Tag: democracy

Locality Improvement Plan: five days left to have your say

Until 27th January – Still time to tell us your priorities for North West Locality. Please complete our short survey  and please share

The 2017 – 2022 North West Locality Improvement Plan (LIP) will help coordinate how key partners including the Council, NHS, Police etc. best use available resources to meet changing demands across our communities. The LIP will also help towards the delivery of the new Edinburgh City Vision 2050. Continue reading Locality Improvement Plan: five days left to have your say

Still time to be part of your community council

Nominations for three of Edinburgh’s community councils is still open – but you have just two weeks left to submit your papers. Residents of the Craigmillar, Drylaw/Telford and Old Town community council areas who are passionate about their area are invited to play an active role and have their say on local issues.

Community councils give local residents and community groups such as youth forums, parent councils and student bodies a chance to influence what happens in their area. Members get involved in a wide range of activities, comment on planning and licensing applications, take part in community campaigns and work with others to improve the local area.

Community Councils are represented on each of the 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships where they work with local elected members, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Lothian and the voluntary sector to identify and deliver local priorities.

Meetings are usually held once a month and members can get involved in a variety of issues. Recent activities include: successfully lobbying to increase the frequency of a bus service, setting up a book festival and delivering an annual health fair.

Councillor Maureen Child, Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee Convener, said: “Democracy is a powerful force at all levels. By joining your local community council you can make a real difference to your neighbourhood, meet new people, learn new skills and take action on issues raised by local residents.

“We are looking for people of all ages and from all walks of life to get involved.  Ideas, energy and enthusiasm are welcomed and the Council will provide support to get the best from being a community council member. I’d like to encourage anyone who’s interested in local democracy to get involved – be part of something great.”

People aged 16 years or older and are registered to vote can join. The nomination period for the community council elections runs from Monday 9 January to Monday 30 January 2017. Elections, where required, will take place on Thursday 23 February 2017. You can apply as an individual or as a local interest group, such as a Parent Council, a Friends of Parks group or sports club.

See below for nomination forms:

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Local_Interest_Group_nomination_form

Drylaw Telford to try again

Attempt to re-establish local community council

Edinburgh held the triennial community council elections last autumn, but Drylaw Telford was one of the neighbourhoods that failed to receive the minimum number of nominations required to be established. An attempt is now being made to rectify this and to re-establish Drylaw Telford Community Council once again. Continue reading Drylaw Telford to try again

Turning politics on it’s head

Pilton Community Health Project holds Upside Down hustings

On 23rd November 2016 over 30 residents of north Edinburgh attended an event at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre to start a discussion with candidates for the election to the City of Edinburgh Council (writes PCHP’s Anita Aggarwal). Continue reading Turning politics on it’s head

Tackling electoral fraud: Pickles report published

Sir Eric Pickles has made fifty recommendations to tackle electoral fraud in the UK. The former minister says the changes, including producing ID at polling stations, are necessary to ensure the democratic process is not undermined – but opponents say the moves would discourage poorer people from voting. Continue reading Tackling electoral fraud: Pickles report published

Refreshing democracy: Wightman proposes fiscal framework for local government

Green MSP Andy Wightman delivered the annual Stephen Maxwell Memorial Lecture at SCVO’s annual general meeting at the Royal Society of Edinburgh in George Street last night.   The MSP’s theme was ‘how to renew, refresh and revitalise’ democracy and the redistribution of ‘economic and political power’. Continue reading Refreshing democracy: Wightman proposes fiscal framework for local government

Parliamentarians lead the way on youth issues

lucie-duffy-msyp-shannon-donoghue-msyp-ben-macpherson-msp-and-eilidh-mackay-msyp-at-syp-parliament-event

Last week, MSPs and Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) came together to focus on the views and voices of young people in Scotland. The Parliamentary reception focused on the Scottish Youth Parliament’s 2016-2021 Manifesto, Lead the Way.

Lead the Way is based on the analysis of 72,744 consultation responses from young people all over Scotland, and outlines their views on 54 different issues, everything from climate change to physical assault on children. At the reception, Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, got the opportunity to meet with local MSYP to discuss the issues affecting young people, specifically in the area.

Commenting Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Lucie, Shannon and Eilidh to hear about the great work they are doing to ensure that young people’s voices are heard in Scotland.

“As Scotland continues to move forward, the Scottish Youth Parliament’s work is extremely important to ensure that children and young people are listened to, at every opportunity, as we continue to build a fairer and more inclusive Scotland.”

Pictured: Lucie Duffy MSYP, Shannon Donoghue MSYP, Ben Macpherson MSP and Eilidh MacKay-MSYP