MILES BRIGGS MSPMember of the Scottish Parliament for Lothian RegionWorking for you, working for Lothian Region.Tel: 0131 348 5944 @MilesBriggsEdinburgh | Email: Miles.Briggs.msp@parliament.scotThe costs of this advert have been met outof parliamentary resources.The Scottish Parliament is not responsiblefor the content of any external website.
@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk POLITICS 5Vibrant culture makes Edinburgh uniqueby Culture Convener Cllr DonaldWilsonI think it would be anunderstatement to say 2020 hadbeen extremely tough for theculture sector.As we look ahead to 2021 wewill be doing all we cannot just tosurvive but to come back betterthan ever.Our vibrant cultural heritage andLight at end of education tunnelby Education, Children andFamilies Convener Cllr Ian Perryand Vice Convener Cllr AlisonDickie.The ongoing pandemic is havinga devastating impact on us all and2021 will still provide challengesfor our education system andyoung people but there is light atthe end of the tunnel.We pay tribute to our dedicatedteaching staff and young peoplewho are showing amazingresilience in these challengingPrioritising city spendingby Cllr Rob Munn and CllrJoan Griffiths, MBE, Finance andResources Convener and ViceConvener.Our main focus for 2021 is totake the carefully considereddecisions about where to prioritisespending for the Council over thenext three years and setting abalanced budget that protects ourmost vulnerable citizens and helpsour communities to recover fromthe pandemic. At the same time,we want to continue to deliver highfestivals offering is at the heart ofwhat makes Edinburgh unique andwe are committed to supportingthe sector’s return and future. Thereturn of live audiences next yearwill be crucial to this recovery.The cultural sector makes ahuge contribution to our economyand the quality of life of ourcommunities.We have made a start thoughwith the City Art Centre reopeningtimes. Even though there will beno exams this year our schoolstaff will ensure pupils get thebest teaching possible for theirassessments. Our EdinburghLearns plan will position educationas the lever for a fairer, healthierand greener future. The supportfor our vulnerable young people,especially our Looked AfterChildren, will continue to be apriority.Our plans to create the very bestlearning environment for youngquality services for Edinburgh.Our budget process is, as ever,informed by direct feedbackfrom the people of Edinburghon which services they want tosee prioritised and we’re verygrateful to the 2000+ peoplewho responded to our budgetengagement survey beforeChristmas.This feedback is invaluable,especially given the exceptionallychallenging year 2020 was and theimpact that Covid-19 has had andin September and we very muchlook forward to the reopeningour other Museums and Galleriesas well as opening our doors forperformances at the Usher Hall.So, in 2021, I’ll continue to fightfor what I believe in: that it is thecity’s duty to continue to nurtureEdinburgh’s creative heart.Not just for the hugecontributions to our economy butalso to the lives of our citizens.people continue with a £500mplanned investment over thenext 10 years for an ambitiousnew school building programme,- Frogston Primary, VictoriaPrimary and St Crispin’s openingin 2021 and the new CastlebraeCommunity Campus in 2022.The investment includes newnurseries with more ForestKindergartens opening soon andwe’ll meet the government’s targetof 1140 hours of funded earlylearning and childcare by August.Proposals for a safer Bonfire NightProposals to introduceregulations to restrict both thesale of fireworks, and the timeswhen they can be set off by thegeneral public, will be introducedfor The Scottish Parliament toconsider in the new year.Community Safety Minister, AshDenham, announced the proposalsresponding to recommendationsof an independent review group.Secondary legislation will belaid in Parliament in Januarywhich, if approved by MSPs, willplace limits on both the volumeand the time of day for consumerfirework sales, as well when theymay be set off – in time for nextNovember’s bonfire night season.The planned changes will applyto individuals who are buyingor using fireworks for privatedisplays, and will not apply todisplays that are organised byprofessional firework organisers oroperators.Ms Denham said: “I am fullycommitted to bringing aboutpositive change in the relationshipScotland has with fireworks.More than 16,400 people acrossScotland responded to theconsultation last year."This highlighted that fireworkscan be good for communitieswhen they are used at the righttime, in right place and usedresponsibly.“However, it is clear there isstrong support for changing howwill continue to have for us all.It’s crucial we understand howpeople’s lives have been affectedby the impact of the pandemic onour services as we work to steerthe Capital towards a sustainablerecovery.Finally, the Council’s corepriorities of addressing povertyand inequality, improvingsustainability and tackling climatechange, as well as enhancingwellbeing, based on what peopletold us was most important tothem, will remain at the heart ofour budget setting for 2021 andbeyond.fireworks are sold and used inScotland, and the Review Groupset out clear recommendationson what change is needed goingforward."I hope the actions I haveoutlined reassure people that theirvoices have been heard and thatlegislation will be progressed asswiftly as possible to implementpositive change.“I fully agree with the Group thatit will be important to understandthe impact of these changes asthey are implemented in practice,including on our emergencyservices, on businesses, on ourcommunities as well as in relationto firework related injuries.”ORDER ONLINEOR CALL 0131 557 5098WWW.SHEZANEDINBURGH.COMTravelling into 2021Transport and Environment ViceConvener Cllr Karen Doran lookedback on last year.She said: “The events of 2020have had an unparalleled impacton so many aspects of our lives.How we move around our city hasof course been greatly affected.“During lockdown, roadsemptied and travel by bike, footand wheels surged. Our Spaces forPeople measures saw people takeup cycling or walking where theymight previously have driven, andwe want to keep this momentumup.“In 2021, development of majorplans, including the draft CityMobility Plan and EdinburghCity Centre Transformation, willLeading from the frontby Council Leader Adam McVeyand Depute Leader Cammy DayOur first and most pressing taskin 2021 is to continue to steerEdinburgh through and – hopefullysooner rather than later - out ofthe global Covid-19 pandemic.There’s no doubt these past ninemonths have been unbelievablychallenging for all of us, andespecially so for anyone who’ssadly lost a loved one during thecrisis.As we work with organisationsand communities right across thecity to help Edinburgh navigatewhatever comes next, we’re clearthat "back to normal" won’t begood enough – we need to buildback better, following the keyrevolutionise the way we interactwith the city.Construction will begin onschemes like City Centre West toEast Link and design will continueon several exciting projects toimprove cycling and pedestrianinfrastructure.“We’ll move closer to introducinga Low Emissions Zone and ElectricVehicle charging network whileTrams to Newhaven will beginto take shape, alongside ourexcellent existing bus and tramservices.“I know we’re on the righttrack for a sustainable, inclusive,carbon-neutral future forEdinburgh, and 2021 will help getus there."Building affordable homesCouncillors Kate Campbelland Mandy Watt, Convenerand Vice Convener for Housing,Homelessness and Fair Workconcnetrate on homes and thehomeless.They said: “In 2021, we willbuild more good quality, energyefficient, affordable homes. They’llbe good places to live, withinstrong communities. Our new andexisting tenants will get the bestservice possible from us as theirlandlord; and we’ll make sure ourtenants, especially those who maybe struggling with the impactsof Covid-19, get the support theyneed.“We’ll continue work to improvetemporary accommodation,reach out to our most vulnerablecitizens, prevent homelessnesswhenever possible and make surepeople are able to access the rightsupport when and where theyneed it.“We want to help our economyto build back better and stronger,putting fair work and sustainabilityat the heart of our strategy torebuild. We’ll do that by supportingbusinesses and, with a view tothe long term, we’ll work towardsbuilding a wellbeing economybased on good jobs, job securityand career progression.“We’ll begin by expanding ourexisting Edinburgh Guarantee offerso that people of all ages whomight face barriers to employmentas a result of Covid-19 aresupported to find work, learn newskills and gain confidence andwe’re calling on employers andeducation providers to support us.”principles of the Edinburgh 2050City Vision to achieve a thriving,welcoming, pioneering and fairCapital for now and for futuregenerations.Our work will be guided andshaped by our core priorities oftackling poverty and inequality,boosting sustainability andpromoting wellbeing.We’ll push on with implementingour 10-year End Poverty inEdinburgh plan as well as our NetZero 2030 ambitions.2021 is going to be a major anddefining year for this incrediblecity and we’re determined to doEdinburgh proud.OPEN FOR DELIVERY & TAKEAWAY 15% DISCOUNT WHEN YOU ORDER ONLINE
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