Good Advice

Was delighted this week to be asked to officially open the Council's new Advice Shop which has been re sited from the South Bridge to a refurbished suite of offices on the ground floor of the City Chambers. Entering from the High Street a modern and professional reception area is supplemented by numerous interview rooms of various sizes and an extensive back office area where advice workers can access a wealth of information for customers. It's an impressive set up and I'm pleased for the staff who had to continue to deliver a very important service while dealing with the upheaval of an office move. They're already really busy with the workload set to increase over the months ahead due to the ongoing problems caused by the ConDem Welfare Reform changes. We recently agreed to put more than £200k additional funding into advice services across the city including the Advice Shop. Whether or not that will be enough to meet the demand remains to be seen. At least staff and customers have state of the art accommodation in which to hold their important sessions. I just hope the plaque at the front door bearing my name doesn't put anyone off coming in !

Currie Riding

The annual Currie Riding took place today. From a sunny but cool green outside the Weavers Knowe more than a hundred horses and riders set off to mark the boundaries of the Currie parish (to ensure no encroachment from bandits in Balerno or Juniper Green !).  An ancient tradition to protect land this celebration now brings together riders and communities from other towns and villages who still uphold and enjoy this ritual. Quite a logistical exercise and much credit to the organisers including my old sparring partner former Councillor Alistair Paisley. The Currie Ride were joined by friends from Annan, Penicuik, Lanark and Berwick, among others and together they all, quite literally, headed for the hills (the Pentlands). I believe there are a couple of pit stops along the way and no doubt much needed refreshment, for the horses, will be taken. While they're out tramping the boundaries I'm going to head for Tynecastle, more out of habit than expectation. I noticed the other day a large banner displayed across Gorgie church, next to Tynecastle, imploring us to "Try Praying". Might be good advice.....

Foodbank Trolley Push

As can been seen in the photo I was happy to lend a hand to the Trussell Trust supported foodbank trolley push today, promoting and collecting for the growing network of foodbanks in the UK. The Edinburgh NW Foodbank were leading the charge today but I believe there are another couple in the city, all doing good work. They're also in the process of building a network of contacts with various organisations, churches, charities etc, many of who were represented today in the City Chambers Quadrangle, so that crisis help, in the form of food, can be provided where and when it is most needed. Its a sobering thought that in this day and age some people, and families, struggle to feed themselves. Sadly it seems there is a growing need for such support, much of which is provided by donations and co-ordinated by volunteers. Its a movement that's in its infancy but will definitely continue to grow.

Shared Lives

Big Fat Panda giving it laldy

Was delighted to speak at the relaunch of Edinburgh's Shared Lives programme this week. The scheme supports carers who are prepared to look after an adult with learning difficulties, either short or long term. Not a decision to be taken lightly obviously, but potentially rewarding and worthwhile for all parties. Part of a national scheme Shared Lives Plus, its an innovative way of supporting vulnerable adults in a home environment and is structured in a way that still ensures high care standards are met but not in an institutionalised setting. Its actually been going for a number of years and one of my fellow speakers, Nicky from Leith told the audience that him and his wife have been caring for the same lad for 44 years now. He spoke excellently about the challenges and rewards and stressed the need for commitment. Cleary that that's something that Nicky and his wife have by the barrow load.

Also managed to get to see Big Fat Panda at Bannermans on Thursday, supported by the Skababs. Excellent gig and the guys have produced a CD in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. There's a launch gig at the end of May and I'll certainly be going and will post more info nearer the time.

Holocaust Memorial Service

Attended the annual Jewish Holocaust Memorial service at the Peace Gardens in Prince's Street Gardens earlier this week. As ever, it was a short, dignified, solemn and moving event, hosted by Edinburgh's Jewish community. The memorial stone in the picture was placed there by the Council in conjunction with the local Jewish community about 20 years ago. I've been to the service a few times now and I think the attendance seems to grow slightly each year with more young people there this time than I've seen before. The old saying "You can't know where you're going, until you know where you've been" springs to mind and the crimes of the past must never be forgotten.

Edinburgh's No Eviction Policy

IDS

After some internal discussion with our Capital Coalition partners we have decided, like many other Scottish Councils, to commit to a No Eviction policy for Council tenants affected by the Bedroom Tax. There are real implications for the Council's Housing service in this approach but to be honest the Bedroom Tax was already putting investment plans and existing services at risk, not to mention taking money out of the pockets of some of the poorest people in Edinburgh. We simply couldn't contemplate taking eviction action against our tenants who make every effort to pay their rent and whose only crime is having the goalposts moved on them by Iain "£53/week" Duncan Smith and George Osborne, et al .....
 
The motion below has now been submitted for consideration to the Council's P&S Committee on 16 April.

Policy and Strategy Committee 16 April 2013

Motion By Councillor Ricky Henderson – Welfare Reform

1)         Committee wishes to express its concern regarding the impact that the range of Welfare Reform measures is having on people in Edinburgh.

2)         Specifically the Committee is concerned that, from April 2013, measures to reduce housing benefit for tenants of local authorities and housing associations (Bedroom Tax) have not taken account of the acute shortage of one bedroom homes.  This will lead to significant hardship for the tenants affected and increase the risk of homelessness.

3)         Committee is further concerned that these measures may have an adverse impact on council and housing association landlords’ rental income and their ability to invest in improving their own stock and in building new, affordable to heat, homes.

4)         Committee notes that there is a significant risk of a reduction of £45 million in capital investment, funded from the Housing Revenue Account, as a result of this and other measures.

5)         Committee agrees:

(a)             that where the Director of Services for Communities is satisfied that tenants who are subject to the under-occupancy charge have done all they reasonably could to avoid falling in to arrears, then all legitimate means to collect rent arrears should be utilised except eviction

(b)        to establish a joint working group that will include elected members, officials from Housing and Revenues and Benefits, Registered Social Landlords and tenants representatives. The role of the working group shall be to monitor the implementation and impact of various benefits changes and to contribute to consideration of further measures to support tenants.

(c)        to support calls by local campaigns to scrap the Bedroom Tax.

Sexual Health, Crisis Grants & the Royal Ed

Interesting and varied week again, including a lengthy NHS Lothian Board meeting on Wednesday sandwiched between two visits to different health facilities. Firstly, the relatively new Chalmers Centre for Sexual Health at Lauriston Place. A wide range of services delivered there including STI, HIV, pregnancy advice and contraception and we were given an intriguing tour and chatted to some of the staff. Fantastic building too with a beautiful atrium space where the old building meets the new. The stained glass window in the picture depicts a family tree, appropriately. 

Thursday saw a visit by Housing Minister Margaret Burgess MSP to Chesser House to check on our preparations for the introduction of the Scottish Welfare Fund, which has been devolved to Councils and will become operational on 1st April. I think the minister came to the same conclusion as me, which is that following a great deal of work by council staff, we are as well prepared as could be expected given the uncertainties that lie ahead. There's more information on this link to the Council's website. 

I then paid a visit to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital to meet Tim Montgomery for a chat and a tour. Visited three wards in all and talked to staff and some patients. Parts of the building are far from ideal and there are plans to redevelop the whole site over the next few years. I was struck though by the professionalism of the staff and the quiet way they go about their business. All was calm and peaceful when I was there but I understand it can be a bit hectic at times and the staff need to draw on all their skills and experience to deal with any issues that arise.

Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled

Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled (RRDA) launched their ambitious plans for a new indoor riding arena on Friday. They already do wonderful work with committed volunteers and lots of demand for their therapeutic and recreational services. Problem is that historically, and currently, they are at the mercy of the Scottish weather. And believe me, Balerno is still covered with snow when it is long forgotten in the city centre. Obviously the bad weather, rain, frost, snow, leads to a lot a cancelled sessions which equals a lot of disappointed youngsters and volunteers. It also leads to issues about keeping the horses trained and disciplined (not that I'm an expert). So, a covered arena would allow them to operate 52 weeks a year and satisfy some more of the demand that is out there. For every disabled person using RRDA there are 4 or 5 on a waiting list. They even have a waiting list for volunteers ! Their plans include the indoor arena, new stables and office and meeting room accommodation and look very impressive. Their fundraising target is £1.8m which is a lot of money but they are well organised, well supported and well respected for the work they do so I'm confident they can achieve their ambition. Admittedly, I'm not what you would call a horsey person but very much enjoyed my visit to the launch event and even though I didn't actually see a horse, one could feel their presence. Went away with a distinctive smell in my nostrils and a mild asthma attack ! I probably wouldn't be much use to them as a volunteer....

Jimmy McIntosh

Jimmy McIntosh MBE

Was pleased to accept an invite to attend the Partners in Advocacy AGM this week. You can find out more about them at their website. Part of the meeting was used to deliver a tribute to longstanding PiA chair Jimmy McIntosh MBE. This was delivered in true "This is Your Life" style by Duncan Macauley. Jimmy's story is quite remarkable. He's well known in Edinburgh for his tireless campaigning for people with disabilities and was a prominent figure in the successful fight against the Care and Support tender exercise under the last Council. Born in 1939 with cerebral palsy, doctors at the time said he wouldn't live into his teens. He's now in his mid seventies and as active as ever. His story also tells us much about our own society in that Jimmy spent 40 years of his life in different institutions including the old Gogarburn hospital. He and his fellow inmates, as they were called, were kept in locked wards and denied the most basic of rights. They even had to go to court to win the right to vote. Thankfully we've moved on a bit since then, but I'm sure we still have further to travel. You can see a short film about Jimmy on this link.

Bedroom Tax - Making it Real

This morning I joined Pentlands Labour Party to spend a few hours at the Wester Hailes Shopping Centre getting signatures for a petition against the Bedroom Tax. I really was genuinely surprised to see people queueing to sign the petition and I spoke to dozens of folk who will actually be affected by this in just a couple of weeks time. It really did bring it home, seeing the worry this has caused to people who are already pretty poor. They feel they've been attacked and can't understand why. One grandmother told me she looks after her 3 grandkids at the weekend to allow her daughter to go to work. She'll now lose benefits based on the additional bedrooms that she uses for this. Gran is thinking of moving to a smaller house and her daughter will have to consider giving up work and being more reliant on benefits. Absolutely nuts ! A guy told me that as he and his partner are in low paid jobs they receive £1 a week in Housing benefit. Because they've got an extra bedroom they've received a letter advising that their benefits will be reduced to 86p ! The fact that exemptions to the Bedroom Tax were just announced this week proves to me that the ConDem Government are making it up on the hoof and surely more changes will follow.

Tomorrow I shall head for Hampden, more in hope that expectation, for the League Cup Final. I think that St Mirren are underrated as a football side and they certainly carry plenty of threat up front. However, Hearts won't be lacking motivation, fired up with the infectious enthusiasm of new boss Gary Locke. Looking forward to it. Determined to have a good day, come what may. Good luck Hearts.

SH&SCP & JGCC

Very constructive meeting of the Shadow Health and Social Care Partnership yesterday. Still a lot of work to do and a few challenges to overcome but we're certainly moving on the right direction. Starting from next month the meetings will be held in public. There won't be any fanfare launch or anything but the fact that our discussions will be held in public takes us on to an important next stage.

Last night was spent at a special meeting of Juniper Green Community Council to discuss the proposals to re-designate Curriemuirend Park as development land for housing in the new Local Development Plan. Its accepted by most that we really do need more housing in Edinburgh, especially affordable homes and there is pressure from the Scottish Government to identify development land. However, building houses on a local park does seem like a step too far. In addition, the plans (as revealed at Planning workshops earlier in the month) mean reconfiguring Wester Hailes Road from a dual to single carriageway which might make sense from a theoretical policy perspective but would be disastrous in practice. So, I've submitted an objection to the proposal and we'll see what happens at the Planning Committee on Tuesday.

Brixton, Balerno, Glasgow and Easter Road

Lambeth Town Hall

Been on tour the last few days. Visited Lambeth Council (Town Hall is in the centre of Brixton) with a couple of colleagues to discuss their Co-operative Council initiative. They've been leading the co-operative approach for a couple of years now and have developed some really innovative and exciting ideas. The Young Lambeth Co-operative for example which will be established in the next few weeks and young people will own and run their own services with the current budget transferred to them. And the day care centre that we visited that will soon become a mutual, owned by the staff and managed by staff, users and carers. Interesting stuff and not without its challenges but Lambeth colleagues were very open about some of the problems they've encountered, and resolved.

Having got off the train at 11.30pm on Friday I surprised myself by managing to get to the Balerno Farmers Market for 9.30am yesterday, then a cup of coffee at the Fairtrade event in Balerno church before meeting Andrew Burns to head to Glasgow for a Scottish Labour Councillors Conference. Addressed by Sarah Boyack, Anas Sarwar and Johann Lamont as well as a couple of workshop sessions it was very worthwhile and will be repeated.

Last leg of the tour is today, Easter Road, for what is likely to be the last derby of the season. Not hugely confident but looking forward to the game anyway.

Bedroom Tax

Interesting debate at Corporate Policy and Strategy committee this week about the introduction of the Bedroom Tax from 1st April (the Tories don't like it being called the Bedroom Tax by the way, so that's that sorted then...). The Bedroom Tax will inevitably cause problems for individuals across Edinburgh, it is estimated that 6,500 Council and Housing Association tenants will be affected and face the threat of having their Housing Benefit reduced for the heinous crime of having an extra bedroom in their house. Complex rules mean many questions have still to be fully answered regarding people with disabilities, those who need carers to stay occasionally and grown children who may be serving in the forces. But it also presents risks to housing providers like the council and services that are funded after all by the rents that tenants pay. If the Council suffers a reduction in income through the Bedroom Tax that will have a knock effect to front line services and investment in housing. We also have to consider what we do when people inevitably run up arrears. As things currently stand the Council takes every possible precaution to avoid evicting tenants for rent arrears but it does happen unfortunately. Now, I really don't want the Council to find itself in court asking for eviction on the basis that an individual is in rent arrears and their only offence is to have had the goal posts moved on them by the ConDem government. Result of the committee debate ? We've asked for a report on the impact of a no eviction policy and what other mitigation measures we can consider. Watch this space.

Mixed Bag

Very varied and enjoyable activities last weekend. Saturday morning I boarded a 44 and headed for Balerno Tattie Day, staged and promoted by Balerno Village Trust. All things potato related were available for purchase, participation or consumption. The tatties really were selling like hot cakes ! I managed to diplomatically decline the offer of buying various types of seed potatoes and head down the road to Juniper Green Community Market for my stewarding stint. Then off to Tynecastle to see Hearts on the wrong end of a 3-2 against Inverness CT.

On Sunday I accepted an invite from the Edinburgh AhlulBayt Society to attend a lecture on medical ethics as viewed through the Islamic faith. TEAS are a Shia Muslim educational group seeking to encourage debate and a greater understanding of Islam. The lecture, in association with Imamia Medics International, was by Professor Shabih Haider Zadi and focussed on the place of Islamic doctrine in the dogmas of medical ethics. Very interesting session and healthy debate afterwards. I look forward to attending future events. You can find out more at their website.
ards

Healthy Living

2nd half of this week was pretty much dominated by Health related activity. Wednesday saw a visit to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to look round the A&E department and their impressive plans for improving and upgrading some areas to cope with increasing demand. Also got a wee insight into the alterations that will be required to facilitate the construction of the new Sick Kids adjacent to the existing complex. This was followed by a meeting NHS Lothian's Finance Committee and then a meeting of the Trustees of the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation (the charitable arm of NHS Lothian). 

Thursday afternoon saw me jumping on a 38 down to the Western where there was a seminar on "person centred care". A great deal of audience participation was required and it was encouraging to see Council and Health colleagues exchanging ideas and the boundaries between the two becoming increasingly blurred. A good sign. 

Yesterday was the latest meeting of our shadow Health and Social Care Partnership. Quite a few strands of work being developed and beginning to look more meaningful and well formed. We also agreed to invite a trade union representative from the Council to join the partnership to match the NHS arrangement where "partnership" (TU) reps are part of the decision making at all levels within the NHS. I could be wrong but I think its the first time we, as a Council, have formally included trade union colleagues as part of the decision making process.

Praise Indeed

My attention was drawn today to a press release from the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee regarding a report they have published which deals with how public bodies are addressing the challenges of demographic changes. (people getting older to you and me, the stuff I've been banging on about for the past few months) Apparently they are impressed by our approach to this and say the following -

" The Committee welcomes the approach adopted by City of Edinburgh Council. However, it is concerned that other local authorities and NHS boards appear not to have undertaken similar long term planning. The Committee would therefore welcome the view of the Scottish Government on the need for public bodies to introduce long term financial planning on a similar basis to the City of Edinburgh Council and whether it has any plans to disseminate good practice in this area." I'm assuming this refers to our long term financial planning and the recognition of demographic changes in last week's budget settlement and allocation of additional funding for services, as outlined in previous posts.

Not wishing to hide our light under a bushel (don't know where that biblical reference came from!) we are pleased to accept praise from any quarter.

Very useful H&SC Integration session this afternoon with CEC and NHS managers, the debate rolls on and more and more ideas and questions are coming forward which is all helping to inform the development process. Now, must dash to the South West Area Housing Board tonight at WH Library and hopefully be back in time to catch most of the fitba'.

Tiphereth

Spent an extremely interesting couple of hours at the Tiphereth community at Torphin on Friday. They provide 12 full time residential and 50 day places for people with learning disabilities in a lively community based working environment. In their own words and from their own website http://www.tiphereth.org.uk/ - "Tiphereth is part of the Camphill Movement, which was founded in 1940 and works to create communities in which vulnerable children and adults with learning difficulties, can live, work and learn with others in healthy social relationships based on mutual care and respect.Tiphereth is a place where fun, work and care go hand in hand." I was massively impressed with the operation and the atmosphere of the place. They produce jam on the premises, maintain their own gardens, carry out craft projects, cooking and a major composting business. Their workshop also makes charcoal and produces wood chip. I was also pleased to hear they enjoy a very constructive working relationship with the Council and have some ambitious and impressive plans for the future. I hope they continue to do well and look forward to my next visit.

Budget Day

Trip to Celtic Connections last weekend was excellent. I'd forgotten how good a venue the ABC in Sauchiehall Street is. Three Blind Wolves were great but Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire were fantastic. A very varied set that mixed the best of the sound of contemporary Scottish bands with a sprinkling of Gerry Rafferty and Johnny Cash for good measure. His cover of Randy Newman's Louisiana (1927) was outstanding and I hope he tours a bit more this year, it would be good to see him in Edinburgh.

Back to business this week though and the culmination of many months of work took place today in our annual Budget Debate. Pleased to report that all went well and in a significant departure from centuries of budget setting tradition we managed to adjourn the meeting to consider proposals from other parties and agree that some elements could be incorporated into the Capital Coalition Budget Motion. So some proposals from the Greens and the Tories will now be implemented. Didn't accept anything from the LibDems. Obviously. At the risk of being lazy, all the background details and the link to the Council webcast coverage of the debate can be accessed through Andrew's excellent blog.

Three Blind Wolves and the Budget

Full Council meeting on Thursday was interesting. Leith Waterworld dominated the agenda and debate. Having heard from the Splashback deputation (for the 4th time !) and a private discussion outwith the meeting we agreed that, on balance, it was worth supporting the community bid to the next stage, even though we know it will be difficult to deliver a viable, sustainable operation in the longer term. However, you never know and if it can be made to work it would be a wonderful example of partnership working and looking at imaginative alternatives to traditional service delivery.

We also published our Capital Coalition draft budget motion on Thursday (one week early), first time in living memory that this has been done. Usually the budget motion is still warm from the photocopier as the budget meeting kicks off, but this departure is designed to be more open and accessible. As ever, all the essential detail can be found on Andrew's blog .

Off through to Celtic Connections in Glasgow later to see Roddie Hart and the Lonesome Fire supported by Three Blind Wolves. Should be good.

Finally, good luck to the Jam Tarts today on their long journey north to Ross County and all the Hearts fans making the trip.

Committee Business

Productive day yesterday, the Health, Wellbeing and Housing Committee, which I chair, took all of 30 minutes to conclude the formal business on the agenda. The Policy Review and Development session which followed, took 3 hours and gave us the chance to have an in depth discussion about Domestic Abuse and Homelessness, two issues that are not completely unconnected but we dealt with them separately and heard excellent presentations from Council officials and external partners dealing with these services. Some thoughtful and constructive contributions from elected members too made for a very worthwhile exercise. The test of our new policy development approach will be how we actually take these discussions forward into shaping policy and improving services but we've made a good start.

Then the Special Sub Committee on Adult Social Care (which I also chair) considered a report on standards in Council Care Homes, some of which had been subject to Care Inspectorate inspections and reports. Reasonably positive with action plans in place to address any issues that have been identified. We do need to invest in the fabric of homes though. Modern standards have advanced and in many cases our somewhat dated buildings struggle to meet our aspirations.

Our usual pre Council Labour Group meeting followed, starting at 7pm and finished around half nine. Thorough debate on the Council agenda items with Leith Waterworld understandably taking up most of our attention and discussion.

Off to Tynecastle tonight, hoping Hearts can build on our success at the weekend. Looking forward to seeing new striker Michael Ngoo in action again, he certainly looks the part.