Councillors choose new group leaders
The group of Scottish Green councillors on The Cuty of Edinburgh Council have elected Cllrs Susan Rae and Chas Booth as their new group co-conveners at their AGM on Monday.
Cllrs Rae and Booth take over from Cllrs Alys Mumford and Ben Parker who have been group co-conveners for the last two years.
Group leaders are paid more than others in the group for their roles in chairing group discussions, leading on questions to the council leader at meetings of full council, and representing the Green group at leaders’ meetings. The outgoing co-Conveners were both paid almost £10,000 more than the basic councillor rate which is set by The Scottish Government and which is currently just over £20,000.
Cllr Rae (Leith Walk) said: “I’m delighted that Chas and I were elected this evening as co-conveners of the Edinburgh Green Group. It’s a huge challenge to pick up the baton from Cllrs Mumford & Parker who have been incredible co-conveners for our group – from their amazing leadership to their organisational skills, political savvy and ability to inspire those around them. I hope to continue all of their work in that spirit. We have an amazing team of ten Green councillors in Edinburgh, and we look forward to all working together as an effective team to hold the administration to account.”
Susan Rae is the Green councillor for Leith Walk. She was first elected in 2017 and re-elected in 2022. An activist and feminist with a record of campaigning on local, national and international issues, Susan has campaigned with Women’s Aid, Women 50/50, Edinburgh Toys for Gaza and Edinburgh Anti-Cuts groups fighting fuel poverty, poll tax, bedroom tax, council cuts and austerity.
Cllr Chas Booth (Leith) said: “I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues in taking on this role, and want to pay tribute to the great work of Cllr Alys Mumford and Cllr Ben Parker over the last two years in the position. I look forward to working with Susan to continue their work of holding the council administration to account, especially on tackling the climate emergency and ending poverty. The Green group will continue to work constructively and will support the council administration when they get things right, but we will not hesitate to call them to account when they get things wrong.”
Chas Booth is the Green councillor for Leith. He was first elected in 2012 and has been re-elected twice. Chas lives in Leith with his wife and two children. Prior to his election in May 2012, Chas was a fuel poverty campaigner. He has also campaigned for Friends of the Earth Scotland and worked for the Green Party in the Scottish and European Parliaments.