CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 16years old!
Well done to ALL posters
It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
Noticed on Andrew Burn's blog that community councils are electing people again.
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils
We've talked about them before. I stopped going to meetings of mine for several reasons.
But I will consider nominating myself/asking someone to nominate me (it's not clear how it works), if some of you would also run for yours. How about it?
I'm considering it, but there is a lot of responsibility for no reward. I think you need to be supported by two neighbours to be nominated, but maybe that's just my local one that has the procedure...
Considering how the clear wishes of the Leith Central CC have been ignored over issues like the Waterworld Splashback bid, and the Leith Walk resurfacing/remodelling, I do wonder if at all the community councils have any real influence over the City Council?
The main power I can see is over scrutiny of local private and business planning applications, local policing, etc. As for transport policy, who knows?
I am in a mind to at least attend some meetings over the next wee while to see how it all works.
I also need to get involved with my local primary school parent council, so not sure how much time/energy I'll have for the wider area...
This may be of interest SRD:
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/10459/current_scheme_for_community_councils
Seems CCs can also influence decisions on the granting of licenses for premises of various kinds.
This is also interesting from Greener Leith. I think I might give it a go.
http://greenerleith.org.uk/blog/leith-central-community-council-is-looking-for-new-members-2567
I'd be up for trying the gorgie/dalry one as they appear to be obnoxiously anti-cycling on their own website and the een comments.
That sort of behaviour posing as 'voice of the community' definitely needs to be countered.
@14westfield I'll do it if you'll do it.
"
MarchSciennes CC (@MarchSciennesCC)
31/08/2013 11:56
Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council looking for new members: nominations open on Monday! http://buff.ly/15nWrcY
"
"
@SpokesLothian: Speak up for #cycling #walking! Stand in your #communitycouncil election http://t.co/JOpzFrXsGm & http://t.co/2XZFGeH3zj @CyclingEdin @edfoc
"
"
Spokes CycleCampaign (@SpokesLothian)
31/08/2013 13:28
@CyclingEdin @edfoc NB You need 2B an optimist, or #communitycouncil too wearing! And interested in all local stuff not just cycling issues
"
Forms now on-line. I'm starting to get cold feet...
Yeah, I've been mulling it over. Downloaded the forms, but.....I wonder what is the most effective way to get heard? My impression of my local CC is it seems to be well run, but also populated by people who have the time, and the commitment, to sit there deliberating details of planning applications, community safety issues, street cleansing itineraraies, etc. Do i realistically have the time to prepare for such meetings, never mind attend and take part?
I'm thinking it may be wiser for me, at this stage, to focus on the Parent Council in my local primary school. Then campaign on an issue by issue basis regarding local problems and so on.
anyone else?
if we want 20mph zones including dangerous roads, we need people on councils to speak in favour
if we want good cycling infrastructure in key places, we need people on the councils supporting it
I'm now on the Parent Council so I've got my hands full. Will still campaign through Spokes, Green party, CCE, etc.
ha! I'm doing parent council AND community council. (pity me)
Aye, I knew you were going to say that.
But I'm the Chair. A bit more work than turning up to a meeting every six weeks or so.....and there's an HMI visit at the end of the month.
(Fishing for sympathy).
HMI now education Scotland, c'mon chair crowriver, but well done for cracking during the tumbleweed period of extreme silence when volunteers were asked for.
wow. good for you. I'm not chair, but that's because the chair was the only post that we actually had someone in...
check out my flickr stream to see how i spent my week..
@gembo, that's exactly what it was like at the AGM. I looked around the room and everyone was looking somewhere else! Could have sworn they were whistling and twiddling their thumbs too. It seems the hit squad still call themselves HM Inspectors even though the letterhead says education Scotland.
@SRD, yeah we're still without a Secretary, no doubt because it's such a thankless task. I have to attend meetings with all the other PCs in the area too (CCWP). Oh well at least there's a team of willing bods organising the Halloween disco...
"You're a lunatic" said the first person I ran into after submitting my nomination papers today...
Thanks for the vote of confidence morningsider!
That looks much worse in writing than I hope it sounded! Also I did add "but in a good way" - which makes all the difference...
So, who's nominated then?
I'll be up in the Porty election...
Not me, I'm embroiled in the world of primary education politics instead...
I found out I was in via twitter, several days later got a paper letter from the councillor was who returning officer, that said 'you are elected', and then started receiving email from the council, suggesting I have been added to their mailing list. But nothing saying 'we're adding you to our list', much less 'welcome', or our next meeting is....
But nothing saying 'we're adding you to our list', much less 'welcome', or our next meeting is....
Sounds like some of the incumbents may not be best pleased. Not friends with any of the existing council members? Or alternatively it's just the wheels are grinding slowly on the CC charabang*.
* - I was astonished to hear (on University Challenge) that this is officially an 'obsolete' word, according to the Collins English Dictionary, along with aerodrome.
EDIT - sounds more like "all change here!" From your CC web site: "A lot of new faces with a few of the current committee all others having stood down". Your name is mentioned...
@SRD, are you Merchiston? Could be worse, web link from EACC site for Hutchison / Chesser CC goes to this less than transparent web site!
Hmmm...looks like at least half are old-timers. I'm making a LOT of resolutions about holding my tongue.
@crowriver, I don't think it';s anything personal. Just would have expected a 'welcome to the comm council' email to go to all new members?
Here's the official announcement on the city wide nominations process:
"Community Council Elections
Edinburgh’s community councils have experienced a record number of nominations from people interested in representing their local community.
Nominations were recently sought for membership of 42 community councils in Edinburgh. At the end of the nomination period, over 500 nominations were received from individuals and groups. Elections are required to be held for the following 3 community councils and will be conducted by electronic and postal ballot. The election date is scheduled for 24 October 2013.
Craigmillar
Liberton & District
Portobello
Southside CC received insufficient nominations to be established and Northfield/Willowbrae CC did not receive sufficient nominations to continue. While this is disappointing in those areas, members of all communities have other opportunities to participate. For further information visit the Neighbourhood Partnership website at http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/. "
While I don't refret not standing (I don't have the time) I do think CCs could do with more pro-cycling input. My local one has it seems been indulging in a bit of cyclist bashing recently. Very surprising, I suppose certain key folk were not there so this rot went unopposed. Note there's nothing in there about motorists' poor behaviour, which as we all know is absolutely rife on Leith Walk...
Might just attend the next meeting as a "member of the public".
SRD, all lot of the comms from the council on this has ended up in spam folders...
You must log in to post.
Cycling in Edinburgh Flickr group
Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin
posts