December 2025 news from Councillor Pauline Flannery

Festive Treats

Festive treats I have enjoyed recently - Preston Street Primary Christmas Concert, Impact Arts at Viewpoint and Southside Christmas Lights Switch-On, St Patrick’s Square, commemorating Veteran Housing Scotland’s 110 years, 60 years of the Cockburn Association, and Edinburgh Tenants Federation at 35. A special shout out to Lois Wood, one of the Christmas Card Design Winners for the City 2025. Without the Third Sector, the committed force of volunteers, and people young and old willing to engage, what would we do? A huge Thank You.

Communities at Christmas 2025

Southside Community Centre Association, along with Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust, Goodies SCIO, and Simon Community Scotland, will host Communities at Christmas. Christmas Day will begin with breakfast and access to showering facilities, and over the course of the day, will offer various activities including arts & crafts, board games, musical entertainment, movie showings and four Christmas dinner servings! Communities at Christmas is more than food and presents, it’s about dignity, togetherness and being seen.

Community Council Elections 2025 – Survey Results

A report to Culture & Communities Committee, 4 December, details survey results following the community council elections in 2025. 40 out of 47 community councils were established. Southside Community Council is looking for further local participation, so please contact them. Southside Newington CCs, covering planning, licensing and community engagement issues, are Southside Community Council, Nelson Hall, Marchmont & Sciennes, St Catherine’s Hall, and Grange & Prestonfield Community Council, Cameron House. Detail of the report: 8.2 - Community Council Elections 2025 - Survey Results.pdf

Community Centre Leases

Following a decision to approve new interim tenancy agreements, Management Committees were asked for their constitution and public liability insurance. This affects Southside Community Centre, at the heart of Southside Newington, and potentially, Cameron House in the South. This should not directly affect current service provision by either, but a balance between good regulation and protection of the valuable services for local citizens needs to be maintained. Further updates are expected in the Business Bulletin section of the Culture & Communities Committee at each meeting.

Updated Parks and Openspace Lighting Project Plan

Priority for Southside Newington open spaces includes Nicolson Square Gardens, The Meadows, and St Patrick Square; timescale for completion, 2025. There are no proposed framework costs, however, or equipment costs against these projects. The updated report to Culture & Communities under Risk underlines: There is no statutory requirement to light parks and open spaces. Yet notes, Friends’ groups, community councils, and other community interest groups advocate the need for lighting. Community engagement, therefore, forms an integral part to the development of lighting proposals. I will keep you updated.

Holyrood Park Road Progress Update

Following assessments of the rock faces and works to enable safe access, the High Road pavement and carriageway has reopened to pedestrians and one-way traffic after closure in August due to wildfire. This affects Wards 11 and 15, particularly. The High Road is open to vehicles from 9:30am – 3pm Tuesday to Thursday, and a one-way system is in place for cyclists. Further updates from the Council and Historic Environment Scotland will be published on the Business Bulletin, Transport & Environment Committee.

Festive recycling and waste collections

The Council has published its Christmas tree recycling and waste collection arrangements here https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/recycling-3/green-christmas-guide/4