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Councillor report

Green councillors’ report October / November 2019

Recent highlights from your Green councillors: ward updates, policy and committee work

Claire Miller

Claire Miller has been working with young people and parents to improve cycling, scooting, walking and wheeling to schools in her role as transport spokesperson for the green group. Her motion calling for active travel infrastructure for all schools was accepted by the committee, and she joined the bike bus to James Gillespie Primary School, which you can see in this short video.

In the City Centre ward, Claire has been uncovering the series of mistakes which has led to the Christmas market being built on a huge platform across the whole of East Princes Street Gardens without planning consent, and without enough involvement from local councillors. You can read all about it here: Claire Miller on Twitter

Gavin Corbett

Fountainbridge / Craiglockhart: at ward level, Gavin Corbett has been very busy providing help to staff and others affected by the shock closure of Gorgie City Farm.
At full council Gavin Corbett secured backing for a proposal to require that the £1.3 billion city region deal programme integrated the city council’s zero carbon aims.

Mary Campbell

Mary Campbell gained agreement in full council for recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance this year, and every year going forward. This means the council will be flying the trans pride flag on 20th of November, to recognise the trans lives lost to transphobia.

In Portobello/Craigmillar, Mary Campbell has been working on improving water quality at Portobello, with wild swimmers, SEPA and Scottish Water at the Bathing Water Stakeholders Group.

Steve Burgess

At the special meeting of Policy & Strategy committee on the Climate Emergency, in response to a deputation by Transition Edinburgh, XR Edinburgh and Scottish Youth Climate Strikers, Steve Burgess proposed that the Council receive a report on a Citizens’ Climate Assembly so that residents voices can be heard. Although this proposal was rejected by the Council Leader, Steve is bringing the issue back to full Council this month.
In Southside/Newington ward a full delivery of the Autumn Green News to all 13,000 households has been achieved by our fantastic volunteer members. Canvassing volunteers have also been out with Kate Nevens our candidate for Edinburgh South knocking on doors with the Green Westminster call to Demand Climate Action.

Chas Booth

In finance committee, Chas Booth pushed for the views of electric vehicle drivers to be taken into account when new vehicle charging infrastructure is rolled out by the council.

In Leith, Chas Booth continues to liaise closely with residents and the council’s tram team to try to minimise disruption during the works to complete the line to Newhaven.

Melanie Main

In the Morningside ward, Melanie held a successful residents woodland clearing day in Greenbank woods, to clear an old pathway as part of bringing woodland back into use for local people and the primary school.

In Council Melanie pressed the Council Leader to review council mental health services in the light of the Scottish Government calling Mental Heath services in Lothians in to special measures. She also chaired the first meeting of a new committee overseeing performance and delivery of Health and social care services in Edinburgh and won the additional of climate crisis to the long-term strategic planning for theEIJB.

Alex Staniforth

In October Alex ensured that the concerns on sheltered housing residents were heard at GRBV and that issues regarding social isolation would be addressed. He also seconded Mary’s motion on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

In Craigentinny / Duddingston ward, Alex worked with other local councillors and community councillors to ensure that projects agreed by the old Neighbourhood Network to improve the ward were progressing as planned.

Susan Rae

Susan Rae has been working with interested parties to get the Bingham Cup – the international gay rugby union tournament – hosted in Edinburgh.

Locally she was at the Ecofair behind the stall for the Edinburgh Green Party.