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Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh council seeks contractors for community events at Ross bandstand
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. 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... Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. The Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
Edinburgh Reporter
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council seeks Ross Bandstand events contractors
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh council looking for Ross Bandstand community event contractor
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 Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
The Herald Scotland
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
How an Edinburgh by-election turned to a 'night of high drama'
But every now and then, these contests turn unexpectedly exciting — offering a glimpse of which way the political winds may be blowing more broadly. In the run up to polling day for Edinburgh's Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election on Thursday, campaigners of all stripes agreed all bets were off as it looked to be a tight race with no obvious favourite. The seat was Labour's to lose, after their councillor Val Walker passed away in April. Shortly after 11.30, the brightly-lit room in the council's headquarters where votes were being counted started to fill up. Candidates, election agents and other spectators were laser-focused on three lime green bars of equal length displayed on two large screens which suggested a three horse race between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Greens. Read more: Among the steady hum and clicks of ballot counting machines, I heard one seasoned local politico break their nervy silence: 'I've never seen anything like this before.' Usually at this point in a count, a clear winner emerges. But only one thing was certain. This would be an abysmal result for the Conservatives, who got the most first preference votes by a comfortable margin here in 2022 but were now trailing behind the four other main parties. Earlier in the night a council press officer estimated we'd have a result by midnight, so as the clock struck 12 with no verdict it was a clear sign of just how close the race would be. I was distracted from clockwatching by a huddle of Liberal Democrats in the corner who appeared determined to keep a poker face. Standing nearby, one of their councillors was on a call, hanging on every word. All of a sudden, he let out a roar and bounded back to his colleagues who cheered, clapped and embraced each other. We had our result. While the declaration of first-preference votes reveals who voters ranked first, it's far from the full picture, especially on a night like this. On first preferences, Labour were just 24 votes ahead of the Lib Dems, with the Greens behind them by 136. By the seventh round of transfers, Labour still had the lead by 26, narrowing to 14 by the eighth. At the next stage when Reform's candidate was eliminated, 33 votes were transferred to Labour and 43 went to the Lib Dems, with the latter then ahead by just four. At stage 10, the SNP dropped out as their second preferences were fairly evenly split between the two frontrunners, nudging Labour's lead up to 22. It wasn't until the 11th round of counting that the Lib Dem candidate, Kevin McKay, pulled ahead — gaining 387 next-preference votes from the Tories, compared to 166 for Labour. After the Greens were eliminated, the final margin between the top two stood at 97 votes. This all comes with the important caveat that a 33.1% turnout means the vast majority of voters in the area either didn't care enough to cast a ballot or were blissfully unaware the by-election was taking place. While typical for a local by-election turnout, this nonetheless paints a bleak picture of local democracy. By-election victor Kevin McKay (Image: By-election winner Kevin McKay) For the Lib Dems this wasn't just an impressive turnaround from their 7.1% share of first-preference votes in the ward back in 2022, but also much-needed redemption after a humiliating turn of events following a council by-election in Edinburgh last November. A single seat contest in Colinton/Fairmilehead produced a similarly impressive result, rising from fourth place in 2022 to first, increasing their share of first preferences by 23.9%. Corks had barely popped from the champagne bottles when a tabloid newspaper revealed the Lib Dem's new councillor Louise Spence - who had positioned herself as the local candidate against rivals from outside the area - put her house on the market the day after she was elected. Reports suggested she planned to move to Dubai and split her time between there and Edinburgh. She resigned after just a week in office, and the Lib Dems were subsequently trounced in the by-election re-run in January. McKay, Lib Dem councillor Kevin Lang assured me after the result was officially declared in the early hours of Friday, was "definitely not' planning a relocation. 'If there's one thing we learned a lesson from last November it's that,' he said. 'This has been probably the most extraordinary council election I've been involved in in 20 years in Edinburgh politics. 'I've never known such an even contest. Every party it felt like was in contention, even as you got to the final number of first preferences cast it wasn't clear who had won. "I've never known anything like that, and I'm just glad that on a night of high drama like that it's my party that ends up on top. 'We've had other by-elections in Edinburgh where we've moved forward and it shows we are a party that is on the up in Edinburgh. 'We go into not just next year's Scottish Parliament election but the council election in 2027 with real ambition and optimism.' More from our Edinburgh Correspondent: But before then, the council's Lib Dem group will once again face questions over whether they will take advantage of their increased headcount and seek to take control of the council. Their win deals yet another blow to Labour's control of the local authority, now with just 11 councillors of a total 63 in the City Chambers. Whether the Lib Dems will continue to prop up a minority Labour administration alongside the Conservatives, or make a bid for power themselves, will now be the focus of internal party discussions. Councillor Ed Thornley, Lib Dem group leader on Edinburgh Council, did not rule it out. 'We've been the second largest group for a little while, that is an additional one to our number,' he said. 'What that means we don't know yet because nobody knew who was going to win this by-election and anyone who did is having you on.'
The Herald Scotland
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Lib Dems claim victory in close Edinburgh by-election
In a tight race, runners-up Labour were just 24 votes ahead of the Lib Dems after first preference votes were counted. Mr McKay pulled ahead after a further 12 rounds of transfers and by the final round of counting was 97 votes ahead of Labour's candidate, Catriona Munro. The Greens came third with 18.2% of first preferences, followed by the SNP on 14.5% and the Conservatives on 13.8%. A total of 6,264 ballots were cast, reflecting a turnout of 33.1%. It was a surprise result for the Lib Dems who came fifth in the ward at the last local elections in 2022 with just 7.1%. They now have 14 councillors in the City Chambers and remain the second largest party. The contest in Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart was triggered by the sudden death of Labour councillor Val Walker in April. In a speech shortly after midnight on Friday when the result was declared, Councillor McKay said, 'no one I think wanted this by election'. He said: 'I think we all miss Val Walker, I particularly knew her through the community council. By election winner Kevin McKay, left, with returning officer Paul Lawrence, right (Image: Newsquest) 'I didn't want to be here, but I am, pleased to try and fill her shoes. She did have big shoes. 'I am overwhelmed by this result. I don't think we expected it, but I'm very pleased and I am really thankful to my constituents who voted for me. I will do my best to disappoint them and to keep their trust.' When asked afterwards what he believed had secured his victory, he said: 'I think because I care. 'I'm not a professional politician. I don't live and breathe politics. 'I'm enthusiastic about doing good things. 'I really liked Val and I've said to a lot of people I didn't really want to be here, it was so sudden.' Councillor McKay said his priorities would be 'parking and potholes'. He said: 'I live in an area that isn't restricted parking at the moment so it's the end of the zones, so we get the commuters coming in. 'That's fine and I can totally understand why they want to do that but it is very annoying for all the residents. Particularly around Craiglockhart there's quite an elderly community and they say 'we can't get our carers to stop outside the house'.' Read more: Why Edinburgh by-election this week is city's 'most open contest in 20 years' Edinburgh council chief admits Tour de France funding decision 'was inappropriate' 'I look forward to hearing from your lawyers': How council debate turned to chaos Councillor Ed Thornley, Lib Dem group leader in the City Chambers said: 'Kevin is an eminently credible candidate, he's got that local record of activity, he's a lovely guy. People believed him when he said 'I will work hard for you'.' Asked if the result could lead to the Lib Dems taking control of the council now that they had three more seats than the minority Labour administration, Thornley replied: 'We've been the second largest group for a little while, that is an additional one to our number and what that means we don't know yet because nobody knew who was going to win this by-election and anyone who did is having you on.' Former Lib Dem group leader Kevin Lang said: 'We won by over 100 votes I believe in the end. It's an astonishing result. We've never done better than fourth place on first preferences in this ward. 'We worked very hard. 'But there's no doubt Kevin McKay, a well-respected community councillor was a huge asset for us in this ward. But we've had other by-elections in Edinburgh where we've moved forward.' The result, Lang added, 'shows that we are a party that is on the up in Edinburgh' in the lead up to the Scottish Parliament elections and local elections in 2027. He said: 'This has been probably the most extraordinary council election I've been involved in in 20 years in Edinburgh politics. 13 candidates stood in the by-election (Image: Newsquest) 'I've never known such an even contest. Ever party it felt like was in contention, even as you got to the final number of first preferences cast it wasn't clear who had won. I've never known anything like that, and I'm just glad that on a night of high drama like that it's my party that ends up on top.' Ms Munro said: 'I'm disappointed but these things happen. 'We ran a really good campaign we got a very positive reception on the doorsteps, we had a good message to deliver and it's disappointing that on the transfers of preferences that we lost out to the Lib Dems but these things happen.' It was the second Edinburgh Council by-election held this year, following one in the neighbouring Colinton/Fairmilehead ward in January in which Labour and the Conservatives each gained a seat.
