Tag: Rolling Update

The Traffic Regulation Orders Sub Committee (TRO SC) approved new parking restrictions at the ‘loop’ in Rankin Drive on 12 May. There had been substantial local resident objection tabled at the outset when the proposals were published and consulted upon in late February / early March. GPCC tabled then a measured objection. GPCC asked for an equitable and proportionate reduction in the scale of the intended restrictions against the highly-impactful published proposals.

At the TRO SC on 12 May, the objections were not raised as a matter for discussion at all, notwithstanding their number and relevance. Local resident reaction to the outcome continues to build. GPCC has raised with local Elected Councillors some questions on the nature of the TRO SC procedure at the 12 May meeting.

Around September, the Council will likely launch a small-scale CMI product for small investors. The council typically borrows money to invest in medium- to long-term capital programmes. This CMI product will open a savings opportunity for local residents and businesses, over, say, a five-year period, with interest payable and the full amount invested repaid at the end of term. The minimum investment may be of the order of £5 or £10. The target may be to raise around £1m. The funds will be invested in the likes of nature recovery, climate adaptation, decarbonisation, tree planting and ‘healthy street’ improvement schemes across the city. The full undertaking to repay the sums borrowed will rest with City of Edinburgh Council.

A change of use application has been approved, from former children’s nursery to single private dwelling with internal alterations, but with the withdrawal of a proposed new access from Cameron Park. There is now no plan, provision or consent for a breach of the boundary wall at the head of Cameron Park.

At the Council Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-Committee meeting on 12 May, new parking restrictions were approved for the loop section of roadway within Rankin Drive and for some neighbouring junctions. Over sixty local resident objections had been tabled, far exceeding letters of support. (Another 20 or so locations in the city also saw new restrictions.)

The Council advanced the case for the restrictions on the grounds of (i) site inspection, (ii) safe access and improved traffic flow for large public sector service vehicles at that location and (iii) the overall Policy Measures in the City Mobility Plan.

Local Elected Councillors and GPCC had made representations to Council Transport Officers seeking a measured reduction in the proposed scale of restriction, in order to offset in part the sizeable cut in parking spaces for residents. Objections and representations were on record. Disappointingly, the restrictions for Rankin Drive were approved under Traffic Regulation Order TRO / 24 / 34, without any meaningful investigative discussion across Elected Councillor members of the Sub-Committee.

The TRO is in place and there is no immediate recourse. GPCC is in correspondence with local Elected Councillors on this matter.

Residents across Edinburgh are to choose how money raised by the new Visitor Levy is spent in their neighbourhoods. Each of the council’s 17 electoral wards will benefit from a share of £1.7 million over three years, with residents directly deciding how to spend the portion of levy income in their local ward, in part by way of a new online voting portal. A one-year pilot programme will test the process and identify areas for improvement, with £20,000 available per ward in the 2026/27 financial year, followed by the remaining funds for two-year projects to take place in 2027/28 and 2028/29.

Campfire Tattoo Ltd. Ref. No. 57881. 191 Causewayside, EH9 1PH. Skin Piercing / Tattooing Licence: Mon. to Sun. 11.00 to 18.00. Written objections / representations to City of Edinburgh Council, Licensing Service, 249 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ by 12 June 2026. Objection or representation must specify name and address of the person making the submission and must be signed by that person or agent. licensing@edinburgh.gov.uk

The 26 May CEC Policy and Sustainability Committee will receive from the Edinburgh Partnership Board a 2026 refresh of the Edinburgh Community Plan . That is the current 2018-2028 Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) for the local authority. Things have moved on from the 2018 inception, of course. This refresh sets out some adjustments in priorities and in approach. It prefaces the next Community Plan (2028), work on which begins this June. You can look at a short summary here: Edin Partnership LOIP Refresh May 2026

Community Councils should be current with what's happening here. The LOIP is an uphill struggle, filled with complexities. By way of background, the Edinburgh Partnership is the community planning partnership for the city. It brings together public agencies, third and private sectors, and local communities to improve social services and the social welfare of people who live and work here. See https://www.edinburghpartnership.scot/ . Here is the link to the Policy and Sustainability Committee:

https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=135&Year=0

We’re advised that, later this year, CEC plans to launch a Community Municipal Investment (CMI) initiative. Edinburgh residents, communities and businesses will be able to invest directly in small-scale projects linked to green investment, climate action, clean energy, active travel and environmental improvements in the city.

Municipal investments are led by local authorities. Glasgow launched a CMI scheme in September 2025. A sizeable number of English councils have programmes underway. Investors place funds with a ring-fenced, closely-regulated council fund for a fixed term (say, 5 years or 10 years). In exchange, they receive a reliable, fixed six-monthly or annual return (or dividend), and full capital repayment at the end of the term. A minimum investment of £5 or £10 per investor opens the door to everyone, but you can go much higher. Funds raised locally are invested locally. The initial target may be a fund of £1m to £2m. You can see how the project is being built and delivered.

A current example of this type of community capital investment sits with the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC – https://www.edinburghsolar.coop/ ) A broader type of programme is offered by Foundation Scotland ( https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/set-up-fund/fund-management-for-communities ) We understand the planned Edinburgh CMI will be administered by Abundance Investment ( https://www.abundanceinvestment.com/invest-now )

The next GPCC meeting is on Wednesday 20 May, at 18.45, at Cameron House Community Education Centre, 34 Prestonfield Avenue, EH16 5EU. The AGM will take place after the ordinary meeting concludes, around 8pm. Agendas for both meetings will be published on this website by 12 May. The meetings will be help in public.

For several years, the council has been working on plans to improve the streets, public spaces, local facilities and amenities in the Craigmillar – Niddrie area. This goes back to survey work from Q2 2023. The project takes shape now, with specific safe travel proposals, new bus lanes and nicer public spaces along the Peffermill Road, Niddrie Mains Road and Newcraighall Road corridor. The project builds on the key Council strategies exhibited in 20 Minute Neighbourhood, Future Streets and City Mobility Plan papers. View the detail here and respond to the online survey invitation: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling-walking/craigmillar-niddrie-connections