Edinburgh

GIVING YOU BACK YOUR CITY Greens pledge to put decision making in the Green News ›› page 4 hands of the people.

The paper for green issues in , Spring 2012 www.edinburghgreens.org.uk

MEANWHILEA CLEARER VIEW ON GREEN SPACES FIGHTING CUTS SUSTAINABLE INCOUNCIL STIRLING PROJECTS UNDER THREAT IN EDUCATION ENERGY OPTIONS Green councillors demand Greens put pupil interest first end to secrecy in project in council decisions. delivery. ›› page 3 ›› page 2 ›› page 4 ›› page 3 Working to Make Edinburgh a Better Place welfare cuts and ensure that Scotland’s Edinburgh is a fantastic capital energy economy is built on renewable city – but is has been let down badly resources. by poor leadership. The Greens in Since 2007, when Greens first sat Edinburgh have a fresh and exciting on Edinburgh’s Council, its three Green agenda for the city and look set Councillors have campaigned to keep to build on the support they have Council services publicly run. They maintained during 2011. They are have worked to protect the hearts of asking you to look at their record our communities by saving schools, and back them in the May 2012 local community centres and green spaces. government elections. Edinburgh Green MSP Alison Johnstone represents Lothians in the They have won measures that keep our In the Holyrood elections, Greens , and is a leading figure in Green campaigns in the city. streets safer and less polluting, and our were the only opposition party to neighbourhoods thriving places we’re CREATE more green jobs and and retain a local facility that helps hold their ground, and not lose any proud to live in. support Edinburgh’s local businesses children and families stay active and seats. Green MSPs and Greens now pledge to: and high streets; healthy. Edinburgh’s Alison Johnstone (pictured) GIVE Edinburgh back to its citizens, PRIORITISE SPENDING to prevent It’s time for a fresh, new Council in continue to represent Green values of involving our communities more in problems before they require more Edinburgh - voting Green this May will fairness, caring and sustainability in the decisions that affect them; costly solutions; for example by help ensure the Council puts giving Scottish Parliament. They have fought continuing to support campaigns like power back to its citizens, sustainable to protect Scotland from Westminster Splashback! to save Leith Waterworld jobs, well-being and fairness first. Greens Say No To Privatisation The Liberal Democrat-SNP led developing proposals to allow big Privatisation would mean services administration wasted £3m on a Council in Edinburgh has pushed businesses to profit running everyday being run to suit the contractors, not process that was always going to fail. forward plans to privatise a wide range public services. residents. We are clear that public “We will continue to oppose the of local services. The scheme is called The first set of proposals, for services must be protected. They Liberal Democrat-SNP plans to hand “Alternative Business Model” and it emptying your bins and cleaning the should be run for the public good - not services over to profit-motivated is being vehemently opposed by the streets, were rejected by the Council private profit. big business. The Council needs to Edinburgh Greens. in November. Green Councillors Green Councillor focus on how to support residents in Everything from waste collection were among the few who opposed said: “This proposal to allow big dealing with the cuts being forced on to providing school meals has been privatisation from the start. business into the Council was always it by the Westminster and Holyrood targeted. The Liberal Democrats and Greens reject such plans because deeply flawed. With huge pressure governments. It should not be wasting the SNP have spent around £3million we want citizens to have their say on Council budgets it is unforgivable time and money on exotic PFI-style of council tax payers’ money on in how their services are delivered. that the Liberal Democrat-SNP schemes.”

www.edinburghgreens.org.uk Edinburgh Green News the paper for green issues in Edinburgh, Spring 2012 PROTECTING OUR GREEN SPACES Edinburgh Greens believe we must be the custodians of our green spaces and protect them from unwarranted encroachment. Councillor Alison Johnstone is delighted that the Save Inverleith Park campaign succeeded in its fight to stop the proposed sell-off of an integral part of the park. Members of the Green Party were active in the campaign and a petition of over 8,000 signatures was presented to the . Campaigners now want it designated as ‘open space’ to protect against future development. “PRESERVING PRECIOUS Cllr Alison Johnstone joins Nigel Bagshaw local community council chair and Green candidate GREEN SPACES for Inverleith, and members of the Save Inverleith campaign outside the City Chambers. IN OUR CITY IS ESSENTIAL...”

Despite this particular success, Cllr Johnstone warned that green Our Enterprising City spaces in Edinburgh continue to be under threat. Alison said: “We cannot afford to be complacent. The new development at Craighouse Campus Needs More Green Jobs continues to concern local residents Greens are pledging to stimulate Edinburgh Greens pledge to create UPGRADING boilers to the most who value this historic beauty spot as Edinburgh’s economy while protecting green jobs while addressing other energy-efficient models, making a place to meet, walk and play.” the environment and creating more issues facing the city by: savings for householders on their The developers propose green jobs. But just what makes a job INSULATING every home in the energy bills. building new houses on the green? city, helping to improve the energy BUILDING more social housing site and converting the existing The United Nations defines a efficiency of homes and taking people on Edinburgh’s many brownfield historic buildings into homes. green job as one that, “contributes out of fuel poverty. sites, instead of developing executive Alison Johnstone said: “I share substantially to preserving or restoring INSTALLING solar panels on every housing on green belt land far from any local residents’ concerns that this environmental quality.” This means that Council-owned property, helping the amenities. development will restrict access if your work involves ways in which you Council to generate much needed There’s no secret to green jobs: to this well-used landscape and help society to become more energy funds and helping tenants reduce their they are the welders and plumbers, increase traffic across the site. efficient, to improve the quality of the power bills. engineers and builders that are already Preserving precious green spaces in housing stock, to generate renewable MAKING more public transport living next door to you. Greens want our city is essential for the health of electricity or to reduce householder’s options available; making it easier to more of them working across the city our environment and the health of heating bills, then you already have a move around the city as well as get in to make a fairer, greener Edinburgh. everyone.” green job. and out. Greens: No Council Contracts for Tax Dodgers Currently Vodafone, who allegedly avoided £4.8bn There is a great deal of accumulated wealth in the country. But there are far of tax on a merger deal, provide the Council’s mobile phone too many people, from large corporate firms to the local ‘black economy’, who contract. She said: “Vodafone can’t have their cake and eat it. Either they avoid are dodging paying taxation. Without tax, our schools, hospitals and public tax and we boycott them or they pay their tax and win public contracts. I’m fed services will grind to a halt. up with profiteering private companies dodging tax when they make money on Greens have demanded an end to Council contracts for companies that the back of services we all pay for. Such companies should never be considered dodge tax. Currently in the UK around £70bn a year in tax is illegally evaded for public contracts. Edinburgh’s share of the Vodafone £4.8bn could help us and another £50bn is avoided or not paid in time according to the Tax Justice avoid cuts to vital local services.” Network. That amounts to nearly a billion pounds every year for Edinburgh. Green MP Caroline Lucas is proposing a bill at Westminster to make it Greens believe that avoiding tax – and this includes everyday taxes - is more difficult for companies to avoid tax. The bill will make it easier to recover wrong and even worse when the Council is being forced to make cuts by the billions of pounds of lost tax by forcing companies to be more transparent in Westminster and Holyrood Governments. their accounting. Caroline Lucas said: “The first aim of this Bill is to tackle the Green Councillor Maggie Chapman (pictured) has demanded the Council scandalous reality that around 500,000 companies every year appear not to be stop using companies that avoid tax and so stop supporting tax avoidance. paying tax in the UK.”

Edinburgh Green News the paper for green issues in Edinburgh, Spring 2012 www.edinburghgreens.org.uk EDINBURGH MUST ADOPT FIVE WAYS TO FIVE-POINT WELL-BEING PLAN WELL-BEING 1. Connect with the people around you, with family, friends, FOR A FULLER LIFE colleagues and neighbours. Many in Edinburgh enjoy a very Green Councillor Steve Burgess Invest time in developing these high quality of life – but we need (pictured) said: “Feeling secure relationships as the corner to make this possible for everyone. economically is crucial for your well- stones of your life. Green Councillors have called for being, for instance having a secure job 2. Be active. Exercise makes Edinburgh to “go beyond money” in and a pension. Or a decent place to you feel good, particularly if you improving lives, in a city where stay. That requires a stable economy, find an activity you enjoy that’s well‑being is within everyone’s reach. not one based on growth at all costs right for your level of mobility, Drawing on independent and then slump. whether walking, dancing, research from the New Economics Steve emphasised the most playing games, cycling, or even Foundation, Greens want the Council important factor for well-being is singing. to help people achieve “Five Ways to the quality and support of personal 3. Take notice: be aware of Well‑being”. The concepts have been relationships. “It is encouraging to the world around you. Spot the adopted in NHS Lothian’s strategy for learn that, once basic needs are met, beautiful, notice the unusual. mental health and well-being, but we can lead happier, more fulfilling Reflecting on your experiences Greens want Edinburgh Council to go lives without spending more money.” helps you appreciate what much further in promoting them. matters to you. 4. Keep learning: try something new, or rediscover an old interest. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things makes you more confident. 5. Give. Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Join a community group, volunteer your time. Look out as well as in. Linking to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding. www.neweconomics.org/ programmes/well-being Greens Demand A Clearer View

Alison Johnstone with supporters of the Moving Planet March of All Council Why Leith Biomass is a Projects It’s simple: local services that She said: “It’s time to make sure fulfil the needs of local people. So that Council services and projects Wasted Energy Option why hive off services to arms-length are fully transparent. Having arms- companies we can’t inspect and can’t length companies may prevent the While Greens have been burning imported wood from other control? Greens have called for an Council properly discharging its duty campaigning globally – they are parts of the world. The campaigners end to Edinburgh Council’s policy of of oversight over these projects. And also energetic in acting locally too. have accurately shown the widespread running council services and projects, boy, didn’t we need more oversight on Councillor Alison Johnstone joined effects of this development. This is including property companies and trams? protesters at the Moving Planet not just a local issue of unnecessary the trams, using wholly owned “One of the key lessons from the march in September to the Scottish disruption and pollution, but part companies. trams debacle is that we must avoid Parliament. The event called for of a growing problem linked to Councillors have been unable creating secretive companies to deliver a sustainable energy future and global issues such as destruction of to answer serious questions about projects.” highlighted a national problem forests and human rights abuses of the tram project because of tie Ltd’s Greens demand that the details which has global implications – the other communities. This is not the company status. The argument of all Council contracts and the four proposed unsustainable Forth sustainable energy of the future we are that this is about ‘commercial accounts and papers of wholly owned Energy biomass plants at the ports of looking for. confidentiality’ simply does not wash companies should be made readily Dundee, Grangemouth, Rosyth and “I look forward to working alongside anymore with Edinburgh voters. available to members of the public, Leith. other campaigners and activists that Green Councillor Maggie Chapman in exactly the same way as Council Speaking at the rally, Alison said: want to work towards a more realistic has demanded an investigation into reports and minutes are today. “The proposed Leith Biomass plant and genuinely sustainable energy wholly owned Council companies would be a large-scale power station future for Edinburgh.” such as tie Ltd. www.edinburghgreens.org.uk Edinburgh Green News the paper for green issues in Edinburgh, Spring 2012 FIGHTING FOR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION From nursery to secondary made. It must be clear there is real schools, Greens continue to put educational benefit to children and children’s educational benefit ahead not the Council’s short term financial of short term financial savings. position. Such decisions could have Greens Education spokesperson an impact on current pupils and Councillor Alison Johnstone helped future generations and must be well force the Council to provide more informed.” Greens Will Give evidence on how pupils’ education On the same theme, Cllr will benefit from changes to the Johnstone asked the Council for management of secondary schools. broader research into the impact of “The Council have not presented any school starting ages and the costs Edinburgh Back evidence to suggest the proposed involved in nursery schools. Alison reduction in staffing will have any said: “It’s one thing to want to make educational benefits. Understandably, savings through reducing the number this is of great concern to teachers, of pupils delaying primary school to the People parents and staff alike. entry, but we should only pass policy Edinburgh Greens have pledged to give citizens back their city. Over “We must place children at the when we have broad and robust the past four years Edinburgh has suffered from gross mismanagement and centre of these decisions. A case evidence on the educational benefits massive damage to its standing and reputation. Too many decisions have for the cuts to senior secondary of school entry ages.” been taken behind closed doors by people unaccountable to the voters. school posts has not yet been The Council has ceased to serve its people and local communities and instead is serving the interests of a tiny elite. The Greens will stop this, and will give power back to the people of Edinburgh. SINGING FOR A GREEN FUTURE The trams disaster and the grotesque waste of £3 million on proposals for Award-winning singer-songwriter KARINE POLWART is to host a special the failed ‘Alternative Business Model’ privatisation scheme are a wake-up call event for the Green party at the end of March. to all of us. Greens have called for an investigation into companies such as tie Karine said: “I’m delighted to be hosting this evening to help the Greens gain ltd, which was responsible for the tram project failure. even more councillors. The party is not beholden to millionaire backers or big Greens have opposed removing the local power to fund local projects with companies yet its message needs to be heard even more urgently than ever.” the decision-making being handed to unaccountable officials. Greens have Karine Polwart appears on 28 March at Greyfriars Kirk. Tickets £12 (£8 conc) from also piloted the popular £eith Decides project to allow www.thebooth.co.uk or 0796 702 1708. See also www.karinepolwart.com people in local neighbourhoods to decide who benefits from Council grants. Greens want to create an open and transparent administration that doesn’t hide what it is doing from citizens. Greens want a Council that involves the people Can you help? of Edinburgh. For too long the Council has discounted the people of Edinburgh, and placed its trust in vested interests. Can you help the Edinburgh Greens win in the Edinburgh Council Elections, and help to Only when we make the Council answer to the tackle the issues raised in this newspaper? You can make the difference! Remember that the people of Edinburgh, not national and multi-national elections use a transferrable vote system, and your ward has several councillors. Even if you corporate interests or personal agendas, will we be don’t vote Green first, you can still help by voting Green with your second or third vote. able to avoid another tram crisis or privatisation fiasco. The Council can then concentrate on what matters to ordinary people: creating jobs, caring for our Yes, I will help by: neighbourhoods, educating our children and looking Voting Green to elect a candidate as the Green councillor for Edinburgh on 3 May after the vulnerable. Putting up an election poster in my window Delivering some leaflets in my area www.edinburghgreens.org.uk Doing some paperwork, such as stuffing envelopes Making a donation Follow us on twitter: Please return @EdinburghGreens Joining the this form to: Edinburgh Greens 20 Graham Street Or find us on Facebook: Name Edinburgh www.facebook.com/EdinburghGreens EH6 5QR Address or email: The Scottish Green Party (Edinburgh Branch) 20 Graham Street, Postcode [email protected] Edinburgh EH6 5QR Telephone t. 08700 772207 e. [email protected] Email w. www.edinburghgreens.org.uk

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Edinburgh Green News the paper for green issues in Edinburgh, Spring 2012 www.edinburghgreens.org.uk