If you want to speak to representatives from the airport about the proposed A6 flightpath above Kirknewton then they will be at the Kirknewton Village Hall, 2pm-7pm, Monday 6th March.  If you are for or against the proposal get your voice heard.

In two weeks time we announce the Kirknewton Volunteer Awards 2017.  You put forward who you would like to see nominated for an award, as a special ‘thank you’ for the work that they do.

The Award ceremony takes place in the Dalmahoy Hotel on Friday 10th March 2017 from 6.30pm – 12 midnight.  We’d like to thank Big Lottery Celebrate and Virgin Media for their support.

Everyone nominated, on a group or part of an event are winners – but who will take the award on the night?  The nominees are…

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Amanda Blainey, Angela Hogg, Anne Pinkerton, Pip Shiels, Tammy Wood

COMMUNITY EVENT

Christmas Tree lighting, Christmas Family BBQ & Craft Fair, Fireworks, Gala, Primary School Fair

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Announced on the night

COMMUNITY GROUP

Art from the Heart, Babies and Toddlers, Gala, Muddy Boots, Yarnbombers,

COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF THE YEAR

Babies and Toddlers committee, Fiona Cain, Debbie Douglas, Angela Hogg, Joan MacKenzie

VIRGIN MEDIA SPORTS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Jonathan Carpenter, Michael Crosbie, Chris Hughes

YOUNG VOLUNTEERS

Sarah Brien, Rebecca Brien, Hari Kallat, Ross Laing Rebecca

BUSINESS AWARD

Festival Stores, Pharmacy, Potter Around, Stables

CHILDRENS GROUP

Babies and Toddlers, Bookbugs, Brownies, Mini and Me, Rainbows, Youth Club

SPECIAL AWARD

Announced on the night

Below is a copy of the presentation, made on behalf of Kirknewton Community Council, to the East Calder / Kirknewton Local Area Committee on Thursday 23rd February.  This gives an overview of the Edinburgh Airport community consultation and general feelings of stakeholders from around Kirknewton.  Representatives have only five minutes to speak, so this is only a flavour of the feelings raised by members of the Kirknewton community.

AIRPORT PRESENTATION

Firstly can we congratulate the airport on an increase in users in January 2017 of 11% on the year before – after a record breaking year of 11% more people using the airport in 2016.

I am here today as, after due consideration, the elected Kirknewton Community Council oppose the proposed A6 route put forward by the airport following the first stage of their consultation and would like to see it changed going forward to the CAA.

Kirknewton, from time to time, has aircraft coming over the village.  It is a route taken during inclement weather.

During early 2016 there had been widespread concern in Kirknewton that airplanes were getting louder and more regular over our small village.

When monitored by a member of the KCC, it was discovered flights were increasing, even when the weather was fair.

At first the airport said this was down to inclement weather.  When challenged we were sent a booklet entitled ‘Arriving and Departing aircraft at Edinburgh Airport’.  This allows pilots to request the route over Kirknewton.

So it seemed odd that many of the residents in Kirknewton hadn’t noticed the sound of aircraft engines before.

When pressed again, it was discovered this guidance was published in November 2015 – pre consultation (we have since discovered they had reopened established routes that hadn’t been used for some considerable time)

One wonders why the consultation is only taking place now, when the impacts of increased airport profits are already being felt?

Regarding the consultation, we have a few issues to point out

• Mr Dewar, Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive, took the time to come to the KCC in person
• Mr Dewar seemed unaware of RAF Air Training Corps facilities closing in Scotland and all relocating to Kirknewton for glider training.
• Mr Dewar neglected to mention the new Nov 2015 guidance when asked about increased traffic already over Kirknewton (nor the ‘reopening’ of established routes).
• Mr Dewar did not know why, on the online survey, the Kirknewton postcode EH27 suggested you would not be affected by the changes.
• Mr Dewar promised to look at the two issues mentioned. This was confirmed in writing in August 2016 with a reminder one month later.  A response was sent by the Airport Communication Department. No sufficient answer was given regarding the online survey other than views were still requested and a copy of the Nov 2015 guidance was sent.
• This meeting with the KCC was recorded in the consultation report, but our written submission was not.
• Mr Dewar said at the meeting the likelihood of the proposed flight paths leading to increased flights over Kirknewton was low – yet we find ourselves with Route A6 flying over East Calder, Calderwood, Kirknewton, Harperigg and the Pentlands – despite rover 70% opposition in their own consultation report.
• The consultation findings has used out of date data about population area, which determined their choice of the A6 route alongside C02 emissions.

The following information will no doubt be discussed at great length at a further meeting with Mr Dewar, called by the KCC alongside other community stakeholders.  Going forward we hope the information provided here is clear.

The CO2 saving is a bit of a red herring. Less than one percent for a short haul flight. It’s the other 99% of the flight that is more important to the atmosphere.

The same amount of fuel will be used to elevate the aircraft to it’s cruising altitude no matter which route it may follow. It could be argued a shorter flown route will use less fuel but in proportion the route options must be so close to each other in overall distance flown to be insignificant.   The KCC look forward to seeing their actual figures and the basis for their calculations but feel the CO2 emission differences are marginal in reality and should NOT be such a determining criteria.

What should be a factor going forward is the impact on the people of Calderwood, East Calder and Kirknewton.

It’s already been accepted by the airport that they have been using incorrect population data for East Calder and not taken into consideration the Calderwood development.

The Calderwood development and actual populations of East Calder and Kirknewton makes CO2 reasoning irrelevant, as it puts the overflown population well above that of (the stated population of) Polbeth and Addiewell, for example.  Calderwood are also overflown at 500-1500ft, not 3000-4500ft. That altitude difference may turn what is a bit of a nuisance into an intolerable place to live.

With that in mind, and as part of open, participative and meaningful dialogue we hope the airport will reconsider this proposal going forward to the CAA.

Some members of the Kirknewton community are already feeling the impact of airport year on year success, but still take more than one return flight a year so there is no direct benefit to the community the aeroplanes fly over other than noise and increased transport pollution to the airport.

We will no doubt continue to do so if their current guidance is maintained, even if they change the route to A3, 2 or 1.

Therefore we cannot except the proposed A6 route and request the Airport change, scrap or scale down such rapid expansion.
Thank you for your time

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

St John Cantius & Nicholas Church Broxburn are recruiting a Secretary Job Title: Parish Secretary Hours of Work: 10 hours per week (hours to be mutually agreed) Salary: £10 per hour Responsible to: Fr Jeremy Bath The successful candidate will work on a one-to-one basis with the parish priest; have good interpersonal and communication skills, competent with IT, be proactive with discretion and an understanding of confidentiality issues. A condition of employment is that you will require to undergo Enhanced Disclosure. Completed application forms should be sent by email to newdirection4CH@outlook.com by Friday 24th February 2017. Any enquiries please contact 07801533104. Job Description Application Form

Retail Supervisor vacancy with Kidzeco Job Title: Retail Supervisor Hours of work: 35hours Salary: £14,500 to £17,500 (depending on experience) A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work within this award winning Social Enterprise.  We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, passionate and organised individual to manage one of our busy shops. You must have previous experience of working within retail, the third sector or similar, with the drive and leadership skills to help motivate a small team of staff and volunteers.  It is essential that you have excellent communication skills, that you are computer literate and have experience of working to KPI’s. We are a social enterprise passionate about helping families in the community and caring for the environment through our two shops in West Lothian.  We pride ourselves on our excellent customer care and the high quality of reuse goods that we sell.  If you are enthusiastic about our work and ethos and feel you could make a difference with us, then please get in touch Please forward your CV with cover note to sharon.frederiksen@kidzeco.net Closing date for applicants 25/2/17 Interviews will be held in Bathgate (date to be confirmed) A full job description is available on request.

Community Enterprise is currently recruiting a Research and Project Support Worker Community Enterprise is looking for a Research and Project Support Worker to join our team to meet the growing demand for our services. The post will involve supporting our development team to deliver projects. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to develop new skills while working in a friendly environment that is making a difference to communities across Scotland. Job Title: Research and Project Support Worker Deadline: 27th February, 8.30am Job Purpose: To support the development team to deliver its social enterprise and community development projects Accountable to: Development Team Manager Hours: 30 hours per week but we are open to the idea of a part time post.  This job will very occasionally involve some weekend and/or evening work from time to time, for which time off in lieu will be available. Duration: This is initially for 6 months, with possibility to extend to become a full time post Remuneration: National Living Wage with travel expenses.  Salary will be reviewed if this evolves into a full time post Location: Based in West Lothian but some flexible working arrangements may be negotiated. Travel throughout Scotland may be required occasionally. Job Description Application Form To apply please complete the above application form, and return to bridget@communityenterprise.co.uk If you have any questions please contact Victoria on victoria@communityenterprise.co.uk or 01506 862 227 Details: http://www.communityenterprise.co.uk/community-enterprise-is-recruiting/

Let’s Get it Right for Autism

Have you got an idea for autism – Kirknewton Community Development Trust are happy to be the lead group for your application for up to £2000 funding.  Details below – e mail infokirknewton@gmail.com if you want to pursue this opportunity

– Let’s Get it Right for Autism is a project that aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with Autism living in West Lothian through supporting and encouraging greater participation in social activities and opportunities.
– £10,000 has been set aside by West Lothian Council and we are inviting groups,  organisations and clubs to put forward their ideas  and bid for funding to help achieve this.
– We are looking for ideas that will help individuals with autism of all ages, to encourage greater participation in social activities.
– To apply for funding you must complete and return the application form (on webpage) before Wednesday 1st March 2017.
– Any constituted group, organisation or club can apply for funding from £250 to £2000.  Applications for groups, organisations and clubs out with West Lothian will be considered, however, activities need to be delivered in local communities.
– If your project meets the criteria you will be informed by Monday 6th March 2017 and invited to do a 5 – 10 minute pitch of your idea to the audience at the launch event on Saturday 25th March 2017 from 10.30am – 1pm (Venue to be confirmed).
– The audience at the event will vote on which projects or proposals they think will make the most difference to people with Autism in West Lothian.
– This project is part of West Lothian Councils ‘Community Choices’ initiative which is about local people making decisions on local budgets and how funding is spent.
– All information can be found on our webpage https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/13028/Lets-Get-it-Right-for-Autism

The granted Camilty Windfarm is delayed as Partnership For Renewables whole windfarm operations is for sale.  Details of the project can be found at http://www.pfr.co.uk/camilty/

It was hoped Kirknewton Community Development Trust (KCDT) could have confirmed part share of £5000 per installed MW community benefit and up to 10% investment potential once a number of the planning conditions had been met, but the future of the project remains uncertain.  It is doubtful any agreement or funding stream may be reached before current KCDT funding from the Big Lottery ends in August 2018.

KCDT continues to be in dialogue with Fauch Hill windfarm developers, with a community consultation due to end in early March.