Council elections 2017 – Pentland Hills

The current councillors for the Pentland Hills Ward are SNP Councillor Bill Henderson, Labour Councillor Ricky Henderson both of whom were elected at Stage One and Conservative Councillor Dominic Heslop who was elected at Stage Seven.

Councillor Bill Henderson and Councillor Dominic Heslop have announced that they iare resigning from the council.

The ward is now a four member ward. The 2017 candidates are :

BRUCE, Graeme (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

FARTHING, Emma (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

GARDINER, Neil (Scottish National Party (SNP))

HENDERSON, Ricky (Scottish Labour Party)

NOREIKIENE, Ernesta (Scottish National Party (SNP))

WEBBER, Susan (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

WESTON, Evelyn (Scottish Green Party)

The electorate in 2012 amounted to 18,002 and the turnout was 44.4% massively down from the 61.5% turnout in 2007.

This was the ward where a penguin Mike Professor Pongoo Ferrigan got more votes than the LibDem candidate Stuart Bridges.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Edinburgh by Numbers tells us that 58% of city residents, who work or study in Edinburgh, commute on foot, by bike or by public transport.[/tweet_box]

In this ward public transport is very important due to the fact that the Lanark Road which connects a large part of the ward to the city centre becomes very congested.

Graeme Bruce Conservative

Graeme lives in Balerno with his family and has been involved in numerous local organisations such as the Balerno Children’s Gala where he was Vice President and President.

Following on from the Gala committee he then cycled 500 miles from Balerno High School to Paris, raising £2,500 to buy a Smartboard for an English classroom. He also cycled 1,000 miles in 12 days around all 42 Scottish football clubs to help raise money for a 2G pitch at Balerno High School.

Graeme said: “My wife was born and brought up in Juniper Green and we have subsequently lived in Currie and Balerno for some 40 and 26 years respectively. We have raised our three children here and this is our community.”

“Having worked in the ICT sector as a Systems Analyst for nearly 30 years, both public and private sectors, it has always been about solving problems. I hope to utilise these skills along with my passion for helping people to make a positive difference in people’s lives as a Councillor for this ward.”

Emma Farthing Scottish Liberal Democrats

Neil Gardiner SNP

Neil Gardiner looks forward to representing the diverse communities of Balerno, Currie, Juniper green, Barberton, Wester Hailes, the Calders and Ratho if he is elected as a councillor for Pentland Hills on Thursday 4th May.

Neil works as a construction advisor for the NHS, serves on a local housing association board and has been active within a park friends group. As an architect, Neil is able to work for individuals and groups to achieve positive outcomes.

“I recognise that there are tremendous talent and potential within our varied communities. If elected I will work with community groups to realise this. in our Edinburgh manifesto, 1% of the overall budget will be determined by local communities to meet their priorities.

“This council election is about important local services. Within the financial restraints, the SNP will protect and where possible improve frontline services. As a party, we are committed to investing in education through early years, schools, training and apprenticeships. My working experience will help me to represent Pentland Hills across a range of areas including Planning, Housing and Health and Social Care.”

Ricky Henderson Labour

Edinburgh Labour candidate is Ricky Henderson who has been the Convener of Health and Social Care during the last administration. Councillor Henderson said: “It’s been a privilege to have been Councillor for the Pentland Hills ward since 2007.

“I have 18 years experience of representing local people and working with community groups and have been fortunate to carry out numerous different roles on the Council. I feel passionately about our city and the desire to help everyone enjoy what Edinburgh has to offer.

“Council services are under huge pressure due to budget cuts and increased demand for services like social care. Roads, pavements, schools, parks and libraries have all been squeezed but we must make the best use of the resources available.

“Pentland Hills is a diverse ward containing the communities of Wester Hailes, Baberton Mains, Juniper Green, Currie, Balerno and Ratho. I want to ensure that all our young people get the best possible start in life and go on to pursue their dreams whatever they may be.

“Tackling poverty and inequality will be key to that aim. People are living longer these days which is to be celebrated but we need more support in our communities to allow people to live their lives as independently as possible even if they don’t enjoy the best of health.”

Ernesta Noreikiene SNP

Ernesta told us : “I have been living in Scotland for more than five years and have made my home here in Wester Hailes. After the EU referendum, only the SNP stood up for EU nationals who have chosen to make their home here. I want to thank the SNP for supporting new Scots like me in these uncertain times. I am proud to be the only candidate from Wester Hailes in this election.

“The Scots are a welcoming and warm-hearted people. I love Edinburgh, it is a beautiful city and I want to play my part in making it an even better place for us all to live, work and bring up our children.

“Despite being born into a disadvantaged background and raised by a hardworking single mother, I went to University and gained a Master’s Degree in Political Sciences and a diploma in Philosophy.

“I benefited from free education and I believe that everyone should have an opportunity to access education, regardless of their ability to pay.

“If I am elected, I will fully engage with my local community and represent their interests on The City of Edinburgh Council. I will work hard and represent every resident of the ward equally. I will work to create a fairer and more equal city. Fairness and equality will be at the heart of everything the next SNP administration is trying to achieve.

“We’ve made good progress, but we need to continue working hard to address poverty and fight against the Tories’ austerity – protecting the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in our society. That is why I am asking you to cast both your votes for the SNP on 4^th of May.”

Susan Webber Conservative Party

Local resident Susan Webber has been selected to stand for Pentland Hills ward at the Council election on 4th May alongside Graeme Bruce.

Susan Webber lives in Juniper Green and has a small business in the healthcare industry providing products and services to hospitals and medical professionals. She grew up in the area and attended Juniper Green Primary and Currie High School. Her parents, Jim and Isobel, were active in the 65th Boys Brigade and now play active roles in Currie Kirk. In her spare time Susan volunteers as a local, regional and national hockey umpire, represents East District Hockey as the President (women’s) and in the past has also been involved in her local residents’ committee.

Susan said, “I am very aware of the current issues facing the Pentland Hills Ward through my active role in the residents’ community and wide network of friends and family in the area. Having returned to live locally over eleven years ago I am conscious of the challenges we face with planning applications relating to the Green Belt zones and also with the recent announcement of yet another local bank closure, this time in Juniper Green.”

Evelyn Weston Green Party

Evelyn Weston is the Green candidate for the Pentland Hills Ward.

Evelyn has been living in Edinburgh for the last ten years, active in the local community and a member of the Edinburgh Roller Derby League, Auld Reekie Roller Girls. She is passionate about bringing the community a greater involvement in Council planning through greater transparency of council activities and increased opportunities for community input on the decision-making process.

She is campaigning to introduce a Participatory Budgeting process to the Ward to allow the community to have a direct say in how funds are allocated to local services.