An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.
The Spurtle has approached all local politicians (see Directory) for comments about the City of Edinburgh Council's forthcoming school budget.
We're posting the responses as they come in, so check this story again later to check for new additions.
Comments are listed in alphabetical order by political party, and dated by time of receipt.
GREENS
In Issue 179 ('Briefly', p. 2) we pointed readers towards what we mistakenly thought was a new (if somewhat quiet) website for the New Town and Broughton Community Council.
In fact the address cited was for NTBCC's old and abandoned website.
Observant visitors may have noticed creaking portals, tumbleweed blowing down the cyber-street, and e-vultures circling overhead.
The true, new, all-singing-and-dancing NTBCC website is on its way, slowly.
Mark Lazarowicz, MP asked the Prime Minister a question in Westminster yesterday. We reproduce the exchange below without endorsing or criticising the opinions expressed.
Spurtle understands a new Headteacher has been appointed for Drummond Community High School.
Norma Prentice, current Depute Head of Arbroath Academy, will fill the post, and is reputedly keen to live as well as work in the neighbourhood.
We'll bring you more details as we have them.
The problem
As reported in Issue 178, Edinburgh schools face potentially dire consequences if the Council's budget proposals are approved on 11 February.
In addition to the 1.5% 'efficiency savings' already in place, CEC proposes cuttiing school budgets by 2.5% in each of the next 3 years. 'Backdoor cuts' have already been made by transferring extra costs to schools (exam fees, maternity-leave pay, refuse, water) without making extra money available.
Limited places (8–10) are available in free computer classes at McDonald Rd Library. The course runs on Tuesday mornings.
Experienced tutors will help beginners with basic keyboard skills, using a mouse, word-processing, emailing, and web-surfing.
Anyone interested should contact the library as soon as possible as these courses are hugely popular. Ring 529 3636 or email mcdonaldrd.library.
Lothian Buses has announced timetable changes for several routes serving Broughton. They will be effective from 14 February until further notice.
Some extra buses on routes are being provided. Some underused buses are being withdrawn. Other changes are intended to improve punctuality.
'Minor' changes will affect Nos: 5, 8, 11, 12, 15/A, 19, 34.
'Major' changes will affect Nos: 1, 26, 35, 44/A.
A new resource for finding information and getting help with homework and revision has just gone online.
Established by The City of Edinburgh Council's Library Service, it links to free online services such as the encyclopedia Britannia Junior, Who's Who, and Tell me More. But it also hooks up with amazingly extensive BBC and Channel 4 sites for everyone from pre-schoolers to 16-year olds.
The site is organised by subject matter, so it's easy to find your way through. Readers can also email queries to a Librarian every day of the week.
In addition to the temporary closure of Broughton Street and temporary reopening of Dublin Street (Issue 178/Breaking news 11 Jan.), a full schedule of tramworks affecting Broughton can be viewed by clicking on the pdfs below.
In the meantime, we can console ourselves that Edinburgh is one of the world's most attractive cities in which to experience gridlock and road rage.
Guests at this York Place hotel will not take the temporary re-opening of Dublin Street lying down. Not, at least, until their new mattresses are delivered.