THE FUTURE OF THE PENTLAND HILLS REGIONAL PARK

In January Midlothian Council, facing a need to address serious budgetary shortfalls, decided to withdraw from the Joint Minute of Agreement for the Regional Park – the framework involving the City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and West Lothian Council under which the Park is funded and managed. Midlothian was required to give 12 months notice of its intentions and the current formal position is that Midlothian will withdraw from the Joint Agreement with effect from 1 April 2010.

Friends of the Pentlands have written to all Midlothian Councillors to make it clear that they believe that their decision is the gravest threat that the Park has faced in its 21 years of existence and urged them to retain the existing joint structure, albeit within a revised financial framework. Friends of the Pentlands have received no assurances from elected members but do know that officers are working on a revised Joint Minute of Agreement which, if approved, could be in place this autumn. They are keeping as close as possible to developments and do not want to resort to ‘lobbying’ but, if necessary we will do so.   

LITTER PICKING

It was discovered recently that the proportion of Rangers’ time spent on ‘litter picking’ is their fourth most manpower intensive activity out of ten. Friends of the Pentlands have already grasped the nettle and are organising two days per month to help clear up litter. They have designated the first and third Tuesday of each month to help improve our environment. Work begins at 10.00 am and last no more than two hours. If you are able to join the ‘picker-uppers’ please contact John Surtees on 0131 445 4623 or at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it It is very much a case of many hands make light work and although the litter isn’t much fun the company’s pretty good and the Pentlands, as always, are great. The Rangers are absolutely delighted that we have signed up to help with this task which essentially gives them more time to devote to those duties which are beyond the abilities of we happy amateurs. Please come and join us if you can.