With less than a week to go until the Scottish Parliament Election 2016, Edinburgh is gearing up to run its own part in the vote. Preparations are already well underway across the city’s polling places and count venue, while training is in progress for staff working on the day and the first postal votes are being processed.
Tag: participation
Holyrood hustings at Blackhall tomorrow
Craigleith Blackhall Community Council are hosting a Scottish Parliament hustings event at St Columba’s church main hall tomorrow ( Thursday 28 April) from 7.30 to 9pm. Continue reading Holyrood hustings at Blackhall tomorrow
Holyrood 2016: factfile
The Scottish Parliament elections take place on Thursday 5 May – one week to go! See below for all the information you could ever wish for!
Your local constituency candidates are:
EDINBURGH CENTRAL
BETTSWORTH, Hannah (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
BOYACK, Sarah (Scottish Labour Party)
DAVIDSON, Ruth (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
DICKIE, Alison (Scottish National Party (SNP))
JOHNSTONE, Alison (Scottish Green Party)
LAIRD, Tom (Scottish Libertarian Party)
EDINBURGH NORTHERN & LEITH
CALDWELL, Jack (Independent)
HINDS, Lesley (Scottish Labour Party)
MACPHERSON, Ben (Scottish National Party (SNP))
MCGILL, Iain (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
VEART, Martin (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
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Jack Caldwell IndependentLesley Hinds Labour PartyBen Macpherson Scottish National Party (SNP)Iain McGill Conservative and Unionist PartyMartin Veart Liberal Democrats
EDINBURGH WESTERN
BATHO, Sandy (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
COLE-HAMILTON, Alex (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
GIUGLIANO, Toni (Scottish National Party (SNP))
HEADLEY, Cat (Scottish Labour Party)
Other Edinburgh Constituencies:
Edinburgh Eastern
COOK, Nick (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
DENHAM, Ash (Scottish National Party (SNP))
D’INVERNO, Cospatric (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
DUGDALE, Kezia (Scottish Labour Party)
Edinburgh Pentlands
FARTHING-SYKES, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
HEARY, Blair (Scottish Labour Party)
LINDHURST, Gordon (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
MACDONALD, Gordon (Scottish National Party (SNP)
Edinburgh Southern
BRIGGS, Miles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
EADIE, Jim (Scottish National Party (SNP))
JOHNSON, Daniel (Scottish Labour Party)
SUBBARAMAN, Pramod (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
LIST VOTE
The names of the parties for the Lothian Region are listed below in the order that they appear on the ballot paper.
Seven candidates will be elected to the Lothian Region as Members of the Scottish Parliament, from the following list:
RISE – Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Scottish Women’s Equality Party
Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
THE VOTING SYSTEM
The Additional Member System (AMS) is used to elect members to the Scottish Parliament.
How it works:
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
There are two ways an MSP can be elected.
Each elector (voter) has two votes.
Scotland is divided into 73 constituencies and each constituency elects one MSP. These are known as constituency MSPs and are elected by ‘first past the post’ in exactly the same way as MPs are elected to Westminster. This is the elector’s constituency vote.
The regional vote is used to elect 56 additional members. Scotland is divided into 8 parliamentary Regions and each region elects seven regional MSPs.
In the second vote the voter votes for a party rather than a candidate. The parties are then allocated a number of additional members to make the overall result more proportional. The regional MSPs are selected from lists compiled by the parties. These MSPs are also sometimes referred to as List MSPs.
HOW DO I VOTE?
Always read the instructions for filling in the ballot papers carefully, even if you have voted before.
You will receive two ballot papers.
On the lilac coloured ballot paper you will vote for your constituency MSP. The ballot paper lists the name of each candidate along with their party name and party logo.
Simply put a cross (X) next to the one candidate that you wish to vote for.
On the peach coloured ballot paper you vote for a party or independent candidate competing for the seven regional seats for your region of Scotland. The ballot paper lists political parties and independent candidates.
Simply put a cross (X) next to the one party or independent candidate that you wish to vote for.
If you make a mistake then you can ask the polling staff to give you another ballot paper.
WHERE DO I VOTE?
Your polling place will be noted on your Poll Card, or you can check it online. You should go to your polling place to vote on 5 May, between 7am and 10pm.
WHO DO I VOTE FOR? THE MANIFESTOS …
What do they stand for? What are they offering?
RISE
SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE & UNIONIST PARTY
Scottish-Conservative-Manifesto_2016
SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY
Scottish Greens Manifesto_Online
SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
Scottish Labour Manifesto 2016
SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
Manifesto_-_Be_The_Best_Again-_Scottish_Liberal_Democrats_2016
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY
SCOTTISH WOMEN’S EQUALITY PARTY
SOLIDARITY – Scotland’s Socialist Movement
Manifesto available on Solidarity website
UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY (UKIP)
FURTHER READING
Keep up on Twitter:
#SP16 #VoteSocialEnterprise #Holyrood2016 #SP2016
#VoteRISE #GreenHolyrood #VoteGreen2016 #BothVotesSNP #BothVotesLabour #VoteLibDemTwice #TeamRuth
Get tyred and emotional in Muirhouse!
Trinity CC April Newsletter
Here are the main points from our 11 April meeting:
CRIME
Police have arrested two people believed to responsible for 9 house break-ins locally. The level of housebreakings has fallen in the last 2 weeks but shed break-ins are on the rise again so take precautions. Car windows also appear to be a current target. We are aware of some residents’ concerns regarding the statistics given for crime levels and are discussing this with the relevant Police staff.
ST COLUMBA’S HOSPICE
The Hospice is a nationally and internationally recognized centre of excellence for end-of-life care which we host in our community. We received an informative update from CEO Jackie Husband on its history and plans following the recent redevelopment. While there had been recurrent concerns from nearby residents during redevelopment we should look forward to being good neighbours with a constructive and fruitful relationship.
Perhaps the most persistent concern has been the impact on parking. Various measures are now in place (increased on-site parking, better positioning for bike racks, delivery time slots etc) and, of course, construction traffic has stopped. So things have improved rather. But this is one of the things which we will monitor in partnership with the Hospice.
Did you know that St Columba’s has 180 staff and 700 volunteers and works closely with establishments in Iceland, Uganda and India? Want to know more? There’s a 5 year strategy document “Care and Compassion Matters” which, among other things, describes how the focus is increasingly on at-home care, education, hands-on creative work and supporting families through GPs and teachers.
Better still, why not arrange a visit? Always willing to welcome people seeking a greater understanding of their work you will doubtless be impressed by the warmth and friendliness of all the Hospice staff and volunteers. And if that’s something you mean to do but never get round to, there’s an annual community event which folk can drop in on.
TRAFFIC
Despite consistent pressure from TCC for a review of traffic through North Edinburgh and various encouraging noises, we are now told that this must wait to be considered within the next Local Development Plan. That is very disappointing given that this whole saga started when we highlighted the inadequate coverage in the LDP which is about to be signed off. We will be pressing further.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS
CEC Planning now advise that the outcome of the Reporter’s visit to 127 Trinity Road is likely to be announced near the end of April.
ANNUAL WALKABOUT
This will start from the statue of Edward VII in Victoria Park at 10 a.m on Saturday 23 April. We will tour the ideas that the newly-formed Friends of Victoria Park have, then take in part of the Dudleys before inspecting the Vennel behind Trinity Academy through to the new Sainsbury’s site in Craighall Road. Must be something you have to say on at least part of that route! So please come along for the start or join at any point. Everyone welcome!
TRIFFIDS
Following our recent article on Japanese Knotweed and damage it can do to building one of our readers has been helping identify and treat the stuff locally. Let us know if you would like some local help and we’ll put you in touch, but CEC also has a statutory responsibility to tackle it and remember that if it’s neglected, that owners may be prosecuted.
YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU!
We have not yet received a firm date but expect that Community Council elections will be scheduled for September/October. This is a fun way in which to contribute to Trinity’s collective wellbeing. Why not stand for election?
TRINITY’S GOT TALENT!
We all know about the wonderful (if discrete) architecture which exists in Trinity. Now local resident, Lesley Kelly has even made it the title of her new novel, “A Fine House in Trinity”. This will be launched on 21 April at Waterstones in Princes Street to which we are all invited. Should be a great holiday read!
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
RBS has agreed to fund a number of planters at/near the site of their much-missed former branch at the South Trinity Road/Ferry Road corner. We are finalizing the details for this with various parties who will take on maintenance.
GET OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE NEIGHBOURS
Change goes on and to our east, another much-loved former outlet has received a new lease of life. The site of the old Peacock Inn is now occupied by Italian-themed “Sasso” who have moved and expanded from their old base in the south side of the city. Morningside’s loss looks like being our gain!
While to our west, for anyone who enjoys a stroll along the foreshore, there’s now a handy amenity in the form of the newly opened Boardwalk Beach Club. Named after architect Sir Terry Farrell’s vision for a ten-mile boardwalk running from Cramond to Portobello this is the sort of regeneration to be welcomed. So why not earn that snack with a walk first? Guilt-free coffee and cake!
TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL APRIL NEWSLETTER
More on Facebook or TCC website or at our next meeting on Monday 9 May at 7 pm in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road when we will consider the latest Quarterly Report from Forth Neighbourhood Partnership. Hopefully also an update on the street-lighting programme and CEC’s Transformation.
TCC meetings are open to all. Come and give us your opinions. Or contact a Community Councillor. Tell us your views so that we can represent them!
Did you find this bulletin useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.
Prentice Centre crisis
No reprieve for local community centre
Emergency public meeting called
The Prentice Centre has been told that there is to be no more funding. Hopes had been raised that a solution could be found following a public meeting last month, but the centre received the news they had been dreading on Friday. Manager Janet Campbell says the situation is ‘dire’ and another public meeting has been called. Continue reading Prentice Centre crisis
Drylaw Telford CC meets 27 April
WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL
DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE, 7pm
It’s back to ordinary business for Drylaw Telford Community Council this month following last month’s Tierney Award presentation. The meeting will discuss Living Landscapes’ plans for Easter Drylaw Park.
With citywide community council elections scheduled to take place this autumn, Drylaw Telford’s chairman Alex Dale confirmed that the local CC won’t hold a formal AGM in May.
He said: “Our May meeting is usually our AGM but as this is Community Council Election year we can defer until the first month after election period, as outlined in the Scheme for Community Councils.”
Attached: Agenda for April 27th plus Draft March Minutes, End of year accounts for approval at meeting and a plan that Living Landscapes are introducing to Drylaw Park.
Agenda DTCC Mtg. April 2016 DTCC Minutes March 2016 (Draft) (1) Drylaw Park Living landscapes Design DTCC ACCOUNTS 2016 (Draft)
Trinity walkabout this weekend
TRINITY WALKABOUT
SATURDAY 23 APRIL
MEET AT KING EDWARD VII STATUE, NEWHAVEN ENTRANCE TO VICTORIA PARK at 10AM
Each year Trinity Community Council organises a short walkabout around part of Trinity, together with Edinburgh Council officials, to note problems and ensure action is taken.
This year we are focusing on Victoria Park following the setting up of the Friends of Victoria Park Group, part of the Dudleys and the pathway from Newhaven Road to Trinity Academy.
Everyone is welcome to come along, particularly if there are issues you want to draw to our attention. You can join us at the start or along the way. We will finish around noon.
Trinity Community Council
Craigleith Blackhall to hold Holyrood Hustings
CRAIGLEITH BLACKHALL COMMUNITY COUNCIL
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT HUSTINGS
Thursday 28th April, 7.30 – 9.00pm
Blackhall St Columba’s Parish Church, Columba Road
Representatives are confirmed from:
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour Party
Liberal Democratic Party
Scottish National Party
Scottish Green Party
RISE Alliance
UK Independence Party
Women’s Equality Party
An opportunity to meet your local candidates
All welcome, bring your tricky questions!
Early success for Royston Wardieburn’s Spring Chickens
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s new adult activities Spring Chickens group met for the first time yesterday, and by all accounts it seems the participants had an eggstra-special time! Continue reading Early success for Royston Wardieburn’s Spring Chickens