Local Government manifestos launched – Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – My Favourite Place – Mark Greenaway – Derren Brown

Edinburgh SNP  launched their manifesto for the upcoming council elections yesterday, with a commitment to put families and economic recovery at the heart of the Council’s work.

Key pledges include a commitment to immediately take forward vital roadworks at points of key strategic importance in the City, in order to make Edinburgh as an attractive a place to invest as possible, backed by an increased Road Maintenance budget of £20m. They comment that this contrasts with Edinburgh Labour’s plan to have a moratorium on all roadworks in the City for two years, which will choke off economic recovery.

The SNP will also put the city before politics by establishing a Consultative Board, made up of Group Leaders, to discuss issues of strategic importance to the City.

Other commitments include extending the Living Wage to all council employees, strengthening early years services by extending the range of programmes available to young people, and appointing a Care Champion to represent the interests of Carers across the City.

Speaking at the launch, Edinburgh SNP Group Leader Councillor Steve Cardownie said:

“Today we are launching our exciting policy platform for the great City of Edinburgh. This is the result of extensive consultation over the last few months with residents and it reflects their priorities.

“We know that economic recovery remains a top priority for everyone – that’s why Edinburgh needs a Council that will work closely with the Scottish Government and other councils to maximise our opportunities. We must keep building homes and improving our transport infrastructure – and these are at the heart of the SNP’s plans.

“With the Council having come from the brink of financial collapse in 2007 to being on a sound financial footing today, Edinburgh SNP candidates have a strong track record to put forward on the doorsteps.

“We are very excited about the next few years ahead and the SNP will work tirelessly to ensure that this great City has the council leadership it deserves.”

Pity they did not tell us when and where they were launching the manifesto otherwise we could have shown you our photos.

Today the Edinburgh LibDems are launching their manifesto.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie will join Edinburgh Liberal Democrat council candidates led by Jenny Dawe in launching their manifesto for the election on May 3rd.

The Liberal Democrats claim that as the senior partners in the administration of Edinburgh City Council since 2007 they have sorted out the huge financial mess Labour left behind, increased recycling, cut crime, boosted cycling, invested in road repairs, increased school attainment and improved services for older people.

In their manifesto they promote their record of action and a promise of more.

  • Better schools, education and life chances for our young people
  • Better growth, prosperity and quality of life
  • Better care and protection for our elderly and vulnerable
  • Better parks, street cleanliness, and regard for the environment
  • Better neighbourhoods
  • Better stewardship of resources
  • Better conditions for business
  • Better quality of life for all
We have a comprehensive list of all candidates standing for election to the council on 3 May 2012. There is also an individual profile for each with a copy of their election leaflet where we have been able to get hold of them.

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The Sheriff Court in Chambers Street hears both criminal and civil cases and on the Scottish Courts website here you can find out what is to be heard there today. One of the cases being heard there today involves someone who stood for election last year as an MSP… You can, if you wish, go along and sit in the public gallery at most of these cases. Some may be heard in private, but most are public to which you can get access. You must sit quietly however, and phones are usually banned except when tweeting has specifically been allowed, which it will be tomorrow at the High Court sentencing of convicted murderer, David Gilroy.

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Where is your favourite place in Scotland? What makes it special to you?

Scottish Book Trust and BBC Scotland want you to write about your favourite place in Scotland, whether it’s a remote beauty spot or an urban hideaway, a famous landmark or a favourite cafe.

“Did you holiday there? Is it the place you got married? We want to get Scotland writing, inspired by our country’s best-loved places.

Write a story, poem, song lyric, diary entry, letter or sketch about your favourite place, submit it on our website and your story could be appear in a book or be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland!

How to take part:

Write a story, poem, song lyrics, a short play or sketch, a letter or diary entry about your favourite place.

Submit your story

The title of the story should contain the name of the place, or the name that you know it by, perhaps a nickname the place has.

There is an upper limit of 1000 words for all entries.

The deadline for entries is 31st August 2012.”

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Mark Greenaway’s Great British Menu 2012 from the BBC 2 TV show is available at the restaurant from today. You can taste and experience the exact dishes designed and created on the show by renowned chef Mark Greenaway himself and judge it with your very own score card.

Available at Restaurant Mark Greenaway from Tuesday 17th April onwards at No.12 Picardy Place. Four courses –  £50 per person or £75 paired with wines per person. Call the restaurant on 0131 557 0952 to book.

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News just in from The Edinburgh Secret Society of a great competition prize which is available till close of business on Wednesday…..

On Saturday 21st April Richard is interviewing Derren Brown as part of theEdinburgh International Science Festival.  Derren rarely gives live interviews and tickets for this unusual event sold out within minutes of going on sale.

However, we have managed to get hold of two VIP tickets and are offering them to two lucky members of the Edinburgh Secret Society.

To enter our fun competition all you need to do is email EdinSecretSociety@gmail.com with a question that you would like to ask Derren.  We will look at all of the entries that we receive by 5pm on Wednesday 18th April and choose a winner.  The winner will get the tickets, front row seats and an opportunity to actually put your question to Derren during the event.

Only 1 email per person, and no offers of bribery allowed.

 

 

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