Nothing New

Busy week campaigning, door knocking and getting the campaign newspaper delivered in Sighthill, Parkhead, Redhall and Whitson. Really good to find that people are happy to chat about the election and associated issues, provided the weather's okay and it has been this week. Also attended the Council's Finance and Resources Committee on Tuesday and the Audit Committee on Thursday. Not a huge amount worthy of mention here. Council debt is steadily increasing and this has been remarked upon by Audit Scotland, who also made a presentation to the Audit Committee on their interim Trams report and recommended a review of the project's governance arrangements. Same old, same old, really.

Sneaky Tory Cuts

So, Gideon Osborne's generosity means we'll all have an extra £48 a year in our pockets. I just don't know how I'll manage to spend it all.... And he cut 1p from a litre of fuel, while conveniently forgetting that he added  3p to a litre when he increased VAT to 20% in January. One step forward, three steps back eh George ? All this "fairness" is heart warming however this piece in the Scotsman at the end of last week caught my eye "Pensioners attack cut to winter fuel allowance". Now, I didn't listen to every word of the Chancellor's Budget speech to the House of Commons but I don't think he mentioned this. He must have forgot... We're all in this together, you know.


Some good campaigning this morning in Broomhouse and more planned for tomorrow. Starting to distribute the campaign newspaper. Still got a few thousand to go so if anyone fancies a paper round, you know where to find me....

From There to Here

Among other things, I arranged a couple of visits in Wester Hailes today to catch up on some local issues. First call was a coffee with Nabirye at Scorescotland who do work with the local Black and Minority Ethnic communities, providing advice services to people who need them and activities for youngsters, encouraging those from different backgrounds and culture to mix and socialise. They're about to start a Lothian wide NHS project that will heighten awareness of health issues among different ethnic groups. Next to be subjected to my company were Carol, Roy and Brendan at Prospect Housing Association. Got a couple of updates on local projects (not encouraging but too complex to go into detail here) and was reminded of the Wester Hailes blog "From There to Here" . If you've got any history or connection with Wester Hailes it's a really interesting site and has a Facebook group as well. Not impressed with the Budget by the way, but not in the mood to labour the point just now.

Human Rights advice for the Unemployed ?

Happily signed up to the Amnesty
initiative to highlight human rights as
part of the Scottish Parliament campaign.

Attended the Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership meeting last night at Fairmilehead Church. Not particularly well attended, but a couple of interesting presentations from WEACT (used to be known as West Edinburgh Action) who provide support services to the unemployed and the Council, who provide a "signposting" service for unemployed people to the advice or support service that suits them best. Good people doing good work but to be honest they're just scratching the surface in my opinion. No great security of funding going forward either (after the SNP Govt pulled the funding from the Capital City Partnership who oversee this activity across Edinburgh) which is a pity because providing advice to unemployed people seems to be growth industry....

Petitions, Doors and Late Goals

Good weekend of campaigning in mild and very pleasant conditions, joined Ian Murray MP in asking people to sign the Labour petition urging George Osborne to reverse the recent VAT rise on fuel when he sets the Budget this week. Got a really good reception at Buckstone shops and then on the doors in the local area, Saturday and Sunday. People are feeling this increase every time they buy petrol/deisel and it has to feed through to other goods as transport costs inevitably go up as well. The Chancellor can lend a helping hand if he chooses to do so. Ian's taking all the signed petition sheets down to Westminster today. While we were out and about a team of hardy volunteers were stuffing thousands of envelopes at campaign HQ (my house !) and we'll get these out this week. Couple of Council commitments today and my surgeries tonight but attention is beginning to turn to the election campaign in earnest as we start to up the pace. Still managed to get to Tynie on Saturday, Hearts were almost wiped out in the first half by a surprisingly (compared to their league position) quick and skilful St Mirren. Having been given a good talking to at half time the second half was a different matter and we managed to secure a very late 3-2 victory that was almost deserved.

I need to buy a bicycle...

Weekend went pretty well considering Saturday's campaigning was seriously curtailed by the weather. Managed to get 1500 leaflets delivered in Whitson, Saughton Mains and Broomhouse on Sunday so can't complain. Also went back to the Gorgie Mem to remove all the empties from Friday night's Quiz and take them to the recyling. A barman's job is never done !

Currie Community Council last night, numerous local issues discussed in some depth but still finished by 9. Dean Park Primary Parent Council AGM in Balerno tonight. That's about £3.50 each way in petrol ! The Chancellor says he's listening,..... I wonder who to ?

The Week That Was




Myself and Cllrs Godzik and Aitken join
anti closure protesters outside the
City Chambers. Pic courtesy of stv.

Busy week, really busy week. Honestly. Too busy to blog.

Monday - "Question Time" style event at Balerno High in front of a room of sixth year's. Scary, but a good dress rehearsal for some of the hustings ahead. Surgeries in the evening followed by Currie Primary PTA and then Balerno High's Parent Council.

Tuesday - Elections briefing by Council staff, covered deadlines, do's and don'ts etc, quite technical, followed by our usual pre Council Labour Group meeting.

Wednesday - Managed to join one of the neighbourhood walkabouts in Wester Hailes Park. Generally the area looked not too bad, however, the standard of stair cleaning (or lack of) by Council contractors leaves a lot to be desired. I have complained and expect to see an instant improvement in the stairs I've highlighted (I'll go back next week to check).

Thursday - Full Council meeting, see pic above. The LibDem/SNP Administration, supported by the Tories, pushed through the closure of two nurseries. There had been a statutory consultation exercise but having set their budget in February 2010 which included savings equal to 3 nursery closures this decision was just a rubber stamp. Pretty cynical really, and very sad for the children and parents who are affected. The process seems to be, set the budget then make the policy decisions to fit. The 3rd closure by the way will be Westfield Court which will be closed by the back door. The No Confidence vote on who said what to whom around the Gathering press release shambles was much closer and got quite heated. They survived though. For now.

Friday - Last night was our turn to host the Gavin Strang Quiz Night which we held at the Gorgie Memorial Hall which proved to be an excellent venue. Being of no earthly use to any team I volunteered to do the bar. Yes, I was actually licensed to sell alcohol ! Can't see me making a career of it. Congratulations to the Darling Buds who were victorious.

Detoxification ?

So, the Scottish Conservatives think they've been "detoxified" (today's Scotsman ) by the arrival of David Cameron's government and David McLetchie expects to see the tories make gains at the Scottish Parliament elections in May. I think we'll let the Scottish voters be the judge of that David....

Weekend Past

Weekend went well, thanks to numerous willing volunteers, we delivered almost 3000 leaflets in Oxgangs, Firrhill and Colinton Mains and I managed to get through a fair bit of door knocking. Nothing dramatic to report either, the sun shone and everyone I spoke to was very pleasant and positive. Caught the last 30 mins of the Hearts game on TV. Not exactly a classic though Kello did have some outstanding saves. A point at Pittodrie is never a bad result.

Saturday and/or Sunday

Many thanks to everyone who was able to help last weekend in Currie and Balerno. We got through a fair amount of work and the weather wasn't half as bad as expected.

This weekend (26th/27th) we make a much requested return to Oxgangs, Firrhill and Colinton Mains.

Meet at the shops at Oxgangs Broadway at 11am on Saturday (26th) and 1pm on Sunday (27th) for local leafletting and door knocking with myself.

Directions to the shops can be found on this link -

As ever, any questions, please get in touch.

CRoWW

Gaddafi is still hanging on but it must only be a matter of time, hopefully with the minimum of violence.

Was delighted to accept an invitation to the launch of a new research facility at Heriot Watt University last night. The Centre for Research on Work and Wellbeing (CRoWW) undertakes projects that shed light on the understandings of health and wellbeing in the workplace and the interaction between workplace wellbeing and the labour market. Some interesting contributions form the guest speakers about wellbeing in the workplace and the effect on the wellbeing of people (and their families) who are unemployed. They also touched on new changes to the benefits systems regarding Job Seekers etc so it all became vaguely political. Don't know if that was the intention but it certainly made for an interesting event. All very academic of course, such is the nature of these things, but if good quality research leads to better informed decisions for government at all levels it has to be a good thing, doesn't it ?

Interesting but anxious times

Surgeries at Ratho and Balerno last night, quite busy for a change, then off to Ratho Community Council. Arrived late of course but still managed to contribute to a few issues that were being discussed. Watched Col Gaddafi on TV last night with a mixed sense of bemusement and apprehension. His bizarre appearance under an umbrella sitting on what looked like an oversized golf buggy, during a cheesy musical variety show would be funny if it wasn't for the fact that he and his regime appear to be so detached from reality that their resistance to change could mean further bloodshed in Libya. It's quite moving to see ordinary people stand up for themselves and challenge undemocratic, authoritarian regimes (even if some do have the West's blessing) but you fear for those who have to lead and "front up" the demonstrations. Fantastic when the sitting government bow to the inevitable with little trouble, as has happened elsewhere, but will Gaddafi do likewise ? I do hope so.

The Sun Shines On The Righteous

Well, okay, it wasn't exactly shining but it did stop raining long enough for some leafletting and door knocking in Currie. That makes us officially semi-righteous... It went well, hopefully get another good run at it tomorrow. Off to Tynecastle now, hoping the weekend continues on its positive course.

More Campaigning....

Edinburgh South West Labour Party last night. A lull in parliamentary business and the fact that he is now a back bencher meant Alistair Darling was able to attend. He was in good form and answered numerous questions on his parliamentary Report which sparked some good debate on issues as wide ranging as Youth Unemployment, Local Government Finance and the Alternative Vote referendum. 

This weekend's campaigning is concentrated in Currie and Balerno, meeting at the Scout Hut at the end of Currievale Drive here , 11am on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. If anyone would like to help they would be more than welcome. Weather forecast isn't very promising but if I know Labour activists we'll bash on regardless ! 

Just Like Watching Hearts

Very unusually for me, I didn't have any meetings last night so decided to go for a run and then catch up on my ironing while watching the Arsenal v Barcelona game on TV. I don't usually get all that excited about smooth, silky soccer, I'm more of a blood and snotters man myself (Rino Gattusso once played for Auchinleck Talbot you know) however the Arsenal game was fantastic and it was a real joy to see the game played at the highest level of skill and excitement, in front of a packed stadium. Just like watching Hearts actually....

Co-operation

Business meeting of the Pentlands Neighbourhood Partnership last night. Not the most exciting of affairs but necessary in making sure that ongoing work is progressing satisfactorily and that relevant items are included on the agenda for the next public meeting. I've asked for a report on how the move to fortnightly refuse collection is going to affect our area. It was an integral part of the Administration's budget last week but there was a distinct lack of detail on how it will be implemented. Monday night I attended and spoke at a meeting of the Co-op Party. Useful discussion about the Council budget and the wider picture for public services in Scotland and the role of co-operatives and mutuals. Credit Unions are another much overlooked resource that can be turned to if you've lost faith with the big banks, and who hasn't ???

Read All About It

Newspaper editorials often reflect the corporate view of the paper, the editor, or the owners, or a combination of all three, not surprisingly. Being a political anorak I often read the Edinburgh Evening News editorial with great interest because its particularly relevant to the city and my ward. Yesterday's piece asked numerous searching questions about the "big society", public services and what the public really want, need and are prepared to pay. No easy answers there then but certainly some thought provoking questions. Perhaps the coming months will see some mature debate in Scotland about the future of public services and what we, as a nation, believe are our true priorities. Then again.....

Valentine's Day

Good weekend of campaigning in the Calders. Delivered 1100 leaflets and got through a good bit of doorknocking, thanks to numerous volunteers giving freely of their time and energy. We met outside the WHEC on Saturday and it was going like a fair, mostly families and children. And to think the Council tried to close the WHEC in 2007. Just managing to get over the intensity of the Council budget process although now we have to deal with the impact of the cuts. Relatively quiet this week due to the half term break. School breaks seem to be faithfully followed by Council business managers for some reason. At least it means I can catch up with the back log of emails and correspondence without too many distractions.

Council Budget decisions



They didn't unfortunately



As below, the Council Budget meeting yesterday was memorable for many reasons, some good, some bad. It was my first Labour Budget as Finance spokesperson and the first time in living memory that our budget was supported by the Conservatives and the Greens (with minor adjustments). But it also saw the LibDem/SNP Administration take the decision to close Blindcraft making it a very sad day for the city indeed (more details as reported by the Evening News here ). It also saw £45m worth of savings implemented including significant cuts to front line services, including schools, libraries, refuse collection and the voluntary sector. The full list of cuts can be viewed here . Our proposal for no compulsory redundancies was also rejected and I'm seriously worried that we could now see P45s used as a blunt instrument to achieve the savings targets. As reported earlier in the week we published our budget proposals a good week ahead of the meeting to allow for a bit of public debate around the issues and hopefully encourage the Administration to be a bit more open about their plans. It didn't work. Our budget amendment and spreadsheet are available on these links and I can email more background information to anyone who's particulary interested in the fine detail.

Weekend Campaigning

This weekend the Pentlands Campaign Team are heading for the Calders. The usual leafletting and door knocking will be carried out and all are welcome. Post leafletting coffee also guaranteed ! Meet at the WHEC car park at 11am on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. Budget meeting yesterday was memorable for lots of reasons, some good, some bad. I'll post more on this soon.