http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: City of Edinburgh Council Budget en Thu, 21 May 2026 08:30:19 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347733 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:22:25 +0000 gembo 347733@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>One of the actors in the drama is still a Councillor. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347731 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:06:53 +0000 Frenchy 347731@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, very striking.</p> <p>The attempt to anonymise the lawyer's name was...er...half-hearted though. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347728 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:59:54 +0000 SRD 347728@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>one thing that struck me reading it was that they were all men, and mostly of a certain age. used to running the show. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347727 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:55:31 +0000 crowriver 347727@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"A Labour/Tory coalition would have been much better for the city..."</p> <p>Yeah, dunno about <em>that</em> Jimbo. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347726 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:52:21 +0000 SRD 347726@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>urgh. poor Jim. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347725 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:30:26 +0000 minus six 347725@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>plus ça change</em>... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347724 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 15:48:38 +0000 Stickman 347724@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not sure where else to put this, but former SNP councillor and “cycling champion” Jim Orr is currently settling old scores on his blog. As always believe who you prefer to, but this account of the behaviour of Cllrs Cardownie, Barrie and Henderson’s behaviour over the cycling budget is extraordinary.</p> <p><a href="https://cllrjimorr.wordpress.com/2021/03/05/resignation/amp/" rel="nofollow">https://cllrjimorr.wordpress.com/2021/03/05/resignation/amp/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347255 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:55:27 +0000 crowriver 347255@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That's what I thought too, but I somehow summoned the energy to complete TWO consultation responses today. Only ones I've done so far this year, and hardly any last year. Probably won't make any difference, but hey... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347254 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:49:48 +0000 chdot 347254@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks</p> <p>I think I am consulted out. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347253 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:40:38 +0000 crowriver 347253@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot, maybe you should put those thoughts in a consultation response? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347251 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 15:27:40 +0000 chdot 347251@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“and to ensure that the future of the winter festivals achieves the right balance for those living and working in Edinburgh“</p> <p>That’s not exactly helpful. </p> <p>Balance between those living here and those working on winter festivals (some do both obviously)?</p> <p>OR</p> <p>Balance between Ed residents &amp; workforce and visitors to attractions?</p> <p>Again, winter fests are for residents and non residents. </p> <p>Presume the notion is about trying to balance benefits and costs?</p> <p>Those who like winterfest - locals and visitors - and earn money v those who don’t like it plus the financial costs to the City?</p> <p>Sounds difficult. </p> <p>Especially when there are complex issues including ‘the real cost of using/restoring Princes Street Gardens’ and ‘the event organisers take the profits out of the City’. </p> <p>‘After Covid’ the future of Edinburgh’s Festivals - and tourism generally - are significant unknowns. Is there scope for more ‘celebrations of Edinburgh’ where tourists are guests rather than money? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347246 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 14:56:29 +0000 crowriver 347246@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Definitely relevant given the largesse afforded to the current contract holders at our expense.</p> <p>---</p> <p>Winter Festivals 2022 Onwards</p> <p>The current contract for delivering both events expires in 2022. It is an appropriate opportunity to review both events and to ask businesses, community groups and residents - those who have attended the festivals and those who haven’t - how they wish to celebrate Christmas and Hogmanay from 2022 onwards.</p> <p>The Council wishes to engage in an open public conversation about the future of these events, to listen to feedback from residents and to ensure that the future of the winter festivals achieves the right balance for those living and working in Edinburgh.</p> <p>---</p> <p><a href="https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/winterfestivals/" rel="nofollow">https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/winterfestivals/</a></p> <p>Closes 19 May 2021 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347105 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:57:35 +0000 chdot 347105@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Slightly related -</p> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/22/cronyism-britain-rampant-banana-republic-covid-contracts-government" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/feb/22/cronyism-britain-rampant-banana-republic-covid-contracts-government</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347104 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:56:18 +0000 chdot 347104@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Probably... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347103 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:48:37 +0000 Rob 347103@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>"It relies on the premise that public sector employment cost us higher than private sector and so benefits exist from working in partnership with outside organisations."</em></p> <p>Is this the same party who were making a fuss about how much SfP money had been given to outside organisations? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347102 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:31:42 +0000 chdot 347102@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“That was my reading of the email...“</p> <p>So the Party of saving money wants to pay employees less so that they have to claim more Universal Credit?</p> <p>Roll on <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_basic_income" rel="nofollow">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_basic_income</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951&page=2#post-347101 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:14:48 +0000 Frenchy 347101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I thought more highly of it when I thought they were just making up numbers. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347100 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:05:18 +0000 HankChief 347100@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That was my reading of the email... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347096 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:51:56 +0000 chdot 347096@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“There was a CEC report from 10 years ago (covering only 1 area)“</p> <p>Not the best sort of evidence to base a policy on. </p> <p>So they are saying ‘private sector generally has worse conditions of employment, so public sector should outsource more’(?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347095 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:43:29 +0000 HankChief 347095@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It relies on the premise that public sector employment cost us higher than private sector and so benefits exist from working in partnership with outside organisations.</p> <p>There was a CEC report from 10 years ago (covering only 1 area) that indicated potential benefits existed, apparently.</p> <p>So I can see a bit of what they are resting their benefits on. Whether I believe or agree with them is a different matter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347093 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:34:49 +0000 chdot 347093@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>But does it make sense?? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347092 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 18:21:07 +0000 HankChief 347092@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've had a response by email and I now understand the basis better. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347044 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:12:51 +0000 Frenchy 347044@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Could start with their finance spokesperson?</p> <p>Since it's <em>impossible</em> to guess which party you're referring to, I can't say exactly who that is, but they'll be a member of the Finance and Resources Committee (<a href="https://democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=140">list of members here</a>).</p> <p>Edit: I now see you already did that. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347043 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:11:07 +0000 HankChief 347043@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Its more the latter but if I don't get a response from emailing their Finance spokesperson its hard not to get wound up by it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347040 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:59:23 +0000 chdot 347040@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Partly depends how much you want to wind them up and how much you want answers to specific questions. </p> <p>If the latter, try asking all councillors in the same Party. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347039 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:58:20 +0000 HankChief 347039@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wasn't planning on being a &lt;rule 2&gt; on this but without a response to a reasonable question, I don't know what option I have.. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347038 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:56:23 +0000 chdot 347038@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Depends on your boredom threshold!</p> <p>You could try replying every time they post with ‘I’m still waiting for a reply to this question [link]’</p> <p>Maybe tag in one or more of local and national Party leaders... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347037 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:52:50 +0000 gembo 347037@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Straight away or never?</p> <p>I notice no actual quantitative data so I estimate you have waited long enough and should get back to them so you can be ignored again </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-347034 Mon, 22 Feb 2021 13:40:20 +0000 HankChief 347034@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>How long is an reasonable time to wait for a reply on a Party's budget proposals?</p> <p>One party was all across my social media timelines with all the extra money they would spend from their 'fully costed' budget proposals, so I thought I'd ask where the money was coming from.</p> <p>I got a brief reply from one Cllr linking me to their budget motion but without any direct response to my question.</p> <p>I did a bit of analysis showed me that they were spending £40m more than the Coalition across the 5 years and this was funded by 'Best Value service reviews' and changing the redundancy policy.</p> <p>I followed up with a question on whether such changes had been made in other Councils that gave them confidence that CEC could get the same benefits.</p> <p>So far no response despite me asking for this on FB, Twitter &amp; Email. Meanwhile my timeliness continue to be filled with posts by them and their 'fully costed' proposals.</p> <p>How long should I wait before pushing again for this? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13951#post-321457 Sat, 25 Jan 2020 11:54:11 +0000 chdot 321457@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/heated-debate-over-edinburgh-councils-proposal-save-money-next-years-budget-1375440" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/heated-debate-over-edinburgh-councils-proposal-save-money-next-years-budget-1375440</a> </p>