MONEY was always going to be a problem for an SNP government elected to office on a manifesto that bulged with costly commitments.
The minority administration’s first Budget was destined to be the moment of truth, but the Nationalists believe Finance Secretary John Swinney pulled off a triumph with his statement to MSPs yesterday. for more click here
GETTING married in Edinburgh is set to become more expensive after councillors agreed to a hike in charges.
The move follows the opening of the newly refurbished Lothian Chambers register office on George IV Bridge to replace the one in the run-down India Buildings on Victoria Street. for more click here
WARNING letters will be sent to council tax dodgers a month earlier under new plans to improve recovery rates in Edinburgh.
Council chiefs are expected to approve guidelines used by other local authorities for collecting outstanding tax across the country. for more click here
A NEW housing complex for hundreds of students is to be built in Leith despite concerns from neighbours that it would cause parking chaos.
Student accommodation firm Unite was granted permission to build the six-storey scheme on Murano Place, which will include 276 bedrooms for new students studying in Edinburgh. for more click here
EDINBURGH council leader Jenny Dawe today warned the city was not yet ready to sign up to a council tax freeze.
Her comments followed claims of a deal between the Scottish Government and the umbrella group for local authorities. for more click here
LEITH Docks risks becoming “a ghetto of enormous proportions” if a massive redevelopment goes ahead in its current form, community leaders have warned.
A joint submission by three community councils, backed by two politicians, has outlined a series of concerns about Forth Ports’ plans for the waterfront. for more click here
A six-week festival will be hosted in Edinburgh from 22 November to celebrate Christmas and see in the new year.
The Edinburgh Winter Festival will involve parades, firework shows, markets and other attractions and culminate in the Hogmanay street party on 31 December.
Light Night will get the celebrations off to a start on 22 November, with Edinburgh’s giant Norwegian Christmas tree illuminated in Princes Street Gardens and the city’s festive lights switched on. for more click here
A SUPERMARKET giant has revived controversial plans for a store on the city’s waterfront. for more click here
A grant of £4.4 million to the City of Edinburgh Council towards the preliminary costs of developing the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme was announced today. The scheme aims to protect vulnerable residents and businesses from the threat of flooding, following severe flooding from the Water of Leith in 2000 which hit 500 properties in Edinburgh.
Environment Minister Michael Russell said
“The Scottish Government recognises that the development of major flood prevention schemes, such as this £30 million scheme for the Water of Leith, takes far too long. We are introducing a Flooding Bill next year to modernise the statutory process and consultation on this bill is due to start in the New Year. for more click here
ELDERLY members of a city history society are struggling to attend meetings at Leith’s New Kirkgate Centre because complex bosses turn its lifts off at night.
The Leith Local History Society meets in Leith Community Centre at the shopping complex, but said some older members find it difficult to climb the stairs when the lifts stop working at 6.30pm. for more click here