tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67902241860953852652024-01-02T10:49:05.650+00:00Elizabeth MaginnisI am the Labour Councillor for the Forth Ward and have been a councillor for 21 years. As well being a 'toon cooncillor' I manage the Pilton Equalities Project which is a community based charity delivering services for older people in North Edinburgh. I welcome any and all comments so long as they stay within acceptable boundaries of courtesy...Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-73360422329734710192008-09-03T18:27:00.002+00:002008-09-03T18:38:57.883+00:00No use complaining<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tonight it was the turn of Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre management committee and more depressing news that the rebuild project is stalled for another interminable internal Council reflection...I remain hopeful the project will proceed but have agreed to put a question down at Council for a 'state of play' update. Like me, the management committee are fed up with the palaver.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Surgery was busy today. The numbers of enquiries rise exponentially and eat into my (very) scarce time. I share a secretary with 3 other councillors and I get a quarter of her time. This is not a lot of help for a ward 4 times the size...no use complaining though...nobody would listen anyway.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-32182857954080849272008-09-02T19:25:00.003+00:002008-09-02T19:28:43.339+00:00In search of the sun<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another day, another AGM...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Last night it was Muirhouse Housing Association; tonight West Pilton & West Granton Community Council...unusually, <strong>not</strong> the same faces two nights in a row ...and both meetings interesting, well conducted and well attended.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In a couple of days I am off in search of the sun...it can't come soon enough.</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-37358380852562471652008-09-01T15:05:00.004+00:002008-09-01T19:22:30.695+00:00Labour - the party of choice<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Chasing up a constituent's enquiry today, I make an astonishing discovery: her 4 year old has been denied a place in Davidson's Mains and even though she is 1st on the non catchment list there are already 3 more children in the primary 1 intake than there technically should be. To avoid an overcrowding problem further up the school the authority is hoping that 3 children will leave by 'natural wastage' by the end of Primary 2. A long shot, I should think, since D. Mains primary is very popular and once there, most children are assured a place at the Royal High. I had to tell my constituent it was unlikely her daughter would get in. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">'A victim of the cuts then?' she asks. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sadly, yes, since in this case her two older sisters already attend the school - it is now a family educationally divided...nothing astonishing about that, though.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">However, In the course of my enquiry I discover that this is the <strong>first time in 30 years</strong> that Edinburgh Education Department has <strong>refused</strong> more P1 out of catchment placements than it has granted. In 1980, Alex Fletcher, Tory MP for Central Edinburgh persuaded Thatcher to legislate for 'parental choice' on the basis of his experience that in Edinburgh, parents wanted more choice in their children's school.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">For a decade, Labour fought its effects then accepted - in the face of overwhelming evidence - the conventional wisdom that choice was important to parents. Nobody would really argue with that now.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Today, the Lib/SNP coalition, as a result of budget cuts, an artificial class size ceiling in years 1 & 2 and - if I may say so, a director and convenor who plainly don't know enough about Edinburgh's education history, have managed (in less than 15 months) to set the city back 30 years. And this is before the ratchet effect of further school closures. It won't be long before parents waken up to the fact that education choice in Edinburgh almost certainly means back to the sterile 'private' or 'public' debate. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">History has truly turned on its head - the risk of a city again divided by what school your child goes to ...and Labour now the party arguing for choice...</span></p><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-7103016870210858162008-08-29T19:40:00.003+00:002008-08-29T19:53:12.901+00:00when funding arrangements leave kids at risk...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A parent from a local PPP school visits to tell me parents are up in arms. The grounds are not being maintained, the grass is long and local junkies are discarding their paraphernalia in the grounds. Children go there to play and are at risk from the hidden danger.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I phone the school: the headteacher confirms the facts: indeed one child has been pricked and sent for urgent treatment: the school, following procedures, has reported (several times) to both Amey (PPP company) and C+F department requesting urgent action...without success.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I phone Mike Rosendale who understands the implications immediately, kicks arses and the grass is cut this morning along with a series of other management actions... the picture is complicated though: the grass is Amey's responsibility, the shrubbery is the school's and I imagine there will be future arguments as to who is responsible for what...I'm not in principle against PPP schools but when a convenient funding arrangement leaves kids at risk then serious questions have to be asked...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-70066114838580966972008-08-29T08:59:00.002+00:002008-08-29T09:05:39.534+00:00The Gala<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A full house at last night's West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre's AGM and everyone very supportive of guest speaker, John Loughton, who aims to spearhead a Community Gala for all 5 North Edinburgh neighbourhoods. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We discover that the orginal wooden throne of the Gala Queen is still in existence...and is to be resurrected. Could this be the very same throne a very young Eleanor McLaughlin once occupied when she was Queen of the Gala?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Congratulations too, to Angela Cusack who won the West Pilton Rose Bowl for her contribution to Children Inc. and to the community in general. She seemed genuinely overcome.</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-91616144522102930592008-08-28T07:11:00.002+00:002008-08-28T07:41:30.136+00:00Not funny at all<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yesterday I visited Colin Hunter at Waterfront Edinburgh who provided a full briefing on the current situation and his future plans - Colin, I suspect, was a boy who knew how to turn bad news into good, able to see the silver lining in any dark cloud...in other words he is a good lateral thinker with an optimistic outlook. If his new vision comes to pass he will have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and will have done Granton and Edinburgh a very good turn indeed. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">On the very same day I am learning of new ideas to rescue Granton' s Waterfront, Forth Ports application for renewal of the docklands is heard at the Planning Committee. I am told my Liberal Ward colleague Elaine Morris (widely gossiped as the wannabe chair of planning) asked many (negative) questions and prolonged proceedings to such an extent that Cllr Cameron Rose eventually lost patience and asked that 'the question be put' . I am pleased to say the outline application was passed unanimously.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Later she is heard to berate him for disrespect in truncating the debate which is, if I may be so bold, a bit rich coming from the chair of the political group which brought 'traffic lights' to the Council Chambers!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Then, even later, I am a guest of the Chamber of Commerce at the Mela Dinner where my other ward colleague Steve Cardownie is host for the evening. Mine host's duties include announcing the winners of a very extensive raffle draw. He invites various sponsors to draw envelopes from the box. Nathan Thompson, on behalf of principal sponsor, Forth Ports, takes an envelope from Steve who quips, 'This is a first...Nathan taking an envelope from a councillor...usually it's the other way round...' </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Not funny, especially on the day Forth Ports gets its planning permission - not funny at all.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Cardownie should watch his mouth.</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-23316087059654836422008-08-26T19:05:00.002+00:002008-08-26T19:09:34.974+00:00Idle hands<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Missed the C+F committee today as a) still without my car and travelling quickly about town not easy and b) had a special PEP Board meeting to attend...staff hours being cut as a result of dismal, uncertain financial situation ...however most staff seem phlegmatic if not exactly upbeat. I am not exempt from the hours/salary cut so I will have more time on my hands. Just think of the mischief I can get up to...idle hands and all that...</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-88786738284830665152008-08-25T19:00:00.003+00:002008-08-25T19:15:12.252+00:00Diligence and commitment to public duty<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Today, a meeting with other Forth councillors about the location of recycling bins in a local street - and disagreement over the solution. Apparently the protocol is we go with the majority vote...we try valiantly to find some common ground aware, that for 1 constituent, this has become an issue of overwhelming importance but to resolve in her favour, most probably means upsetting all the rest. We edge towards a solution that involves monitoring, trials and an attempt to change a whole street's recycling behaviour in order to reduce the number of on street receptacles. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The officer explains this exercise will involve her visiting the street <strong>every day</strong> for 4 months (even if only briefly) and instinctively I want to back pedal on the solution - it seems a helluva lot of extra pressure on a busy, senior officer's time just to find a solution to 1 singularly persistent complaint. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">She is adamant, though. If she can crack this problem then it can be applied elsewhere in the city and she can only be certain of the evidence if she sees it for herself.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I have to applaud her diligence and commitment to duty and I hope, in the end, we are able to satisfy the constituent...nonetheless, it seems a very expensive way to serve the public.</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-53748410417028787482008-08-25T12:53:00.003+00:002008-08-25T13:01:36.912+00:00A swim by jumping over the wall<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Saturday's Gala at the new park in Waterfront was busy - many people there and I am sure the organisers will be well pleased. Whether it will lead to an increase in Church membership is another thing altogether.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The park itself is nicely laid out with a good spread of interesting water features and well designed, well planted borders - maybe a wee bit short on benches for folk to have a seat and take in the view - but nevertheless an undeniable improvement on what preceded it. I predict that, once opened, the viewing platform which overhangs the pond will become a favourite spot for local kids to dive from - and once they realise they can take a swim by merely jumping over the wall and fence from West Granton Road....</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-71422256062108573782008-08-23T06:44:00.002+00:002008-08-23T07:00:10.073+00:00An old joke...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You know the old joke about how many electricians does it take to change a light bulb? How many councillors does it take to send a letter?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Weeks ago, 15th July to be precise, my secretary organised a public meeting for folks in Dudley to tell their councillors how we'd got it wrong with the bus route for Newhaven Road. Then, there was a meeting with the new director of transport and a solution of sorts was found. Then we meet to agree to send out a letter signed by all 4 Forth Ward councillors to tell our constituents the proposed changes ...much flaffing about and only 6 weeks since the saga began is the letter finally being posted...this business of working together to get things sorted ain't quick or very efficient...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-61054589736517245382008-08-21T20:34:00.002+00:002008-08-21T20:45:23.696+00:00The house is falling down<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Council meeting went off smoothly enough today though there were some odd rulings by the Lord Provost which were certainly not impartial (and I don't mean the two castings votes)...however, I'm sure they would be able to point to some similar prejudice when we were in power so no use making a meal of it...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It's been a busy few days with constituents' complaints - easily 20 - which is a high number for a 72 hours period and all coming in by phone or email...strangest complaint is easily the one where it is alleged somebody on the ground floor knocked down a wall causing serious problems for those upstairs - cracked walls, unstable balconies, floors subsided and ceilings falling down...I've asked the housing department to get on to it tout de suite...I will keep you posted!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-54509899378368775232008-08-20T18:44:00.005+00:002008-08-20T20:02:19.554+00:00Caveat Emptor<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today was strike day and so I found myself nowhere near the Council and barred from my surgery - I was half hoping 1 of the 4 UNISON members (of which I am one) at PEP might decide to mount an official picket at No.3 West Pilton Park...not this time, though.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So tonight I have no official business to report only local gossip...of which there is plenty. North Edinburgh is jumping with red hot kind of stuff - about the Unfairer Scotland Fund and how it is allegedly all the fault of the Labour Party!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">[J</span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">ust for the record, it's not Labour who agreed the formula that scythes the size of the grant to North Edinburgh. It's not Labour who is trying to force bona fide, long standing community reps off the funding panel. It's not Labour who is listening to and repeating endless, false tittle tattle about community organisations. It's not Labour who is trying to stop community organisations meet and it's definitely not Labour who is collaborating in the oldest trick in the book...create a diversion, send a false hare running, try to split the opposition and use any trompe l'oeil to divide and rule.]</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Across the country political opponents of the Labour Party scent blood. That's politics with a capital P. The rules of politics with a capital P mean criticism is attributable so issues are debated openly and people get a chance to respond. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">However, in North Edinburgh the Labour Party's enemies sneak around anonymously (with at least 1 politician with a capital P aiding and abetting, presumably in the delusion it gives some political advantage) stoking up a 'looking at the world through the wrong end of a telescope' view of the world. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Meantime, the interests of the community are being damaged.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Like the rest of the Forth Ward, I am still waiting for either or both of the Administration councillors to make any kind of statement that acknowledges there are risks to their constituents as a result of the funding agreement. Indeed, I am still waiting for either to acknowledge there is any crisis at all. I think it's called turning a blind eye...or maybe they genuinely don't really care...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I've been around long enough to know the wisdom of the old adage: you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Caveat emptor.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-80209614165715143922008-08-19T19:13:00.006+00:002008-08-19T19:45:40.826+00:00Homeward to think again<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Another busy day capped by my wee faithful Fiesta blowing up on me at George Street. A long delay waiting for the vehicle recovery only to be told, 'There's nothing wrong with it, hen. Just put the heating fan on full blast and get it checked at your garage tomorrow.' </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">S-C-R-E-A-M</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">So all tonight's meetings went kaput and here I am, on the laptop instead.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I enjoyed this morning's Economic Development Committee. It is obvious the new officers are already making a difference even if the Convener needs to brush up on Citrine's Rule Book, not to mention standing orders, which mean that council officers don't take part once the political debate has started, and that the amendment is moved <strong>after </strong>the motion, not the other way round. These little hiccups notwithstanding, there was a lot of good stuff on the agenda. Most pleasing was the unanimous agreement that responsibility for the Inspiring Capital brand needs to come under the curtilage of Econ Dev. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Most depressing was the situation WEL finds itself in - it looks certain there will need to be some considerable restructuring both financially and organisationally which will inevitably mean prolonging the regeneration project. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Back at PEP, I was surprised to find a photo in tonight's Evening News - I couldn't even remember when it was taken and my hair was a mess (vanity I know, but when you hate getting your photo taken as much as I do, these things matter) but since the story was about a real mess too, maybe there was a bit of clever, subliminal editing going on. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Anybody who thinks Edinburgh's distribution of the Fairer Scotland Fund is fair needs to go homeward to think again.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-5297203373608823702008-08-18T19:59:00.002+00:002008-08-18T20:10:45.470+00:00Joined up thinking<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gawd, it's been a long day - just in (9pm) and been on the go since 7.45am - decided it would be too easy just to not bother with the blog but this is where my steely discipline kicks in...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">PEP's AGM today: nearly 40 people there and Malcolm as the guest speaker. He speaks well -even if we do not always see eye to eye there is no question that on his day he can put the words together: he is also locally popular. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Then on to the Council for meeting after meeting after meeting - all of which went well: tomorrow is the Economic Development Committee and I think there may be fireworks about the Newbridge issue: if ever there was a case of bureaucratic stonewalling then it is this. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Depressing news though about the Waterfront company - the price of land is dropping like a stone, the cost of remedial infrastrucure is rising and is now beyond the investment value of the private developer - this is bad for North Edinburgh. An already very elongated development schedule is about to be stretched into infinity if we are not careful. You would think the Council would want to take advantage of low land values and invest in some affordable housing for which the city is crying out; it would help kickstart the construction industry too but I suppose this is joined up thinking - not something we are particlarly famous for.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-65573176915030574232008-08-16T07:25:00.004+00:002008-08-16T08:33:01.442+00:00A total guddleI'd like to say that the reason for my recent disappearance from your screen was anything to do with holidays or Festival....sadly, not. I have turned into a very boring workaholic ...at the moment there is no such thing as a work/life balance for me. That does not mean to say I have not had some interesting encounters, just not the time to relate them.<br /><br />In anticipation of decisions, all North Edinburgh local organisations in receipt of Fairer Scotland Fund monies have been asked to submit a questionnaire providing details of their service, how they fit the new criteria (employability, early intervention and health inequalities) etc. Interestingly, we have also been asked for postcode data of service users as well as the number of local people (i.e. those who live in the Forth Ward) employed in each project.<br /><br />The postcode data I can understand: historically, North Edinburgh included Drylaw (now in Inverleith) and obviously projects will be delivering to people in Inverleith as well as in Forth so it is not unfair to ask Inverleith to continue to part fund some of those projects.<br /><br />However, I can't think of any rule that dictates local employment in FSF funded projects. As it happens, in PEP we have 12 out of 15 staff members who live in the Forth Ward, but there will be many projects where this isn't the case and there isn't a law in the land which could make it otherwise. It will be interesting to know how the Panel intends to use that information.<br /><br />I have been doing a bit of digging into the Edinburgh distribution arrangements for FSF.<br /><br />Previously, this fund was distributed on the basis of the national index of deprivation which used 'datazones' of 800 people to identify the communities which needed most help. In Edinburgh though, it has been decided to use a new system called the Edinburgh Index which uses census data (last collected in 2001) to drill down to very much smaller groups of 50 - 60 people.<br /><br />Remember, nobody knows who these 50-60 people are: they are not identifiable on an individual basis - but on the evidence of these very small numbers, all Neighbourhood Partnerships have been awarded a share of the FSF money. So the unedifying results are:<br /><ul><li>money is redistributed away from poor areas to wealthier areas</li><li>wealthier areas have money to help the small number of poor people living among them but have no idea of who or where they are</li><li>identified poor people living in poor areas are seeing important community supports, that help improve their personal circumstances, eroded</li><li>all areas, rich or poor, have to meet criteria set by those on high</li><li>the criteria may not be relevant (take Almond, for example: it is thought their 'poor' are mostly frail elderly people - how do criteria for employability, early intervention or addressing health inequalities fit their needs?)</li><li>the 'employability' criteria is given equal weighting (32%) with 'income' in deciding the formula for distribution of the FSF grant with education (15%) , health (15%) & crime (5%) - yet employment strategy is almost entirely (very well) funded by DWP, as is income</li><li>The city has just won a £5 million grant from Europe to address employability issues at a strategic level and have matched funded it by top slicing £1 million from FSF - so why the insistence on employability as a key criteria at local level too?</li><li>the 2 areas where local authorities and local projects working together <strong>could</strong> actually make a difference i.e. education & health are ranked low and community safety doesn't even get a mention</li></ul><p>To me - this reeks of muddled thinking: </p><ul><li>on the one hand they want to identify individuals living in deprived circumstances and have created a distribution formula to meet that objective...</li><li>...but have failed come up with a formula that identifies the individuals</li><li>they have moved resources away from large groups of identified individuals living in deprived circumstances</li><li>and imposed a set of city wide criteria that may not be locally relevant for any area, large group or individual</li><li><strong>worst of all</strong> - they are in a complete guddle between 'area/geographic allocation', 'thematic allocation' and helping 'individuals who don't live in recognised areas of deprivation'</li></ul><p>I worry when so-called 'experts' don't actually know what they are trying to achieve - looking at this debacle, you can understand why.</p>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-55280591549981237662008-08-07T13:22:00.002+00:002008-08-07T13:57:17.554+00:00Open Prisons<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The story about open prisons to be found on the front page of today's Scotsman made interesting </span>reading.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Two years ago PEP inherited the services of the former Muirhouse Six Circle. One such service was to provide a 'training for freedom' placement for John Bowden, then held in HMP Saughton. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We worked with John for about 18 months (without much trouble) during which period he qualified to teach adult literacy and was a 'hit' with his students. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After he left, we took another trainee but he was withdrawn when the programme was 'pulled' from Edinburgh and relocated to Shotts. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It was an interesting experiencence working with John and Alex. They had to follow a strict regime 'outside'. They had to make sure they traveled on the same bus morning and evening. They weren't allowed to talk to people on the bus as the authorities could be observing them without their knowledge and, if caught, their prospect of freedom would be compromised.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">They couldn't vary their routes, weren't allowed to take anything into the prison (presumably in case they tried to smuggle in drugs or weapons) - I didn't fancy the regime myself: anybody who thought they had it 'easy' were fooling themselves but I didn't have much sympathy either - they were on the final stages towards release after what must have been serious crimes (we weren't told the details, only that they had both murdered) and it seemed important to me that they could handle these comparitively small constraints without 'losing' it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What was also interesting was different people's reactions: one female member of staff, in particular, was horrified at working with either man: she asked for a lot of training in working with difficult people and self defence (which she got) but others seemed to sympathise with them as victims...some were just plain watchful, others showed no difference in their attitudes...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">One thing was for absolutely sure though: both were heavily institutionalised and irrespective of any training for freedom they did it was unlikely either would find 'freedom' easy or threat-free even though both apparently longed for it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So today's conclusion that 'open' prisons aren't working isn't much of a surprise - the whole concept is an oxymoron. On my (admittedly) limited experience, once somebody has spent a very long time in jail then (unless they are exceptional individuals) it's not very likely they will ever be free mentally, emotionally or empathetically again. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">And that seems as bad a punishment as could ever be dreamed up by Man.</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-83402221307178608552008-08-06T18:58:00.002+00:002008-08-06T19:39:53.876+00:00A community divided<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I referred in yesterday's blog to subterranean rumblings but today they burst out in full view. The front page of the NEN makes for dismal reading ... a wee history lesson first...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">in the mid 90's local government reorganisation meant that the regional and district councils merged to form a single tier of local government. At that time I was appointed chair of the Pilton Partnership, the organisation tasked with local community regeneration. My first decision was to try to bring together the 5 neighbourhoods which comprised 'Greater Pilton' as a single entity, to eradicate the divisive tribalism of Muirhouse, West Pilton, Granton and so forth. Henceforth the area was to be known collectively as <em>'North Edinburgh'</em> not Greater Pilton, and activitists were encouraged to think beyond their local loyalty while budgets were used on an area -wide, as opposed to small neighbourhood, basis. It took a lot of time, energy and commitment from many, many people - mostly experienced activists who saw the benefits - to create a united approach but largely, we succeeded. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It didn't prevent local disagreements (Lesley, Billy and I were as guilty as anybody of falling out about priorities but we were forced to come together because our committed activists were telling us what they wanted). <strong>Always, </strong>community interests came first. </span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It's easy to say that this approach was possible because all 3 local councillors were Labour but anyone will tell you that a politican's bitterest critics are always from within your own Party. What we <strong>never</strong> did was allow our personal differences become the subject of community division - we always left the community to make up its own mind.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">One year on from the elections, with a new electoral system that has given North Edinburgh representatives from 4 different Parties, we are looking at an entirely different landscape: <strong>not </strong>because the majority of activists think any differently - they are all still interested in their community and doing their best for it - but entirely because two or three malcontents (people who make trouble in an empty room) now have the ear of Politicans who think their Party Political interests are served by listening and acting on ill informed gossip. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Naturally, people have the right to take contrary points of view - that's what makes for democracy, and I personally have no problem arguing with folk who make their view known candidly and openly. I respect those folk even if I don't agree with them. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">What I can't be bothered with is the wee group of chatterati who don't know enough, deliberately distort the little they do know and then point the finger at everybody else when predictably things come crashing about their ears. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">It is a very sad day when the NEN carries a headline 'A Community Divided'. Cuts in the Fairer Scotland Fund may have been the catalyst but the actions of a tiny few (both activist and politician) have accelerated the process. I fear that North Edinburgh divided may mean North Edinburgh defeated.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">My job as a North Edinburgh politican is to try to get the best deal for the community I represent - I sincerely trust that is the reaction of my 3 ward colleagues too.</span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-50356250169260352902008-08-05T19:22:00.003+00:002008-08-05T19:30:21.481+00:00Life 2<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I just noticed it's a week since I last wrote anything on the blog - a sure sign I have been very busy or there's not much going on ...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I certainly have been busy but it's more PEP been keeping me occupied - this is the time of the year when funders start wanting end of year reports etc - it's tedious work but somebody has to do it...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Locally there seems to be a fair bit of subterranean activity going on with darkest fears and mutterings and mumblings...all around the Fairer Scotland Fund et al. Tomorrow there is a meeting to discuss it, which I bet will reach no conclusions but you never know...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">This weekend my better half and I celebrated (if that is the word) 35 years of marriage...it was a time to reflect on how many people who attended our wedding are no longer with us and how full our family is of people who were not then even a twinkle in anyone's eye. It gave us both pause for thought...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-70613920855160283692008-07-30T19:26:00.004+00:002008-07-30T19:31:40.790+00:00Phone's been ring a ding dingingPhone'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...<br /><br />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!Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-60207736075480515282008-07-29T15:41:00.002+00:002008-07-29T15:59:06.204+00:00Safe CrossingA funny old day today -<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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...<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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...Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-46123731997945878692008-07-28T19:03:00.003+00:002008-07-28T20:23:18.353+00:00Labour's DreamI 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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]<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />What we do need is to question why we continue to fight the Nats on the one territory we can never beat them on.<br /><br />Labour is an <strong>international</strong> 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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />Labour <strong>isn't</strong> 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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />What is Labour's dream?<br /><br />I, for one, am looking to our candidates in this leadership campaign to answer that question.Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-56461376231192263072008-07-26T13:19:00.002+00:002008-07-26T13:34:59.365+00:00Traffic ComplaintsOccasionally I buy pieces of art (usually with the help of a scheme funded by the <strong>English</strong> 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 (<a href="http://www.the-leith-gallery.co.uk/">www.the-leith-gallery.co.uk</a>) 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, <em>' 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.'</em><br />Just like old times... complaints about the traffic...only they can't blame Labour ...oh, but they will...<br /><br /><br />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...Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-5909007655357883432008-07-25T07:47:00.003+00:002008-07-25T07:55:47.225+00:00We 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Sometimes I wonder if they aren't right....Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-22626198654683999592008-07-25T07:37:00.002+00:002008-07-25T07:46:15.127+00:00Hitch the chin a little higherNot a good day for Labour: the SNP victory in Glasgow East was on the cards but it is a hard swallow.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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...Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6790224186095385265.post-58683268983081349652008-07-25T07:28:00.002+00:002008-07-25T07:36:43.541+00:00weeds, weeds and more weedsI 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><em> '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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.'<br /> </em>Elizabeth Maginnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01110196495148059972noreply@blogger.com0