Disappointed though unsurprised to learn the Planning Committee has turned down the Zoo's application for some housing to help fund its refurbishment (better declare an interest here since I'm on EDI's Board which has a commercial interest in the plan)
Having visited several so-called 'international' zoos whilst on various holidays, I am struck at how poor an imitation they often turn out to be compared to Edinburgh's. Residents tend to take our zoo for granted but believe me, it is a fantastic resource and visitor attraction. What a pity it might be at risk for lack of funding...what a pity if it does (as has been mooted) move out the city. Planning Committee members need to be alive to the strategic consequences of their decisions. Awful for us all if 'not in my back yard' becomes the policy driver.
Friday, 5 October 2007
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Besotted
It's been a PEP day. No meetings at the Chambers but two local meetings and a 'surgery' instead. I threw in the towel at 7.15pm - been out since 7.30 this morning and could take no more.
Local meetings are always worthwhile...there is always something to learn and there were one or two useful titbits tonight which I will follow up.
Home to find the other half glued to Sky Sports European football - Valencia v Chelsea. The man is besotted...I almost wished I'd stayed on at Royston/Wardieburn!
Local meetings are always worthwhile...there is always something to learn and there were one or two useful titbits tonight which I will follow up.
Home to find the other half glued to Sky Sports European football - Valencia v Chelsea. The man is besotted...I almost wished I'd stayed on at Royston/Wardieburn!
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
Edinburgh's Education
Marilyne has met Fiona (two girls together, cosy kind of ring to that, don't you think) and what do you know? 'There's just nothing we can do...no money to upgrade the schools. Oh dearie me!' (wringing of hands and worried looks...)
What is Edinburgh's Education boss thinking? She should be demanding the Minister finds the money. That's her job...to stick up for Edinburgh's Education not play her bit part in some immature, naive labour bashing charade...just as it's the Minister's job to wrench money from the cabinet for her service. They're not a pair of wee lassies: they're powerful politicians who should be punching their weight.
And Cllr Maclaren had an open goal to kick at: wasn't it the SNP partners in the Coalition who pulled the rug from beneath her feet on her school rationalisation programme? A bit of political blackmail and rubbing noses in it might have embarassed the Minister just enough to keep the door ajar for more talks. Meanwhile we have all our biggest, most prestigious schools in an unholy mess and no obvious way to sort it. Cllr Maclaren is not daft, not by a long shot, but she has consistently misplayed her hand.
She owes no loyalty to the local SNP...she should have used their treachery to embarass their Holyrood masters...at least she might have won something for Edinburgh. She needs to remember her pact isn't with Salmond inc. Her pact is with the people of Edinburgh. So far, she's let us all down badly.
What is Edinburgh's Education boss thinking? She should be demanding the Minister finds the money. That's her job...to stick up for Edinburgh's Education not play her bit part in some immature, naive labour bashing charade...just as it's the Minister's job to wrench money from the cabinet for her service. They're not a pair of wee lassies: they're powerful politicians who should be punching their weight.
And Cllr Maclaren had an open goal to kick at: wasn't it the SNP partners in the Coalition who pulled the rug from beneath her feet on her school rationalisation programme? A bit of political blackmail and rubbing noses in it might have embarassed the Minister just enough to keep the door ajar for more talks. Meanwhile we have all our biggest, most prestigious schools in an unholy mess and no obvious way to sort it. Cllr Maclaren is not daft, not by a long shot, but she has consistently misplayed her hand.
She owes no loyalty to the local SNP...she should have used their treachery to embarass their Holyrood masters...at least she might have won something for Edinburgh. She needs to remember her pact isn't with Salmond inc. Her pact is with the people of Edinburgh. So far, she's let us all down badly.
Bruce Hay
Read in the paper this morning that Bruce Hay has died. He was a great man, straight and true. The kind of man you would want beside you in any struggle. I have known him and his family for many years and have never known him to be anything other than mighty. The world is a poorer place this morning.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Bullying children...
I can confirm: THE CITY IS NOT BANKRUPT!!! Donald McGuigan reported to the Labour Group today and when I asked, he was adamant...he has never declared the city bankrupt and doesn't know where a figure of £58 million came from...could have told you that already but it's always nice to know...my wee new colleague will have to learn the distinction between hyperbole and actuality...
A constituent telephoned tonight: her 17 years old daughter is doing her 6th year at Telford and receives an EMA (educational maintenance allowance, currently £3o per week to help the poorest kids stay on at school). Tomorrow Telford's staff are on strike and all EMA students (inevitably the youngest and most economically disadvantaged) have been advised by the principal that a 'no show' i.e. failure to cross the picket line , will result in them losing the week's grant. As her mother (who doesn't want to be identified for fear of job reprisal) said, 'This is a serious case of bullying children who are the most deprived.' If it is as the mum describes, I concur.
I have written to the Director of Children & Families with full details of the case: I want to know if CEC had a hand in this decision...
A constituent telephoned tonight: her 17 years old daughter is doing her 6th year at Telford and receives an EMA (educational maintenance allowance, currently £3o per week to help the poorest kids stay on at school). Tomorrow Telford's staff are on strike and all EMA students (inevitably the youngest and most economically disadvantaged) have been advised by the principal that a 'no show' i.e. failure to cross the picket line , will result in them losing the week's grant. As her mother (who doesn't want to be identified for fear of job reprisal) said, 'This is a serious case of bullying children who are the most deprived.' If it is as the mum describes, I concur.
I have written to the Director of Children & Families with full details of the case: I want to know if CEC had a hand in this decision...
macho man
I have had an interesting day much of which falls into the 'confidential' file so can't be discussed here...yet.
Meeting this morning with the local police and other councillors looking at crime trends in Forth. By far and away the highest crime is vandalism - according to the police usually carried out by teenagers, tanked up on alcohol at the weekends [I paraphrase]. There are several iniatives being trialled: bottle marking [where each local store voluntarily marks each bottle it sells with its own distinctive mark so the police can determine where the kids are getting it, then target adult customers at those shops who're buying and passing it on: like asking shops to adopt a voluntary over 21's policy on the assumption it's easier to identify who looks over 21 as opposed to over 18; targeted use of mobile CCTV etc. This seems a very practical approach to take and if it results in less vandalism and improved health for kids then it's a real win win.
A good meeting with Andrew, Ewan and Ian to discuss the education situation: it seems Marilyne is determined to come back with a fresh set of proposals... she is surely sore at the cavalier humiliation she suffered at the hands of the SNP...but it will be heaping problem upon problem to come back so soon. She will earn no brownie points for macho posturing...women never do...better leave that to the men!
Meeting this morning with the local police and other councillors looking at crime trends in Forth. By far and away the highest crime is vandalism - according to the police usually carried out by teenagers, tanked up on alcohol at the weekends [I paraphrase]. There are several iniatives being trialled: bottle marking [where each local store voluntarily marks each bottle it sells with its own distinctive mark so the police can determine where the kids are getting it, then target adult customers at those shops who're buying and passing it on: like asking shops to adopt a voluntary over 21's policy on the assumption it's easier to identify who looks over 21 as opposed to over 18; targeted use of mobile CCTV etc. This seems a very practical approach to take and if it results in less vandalism and improved health for kids then it's a real win win.
A good meeting with Andrew, Ewan and Ian to discuss the education situation: it seems Marilyne is determined to come back with a fresh set of proposals... she is surely sore at the cavalier humiliation she suffered at the hands of the SNP...but it will be heaping problem upon problem to come back so soon. She will earn no brownie points for macho posturing...women never do...better leave that to the men!
quiet on the domestic front
Yesterday afternoon out canvassing in Boswall: picking up local issues which I will progress. Good response...Gordon obviously going down well...Mark thinks there will be a snap General Election, first Thursday in November...groan...
Other than that, a quiet weekend, working, cleaning, gardening...all things domestic
Other than that, a quiet weekend, working, cleaning, gardening...all things domestic
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
