We're late to this party since the closing date for consultation comments was 24 August. Notwithstanding, here is a link to the Scot Gov consultation paper on the proposals to create two new High-Value Property Council Tax Bands for residential properties valued between £1m and £2m (Band I) and over £2m (Band J): https://www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-council-tax-high-value-property-bands-mansion-tax/pages/2/
Our thanks to the Grange Association for the pointer here.
The proliferation of weeds along roads and pavements is a cause of concern for many local residents. The Council's policy on weed control is explained here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/weedcontrol . All weed control is now carried out by manual or mechanical methods. It is a much slower process.
If you should wish to take on the weed problem in your street, the Council offers some support by way of lending basic equipment and arranging uplift of bagged green waste. Contact the Council for more information at waste@edinburgh.gov.uk .
Transport Scotland has announced they will work with Network Rail to undertake a high-level feasibility study of the proposal to reintroduce passenger services on the Edinburgh South Suburban railway, the ‘South Sub’, using tram-trains. This will be a technical study, in advance of any business case.
Tram Trains for Edinburgh (TTfE), ending a successful first year of campaigning, welcomes this crucial first step in getting services back on the South Sub. With much of the required infrastructure already in place, TTfE believes it is a 'hugely practical project', notwithstanding the big engineering challenges of the Murrayfield and the Portobello – East Coast Main Line connections.
Timely guidance about bogus callers and doorstep crime. "Commission home or garden work from known companies. Use the Edinburgh Trusted Trader Scheme; check here: https://www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh/ (or 0333 444 7016).
Door-to-door selling: Ask to see their official 'peddlers licence'. Be very aware of personable plausible impersonators of utility company staff and the like.
With unexpected callers, check first through a window or door viewer to establish who it is. If you open the door, keep it on a door chain or door guard if you can while you establish who it is. Keep the person outside your house. Check identity cards carefully. Establish the organisation / company exists. Don't use the phone number on the identity card; it may be fake.
Keep your household doors locked as standard practice."
For further information, visit https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice/scams-and-frauds
You can contact the local crime prevention team via edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk
"As the city reaches its busiest time of year, we have launched our ‘Getting Around Town’ campaign. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness that we have an integrated public transport network in Edinburgh and to encourage people to plan their journeys, particularly as there are diversions in town and because the tram is not running to Leith and Newhaven following the fire on Princes Street.
We have created a toolkit which you may find useful for sharing information to people in your local community. It contains key messages, social media assets and printable posters. Getting Around Town Toolkit – Google Drive
There are public transport options for people to get wherever they need to go in town. Our website has all the information people need to plan their journeys including links to journey planning tools www.edinburgh.gov.uk/planyourjourney "
Well done, CEC!
A major programme to install medium voltage cables (33kV) through the south east of the city is now underway. Originating from Newbattle Terrace, work is scheduled to start, on Monday, 10 August, along Blackford Road (15 days) and Grange Road (16 days), Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. The programme will continue with phased road closures in Palmerston Road, Chalmers Crescent, Mansionhouse Road, Lauder Road, Cumin Place, Tantallon Place, Seton Place, St Catherine's Place and Findhorn Place. with work expected to be completed by 16th of September. There will be associated temporary waiting restrictions.
Final completion is scheduled for 16 September. The programme thereafter continues through to King's Buildings and beyond to the Bio-Quarter. The contractor, Excalon, has a named Community Liaison Officer, Linda Smith. Her contact number is 07387 056652.
Founded, compiled and edited by now-retired freelance journalist, Mike Wilson, BuildEdinburgh takes a wide-ranging, incisive and joyful look at Edinburgh’s built environment, across its buildings, streets and neighbourhoods. Features, favourites and design; opinions, ideas and news; brought to you across every weekend. Take a look here: https://www.buildedinburgh.com/
CEC Chief Planning Officer, David Givan, led a workshop on 8 June to engage further on the draft strategy for the Princes Street – Waverley Valley area. The official note was published recently (before the Debenhams’ incident). A range of invited speakers offered different perspectives on how the area could look in the future. The roundtable discussions which followed focused on what the future ‘draw’ of Princes Street, for residents and visitors, should look like; what needs the PSWV area ought to provide for; ‘how we make it happen’.
The event brought out a wide range of competing opinions and ideas. Following further work, a report will go to Planning Committee later in 2026.
Lib Dem candidate for the 3 September by-election will be Artie Khovanov, Prestonfield resident and currently an AI PhD candidate at Edinburgh University. ‘The Lyceum at Sixty’ was celebrated with four commissioned short plays performed in resident homes across town, including Homeross House. Contact Pauline on Ward issues at: mailto:Cllr.Pauline.Flannery@edinburgh.gov.uk
3 Salisbury Place, Newington, EH9 1SL, in name of Ms Denise Harris. Mon to Sat, 09.00 to 20.00.
"Anyone wishing to object to the grant of a licence must lodge a written objection or representation specifying the grounds of the objection or the nature of the
representation to the City of Edinburgh Council, Licensing Service, 249 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ, by the 31st of July 2026. The objection or representation must specify the name and address of the person making it and be signed by that person or an agent."
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/download/13239/licensing-registers-civic
