Three thousand signatories in just one day
The pressure on Edinburgh Council to reverse its decision to close Leith Registrars Office increased today as it was revealed that a public petition against it gathered nearly 3,000 signatures in just one day. The petition, started by local MP Deidre Brock, calls on the council to keep the office open and says that it was part of the settlement Leith got from Edinburgh when the two merged in 1920.
Deidre has called on Leithers to add their name to the petition, addressed to the Chief Executive of Edinburgh Council, to save Leith Registrar. The petition is rapidly gathering support as more Leith residents hear about the plans for closure.
North and Leith MP Deidre said: “Council officials decided to shut Leith Registrar without even consulting councillors, let alone the people of Leith, and that is simply not good enough. I can only assume they had no idea its importance to the community or that it was part of the settlement that Leith got at the merger.
“I’m hoping this petition will persuade the council to change its mind and I’ve been blown away by the rate people are adding their names at. You just need to read some of the comments to see the strength of feeling about this within the community, and this cannot be brushed aside.
“The Registrar’s office is part and parcel of Leith’s proud identity, marking the big moments in life for Leithers across the generations. While there is talk of keeping a separate Leith register in the City Chambers, heading up town to register births and deaths is not the same and it means Leithers wanting to get married in Leith would end up paying more for the service than someone heading up into town. That’s not to mention practical issues like accessible parking which will be lost.
“Communities like Leith must be protected from this sort of civic vandalism – modernisation isn’t all that matters. I urge all Leithers to sign the petition and make sure their voices are heard. I’ve been talking to councillors to try to get a change of mind and I’d encourage everyone else to do the same. I’m demanding answers from the Chief Executive of the council about how this decision was taken and why we weren’t consulted. I’ll be demanding that the Office stays open and that the people of Leith are consulted on any future changes to services.”
The petition to Save Leith Registrar can be signed here:
https://www.change.org/p/
24
0
20
