Breaking news

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Broughton Street may be scheduled to reopen at the end of this month.

If proposals are adopted, one lane will reopen on 22 February allowing left turns into Broughton Street from York Place. Complete reopening in both directions will take place on 29 February. A clear decision is expected following the next Traffic Management Meeting on Monday 15 February.

In the meantime, local traders' reactions have ranged from stunned gratitutde to slack-jawed disbelief.

The Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund is backing Edinburgh World Heritage with £39K. The money is to address energy efficiency issues and fuel poverty in the Old and New Towns and adjacent Conservation areas.

As a first step EWH are running an online questionnaire. This will form the basis for distributing advice and arranging seminars in future.

In a partial but significant climbdown, Administration councillors are now promising to reduce the cut in the schools budget from 2.5% to 1%.

The devil, of course, will be in the detail, but Education Convener Marilyne MacLaren claims 'the Administration has listened to serious concerns expressed by teachers and parents and has done everything possible to protect schools'.

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.