Edinburgh School closures - update/s

Some further updates on both 'exam arrangements' and also on 'survey results' are now available via the main section of the Council Website ...

... I'll additionally just re-produce the text of the two, related News Releases below.

And a quick reminder that a further detailed Report, including the issue of an independent Inquiry, will all come back to the next meeting of the Council's "Corporate, Policy & Strategy Committee" on Tuesday 17th May - see earlier post (and links therein) here.

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Exam arrangements in place

Published Thursday, 21st April 2016

Alternative arrangements for pupils sitting exams next month, and who are affected by the recent school closures, have been drawn up by the City of Edinburgh Council.

The contingency plans have been put together as exams start in the first week of May. 

All pupils will be sitting their exams in the schools where they are currently attending.

The arrangements are:

• Royal High, Drummond and Firrhill pupils will use their schools
• Gracemount and Craigmount will be sitting their exams at their host schools of Liberton and Tynecastle respectively

Individual schools will update pupils and parents regarding their specific arrangements. 

Over the past week the Council has had very positive discussions with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) about exams and the contingency arrangements.

Education Convener Councillor Paul Godzik said: “With the first exams only a few weeks away it is absolutely vital that we have these plans in place and pupils are given notice as to where they will be sitting their exams.

“Pupils have enough to do with their studying preparations without additional worry over where they may be sitting them. Despite the hugely challenging situation the Council have tried to ensure our pupils are given every chance to prepare properly and that as far as possible they are not impacted by the school closures.  

“We will be outlining in detail to the SQA the arrangements we have put in place and how this has affected pupils, as well as providing additional study support to pupils where we feel this is necessary.”

Jean Blair, SQA Director of Operations, said: "Clearly our primary concern is for all the young people involved. We continue to work closely with City of Edinburgh Council and the individual schools to support them in the practical arrangements for the exams, which begin on Wednesday 4 May. 

“The national timetable of exams will continue as planned and pupils should continue with their studies in preparation to sit their exams on the dates in the published exam timetable."

The programme of structural surveys arranged by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership is continuing. Parents will be provided with further information on individual school surveys once the full reports are received and assessed.

Find out more about school closures on the Council website.

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Update on school closures not expected until end of next week

Published Friday, 22nd April 2016

The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed it is now not expecting to receive details of when the PPP1 schools will be available for pupils until the end of next week.

Chief Executive Andrew Kerr said he was disappointed by the lack of survey results from the Edinburgh Schools Partnership who operate and manage the schools on behalf of the Council and who are responsible for undertaking the required repairs.

He said: “We have been in constant dialogue with the Edinburgh Schools Partnership, and they are aware of our concerns.  It is important that we have clear information regarding the condition of these schools, and when they will be safe to reopen.

“I know that parents, teachers and pupils will share my frustration at this delay. The safety of our children is our number one priority and we all want our schools to reopen safely, as soon as possible. 

“We are doing everything we can so ESP can provide the Council with the information which will allow us to make a decision regarding the next steps.”

The schools were closed on Monday 11 April and affect 7,600 primary and secondary pupils and 740 nursery pupils.

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April Leader's Report

April 2016 School closures I share the frustration of families across the city at recent events, which have resulted in the closure of 17 of our schools. Equally, I'm sure they understand the reasons behind the steps we've taken - the safety of our children has to be our number one priority. This has been an unprecedented logistical challenge for the Council. I want to thank parents for their patience and understanding and teaching staff, head teachers and other Council colleagues who have pulled out all of the stops to ensure our children's education can continue. Putting in place alternative arrangements for 7,600 primary and secondary pupils and 740 nursery children in just over one week is a remarkable achievement. The Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP), which operates and manages these schools on our behalf, is continuing to carry out full surveys and, once results are received, they will be assessed and we will update parents on next steps. I want to reiterate that the associated costs will rest squarely with ESP - and not with the Edinburgh taxpayer. I intend to bring an update report on the issue to the Corporate Policy and Strategy meeting on 17 May. Councillor Andrew Burns Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Satisfaction on the rise I was really encouraged by the results of the latest Edinburgh People Survey, which showed that 96% of respondents were satisfied with life in the capital, while two thirds of participants said they were happy with the way the Council manages the city. Feedback like this lets us know just where we're getting it right, with satisfaction in areas like community safety and financial management continuing to increase. That said, the survey also lets us know where improvements need to be made, particularly in services such as refuse collection and roads maintenance. The Edinburgh People Survey is essential to making the city a better place to live for everyone in an increasingly challenging financial climate. By focusing our resources on the things that matter the most to people, we aim to deliver best value to the Edinburgh taxpayer, at the same time as improving quality of life. Ross Theatre refurb? The stage is set for a replacement bandstand in Edinburgh and the curtain will be raised on design ideas in June. The Council has agreed to work with city hotelier Norman Springford on a shared ambition for a new stage to replace the Ross Bandstand, which sits in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle in West Princes Street Gardens. The open-air venue has hosted scores of famous acts and events over the decades including the city's famous Festival Fireworks and Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens. There is a lot of work to be done, not least on the feasibility of building a new structure on Common Good Land, but there is no denying the current, 80-year-old structure is nearing the end of its useful life and that we must start thinking about the future of this venue now. Election countdown We are now less than two weeks away from the Scottish Parliament Election on Thursday, 5 May, when electors across the country will have the opportunity to help decide who represents them at Holyrood for the next four years. In Edinburgh, we've witnessed a real enthusiasm for participating in the democratic process over recent years, with impressive turnouts in both the UK Parliamentary Election and the Scottish Referendum in 2014, and we really want to see this continue in May. This year will also see 16 and 17-year-olds voting in an election for the first time and I look forward to welcoming the city's youngest voters to take part. While the voter registration deadline has passed, it's still important that residents give thought to their vote and make sure they know when, where and how to cast it. Full details are available on the Council website. Atria sale The sale of Atria, our award winning office development to Deka Immobilien for £105m, was welcome news this month. It was built using an innovative funding package to develop much needed Grade A office space in the city to attract new, and retain existing businesses. In addition, it cross-subsided the cost of an expansion to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). Our plan to sell Atria once the development was completed and the economic conditions were right, is an excellent example of our sound financial forward planning. Many hands make light work From 1 April, changes in Scottish Government legislation meant that NHS and Council colleagues across Scotland are now jointly delivering health and social care services. The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board became responsible for the strategic planning and resourcing of health and social care services for the City. The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership has been formed to deliver these services on behalf of the EIJB and in collaboration with the private and voluntary sectors and community organisations. These changes are driven by a mixture of legislation and the need for cost savings in both the Council and NHS Lothian. The partnership approach allows for more creative ways to deliver services to meet the needs of Edinburgh's citizens. In Edinburgh, the focus remains on quality of service, clearer pathways for service users, and colleagues working collaboratively to reduce bureaucracy and duplication. Guinness Pro 12 Final Finally, the Guinness PRO12 Final takes place at Murrayfield on Saturday 28 May 2016. This will be a great event for the city and it is the first time the final is being held outside of Ireland. While we still do not know which teams will be playing, there is guaranteed to be a wealth of international rugby stars on display. The match kicks off at 5.30pm and you can buy tickets here. Stay in the picture Keep yourself in the picture with our news section online. Watch live full Council and some committee meetings on our webcast. Join the debate on Twitter #edinwebcast  If you wish to unsubscribe please email us. Follow us on Twitter Watch our webcasts Follow us on Facebook

April Full Council Meeting

April's Full Council Meeting now coming up fast - takes place at 10am next Thursday (28th) ...

... all the reports are now up on Committee Papers On-Line (CPOL) and you can access the main agenda directly here; and each of the individual reports separately via this link.

Of course - as ever, if you're so minded - you can watch all the proceedings live here ...

... or the meeting will be archived a few hours after it finishes for viewing at your leisure!

Allotment tatties planted :-)

It may well be the last stretch of Holyrood Election campaign ...

... but the seasons wait for no man:

- tatties duly planted :-)

Great Edinburgh Run #3

I'm just a little chuffed this afternoon :-))

I first did the 'Great Edinburgh Run' back in April 2014, when I was preparing for the May 2014 Edinburgh Marathon ...

... I blogged about it at the time here - and was pleased with 1hr 37mins.

Ran it last year, see here, and was very pleased with 1hr 39mins.

So I really am chuffed to have run it today; in 1hr 35mins :-)

Life in the old-dog yet :-))

Edinburgh Schools - Council Motion agreed

Regular readers will know that it was the April meeting of the Corporate, Policy & Strategy Committee earlier this morning ...

... as well as all of the previously referenced (regular) business, the issue of the recent (and ongoing) School closures featured in a composite Emergency Motion, which was supported by all Parties, and which I'll simply cut-and-paste below ---

--- you can also watch the discussion via the webcast - link from here - if you're so minded.

And generally - please do continue to keep an eye on the following two links over coming days, which will be updated on a daily basis with further details:

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures
• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news

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Edinburgh Schools

1. Committee notes, with regret, the recent necessity to close several Edinburgh Schools – all of which were designed, constructed, and continue to be managed, by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP).

2. Committee also notes that the Council Leader has apologised for the significant inconvenience these closures have caused.

3. Committee further notes that the safety of children, and our staff, has to be the top priority and the Council cannot take any risks with such. Thus, given the professional advice from the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP) – received on Friday 8th April – the Council had no option but to close these facilities.

4. Committee understands that the most immediate tasks which will be carried out as a matter urgency will be: the continuation of educational-provision; ensuring the safety of the affected buildings; and seeing the facilities safely re-opened.

5. Committee thereafter calls for an urgent update report concerning this series of events, including a full update from the Edinburgh Schools Partnership (ESP), subject to an independent peer review, on the reasons for the identified defects; and instructs that the overall update report goes to the next meeting of the Corporate, Policy and Strategy Committee on Tuesday 17th May 2016.

6. The update report to include an update on the wider project/governance issues such as the council's management of the contract and the role of building control from the outset.

+ the following referred to the 17th May Committee meeting:

7. Committee also calls for a full inquiry into the failure of ESP buildings, including the contractual and other arrangements with the ESP regarding the quality assurance of the construction of the buildings; any responsibility CEC had during the construction phase including through Building Control; whether contractual terms have been adhered to; the management and maintenance of the buildings since construction; an assessment of costs incurred by the Council and by families and options for recovery.


Moved by - Councillor Burns
Seconded by - Councillor Ross


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Edinburgh School closures - further update

A further update on the Edinburgh School closures is now available here:

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures

And an additional statement from the City of Edinburgh Council is available via the following link:

• Updates on school closure contingency plans

and again - ongoing information will continue to be posted via the Council's main twitter-feed at:

• www.twitter.com/@Edinburgh_CC

Generally - please do now keep watching these two links over coming days, which will be updated on a daily basis with further details:

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures
• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news

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Edinburgh School closures - update

Some further update on the Edinburgh School closures is now uploaded here:

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures

And an additional statement from the City of Edinburgh Council is available via the following link:

• Detailed surveys underway across affected schools

& ongoing information will continue to be posted via the Council's main twitter-feed at:

• www.twitter.com/@Edinburgh_CC

And once again - not just as Council Leader, but as a parent myself - I deeply regret, and apologise for, the inconvenience this is all causing ... but hope that everyone can understand the safety of children, and our staff, is our top priority and we’re simply not willing to take any risks.

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Edinburgh School closures - statements

Statements concerning Edinburgh Schools closures, from both the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, are available via the following links:

• City of Edinburgh Council
• Scottish Government

Ongoing updates are available via the Council website here:

• www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures 

& also via the Council's main twitter-feed at:

• www.twitter.com/@Edinburgh_CC

I'll also update the blog as soon as substantive new information is available.

Personally - not just as Council Leader, but as a parent myself - I deeply regret, and apologise for, the inconvenience this is all causing ... but hope that everyone can understand the safety of children, and our staff, is our top priority and we’re simply not willing to take any risks. As such we have had no option but to close these facilities.


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April's Corporate Policy and Strategy Committee

All of the Reports are now published for April's "Corporate Policy and Strategy" Committee; it meets at 10am, next Tuesday 12th April.

All of the relevant paperwork is in the public domain: the main Agenda can be found here.

The individual reports are all on Committee Papers on-Line (CPOL) linked from here.

Some that may well be of interest:

• Edinburgh People Survey Headline Results (News Release on this now available via this link)
• McCrae’s Battalion Trust: Commemorative Service at Contalmaison Cairn
• West Princes Street Gardens and the Ross Bandstand - An Opportunity for Renewal (News Release on this now available via this link)

And, of course, as usual the Policy and Strategy Committee meetings are webcast live - and thereafter archived!

All available via here --- it's TV; but not quite like you've ever seen it before ;-)

Local Candidates standing in the Scottish Parliament Election

 

Scottish Parliament election candidates – Edinburgh Constituencies

In the Scottish Parliament election to be held on 5 May 2016, you can vote for one of the candidates listed below. You can also view the list of Lothian Region candidates.

There are six constituencies within Edinburgh. The names of the candidates for each constituency are listed below in the order that they appear on the ballot paper. One candidate per constituency will be elected, so Edinburgh will elect six Members of the Scottish Parliament.

 

Central

BETTSWORTH, Hannah (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
BOYACK, Sarah (Scottish Labour Party)
DAVIDSON, Ruth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
DICKIE, Alison (Scottish National Party (SNP))
JOHNSTONE, Alison (Scottish Green Party)
LAIRD, Tom (Scottish Libertarian Party)

 

Eastern

COOK, Nick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
DENHAM, Ash (Scottish National Party (SNP))
D’INVERNO, Cospatric (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
DUGDALE, Kezia (Scottish Labour Party)

 

Northern and Leith

CALDWELL, Jack (Independent)
HINDS, Lesley (Scottish Labour Party)
MACPHERSON, Ben (Scottish National Party (SNP))
MCGILL, Iain (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
VEART, Martin (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

 

Pentlands

FARTHING-SYKES, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
HEARY, Blair (Scottish Labour Party)
LINDHURST, Gordon (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
MACDONALD, Gordon (Scottish National Party (SNP))

 

Southern

BRIGGS, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
EADIE, Jim (Scottish National Party (SNP))
JOHNSON, Daniel (Scottish Labour Party)
SUBBARAMAN, Pramod (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

 

Western

BATHO, Sandy (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
COLE-HAMILTON, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
GIUGLIANO, Toni (Scottish National Party (SNP))
HEADLEY, Cat (Scottish Labour Party)

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Scottish Parliament election candidates – Lothian Region

In the Scottish Parliament election to be held on 5 May 2016, you can vote for one of the parties listed below. You can also view the list of Edinburgh Constituency candidates.

The names of the parties for the Lothian Region are listed below in the order that they appear on the ballot paper.

Seven candidates will be elected to the Lothian Region as Members of the Scottish Parliament.

 

Lothian Region

RISE – Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Scottish Women’s Equality Party
Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
UK Independence Party (UKIP)

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It's back to the bus for me ...

It's back to the bus for me ...

... yes - I'm somewhat embarrassed to announce that I've frankly "had it" with cycle-commuting every single, working day ...

... and, as this very date is the 10th-anniversary of the introduction of free concessionary bus travel (which I'm not quite entitled to yet!), I've decided anyhow to revert to an annual bus pass for my regular commute, and to sell the s*dding bike :-(

I mean, what can I say --- but, that I've just simply had enough of it all:

• the weather in Edinburgh is quite frankly rubbish - and wet! ... it's so much drier in Copenhagen where all those Danes cycle all day, every day.
• and another thing - Edinburgh is just far too cycle-unfriendly ... never mind the traffic, what about all those bl**dy hills for a start!
• I'm thus completely knackered after my commute in the morning; and just want to jump in a taxi on the way home ... don't talk to me about supposed mythical health benefits?
• and there's just no evidence for all this airy-fairy rubbish about cycling improving your well-being ... who are you trying to kid?
• don't get me started on just how bad it all is for the local economy - I've never seen anything that actually proves the value of cycling is economically positive ... it's so blindingly obvious that the opposite is true!
• to top it all - it costs an absolute personal fortune, and I'd frankly even be better off driving every day ... there's just no evidence that cycling actually saves you money?

So - that's it - I really have "had it" with cycling every day ... I'm not prepared to be fooled any longer, and it's back to the bus for me :-))

One City Trust - can you help?

My colleague, Donald Wilson, is running the London Marathon again this year - he has a short blog post up today, which I'll simply replicate in full below ...

... can you help him raise funds for the One City Trust?

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On my marks in March

Hopefully most people will know by now that I am running the London Marathon in a few weeks time for the One City Trust.

The training has been hard - especially Easter weekend when I did a 40k run just to see if I could! Oww!

Two years ago, Andy McNaughton volunteered his services to help me train. Andy is a fitness instructor with Edinburgh Leisure and this year he is doing the Marathon with me.

Over the last month I've upped my training in anticipation and colleagues at Waverley Court have been really supportive. I'm thankful for their advice and humour. My journey from incredible unfitness two years ago to the position I am in now is, I hope, an inspiration to others that anybody can do it if they put their mind to it. I have lost a lot of weight, feel better and, yes, feel younger!

I am as passionate about the One City Trust as I am for running. The One City Trust is solely about Edinburgh. It tries to make sure the wealth and opportunities of this great city are experienced by all its citizens.

So, I might be running the marathon in London but I am running it for Edinburgh. You don’t have to run it with me but you can help. If all the citizens of Edinburgh who could afford it contributed even a pound, what a difference we could make to the city. Please help if you can.

Go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LordProvost
 
...or if work at the Council, see Andy in the gym at Waverley Court.

...or ask at reception at the City Chambers or Waverley Court how to support the One City Trust, or send a cheque to the Lord Provost made out to the One City Trust.

...or contact my friend and colleague Sandra on 0131 529 4000.

Thanks!

Donald

This entry was posted by Lord Provost on 29/03/2016.

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Happy Easter to one and all :-)

I'm going to attempt to re-aquaint myself with the family over the holiday-weekend ...

... so; no on-line presence (of any form!) between now, and until next Tuesday at least.

I am available on the mobile if its a real emergency - but, in the nicest possible manner, I hope not to hear from too many folk ;-)

Scottish Labour proposals for Local Government finance

I've blogged extensively over recent years on the topic of Local Government funding in Scotland being broken - for example, see here and also here.

So - was very good to hear that Scottish Labour has today pledged to scrap the Council Tax system and replace it with a fairer system based on property value - all of which could see 80% of households better off.

Announcing the primary policy in Edinburgh, party leader Kezia Dugdale has also proposed additional, optional-powers for Local Councils, around a tourist tax and a tax on vacant, economically inactive land.

The main points of what's been announced are:

• The unfair council tax will be scrapped and replaced with a fairer system based on property value.

• Under the plans nearly 2 million households - 80% - would pay less than they do today.

• In addition to the fair property tax Scottish Labour will devolve radical powers over tax to local government to give them the extra ability to raise revenue for local services.

• These tax powers include a Tourist tax and a Land Value Tax on vacant, economically inactive land. It would be for local councils to decide whether or not to use these powers.

• Scottish Labour would also devolve the surplus from the Crown Estate to local government.

• Under Scottish Labour’s replacement for the council tax, households would pay a percentage of what their property is worth, with a maximum charge of £3,000 in year one.

• Scottish Labour will make good on the broken promises to scrap the council tax. This replacement plan will fix the funding of local services for good. It’s a fair plan which means millions will pay less and those who can afford to will pay a little more.

• The Scottish Government recently commissioned a report into replacing council tax and then ignored its main findings.

• Scottish Labour have taken that report, and its research, and voters can now choose a fairer alternative to council tax.

• For properties of £180,000 or less the tax would be levied at a rate of £450 + 0.35% of the property value.

• For properties above £180,000 the portion above £180,000 would attract a rate of 0.9% of property value.

• The maximum charge under this scheme would be capped at £3,000 in year one, with a 3 percent cap on increases year on year.

I'll re-produce some further detail below on how this new, fairer system would work ...

... but for me, Party politics aside, this is a hugely refreshing set of proposals that would see some serious fiscal flexibility restored to Local Councils - giving them more control over their own destiny. Section d. below is very welcome indeed.

If implemented, these proposals would see the most significant devolution of financial powers to Local Councils since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999 ... and not before time.


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a. The majority households will thus pay less

Nearly 2 million households - 1,972,956 will be better off with 80.8% paying less than they do today.

Scottish Labour's calculations are based on the modelled evidence, provided to the Commission on Local Taxation reform, which all four member parties were provided with in order to aid their work on the commission, and any proposed reforms.

Based on the data used by the Commission, provided in its report, nearly 2 million households will pay less under Scottish Labour’s fairer property tax.

Detailed analysis from the Commission on Local Tax Reform with Heriot-Watt University found that the failure to address the current system leaves 57% of properties in the wrong band: 28% households should pay less, and 29% should pay more.

Scottish Labour’s system will reflect our changed housing market. It will realign the taxation paid towards local services with house prices, give a tax cut to millions, and will ensure that the richest pay their fair share for local services.


b. What happens each year?

Annual increases linked to local house prices would be capped at a maximum of 3%.

Local authorities would be responsible for setting the increases.

House prices vary between regions of Scotland and annual updating of value would be done on a local basis to maintain fairness.

Adjustments will be made to the percentage of property value rate to ensure this 3% cap is not exceeded. That means that if local house prices increase by more than 3% the cap won’t.


c. Discounts, rebates and exemptions

All discounts rebates and exemptions would continue to apply, protecting those households who benefit from them.

Recognising that there are some circumstances where householders, particularly elderly householders, are asset rich and income poor we will establish a new system of protections to apply in those cases.

Because the liabilities will reduce for the cheapest homes, we can spend less to correct the flaws of an unfair system.


d. Empowering local government with new tax powers

Devolution should not stop at the Scottish Parliament that is why Scottish Labour will empower local government with new tax powers to raise additional revenue for local services and pursue economic development. This will broaden the tax base for local authorities.

Taken together, these new tax powers are worth over £150 million to local government in Scotland.

It would be for local councils to decide whether or not to use these powers.

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COSLA: Choose a Local Revolution!

A local revolution is within the grasp of the next Scottish Parliament ...
... COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill said today:

Speaking as he launched #chooselocal, COSLA’s Manifesto for Stronger Scottish Democracy, Councillor O’Neill said:  “In just over six weeks Scotland goes to the polls. 
 
 “It is a pivotal opportunity to think about the kind of country we want, and about the changes that could make a real difference to communities across the country.
 
“Like every elected local Councillor, I already passionately believe in local democracy and see it as a real, meaningful and positive force for good in every part of Scotland.  Local democracy also impacts on every single one of us in one way or another on a daily basis.
 
“All of us within Scottish Local Government want to harness the power of a more local way of doing things, and overhaul participation in decision making across the country by bringing democracy closer to people.
 
“A series of independent reports have shown that it is time for this new, radical, local approach.  Communities around Europe are already feeling the benefits and there's a buzz about what can be achieved here.  It’s time to translate that energy into real action.
 
“However, we know that this simply won’t be possible without commitment from across the political spectrum and across all spheres of government. 
 
“That’s why we're asking every parliamentary candidate to sign up to 5 key pledges that will begin to put local democracy on the political map within Scotland. 
 
“All 5 pledges can be delivered within the first 100 days of the next Parliament, and all can help set a course towards better and more equal outcomes for every community.
 
"For real meaningful change in Scotland let's #chooselocal this May". 

ends 

NOTE TO EDITORS

1.     The full #chooselocal manifesto is available via this link

2.     Two short videos to accompany the #chooselocal manifesto are also linked below: 

• https://youtu.be/tf5yKVYsKs0
• https://youtu.be/o-MurC_P-bo

#chooselocal’s 5 Pledges to put local democracy on the map are:

  1. Make Scotland’s public services local by default
  2. Redraw the partnership between local and national government
  3. Give communities financial choices
  4. Open up Scottish democracy
  5. Join up thinking on reform