Five things you need to know today
Daryl is young volunteer of the year, new bosses in Edinburgh Greens and progress at Winchburgh Station.
One of the planning decisions made in January 2025 which the committee will examine today is the refusal of permission for BT to erect a Street Hub opposite 117 Dundas Street where there is or was a phone box.
The Street Hub is a large vertical information panel with LED lighting and screens - and this is another application by BT to impose the screens on Edinburgh while the council keeps on refusing permission.
In the appeal papers BT say that this is part of a scheme which they have been rolling out nationally since 2016 - and it will have "significant social, economic and technological benefits to the public".
One of the reasons for objection is that such a structure "would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area" and "the proposed siting, size and design of the structure would have an unacceptable visual impact on the surrounding built environment".
New leaders in the city chambers
Edinburgh Green Councillors have chosen a new team to serve as their Co-Conveners, acting as Group leaders in the Council. At their AGM on Monday evening, Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill was elected by fellow Councillors and will join Cllr Chas Booth who is continuing as Co-Convener. Contrary to other political parties, the Edinburgh Greens have strict term limits for their Co-Conveners and regularly hold elections to ensure that power is spread throughout the group.
Taking over the role of Co-Convener from Cllr Susan Rae who stepped down after a year in post, Cllr Kinross-O’Neill said: “I'm very excited to have been elected as Green co-convenor of our Edinburgh Councillor group. As a strong progressive party in opposition it is more important than ever that we see diverse voices represented in leadership. I'm hoping to speak for people in the city whose voices are silenced or ignored by decision makers in the Council.
"We know that disabled people, trans people, migrants and refugees, those on lower incomes or in poverty, need more than shallow promises, delay and denial from our current administration in Edinburgh. Greens will always stand up for those who need it most and continue to scrutinise, develop policy or facilitate grassroots action that tackles the horrific impacts of the climate crisis.
"We are in a very exciting time with elections on the horizon and I look forward to convening with Cllr Booth.”
Cllr Chas Booth said: “I’m delighted that Edinburgh Green Councillors have selected me to continue as Co-Convener of the group. As the chaos of the extreme minority Labour administration continues it is vital that we have a strong Green voice in opposition.
"I would like to pay tribute to Susan Rae who has been my fellow Co-Convener over the past year and who it has been a joy to work with. Susan's tenacity, passion and keen political instincts have been invaluable to the Edinburgh Green Councillors and helped us secure many wins for people across the city. I’m looking forward to continuing that legacy with Cllr Kinross-O’Neill and my Green Councillor colleagues.”
Winchburgh Station - progress?
A joint statement has been released about the possibility of a new railway station in the fastest growing town in Scotland, Winchburgh. When plans were approved for the new village there
"A meeting of the Winchburgh Station Steering Group, involving West Lothian Council, Winchburgh Developments Ltd(WDL), Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Network Rail, was held on Wednesday 28 May to review progress on the proposed new railway station for Winchburgh.
"The Steering Group noted a number of key milestones now achieved. Network Rail submitted a full planning application to West Lothian Council on Friday 30 May, on joint behalf of Winchburgh Developments Ltd and Network Rail. The council has indicated that the application will be determined within a target of eight weeks of submission. In parallel, WDL’s transport consultants have prepared a draft outline business case, which is due to be submitted to Transport Scotland for review imminently. This will support the forthcoming funding application to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, with further funding routes also under active consideration.
"The station design is now complete to planning stage, with construction cost estimates prepared and benchmarked against comparable projects. Further work continues to explore opportunities for innovative construction techniques to support efficient and low-disruption delivery.
"A stakeholder meeting with Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie MSP, is scheduled to take place in Winchburgh on 18 June. This will offer the minister the opportunity to see first-hand the progress made by the project partners.
"Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Leader of West Lothian Council, said: “It’s extremely encouraging to see this project continuing to move forward at pace. With the planning application submitted and business case prepared, we’re entering an important phase, which reflects the positive collaboration between all parties. The station will bring lasting benefits to Winchburgh and surrounding communities - increasing sustainable travel options, supporting the local economy and connecting people to opportunities.”
"John Hamilton, Chief Executive of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, added: “We are pleased to see momentum building behind this vital infrastructure. The work carried out to date reflects a strong and effective partnership across the Steering Group. This station will be a key piece of infrastructure, improving daily journeys and unlocking economic opportunities for Winchburgh and the wider Edinburgh/Southeast Scotland City Region. We are committed to continuing to work together to deliver a station that not only connects people but also supports jobs, investment, and the long-term growth of the community."
Last year the Scottish Liberal Democrats highlighted that the best estimate for providing the station is between £12 and £18 million. The party also explained that in 2012 West Lothian Council applied to include funds for a railway station as part of the Section 75 planning obligations for the new development but this application was refused by Transport Scotland. WDL have agreed to provide infrastructure such as a car park and park and ride facility.
David Lynch at the Cameo
Cameo Picturehouse is celebrating more than six months of repertory film strand REPHOUSE: a daily selection of timeless classics and cult favourites handpicked by Picturehouse’s programming team, and brought back to life on the big screen where they belong.
With a carefully curated selection of the best cinema from all over the globe, REPHOUSE runs every single day of the week, and spotlights fan-favourite gems and essential works from legendary directors rarely seen in cinemas today.
As part of this must-watch selection, the Cameo is screening the first series of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s seminal television show Twin Peaks in two-episode instalments from Saturday 7 June onwards. For fans of the late, great, filmmaker, it’s an unmissable big screen experience.
Previous months at REPHOUSE have included hit films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), In The Mood For Love (2000) and Blade Runner (1982). Each screening provides film enthusiasts and casual movie-goers the opportunity to reDiscover - or explore for the first time - the magic of cinema in its purest form. Because you haven’t really seen it until you’ve seen it on the big screen!
Highlights from June’s REPHOUSE calendar include:
Twin Peaks S1 Ep. 1 & 2 (1990) - Saturday 7 June 2025
Friday The 13th (1980) - Friday 13 June 2025
The Handmaiden (2016) - 17 and 18 June 2025
Wings of Desire (1987) - 22 to 24 June 2025
Tickets for all REPHOUSE screenings start from just £8.50, or £5.50 for Picturehouse Members, and U25 Members can bag a ticket for only £5.99! For more information and to book tickets please visit the Picturehouse website.
Daryl is Young Volunteer of the Year
Well done to Daryl Stewart (23), a long-standing volunteer with sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, who has been awarded the Special Recognition Award for Young Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 Inspiring Volunteer Awards, run by Volunteer Edinburgh.
The award ceremony, which took place on Monday at the City Chambers, marked the beginning of Volunteers’ Week - a national celebration of the vital role that volunteers play across the UK.
Daryl received his award from The Rt Hon. Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to supporting blind and partially sighted people in Scotland.
Daryl, who has a cerebral visual impairment, first became involved with RNIB Scotland at the age of 14 when he joined the charity’s youth forum. At the time, he felt isolated at his mainstream school. RNIB’s youth group offered a transformative space where Daryl made friends and found his community.
Since then, he has grown from a participant into a key figure in RNIB Scotland’s volunteer network. He began volunteering at 16 and has since supported a wide range of groups and activities, from youth sessions to craft groups, walking clubs, and tandem cycling.
