SNP VOWS TO HOLD ‘RIGHT WING COALITION’ TO ACCOUNT
Edinburgh’s Labour Group has formed an administration to lead the City of Edinburgh Council following 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.
Deputy Provost – Lezley Cameron (Labour) – £29,360
Council Leader – Cammy Day (Labour) – £58,719
Deputy Leader – Mandy Watt (Labour) – £44,039 *
Transport and Environment – Scott Arthur (Labour) – £36,669 *
Education. Children and Families – Joan Griffiths (Labour) – £36,669
Housing and Economy – Jane Meagher (Labour) – £36,699 *
Culture and Communities – Val Walker (Labour) – £36,699 *
Planning – James Dalgliesh (Labour) – £36,699 *
Integration Joint Board – Tim Podgson (Labour) – £36,699 *
Licensing Board – Louise Young (Liberal) – £36,699
Regulatory Committee – Neil Ross (Liberal) – £36,699 *
Development Sub Cttee – Hal Osler (Liberal) – £36,699
Licensing Sub Cttee – Jo Mowat (Conservative) – £36,699
Licensing Sub Convenor – Jason Rust (Conservative) – £26,360
(*) denotes new councillor
