Posts relating to Council business
Posts relating to Council business
Yesterday, I spoke at the launch of the Reid Foundation’s report on financing local government at the STUC Annual Congress in Dundee. Mike Danson (co-author of the report), Lilian Macer (UNISON Scotland convenor), David Ross (Fife Council Co-Leader) and I…
Today was Budget Day in the City of Edinburgh Council, and this year was different to the last five council budget days. For starters, there were no deputations to be heard before we started the debate (more on this later). …
I am delighted that today, Edinburgh Council supported my call to reject the Westminster government’s Workfare (Mandatory Work Activity) schemes as unjust, immoral and counterproductive. I put forward a motion arguing that the Council should have no part in forced…
I’m very excited by the new Leith Time Bank. Time banking is a way to exchange your time and skills for those of others. I’m hoping that it will help to build community in our area. Funding has been made…
Caring for others is one of the most overlooked and unvalued roles in our society. It forms an integral part of the core economy (read more about this from New Economics Foundation here), and yet seldom gets the notice or…
At the Broughton Spurtle Hustings on Thursday 19th April, after introductory comments from each of the candidates/representatives, there were questions from the audience. This is a review of my responses to these questions. Question 1: Will you represent Leith as…
On Thursday 19th April I attended the Leith Walk Hustings at St Mary’s Parish Church, Bellevue Crescent, organised by that most special of local community newspapers, the Broughton Spurtle. The evening was expertly chaired by Harald Toberman, who gave each…
I was delighted to attend the Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group (EPTAG) campaign launch for tougher enforcement against rogue and criminal landlords. Over 50 people turned out to a public meeting – tenants, landlords, council officers, politicians – to find…
At last week’s full council meeting I had two motions up for debate. One in support of participatory budgeting (PB) as a means of deciding 1% of the Council’s discretionary revenue budget, and the second seeking information about setting up…