Tune in to our first foray into music. Hendroid takes you through more than an hours worth of music from reggae to electronica. If you’re old enough to go clubbing then you’re old enough to listen. We are taking demo’s from unsigned bands, so if that includes you send your music our way. Current contact address davewoods@hotmail.co.uk.
Click on the page on the right hand side to hear it.
By late afternoon of the 19th emotions in the council chambers had steadily risen. The deputations came to give their points of view on how they see the tendering process, many forcibly, many angrily. The main areas that seemed to cause most anxiety were the loss of continuity in services, and the lack of consultation from the very start of the process. One speaker said that he had worked for the police force for many years, and had had more luck getting information out of criminals than he had the council.
In the morning an ammendment had been suggested that would suspend any decision regarding the support and care contracts for two weeks. Would the chamber decided to go with the motion as it stood, or would they give preference to the new suggestion? We would have to wait til the council had taken a recess.
I felt fortunate to be allowed access to this forum, and it was the first time that I had attended a council meeting. It was an instructional experience, and one which I suggest people go along to and observe. One of the observers that I caught up with during the recess was David a community activist and ex support user.
The council returned, and debated this complex issue with speeches from all parties. It was clear that there was a definite divide with the Administration (SNP/Lib Dems) and the Opposition (Labour, Conservative and Greens). One of the Adminstration members had earlier given notice of a vested interest in the process, albeit he was connected with a company due to lose it contract.
The vote was taken in roll call fashion, with 28 members of the Adminstration and 29 other votes in the chamber. It was an intense time for all. The results…I shall leave that to Maggie Chapman (Green councillor) to explain.
Yesterday a full Edinburgh council meeting heard deputations from a number of groups that are set to be affected by the council’s decision to tender out care and support services. The process was started eighteen months ago, and is now heading towards its final resolution.
The council has admitted that it was remiss in not consulting the service users in an adequate and timely fashion. This decision has caused confusion and anxiety for the 770 people who receive this kind of assistance.
I was very pleased to see so many people attending, and using their right to express their opinions to their councillors. The public gallery was quickly filled, the European room was opened up to the overspill of people attending. It was a very emotional crowd, who had come to show how they really felt about the proposals that will affect their lives so deeply.
Speaking to Naomi from CAPS (The Consultation and Advocacy Promotion Service) I asked for clarification about what the proposals were all about.
I was fortunate to catch up with Maggie a current service user with Health in Mind, one of the providers that is set to lose their contract for her own personal opinion on the matter.
The council have stated that this process has been undertaken to provide a better quality of service to the users, but many critics question how this is possible with a 21 percent reduction in the budget alloted. Paul Edie and Leader of the Council Jennie Daw, expressed that they were planning to use some of the saved money to provide a service to clients who do not receive one, or who are on waiting lists.
After the success of last year’s very first Winter Wonderland, the Ripple Project, in collaboration with Craigentinny Community Centre is gearing up to create another excting free Festive event for children and families in the area.
As well as providing a piece of Christmas magic for local children and families, artists working on the project will provide opportunities for local people of all ages to learn some of the skills involved in the creation of a small scale performance. So if you would like to help out by acting, music making, set building, painting, craft making or just being around to help behind the scenes for a few days or throughout the project – then this is the place to be.
I spoke to Martin Ayres about the initial stage of the project.
Personally I thought it was a strange time of year for the planting of bulbs, but this weekend saw the Leith Community Council putting in a fresh batch on Leith Links. I went along to see what was happening. I am not essentially a gardener, but even I pitched in to do a bit of digging and got my hands dirty.
I have always liked the displays when they come up and will be looking forward to seeing them in due time in the New Year. Jai Adami talked with Leith Community Council member Angus Miller about the project.