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Councillor report

Green councillors’ report September 2019

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

Steve Burgess

Steve Burgess continued to actively support Scottish Youth Climate Strikers, questioning the Education convenor at September’s full Council meeting about authorised absence for the Global Climate Strike on 20 September. See the webcast here.

Steve also took part in an event at the Scottish Parliament with Scottish CND in support of ratification of the UN Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – thanks to a Green motion, Edinburgh was the third council in the UK to support the ICAN Cities Appeal.

In Southside-Newington, Steve worked with other ward councillors to bring a successful motion to Finance & Resources committee in support of funding for Cameron House Community Centre.

Chas Booth

In Leith, Chas Booth has been pushing for a long-term management plan for the Water of Leith basins.

At Housing Committee, Chas Booth secured council support for housing as a human right.

Mary Campbell

Mary Campbell gained agreement in full council for recognition of National Adoption week, which runs from the 14th to the 20th of October. Currently there are 37 children and young people are waiting for a forever family in Edinburgh, and hopefully promotion of National Adoption week will encourage new adopters to come forward. Watch the webcast here.

In Portobello Craigmillar, Mary Campbell has been working with her fellow councillors and residents groups to explore filtered permeability in Joppa Streets, and has been acting as a Returning Officer for Portobello Community Council.

Gavin Corbett

On Finance Committee, Gavin Corbett spearheaded calls for the council to exit controversial loans called “inverse floater LOBOs” which attract extremely high interest rates. The 4 loans with RBS, with a face value of £40m, were ended as a result and with significant savings to the council. Gavin also wrote for the Evening News backing the “Sporting Chance” campaign.

In Fountainbridge-Craiglockhart, Gavin has been busy supporting Polwarth Church and People Know How in a successful funding bid to provide a narrow boat on the canal for young people’s wellbeing. The month was also bookended by Saughton Park open day and the arrival of the Archimedes Screw turbine for the ground-breaking hydro plant in the park.

Melanie Main

Melanie Main gained agreement at full council for the Edinburgh Council to work to secure accreditation for its welfare and advice services under the Scottish National standards as part of her work supporting reform of welfare services across Edinburgh and better access to the £82 million per year unclaimed benefits by Edinburgh residents. Watch the webcast here.

Melanie visited primary and secondary schools across the ward and met ECO groups and young people to discuss the climate emergency and support them to achieve actions they want to see in their schools this year.

Claire Miller

In the city centre ward, Claire Miller has successfully challenged the businesses who were hoping to privately fund and manage a community police officer, which would have been a dangerous step towards removing public sector control over setting police priorities

Claire recorded a podcast with Politics Galore – you can listen to the conversation here.

Alex Staniforth

In his role as Co-convenor of the council group Alex Staniforth held the coalition to account over the Lord Provost’s flights to China. Watch Alex on webcast here.

Alex has also been working with local sheltered housing residents’ associations to assess their needs and improve facilities.