Phone's been ring a ding dinging since the Evening News report today on weeds - from all across the city - seems it's a city wide problem ... well hopefully it will be resolved now those at the top are sitting up and taking notice ...don't thank me, though...thank the power of the Press...
And pleased to hear that Lorna S and Keith G's new son has arrived a wee bit early but all doing well...see - there is life after politics!
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Safe Crossing
A funny old day today -
Started with a visit to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee to plead my case with the powers that be for a signalised crossing to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely when travelling east over Granton Road at its junction with Ferry Road. Only 36th on the list, not too bad then except for the fact that they can only afford 3 a year so we're looking at a 10 years waiting list.
I made my case...Perry Mason would have been proud...why are we spending money improving bus routes that nobody wants into the Waterfront (Newhaven Road) when we can't afford much wanted improvements to pedestrian routes? They, after all, experience just the same problems as cars when traffic levels increase...
Collective head scratching, then Dave Anderson rides to the rescue: maybe we could review the guidelines, especially since pedestrian accidents viewed after the fact, are pretty difficult to fix, and yes, there is a problem with increasing traffic as a result of the Waterfront.
In 2 terms he has promised a report so my issue was continued till then...maybe, just maybe, we might get a safe crossing at the top of Granton Road after all.
Then back off to PEP where I continue to wrestle with a budget which through no fault of mine is not yet fixed and we're now 5 months into the financial year - until we know the FSF grant and the total SLA reduction I am goosed...as is PEP...this is definitely not very satisfactory...
Started with a visit to the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee to plead my case with the powers that be for a signalised crossing to allow pedestrians to cross the road safely when travelling east over Granton Road at its junction with Ferry Road. Only 36th on the list, not too bad then except for the fact that they can only afford 3 a year so we're looking at a 10 years waiting list.
I made my case...Perry Mason would have been proud...why are we spending money improving bus routes that nobody wants into the Waterfront (Newhaven Road) when we can't afford much wanted improvements to pedestrian routes? They, after all, experience just the same problems as cars when traffic levels increase...
Collective head scratching, then Dave Anderson rides to the rescue: maybe we could review the guidelines, especially since pedestrian accidents viewed after the fact, are pretty difficult to fix, and yes, there is a problem with increasing traffic as a result of the Waterfront.
In 2 terms he has promised a report so my issue was continued till then...maybe, just maybe, we might get a safe crossing at the top of Granton Road after all.
Then back off to PEP where I continue to wrestle with a budget which through no fault of mine is not yet fixed and we're now 5 months into the financial year - until we know the FSF grant and the total SLA reduction I am goosed...as is PEP...this is definitely not very satisfactory...
Monday, 28 July 2008
Labour's Dream
I have spent my few days holiday reading Anthony Seldon's 'Blair Unbound' which examines Blair's leadership from his second general election victory until his departure after the third.
It is bloody: and if there is even half a truth in it then Ed Balls, as Brown's rottweiler, comes out very badly indeed. The only thing that comes out worse is the Press which is portrayed intentionally or otherwise as a voracious, slavering beast intent on bringing Blair down - the fact that it was so (apparently) ably helped by people who let their own ambition run ahead of them - is what makes it all so tragic.
The constant thread running through the narrative is an inference that Blair represents the 'right' and Brown the 'left' while, in truth, it often seems to this reader anyway, that there was only ever nuances between them and the fight was really always just about who was Number 1.
I have both witnessed and endured similar behaviour even at our daft wee Council level where briefing and counter briefing became, for a while and for some people, the norm. One thing which always surprises me is why people give 'anonymous' briefings - what kind of vanity is it to see your opinion repeated in newsprint but not attributed? [and anyway it's never too difficult to work out who's behind it - for example, I only ever heard 1 person use the phrase 'threw the toys out the pram,' or 'it's a hot potato' etc. Words, like handwriting, give people away every time]
Politics thrive on huge egos married too frequently to low self esteem, vaulting ambition and inferior ability: it is fiercely competitive, often ugly and too many people come into it for all the wrong reasons yet still, it remains a noble profession which when done well, has remarkable transformative powers.
All of which brings me to the current Scottish leadership competition where we definitely need a competition, don't need more of the same or an exercise in who can be the most anodyne either.
What we do need is to question why we continue to fight the Nats on the one territory we can never beat them on.
Labour is an international party who can't ever be more Scottish than the Nationalists. Their whole raison d'etre is based on an accident of birth and some imagined paradise where only Scottish angels flutter.
What we also need is to ask is if the leadership campaign should concentrate on bread and butter issues. Frankly, who really cares what Labour in Scotland has to say right at this moment in time about law and order, anti social behaviour or about anything else domestic?
Labour isn't in charge inScotland anymore or even near to influencing the agenda and there's no use pretending otherwise. Instead, we should be using our considerable talents and energy, searching for a way to revitalise our vision of social justice and equality and fairness.
Scratch every person and the blood beneath the skin is red: not blue or white, not yellow, black or green - just red. Common humanity, a common sense of fairness, the shared human need to leave things better for those who follow us, the very human yearning to aspire to a greater cause than ourselves is what we need to be thinking about - how do we express that in ways that resonate for the 3rd millennium?
The centre ground in politics is crowded and over-populated; there's scarcely anything to choose between any of the mainstream parties (though the social policies of both SNP and Tories converge more than people think and this will become increasingly apparent as the minority government progresses) so more than ever, the 'vision thing' is what counts.
The Nationalists have their wee dream of a free Scotland (free from what, though?), the Tories are dreaming of Camelot mark 3 (Kennedy, Blair, Cameron) and the Liberals bless them, long for the day they can come up with a coherent policy that gives different things to different families living in the same street.
What is Labour's dream?
I, for one, am looking to our candidates in this leadership campaign to answer that question.
It is bloody: and if there is even half a truth in it then Ed Balls, as Brown's rottweiler, comes out very badly indeed. The only thing that comes out worse is the Press which is portrayed intentionally or otherwise as a voracious, slavering beast intent on bringing Blair down - the fact that it was so (apparently) ably helped by people who let their own ambition run ahead of them - is what makes it all so tragic.
The constant thread running through the narrative is an inference that Blair represents the 'right' and Brown the 'left' while, in truth, it often seems to this reader anyway, that there was only ever nuances between them and the fight was really always just about who was Number 1.
I have both witnessed and endured similar behaviour even at our daft wee Council level where briefing and counter briefing became, for a while and for some people, the norm. One thing which always surprises me is why people give 'anonymous' briefings - what kind of vanity is it to see your opinion repeated in newsprint but not attributed? [and anyway it's never too difficult to work out who's behind it - for example, I only ever heard 1 person use the phrase 'threw the toys out the pram,' or 'it's a hot potato' etc. Words, like handwriting, give people away every time]
Politics thrive on huge egos married too frequently to low self esteem, vaulting ambition and inferior ability: it is fiercely competitive, often ugly and too many people come into it for all the wrong reasons yet still, it remains a noble profession which when done well, has remarkable transformative powers.
All of which brings me to the current Scottish leadership competition where we definitely need a competition, don't need more of the same or an exercise in who can be the most anodyne either.
What we do need is to question why we continue to fight the Nats on the one territory we can never beat them on.
Labour is an international party who can't ever be more Scottish than the Nationalists. Their whole raison d'etre is based on an accident of birth and some imagined paradise where only Scottish angels flutter.
What we also need is to ask is if the leadership campaign should concentrate on bread and butter issues. Frankly, who really cares what Labour in Scotland has to say right at this moment in time about law and order, anti social behaviour or about anything else domestic?
Labour isn't in charge inScotland anymore or even near to influencing the agenda and there's no use pretending otherwise. Instead, we should be using our considerable talents and energy, searching for a way to revitalise our vision of social justice and equality and fairness.
Scratch every person and the blood beneath the skin is red: not blue or white, not yellow, black or green - just red. Common humanity, a common sense of fairness, the shared human need to leave things better for those who follow us, the very human yearning to aspire to a greater cause than ourselves is what we need to be thinking about - how do we express that in ways that resonate for the 3rd millennium?
The centre ground in politics is crowded and over-populated; there's scarcely anything to choose between any of the mainstream parties (though the social policies of both SNP and Tories converge more than people think and this will become increasingly apparent as the minority government progresses) so more than ever, the 'vision thing' is what counts.
The Nationalists have their wee dream of a free Scotland (free from what, though?), the Tories are dreaming of Camelot mark 3 (Kennedy, Blair, Cameron) and the Liberals bless them, long for the day they can come up with a coherent policy that gives different things to different families living in the same street.
What is Labour's dream?
I, for one, am looking to our candidates in this leadership campaign to answer that question.
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Traffic Complaints
Occasionally I buy pieces of art (usually with the help of a scheme funded by the English Arts Council which encourages people to buy original art by offering a 10 months interest free purchase scheme). Last year I bought a very pleasing pair of lurchers - two really fine pieces - from 'the Leith gallery' based at 65 The Shore (www.the-leith-gallery.co.uk) and as a result am invited to their 'private views'. This month it's the Festival show: Treasure Islands. They have invited a fine selection of Scottish artists to submit work inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson, his life and his work. I am particularly interested in a piece by Willie Fulton called 'Mr Stevenson Dreaming,' but was amused by the gallery owners invitation, ' Despite Edinburgh City Council's efforts to cut Leith off from the rest of Edinburgh, we are still accessible and look forward to seeing you here.'
Just like old times... complaints about the traffic...only they can't blame Labour ...oh, but they will...
Today, passing through Musselburgh, we were stopped to allow the Musselbugh Festival Ride-out go by: I counted more than 100 horses ridden by people of all ages, wearing their colours with pageantry and pride, delighted to be maintaining an important community tradition...
Just like old times... complaints about the traffic...only they can't blame Labour ...oh, but they will...
Today, passing through Musselburgh, we were stopped to allow the Musselbugh Festival Ride-out go by: I counted more than 100 horses ridden by people of all ages, wearing their colours with pageantry and pride, delighted to be maintaining an important community tradition...
Friday, 25 July 2008
We don't know what we are doing...
The 4 Forth Ward councillors have been working together on the problems raised by a very large public meeting in the Dudleys, principally around parking issues connected to the introduction of the guided busway system.
We have jointly written to the Marshall Poulton to formally request that the proposal to lay a yellow line and consequent parking restrictions in Newhaven Road parallel to Victoria Park be suspended. We meet with him next week to discuss this.
I am amazed, therefore, to be told that despite the imminence of a change (or halt) in the proposal, that signs, announcing said parking restrictions, are being erected as we speak. It is a red rag to a bull and serves only to inflame the local people who clearly believe we (i.e. the Council) don't know what we are doing and aren't listening to people either.
Sometimes I wonder if they aren't right....
We have jointly written to the Marshall Poulton to formally request that the proposal to lay a yellow line and consequent parking restrictions in Newhaven Road parallel to Victoria Park be suspended. We meet with him next week to discuss this.
I am amazed, therefore, to be told that despite the imminence of a change (or halt) in the proposal, that signs, announcing said parking restrictions, are being erected as we speak. It is a red rag to a bull and serves only to inflame the local people who clearly believe we (i.e. the Council) don't know what we are doing and aren't listening to people either.
Sometimes I wonder if they aren't right....
Hitch the chin a little higher
Not a good day for Labour: the SNP victory in Glasgow East was on the cards but it is a hard swallow.
I, for one, can't stand another bumptious interview from our grinning First Minister and this victory will certainly bring out the Cheshire cat. Fair do's - it was a stunning win but what goes around, comes around. The day will come as sure as God made little apples when the smile will be wiped clean off his face.
Meanwhile, I have a lot of sympathy for Margaret Curran. She stood up to the plate when others were posted missing. Poor woman will be feeling bad this morning.
For Labour supporters, there is nothing else to do but to hitch the chin a little higher and keep going forward. There will be a lot of planning and analysing going on - how to win the next General Election - now there's a challenge...
I, for one, can't stand another bumptious interview from our grinning First Minister and this victory will certainly bring out the Cheshire cat. Fair do's - it was a stunning win but what goes around, comes around. The day will come as sure as God made little apples when the smile will be wiped clean off his face.
Meanwhile, I have a lot of sympathy for Margaret Curran. She stood up to the plate when others were posted missing. Poor woman will be feeling bad this morning.
For Labour supporters, there is nothing else to do but to hitch the chin a little higher and keep going forward. There will be a lot of planning and analysing going on - how to win the next General Election - now there's a challenge...
weeds, weeds and more weeds
I have been going on about weed spraying not just in my blog but also to council officers and senior politicians. Last week I sent a pretty irritated email to Robert Aldridge and Mark Turley to convey my real annoyance at the situation in Granton.
Below is the response I received yesterday. I think it is a weak explanation, basically blaming everything and everyone including the rain, the weeds themselves, the chemicals and the equipment: everything in fact, except poor planning: I am particularly struck that they have managed to weed spray the city centre and are about to start the second spray there while Granton hasn't yet had its first treatment. Clearly one law for the rich and visitors and quite another for the local population.
'You may be aware that the problems associated with weed control have increased in recent years due to a change in the law affecting the chemicals we can use and our weather (which affects weed growth and efficacy of our treatments). We no longer use chemicals with a residual effect and the current control method requires weeds to be present for the chemical to work. I am also sure you can appreciate that the process of weed control is labour intensive and requires a co-ordinated approach of using trained staff with sprayers and machine mounted spraying equipment to be most effective.
In the north we started a programme working from the City Centre out to Leith then east to west and west to east. At present, we have completed the first treatment in Leith Walk and Leith wards, worked through Forth westward and the Wardieburn area should be completed by the end of this week (using a tractor sprayer) and most of Inverleith is complete apart from Drylaw. It will likely be completed in a few weeks before we then look to work out the start of the next spray treatment. This was started but as problems with weed growth increased the programmed approach was stretched to become more reactive before returning back to a programmed approach. We have also had staff involved in treating invasive species such as Giant Hogweed along the paths and waterways. Although we wanted to be able to flexible to react to complaints it may have hindered our programme.
A number of grounds staff and street cleansing staff are involved and staff from all neighbourhoods are involved in the treatment of the City Centre. The City Centre is currently being programmed for its second spray to be undertaken in the next couple of weeks.
This year there were discussions around budgets at a crucial time relative to the timing of the first weed treatment of the year (referred to by Peter and me in our conversations with Cllr Maginnis and others). This did affect the start of the programme because it affected the ability to balance operational costs across involving weed control within existing routine work and overtime working. Above this were some operational concerns, relating to availability of staff and equipment and faults of new tractor mounted sprayers, which have affected our ability to get areas treated not just quickly but effectively and safely. Changes will be required and will be ascertained once this first treatment is complete.
This does not excuse some of the streets and areas that have been referred to being heavy with weed growth and improvements can and need to be made to address this. Each neighbourhood gets two weed treatments per year with the City Centre receiving three treatments, which may also need to be reviewed both in terms of frequency and timing. I know there will be lessons learnt from the weed control programme undertaken thus far that will assist in making improvements next time and I hope the changes we make will make a difference.'
Below is the response I received yesterday. I think it is a weak explanation, basically blaming everything and everyone including the rain, the weeds themselves, the chemicals and the equipment: everything in fact, except poor planning: I am particularly struck that they have managed to weed spray the city centre and are about to start the second spray there while Granton hasn't yet had its first treatment. Clearly one law for the rich and visitors and quite another for the local population.
'You may be aware that the problems associated with weed control have increased in recent years due to a change in the law affecting the chemicals we can use and our weather (which affects weed growth and efficacy of our treatments). We no longer use chemicals with a residual effect and the current control method requires weeds to be present for the chemical to work. I am also sure you can appreciate that the process of weed control is labour intensive and requires a co-ordinated approach of using trained staff with sprayers and machine mounted spraying equipment to be most effective.
In the north we started a programme working from the City Centre out to Leith then east to west and west to east. At present, we have completed the first treatment in Leith Walk and Leith wards, worked through Forth westward and the Wardieburn area should be completed by the end of this week (using a tractor sprayer) and most of Inverleith is complete apart from Drylaw. It will likely be completed in a few weeks before we then look to work out the start of the next spray treatment. This was started but as problems with weed growth increased the programmed approach was stretched to become more reactive before returning back to a programmed approach. We have also had staff involved in treating invasive species such as Giant Hogweed along the paths and waterways. Although we wanted to be able to flexible to react to complaints it may have hindered our programme.
A number of grounds staff and street cleansing staff are involved and staff from all neighbourhoods are involved in the treatment of the City Centre. The City Centre is currently being programmed for its second spray to be undertaken in the next couple of weeks.
This year there were discussions around budgets at a crucial time relative to the timing of the first weed treatment of the year (referred to by Peter and me in our conversations with Cllr Maginnis and others). This did affect the start of the programme because it affected the ability to balance operational costs across involving weed control within existing routine work and overtime working. Above this were some operational concerns, relating to availability of staff and equipment and faults of new tractor mounted sprayers, which have affected our ability to get areas treated not just quickly but effectively and safely. Changes will be required and will be ascertained once this first treatment is complete.
This does not excuse some of the streets and areas that have been referred to being heavy with weed growth and improvements can and need to be made to address this. Each neighbourhood gets two weed treatments per year with the City Centre receiving three treatments, which may also need to be reviewed both in terms of frequency and timing. I know there will be lessons learnt from the weed control programme undertaken thus far that will assist in making improvements next time and I hope the changes we make will make a difference.'
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Wardieburn
Very disappointed to learn of the fatal stabbing incident in Wardieburn.
This takes us backward. Less than three years ago the area was rife with gang turf wars as locals fought it out in a series of escalating tit for tat incidents: the weapons escalated in their potential for danger, too...rising from knives to guns pretty damned quickly.
I sincerely hope this is a tragic 'one-off' - we shall wait and see.
Wardieburn is the forgotten area: since the tenants' rejection at the ballot nobody has any idea how to regenerate the area and those plans we had have been quietly buried by the current Administration...no new school now...no new housing...a very late community centre...the worse health and education situation in the city...it is grim.
My family has lived in Wardieburn for generations but the Wardieburn I grew up in is a very different place from now. Then, there were local jobs at the factories and a real sense of community. Now, too many people move in then move out again just as quickly. And the area looks dreadful...several constituents have spoken to me recently to say the area has never looked so bad.
I agree, yet letters and emails to the leading politicans have so far yielded no action...this then, is the Lib/SNP's Brave New World...estates that look like prairies ...it is nothing to be proud of.
This takes us backward. Less than three years ago the area was rife with gang turf wars as locals fought it out in a series of escalating tit for tat incidents: the weapons escalated in their potential for danger, too...rising from knives to guns pretty damned quickly.
I sincerely hope this is a tragic 'one-off' - we shall wait and see.
Wardieburn is the forgotten area: since the tenants' rejection at the ballot nobody has any idea how to regenerate the area and those plans we had have been quietly buried by the current Administration...no new school now...no new housing...a very late community centre...the worse health and education situation in the city...it is grim.
My family has lived in Wardieburn for generations but the Wardieburn I grew up in is a very different place from now. Then, there were local jobs at the factories and a real sense of community. Now, too many people move in then move out again just as quickly. And the area looks dreadful...several constituents have spoken to me recently to say the area has never looked so bad.
I agree, yet letters and emails to the leading politicans have so far yielded no action...this then, is the Lib/SNP's Brave New World...estates that look like prairies ...it is nothing to be proud of.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Can I last the pace?
On holiday this week and have so far managed to fill every minute.
As a favour, we are looking after grand-daughter numero uno, so it has been action packed adventure so far: keeping a 14 years old and her boyfried entertained is not easy.
BBQ's; picnics; cinema; Safari Park; pedicures; manicures and today off to visit Gosford Park in Longniddry- she goes home tomorrow...can I last the pace?
As a favour, we are looking after grand-daughter numero uno, so it has been action packed adventure so far: keeping a 14 years old and her boyfried entertained is not easy.
BBQ's; picnics; cinema; Safari Park; pedicures; manicures and today off to visit Gosford Park in Longniddry- she goes home tomorrow...can I last the pace?
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
The people are not happy
Tonight it was off to Dudley Bowling Club for a packed meeting (easily 60 people there) on the vexatious subject of the Council's plans to introduce a guided bus corridor in Newhaven Road. The people were not happy: not happy with the previous consultation; not happy with the scheme; not happy with the plans to paint a yellow line alongside Victoria Park...
Requested by Trinity Community Council to help set up the meeting I was disappointed I couldn't stay for the whole event (important family duty) but it was my view the scheme needs to be temporarily put on hold -even if only for a couple of weeks - till some amendments to make the scheme more palatable can be worked out. I understand that the four local councillors are to met in the next couple of days to try to reach a solution.
Tomorrow is another public meeting about road safety in Granton Road. I guess it will be a busy event too...no rest for the elected members in Forth...
Requested by Trinity Community Council to help set up the meeting I was disappointed I couldn't stay for the whole event (important family duty) but it was my view the scheme needs to be temporarily put on hold -even if only for a couple of weeks - till some amendments to make the scheme more palatable can be worked out. I understand that the four local councillors are to met in the next couple of days to try to reach a solution.
Tomorrow is another public meeting about road safety in Granton Road. I guess it will be a busy event too...no rest for the elected members in Forth...
Monday, 14 July 2008
Bastille Day
An interesting day - Bastille Day and of course the only acceptable beverage is champagne - it's just a pity I was driving and had to refuse. Soda water and lime for me ugh...no comparison.
A goodly number of local meetings all shedding more heat than light on the hot topic of the moment - the FSF cut in North Edinburgh which is building a head of steam. There's no doubt North Edinburgh's 40% cut is swingeing and the Administration's local councillors should be making a special plea now for some flexibility and leniency (extra cash) to offset the impact. Undoubtedly there will be room for some 'efficiencies' but not the whole sum, that's for sure.
Finally, I tripped the light fantastic through the beautiful wild meadows of Granton today...across the pavements and through the grass verges...I kid you not...
A goodly number of local meetings all shedding more heat than light on the hot topic of the moment - the FSF cut in North Edinburgh which is building a head of steam. There's no doubt North Edinburgh's 40% cut is swingeing and the Administration's local councillors should be making a special plea now for some flexibility and leniency (extra cash) to offset the impact. Undoubtedly there will be room for some 'efficiencies' but not the whole sum, that's for sure.
Finally, I tripped the light fantastic through the beautiful wild meadows of Granton today...across the pavements and through the grass verges...I kid you not...
Saturday, 12 July 2008
The cost of a pee
Kathy Will...now there's a name to conjure with.
Kathy is a woman of many parts: doting grandmother: head cleaner at the City Chambers; landlady at the White Horse inn at the Canongate; active member at St Patrick's Church...she has many tales to tell and all of them worth listening to.
The other day she shared a little anecdote that set me pondering: her pub, not the usual tourist trap, is pretty much the working man's local and is suffering badly from the smoking ban. She claims many of her older customers, ex-servicemen from Whitefoord House, don't come to the pub anymore and instead, sit in their wee rooms having a nip and fag (what does that do for social inclusion, I wonder?). As a result, her takings have dropped.
Bad enough, but made worse by the fact that tourists keep popping in to use her toilets. Each pee, she tells me, costs her money when they flush the loo, wash their hands and then dry them with the electric dryer....and none buy so much as even a half pint shandy.
So she is about to ban the use of her loo by anyone except paying customers...it never occurred to me that business can stand or fall on such small courtesies.
In Glasgow yesterday, I went to use the toilet at Queen Street Station and turned away disappointed since I didn't have a 20p coin and all the adjacent signs said 'no change given'.
It made me think of Kathy...
Kathy is a woman of many parts: doting grandmother: head cleaner at the City Chambers; landlady at the White Horse inn at the Canongate; active member at St Patrick's Church...she has many tales to tell and all of them worth listening to.
The other day she shared a little anecdote that set me pondering: her pub, not the usual tourist trap, is pretty much the working man's local and is suffering badly from the smoking ban. She claims many of her older customers, ex-servicemen from Whitefoord House, don't come to the pub anymore and instead, sit in their wee rooms having a nip and fag (what does that do for social inclusion, I wonder?). As a result, her takings have dropped.
Bad enough, but made worse by the fact that tourists keep popping in to use her toilets. Each pee, she tells me, costs her money when they flush the loo, wash their hands and then dry them with the electric dryer....and none buy so much as even a half pint shandy.
So she is about to ban the use of her loo by anyone except paying customers...it never occurred to me that business can stand or fall on such small courtesies.
In Glasgow yesterday, I went to use the toilet at Queen Street Station and turned away disappointed since I didn't have a 20p coin and all the adjacent signs said 'no change given'.
It made me think of Kathy...
prelude to a summer holiday
It is my weekend for entertaining.
Multitudinous numbers of family members have signalled their intent to descend: you see no smile on my face, though.
Everyone will bring a) dogs b) children c) mess... and it is raining so I cannot put them outside...
Once fed, watered and entertained the caravan will move on leaving me to clean up after...as a prelude to my summer holiday it has little to recommend it.
As yet, we have nothing fixed for the 10 days we have planned....maybe I can repay the compliment and visit all and sundry with my dog in tow. It can't come soon enough!!!
Multitudinous numbers of family members have signalled their intent to descend: you see no smile on my face, though.
Everyone will bring a) dogs b) children c) mess... and it is raining so I cannot put them outside...
Once fed, watered and entertained the caravan will move on leaving me to clean up after...as a prelude to my summer holiday it has little to recommend it.
As yet, we have nothing fixed for the 10 days we have planned....maybe I can repay the compliment and visit all and sundry with my dog in tow. It can't come soon enough!!!
Thursday, 10 July 2008
Gas Tower
Well, I see my wee piece on the gas tower provoked a teacup sized storm but am glad the majority of respondents seemed to favour its retention...just for the record, I don't want it to just stand there...it needs to be adapted to be used as something interesting that will bring visitors to the area...as I said, other cities have found really exciting new uses for old industrial structures...with a bit of imagination we can do the same
One thing, though, do you notice how many folk operate on the basis that if they disagree with your opinion it allows them carte blanche for personal insult? Cannae get my head round that one...
One thing, though, do you notice how many folk operate on the basis that if they disagree with your opinion it allows them carte blanche for personal insult? Cannae get my head round that one...
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Clean, green and safe? I think not
A last minute reprieve when tonight's scheduled meeting was cancelled...naively I thought, get my surgery done then home to put the feet up...you know what thought did? Thought wrong!
Only daughter (ergo, favourite daughter) turned up with 3 children in tow looking for food which trailed into bathtime and then stories...and just as she left, up turned number 1 son with dog, looking for food and use of the internet...so night with feet up was just an illusion...
A busy surgery...yes, you guessed it...grass verges and tales of 1 elderly lady's daughter pulling out the weeds on the large forecourt area (public space, used by kids for football) in front of the pensioner's house for fear her mother would slip on the wet grass and hurt herself...weeks after first reporting it we are no further forward: clean, green and safe is just a bad joke!
Only daughter (ergo, favourite daughter) turned up with 3 children in tow looking for food which trailed into bathtime and then stories...and just as she left, up turned number 1 son with dog, looking for food and use of the internet...so night with feet up was just an illusion...
A busy surgery...yes, you guessed it...grass verges and tales of 1 elderly lady's daughter pulling out the weeds on the large forecourt area (public space, used by kids for football) in front of the pensioner's house for fear her mother would slip on the wet grass and hurt herself...weeks after first reporting it we are no further forward: clean, green and safe is just a bad joke!
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Sprouting suites
Tonight was the West Pilton & Granton Community Council - well attended and full of ire about estate maintenance and the Fairer Scotland Fund.
Everybody thinks the estates are looking more neglected than ever: the streets and pavements are sprouting furniture which the Community Council attributes to private landlords dumping whenever tenants leave and also to decisions about charging for second special uplifts. At the corner of West Pilton Park (where I work daytime) the corner has seen 4 different suites dumped in as many weeks and the picture is the same across the area.
Along with sprouting suites are invasive weeds in every corner, flagstone, edge and verge. It was reported tonight that 6 workmen were spotted spraying the verges along Inverleith parallel to the Botanics...nary a sign of any weedspraying yet in Granton, Pilton or Muirhouse. Soon they'll need to take the strimmer to it...
Fairer Scotland Fund is a beezer...£700,000 out of North Edinburgh alone:Community Learning & Development cut by £800,000 for the entire city and a huge whack of that out of North Edinburgh...the voluntary sector in the North is being hammered. There is to be a meeting on Wednesday 23 July to try to gather information on the overall impact...it will be towsy, no doubt about that.
Everybody thinks the estates are looking more neglected than ever: the streets and pavements are sprouting furniture which the Community Council attributes to private landlords dumping whenever tenants leave and also to decisions about charging for second special uplifts. At the corner of West Pilton Park (where I work daytime) the corner has seen 4 different suites dumped in as many weeks and the picture is the same across the area.
Along with sprouting suites are invasive weeds in every corner, flagstone, edge and verge. It was reported tonight that 6 workmen were spotted spraying the verges along Inverleith parallel to the Botanics...nary a sign of any weedspraying yet in Granton, Pilton or Muirhouse. Soon they'll need to take the strimmer to it...
Fairer Scotland Fund is a beezer...£700,000 out of North Edinburgh alone:Community Learning & Development cut by £800,000 for the entire city and a huge whack of that out of North Edinburgh...the voluntary sector in the North is being hammered. There is to be a meeting on Wednesday 23 July to try to gather information on the overall impact...it will be towsy, no doubt about that.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Adam Smith
I missed the unveiling of the Adam Smith statue yesterday - much to my chagrin. Other duties forced a late cancellation but I heard all about it from my colleague Mr Milligan who was at pains to inform me I had missed a fantastic affair, extremely well managed with some very interesting people in attendance.
I was particularly miffed to have missed out on catching up with Michael Forsyth who, though it was popular to despise him when he was in office, was always unfailingly pleasant and thoughtful in his business with me. Fiercely intelligent, he knew what he stood for but respected the alternative view. I liked him...a lot, and when it comes down to the fight for the Union, as it surely will, I'll be glad we're on the same side.
I was particularly miffed to have missed out on catching up with Michael Forsyth who, though it was popular to despise him when he was in office, was always unfailingly pleasant and thoughtful in his business with me. Fiercely intelligent, he knew what he stood for but respected the alternative view. I liked him...a lot, and when it comes down to the fight for the Union, as it surely will, I'll be glad we're on the same side.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
A bloody disgrace
Staff and Board members were today delighted with Dr Ray Harris' mention of PEP's buses as one of his top 5 Edinburgh icons in the Evening News 'High Five' slot: he intended it as a positive reflection on the role of the voluntary sector in our great city - but he has no idea how many people he made very happy this afternoon. The phones haven't stopped ringing...
Small voluntary sector projects feel under assault right now with budget cuts and bureaucratic over regulation and PEP is no different...so any praise is gratefully received. Today, we had 6 volunteers out cutting grass, generally improving the local environment. Ranging in age from 15 - 65 years they were a happy gang: each man has his own problems, some really quite serious, but it is a joy to watch them working hard together for their own community when previously they were isolated and very alone. It is a win win situation: they learn new skills, learn to work together as a team, gain in confidence and the local community looks much the better for their efforts.
Services for Communities could learn a few lessons from them: take a drive round Granton, Boswall, East Pilton, West Pilton, Muirhouse ...have a look at the public verges and edges: weeds knee high, grass growing where it shouldn't be possible for grass to grow, thistledown blowing in the breeze...it looks like the set for Will Smith's blockbuster 'I am Legend' but this is no futuristic city abandonned to the zombies: it is Edinburgh 2008 and it is a bloody disgrace.
Small voluntary sector projects feel under assault right now with budget cuts and bureaucratic over regulation and PEP is no different...so any praise is gratefully received. Today, we had 6 volunteers out cutting grass, generally improving the local environment. Ranging in age from 15 - 65 years they were a happy gang: each man has his own problems, some really quite serious, but it is a joy to watch them working hard together for their own community when previously they were isolated and very alone. It is a win win situation: they learn new skills, learn to work together as a team, gain in confidence and the local community looks much the better for their efforts.
Services for Communities could learn a few lessons from them: take a drive round Granton, Boswall, East Pilton, West Pilton, Muirhouse ...have a look at the public verges and edges: weeds knee high, grass growing where it shouldn't be possible for grass to grow, thistledown blowing in the breeze...it looks like the set for Will Smith's blockbuster 'I am Legend' but this is no futuristic city abandonned to the zombies: it is Edinburgh 2008 and it is a bloody disgrace.
Knights of the Thistle
I have said before that being a councillor allows you access to unusual events and yesterday's was one of those: I was invited to attend the 'ceremonial to be observed on the occasion of the installation of the Rt Hon The Lord Cullen of Whiteside,KT,PC and Sir Garth Morrison, KT, CBE as Knights of the most ancient and most noble order of the Thistle'...a lot of words used to describe a considerable display of State power and theatre. The Queen and Prince Philip, HRH, The Princess Royal and so on and so on were all in attendance. St Giles was packed with very well dressed ladies and gentlemen. Like Ian Rankin, many were bedecked with their 'honours' or were garbed in archaic costume following equally archaic ritual: yet the whole thing had a kind of dignity and timelessness...
...and some of the ladies' hats were to die for...
...and some of the ladies' hats were to die for...
Opacity
Thanks to the help of a self confessed nosey colleague you can read for yourself the latest escapades of Steven Izatt and co. at http://www.thisisjersey.com/2008/06/24/jeb-a-plan-too-far/
I must admit it all seems an overly complicated scheme and when something is as opaque as this then people will worry. Comments in the report regarding 'vagueness, financial risk and the shortcomings of WEB (Waterfront Enterprise Board) ' had a worryingly familiar ring...
I must admit it all seems an overly complicated scheme and when something is as opaque as this then people will worry. Comments in the report regarding 'vagueness, financial risk and the shortcomings of WEB (Waterfront Enterprise Board) ' had a worryingly familiar ring...
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
The Jersey Evening Post
Tonight I attended my first meeting as a Board member at North Edinburgh Arts. It was interesting in so much as they are slowly but steadily pulling themselves out of the hole they had fallen into. I was mightily impressed by Kate Wimpress, seconded to manage the organisation from Capital City Partnership. She has a cool head and an open manner and has done well.
Today, too, I heard a whisper that things are not going well at the Jersey Waterfront. My source has promised me a copy of a recent Jersey Evening Post which outlines the issues...I have an understandable interest and am curious to read of Mr Izatt's latest problems.
Today, too, I heard a whisper that things are not going well at the Jersey Waterfront. My source has promised me a copy of a recent Jersey Evening Post which outlines the issues...I have an understandable interest and am curious to read of Mr Izatt's latest problems.
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