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Council concerns
Students on fast track to Singapore F
The interim Director of Corporate Services set a red flag on spending
By DONALD TURVILL
Local Democracy ReporterOFFICERS HAVE raised concerns over whether
The City of Edinburgh Council will be able to set
a balanced budget for the year ahead.
The council is legally required to balance the
books and ensure spending commitments do not
exceed the local authority’s revenue.
The annual budget meeting next month will
see political groups scrutinise financial plans
drawn up by officials and put forward their
own proposals, which councillors will have the
final vote on.
This year an £80 million gap in the budget will
need to be closed – which is likely to force
difficult choices and cuts to public services.
However, questions over preparations for the
fast-approaching 23 February meeting were
raised at the council’s scrutiny committee on
Tuesday as a report revealed the risk to ‘financial
and budget management’ was rated as ‘red’,
meaning high.
SNP councillor Marco Biagi said he was “quite
shocked” at the rating.“Are we going to have a balanced budget this
year?” he asked.
“I look at a report that has a red risk 29 days
out from the meeting.
“Is it the case that proposals have been drawnup by officers at this point but haven’t been shared
yet with any of the political groups?”
Richard Carr, interim executive director
of corporate services at Edinburgh Council,
told the committee there was a “clear path to
setting a balanced budget” but said officers
were still “a little short of the total quantum
of savings required”.
He added: “Obviously, it’s subject to member
consideration on some of the proposals that are
coming forward.”
Mr Carr said officials had “reached out to
political groups”
He added: “The final set of proposals will be
published shortly and as I indicated we would be
more than happy to meet with groups to go
through those final set of proposals.
“The best advice I can give is to reach out to the
officer support that is available to help any groups
that are developing proposals so we can arrive at
something which, irrespective of whether or not
it’s something a particular officer might advocate,
is nevertheless presented in a way which enables
members to make the legitimate decisions they
should do as part of the budget proposals.”A TEAM OF SIX 17-year-old
students from James Gillespie’s
High School, Edinburgh raced to
the runners up spot at theLenovo F1 in Schools UK
National Finals 2022 which took
place at Autosport International,
a motorsport show held at theNEC, Birmingham.
Their success has won them a
place at the Aramco F1 in
Schools World Finals 2023 to bestaged this September in
Singapore, alongside the
Formula 1 Singapore Airlines
Singapore Grand Prix 2023.REMEMBER you can hire the SW
eCargobike for free at sw20.info. Don't
worry if you're a repeat customer.
If you can, please let them know of any
local contacts who they can email about
the bike. These might include school
groups, local community groups or just
simply by sharing thieir information with
local friends, family or on Facebook.
SW20 ask you to contribute to
Edinburgh's 20mph Consultation by 8
February. On streets where 20mph was
introduced road casualties have
subsequently reduced by a third. But in
SW Edinburgh local streets including
routes to schools, universities, shops
and local business, still have long sections
of 30mph.
SW20 say the easy, understandable
message should be: “Edinburgh has a
20mph limit - everywhere. Even better,
respond to the consultation AND ask your
local councillor why these streets should
have a higher level of casualties.”
Hiring community
eCargobikes
Edinburgh Trams
recruitment drive
WITH A SALARY of up to £23,141.00 per year,
Edinburgh’s tram system is on the lookout for
customer-focused individuals ahead of the
launch of the extended line this spring.
The company's latest recruitment campaign
targets people from a diverse range of
backgrounds who share a passion for delivering
a premium service for local residents and visitors.
Successful candidates can look forward to
an attractive employee benefits package
which has already proved popular with
previous job applicants.
Sue Bucher, Edinburgh Trams HR Manager,
explained: “We are now advertising for
Customer Service & Ticketing Assistants, both
on a full-time and part-time basis, which gives a
great deal of flexibility to those with
commitments outside of work.
“As well as a competitive salary, 33 days
annual leave, overtime available at Bank Holiday
rates, contributory company pension scheme,
life cover, HSF Health Plan, and Cycle to Work
scheme are offered.
“Naturally they will also enjoy free travel on
both the tram and Lothian Buses, plus an annual
ridacard for someone else for just a one-off
payment of £60 as opposed to £600.”
Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing
Director, commented: “Our Customer Service &
Ticketing Assistants are the first people visitors
meet as soon as they arrive in Edinburgh, so
they play a vital role in promoting the city as
well as helping people to make the most of its
tram system. Over the coming months, we will
also be looking to hire extra tram drivers and
engineers, proving more exciting opportunities
to join our growing, fast-paced team.”