Liberton High School Project Group – Update

In the wake of the tragic death of Keane Wallis Bennett at Liberton High, a special Project Group has been convened to consider issues surrounding future PE facilities and the future of the school building itself. The group consists of parents, school staff, senior officials from Education Children and Families Department, Councillor Austin Hart and myself.

Following a prior agreement of Full Council, a new Dance Studio with sprung floor has now been constructed within the main school building. Plans for the construction of a significant extension to the school’s most recent gym hall are now also well advanced and have been shared with the school community.

At its August meeting, Council confirmed that Scottish Government funding will cover 2/3 of the gross capital expenditure of the gym extension up to a maximum of £1,666,667 with the additional 1/3 of funding coming from the City of Edinburgh Council.

It is now anticipated that the ‘old gym’ will be demolished during the October school holidays.

The work of the Project Group will continue toward the end of the year and will continue to look at important longer term issues such as avenues for the provision of a new Liberton High School campus.

Moredun Post Office Upgrade

For residents information, the local Post Office on Moredun Park Road is being upgraded to a new ‘main style’ branch which will open on Friday 19 September.

The upgrade is underpinned by a major programme of government modernisation and investment taking place across the Post Office network. For local residents the upgrade will mean: A newly refurbished Post Office, the same products and services with the addition of Car Tax and longer opening hours.

The Government announced some £1.34bn of investment in 2010 and committed a further £640m for invesntmnt into the Post Office network in November 2013.

Street Lighting Improvement Works – Inch Park

I have recieved the following information regarding the above:

“Street Lighting Improvement Works – Inch Park

General Details

I am writing to inform you that the City of Edinburgh Council’s Street Lighting Section will shortly
be carrying out Street Lighting improvement works at the above location. These works will start
week commencing 1st September and will be phased over a period of four weeks. When the new
lighting scheme is energised the old columns will be removed
Minimising disruption and noise

To allow for the safe execution of works a temporary traffic regulation order has been raised and
parking restrictions will apply. Please note that there will also be restrictions regarding vehicular
access to the Park during these works. Vehicle and pedestrian restrictions will be clearly sign
posted on site. Throughout the programme of works emergency vehicle and pedestrian access
will be maintained.”

Full Council Meeting – Thursday

Thursday 21 August sees the next full meeting of the Council. Items for consideration include reports on Liberton High School and the land at the Edmonstone Estate.

Full papers and details of watching online can be accessed here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cpol

Reminder – Advice Surgeries

My regular monthly Advice Surgeries will take place this coming Tuesday evening.

Liberton Kirk Halls – 6.00pm

Gilmerton Community Centre – 6.45pm

My surgeries operate on a drop-in basis and so no appointment is necessary.

Corporate Policy and Strategy Committee

A reminder that Council has once again ‘fired-up’ following the summer recess period. The above committee sits Tuesday, at 10.00am and is open to the general public should they wish to attend.

Full agenda and meeting papers can be found here:

Policy and Strategy Committee