Tag: participation

Letters: An overhaul of Westminster politics is long overdue

For all the divisions on display in this election campaign, there’s one point nearly all voters agree on: the desperate need for reform in Westminster.

Yet despite many parties commenting on the need for change in their manifestos, the issue of political reform has been dangerously absent from the campaign trail.

This radio silence is indefensible when polling for the Electoral Reform Society shows 85% of people feel that politics isn’t working, and 80% feel they have little or no influence on decision-making today. With public faith this low our politicians cannot afford to stay silent.

The signs of democratic decay are all around us – from an electoral system that wastes votes on an industrial scale, to the private members’ club that is the unelected House of Lords. This year we’ve seen our parliament lunge from crisis to crisis.

This election is a watershed moment for our democracy – inaction is not an option. Today we are calling for leaders to make the issue of updating and transforming Westminster front and centre, as part of #DemocracyDay.

We are asking them all to commit to a constitutional convention involving citizens, to set out how to reform Westminster after the election.

There is a high degree of cross-party unity around issues like updating Britain’s analogue-age campaign rules, spreading power outside of London and reining in our crumbling constitution.

With trust in politics at record lows, voters want to see parties open up about how to overhaul Westminster. Today is an opportunity to do just that. It is time for all parties to present their proposals with pride and passion.

Let’s start to build a better politics.

Willie Sullivan Electoral Reform Society
Ruth Lister Compass
Klina Jordan and Joe Sousek Make Votes Matter
Frances Foley Citizens Convention UK
Alexandra Runswick Unlock Democracy
Neal Lawson Up To Us
Anthony Barnett OpenDemocracy
Jennifer Nadel Compassion In Politics
Matteo Bergamini Shout Out UK
Tabitha Morton More United
Richard Murphy Professor of International Political Economy, City, University of London
Heidi Allen and Peter Dunphy Unite to Remain
Ed Dowker Represent.me
Mark Cridge mySociety
Richard Tunnicliffe and Sue Ellar Represent Us
Dimitri Scarlato the 3million
Paul Thistlethwaite XR Future Democracy Hub
Indra Adnan The Alternative
Andrew Pendleton New Economics Foundation
John Doolan and Paul Blomfield Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform
Keith Sharp Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform
Frances Scott 50:50 Parliament
Jon Christensen Tax Justice Network

Edinburgh Association of Community Councils AGM

EACC Annual General Meeting –  Thursday 21st November 2019

The 2019 Annual General Meeting will take place on

Thursday 21st November 2019 at 7 pm.

Venue: European Room, City Chambers, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ

The Minutes of the 2018 AGM and provisional Agenda along with the accounts for 2018-19 can be downloaded on the website at EACC Documents. Nomination papers for Office Bearer positions are also available at the same URL in EACC Documents in two formats and can be scanned and emailed or posted to the Secretary.

Nominations for Office Bearer posts will close at 7pm on Thursday 19th November 2019.

Announcement of Candidates for Office Bearer posts will be made on Tuesday 19th November immediately after close of the nomination period.

Notice of AOCB items to the Secretary as soon as possible and at least 24 hrs prior to the meeting. It will be at the Chair’s discretion to discuss these items. We really want to hear from our representatives on issues they consider important to all Community Councils.

It is also important to ensure your nominated representative is correct.

Their names are on the Members list at http://www.edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk/members 

If this has changed please inform the Secretary at secretary@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.ukas soon as possible.

Please RSVP to secretary@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk

Induction session choice for community councillors

The city council has organised induction sessions for newly-appointed Community Councillors:

Congratulations on your appointment as a community council member. The Council values the commitment and input of community councils and we look forward to working in partnership with you.

The CC elections attracted a high proportion of new members and I am delighted to invite new members to a community council induction session. If spaces remain then this will be opened up to returning CC members. I’d also like to make you aware that support materials are available on the council website.

The induction session aims to provide an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of community councils and community councillors, such as their statutory responsibilities in terms of planning, licensing and community planning.

The same session will be held on the following dates:

Saturday 9 November, City Chambers, High Street from 10 am until 12.30.

Wednesday 13 November, City Chambers, High Street from 6.00 pm – 8.40

Please respond to community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk  if you are a new member and would like to attend on either of the above dates by Friday 1 November 2019. 

Please let us know of anything you need to help you take part eg large print, disabled access requirements, hearing loop etc.

There will be opportunities at the induction for networking and discussion and putting forward your ideas for future training and support.

Ross Murray

Governance Officer, Strategy & Communications Division CEC

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets next week

The next Forth and Inverleith Edinburgh Voluntary Sector Forum meeting will take place on Thursday 24th October from 10am – 12pm in EVOC’s office at 525 Ferry Road.

Locality Manager Peter Strong will talk about the Locality Community Planning Partnerships and the role of VSFs within these. Continue reading Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets next week

Leith Conference: have your say on key local issues

Leith Conference 26 – 27 October 11-4pm

Leith Conference is an opportunity for local people, community organisations and businesses to explore, identify and prioritise key issues affecting life for better or worse in our community. Continue reading Leith Conference: have your say on key local issues

Update from Trinity Community Council

I hope you had a great summer.  Autumn is here and with it comes
weeding, tree pruning and, of course, Community Council sessions!

Monday’s meeting will be particularly significant as we say goodbye to
several faces who have done sterling service for the community of
Trinity over many years.  We will miss your selfless efforts on all our
behalfs but hope that you will never be far away and will keep popping
in to keep us right.

However, like the passing of the seasons, this also presents
opportunities.  TCC now has no fewer than 6 vacancies.  We have loads of
great ideas and some huge projects inside and nearby our area but need
help to carry them out and to engage.  Without that, they will never
move from ideas to real improvements in all our lives.  So why not come
along on Monday and get involved?  Agenda attached (below).

And as a bonus, Monday’s meeting will hear directly from Edinburgh
Council’s Head of Finance about how Edinburgh gets that £1bn every year
and the challenges that brings. Don’t start pruning that magic money
tree just yet!

I hope to see you on Monday.

1910 Agenda

Best wishes,

BILL RODGER

Trinity Community Council

Miles Briggs MSP calls for powerchair football support in Lothian

Miles Briggs MSP for Lothian Region is backing the Scottish Powerchair Football Association and Lothian Wolves Powerchair Football Club in their call to give more people across Scotland the chance to play powerchair football.

Miles met with representatives of the SPFA who were visiting the Scottish Parliament to promote the growing sport. Continue reading Miles Briggs MSP calls for powerchair football support in Lothian