The Lord Provost pays tribute to former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Edinburgh MP, and Councillor, Alistair Darling who passed away yesterday (November 30):
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “Alistair Darling’s life was one marked by a deep devotion to public service, proudly representing our city for well over 30 years on the local, national and international stage.
“From 1982-1987 he served on the then Lothian Regional Council before going on to represent Edinburgh as an MP until 2015. Following his illustrious political career, he continued to play an active part in city life and remained a respected member of his local community in Morningside.
“From the council chamber to the highest offices in the land as Chancellor of the Exchequer, alongside many other Ministerial appointments, he typified calm professionalism and pride in serving his constituents and the country.
“My thoughts and condolences are with his wife Margaret and their children, alongside his many friends and former colleagues.”
Fellow Edinburgh Labour MP tweeted: ‘Can’t remember politician receiving such glowing tributes from such a wide range of people richly deserved first knew Alistair Darling in Broughton Inverleith Labour Party 1981 and as fellow Edinburgh MP from 1992. Always outstanding, witty and kind – condolences to Maggie and family.
A key factor in the bid to end poverty in the Capital by 2030 is the steps being taken by the Council and partners to prevent and mitigate the impacts on women.
This is closely linked to child poverty, given there is a proportionately high share of caring responsibilities adopted by women in general – 90% of lone parents are women, 38% of those in Scotland live in poverty.
Women have also been disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis and, alongside childcare, these patterns are strongly driven by gender inequalities in the workplace. Women account for 60% of all low paid workers in Edinburgh and 78% of all part time workers.
In response to these challenges, actions in the Council’s End Poverty in Edinburgh Delivery Plan, and other plans, which are expected to prevent or mitigate the impact of poverty on women and girls, include:
Raising awareness of the gender impacts of poverty
Helping to increase incomes for women in poverty
Reducing the costs and impact of childcare responsibilities
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Tackling poverty is one of our key priorities as a Council and our 2030 target is ambitious but one I’m convinced can be achieved. We have to act decisively if we’re to eradicate poverty in Edinburgh.
“It’s a fact that women are more likely to experience poverty and thus it was important that we had a separate update on specific actions being taken to help to further highlight this issue.
“It’s also of course not just the material constraints of living in poverty that make things hard, it’s the emotional strain and it is important that we do all we can to tackle this.
“This update on actions currently underway was well received by councillors who fully support the work of the End Poverty in Edinburgh Delivery Plan which gives an important overview of where we are. We know that we can’t achieve our goals in insolation.
“That’s why we are working with partners such as the End Poverty Edinburgh citizen’s group who help us make sure that the real experiences of people who live in poverty are at the centre of shaping the actions we take to tackle poverty and inequality in the capital city.
“Analysis of these actions will be continued, and I look forward to the update on the wider End Poverty in Edinburgh progress later in the year where will look at all households and priority groups.”
NO Poverty concerns for one new council employee. Edinburgh’s interim Director of Adult Social Care will be paid no less than £403,390 A YEAR!
I’m sure that will go down really well with the capital’s care workers, the majority of whom are women! – Ed.
SNP VOWS TO HOLD ‘RIGHT WING COALITION’ TO ACCOUNT
Edinburgh’s Labour Group has formed an administration to lead the City of Edinburgh Councilfollowing a controversial deal with the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Detailed discussions have been ongoing across political groups since the Local Government Elections on 5 May and, following a vote at today’s Council meeting, Labour councillors will convene the Council’s six executive committees.
Cllr Cammy Day has become Leader of the Council with Cllr Mandy Watt appointed as Depute Leader.
Cllr Robert Aldridge had earlier been appointed as Lord Provost, taking the chair for the first time, with members of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups appointed as Conveners and Vice Conveners of quasi-judicial committees, including the Licensing and Development Management Sub-Committees.
The full list of appointments is below.
The convener of the Governance, Risk and Best Value committee will be decided at the next Council meeting on 30 June.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: I’m delighted and extremely honoured that we’ve reached agreement to lead the City of Edinburgh Council today.
“We’re committed to addressing the issues that matter the most to the people of Edinburgh, making the case for the funding we deserve as a Capital City and protecting our front-line services; taking forward the work of the Poverty Commission to tackle the cost of living crisis, promoting fair work and ensuring our children and young people get the best possible start in life.
“We’ll continue to focus on the fight against climate change and our ambitious target of being net zero by 2030, boosting our affordable house-building programme, taking Trams to Newhaven and delivering the pioneering regeneration of the Granton Waterfront and north Edinburgh.
“I’m confident our collaborative approach will lead to far more consensual and co-operative decision-making and I look forward to working closely across all parties, delivering positive changes and policies for the good of our great Capital City and its residents.”
The Lib-Dems, who doubled their number of councillors at this month’s election, justified their reasons for voting as they did:
Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, said: I would like to congratulate Councillor Day and the Labour Group on forming an administration today.
“I look forward to working with all councillors over the next five years to deliver the best possible services for the people of Edinburgh.”
The full list of appointments is
Leader of the Council – Cllr Cammy Day (Lab) Depute Leader of the Council – Cllr Mandy Watt (Lab) Lord Provost – Cllr Robert Aldridge (Lib Dem) Depute Lord Provost – Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron (Lab) Convener of Culture and Communities – Cllr Val Walker (Lab) Convener of Transport and Environment – Cllr Scott Arthur (Lab) Convener of Housing and Economy – Cllr Jane Meagher (Lab) Convener of Education, Children and Families – Cllr Joan Griffiths (Lab) Convener of Finance and Resources – Cllr Mandy Watt (Lab) Licensing Board Convener – Cllr Louise Young (Lib Dem) Licensing Board Vice Convener – Cllr Jason Rust (Cons) Convener of Government, Risk and Best Value – to be decided 30 June Planning Committee Convener – Cllr James Dalgleish (Lab) Regulatory Committee Convener – Cllr Neil Ross (Lib Dem) Convener or Vice-Convener of Integration Joint Board – Cllr Tim Pogson (Lab) Development Sub Committee Convenor – Cllr Hal Osler (Lib Dem) Licensing Sub Committee Convenor – Cllr Joanna Mowat (Cons)
The SNP has run the city with Labour as a ‘Capital Coalition’ for ten years, and the SNP was the biggest party once again following this month’s election.
Capital Coalition III was very much on the cards until Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar announced that there would be no coalition deals with the SNP or the … em, Tories!
Former council leader Adam McVey said: “The Lab/Tory/Lib coalition is held together by nothing more a burning hatred of the SNP & a carve up of jobs.
“We will keep our focus on delivering the change needed for Edinburgh & will hold this right-wing coalition to account.”
Green Group Co-convener Cllr Claire Miller said: “We are disappointed not to have passed our proposal for a council which would have delivered on the climate emergency and the cost of living crisis.
“However Greens will continue to work constructively in the council, as we have always done.”
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY PAYMENTS
Lord Provost – Robert Aldridge (Liberal) – £44.039.
Cllr Gordon Munro has had the Labour group whip removed following his abstention on the Council budget vote.
The Leith councillor believes the SNP, Labour’s partners in the sc-called Capital Coalition, is not standing up for Edinburgh.
Gordon Munro said: “I stand by my decision to abstain in the budget vote. Edinburgh needs full and fair funding. It needs to prosecute its case forcefully which it commits to do in the coalition agreement.
“I accept the decision taken by Edinburgh Labour.’’
Labour Group leader Cllr Cammy Day said: “As part of our Labour Party rules, and by not supporting the budget proposals, an internal disciplinary process from Edinburgh Labour has agreed that the Labour Whip will be removed from Cllr Gordon Munro until return of Summer recess 2021.
“Gordon is a long standing, hard working councillor and a valued member of the Labour Group.”
Despite losing the Labour whip Councillor Munro, who also abstained in last year’s Budget vote, will still be expected to support the Capital Coalition in any forthcoming votes.
Scottish Labour and Co-operative party candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, Gordon Munro, launched his campaign at The Prentice Centre inGranton Mains Avenue yesterday.
