Latest news with #ScottishBordersCouncil
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Worker caught in bin lorry mechanism by bungee cord in Scottish Borders
A refuse worker in the Scottish Borders has been injured after being caught and dropped by a bin lorry's lifting man was taken to hospital after becoming tangled in a bungee cord attached to a household wheelie bin on a rural Borders Council said the man was later discharged and a full health and safety investigation would be held into the incident on Friday said the use of automated lifting mechanisms would be suspended during the investigation, with bin collections disrupted across the region. It warned of a "significant impact" on waste services due to additional time needed for workers to operate the mechanism council said in a statement: "The extra time required and will most likely result in disruptions and missed collections. "We would like to stress to householders the seriousness of this issue and the importance of not using bungee cords, or any other type of restraint, on their wheelie bin which may put the health and safety of staff in danger."Scottish Borders Council said further updates would be provided when the investigation is complete.
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
Controversial plans for Scottish Borders energy plant shelved
An application was submitted to Scottish Borders Council last month by Green Switch Energy to build a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on land north-east of Sawmill Cottage, off the B6360 road, near Gattonside. The energy company wanted to build 20 battery containers, ten transformers, a substation and new access road, but Green Switch Energy has now informed the local community it has decided not to move forward with the proposed energy storage project, citing 'planning and commercial' reasons for the decision. READ MORE: The 44 Scottish firms named and shamed for failing to pay minimum wage A spokesperson for the company said: 'This decision comes after an internal review of planning and commercial considerations. 'While this site is no longer viable for us, we remain committed to playing our part in building a more resilient and sustainable energy system across the UK with other renewable energy generation and energy storage projects. We also continue to explore opportunities that align with our goals in this part of the country. 'We'd like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to engage with the early stages of this project. We appreciate the conversations we've had with residents and stakeholders over the past months.' READ MORE:John Swinney urged to intervene and scrap Flamingo Land plans at fiery FMQs A campaign group, No to Gattonside Batteries, was set up to oppose the plans for the building of the site, following growing fears that the Scottish countryside could become a "concrete jungle" with the volume of proposed battery storage sites. Concerns were raised over the impact it could have on the local landscape and wildlife, as well as any potential fire risk. The site earmarked for the development is part of a designated National Scenic Area, and borders a stretch of the Southern Upland Way which boasts views over the Eildon Hills and River Tweed, near Melrose.
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Scottish Borders Council leader launches rap song
The leader of Scottish Borders Council is releasing a rap track. It's called 'Little Man' and includes references to the south of Scotland. Conservative Councillor Euan Jardine - who performs under the name Euan J - has led the council since 2022. He says writing lyrics helps him to destress and he hopes to inspire others to be creative and follow their passions. "Don't get put in a box, don't fall into stereotypes. I'm five foot one, I used to play basketball, I used to run, why can't I rap? "I'm sure some will say they didn't have it on their bingo card for 2025, the council leader making a rap track, but this is who I am, I'm not hiding who I am. "Rap gets a really bad rep for what it is. A lot of people think it's violent, no. Rap is one of the purest forms of lyricism in the world, if not the purest, for me." He's also planning to release an album called Shepherd's Son. He said: "My dad was a shepherd, I'm also a Christian and Jesus is a shepherd. So there'll be a whole introspective album, and hopefully, who knows, performing at the MacArts or volunteer hall soon." Little Man will be released on Spotify on Friday 23 May.
The National
22-05-2025
- Business
- The National
New cocktail and tapas bar planned for town in Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders Council has given the go-ahead for the new outlet at 13 Bridge Street. The premises has had a varied past. It was formerly a licensed pub known as Cloisters and later became Pharlanne, a licensed bistro. READ MORE: Donald Trump ambushes South African president with false 'white genocide' claims Thereafter the property functioned as a retail premises known as Tweedside Tackle and latterly as an antiques sales room. In his report approving the application, Euan Calvert, SBC assistant planning officer, states: 'The principle of change of use from retail to a licensed premises can be accepted and it is not considered the change would cause a detrimental impact on the locality. 'There have been no objections received from the public or neighbours and it is considered that the proposal would make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre.' Kelso Community Council also raised no objections to the application. In a submission with the application, applicant Kevin Potter, owner of the adjacent Ednam House Hotel, stated: 'The premises currently has retail permission, we are looking to open a cocktail and tapas bar on the premises, no building work is required as it was previously kitted out with planning permission a few years ago 'The premises had previously been licensed and had permission to serve food, there has been no building work carried out as the layout and toilets, kitchen area etc were exactly as we needed them to be, this work was carried out a few years ago under previous permission.'
Edinburgh Reporter
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Councillors have ‘little sympathy' for those who complain about 20mph speed limit
Objectors to a new 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian have been told an extra minute on their journeys 'won't kill them' by councillors. Midlothian Council's SNP administration cabinet was asked to consider nine objections to plans to introduce the reduced speed on urban streets. And they had little sympathy for those who complained it would make their journeys longer. Councillor Connor McManus said he had looked over the speed limit plans, which were originally approved by elected members two years ago, and could not see an issue with it. He said: 'There was an expression in the comments that it would take longer to get places. I noted people saying that travelling through Penicuik would take a substantially more amount of time. 'I have run the numbers and I am no mathematician but to get from Mauricewood to Lidl, which is the longest stretch in Penicuik which is in my ward, was three minutes without any traffic light stops. It is now going to be four minutes. 'I am pretty sure a minute will not kill anyone.' Council leader Kelly Parry agreed with his comments adding: 'It won't kill you to take an extra minute to get there but speeding can and does kill.' Objectors had claimed reducing the speed in towns could fuel road rage and put children at risk. One protester said the 'utopian' idea would create the impression roads are safe for children to play on and fail to teach them safety. However Councillor McManus said roads would not be playgrounds adding 'there is no need to drive fast on urban streets.' Councillor Ellen Scott also welcomed the reduced speeding saying recent monitoring of vehicles travelling through her local ward area of Gorebridge had produced some 'horrendous' findings. She said: 'There are roads where children are crossing, so if it takes a few extra minutes so be it.' Among comments from objectors, who described the project as a waste of money which could be spent upgrading the road surfaces had been claims Midlothian Council's 'Tarminator' pothole machine, which was bought by the local authority two years ago, was now being used by neighbouring Scottish Borders Council. However council officers took the opportunity to address the allegations, which had been circulating on social media. Derek Oliver, chief officer Place, told the meeting: 'I can confirm our Pothole Pro is not being used by Scottish Borders Council. They have their own one. There are only three Scottish local authorities who own their own Pothole Pro, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and Highland Councils.' There was anger after 20mph signs were installed across towns in the county while the public consultation into introducing the new rules was being carried out. At today's cabinet meeting the report put before councillors asked them to 'consider the objections' made and 'determine whether or not the Order should be made and implemented, as advertised'. However Councillor Parry said that the decision to implement the speed reduction had already been taken by elected members two years previously. She said: 'Just to make it clear to anyone watching council has already passed this policy unanimously, we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on.' By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
