Tag: Rolling Update

The March 2026 fire at an unregulated vape shop near Glasgow Central Station has put the proliferation of vape shop retail outlets into sharp focus.

Cllr. Stuart Dobbin (Ward 4 – forth) took an emergency motion to the Full Council of 19 March 2026. (I can’t identify the detail at this point.)

Cllr. Neil Ross, Convener of the Regulatory Committee, in response to a query from Cllr. Pauline Flannery, states that there is no licensing regime as yet for the sale of vapes. (Change of use to a vape shop from ‘other retail’ doesn’t require planning permission.) Sale of vapes as a trading issue is dealt with by the Trading Standards team at the Council. At the 16 March 2026 meeting of the Regulatory Committee , the Regulatory Services Manager was asked to write to Scot Gov to ask about a licensing framework for vape shops. Look for an update in the Business Bulletin published at the next meeting on 11 May .

Scottish Fire & Rescue are set to pursue the risk issues in the next parliament. The Cockburn Association is speaking of ‘inadequate planning protections’.

The Business Bulletin from the 8 August 2025 meeting of the Regulatory Committee (Item 6) reports on the then scope of Trading Standards Team activity in respect of curtailment of single-use vapes.

https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=144&MId=7822&Ver=4

The next Traffic Regulation Orders Sub Committee is scheduled for 12 May, with the Agenda to be published on 5 May. Zone 8 intentions ('Orders') may be tabled then. The consultation on proposals took place 10 months ago. That said, it seems not to be the case that publication of the Orders would open up a period for public comment and objection. Members of the Sub Committee (Ward Councillors) might elect to hold a hearing on a particular proposal, but they would have to be approached by community groups to do so and agree to do so. Since committee consideration is a quasi-judicial process, community groups are not permitted to present directly to the committee meeting. In essence, I'm being told by CEC Transport Services, Network Management and Enforcement that consultation is closed, and by local Councillor, Tim Pogson, that a direct approach to the Sub Committee is closed.

The former Causewayside Lads’ Institute at Ratcliffe Terrace has now been granted Category C listed building status, recognising not just its exterior, but the story held within its walls. The interior spaces, rooms and layout all help tell how the building once served its community.

That matters. This is a quiet but important win for Edinburgh’s heritage.

Too often, we think of heritage as what we see from the street. But the real meaning of a place is often found inside, in how it was used, who it brought together, and the role it played in everyday life.

This decision is a reminder that protecting heritage means understanding the full picture. It also shows what can be achieved when communities speak up and engage in the process. (GPCC played a small part.) An understated building, perhaps, but an important part of the city’s story. (Neil Kempsell)

A Quiet Victory for Community Heritage: The Listing of the Former Lads’ Institute, Ratcliffe Terrace

This is important. The CGF brings small scale grant funding to a wide array of community groups and activities. This Council survey is looking at the scope to widen and improve funding access. You have until 4 th May to offer your opinion.

"You may be aware that the Community Empowerment and Engagement Team are in the process of making changes to the Community Grants Fund (CGF). This began with an evaluation of the current funding model in 2024, then in 2025 we worked with CGF volunteers, applicants and grant experts to develop three options for a refreshed funding model for the CGF. You can read more information about the stakeholder engagement process here.

As we enter the next phase of the process, we’d like your views on which funding model option meets the following aims:

reduces barriers to accessing the fund

creates opportunities for wider community participation in decision-making

improves the efficiency of the fund

Your feedback will directly influence how the fund operates, making it more accessible and impactful for communities across Edinburgh. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete:"

Complete our survey by 4 May 2026

You will recall that, last June, the Council outlined fresh proposals for, and consulted on, tighter parking restrictions in the Grange Blackford area, east to west. It has been a long saga. Cllr. Steve Burgess has come back on our query to say that feedback from that consultation will go to Council Committee over the summer, at which point a decision will be made on implementation. I don't have a firm date. It could be 2 June. (Correction: TRO sub committee meeting now listed for 12 May – Agenda published 7 days ahead.)

A reminder that l ocal campaign group Tram Trains for Edinburgh will profile the case for reopening the South Suburban railway to rail passenger traffic. The scheme would provide a fast and efficient passenger service on the existing line, running in an arc, west to east. Rob Falcon, the TTfE lead, will host the event at the Nucleus Building (7.30pm) on the King's Buildings University Campus, EH9 3FG. You are invited to register on this link:

Tram Trains for Edinburgh Event, 23 April 2026

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A short introduction; see this link: https://www.edinburghsolar.coop/ ECSC has a ten-year history and is about to enter its third phase of solar panel installations on public or community-owned buildings, adding up to 12 sites to the 30 currently in operation. Edinburgh Solar Coop enables community ownership of clean energy and assets, funded by low-ticket direct investment in share capital, on which an annual return is payable over 20 years.

Annual surplus funds are allocated to a community benefit fund. £20000 was distributed across 14 applications in 2025. The 2026 funding round is due to open around now. Edinburgh Solar Coop is a Registered Society with the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Council is working on a review of the funding model for the CGF, a small grants scheme provided by the Council offering grants of up to £5,000 to constituted groups for local community activity. Help by completing the survey to give your opinion. Go to The Consultation Hub on the front page.

Catch-up on the progress of this project at 7.30pm on 23 April, at the main lecture theatre in the Nucleus Building, on the King’s Buildings’ campus. The campaign is advocating using tram trains to provide a fast and efficient public transport service around the South Suburban rail line. Of specific local interest are the issues relating to Newington, Liberton and, of course, Cameron Toll. You can register your interest via Eventbrite here:

GPCC Member, Sally Griffiths has reviewed the Council’s announced spending plans for 2026/27 on transport infrastructure , including carriageways and footways, road structures and road safety. They are deeply detailed, with inter-dependencies and project ‘crossovers’ meaning there is no guarantee of seamless execution and delivery to timeline. One of the imperatives is the intended full re-surfacing of Craigmillar Park to accommodate the 2 July 2027 Tour de France event. There will be significant disruption.

Here are some other projects indicated for the GPCC area: Carriageway treatment at: McLaren Road, Ventnor Terrace, Strathfillan Road, Seton Place, Clearburn Crescent, Suffolk Road. Mentone Gardens, West Savile Road, East Mayfield, West Mayfield, Maurice Place: Footway treatment at: Ratcliffe Terrace, Grange Crescent.

In another development, the Council looks to be moving towards the provision of better communication and information on the prospective delivery of road and pavement works in future years. All would be ‘subject to change’, of course, but knowing that a problem area is at least ‘in the pipeline’ would be a plus.