Local Voice For Residents of South Gyle, Gogarloch and Wester Broom “Referendums, Party Leaders, In-or-Out……it’s been a momentous few months for politics, not least in the Labour Party! However politics, as I see it, is all about local people and local issues. So I’ve been getting on with the job of being your councillor and am pleased to be able to update you in this newsletter with progress on local issues and take a look forward to some new developments.” Cllr Karen Keil Paths and Bushes and Community Involvement Several residents contacted me about the untidy and neglected footpaths through South Gyle. Unfortunately most of the “green” areas in South Gyle and Gogarloch are not Council owned and so I cannot ask our officers for help to clear them. So in conversation with local residents we held a Community Clean-Up Day. This was extremely successful in Portobello where the community cleaned up the Niddrie Burn and so I was certain that we could do the same here. And we did!

I have to admit that until our clear-up day I had no idea just how much the path is used by local people. Thanks to 13 residents, one dog and one Councillor we’ve started to made a difference! In conversation with the residents who helped I have agreed to look more closely at how we set up a “Friends of South Gyle Pathway” group, find out exactly who owns which bits of land and see if we can look to make more improvements to this neglected area. Thanks to everyone for chopping, brushing and picking up litter! We agreed that we could probably arrange a similar day sometime in November. I’ll let you know. Transport and Traffic Still the most discussed local topic in South Gyle! It was never going to be easy to make headway on the transport issues in South Gyle but I am happy to report the new height restriction barriers at South Gyle Station (and indeed Gyle Park car park) which have stopped the buses entering the car park. We have also arranged for yellow lines and white lines to be refreshed throughout the area. In the longer term – negotiations are still ongoing about preventing the buses coming through the residential areas all together. Things may change considerably when the new Edinburgh Business Gateway Railway station opens next year and there are concerns that the number of trains stopping at South Gyle Station will inevitably be reduced. Aware of these concerns I have been seeking reassurance from Scotrail that the new station will not adversely affect local residents. You will also have noticed: The resurfacing and a new pedestrian crossing in the Broadway as part of the housing development and the now occupied new houses at South Gyle Mews. All of these developments come with issues and concerns from existing residents and I can assure you that I do listen and try to address all the concerns which are raised with me. I’m aware that the road surface conditions in Wester Broom are particularly bad. I am working on this! Gala and Fairs My Labour colleagues and I were out and about at Corstorphine Fair and Clermiston and Drumbrae Gala over the summer, meeting as many people as we could. I’m always a supporter of local galas & fairs; even although my stance against the rising cost of staging such events was something that did get me into a spot of trouble with my SNP coalition colleagues! http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/corstorphine/labour- councillor-told-off-for-gala-fees-stance-1-4116437 Despite what you may read in the paper I was not in trouble with my Labour Party colleagues and I make no apology for sticking up for my communities! Events which bring the community together are in my view vital to creating successful, happy and vibrant places to live. It is one of the reasons I would like to encourage community involvement in the South Gyle / Gogarloch area. In June I joined 239th Brownies pack and employees from McDonald’s in a litter-pick on Gyle Park. The girls did very well collecting many bags of rubbish between them! It’s why I organised the Clean-up of South Gyle Pathway. I would like to see the field in Gogarloch or the big circle in South Gyle Wynd being used by the community, for the community. If you are interested let me know. Local Boundary Review The Scottish Government spent the past five years deliberating a “Local Boundary Review” for Scotland; considering in great detail how many councillors are required in various parts of the country. The proposed boundary changes were shared with councils before the last Scottish election but met with great opposition from some local authorities. The only proposed change to Drumbrae Gyle will be that Wester Broom will become part of Corstorphine and Forrester Park would become part of Drumbrae Gyle. The reasoning behind this …..… I have absolutely no idea! Like many other decisions from our SNP Government it appears half-baked but has cost money which could have been spent by local authorities!! On 26 May 2016 The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland submitted their reports and Final Recommendations for the number of councillors and the electoral ward boundaries in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities, to Scottish Ministers, following its Fifth Reviews of Local Government “If I have to lose Wester Broom I Electoral Arrangements. will be very sorry but I do For Edinburgh they are recommending an electoral arrangement of 63 sincerely hope that I have shown councillors representing 5x3-member wards and 12x4-member wards, what a Labour councillor can do increasing total councillor numbers by 5. There are also changes to the for the area. Corstorphine boundaries of some wards. Currently the 58 councillors represent 10x3-member Murrayfield ward could benefit wards and 7x4-member wards. The recommendations are currently being from having a Labour councillor considered by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business, who has too.” Karen Keil committed to a decision “in the next few weeks” on whether or not to accept the recommendations. Should the recommendations be accepted the Electoral Registration Officer will need to compile the 1 December 2016 register which will be the basis for the May 2017 election on the structure of the new wards. A limited review of polling places and districts may need to be undertaken by the Elections Team to ensure that polling arrangements remain appropriate across the city. Gyle Recreation Grounds Association (GRGA) Gyle Recreation Grounds Association (GRGA) is a registered local charity based at Gyle Park. It works together with the City of Edinburgh Council, local sports & leisure clubs in order to provide facilities for children & youth football, as well as Judo, and facilities for community groups to hold clubs and meetings. It is also working with the Gylemuir Community Playgroup to re-open the Gylemuir Community Centre which has been closed for some time now. GRGA is also working with several organisations on a project which it is hoped will deliver a new community sports hub and would be home to several sports clubs for football, cricket & rugby, as well as indoor sports clubs such as Judo. It will also be home to a Dementia Day Care Centre and provide a community cafe, gardens & an allotment. Anyone wishing to get involved, whether that's helping with maintenance of the football pitches, helping with funding, or simply wanting to hear news on the organisation please email: [email protected]

Surgery times: Every Friday, St Andrew's Church, Clermiston View 10 - 11 am 1st Saturday every month, Drumbrae Library, Drumbrae Drive 10.00 – 11.30 am Cllr Karen Keil, Labour Councillor, City Chambers, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ Tel: 0131 529 3261 or e-mail: [email protected]

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