“We have a strong track record of effective financial management” – Cllr Alisdair Rankin
More than 100 residents have registered to attend a ‘BBC Question Time’ style event being organised by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of this year’s budget engagement. The event, taking place tomorrow in the City Chambers from 7.15 – 8.45pm, is part of a six-week campaign, asking residents to play their part by giving their views on the budget proposals for 2018/19.
Residents who can’t attend the event are being encouraged to watch Question Time live via the Council’s webcasting service. There will also be the opportunity for people to submit questions via Twitter during the event using the hashtag #playyourpart.
For the fourth year in a row the event is being run in partnership with the Edinburgh Evening News and will be chaired by Euan McGrory, Deputy Editor of the Evening News, Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday.
Many of those attending have already submitted questions in advance and there will also be the opportunity to ask questions on the night, which will be answered by a panel of six senior ‘Capital Coalition’ councillors:
- Council Leader, Cllr Adam McVey (SNP)
- Finance and Resources Convener, Cllr Alasdair Rankin (SNP)
- Finance and Resources Vice Convener, Cllr Marion Donaldson (Labour)
- Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Lesley Macinnes (SNP)
- Education, Children and Families Convener, Cllr Ian Perry (Labour)
- Chair of Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, Cllr Ricky Henderson (Labour).
Finance and Resources Convener, Cllr Alasdair Rankin, said: “We have a strong track record of effective financial management and since 2012/13 we have saved around £240m by working more efficiently and prioritising our services. However, the financial position for all local authorities, including Edinburgh, remains extremely challenging.
“We have an increasing population, inflationary pressures, decreased budgets and greater demand for our services so it is really important that we get residents’ views on how we can more efficiently deliver services and what the impact of the proposals are on themselves, their families and their community, and to highlight opportunities or challenges they can see.
“We’ve had a great response to our Question Time event again this year with every seat taken. However, you can still play your part by tuning in live via the Council’s webcasting service and join in the discussion on Twitter on the night.”
The 2018/19 Council Budget Engagement opened on 8 November and will close on 19 December.
The draft budget proposals and online survey can be accessed at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/
Residents can also have their say by:
Phoning on 0131 200 2350 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 3.40pm Friday)
Writing to Freepost, RSJC-SLXC-YTJY, Play your part, Council Leader, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ
Emailing playyourpart@edinburgh.gov.uk
Twitter #PlayYourPart
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