The new Transport & Environment Convener in Edinburgh is most likely going to be Cllr Stephen Jenkinson after approval at Thursday’s council meeting.
Cllr Jenkinson represents Pentland Hills Ward, and he is largely responsible for his own fate. He was Cllr Scott Arthur’s election agent during the general election, leading to Cllr Arthur being returned as the MP for Edinburgh South West and then resigning as Transport Convener leaving a vacancy to fill.
It will also lead to a by-election in the Colinton/Fairmilehead Ward in due course when Cllr Arthur steps down, as he has said he will.
Cllr Jenkinson is the administration nominee for the biggest public-facing role on the council covering the city’s roads, footpaths and potholes, bin collection and cleansing, and is the one which affects most people in the city most directly.
First elected in 2022 as Labour councillor for Pentland Hills Ward, he is Edinburgh born and bred. Stephen went to Boroughmuir High School and lives in south Edinburgh. He joined RBS more than 30 years ago and has worked his way up the ranks to become a senior IT specialist.
Council Leader, Cllr Cammy Day, said: “I’m really pleased that the council is to appoint Cllr Jenkinson as the new Transport Convener, to follow in the footsteps of the great work that’s been led by Cllr Scott Arthur.
“But of course I am also pleased that Cllr Arthur has been elected to the UK Government, and is now handing that realm over to Cllr Jenkinson to lead on the many transport initiatives in making the city more active.
“He will also progress major transport and environment issues like the pedestrianisation of George Street, the Trams from north to south Edinburgh, and taking forward the many environmental issues to make the city cleaner, greener and a better place to live in. I am confident that Cllr Jenkinson will take this up with vigour.”
Papers have now been published for the full council meeting which takes place at the City Chambers on Thursday and can be found here.
The papers do not contain any written amendments from other political groups seeking to appoint a Convener from among their own ranks, but it is always open to political groups to propose one verbally during the meeting, though other groups are unlikely to have that approved.
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