City Development - what, in Edinburgh?

Interesting piece in the Scotsman this morning, where the new Head of City Development at the Council has obviously given a brief interview ... very positive about the need for 'Edinburgh-Glasgow collaboration' and the potential of a high speed rail link between the two cities.

... lets hope his political boss might actually be listening??

Hutchison and Chesser Community Council

Hutchison and Chesser Community Council this evening ... local MSP Sarah Boyack was the invited speaker and gave a full update on events in the Holyrood Parliament over the last few months.

... thought it interesting that Housing issues dominated the questions that followed her talk - yet more proof, if it were needed, of the growing pressure on existing stock.

The other main topic of discussion was the Council's proposal to locate a 'Skateboard Park' within Saughton Park ... pretty mixed views from those in attendance. Whilst many accepted the 'need' for such a facility, there was some disquiet about its actual location within Saughton Park - in particular, why it couldn't be sited right next to Saughton Sports Complex?

... more local debate to follow for sure.

Competition time?

I know I really shouldn't make light of this - but a 'competition-vote' to name a new cemetery in Edinburgh?

... are the Council serious??

Would never have happened in our day ;-)


P.S. I'll regret this - but, if you have any thoughts on an appropriate name do feel free to put them in the comments section ...

Still alive ...

Still alive ... just ... after the Stag Weekend ;-)

As you can see, there was plenty of snow on the tops and numerous group members did actually manage to get some decent walking in ... it has to be said, that not everyone made it up to the snow-line :-(

... alcohol played no part whatsoever in this failure of course :-((

Bunkhouse; the next-door hotel; the food they provided; and the ever-helpful staff; were all first-class ...

... all-in-all an excellent weekend. Definitely one to remember ;-)

Stag Weekend!

My brother is getting married later this summer, I'm his best man - and, you've guessed it, this weekend is the 'Stag Weekend'!

Around 25/26 of us gathering at a Bunkhouse in Glen Clova from tomorrow through to Sunday ... I foresee a fair amount of hillwalking, lots of eating, and a significant quantity of alcohol being consumed.

... so, if blog posts don't resume in the next few days, you'll know I haven't survived :-((

Portobello High School ...

I see that the ongoing Portobello High School saga features in my favourite local paper today - article here.

I just hope that the legal-people at the Council have paid some attention to what happened fairly recently in the Borders - see original planning permission being given here in June 2006; and then final approval for building on Common Good land here in September 2006.

3-months from planning approval to legal approval to build.

... it can be done, and relatively quickly.

Last minute appearance

Got those Special Committee papers today around lunchtime - really not good enough for such an important issue.

What really gets me, is that this is the type of stunt that if we'd done it whilst in power (not that, that would ever have happened of course!) the Libs would have been squealing from the rooftops about an 'abuse of democracy' ...


P.S. just noticed that whilst Committee Members have been e-mailed the papers, they are still not up on CPOL so no members of the public can see them!

UPDATE - just after 4pm and they are now up on CPOL ... better late than never?

Goodbye Venezuela

I've recently been thinking of organising a secret, family-emigration to Venezuela - but today's news, from Caracas TV station Televen, has completely blown my plan out of the water :-(

... junior is just point-blank refusing to go :-((
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There's hope after all ...

Regular readers will know that I spend a fair amount of time in London (both work-wise and with most of my in-laws being based there) and I've heard nothing, for the last few months, other than the 'near-certainty' that Boris Johnson will be Mayor of London on the morning of May 2nd :-(

... not a prospect that fills me (or most of my London contacts) with much glee :-((

But, all appears not to be lost - the Guardian has Livingstone edging ahead in the latest polls; and with Polling Day being just 3-weeks tomorrow, I can only hope its the start of a trend as Londoners start to grapple with the potential reality of a prospective Mayor Johnson.

Really, it doesn't bear thinking about ...

'Fairdeal' - not from the Council?

More 'news release' amusement today - have a quick look at this ...

... now, I welcome this development - I think it's good that the Council is using Bebo to help promote 'Fairdeal'.

... only problem is, you can't access Bebo (or Facebook) from within the Council's computer network :-(

Apparently "the (Fairdeal) profile is updated regularly and is monitored by the Fairdeal team at the Council" ... not quite sure how they manage this, given that Bebo/Facebook/YouTube et.al. are all blocked on our network??

(special) Education Committee

Remember that Special Education Committee that was called for the 15th April ... you know, the one that will approve (or not) the re-organisation of the Council's largest Department which accounts for over £300million worth of revenue-spend every year?

Well, the observant amongst you will have noticed that papers were due out yesterday/today - look it up on CPOL and see what you get ... here's a link to the Agenda, as frankly that's about all that's there ...

... everything (apart from 1 item) is 'to follow', including the organisational review of the Department :-((

I'll let you know when us lowly Opposition Councillors finally get the organisational review paper, but even if it's tomorrow, that only leaves two full working days (Friday & Monday) before Tuesday's meeting.

... plenty of time for proper scrutiny of this not-insignificant paper then - or maybe that's the whole point?

New politics in action ...

Tollcross Community Council

Tollcross Community Council this evening ... planning issues really do dominate here, every month!

Planning is a big issue at all 4 Community Councils I attend - Hutchison-Chesser, Craiglockhart, Merchiston and Tollcross ...

... but it really does dominate Tollcross debate at the moment, which is perfectly understandable given the phenomenal amount of development that is ongoing throughout the local area.

Helping politicians win elections ...

A Council News Release has caused great hilarity in the office today - read it here ...

... I've simply lost count of the number of contacts who have suggested that Danielle Johnston's PowerPoint presentation should be circulated to all Labour Councillors in Edinburgh by way of a training-aide :-)

Laugh, I nearly cried :-))


P.S. mind you, isn't Danielle's school one that the local SNP wanted to shut back in August 2007 ... yet now they're applauding the "talented pupils" that WHEC produces??

"Diplomatic Silence" No.2

What can you say? - probably best if I just keep a diplomatic silence once again ...
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They know no shame

Back in the office today ... e-mail inbox bursting at the seams! Oh, the joys of modern technology :-(

As well as all the e-mails (and far fewer letters) been trying to catch up on the press cuttings from the past week - couldn't quite believe it when I saw this story from Saturday's Scotsman!

It's the bit that indicates that:

"Kate Dean, the Lib Dem leader of the city council, confirmed yesterday that she would be taking part in the protest march through the centre of Aberdeen" ....

... which really gets me - that's the same Council Leader who has just voted through all the service reductions and cuts.

Absolutely unbelievable.

Proof-positive that Libs really do know no shame.

Actually, I'm with Midlothian SNP councillor Colin Beattie who is quoted in yesterday's Scotland on Sunday as saying:

"Some councils just have to grow up. Every council in Scotland has been given more than enough money by the Government. People just have to start taking responsibility for things."

Couldn't have put it better myself ... wonder if they'll hear his plea in Edinburgh's City Chambers?

First vegetable planting!

First vegetable planting down at the allotment today, despite the snow!

... red onions; 6 rows of 7; so there will undoubtedly be plenty of onion-soup to consume later this year :-)

... only 2-beds left to 'border' and all the major preparation-works will be finished and much more planting will commence :-))

How to save the world ...

Excellent article about Jeffrey Sachs in the Guardian today - here.

... I mentioned his 2007 Reith Lectures (which had quite an impact on me) last April - here - and thought it interesting to see them referred to again in the Guardian piece today!

Although he's not giving any clear-preference away in the interview, from the subtext Sachs is surely an Obama supporter? Indeed, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he was given a prominent role by President Obama in early 2009 :-)

... here's hoping anyway.

Back from Kirkcudbright ...

Back from Kirkcudbright today - very relaxing week, nice cottage (down a very picturesque lane!)and lots of local activities to keep all the kids happy :-)

... Kirkcudbright itself was a real delight, and I'm pretty certain that most members of our holiday-party will visit it again - ourselves included :-))

Couple of days more rest before school/s return and we're all back to work :-(