being replaced \u201csoon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And a worried dad added: \u201cHow can we trust our children into the school\u2019s care when the building is being held together with little more than sticky tape?\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Business-Expo-2024.jpg\" alt=\"www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Midlothian Council wrote to parents and carers this week to break the news that the campus construction faced further delays and sought to reassure them by promising the facilities management team would carry out \u2018daily\u2019 monitoring of the building.<\/p>\n<p>But it did little to allay fears with one parent saying: \u201cIt just drives home how serious the situation is in there. How are we supposed to feel our children are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A Midlothian Council spokesman said: \u201cWe sent a letter to parents and carers last week to update them on what\u2019s happening with the new Mayfield community learning campus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe explained because of commercial and pricing considerations, it\u2019s not yet been possible to agree the final contract to build the campus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe understand parents and the wider community will be frustrated about this delay, as are we, but we need to be mindful of the public purse and getting best value.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe remain committed to delivering an outstanding learning environment for the community and we\u2019ll provide further updates on our progress just as soon as we can.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMeanwhile, the current building continues to be monitored on a daily basis by our facilities management team, with our maintenance surveyor meeting with the headteacher on a fortnightly basis.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24145},{"headline":"Grandparents lose fight for holiday lets","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/East-Linton.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/East-Linton.jpg\" alt=\"East Linton\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">The flat used as a holiday let is on The Square, East Linton.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A bid by grandparents to rent their listed flat two months a year to holiday guests in an East Lothian village has been rejected by councillors.<\/p>\n<p>Amanda White was refused a change of use for her ground floor flat in East Linton\u2019s village square, to allow it to be used as an Airbnb because it shares a communal staircase with other residential properties in the Category B listed building.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement she said she and her partner bought the flat 14 years ago to be close to grandchildren and family and only rented it out through the holiday let platform for 59 days a year.<\/p>\n<p>Planning officers refused to allow the change of use after ruling the communal entrance made it \u201cincompatible with and harmful to the amenity of the occupants of other flatted properties used as residential dwellings within<br \/>\nthe building.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But at a meeting of East Lothian Council\u2019s Local Review Body members were divided over the impact of the use which was described as home letting on other residents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Business-Expo-2024.jpg\" alt=\"www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Councillor Norman Hampshire told the meeting that while there had been no objections from neighbours or complaints about previous use of the flat that did not mean there would not be problems in the future.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cWhen somebody buys a property in a stairwell, they have a shared area and they have to live with their neighbours in that stairwell. When you introduce a short term let you have different people coming in every week.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor a lot of people it would not matter, they may enjoy meeting different people but you can having situations where you could have a young single woman or young children form whom meeting strangers in that enclosed are can be really intimidating.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Councillor John McMillan, who told the meeting short term holiday lets were his preferred accommodation while on holiday, said in this case the \u201cdisbenefits outweigh the benefits\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cI think it is important that we encourage tourism and there is a need for this type of accommodation. If I am honest it is my preferred holiday. My main holiday is taking a short term holiday let.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut I think there are risks to the character  and sense of place in what is a beautiful corner in East Linton. We can\u2019t predict the future but the purpose of planning is to try and ensure the best outcome and for me allowing a home let\/short term holiday let, would be detrimental to the overall amenity and character of the place.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Caddy-Liners.jpg\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>However fellow review body member Councillor Jeremy Findlay argued planning decisions could not be made on  future problems which may not happened.<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cWe haven\u2019t had any complaints from neighbours and there is no evidence of loss of amenity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a huge demand for short term lets, there are a lot of hotels in East Lothian and a lot of them are very expensive. Not everyone can afford to go into hotels and an Airbnb type residents are a very important part of the tourism make up in East Lothian.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The review body was split with councillors Hampshire and McMillan voting to refuse the appeal and councillors Findlay and Liz Allan supporting it. Councillor Hampshire had the casting vote and the appeal was rejected.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Colin-Beattie-Midlothian-View-Ad-2023.jpg\" alt=\"www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24134},{"headline":"Future use of E-scooters needs addressed","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/e-scooter-rospa-Neuron-Mobility.webp","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/e-scooter-rospa-Neuron-Mobility.webp\" alt=\"e-scooter-rospa-Neuron-Mobility\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">In 2022 The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) produced a report into the safety of e-scooters.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The future use of electric scooters will have to be addressed as part of wider changes to the way people travel in the future, one of West Lothian\u2019s new Labour MPs has said.<\/p>\n<p>The use of traditional scooters gets plenty of mention in the West Lothian Active Travel Plan drawn up for the next five years.<\/p>\n<p>But the growing popularity of E-scooters, which can reach speeds of 40mph, and the way they are currently used is at odds with the promotion of safer, more active travel<\/p>\n<p>Councillors regularly hear complaints about the use of E-scooters on public footpaths and roads as their popularity grows.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Chairing a meeting of the Environment and and Sustainability PDSP this week Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan, elected as MP for Bathgate and Lintlithgow constituency in July, said something would have to change.<\/p>\n<p>Referring to the use of E-scooters Councillor Sullivan said: \u201cThere\u2019s something not quite right about them at the moment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a wee bit concerned. We get lots of reports about them and regularly get complaints about them associated with anti-social behaviour. Zipping along pavements and in and out of traffic. We know that they are only meant to be used on private land.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She was responding to a presentation of the council\u2019s 2024-2029 Active Travel Plan from Victoria Mungall, Development and Transport Manager.<\/p>\n<p>Ms Mungall agreed, saying: \u201cIt\u2019s an important point. Motorised scooters are not supported. The difficulty comes in how to police their use. Going forward we would need to identify their volume as a transport mode.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Sullivan said: \u201cI know on the continent they are recognised as a valuable mode of transport and are used responsibly. Should we be looking at them as part of active travel? It seems a bit of an anomaly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Active Travel plans look at ways to promote safer routes to walk, cycle and wheel \u2013 by scooter, disability buggy or wheelchair. The local plan is part of a nationwide promotion of behavioural change, encouraging people out of private cars toward more active lives and towards using public transport.<\/p>\n<p>It is expected to be ratified by the council\u2019s Executive at its next meeting.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lorna-Slater-Green-MSP-Scotland-Midlothian-View.jpg\" alt=\"www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Comments about the use of E-scooters are regularly brought up with police at local area committees as their use grows. Despite becoming more and more common on streets it is illegal to use them on public footpaths and roads.<\/p>\n<p>Current law states that to be used on a road they are required to have insurance, be registered with DVLA, be taxed and have a valid MoT certificate \u2013 the rider must also have an appropriate driving licence.<\/p>\n<p>However their use is difficult to police in the same way that the use of off road bikes in housing areas is.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at a recent meeting of the Livingston South Local Area Committee, Community Sgt Liam Arbuthnot told councillors: \u201cThe biggest problem is being there at the time. There is work ingoing to deal with ongoing issues of unregistered vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He is working with colleagues in traffic policing and also consulting police in Edinburgh and schemes that community teams in the city are working on to tackle the problem.<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Moira McKeen Shemilt told the meeting that there was a particular problem around Crofthead farm community centre.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022 Midlothian View reported on a study into the safety of e-scooters has been published today by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), which found that e-scooters are significantly less risky than many other forms of transport on Britain\u2019s roads, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/news\/rospa-finds-e-scooters-safer-than-cycling\">read the article HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24137},{"headline":"Kelso woodland is an \u201calbatross around our neck\u201d","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5765.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5765.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_5765\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">The woodland in Kelso.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Action is needed to maintain a Kelso woodland which has been labelled an \u201calbatross around our neck\u201d by a town councillor.<\/p>\n<p>Councillors have long-debated the thorny issue of problematic woodland at Pinnaclehill.<\/p>\n<p>The woodland is the responsibility of Kelso Common Good Fund after being acquired by the town council several years ago.<\/p>\n<p>As a result the fund would be liable in the event of any accident at the location.<\/p>\n<p>Members of Kelso Common Good Sub-Committee, meeting on Tuesday, September 17, therefore recognised the need for a woodland management regime there \u2013 although concerns were raised at potentially escalating costs going forward.<\/p>\n<p>An initial woodland study which would outline recommendations for the future would cost \u00a3780, members were informed.<\/p>\n<p>Sub-Committee chair Councillor Euan Robson said: \u201cWe really must do something about Pinnaclehill woodland, simply to be assured that the amenity is safe and there are no present dangers and then to plan out a management regime for the woodland. We ought to be seen to be doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Tom Weatherson added: \u201cOver the years I have probably been the grumpiest about this but I have just to accept where we are, for some reason the town council many, many years ago chose to purchase this land.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is now in the Common Good\u2019s ownership and that comes with responsibility, so let\u2019s get some expert advice and keep the costs to a minimum.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Concern at the cost of implementing a management plan at the woodland was expressed by Councillor Simon Mountford, who said: \u201cI don\u2019t think that \u00a3780 is unreasonable but that\u2019s just the sort of down payment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have to pay that money before we put into effect what he recommends and my concern is that the full costs of getting some sort of plan executed for the woodland is going to cost thousands rather than hundreds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis woodland is basically an albatross around our neck and I just hate entering into open-ended commitments.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe start on this journey and pay the \u00a3780 and then it comes back and says this is what the results are of my survey and to address it this and that is needed and it is going to cost many thousands of quid because tree surgeons don\u2019t come cheap.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Members agreed to make a decision on funding for the initial survey at its next meeting, after an update on costings is sought.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24113},{"headline":"Southport deaths \u2018highlighted\u2019 need for school safety","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/St-Gabriels.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/St-Gabriels.jpg\" alt=\"St-Gabriels\"><br \/>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">St Gabriel\u2019s RC Primary.<\/p><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The tragic deaths of three children during a mass stabbing over the summer highlighted the need for additional security at an East Lothian primary school, councillors were told this week.<\/p>\n<p>Parents at St Gabriel\u2019s RC Primary, in Prestonpans, had lodged a petition with the council calling for higher fencing and a lockable gate at their school.<\/p>\n<p>But while the petition, which was signed by 334 people with a further 29 online signatures, was raised before the tragic killings in Southport, a meeting of the council\u2019s petitions committee was told it had only served to support concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Diane Brash, representing a parents group from the school, said: \u201cOur main concern is safety, we started this petition during the summer holidays before the incident at Southport but that only highlighted the need for a fence and a lockable gate to go round the school grounds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The petitions committee was told that the request was not a complaint against the council or the school, which Ms Brash said, was much-loved in the community with staff and their work with families appreciated by parents.<\/p>\n<p>But she said incidents of vandalism within the school grounds, dog fouling on playing fields and a break-in over the holidays all pointed to the need for additional security.<\/p>\n<p>She told yesterday\u2019s meeting that as recently as the day before there had been another incident involving antisocial behaviour at the school.<\/p>\n<p>She said: \u201cPupils from another school came in and when they were asked to leave by staff they got a mouthful of abuse and stones thrown at them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe feel as a parent group it is not safe for our children.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The committee was told by its head of infrastructure Tom Reid that a review of all school perimeters which began several months ago was being undertaken by officers and the findings could be brought to a council meeting in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>And he said St Gabriel\u2019s security met the standards set in the Cullen Report, which looked into the issue following the Dunblane massacre in 1996 when 16 pupils and one teacher were killed by a gunman who entered their primary school.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Reid said the building\u2019s perimeter was secure, along with the entrance and lobby with CCTV cameras covering outside areas.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cIn terms of the school perimeters we have been working on this for five to six months and there is a report being prepared which will come forward in the next four to six weeks with an updated condition on all school perimeters and any issues that need looked at.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe cost of fencing in a single primary never mind all of them is incredibly high and there is no capital money set aside for that in the current capital plan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nicola McDowell, the council\u2019s head of education, said adults patrolled the school playgrounds when pupils were outside adding: \u201cI want to give everyone assurance over the security and safeguarding . Every day there are at least four adults in the playground, and the head teacher and deputy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is a secure entry system to the school, there is CCTV in the playground and a camera which triggers if there is activity at the back of the school.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The committee unanimously rejected the petition on the understanding a report of the findings of the full review of school perimeters would be brought to councillors and include St Gabriel\u2019s in its findings.<\/p>\n<p>The review report is expected to come before the council\u2019s education committee in November.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Colin-Beattie-Midlothian-View-Ad-2023.jpg\" alt=\"www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24121},{"headline":"Council inspectors \u2018wading through used sanitary products\u2019 claim","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Green-and-Brown-Bin.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Green-and-Brown-Bin.jpg\" alt=\"Green and Brown Bin\"><br \/>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p><br \/>\nCouncil inspectors have been accused of \u2018wading through women\u2019s used sanitary products\u2019 to see if families in East Lothian qualify for a bigger waste bin.<\/p>\n<p>Residents say they have faced \u2018degrading\u2019 and \u2018humiliating\u2019 situations as they struggled with hygiene waste after the local authority moved its fortnightly household bin collections to three weekly.<\/p>\n<p>A petition signed by more than 2,700 people called for the reinstatement of the two weekly service and claimed it discriminated against the most vulnerable in society, large families and the disabled.<\/p>\n<p>A meeting of the council\u2019s petitions committee heard claims of council waste inspectors resorting to humiliating trawls through residents\u2019 refuge.<\/p>\n<p>Kate King, who started the petition, told the meeting that a yellow bag service provided for absorbent hygiene products (AHP)  left some people feeling embarrassed and humiliated as it alerted neighbours to the presence of an incontinent family member or need for extra collections.<\/p>\n<p>And she said some people who had contacted her had talked about council workers going through their bins when they requested a larger one to cope with additional waste when they did not want to use the yellow bags or know about them.<\/p>\n<p>She said: \u201cThe yellow bag service is not promoted on the website or in the collection calendar. Many people do not want it because they do not want everyone to know there is an infirm person at home.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd we need to stop council waste workers wading through women\u2019s used sanitary products to see if they qualify for a bigger bin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The AHP service is not publicised by the council but does provide those who sign up with yellow bags which are collected kerbside every two weeks and can be used for nappies, sanitary products and incontinence pads.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Colin-Beattie-Midlothian-View-Ad-2023.jpg\" alt=\"www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>The committee was told it was not promoted because of concern it would be misused.<\/p>\n<p>Ms King added that in some cases neighbour, particularly in flats, had fallen out over people using their bins as their own filled up with some resorting to putting padlocks on their waste bins.<\/p>\n<p>She urged the committee to return to fortnightly collections however Tom Reid, the council\u2019s head of infrastructure, said  it would mean bringing in extra staff and vehicles with an estimated cost of \u00a3400,000 as well as losing the \u00a3500,000 saving the council is making with the reduced service.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Reid told the committee the change was made to encourage more recycling by residents and meet national and local standards.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cIf you recycle as much as you can then the standard household waste bin is enough. The green bin should be the last resort for waste.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mr Reid added that the AHP service was not a statutory requirement for the council and recycling advisers visited homes requesting larger bins to \u201cassist\u201d them.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cThe household green bins should be the last resort for waste material. We do checks to make sure people are getting it correct.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Lee-Anne Menzies told the committee she had pushed for the three weekly bin service, even advocating for a monthly collection but was told by Mr Reid it was \u2018ridiculous\u2019.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Caddy-Liners.jpg\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>She said: \u201cI think the council is doing the right thing for the right reason. Our household is busy at the moment and we don\u2019t struggle. I recycling and we have two green recycling boxes, three blue recycling boxes and two white recycling bags.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However Councillor Jeremy Findlay told the meeting he had experienced the issues first hand after a visit by young family members who used nappies saying the green bin had smelled terrible.<\/p>\n<p>The committee rejected the petition with councillors John McMillan, Norman Hampshire and Menzies voting against it with Councillor Findlay supporting it.<\/p>\n<p>It also asked officers to look at ensuring carer groups were aware of the AHP service so they could identify people who may need it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Colin-Beattie-Midlothian-View-Ad-2023.jpg\" alt=\"www.colinbeattiemsp.org\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24111},{"headline":"Magical Midlothian garden wins 10th annual contest","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5748.jpeg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5748.jpeg\" alt=\"IMG_5748\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">The winning garden.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A green-fingered tenant from Woodburn, near Dalkeith in Midlothian, has been rewarded for her fantastic achievement in creating a magical outdoor space with this year\u2019s \u2018Baxter Keiller Award\u2019 for outstanding Melville Housing Association garden.<\/p>\n<p>Chosen by the judging panel from entries covering much of Midlothian, Mrs Diane Wright of Woodburn Place was commended for her garden\u2019s \u2018variety, colour and vibrancy, as well the great deal of planning and work that clearly went into this magical space\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Her victory, which comes in the competition\u2019s tenth year, marks the second time Diane has walked off with the top prize (she previously triumphed in 2022).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCongratulations to Diane for her well-deserved award,\u201d said John McMorrow, Melville Chief Executive. \u201cHers is a delightful garden that would bring joy to anyone fortunate enough to live nearby and we hope that her hard work helps inspire a future generation of Monty Dons and Carole Baxters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>\u201cAs always we\u2019ve been enormously impressed by the quality of entries, particularly given the challenging weather conditions we\u2019ve all endured this spring and summer. The judging panel had a very difficult task narrowing it down to just three finalists and I\u2019d like to congratulate not just Diane but everyone who entered for all their hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For her winning entry Mrs Wright received gardening vouchers to the value of \u00a3100. Runner-up Mr David Bowman of Oak Crescent, Mayfield, picked up \u00a335, with the best small space prize going to Ms Diane Gamrot of Westhouses Road, who received a \u00a350 voucher.<\/p>\n<p>Now in its tenth year, the \u2018Baxter Keiller Award\u2019 is named in honour of a keen Mayfield gardener and Melville tenant who sadly passed away in 2014. Melville set up a gardening competition to recognise the work done in 2007 by Baxter, along with his neighbour Christine McGrouther, transforming a patch of Mayfield wasteland into a fantastic community garden.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Amazon-2024.png\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24093},{"headline":"West Lothian high streets buck national trend","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bins.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bins.jpg\" alt=\"Bins\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">Bathgate High Street.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville<\/b><\/p>\n<p>West Lothian\u2019s high streets continue to be  \u201cgo-to\u201d destinations for local people despite fears towns such as Bathgate are seeing businesses desert them.<\/p>\n<p>Trading difficulties and anti-social behaviour have sparked fears among  community groups and local councillors in recent months. But a study shows  town centres in rude health compared to many other Scottish high streets. <\/p>\n<p>Shop fronts in the five traditional burghs have an occupancy rate of more than 91 per cent \u2013  higher than the average Scottish  high street.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>A review by council retail advisers found small, independent businesses  are still a prominent feature in all centres. <\/p>\n<p>Livingston North councillor Andrew Miller pointed out that the street of shops in Deans was all occupied by takeaway food businesses.  \u201c Do we have information on what the current mix is  in the five burghs?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stewart Ness of the council\u2019s Town  Centre Management team  told the meeting of the Economy Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel  that he and colleagues conduct quarterly surveys of occupancy in the traditional high streets as well as recording the types of businesses  occupying stores.<\/p>\n<p>The  five burghs;  Armadale. Bathgate, Broxburn, Linlithgow and Whitburn, all remain \u201cvibrant\u201d with occupancy of commercial property of 91.6 per cent for 2023\/24. Occupancy has averaged 90%  every year since 2017 .<\/p>\n<p>Mr Ness said: \u201c To give these numbers context. The average Scottish vacancy rate across this period is about 15% so West Lothian high  streets have and continue to perform very well when benchmarked against the national average.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In his report to the panel, Mr Ness added: \u201cConsumer habits have changed, and service providers that can\u2019t trade online, like personal services and food and drink, will continue to increase presence in our town centres. <\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis has led to a perceived concern amongst the public around a lack of choice and\/or concentration of certain types of businesses.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cChange is constant and with the continued growth of online and other \u2018non-bricks and mortar\u2019 shopping, our traditional high streets are no longer a destination for retail only.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Pop up shops which offer short term trading are  a potential  answer for the hard to let units in  all towns.  Council officers are working to identify sites and consider approaches as to how to encourage permanent or temporary uses.  <\/p>\n<p>Chairing the meeting, Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan  said:  \u201cI\u2019m really pleased to see that there\u2019s work to consider how we can bring stalled sites back into productive use, particularly pop up shops  which can showcase businesses  that were maybe set up online during the pandemic  and  that are unsure about making transition and test the market. I look forward to seeing how work progresses.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Business-Expo-2024.jpg\" alt=\"www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24119},{"headline":"Plaque for Kelso operatic society stalwart would \u201ccreate a precedent\u201d","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tait-Hall-Kelso.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tait-Hall-Kelso.jpg\" alt=\"Tait-Hall-Kelso\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">Tait Hall in Kelso.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A request to recognise a Borders operatic society stalwart with a plaque in her honour has been politely rejected \u2013 over fears it could create an unwanted precedent.<\/p>\n<p>Mary Easson, who died in 2022 at the age of 90, was an honorary life-member of Kelso Amateur Operatic Society.<\/p>\n<p>Kelso Common Good Sub-Committee received a request from her family to erect a memorial plaque in the town\u2019s Tait Hall, where the society stages productions.<\/p>\n<p>The Tait Hall is a Common Good asset and the request required the approval of the sub-committee.<\/p>\n<p>But when members met on Tuesday, September 17, they made the judgement that, while acknowledging Mr Easson\u2019s contribution to the town\u2019s cultural life, the erection of a plaque could \u201copen a can of worms\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Tom Weatherston said Mrs Easson did do a \u201cfantastic amount of work over many years\u201d but added: \u201cThis is a difficult one, and I\u2019ve talked to several people about it. This would be setting a precedent, how far do you go back, how many people do you put on a plaque etc, where does the plaque go \u2013 it could be opening a can of worms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWhile I sympathise with the request it could upset some people if they were left out. It may be better to leave things as they are.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Councillor Simon Mountford agreed, adding: \u201cOnce you start going down this route, it\u2019s like snowballs \u2013 they just gather momentum. I can see over the years you would get an increasing number of people thinking, well my great aunt, my mother or whatever did a lot of work for this organisation and it would be lovely to have a little plaque up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven if we agreed this was a nice thing to do we\u2019d have to set aside an area which was exclusively for plaques, because you can\u2019t have them dotted all over the building.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24116},{"headline":"Business Expo taking place in Midlothian","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Expo.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Expo.jpg\" alt=\"MELCC-Expo\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The Midlothian and East Lothian Business Expo is an important networking event for any business looking to develop key relationships in order to grow and prosper. It\u2019s a business to business exhibition which has been put\u00a0together to provide the opportunity for local firms to showcase the wealth of opportunities, products and services available across the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If you are a local business, looking to meet, connect and forge new contacts with others across the region then this is the ideal event to attend.<\/p>\n<p>The exhibition on Thursday 26th September 2024 is\u00a0free\u00a0to attend and open to all businesses, regardless of size, sector and location. This year it is taking place at the National Mining Museum in Newtongrange, Midlothian. There will be around 30+ businesses exhibiting, along with hundreds of delegates on the day, allowing people to meet and build relationships face-to-face.<\/p>\n<p>The event will be open from\u00a010am &#8211; 4pm to visitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the day there will be a series of business workshops\u00a0to help support your business.<\/p>\n<p>Workshop 1: Speed Networking &#8211; A quick way to expand your professional contacts (10.15am &#8211; 11.15am)<\/p>\n<p>Workshop 2:\u00a0Getting your business started on its Net Zero Journey (11.30am &#8211; 12.30pm)<\/p>\n<p>Workshop 3: Speed Networking Workshop &#8211;\u00a0A quick way to expand your professional contacts (2pm &#8211; 3pm)\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>The Expo gives visitors the opportunity to keep up to date with trends and innovation, talk to exhibitors and attend seminars to gain some knowledge to develop their business and to get latest updates to industry and the community.<\/p>\n<p>Pigeon Penguin Web &#038; App Development are one of the exhibitors and it&#8217;s director Phil Bowen said:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I have been to the Expo a number of times and each time I have found it very worthwhile. We exhibited for the first time last year and in doing so we made some great contacts. We had some very interesting conversations which have really helped our business over the last 12 months. The speed networking sessions workshops are a very good way of meeting a lot of people in a very short time. I would encourage all Midlothian and East Lothian businesses to attend.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Book your FREE pass now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\">Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Events (melcc.org.uk)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Food and drinks will be available to purchase at the National Mining Museum.<\/p>\n<p>Watch the video of last year&#8217;s Expo.<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9\"><iframe class=\"embed-responsive-item\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j-gYgXoJuW4\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24102},{"headline":"Double lines for Penicuik health centre","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/double-yellow-lines-penicuik.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/double-yellow-lines-penicuik.jpg\" alt=\"double-yellow-lines-penicuik\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Double yellow lines next to a health centre have been given the go ahead after concerns were raised about ambulances getting to it.<\/p>\n<p>Midlothian Councillors were told that cars parked on a corner of Imrie Place, in Penicuik, were causing a problem for the centre and waste collection vehicles who sometime could not reach the end of the street.<\/p>\n<p>A report to cabinet this week said visibility at the corner was  \u201cimpeded by the intruding bulk of the Lidl store\u201d and asked for the go ahead to put the double yellow lines along 23 metres of the road.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/support?referral=MidlothianView\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Support-Us.jpg\" alt=\"www.midlothianview.com\/support?referral=MidlothianView\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Only one objection was lodged over the plans with the protester saying the council had created the problem by allowing the supermarket store to be built on the \u2018residential\u2019 street in the first place.<\/p>\n<p>The objector said: \u201cImrie Place is a totally residential street. As residents we are unfortunate to have the doctors surgery at the end of the street \u2013 putting up with non mobile staff using the street as a car park Monday-Friday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMidlothian Council created the current parking nightmare when they provided consent for a 200 seater restaurant that has a five car parking area.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhilst I agree the corner narrows the road significantly especially when idiot drivers believe they can wrap their car around the corner, this situation again created by Midlothian Council when Lidl\u2019s was allowed to build.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDouble yellow lines will not prevent patrons of the restaurant, or anyone else for that matter, parking on the restricted area at night and at the weekend when no parking enforcement is around. All that you are doing is taking parking spaces away from residents.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Councillor Connor McManus moved the motion to approve the restrictions telling the meeting: \u201cThis road provides access to the doctors surgery so if people park on this corner an ambulance might not be able to get along there.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI note the objector who says there are no issues on Imrie Place, well that\u2019s fine then there will be no issues if we put yellow lines in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The motion was seconded by Councillor Dianne Alexander and plans approved.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24095},{"headline":"Local MSP concerns over archaic pharmacy approval process for Rosewell","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pharmacy.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Pharmacy.jpg\" alt=\"Pharmacy\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">Photo credit: Tbel Abuseridze<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Colin Beattie MSP has welcomed the news that a new application for a pharmacy in Rosewell, focused on dispensing of prescriptions and a Pharmacy First service, that will greatly serve the Rosewell Community has been submitted.<\/p>\n<p>However, the news has been met with real concern from the Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP due to a previous pharmacy application being rejected by the Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC) appeal process.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Beattie is concerned that the archaic system used in both the application process and the subsequent appeals process may again show its flaws and result in a failure to gain approval.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lorna-Slater-Green-MSP-Scotland-Midlothian-View.jpg\" alt=\"www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Commenting, Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am pleased to see the consultation for a new pharmacy in Rosewell is underway, and I would encourage everyone who would like this proposal to become reality completes the consultation before the Thursday 28th November 2024 closing date.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The consultation can be found online at <a href=\"https:\/\/app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk\/s\/nhslothiansurveys\/pharmacy-public-consultation-newcraighall-duplicate\">https:\/\/app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk\/s\/nhslothiansurveys\/pharmacy-public-consultation-newcraighall-duplicate<\/a> or you can request a paper copy by contacting: Primary Care Contractors Organisation, NHS Lothian, 2nd Floor, Waverly Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG, via telephone at 0131 537 8427 or email at <a href=\"mailto:CommunityPharmacy.contract@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk\">CommunityPharmacy.contract@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI remain concerned over the current confrontational process pharmacy applications are subjected to.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have raised concerns on the appeals process to Scottish Government Ministers and the PCC appeals committee previously, citing the undemocratic process through the involvement and influence of other pharmacies in the assessment process.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe current system needs urgently addressed to reflect the current needs of our communities \u2013 not the financial needs of large pharmaceutical companies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI will work with colleagues in the Scottish Parliament and I will be making representations to the Scottish Government again to see how real change can be made to this outdated unfair legacy system which appears to pre-date devolution.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Advertise-May-2023.webp\" alt=\"www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24067},{"headline":"Removing trees and EV chargers among cost-cutting ideas","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Edinburgh-Council-George-Street-Revamp.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Edinburgh-Council-George-Street-Revamp.jpg\" alt=\"Edinburgh-Council-George-Street-Revamp\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Donald Turvill<\/b><\/p>\n<p>George Street\u2019s pedestrianisation plan could see the removal of trees and car chargers, with cheaper materials used for resurfacing, amid rising costs. <\/p>\n<p>The ambitious but controversial project is set to see most traffic removed to make way for a central cycleway, wider pavements and other pedestrian improvements to the historic New Town street.<\/p>\n<p>In the last year its estimated price tag has risen to \u00a340m \u2013 up \u00a37m in the last year. With millions in funding yet to be secured, council chiefs have started drawing up cost-cutting ideas.<\/p>\n<p>A new report set out a range of \u2018value engineering options\u2019 and said removing trees could save around \u00a3150k.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Planting trees on George Street has proved a contentious subject in the capital, as those arguing they help combat the effects of climate change have clashed with heritage bodies defending the street\u2019s original design. A compromise to have eight at either end of the thoroughfare was eventually agreed.<\/p>\n<p>Other proposals to bring the cost down include building the cycleway, benches and planters with cheaper materials. Replacing granite setts with asphalt on the central cycling zone, where vehicles will be treated as \u201cguests\u201d, could bring the cost down by around \u00a31.3m, according to the report.<\/p>\n<p>A further \u00a3595k saving by removing of electric vehicle charging points led a councillor to query why they were included in the first place, as the options were discussed at the transport committee on Thursday, September 12.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lorna-Slater-Green-MSP-Scotland-Midlothian-View.jpg\" alt=\"www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Marie-Clair Munro, Conservative, said: \u201cCan you explain why you propose to spend \u00a3595,000 . . . installing car charging points, in an area from which you intend to remove the vast majority of vehicles?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Project manager Jamie Robertson said as the council urged businesses to electrify their fleet it was felt the plan should \u201cprovide facilities for that\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Fellow project manager Marie Davis admitted it did \u201cseem like an obvious one to take out at this point,\u201d adding: \u201cIt\u2019s always something that can be added in as a later addition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Additional work needs to be undertaken to determine the potential impact of the savings, the report continued, alongside \u201cdialogue\u201d with heritage bodies to evaluate how any changes could affect the area\u2019s UNESCO World Heritage Site status.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Caddy-Liners.jpg\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Cllr Danny Aston, SNP, asked \u201cwhy aren\u2019t we already looking\u201d to use a different material to setts which \u201ccan be problematic for cycling over\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Robertson said the redesign had to be \u201creally high quality\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cThe materials at the moment, and we\u2019re only mid-stage through the technical design, have been specced to respond to that high-quality nature, but at the end of this design stage we will be providing options around how could we reduce costs. Certainly, materials will be one of those elements within it that we will explore.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile councillors gave the green light to investigate options for removing parking from George Street ahead of works commencing in early 2027, according to the latest timescale estimate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>William Duncan, chair of the George Street Association, which represents businesses and organisation based in the street, told councillors this request by officials had come \u201cas a very unwelcome surprise to many of us\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said while it had been \u201clong accepted\u201d the redevelopment would involve the removal of car parking and restricted access, it was believed this would be \u201cafter the completion of the works, not before\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Conservative group leader Iain Whyte said there was \u201cno justification\u201d given to back up the move, or any indication of \u201cwhy that might be a good idea\u201d and how much parking income would be lost.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo where did this really come from?\u201d he asked. \u201cAnd if it\u2019s a pre plan for something we\u2019re going to do, should we not have asked the businesses first?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Interim director of place Gareth Barwell said: \u201cWe have a target as a council of a 30 per cent reduction in car kilometres. It is a matter of fact we\u2019ve spent a lot of time engaging with businesses.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would argue that the mandate of the approved City Mobility Plan gives us this direction, but I would apologise if it\u2019s caused any concern to the businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cIt\u2019s literally to ask members \u2018is this something we want to look forward to do\u2019. It\u2019s a message I\u2019ve heard from members of this committee that we can\u2019t just do transport strategy through public realm schemes. We have to do it through other means.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Cllr Whyte said: \u201cI think back to various things that have been done as temporary measures in the interim. Some of those were to do with Covid and were put in four years ago to allow people to socially distance. We\u2019ve got a lot of them still, and they\u2019re looking increasingly ugly as time goes on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The revamp\u2019s design stage is expected to run until late 2026, with more detailed value engineering options set to go before councillors for a decision next year. <\/p>\n<p>A funding shortfall of around \u00a314m still looms over the project, which could grow even larger if costs rise again.<\/p>\n<p>While a \u00a323.7m cut to the Scottish Government\u2019s active travel budget means less grant funding will be available to plug the gap.<\/p>\n<p>Chairing his first committee, newly-appointed transport convener Stephen Jenkinson, Labour, said: \u201cOne of the main funding sources for the project is the Scottish government and if they are reducing the amount of money that is available to invest in these kind of projects we have to be mindful of that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lib Dem group leader Kevin Lang questioned whether it was \u201cright\u201d to use \u00a340m \u201con one street, irrespective of how good this scheme looks, feels and the difference it would make\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cI do think we can put a flag in the sand and recognise the very significant issues which there are around the costs of this, the affordability and also the impact of spending money on this could have on a range of other active travel projects.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24080},{"headline":"3 new Community-designed benches for Midlothian","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5724.jpeg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5724.jpeg\" alt=\"IMG_5724\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">Community artist Yvonne Weighand Lyle (centre left, pink scarf) at memorial bench in Rosewell Park, Midlothian, with project participants. Photo credit Craig Maclean Photography for YWL Studios.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A local artist from Midlothian, Yvonne Weighand Lyle, has worked with over 100 local people over the past year to co-design a new set of sculptural benches for the county. The project is part of national, Scottish Government-funded programme \u2018Remembering Together\u2019, which is delivering Covid memorials in all 32 local authority areas.<\/p>\n<p>Midlothian\u2019s memorial benches have been designed through a series of creative workshops with local community groups. Residents of all ages from primary schoolers to pensioners crafted individual artworks out of tissue paper. These design ideas were then woven together to create the final bench designs.<\/p>\n<p>The benches have now been permanently installed at 3 locations across the region: Easthouses Park, Rosewell Park and Angle Park, Penicuik. Each memorial site features a bench with a unique artistic design co-created by local people, fruiting trees such as apples, pears and plums, and associated flower beds, which will be tended by local gardening groups.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Advertise-May-2023.webp\" alt=\"www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>Lead Artist of Remembering Together Midlothian, Yvonne Weighand Lyle described how the bench designs came together:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been a long but inspiring process to realise these designs over the past year! In our creative papercraft workshops, local people cut out their own unique designs. These delicate motifs included a coal mining pit wheel, beautiful farmland countryside, views of the river Esk, wild garlic, local wildlife, ancient trees and the Pentland hills. This gave us a rich tapestry of design ideas to include in our benches. Each memorial bench artwork is symbolic of Midlothian and has a real sense of the county, reflecting our rich social history, cultural heritage and landscape.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It has been a privilege to meet everyone during the course of the project and I am very thankful to all who have given of their time, taken part or shown their support.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Midlothian Council\u2019s Cabinet Member with responsibility for green spaces, Councillor Dianne Alexander, visited one of the benches and said:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was delighted to go out and visit the Covid memorial bench in Rosewell Park. The artwork is beautiful and all the more so because it tells the unique history and natural history of Rosewell by the people who live here.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMidlothian Council has installed 3 new Covid Memorial benches at parks in Rosewell, Easthouses and Penicuik all created with the support of Lead Artist Yvonne Weighand Lyle, bringing together over a 100 local people, with teams of local artists, school children and local groups contributing to these beautiful benches, the design on each bench tells the unique stories of the area. They really do demonstrate the breadth of artistic talent in our community. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe now have 3 unique sculptural benches in our parks, creating new, accessible public spaces in Midlothian where friends can meet and new friendships and memories can be made. They allow people a place to sit and enjoy our beautiful spaces.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24054},{"headline":"More than 600 people had a splashing time at pools","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5729.jpeg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5729.jpeg\" alt=\"IMG_5729\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly<\/b><\/p>\n<p>More than six hundred people had a splashing time last weekend as all of the swimming pools in the Borders opened free of charge.<\/p>\n<p>Live Borders, which currently operates leisure outlets on behalf of Scottish Borders Council, offered the freebies at Eyemouth, Galashiels, Peebles, Kelso, Selkirk and Hawick to encourage more people to come and enjoy the facilities, have fun with family and friends and make new connections.<\/p>\n<p>A range of activities from family swimming, fun float sessions, lane swimming, inflatable fun, and open swim sessions attracted an impressive 645 participants across the Borders.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Live Borders stated: \u201cSwimming is a fantastic way to keep yourself fit and healthy, and is really good for mental wellbeing. Our pools have so much to offer and this was a chance to attract new people to the pools and showcase the wide range of activities we have for every age group.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Business-Expo-2024.jpg\" alt=\"www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe have AquaFit sessions which are suitable for people of all ages and use water resistance to help build fitness and confidence, we have swim discos, toddler times as well as family and fun sessions, birthday parties \u2013 and of course swimming lessons with our Learn to Swim programme.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLive Borders operates six swimming pools across the Borders, all of which offer great value membership for swimming, as well as fully inclusive gym and fitness class memberships.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEveryone had a great time, and we hope some will join as members and become more regular visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>People interested in swimming or membership can contact their local pool and a member of staff will be happy to help them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24059},{"headline":"Low traffic pilot \u2018should be permanent\u2019","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5745.jpeg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5745.jpeg\" alt=\"IMG_5745\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Donald Turvill<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A low traffic neighbourhood project which has left an Edinburgh community divided should be made permanent, council officials have concluded.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past 18 months various methods have been trialled in Corstorphine in an attempt to stop vehicles taking short-cuts through residential streets, improve safety around schools and encourage more walking and cycling.<\/p>\n<p>But the introduction of traffic restrictions, bollards and planters, and a \u2018bus gate\u2019 camera which fines drivers who flout the rules \u2013 and has been cut down by vandals three times \u2013 have proved hugely controversial in the area.<\/p>\n<p>Last week anti-low traffic campaigners urged councillors to scrap the measures, saying they were \u201cnot working, not wanted and not democratic\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the pushback, transport officials have recommended making the scheme permanent. A final decision will be made by councillors on Tuesday, September 24.<\/p>\n<p>However they have proposed reducing operation hours of the bus gate, which restricts general traffic from entering St John\u2019s Road from Manse Road at certain times on weekdays, from 8-10am and 2.45-6.30pm currently to 8-9.30am and 2-4pm.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Amazon-2024.png\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>The council said this would \u201cre-align bus gate times to school streets operating times\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>It said concerns about levels of \u201cintrusive non-residential through traffic\u201d in Corstorphine had been raised \u201cfor many years\u201d which led to the LTN being trialled. <\/p>\n<p>Critics of the \u00a3800,000 scheme say it has been a failure \u2013 pointing to a 6.5 per cent increase in traffic.<\/p>\n<p>But officials highlighted a 9.2 per cent fall in traffic on streets surrounding Corstorphine Primary School, which they said was a key aim of the project.<\/p>\n<p>Over the 18-month period more than 556 complaints were made, with some objectors submitting more than one response, a report said.<\/p>\n<p>Market research in the report suggested half of Corstorphinites supported the project and 24 per cent opposed. However, the figures have been disputed by some locals who believe the data was \u2018skewed\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Respondents were \u201cparticularly in favour of wider footways, seating, planters, new community street spaces, the artistic interventions at the school entrances and changes that make crossing the road easier\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>In 117 objections concerns were raised about a \u201cnegative impact on local businesses\u201d as a result of the LTN. The council said its research indicated there were \u201csimilar levels of overall spend and also indicates that local residents are more likely to visit local businesses\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>It added: \u201cThere has been both positive and negative submissions from businesses on the impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The report said: \u201cThe most common themes for objections were that the project has generally caused traffic to use other streets and that this is associated with more congestion, pollution, longer journey times, road safety concerns and has reduced access by car for local people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn Corstorphine High Street there has been a small increase in traffic but also significant footway widening which overall is considered to have improved general conditions for people walking and wheeling.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSaughton Road North has also seen a traffic increase, however during the bus gate periods, around two thirds of this traffic is in a southerly direction. This is unlikely to be due to the project which has only introduced traffic restrictions in a northerly direction.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The report said traffic speeds had \u201cgenerally fallen\u201d with the most significant reduction on Dovecot Road \u201cwhere average recorded speeds have reduced by 4.3mph following the introduction of physical traffic calming measures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt appears the that the traffic reduction measures around Corstorphine Primary School have been most effective in assisting cycling and scooting whilst potentially also encouraging more park and stride and less driving.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>It said a reduction the number of vehicles \u201cin key parts of the project area\u201d was a \u201cpositive step toward climate change goals\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>However, it said it was \u201chard\u201d to establish the degree to which increases in traffic on surrounding roads \u201care attributable to the project compared to the wider background levels of increasing traffic\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmall improvements in air quality align with the Council\u2019s Air Quality objectives. The market research finding of significant resident support and appreciation for the placemaking changes and associated biodiversity gains through planters and the pocket park are good step forward toward council commitments in these areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIncreased perceptions of the streets as safer, more pleasant and having more locations to relax in may lead to increased health and wellbeing outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cContinued concerns about levels of, and noise from, traffic may continue to be detrimental.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Addressing a meeting of the council\u2019s transport committee last week, Peter Roberts who leads the Accessible Corstorphine for Everyone (ACE) group said: \u201cThe LTN has not made Corstorphine safer, it has made it more dangerous and less accessible.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Roberts said the 68 per cent reduction in traffic using Manse Road recorded during hours when the bus gate was operational \u201chas been more than offset by increases on nearby streets\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Accusing the council of \u201csampling bias\u201d when presenting the survey results, he added: \u201cSome councillors and officials are claiming support from a survey of pedestrians only, no motorists, housebound residents, businesses, carers etcetera were allowed to take part.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Kirsten Olverman, from Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents, which has its head office on St John\u2019s Road, said the low traffic neighbourhood meant a journey that previously took 10 minutes \u201cis increasingly likely to be twice that time when trying to avoid the LTN or the bus gate\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Warwick Campbell, who lives in the LTN at Oswald Terrace, added: \u201cThe LTN has already cost \u00a3800k and people don\u2019t even want it. It has caused nothing but division, pain and anger within the community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mr Roberts, who has lived in the area for 32 years, told councillors his group \u201cstand ready to be constructive, if you are prepared to take a step back and acknowledge things haven\u2019t worked\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24082},{"headline":"Brunton Theatre months from running out of money","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Brunton-Theatre-Musselburgh-East-Lothian-1.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Brunton-Theatre-Musselburgh-East-Lothian-1.jpg\" alt=\"Brunton-Theatre-Musselburgh-East-Lothian\"><br \/>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p><\/p>\n<p>The Brunton Theatre Trust has warned it is months away from running out of funds after its council grant was cut by \u00a3200,000 a year.<\/p>\n<p>The group was forced to move out of its main theatre in Musselburgh 18 months ago after crumbling concrete, known as RAAC, was found in the roof.<\/p>\n<p>And at a council meeting this week, theatre bosses warned uncertainty over the building and their reduced grant meant their future was in \u201csevere jeopardy\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The trust has been dipping into reserves to continue its performance and education events at venues including Haddington Corn Exchange, Loretto School Theatre and Northesk Church.<\/p>\n<p>Richard Butt, from the trust, told the meeting of audit and governance committee, said: \u201d Looking at the accounts in the next financial year within a month we will be breaching our reserves policy assuming the cut in funding from the council continues and so we are having serious discussions as to whether we can sign off the accounts as a going concern because essentially we will breach our reserves policy and use up all our reserves in the following financial year.<\/p>\n<p>We are doing this without knowing if or when we will be able to move operations back into the Brunton.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He said had the grant from the council not been cut the Trust could have continued, while still needing to use some reserves \u2018for a number of years\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>And fellow trust member Michael Stitt told the committee: \u201cWe urgently need the funding reinstated and we urgently need transparency around where we are with RAAC. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt has now been 18 months,  there is huge frustration from the trust and there is great frustration within the community as well and if there are two key messages to take away it is that we really cannot go on like this both from a funding perspective and transparency perspective\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Midlothian-View-Amazon-2024.png\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3XKWH4m\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>East Lothian Council, identified the presence of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in the theatre building as well as two secondary schools during a review early last year.<\/p>\n<p>At its February budget it agreed to reduce its annual grant to the theatre trust by \u00a3200,000.<\/p>\n<p>Tom Reid, the council\u2019s head of infrastructure, said the schools affected by RAAC had taken priority but work was being carried out into possible solutions for the theatre as well.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cObviously it has been an incredibly challenging period for the trust and they have my sympathy. Our team, along with external consultants, have been working flat out to respond to the RAAC. The two high schools diverted some of our resources and capacity based on the fact it was statutory and education had be prevalent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSince then we have been working on the Brunton. We still aren\u2019t in a position to give clarity on the options appraisal but the hope is to bring it to council in October.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And he warned any work approved would not mean a quick return to the venue.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cWhatever the fix option for the Brunton is it is not going to be a short term fix to enable the trust to return to the Brunton.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Council leader Norman Hampshire told the committee that whatever solution was decided for the Brunton Theatre it was going to be a \u2018multi-million pound\u2019 solution which would need external funding.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cWe all want to see the arts continue in East Lothian and we think the Brunton does a great job for us however the financial challenges we face mean it is going to be difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/MELCC-Business-Expo-2024.jpg\" alt=\"www.melcc.org.uk\/chamber-events\/1150\/\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24065},{"headline":"Labour ex-councillor to stand again despite receiving \u00a316k \u2018golden goodbye\u2019","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5727.jpeg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5727.jpeg\" alt=\"IMG_5727\"><\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Donald Turvill<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A former Edinburgh councillor looking to make a comeback is facing calls to hand back a \u00a316,000 \u2018golden goodbye\u2019 she received on the condition she wouldn\u2019t run for the council again in future.<\/p>\n<p>Sheila Gilmore has been selected as Labour\u2019s candidate for November\u2019s Colinton\/Fairmilehead by-election to replace Scott Arthur \u2014 17 years after she left the City Chambers.<\/p>\n<p>It comes after Mr Arthur resigned as a councillor to focus on his new role as Edinburgh South West MP.<\/p>\n<p>No stranger to politics herself, Ms Gilmore served as MP for Edinburgh East from 2010 to 2015.<\/p>\n<p>She was also a city councillor for 16 years until 2007, when she accepted a payout offered by the then-Scottish Executive as part of a scheme aimed at encouraging long-serving councillors to retire and make way for fresh candidates ahead of the introduction of proportional representation for council elections.<\/p>\n<p>It was agreed anyone in receipt of a severance payment could not stand to be a councillor in Scotland ever again \u2014 but MSPs scrapped the lifetime ban in 2020.<\/p>\n<p>Following the announcement of her candidacy on Sunday, September 15, Conservative councillor for Colinton\/Fairmilehead Jason Rust called on Ms Gilmore to return the \u00a316k to the public purse.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt will seem odd to the taxpayer that a politician can receive a golden goodbye with conditions attached, but then be permitted to stand again, even if in a completely different part of the city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile regulations about standing may have subsequently changed, I trust that if the Labour candidate received a substantial severance payment that she will consider her position in advance of the by-election, at this time of hard pressed public finances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ms Gilmore told the LDRS: \u201cI thought it was a slightly draconican rule in the first place when I realised it had no end point.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s all sorts of things you can be disqualified for, but actually work out your disqualification. For example if somebody\u2019s bankrupt, but if their bankrupcy is dealt with and their free from that it\u2019s open to them to stand again.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis was unusual and seemed to have no end point at all \u2013 I don\u2019t think that was intended.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Responding to calls to return the money, she said: \u201cAfter such a long time I\u2019m not sure enturely how relevant that is. In some ways it was intended to be a reflection of the fact at that time councillors didn\u2019t have any pension provision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A Scottish Labour spokesperson responded saying \u201call relevant rules and laws\u201d had been followed.<\/p>\n<p>They said: \u201cAfter inflicting 14 years of chaos, scandal and sleaze on our country, the Tories\u2019 desperate attacks on other parties have no credibility.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSheila Gilmore would be a fantastic champion for the people of Colinton, Oxgangs and Fairmilehead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simita Kumar, SNP group leader on Edinburgh Council, said Ms Gilmore had received a \u201chuge sum from the public purse\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>She added: \u201cRegardless of any change to the law, this payment was made on the basis that Ms Gilmore would not stand again as a councillor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs she is standing in the forthcoming by-election, the only principled thing to do is to repay the full amount immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>More than one-third of Scotland\u2019s councillors applied for similar payouts between \u00a310k and \u00a320k, depending on their length of service, which ended up costing the taxpayer around \u00a37m in total.<\/p>\n<p>The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system replaced smaller, single member wards with multi-member wards. As a result Labour \u2013 which had 500 of the country\u2019s 1,222 councillors on 33 per cent of the vote in 2003 \u2013 has been less dominant in Scottish local authorities.<\/p>\n<p>The severance scheme offered members elected pre-2003 \u00a31,000 for each year\u2019s service, up to a maximum of 30 years, recognising the \u201clong-service given by many councillors, during which time they have not been eligible to join an occupational pension scheme,\u201d a Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department note from 2006 stated.<\/p>\n<p>It acknowledged there were \u201cfundamental changes to local government being introduced . . . which will affect the role of councillor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe change to multi-member wards means that each councillor will be one of three or four councillors serving a much larger ward. The scheme therefore recognises that many serving councillors who started their career serving their own ward may not wish to take part in the new working arrangements that will be introduced.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those who stood again were not eligible for payouts, even if not re-elected.<\/p>\n<p>Originally any councillor who received a payment was \u201cprecluded from standing for election as a councillor in Scotland in the future\u201d but were free to seek election to Holyrood and Westminster.<\/p>\n<p>Despite her \u2018golden goodbye\u2019 Ms Gilmore was selected as Labour\u2019s Morningside candidate for the 2017 local elections, but had to quit the race after being made aware the severance agreement meant she couldn\u2019t run.<\/p>\n<p>At the time she said at the time she \u201cgenuinely didn\u2019t know about the ban,\u201d adding she didn\u2019t \u201crecall being told it was a forever thing\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>She added she wouldn\u2019t have put her name forward if she\u2019d known the details. It was reported she offered to pay back the \u00a316k to enable her to stand again, but was told this was not possible.<\/p>\n<p>The disqualification was removed in 2020 after former Labour MSP Neil Findlay successfully tabled an amendment in the Scottish Parliament, as he argued 13 years had passed and those who wanted to commit to public service \u201cshould not prevent them from doing so\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said this would end \u201cwhat is in effect a lifetime ban on one group of people whose only offence is to have served their community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Greens MSP Mark Ruskell pointed out a \u201cnumber of councillors decided to stay on and to fight for election to new multi-member wards didn\u2019t take their severance money at that point\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cThis was a particular moment where were reforming local democracy with people who had been there for many decades and provided great service.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTheir electoral wards they had served in for many years were being abolished and therefore they had a choice to make about whether they stepped away from that system or indeed fought elections under a completely new system.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><img class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Lorna-Slater-Green-MSP-Scotland-Midlothian-View.jpg\" alt=\"www.parliament.scot\/msps\/current-and-previous-msps\/lorna-slater\"><\/a><hr><\/div>","postId":24063},{"headline":"Thousands sign petition calling for recycling centre to reopen","excerpt":"","featuredImage":"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Craig-Hoy.jpg","content":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Craig-Hoy.jpg\" alt=\"Craig Hoy\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:80%\">Craig Hoy, MSP, is leading the petition.<\/p>\n<p><b>Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp<\/b><\/p>\n<p>More than 2,500 people have signed a petition calling for a recycling centre to reopen in East Lothian amid claims fly-tipping has increased since it shut its doors.<\/p>\n<p>Local MSP Craig Hoy launched the petition calling for the decision to \u2018temporarily\u2019 close Macmerry Recycling Centre to be reversed by East Lothian Council.<\/p>\n<p>He said residents had reported more incidents of fly-tipping and additional traffic on one town main street as drivers are diverted to alternative sites.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>\n<p>Mr Hoy\u2019s petition, which has now gathered 2,592 signatures will be considered by the council\u2019s petitions committee later this week.<\/p>\n<p>It states: \u201cMacmerry Recycling Centre served residents of Macmerry, Haddington and surrounding villages including Gifford, Pencaitland, East Saltoun, West Saltoun and Longniddry until it was temporarily closed in October 2023.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSince its closure, residents have raised concerns about increased fly-tipping and diversion of traffic through Tranent High Street.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am calling for a reversal of the 2024-25 Council budget to retain this vital service at a time where East Lothian\u2019s population is growing as a result of house-building.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Caddy-Liners.jpg\" alt=\"amzn.to\/3uMBt4X\"><\/a><hr><\/div>\n<p>The local authority\u2019s elected members agreed to keep the centre shut as part of cost cutting measures introduced at the start of the current financial year.<\/p>\n<p>The council has pointed out there are three other centres in the county at North Berwick, Dunbar and Wallyford.<\/p>\n<p>Launching his petition earlier this year Mr Hoy, whose has local offices in Haddington, said the council\u2019s Conservative group had put forward an alternative to closing the Macmerry centre at a budget meeting earlier this year which were rejected.<\/p>\n<p>They included closing area partnerships, which distribute funding to local projects, reducing the number of manager at the council\u2019s headquarters and scrapping a \u00a3109million Musselburgh Flood Protection scheme.<\/p>\n<p>Mr Hoy said: \u201cThis alternative budget would have allowed for a \u00a31.2 million investment into the county\u2019s education services and result in \u00a36.5million less borrowing, while ensuring the protection of frontline services such as reversing Labour\u2019s plan to permanently close Macmerry Recycling Centre, protecting libraries from closure and preventing the withdrawal of police from the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The petition will be discussed at committee on Thursday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm pp-no-pad-left-right\"><hr><a style=\"font-size:80%\"href=\"https:\/\/www.midlothianview.com\/advertise\">Midlothian View Advertising<\/a><br><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n    <!-- SquareAd -->\n    <ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n         style=\"display:block\"\n         data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6282831920891841\"\n         data-ad-slot=\"6575612442\"\n         data-ad-format=\"auto\"\n         data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n    <script>\n         (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n    <\/script><hr><\/div>","postId":24034}]}