Fixing a broken housing system
In a broken housing system, how we “do” housing needs to change, argues Andy Wightman.
The price of high rents
Edinburgh’s tenants need a break says Susan Rae. Our city has more private tenants than anywhere else in Scotland. 63,000, or one in 4…
Schools review in South West and West Edinburgh: here we go again
The controversy around the schools review in west and south west Edinburgh could, and should, have been avoided argues Mary Campbell. Even in the…
Picardy Place: how effective is the consultation?
Picardy Place, to the east of the city centre, has become a focal point for a debate about transport in our city in the…
The electric transport revolution
The shift to electric vehicles needs to go hand in hand with traffic reduction in the city, argues Councillor Chas Booth. The recent announcements…
A sustainable economy strategy
Green councillor Claire Miller wants to see a new Edinburgh economy strategy which takes a long term view. The City Council is consulting on…
Turning over a new leaf
Being a councillor has robbed Gavin Corbett (just a little) of the joy of the seasons. I love going through Harrison Park on a…
Making the most of empty homes
Edinburgh needs to get a lot more serious about tackling private sector empty homes, argues Susan Rae.
Trialling Citizen’s Income
Gavin Corbett explains why City Of Edinburgh Council will be one of a number of councils pioneering citizen’s income. As a member of the…
The case for a Rent Pressure Zone in Edinburgh
In response to concern about rising private rents, the Scottish Parliament has passed new legislation which allows councils to designate areas as rent pressure…
Positioning Green councillors in Edinburgh
It is 100 days since the SNP and Labour groups formally formed a Capital Coalition in Edinburgh: Melanie Main and Steve Burgess give a…
Water of life
Let’s see more public water taps in the city, says Alex Staniforth. I know that many councillors take part in clean-ups of parks, rivers…
Saving the Royal High School
Green City Centre councillor Claire Miller spoke today at the planning hearing on proposals to turn the old Royal High School into a hotel.…
Picardy Place: transport choices
Picardy Place, linking the city centre to Leith Walk, is one of the city’s most notorious junctions. Compared to most European and even other…
Education: who decides?
Mind the gap between rhetoric and reality on education says Mary Campbell. After the summer my eldest child will be joining thousands of children…
City Deal: looking forward
What are we to make of the Edinburgh City Region Deal, asks Gavin Corbett. City Deals have been around for a few years now,…
City Region Deal latest
Gavin Corbett ponders the latest reported delay in the Edinburgh City Region Deal. The local press has faithfully reported the twists and turns of…
Treasuring Portobello Beach
Any list of “Things to do in Edinburgh in summer” would be incomplete without a trip to Portobello Beach says Mary Campbell. As the…
A nation of animal lovers?
Public policy on animal welfare still has some catching up to do, argues Green MSP, Alison Johnstone. It’s easy to overestimate the protection offered to…
Tackling high rents in Edinburgh
Leith Walk’s Green councillor, Susan Rae, made her first speech in the council today, arguing that the council should be at the head of the…
A deposit return scheme for Edinburgh
Tackling Edinburgh’s litter problem should start with a deposit return scheme for cans and bottles, says Steve Burgess. With the UK election over, it…
Safe cycling in the city centre
Green transport spokesperson Chas Booth says a step change is needed in in both cycling infrastructure – and in attitudes – in order to avoid future tragedies.…
Cycling tragedy must prompt action
City Centre Green councillor Claire Miller reflects on this week’s tragic death of a cyclist in Edinburgh. The death of a young woman on…
Challenging the benefit cap
Tackling Edinburgh’s housing crisis will be a litmus test of the new council over the next 5 years, says Alex Staniforth. The first council…
Interim arrangements for the council
Today Edinburgh City Council agreed short term arrangements to break the political impasse that has gripped the city since the council elections on 4…
Caring for Edinburgh
Improving care in Edinburgh might also unlock the capital’s political logjam, argues Susan Rae. According to last week’s report into care in Edinburgh our…
UK election 2017 and the Greens
Green councillor Gavin Corbett, offers his personal take on the UK general election on 8 June. I’ve not spent a lot of time on…
Making clean air a priority
The new city council should make clean air an early priority, argues Claire Miller. Inevitably, since the council elections on 4 May, there has…
Political direction for Edinburgh
Green councillor Steve Burgess reflects on Edinburgh’s emerging post-election arrangements. Greens have always valued co-operation and discussion in politics. Traditional tribalism often gets in…
Aftermath
It’s time for local services to be truly valued, says Alison Johnstone. Despite the importance of council services, such as schools, social care and…