2009 November 06

Caution urged over house price figures.

November 6, 2009 By Arron Connolly Leave a Comment

by Cassandra Allwood and Arron Connolly

An Edinburgh property group has urged consumers to be cautious over the latest figures showing a rise in house prices by the Registers of Scotland.

Tony Perriam of Rettie and Co claims that the recent figures do not account for a ‘lag’ in correlating the number of sales with completion dates purchases.

The figures released could actually represent transactions agreed earlier in the year so will reflect conditions of that time leading to a skewed view of an improved market.

However, Mr Perriam did forecast that figures for the fourth quarter should improve due to a boistrous market throughout the months of August to October when the housing market is normally at it’s slowest.

Filed Under: Economy and Business, Life and Society Tagged With: Edinburgh, property, Registers of Scotland, Rettie and Co, Tony Perriam

Activists call for less ‘dirty’ economic policies at G20

November 6, 2009 By mattmoorek Leave a Comment

Matthew Moore

An alternative summit will take place on 7 November in St. Andrews

A coalition of charities, unions, and advocacy groups have banded together to protest the G20 meeting in St. Andrews tomorrow.

The bodies, many with individual issues, have been meeting for months to further a “common cause”.

A beach side protest, a photograph stunt, seminars and workshops have all been planned for the hundreds expected to gather from across Scotland.

The Group of 20 summit is made up of 19 finance ministers from the world’s richest countries and a European Union representative.

Francis Stuart of Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoES) spoke to Edinburgh Napier News: “We’ve been involved in a steering groupd for months now, this is not about our own organisation, it’s about the common good.

“In the afternoon, we’re doing a workshop about carbon responsibility. Looking at the investments of banks on the climate, whether they are a cause for good or a cause for bad, more often than not they seem to be bad.”

One of the many issues FoES would like to see politicians commit to is more finance for developing countries.

“Long term, we’d like to see the developed world give 100 billion per annum to developing nations for mitigation and adaptation – to help cope with climate changes.

“We should give them money to develop as we (developed nations) did, but rather than in a dirty way, in a clean way,” said Mr Stuart.

In the short term, Mr Stuart said, FoES would like to see finance ministers commit to a low carbon economy.

Director of campaigns for Jubilee Scotland, James Picardo, spoke to Edinburgh Napier News about the results they would like the global meeting to produce.

“The G20 is coming together to discuss responses to the financial crisis, we want them to put people first, to implement climate friends policies with the focus on the wellbeing of people.”

A shadow council summit meeting in the afternoon is expected to draw several hundred people.

Mr Picardo said that the short term goal should be to ensure that in the current recession a risk assessment is carried out to minimise the effects.

“We need some form of emergency policies to make sure it (the recession) doesn’t affect the poorest of the poor.

“Longer term, we’d like to see a change in the climate of these discussions, they affect everyone and discussions should be more like United Nations conferences – with greater input from all more countries,” Mr Picardo said.

British Chancellor Alistair Darling spoke to European newspapers this morning ahead of meetings today and tomorrow.

Responding to criticism of the further £30 billion investment in banks this week he said: “We either take action and stop those problems happening or we fail to take action and we face bigger costs down the line.

“My message to my fellow finance ministers is there’s a job of work to be done here. I don’t think anyone seriously denies there’s a problem here. Let’s get on with it,” Mr Darling said.

G20 Protest Sponsors & Organisers:

World Development Agency
Christian Aid
Jubilee Scotland
National Union of Journalists
Friends of the Earth Scotland
Unison
STUC
Scottish Fair Trade Forum
Unite
Equity
Communication Workers Union
War On Want
Universities & College Union
SEAD
Oxfam
Take One Action
Justice & Peace Scotland
SCIAF
Tax Justice Network
Concern Worldwide

Filed Under: All Politics, Life and Society Tagged With: Alistair Darling, Friends of the Earth, G20 St.Andrews, Jubilee Scotland

Council to spend 4k on Burn’s Night Grubb

November 6, 2009 By Amy O'D Leave a Comment

By Amy O’Donnell and Megan Berkley
The Lord Provost’s proposed spend of £4,000 on a Burn’s supper has come under attack.
Councillors have called the feast “inappropriate” at a time of growing unemployment in Edinburgh.
Green councillor Steve Burgess said: “I feel that in the climate of cuts and school closures that the council are facing, it wouldn’t be appropriate to spend that on a dinner.”

This will be the second year that the council will host the “lavish” Burn’s supper, after last year’s 250th anniversary as part of the government’s Homecoming Scotland events. Grubb will invite councillors and business people to join him for the 2009 celebration.

Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive at the TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “While it is a nice idea to have a Burn’s Night celebration, lavish dinners should not be a spending priority at a time when taxpayers’ money is incredibly tight.”

Mr Elliot added: “Local and central government are facing the harsh reality of cuts in public spending, and entertainment costs should be the first to face the axe.”

The Lord Provost’s spokesperson said he was unavailable for comment.

Listen to Steve Burgess, Green Councillor:

Listen to the publics thoughts:

Filed Under: Economy and Business, Uncategorized Tagged With: burns night, george grubb

Councillor condemns ‘thugs’ over cemetery vandalism

November 6, 2009 By Lori Carnochan Leave a Comment

by Lori Carnochan and Emma Craig

A West Lothian councillor has condemned the youth of today after vandals targeted a town cemetery.

A total of 21 heastones were damaged in Manse Road cemetery in Whitburn just after midnight on October 31.

The recent vandalism is the second attack in just eight months and caused around £5,000 worth of damage.

West Lothian Councillor George Paul has expressed his outrage saying: “I think this is absolutely disgraceful.

“This is not an isolated case as earlier in the year some youths broke the Celtic cross at the local memorial.”

It is reported that the gates to the Manse Road cemetery remain open at night and that youths use the footpath that runs through the graveyard as a shortcut.

Mr Paul went on to say: “I find it ridiculous that some sections of today’s youth have respect for nothing and nobody.”

It is thought that the community is now concerned that others will follow lead and cause damage to more of the headstones around the area.

Local resident, Joanne Rowan, 36, said: “My friend has a close relative buried at the Manse Road cemetery; luckily his headstone was untouched, however it has saddened me deeply that this has happened.”

Inspector Michaela Kerr from Whitburn police station appealed to the local community to help find those who carried out the vandalism.

She said: “This is a despicable crime and one which causes great distress to families who have already suffered the loss of a loved one.

“I am sure the local community will be keen to support the police in their efforts to identify the culprits and bring them to justice.”

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 01501-740 222, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.

Filed Under: Courts and Crime Tagged With: cemetery, damage, george paul, manse road, whitburn, youths

Bricks and mortar gone but the wall remains

November 6, 2009 By brown07 Leave a Comment

By Meghan Brown

This coming Monday marks the monumental 20th anniversary of the fall of The Berlin Wall. The wall was a symbol of the economic and political divisions that split East and West Germany. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Life and Society, World In Depth Tagged With: Berlin, Brandenburg Gate, Cold War, East Germany, Frederick Taylor, Germany, The Berlin Wall, West Germany

Meet Usain ‘Bolts’.

November 6, 2009 By jimbo1986 Leave a Comment

James Bradley.

A new Olympics is being planned by China next year for robots.

The event will be held in the north-eastern city of Harbin.

Harbin is home to the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) which already boasts a successful robotic football team.

The competition is only open for humanoid robots, which means that to enter the robots must be human shaped, with two legs and two arms.

This is a change from many other robot competitions which sees a multitude of differently shaped robots depending on the task needing done.

Such as with the ‘Robogames’ which sees a multitude of differently shaped robots taking part in competitions.

According to Hong Rongbing a professor for HIT there events will include; dancing, combat, athletics as well as some non traditional events such as cleaning and medical care.

He went on to say that the aim of the competition is to push forward innovation and make robots more flexible and more intelligent.

The competition will test the robots on their ability to do tasks as well as gauging their intelligence and movement.

Over 100 teams are expected to enter the competition with over 20 countries being represented in over 16 events.

There have been an influx of different robot orientated competitions in the last few years, with a robotic world cup, and even an ‘exotic’ robot competition which replaces traditional sports and tests robots on their ability to mix drinks and smoke cigarettes.

There are even robot driving events where cars are programmed to drive through certain conditions over lengths of road to gauge their performance.

However the robot Olympics will have face their strongest competition from the ‘Robo games’ which has been seen as the highest form of organised competition for robots in the last few years.

Filed Under: Science and Technology, Sports, Travel and Communities Tagged With: Athletes, China, Harbin, Harbin institute of technology, humanoid, Olympics, robogames, robot, robot olympics

SNP accused of ‘hijacking saltire’

November 6, 2009 By Suhayl A Leave a Comment

Image from thesun.co.uk

Scottish Labour has accused the Scottish government of “hijacking the saltire for political gain” after releasing plans for the biggest St Andrews ‘do’ ever.

The proposed party, as part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations, has caused opposition parties to criticise the “nationalism” of the events.

There are also concerns with the cost of the festivities at £434,000, – which will include ‘an assortment of free family-friendly activities’ – particularly during a recession.

Lord George Foulkes, MSP, said: “It’s as if these parties and celebrations are for their [SNP] membership. They have poached what it means to be Scottish and politicised the saltire.

“This is another example of the hijacking what it means to be Scottish. We have seen this all before from the SNP administration.”

Lord Foulkes claimed that other parties “have lost the right to carry the saltire”.

His remarks come after he described the celebrations marking the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn as “Nationalist brainwashing” and a means of the attracting party support.

The event will be centred on St Andrew Square Gardens, with various other venues across the city participating.

Culture Minister Michael Russell said: “St Andrew’s Day is a day to celebrate all that is great about Scotland – our culture, our heritage, our innovations and our people.

“This year’s celebrations will be the biggest and best yet, filled with more activity in Edinburgh than ever before and over 40 exciting enhanced and new events across the country.”

He dismissed suggestions that the event would be used as a propaganda exercise for the referendum white paper it launches on the same day.

Mr Russell added: “Like most countries, this would be a natural time to reflect upon who we are and where we are going.”

A spokesman for the party described Lord Foulkes’ comments as “petty”.

By Suhayl Afzal

Filed Under: All Politics Tagged With: conservatives, Culture, Edinburgh, Foulkes, Homecoming, Labour, MSP, Russell, SNP, st andrews

3 isn’t the magic number for unhappy customers

November 6, 2009 By journalismbehr Leave a Comment

By Andrew Donaldson and Michael Behr

One of the UK’s biggest mobile operators has been accused of using “dubious” tactics to prevent customers returning mobile phones, according to disgruntled consumers.

3 Mobile customers who have returned their phones within the 14-day statutory limit claim to have had their phones sent back to them by the company.

Customers also say they continue to be billed, contrary to their statutory right of return.

One of Scotland’s top consumer lawyers, Donald Prichard-Wright described their policy as “legally very dangerous” and in defiance of consumer laws providing customers with a ‘cooling-off’ period.

Mr Prichard-Wright added: “Every customer has a statutory right to return within fourteen days. By law, a company must comply in cancellation and refund where appropriate.

“The procedure by 3 is not in the spirit of this law.”

3 Mobile customer Malcolm Ross returned his phone via Royal Mail Special Delivery within the fourteen day cooling-off period.

Mr Ross said: “I sent it back but was later billed £20 that month. I phoned 3 who said I hadn’t ‘authorised’ my return.”

Customers are then contacted by what has been described as “hard-selling” teams of sales advisors who pressure customers to change their minds.

Mr Ross continued: “Their sales people were aggressive asking me to acknowledge just ‘how good’ the deal the offer was.

“I kept on saying that I wasn’t interested and was put through 3 different hard sales people. It was a stressful and ridiculous ordeal.”

A trading standards spokesperson said that they are now investigating these claims.

3 Mobile were not available for comment.

Filed Under: Economy and Business, Science and Technology Tagged With: 3, 3G, consumer, consumers, legal, mobile, phones, policy, return, statutory

Newhaven’s Catch of the Century

November 6, 2009 By carterupm Leave a Comment

By Leroy Carter

Edinburgh’s top chefs may be salivating over the return of oysters to the Firth of Forth, but local people hope there are bigger fish to fry.

Local historian, George Hackland, says the real benefit will be in the re-generation of his town and the return of prosperity to Newhaven.

Newhaven used to be Scotland’s oyster capital and the town flourished a century ago as over 30 million oysters were landed each year.

Mr Hackland, of the Newhaven Community History Group hopes for a return to those abundant times.

He said: “Oysters used to be so plentiful that rich and poor alike ate them and the town prospered.

“It may be years before we see any wide-scale harvesting but in time oysters could hold great benefits for Newhaven Fish Market and the town itself.”

He added: “It would certainly benefit again from the sale of oysters to Britain and abroad.”

The oysters were discovered recently by a Dr Elizabeth Ashton of Stirling University. Her find scuppers two earlier studies, carried out in 1957 and 1996, that indicated they were extinct.

Over-fishing and pollution may have taken them to the brink of extinction but it is now evident that some survived and may now thrive due to the improved quality of the water.

The loss of the herring industry in the late 19th century and the gradual decline in Forth oysters saw the town sink into a slow but inexorable descent into mediocrity from being the pearl in Scotland’s oyster crown.

At its peak the fishmarket was the nucleus of Scotland’s oyster industry but today most of it has been converted into a restaurant and museum. Gone are the many generations who worked and prospered there.

But George Hackland is optimistic about the future.

He said: “The town has lost the herring but it is encouraging to see the return of the oysters and this would be great for Newhaven in years to come.”

Local chef Tom Kitchin, of the Kitchin Restaurant in Leith, said: “We would definately sell them. Our customers would love them and they would have a unique selling point.”

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Firth of Forth, Newhaven, oysters

Council plans don’t play with local residents

November 6, 2009 By mylesedwards Leave a Comment

By Calum Liddle, Myles Edwards and Constantine Innemee

View Larger Map

Edinburgh City Council has defended its proposal to build a play park and community works costing over £275,000 despite local resistance.

Residents of Wardieburn Place East are opposed to the plans due to there being another toddler’s play area just a stones throw away, on Granton Crescent.

Local residents have voiced frustration over the vagueness of the proposals.

Illustrative plans for the public square were posted by a landscape company who have been commissionable to design a “toddler park”.

Norma Carlisle, who lives next to the site, said:
“A play park is not the answer to the problems in our area. We need something to keep the teenagers busy after school.

“We are completely in the dark about whether or not there is even going to be a play park, everyone is saying different things.”

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh City Council said: “The £275,000 is not just for the play park, it is for roads and pathway redesign and potentially also for a play park.

“It is only at the proposal stage, it still has to go to consultation where local residents will be able to voice their opinions.”

She added that here have been “no objections since the Community Council and Neighbourhood Partnership endorsed the plans that something will happen in the area”.

Alan Jackson conservative councillor for the area said: “There is obviously confusion as to what stage this is at. My understanding is that these proposals are still be put to the Neighbourhood Partnership.

“Regardless I have other priories and this amount of money seems far too much to develop these intentions.

“The Forth Ward inhabits 25,000 people. We need to spread funds wisely – I can understand why residents are irritated by this plan. It sounds ridiculous.”

The TaxPayers Alliance (TPA), a watchdog on council spending, also expressed concern over the excessive cost of the project.

Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive at the TPA said: “It’s ridiculous that the council have duplicated the same facility in the same area, and that they have not managed to produce quality activities for teenagers as they promised. With so many demands on so few resources, many taxpayers will think that yet another playpen is a wasteful allocation of money that could be put to far better use elsewhere.”

Filed Under: Life and Society, News in Brief, Travel and Communities Tagged With: Calum Liddle, Constantine Innemee, edinburgh play parks, Myles Edwards, play parks, TaxPayers Alliance, Wardieburn Park

Fears for future of Edinburgh arts venue

November 6, 2009 By Peter Simpson Leave a Comment

Jesus H. Foxx performing at The Bowery (photo by Markus Thorson @ flickr)

Normally, birthdays are a time for celebration. The first birthday of The Bowery this weekend has got people talking for different reasons, with widespread fear over the venue’s future. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Entertainment Tagged With: Edinburgh, Edinburgh University, eus, jesus h foxx, meursault, Old Town, roxy art house, the bowery, withered hand

Fans gear up for Capital clash

November 6, 2009 By prydey27 Leave a Comment

By Mark Pryde and David Maxwell

Edinburgh has been gripped by football fever as city rivals Hearts and Hibernian gear up for one of the most important derbies in over a decade.

Saturday’s game at Tynecastle comes at a pivitol moment in the season for both sides who find themselves at opposing ends of the Scottish Premier League.

Home side Hearts are currently in 8th place having suffered their worst start to the SPL season in 9 years, and under-pressure boss Csaba Laszlo is hoping a vital win over their fiercest rivals will propel the Jambos up the league standings.

“We have had an inconsistent season,” said last season’s Manager of the Year Lazlo. “Our results have been up and down, and we must get results.”

“Goals change games, and we havent been scoring enough recently. Tomorrow’s derby gives us a chance to change this, and get ourselve some points.

“Im confident we have what it takes to beat Hibs.”

One major criticism of Laszlo this season has been an over-reliance on younger players, but 20-year-old midfielder Jonny Thomson believes his manager has little choice.

“Experienced players cost a lot of money nowadays,” said Thomson. “I dont think any SPL side can afford to buy success, so youth players are getting more of a chance.”

“You just need to look at players in our squad like Craig Thomson and Lee Wallace to see that blooding youngsters has its advantages.”

Across the city in Leith, Hibernian have started the season brightly and now find themselves 2nd in the league, one point ahead of SPL champions Rangers.

New boss John Hughes has made some shrewd moves in the transfer market including the signing of Irish pair Liam Miller and Anthony Stokes from Sunderland, and the Hibees are unbeaten in their last 6 league games.

Hibs fans will be hoping that a derby win on Saturday could provide a launchpad for a serious challenge against the traditional Old Firm dominance of the SPL.

“I do think the pressure is on them, they have to start winning football matches,” said Hibs Gaffer Hughes. They are at home and it is up to them to come out and win it.

“As such, it is going to be an interesting game tactically and I’m looking forward to that battle as well.
“On these occasions, the form book goes right out the window. We have to apply ourselves, keep our concentration. Derbies often come down to who has that wee bit of a maverick in their team to win the game and I think we can do that.”

The Edinburgh Derby has provided some classic encounters over the past few years, but fans from both sides of the divide will simply be hoping to see their side come away with maximum points on the day.

Listen Here:

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: derby, Football, Hearts, hibernian

Edinburgh says ‘bring our troops home’

November 6, 2009 By fionakirkcaldy Leave a Comment

By Fiona Kirkcaldy and Nicola Haggarty

Gordon Brown’s announcement today that he will not remove troops from Afghanistan has been met with public outrage.

The PM said he believed it was necessary for our troops to remain in the county despite saying that he would not put any more soldiers “in harm’s way for a government that does not stand up against corruption”.

This announcement comes following the death of five soldiers who were shot by an Afghan police officer who they had trained.

The news that British soldiers will not be coming home was met with anger from the public in Edinburgh. One ex-soldier said: “this war is as wrong as the Iraq one and should be stopped.”

Filed Under: Uncategorized

5 children a day face homelessness

November 6, 2009 By Lauren Redpath Leave a Comment

By Fiona Gardner and Lauren Redpath

Five children a day face homelessness due to eviction, according to a leading charity.

Shelter Scotland’s latest report has warned that children are the worst affected by eviction when families fail to keep up with rent payments.

The report, “Eviction of children and families: The Impact and the Alternatives” highlights the devastating effect that eviction can have on children, as it often results in families being left with no choice but to take up temporary accomodation in a different area, leading to the upheaval of changing schools.

The findings show that approximately 2000 children in Scotland were left facing homelessness because of eviction in 2007/08, at an estimated total of £11 million.

The Scottish Government and social landlords are being urged to only use eviction as the last resort.

Questions have also arisen as to whether eviction should be allowed on the grounds of rent arrears and Shelter Scotland told Edinburgh Napier News that Stirling Council has already banned eviction when it concerns rent arrears.

Jessie Crawford, author of the report and children’s service policy and practice co-ordinator at Shelter Scotland says families should seek help as soon as they begin to struggle with keeping up with rent payments.

The charity are also calling for a five-point plan which includes measures to deal with problems which can lead to rent arrears such as illness, unemployment and family break-downs.

Filed Under: Life and Society Tagged With: eviction, homelessness, Jessie Crawford, scottish government, Shelter Scotland, Stirling Council

Increase in cyclist deaths on Britain’s roads

November 6, 2009 By Janos Leave a Comment

Cyclist deaths on Britain’s roads have gone up 20% from spring 2008 to 2009, according to Department for Transport data.

Andrew Howard, Public Relations Director for AA says that the increase in deaths may be a result of more cyclists on the roads due to a combination of better weather conditions and a drive to save money.

He said: “We have seen quiet a hefty increase in petrol prices making more people think about how they can be more economical and of course how they could get more exercise out of going to work.”

A typical bicycle costs £300 and running a car can cost up to £2,000 annually or more, whereas an annual bus pass in Edinburgh costs £540.

Amy Wilson, a cyclist from Edinburgh says that there should be more respect from both cyclists and motorists.

She added: “There are so many bikes in Edinburgh and I think there is probably not enough provision for them.”

Bicycle shop owners in Edinburgh recorded a sharp increase in sales over the last two years and say this may also be the cause of the increase in accidents.

Gregor Russell, owner of Velo Ecosse said: “I think it is not surprising at all that there have been more accidents as there are more cyclists on the roads and the standards of driving is pretty poor.”

Nearly half of bicycle owners ride less than 5 miles per month even though 75% of the UK population lives within 2 miles of the National Cycle Network, according to AA.

Ian McKay, a motorist from Edinburgh says he pays attention to cyclists and gives plenty of space to them on the roads.

However, “My gripe with them is when I am a pedestrian and I am walking down the pavement and they are hammering towards me, I don’t think that should be allowed. I think there should be a clamp down and they should be fined”.

Filed Under: News in Brief Tagged With: AA, cycle, death, department for transport, DFT, Edinburgh, edinburgh bus pass, ridacard, velo ecosse

Scotland hosts G20 Finance meeting

November 6, 2009 By mzimkhulu1 Leave a Comment

58482207 By: Arnold Bhebhe

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors are meeting at St Andrews to continue talks designed to redraw the global finance system.

The latest meeting follows on from the April 2009 Crisis Summit in Pittsburgh, Germany, where G20 leaders pledged a US$1.1trillion rescue package for the world economy.

At the April summit, richer member nations concerntrated on measures to rescue their own damaged economies and prevent the collapse of the global financial system.

There are hopes this meeting will address the plight of poorer nations, which were not focused on at Pittsburgh.

Deanson Senda, a PhD student in Birmingham said: “We have been having this claptrap about rescue efforts and packages for Africa for much too long.

“What is clear is that these rich nations are mere talk shops designed to only window dress the plight of our long suffering people and other poor nations.”

Hayes Mabweazara a journalim PhD student at Edinburgh Napier said: “It’s still premature to draw conclusions.

“But, I think this time around, something positive will result for Africa because if it doesn’t, there could be a knock on effect on their economies the second time around.”

There are fears that in Africa the effect of the recession could be amplified by problems of mis-governance.

The World Bank is fighting that more help be given to Africa where only South Africa remains the only country in an organisation which seeks among other objectives to equitably distribute global wealth.

Member nations include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Soth Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and US plus the European Union represented by the rotating council presidency and the European Central Bank.
G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors are meeting at St Andrews to continue talks designed to redraw the global finance system.