and also - what I would deem to be hypocrisy:
Thanks for your e-mail below.
>
> ... as you may know, I was someone who supported the initiation of this project back in the early 2000's and continue to be a supporter of the 'in-principle' development of trams. But I agree that in recent years the current project has completely unravelled and we have watched in some despair, since being in Opposition from May 2007, as the project has rapidly gone over budget and over time. The capital cost for St. Andrew Square is now far, far beyond the available monies. In addition there is little, or no, prospect of any additional capital grant allocation from central Government. Such a financial 'capping' for a major infrastructure project like the tram is completely unprecedented and clearly outwith our control.
>
> Through all of this, from Opposition since May 2007, we (alongside the Conservative and Green Groups) have worked extremely hard to try and hold the current SNP/Lib-Dem Council to account, but their ultimate political control of the Council has obviously prevailed.
>
> As for the future, you're quite right to point out that anyone would be right to treat current cost-projections with a serious dose of scepticism, and I can only assure you that we are scrutinising every detail of what's now being proposed before coming to a final decision on which option we will support at this coming Thursday's Council Meeting.
>
> We haven't yet arrived at that final decision, but we will not support yet further unallocated borrowing (of some several hundred million pounds) to possibly get the project to St. Andrew Square. These monies would need to be borne by Edinburgh Council, which already has some £1.3billion worth of borrowing, requiring over £100million of annual revenue payments. That's 10% of our revenue budget going on interest payments every year, right now.
>
> Indeed, every option before the Council on Thursday is pretty unpalatable - no option before the Council on Thursday is good.
>
> And, in due course, searching questions do indeed need to be asked about how it all got to this position. But, on Thursday, a decision does need to be made between the choices that are available to us.
>
> Thanks again for getting in touch and making your views known to me. I will forward you a copy of our Group's final Amendment as soon as I can.
>
> Andrew
> ____________
>
> Andrew Burns
> Labour Councillor for Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Ward
> Leader, Labour Group, City of Edinburgh Council
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