The City of Edinburgh Council is made up of several political parties. The administration is an SNP/Labour coalition, there is opposition in the form of Conservatives, Greens Liberal Democrats and four Independent councillors.
The four independent councillors were initially elected as members of the SNP and Conservative Groups and became independent politicians for a variety of individual reasons. Three of those have constituted a new political group called the Edinburgh Party of Independent Councillors (EPIC) and seek representation on council committees.
The main thrust of the matter was described in the report considered today like this : ‘to consider changes to committee membership to ensure political balance is maintained and appoint replacements to a number of outside body positions’.
Councillor Barrie spoke to council about the new political group and their desire to have places on the various committees. He explained that the three EPIC councillors were committed to sharing the burden of committee work and only wanted to be treated in the same way as other political groups on the council. He said he was bemused by the Green group’s suggestion that no changes would be made and asked the Deputy Lord Provost to rule it as ambiguous.
The membership of all council committees remains the same and you can find out the makeup of all of the committees by clicking here.
Afterwards Councillor Barrie told The Edinburgh Reporter : “Without doubt those that sought to apply the terms of reference for committee membership to EPIC today won the arguments at Full Council.
“I am hugely disappointed about the result that sees four elected councillors frozen out from committee work at City Chambers.
“I am even more disappointed that the electorate of Inverleith, Drum Brae Gyle and Leith Walk Wards will have less representation on Edinburgh Council than every other citizen in Edinburgh thanks to the actions of the SNP Labour coalition and the Green Party.
“In the middle of an General Election campaign I would like to hear how they explain this undemocratic course of action to the electorate.”
The Conservative Group wanted to increase the membership of the Policy and Sustainability Committee to 18 members with the additional place to be filled by a member from the EPIC group, but this was rejected.
Council Leader Adam McVey said : “I’m obviously disappointed by the comments made by Tory and Liberal Democrat Councillors in the chamber today. Whatever happens in the future, they can’t say they were unaware of the issues which led us to the position we took.”
It was decided at the meeting that Councillor Adam McVey will replace Councillor Frank Ross on BioQuarter Advisory Board.
Councillor George Gordon will replace Councillor Frank Ross on Capital City Partnership.
Councillor Kate Campbell will replace Councillor Frank Ross on CEC Holdings Limited.
Councillor Joan Griffiths will replace Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron on Joint Consultative Group.
Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron will replace Councillor Donald Wilson on the Board of Edinburgh Leisure.
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