Community engagement in land-decisions: a survey

(adapted from a communication from the Scottish Land Commission, circulated by Edinburgh Council)

The Scottish Land Commission has launched a new survey seeking views of communities across Scotland about community engagement in decisions relating to land.

The Commission wants to make sure that all people in Scotland have the opportunity to be involved in decisions about land that significantly affect them. The Commission is supporting communities, land owners and land managers to work together to make better – and fairer – decisions about land use with the publication of its first Protocol on Community Engagement in Decisions Relating to Land.

The Commission’s Protocol supports the Guidance on engaging communities in decisions relating to land, which was published by the Scottish Government in April last year.  Over the next couple of years, the Commission will review the effectiveness of the guidance, and recommend improvements if needed. The survey will establish a baseline against which progress can be measured and identify where further support needs to be developed by the Commission or other organisations.

Individual residents and community organisations in both urban and rural Scotland are being asked to complete the survey. The Commission hopes to:

  • learn more about how the way land or buildings are managed impacts communities
  • know what opportunities people have to influence decisions made when land use changes
  • hear what type of support is needed to make engagement more effective.

Clear and open communication is increasingly a key part of public life, with organisations creating mechanisms for ordinary people to be involved in decisions that affect them. A key area where people want to have their say is about local land use and management.

Helen Barton, Community Engagement Advisor at the Scottish Land Commission said:

“We want to hear from communities in both urban and rural Scotland, to find out what level of community engagement is taking place around decisions related to land.

Individuals can respond but also anyone who is involved with community organisations such a community councils, tenants’ or residents’ groups or local government.

“The information provided will not include any personal identifying information and we will collate and analyse the responses to see where there are trends.

“It is important to get an idea of what community engagement is happening now to not only use as a baseline measure but also to see if there are any lessons we can learn from current practices.”

In the survey, the Commission will also be looking to find out how many respondents are aware of the Scottish Government’s guidance as well as the Commission’s own Protocol for Community Engagement, which sets out general and specific expectations for owners and managers of land.

The survey will be open for responses until the end of September 2019 and can be found here: www.landcommission.gov.scot/communityengagement

 

How would you spend £1 billion?

(a poster sent to CCs by Chris Peggie | Governance Officer | Democracy, Governance & Resilience: Governance | Strategy & Communications | Chief Executive | The City of Edinburgh Council | Business Centre 2:1 | Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG | 0131 529 4494 | chris.peggie@edinburgh.gov.uk | www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Click the thumbnail to see the full-size PDF.)

Preparatory works for Trams to Newhaven continue with vibration testing

(adapted from an email from Trams to Newhaven: view the original at https://mailchi.mp/7f4d38afd7a4/trams-to-newhaven-update-february-2019-final-business-case-233657)

Ground and Site Investigation Works update

Ground and site investigation works along the route are now in the final stages, with the last of the scheduled works due to complete in week commencing 22 July 2019.
The essential pre-enabling works, being carried out by the tram project’s Systems and Infrastructure contractor Sacyr, Farrans, Neopul (SFN), involves SFN carrying out detailed ground investigation surveys at 25 sites on the route. The work is being carried out in sections of approximately 100 metres at a time and under localised lane closures.
The purpose of ground investigation works is to determine the ground conditions along the route so that the project’s final design can be confirmed. SFN have been checking, among other things, the depth of the bedrock. This will allow us to better understand how deep tram infrastructure foundations need to be, as well as the dimensions of the ‘track slab’, which will be laid beneath the tram tracks.

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Public utility works: Leith Area

(adapted from an email from Graham Hall (CEC Senior Transport Team Leader) to Leith ward and Leith Walk ward councillors; with thanks to the councillor that forwarded it to community councils. Unfortunately, this only reached LCCC’s webmaster today [19 July].)

As you will be no doubt aware, The City of Edinburgh Council is carrying out significant pre-tram surfacing works in wards 12 and 13 at the current time via our Transport Design and Delivery section who have McLay’s Ltd carrying out numerous projects in preparation for the Tram extension works which are due to commence later this year.

In addition to these works City Fibre have started their programme to install fibre to the home in the area as well as the other utility providers continuing their business as usual.

It has been agreed with the CEC project manager (Steven Blacklaw) that the locality will coordinate these works around his significant programme to avoid conflict with different sets of work. As McLays Ltd are based in Airdrie and traditionally close down for the Glasgow Fayre fortnight commencing on the 12th of July I have delayed various utility works commencing until McLay’s have closed their sites down and to prevent additional pressure on the road network. The works below have been approved for the period 14th July 2019 to 30 July 2019 to avoid any conflict with the CEC programme.

Whilst there will no doubt be some form of delay caused by the various works, please be assured that every effort has been made to minimise disruption utilising the quieter school holiday period whilst still ensuring these works are completed before CEC’s contractor returns to recommence his programme. Please also note that where required, any works which may present significant disruption have been discussed and approved at the City Wide Traffic Management Group to ensure the most effective traffic management is employed.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call on the number below.

Utility Location Nature of works Works Start Finish Traffic Management
City Fibre Salamander Street Installing new fibre optic cable TBC TBC Two way temporary traffic signals
City Fibre East Hermitage Place Installing new fibre optic cable 14/07/2019 17/07/2019 Three way temporary traffic signals
Scottish Power Albert Street Main Cable repair 15/07/2019 19/07/2019 Parking Restriction only
Scottish Power Constitution Street Install new service 19/07/2019 23/07/2019 Parking Restriction only
Scottish Power Pilrig Street at Dryden Street Excavate footway to replace joint TBC TBC Parking Restriction only
Scottish Gas Networks Newhaven Road at Graham Street Install new connection to gas main 14/07/2019 30/07/2019 Three way temporary traffic signals
Scottish Gas Networks North Junction Street at Ferry Road Replace existing gas main 14/07/2019 30/07/2019 Three way temporary traffic signals
Virgin Media Lindsay Road at Sandpiper Drive Install new service 15/07/2019 19/07/2019 Lane restrictions and local diversion

Graham Hall – FIHE – Senior Transport Team Leader – Place – City of Edinburgh Council – North East Locality, 101 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 4DS – Tel: 0131 469 3926 – Northeast.transport@edinburgh.gov.uk

Please note: all correspondence should be sent to Northeast.transport@edinburgh.gov.uk

Call for members of the public to join new data panel

(Adapted from a post on the Scottish Community Councillors Development Network KnowledgeHub group)

Are you interested in how data can be used to improve lives, services and public policy? Or how Scotland can make the most of the data we already have and discover new and exciting things about society?

Administrative Data Research Scotland exists to ensure that data about life in Scotland (generated through the day-to-day work of public services such as the NHS, government departments and local authorities) is used effectively and responsibly, for the good of everyone.

They are looking for 8 – 12 people to join their panel and share views on the issues and ethics around the future of administrative data, research using it, and how evidence can inform public policy. It’s an important opportunity to shape the future of this work in Scotland.

Find out more and apply (before the 9 August 2019 deadline) at https://forms.gle/ZVxqmztwei8pvnt8A.