CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years 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.
"Would give them an incentive to reduce the amount of packaging"
You'd think simple economics and some degree of consumer disapproval would have had greater effect by now.
Presumably the accountants are factoring in the marketing value of packaging and the potential damage due to 'inadequate' protection.
This seems odd to me
I would suggest that it only seems odd because we're used to living with FPTP politics.
If, say, there are two left-leaning parties with 15 seats each, and there is one right-leaning party with 20 seats, it makes sense for the two left-leaning parties to form the government.
In our world, this situation is dealt with by minimising the number of political parties, so instead of two left-leaning parties with 15 seats each, there is only one with 30 seats and it becomes obvious who should be in government. This reduces the power of voters to show their preference for the nuances in position between different political parties.
Meanwhile in Glasgow things have happened.
Provost Eva Bolander is from Sweden (SNP)
Depute Provost Philip Braat is from Belgium (Labour)
A great example of how things should surely be in a modern Britain / Scotland.
From the National.
Glasgow Provost Eva Bolander by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr
Interesting fact I had not considered until yesterday around the move to localities in Edinburgh.
The likely administration SNP, Labour, Green assist has no mandate in that locality. Out that way it is Tory, lib dem majority.
Previously when the locality idea was developed, the SNP labour presence was a bit stronger out that way but now you could see an argument for an independent north west Edinburgh.
"the move to localities in Edinburgh.
The likely administration SNP, Labour, Green assist has no mandate in that locality. Out that way it is Tory, lib dem majority."
As such, I'm not sure there is any mandate for "localities".
Was it prominent in any Party manifesto?
Are you suggesting that the ruling admin (whoever it turns out to be!) will discriminate against areas that haven't been voting for it?
No @CHdot, I am saying that the drive to localities (a big thing within the council) may be less strong given the non-uniform geographical distribution of successful candidates and that the previous Localities Good Thing (regardless of evidence) mantra was more comfortably espoused when the distribution was more consistent across Edinburgh.
About the localities - can anyone point me to an article about it? On first thoughts I don't like the sound of it. I'm all for localising but you could end up with fragmented policies, with everyone defending their patch. The Heptarchy of Edinburgh.
As far as I understand, it's a further decentralisation of the delivery of services. Along the lines of the current Neighbourhood Partnerships, but going further. I can't really see why this is a bad idea, or why it shouldn't happen. Easier to engage with something truly local rather than pan-Edinburgh, surely. Will it reduce 'strategic overview' of the council on matters like transport? Why should it?
@crowriver, might be a good idea or a bad idea. The point i make is that there is no evidence that it is good or bad.
I am not opposed to decentralisation. I have seen a cluster (in my case various primary schools) decide that need was greatest in one part of their area and allocate time disproportionately to that bit of the area. Nice when people take such a view. On the otherhand, I have seen local champions running community centres as their personal fiefdoms.
@gembo, yes there is always the risk that local "worthies" will take over and impose their non-representative agenda. But then that happens anyway! (Vis Community Councils).
Depends exactly *how* localities are implemented, I suppose.
Well, the GE is over - where's the SNP/Lab coalition (or not)?
"
When a progressive political alliance took power over Oslo’s city council in October 2015, they had made one of their first priorities a greener and more liveable environment in the city. With an almost 30% increase in population expected by 2040, the Norwegian capital was worried about its carbon footprint.
...
The council’s clever solution? Rather than banning cars, it would ban parking – all 650 on-street parking spots. In their place, “we’ll put up installations and create public spaces,” says Berg, referring to six pilot areas. “Some will be playgrounds or cultural events, or [contain] benches or bike parking – or other things you can fill the space with when you don’t have 1,200 kilograms of glass and steel.”
Oslo’s transformation will be rolled out in three phases. In stage one, all on-street parking within Ring 1 will be removed, as well as some parking in surrounding areas deemed to be “in conflict with bike development”. Car parks in and around the central zone will stay, but many other on-street parking spaces will be freed up for alternative uses.
Stage two, in 2018, will see the pedestrian network extended, and close several streets to private traffic; shared space will be introduced, and 40 miles of bike lanes built.
The council’s final year will be one of reflection. “We’ll see if the removal of parking and the restrictions on driving through the city centre will be enough,” says Berg. “If it’s necessary to get to our goal, then we’ll create a car ban. But, until 2019, we’ll see if we can do it through more gentle and natural initiatives.”
"
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/jun/13/oslo-ban-cars-backlash-parking
As you were.
"
One source said there was still a concern that even together the SNP and Labour would be one short of an overall majority on the council, casting doubt on their ability to deliver on any agreed programme.
"
Pathetic.
And the Labour’s SEC's legitimate role in local democracy is?
At the Council Count Alex Cole-Hamilton was overheard Discussing a City Deal with Ian Murray, He (ALLEGEDLY) Said "I'd rather see the City Burn than doing a deal, then we can blame the SNP" To Which Murray Agreed! I also have it on very good authority that at the Count Everyone in the Labour party is up for an SNP / Lab Deal except Ian Murray and Scot Arthur!
Ian Murray and his merry band of union jack wavers are out to sabotage this for sure.
SNP minority administration then? Preferable to letting the Tories in, surely? Or is the latter part of Murray & Co's plan? Impose Tory austerity by default and make it look like the SNP's to blame?
I Suspect so .... I Spoke to Adam this morning but he wasn't saying much I'm not sure If he Knew then.
Ps I'm going to Edit the Comment Above to remove the word Burn, Although that is a quote its perhaps less than appropriate given the tragic events in London!
anyone know anything about Scot Arthur? I'd never heard of him until he got elected, but he's been incredibly strident on twitter ever since. I had to unfollow him.
Mr Murray's staff are energetic and competent, but he is not someone I hold in high regard.
He is a plotter, schemer and manipulator. All part of the job description, but he takes it way too far.
@SRD, it's mostly here: https://drscottthinks.wordpress.com
"Tribal" Labour, hates the SNP.
Also wants a "review" of 20mph: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/politics/labour-candidate-urges-20mph-zones-be-reviewed-1-4433887
Thanks @crowriver
I'd seen those.
Just wondered if anyone here knew him or had been involved in other things (uni politics, community groups, campaigns whatever) with him, as has been the case with other councillors/MSPs.
But maybe he's just an apparatchik.
"But maybe he's just an apparatchik."
Indeed. Specifically of the Jim Murphy / Ian Murray bloc within Scottish Labour. Which somehow does not bode well AFAIAC.
I find Scott Arthur's characterisation of the Council situation very partisan, but also quite revealing of his attitudes:
https://drscottarthur.scot/2017/06/13/what-sort-of-council-administration-does-edinburgh-want/
"
However, it’s very clear that a deal is possible if individuals are willing to compromise to help make Edinburgh a better place to live, work and bring up a family.
"
Ah, compromise.
This would all be more understandable if SNP/Lab hadn't just been running CEC in a relatively successful coalition.
Obviously some key people left before the election AND afterwards, the SNP had more seats than Lab - seems like someone is counting...
However, for (some) councillors elected by the people of Edinburgh to require the "permission" of a 'higher authority' is an insult to the voters and (ought to be) demeaning to said councillors.
"However, for (some) councillors elected ... to require the "permission" of a 'higher authority' is an insult to the voters and (ought to be) demeaning to said councillors."
Indeed?
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/nicola-sturgeon-rules-out-coalition-10285170
"The First Minister has ruled out any coalitions between SNP and Tory councillors after the forthcoming local authority elections."
I'd say it goes with the territory of being a party-linked candidate rather than independent. But hey-ho.
Quite.
Not Lab only arrogance.
And after the GE some Tories blamed the electorate...
And it's back on:
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