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Edinburgh Reporter
26-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian community café wins two month reprieve
A community café in a West Lothian pensioners' housing complex has been given a further two-month reprieve. West Lothian Integration Joint Board agreed to a motion put forward by chair Councillor Tom Conn postponing a decision on the cafe in the Rosemount complex in Bathgate until in August. Councillor Conn said that 'matters had moved on' since an initial meeting in early March with tenants and families. Rosemount Café campaigner Jackie Davidson described the news as 'fantastic'. She added: 'We are so happy to be given the chance to save the café. Good sense prevailed. Now we can move forward with our business plan.' The motion was backed by independent councillor Andrew McGuire who told the meeting: 'I would be very happy to second that and hope that further discussion will reach a conclusion that everyone is satisfied with.' Councillor Conn met with campaigners and tenants' groups on Monday. He said: 'Residents expressed concern that they had not been adequately engaged with as consumers throughout the process. The IJB is required when taking strategic decisions to comply with the statutory duty introduced by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020. 'That act places a duty on the IJB when making decisions of a strategic nature to have regard to the impact of these decisions on consumers in Scotland and the desirability of reducing harm to consumers.' He added: 'Whilst I note that it is provided in the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment a member of the management team met with tenants, their families, groups and members of the community on 13 March regarding the proposal, matters have moved on since with the result that the evidence gathered could be improved if further targeted engagement with tenants and community groups was now undertaken.' He said that was 'a material change of circumstances which would allow the decision taken by the board on 25 March to be changed, within six months in accordance with Standing Orders.' He added: 'I move the position that the board agrees to move the determination on this matter to its meeting on 17 August to allow us to bring back a revised consumer duty impact assessment and a revised impact assessment if necessary to the Board for consideration.' Earlier Councilor Damian Doran-Timson Conservative group leader on the council said the choice facing the Board was 'Hobson's Choice', ie no choice at all, since no alternative savings of £136,000 in the reassignment of the café staff had been identified. The Consumer Duty Impact Assessment drawn up in March described Rosemount as an assisted living environment. There is a total of 30 tenancies, offered to individuals with varying degrees of support needs. It added that the while the cafe's closure would have an impact: 'tenants are not dependent on the service to have their nutritional needs met. All tenants within Rosemount Gardens have kitchen facilities to prepare food and if necessary, assistance can be provided by a care at home provider to support meal provision.' Robin Allen, Senior Manger Older People Services told the Board that no viable offers to take over the café had come forward since the initial deferral. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Cafe in West Lothian pensioners' housing complex given further two month reprieve
West Lothian Integration Joint Board agreed to a motion put forward by chair Councillor Tom Conn postponing a decision on the cafe in the Rosemount complex in Bathgate until in August. A community cafe in a West Lothian pensioners' housing complex has been given a further two month reprieve. West Lothian Integration Joint Board agreed to a motion put forward by chair Councillor Tom Conn postponing a decision on the cafe in the Rosemount complex in Bathgate until in August. Councillor Conn said that 'matters had moved on' since an initial meeting in early March with tenants and families. She added: 'We are so happy to be given the chance to save the cafe. Good sense prevailed. Now we can move forward with our business plan.' The motion was backed by Independent councillor Andrew McGuire who told the meeting: 'I would be very happy to second that and hope that further discussion will reach a conclusion that everyone is satisfied with.' Councillor Conn met with campaigners and tenants groups on Monday. He said: 'Residents expressed concern that they had not been adequately engaged with as consumers throughout the process. The IJB is required when taking strategic decisions to comply with the statutory duty introduced by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020. 'That act places a duty on the IJB when making decisions of a strategic nature to have regard to the impact of these decisions on consumers in Scotland and the desirability of reducing harm to consumers.' He added: 'Whilst I note that it is provided in the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment a member of the management team met with tenants, their families, groups and members of the community on 13 March regarding the proposal, matters have moved on since with the result that the evidence gathered could be improved if further targeted engagement with tenants and community groups was now undertaken.' He said that was 'a material change of circumstances which would allow the decision taken by the board on 25 March to be changed, within six months in accordance with Standing Orders.' He added: 'I move the position that the board agrees to move the determination on this matter to its meeting on 17 August to allow us to bring back a revised consumer duty impact assessment and a revised impact assessment if necessary to the Board for consideration.' Earlier, Councillor Damian Doran-Timson, Conservative group leader on the council, said the choice facing the Board was 'Hobson's Choice', ie no choice at all, since no alternative savings of £136,000 in the reassignment of the cafe staff had been identified. The Consumer Duty Impact Assessment drawn up in March described Rosemount as an assisted living environment. There is a total of 30 tenancies, offered to individuals with varying degrees of support needs. It added that the while the cafe's closure would have an impact 'tenants are not dependent on the service to have their nutritional needs met'. All tenants within Rosemount Gardens have kitchen facilities to prepare food and if necessary assistance can be provided by a care at home provider to support meal provision.' Robin Allen, Senior Manger Older People Services told the Board that no viable offers to take over the cafe had come forward since the initial deferral.
Edinburgh Live
26-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian pensioners' cafe facing closure given two months to find rescue plan
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A community café in a West Lothian pensioners' housing complex has been given a further two month reprieve. West Lothian Integration Joint Board agreed to a motion put forward by chair Councillor Tom Conn postponing a decision on the cafe in the Rosemount complex in Bathgate until in August. Councillor Conn said that 'matters had moved on' since an initial meeting in early March with tenants and families. Rosemount Café campaigner Jackie Davidson described the news as "fantastic'. She added: 'We are so happy to be given the chance to save the café. Good sense prevailed. Now we can move forward with our business plan.' The motion was backed by Independent councillor Andrew McGuire who told the meeting: ' I would be very happy to second that and hope that further discussion will reach a conclusion that everyone is satisfied with.' Councillor Conn met with campaigners and tenants groups on Monday. He said: 'Residents expressed concern that they had not been adequately engaged with as consumers throughout the process. The IJB is required when taking strategic decisions to comply with the statutory duty introduced by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020. 'That act places a duty on the IJB when making decisions of a strategic nature to have regard to the impact of these decisions on consumers in Scotland and the desirability of reducing harm to consumers.' He added: 'Whilst I note that it is provided in the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment a member of the management team met with tenants, their families, groups and members of the community on 13 March regarding the proposal, matters have moved on since with the result that the evidence gathered could be improved if further targeted engagement with tenants and community groups was now undertaken.' He said that was 'a material change of circumstances which would allow the decision taken by the board on 25 March to be changed, within six months in accordance with Standing Orders." He added: ' I move the position that the board agrees to move the determination on this matter to its meeting on 17 August to allow us to bring back a revised consumer duty impact assessment and a revised impact assessment if necessary to the Board for consideration.' Earlier Councillor Damian Doran-Timson Conservative group leader on the council said the choice facing the Board was "Hobson's Choice", ie no choice at all, since no alternative savings of £136,000 in the reassignment of the café staff had been identified. The Consumer Duty Impact Assessment drawn up in March described Rosemount as an assisted living environment . There is a total of 30 tenancies, offered to individuals with varying degrees of support needs. It added that the while the cafe's closure would have an impact: ' tenants are not dependent on the service to have their nutritional needs met. All tenants within Rosemount Gardens have kitchen facilities to prepare food and if necessary assistance can be provided by a care at home provider to support meal provision.' Robin Allen, Senior Manger Older People Services told the Board that no viable offers to take over the café had come forward since the initial deferral.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
West Lothian to trial grass-roofed bus shelters as party of eco-plan
The scheme grasses over flat shelter roofs and adds a natural green island into otherwise urban landscapes, as well as encouraging flora and fauna. Grass roofed bus shelters are being created in West Lothian as part of a five year drive to create a more bio-diverse landscape. The scheme grasses over flat shelter roofs and adds a natural green island into otherwise urban landscapes, as well as encouraging flora and fauna The bus shelters have already been introduced to Winchburgh - with grassed roofs which hopefully by the end of the summer will provide a verdant canopy under which travellers can wait for public transport. Tom Conn, the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability PDSP called it 'an innovation of how we can co-exist with nature.' An ecology and biodiversity officer for the council told the meeting: 'The idea is hopefully a small area of green roof provides a habitat for pollinators using infrastructure that's already there.' The two test shelters will be monitored over the summer and depending on their success, living roof bus shelters could be rolled out across the county as old bus shelters are replaced. The council is also undertaking a £60,000 urban tree planting scheme which will see over 1500 trees planted. A report to the committee by Ecology and Biodiversity officer Hannah Crow outlined details of the urban tree scheme. 'Following a successful bid to Future Woodlands Scotland, WLC has been awarded over £60,000 for a major urban tree planting project aimed at creating long-term environmental and well-being benefits. 'Over 1,500 trees will be planted over the next three years in parks, residential areas, streets, and school grounds, bringing visible nature into people's daily lives.' She added: 'Focusing on areas with the greatest need the project will connect green networks, improve biodiversity, and increase tree canopy cover in neighbourhoods where it's currently lacking. 'Local residents, schools, and community groups will be invited to take part in planting events, workshops, and maintenance activities, including a dedicated biodiversity and education strand for pupils. Public sessions and annual walks will offer practical learning and highlight the value of trees.'
Scotsman
22-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Grass-roofed bus shelters and £60,000 tree scheme planted up in West Lothian
Grass-roofed bus shelters are being created in West Lothian as part of a five-year drive to create a more bio-diverse landscape. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The scheme grasses over flat shelter roofs and adds a natural green island into otherwise urban landscapes, as well as encouraging flora and fauna. The bus shelters have already been introduced to Winchburgh – with grassed roofs which hopefully by the end of the summer will provide a verdant canopy under which travellers can wait for public transport. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tom Conn, the chairman of the Environment and Sustainability PDSP called it 'an innovation of how we can co-exist with nature.' An ecology and biodiversity officer for the council told the meeting: 'The idea is hopefully a small area of green roof provides a habitat for pollinators using infrastructure that's already there.' No need to mow yet, but at the start of the growing season there are high hopes that the green roof bus shelters in Winchburgh will be a welcome green island for pollinators. | West Lothian Council The two test shelters will be monitored over the summer and depending on their success, living roof bus shelters could be rolled out across the county as old bus shelters are replaced. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The council is also undertaking a £60,000 urban tree planting scheme which will see over 1500 trees planted. A report to the committee by Ecology and Biodiversity officer Hannah Crow outlined details of the urban tree scheme. She said: 'Following a successful bid to Future Woodlands Scotland, WLC has been awarded over £60,000 for a major urban tree planting project aimed at creating long-term environmental and well-being benefits. 'Over 1,500 trees will be planted over the next three years in parks, residential areas, streets, and school grounds, bringing visible nature into people's daily lives.' She added: 'Focusing on areas with the greatest need the project will connect green networks, improve biodiversity, and increase tree canopy cover in neighbourhoods where it's currently lacking. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Local residents, schools, and community groups will be invited to take part in planting events, workshops, and maintenance activities, including a dedicated biodiversity and education strand for pupils. Public sessions and annual walks will offer practical learning and highlight the value of trees.'
