Raised in Parliament Commonwealth Games legacy in Edinburgh Improving recycling in urban areas Opposed unfair changes to child maintenance payments Spoke against persecution of Christians in Middle East Police action to tackle violence against women Health impact of overprovision of licenced premises Air quality in Edinburgh Supported tenants recovering illegal fees Edinburgh Supported Hearts ditching a payday loan sponsor Fair trade purchasing in the public sector Central News Member of the Scottish Parliament Supporting Edinburgh for Edinburgh Central Supported successful campaign on a bus route for Dumbiedykes NEWS IN BRIEF Met with Friends of the Meadows to discuss how the Meadows are used during the festival Fighting for a better Time for answers Campaigned on broadband access in the city private rented sector centre on the trams St Stephen’s Centre saved Supported introducing Land and Buildings for community use With the trams now running, most I’ve been a consistent critic of the Transaction Tax, which means a homebuyer will Edinburgh residents will now be business plan for the trams and pay over £4,000 less tax than before on an Edinburgh fire control happy to see their city return to I’ve yet to be convinced that average central Edinburgh property worth centre saved normality after years of disruption. they’ll make money in the long £265,231. But that disruption came at a term. Water of Leith flood defences massive cost and caused huge The fact that the premium route funding agreed damage to many businesses. The from the airport to the city centre Contact Marco Biagi public deserve to know why the takes longer than the bus service Student housing in Southside tram project spiralled out of control. – at a higher cost – shows that the raised in Parliament I was delighted when the First shortened route may struggle to Constituency Office Weekly surgeries Minister agreed, after I raised the find a viable purpose. 77 Buccleuch Street Mondays at 6:30pm, 77 Buccleuch St Advice line launched issue in Parliament, to establish a Edinburgh EH8 9LS for older people I’ve argued that there must be an Extra surgeries public inquiry into the handling of extension, likely down Leith Walk, [email protected] Second Monday of the month Campaign to save the tram project. for the trams to become financially 0131 348 6482 (parliament) 10.30am Saughtonhall Community Association, the Picture House We need to learn the lessons from sustainable. 0131 668 3642 (constituency) Saughtonhall Avenue these failures in order to have But doing so will be a challenge for 12.00pm St Bride’s Centre, Orwell Terrace confidence in infrastructure the City of Edinburgh Council, and www.marcobiagi.com 1.30pm Stockbridge Library, Hamilton Place projects in the future. likely won’t carry public support MarcoBiagiMSP Appointments available but not necessary. But there are still real concerns until we know exactly why the The cost of this publication has been met from Parliamentary resources. The Parliament is not responsible for the content of other internet sites. about the viability of the trams as initial project went so badly wrong they stand and whether they’ll be a - which is why the tram inquiry is Marco Biagi, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Central (Scottish National Party) drain on the public purse. so badly needed. Fire control centre saved Earlier this year plans to close some regional fire control rooms, the vital communication organs at the heart of the service, were announced. I was deeply concerned about the impact the closure of the Edinburgh control room would have had on the quality of service, and lobbied management to keep Edinburgh open. I am delighted that the long-term future of the Edinburgh control Learning about the Getting a grilling from Signing joint letter to fire service room has now been secured. value of CPR training Tynecastle High pupils with other Edinburgh MSPs in saving lives in Parliament Making private Student housing Southside Save the Picture House There is currently a cluster of the big corporate student blocks Edinburgh’s music lovers were big cities in attracting touring renting work proposed developments of charge rent at the high end of the shocked when the Picture House artists. One of the biggest issues I encounter is student accommodation in the market and a concentration of venue on Lothian Road was sold to The Picture House has since sat housing. Edinburgh Central has a Southside of Edinburgh, and many these could push up the going rate J D Wetherspoon. empty and unused while JD comparatively high level of people in residents have expressed concern in the area for student and non- Although Edinburgh’s cultural Wetherspoon apply for permission private rented accommodation and I’ve that expensive private developers student alike. scene is thriving, there is a to convert the building into another been determined to improve the are pushing out affordable homes. One reason for the number of shortage of venues that allow us to superpub in an area already well private rental market, both for tenants I secured a Members’ Debate in these developments is that private compete with Glasgow and other catered by licenced establishments. and for landlords. the Scottish Parliament on this student developers are exempt This year I supported the Scottish issue in October, but this from the requirement to include Government’s Housing Bill, which will unfortunately had to be the equivalent of 25% affordable Advice Line launched for elderly St Stephens improve the rental market by regulating postponed due to legal action housing that other residential I recently met Esther Rantzen in the which has helped countless letting agents and provide a stream- being taken against the developments face. This gives Centre Scottish Parliament to discuss Silver vulnerable children over the years. lined tribunal system for both tenants development at Lutton Court. student developments an in-built advantage when any city centre Line Scotland, a helpline for the The sale of the St Stephens and landlords if disputes arise. Edinburgh is a diverse community Silver Line Scotland is available to Centre in Stockbridge raised land comes onto the market. elderly launched in partnership with offer information, advice and This Bill also ended the sell-off of social and we need a mix of housing that concerns that a much-loved Age Scotland. riendship, 24 hours a day, for those housing under Right to Buy legislation. reflects that. Custom built student As constituency MSP for building could be lost for Esther Rantzen was previously who need it. Silver Line Scotland can This is in addition to previous changes accommodation is part of that, Edinburgh Central, I have raised community use. and the university’s developments this issue with City of Edinburgh involved in launching ChildLine, be contacted on: 0800 4 70 80 90. which I’ve supported, including I followed developments tightening legislation to prevent letting on its’ own land will play a role in Council, who are responsible for meeting increasing demand. But this policy. closely and supported an agents charging illegal admin fees, and unsuccessful bid for ensuring that deposits are handled by community ownership. third party schemes. Water of Leith flood defences I was glad that the new owner In response to a parliamentary question Since my election in 2011 I have money could have been intends to invest in the I asked, the Scottish Government actively pursued the issue of a available if the Council Leader building and keep it in use for confirmed that they will bring forward shortfall in funding for vital flood had argued for a change in the community. another Housing Bill before the end of de-fence works in eligibility rules in the COSLA I was particularly happy that this parliamentary term. Murrayfield/Roseburn due to Leaders Group. the new owner has agreed over-spend on the first stage of The Scottish Government has run a Phase 2 of the project now looks with my suggestion that the the project. consultation on introducing a new type set for completion after the board of the new charitable of tenancy and on introducing controls The Scottish Government have Council agreed to increase trust, which will be given on rent increases. invested £32million in Water of funding, which I’m sure will be ownership of the Centre, will As the MSP for Edinburgh Central, I Leith flood defences, and more of great relief to those affected. include local residents. want to see an accessible, affordable and high-quality housing market in the area. Working for Edinburgh Working for Edinburgh.