Big news from Westminster
The government announced £5 billion of funding yesterday in its Pride in Place programme. Local people will be “in the driving seat of national renewal” and will be able to drive “patriotic renewal” street by street.
Out of this fund 169 areas will receive £2 million a year for the next ten years so that neglected communities get the certainty and control they need to plan for the future.
The government’s plan means that boarded up shops can be taken over by the community to restore pride in the locality.
This is part of the government’s Plan for Change,
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.
“We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.
“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best – the people with real skin in the game.
“We’re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action – giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.”
To announce the £292 million which will come to Scotland – and up to £20 million over the next ten years from the Plan for Neighbourhoods funding – to Edinburgh, Secretary of State, Douglas Alexander visited Gasholder Park in Granton. The UK Government awarded £16 million of levelling up monies to the regeneration of the area around the gasholder to include decontamination and the repainting. This is the central focus of a wider development where according to the Council Leader, Jane Meagher who met Mr Alexander at the park, there will be thousands of homes all with ready access to the park.
Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander, said: “We’re here at this lovely Gasholder Park in Granton because there has been British Government money provided for the renovation and renewal of this park. And what we’re announcing today is £292 million – almost £300 million, of direct funding by the UK Government into communities across Scotland. That is a manifesto pledge that we made. It is a promise made, and it means that local people will be in the driving seat of local regeneration in the coming years.”
UK Government announces £292 million Pride in Place investment to transform Scottish neighbourhoods
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander met Council Leader Jane Meagher at Granton Gasholder
Picture Alan Simpson 25/9/2025
Picture Alan Simpson 25/9/2025
Sir Chris Hoy Scholarship Fund
A fund has been created by athlete Sir Chris Hoy along with The University of Edinburgh to support students training for elite sport at the same time as studying for a degree.
The Sir Chris Hoy Sports Scholarship Fund has been set up to assist 20 students deal with financial hurdles posed by training intensively for high level competition.
Sir Chris Hoy, said: “I hope the scholarship will give young students the opportunity to give their all in pursuing their dreams in sport and education. The financial support and practical support they receive at the University is important to make their sporting dreams a reality. For any athlete, your sporting career will end at some point, so gaining an education at the same time is such an important thing to do. I am excited to see what amazing things this first cohort of scholars will go on to do.”
Credit University of Edinburgh
A November date for your diary
Su-a-Lee and Hamish Napier will be in concert in November at Portobello Town Hall at 3pm in the afternoon..
Su-a Lee is one of Scotland’s most versatile, adventurous and charismatic cellists. She has been a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for 31 years, so she comes from classical background but has worked with some rock legends such as Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. Over the years Su-a has also become very involved in the Trad music scene and collaborated with many of its biggest names.
Hamish Napier is a pianist, flautist, singer and accomplished composer who is inspired by the heritage and nature of his native landscape of Strathspey. Hamish has collaborated with many of the leading artists in the Trad scene, such as Duncan Chisholm, Donald Shaw, Ross Ainslie, Julie Fowlis and many more.
https://events.humanitix.com/su-a-lee-and-hamish-napier-in-concert
Silver Sunday at Lauriston Castle – book now
On 5 October it will be Silver Sunday – a day coordinated by charity Age UK. There will be two free tours of Lauriston Castle on Cramond Road South during the day from 1.30pm. Booking essential.
Lauriston Castle – PHOTO Saltire News and Sport Ltd
Trams from Granton to Edinburgh BioQuarter / Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and beyond
The final two drop in sessions which are part of the tram consultation take place next week:
The council is currently asking for views on the proposed route. Until 17 November 2025 you can comment on the proposals using the council’s online survey. In addition the council is also doing market research alongside this consultation. Given the importance of the project to the city, councillors asked that officers do market research in addition to standard consultation. This has been done recently on other projects, such as the Circulation Plan: Our Future Streets and the City Mobility Plan, and is recommended as part of the Council’s approach to consultation on large projects.
Briefings were provided to all political parties. These were based on the content that was provided to the Transport and Environment Committee on 1 February 2024.
Tram approaching Edinburgh Park Central
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
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