Appointment of a new council leader
The City of Edinburgh Council’s final meeting of the year takes place at 10am this morning. While deputations are usually heard first before any other business, there are only two and one of those is written.
But the most pressing matter before the council of 61 councillors is to elect a new council leader and either a Labour group member to each of the positions vacated by Cllr Cammy Day who has been suspended by Scottish Labour and who can no longer lead the council. There is also the possibility of the council electing a whole new administration – or the matter could be continued until the end of January or beginning of February.
The main part of what will be discussed is in Item 6.1 of the agenda – but also, and perhaps more importantly in the amendments lodged by only some of the political groups.
- Labour have put forward a motion to appoint Cllr Jane Meagher to the position of Council Leader. Cllr Meagher was chosen as Group leader on Sunday. She will be joining the meeting virtually.
- Independent councillor Ross McKenzie has put himself forward to become Council Leader – which probably just gets him more time to speak on Thursday morning but possibly not any more votes.
- The SNP and Green groups are putting forward a proposed coalition. Read more about that here. This would replace the Labour administration which is currently running the council with only 10 councillors.
- The Liberal Democrats and Conservative groups have not put forward any position. While it is likely that the Liberal Democrats will prop up the Labour group, it is difficult to see that the Conservatives would.
- The possibilities are many, and we have explained at least some of them here.
The council meeting begins at 10am and the papers are here.
The Edinburgh Reporter asked Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Alex Cole Hamilton why his 13 councillors in Edinburgh were not stepping up to form an alternative administration and he said that “Labour deserve the opportunity to stay in power” if they can cobble the votes together.
At tomorrow’s council meeting the SNP @SimitaSKumar and Greens @susan4leithwalk @CllrChasBooth have proposed forming a new administration in Edinburgh, Labour want to hang on – and now it seems LibDem leader @agcolehamilton thinks they should have the opportunity to do so pic.twitter.com/WVjobksvYg
— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) December 18, 2024
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Community Wellbeing Collective
In Wester Hailes on Saturday the Wellbeing Collective invite you to celebrate the season with them from noon to 7pm (or any time in between.) There will be a community meal, crafts and an open mic at Westside Plaza. Read more here.
Bikes For Refugees
The cycling charity has a very simple mission. It would like to provide 100 children & young people with bikes and cycling accessories this Christmas. And everyone is asked to help.
With each bike the charity provides essential accessories as well as some information about free community services.
- £25 will help to get one child cycling
- £35 donation will get one teenager on a bike
- £50 donation will help the charity get one adult on a bike.
- And for £100 the charity can provide bikes to one family.
WICKED
Wicked fans are invited to a special Sing-Along screening at Vue on Boxing Day.
After becoming one of the most ‘popular’ big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
Based on the award-winning musical by Stephen Schwartz and now nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, Wicked tells the untold story of the wonderful land of Oz, exploring the unlikely friendship forged between green witch Elphaba and the popular Glinda.
Starring Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and pop star Ariana Grande as Glinda, fans will now be able to join in as the lyrics appear onscreen to their favourite tunes such as Popular and Defying Gravity, along with follow Ozians.
To add to this musical spectacle, ahead of this special sing-along version of Wicked, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have recorded a special vocal warm-up video, to get fans all set to join in with all of their favourite tunes.
Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue in Edinburgh Ocean, said: “Wicked has simply enchanted audiences since in launched in November, so we’re thrilled to be able to provide this spell-binding new way for fans to enjoy one of the biggest releases of the year.
“With tickets now on sale, we’re thrilled to invite Ozians and film fans alike to join in with every musical note and magical moment, all from the luxury of our comfortable leather seating and incredible surround sound.
“Of course, those looking to simply enjoy Wicked for the first time or once again, without singing along, we are still screening standard showings of the film for you to enjoy.”
To find out more, visit www.myvue.com
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
