Drum Brae Community Council Meeting

Tonight saw me head across the road to the Drum Brae Community Council meeting.  You really get a sense of community spirit here each month.  Another packed room in the Rannoch Centre saw all 3 incumbent Councillors in the one place at the one time.  You'd think there was an election coming up or something....

Anyhoo, here are some of the highlights as featured in my live tweet-a-thon using the #DrumbraeCC hashtag:

Good to hear crime down in #DrumBrae #Gyle ward - good work by local Police. ASB a key focus through youth engagement #DrumbraeCC

Exciting times! Audience interaction. All residents present to jot their policing priorities on a post-it note. #DrumbraeCC

Praise for the #drumbraelibraryhub - great facility and well worth the wait. Official opening this Friday at 1pm. #DrumbraeCC 

Barnton Hotel planning application for extra care assistance living housing - Public meeting at Cramond Kirk on 23/02 #DrumbraeCC 

Irresponsible Landlords a big issue at #DrumbraeCC - concerns over owners renting out to 'undesirables'. Letter to @paul_edie on it's way

Cold Calling a big issue in the area. Call for residents to work to get 51% in their area to respond to set up scheme #DrumbraeCC

When are the Council @west_team going to thin the trees in Drumbrae Park, asks one resident. #DrumbraeCC

That's all for tonight's #DrumbraeCC meeting - off home for Lady B's hame made beef n beer with roasties! #nomnomnom

Saturday session - cold but very rewarding as the campaign heats up

Whilst out and about on my travels on Saturday, I visited residents at Balfour Court ahead of the Disabled Parking Bays being put in place later this month.  These parking bays were something I fought for and delighted to have been able to make a difference.    Residents are eagerly awaiting this fantastic addition

Canvassing followed and it was off to the Craigs part of the world.  Casework coming out of speaking to people on the doorstep is part of the buzz of seeking election and I'll be putting pen to paper this week in order to get results for fed up residents. 

After a few hours door knocking, I took a trip to the Drum Brae Library Hub to pick up an application form to join the library (I've not been a member of a library since the I was about 13!) and also to pick up tickets to see Scotland Rugby legend Kenny Logan talk about his passion for rugby and his experiences of dyslexia.

Tickets for the event can be obtained through the contact details here: http://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/blogs/2012/02/kenny-logan-drumbrae-library-hub

Disabled parking spaces concessions gained for Balfour Court residents

It's been a busy and enjoyable start to the New Year, with success to report already.
Following complaints from residents in Balfour Court about the lack of disabled parking spaces, I am delighted to have arranged for disabled-only car parking spaces outside Blocks 1 and 8.

After consultation with Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association, I have obtained the following concessions which will benefit many residents who have contacted me with mobility issues.

• Paint disabled only symbols on three of the four spaces outside block 1 (as highlighted in my quality graphic above!)
• Paint disabled only symbols on one of the three spaces outside block 8
• Arrange a sign for the entrance to the car park saying "strictly residents only".

This work is due to be carried out either towards the end of February or early in March.

Positive action sees Gylemuir grit bin issues sorted in 48 hours

Following complaints by residents in Gylemuir on the 15th that their grit bins hadn't been filled despite contacting the Council a total of 4 times, I'm delighted to hear from a resident today that, just 48 hours later, the grit bins have been replenished.

Whilst the weather this year has been more mild than last year, it does not mean that the Council can avoid doing the basics to ensure that residents are prepared if the weather does get worse.

Winter Weather Preparation a must for Drum Brae / Gyle

I've been working hard recently to keep up the pressure on the Council to ensure the city is prepared for winter weather.

Thanks to my Conservative colleagues at the City Chambers, the city is now better prepared if we have a repeat of the terrible weather we had last winter. Whilst the city centre was cleared relatively quickly, it was the outlying areas such as the Drum Brae / Gyle area that took too long to clear.

The following actions will take place should snow fall like last year:

1: More roads have been designated 'Category 1' meaning they will be cleared with greater urgency. For an interactive map of where your local grit bin is, and information on what category your road is, search online for 'Edinburgh Council' and Winter road and pavement maintenance'

2: 680km of Priority 1 pavements have been identified to be treated by the Council's 20 mini-tractors in the event of snow. These include pedestrian access to schools, medical facilities and essential local shopping areas.

3: Increased the Council's salt stocks from 7200 tonnes that were held at the start of last winter, to over 25,000 tonnes to be in place by the end of October.

If you have any further queries or issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch, or if you have any questions regarding the above items, please contact the Council's Winter Weather Team or email: winter.maintenance@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 529 3685

Drum Brae Community Council Meeting

Tonight I made my first visit to the Drum Brae Community Council at the Rannoch Centre.

A great sense of community pride and spirit was on show tonight and I for one will be keen to be involved in the heart of the area to assist residents in their aims.

Key things coming out of tonight included a disappointing rise in crime (circa 14% on year) in Drum Brae / Craigmount. Police put this down to activity around Bughtlin Market.

Road checks were to continue at Drum Brae Drive.

The Community Hub & Library appears to be very well received by everyone in attendance and it's opening in January is eagerly awaited.

Cold Calling Zones were discussed at length. Interestingly, it was noted that each area must have 51% of residents willing to sign up to the scheme.

Launch of Clean Streets Campaign

Today I launched my Clean Streets Campaign for Drum Brae / Gyle.

I believe that too many politicians, once elected, forget that people want the council to do the basics - like keep their streets clean, run their schools and look after those that need our help the most.

There are obviously wider issues than just these, but if we can't get the basics right, then what message are we sending about our city?

I want you to get in touch with me about problems in your local area and I'll petition the Council to get it fixed.

Whether it's bins uncollected, dog fouling, grafitti or anything that affects your local area, let me know and I'll get it sorted.

Just ring me on 0776 4149767 or email me at mark.brown @ scottishconservatives.com (take out the spaces either side of the @ - it's there to save me getting lots of spam!)

I'm backing Community Councils - Why not get Involved?

For the past few years, Mark has been involved in local community councils across Edinburgh. As a new resident to this ward, Mark intends to visit our two community councils in the area, Drum Brae and Corstorphine, as each will play a vital role in our communities and will have an important role in local democracy.

If you want to know more about what the council is doing in your area and more importantly, if you want a say in what the council is doing in your area, then getting involved in your local community council is the best way to do it.

If you want to find out more about the community council in your area, you can contact the Community Council Liaison and Development Officer on 469 6203 or email community.councils@edinburgh.gov.uk

Mark Brown selected to fight Drum Brae / Gyle seat

Mark Brown has been selected by local Conservatives to fight the Council ward of Drum Brae / Gyle. The area spreads from The Gyle at its most southerly, up to Drum Brae and the Barnton Junction and across to Clermiston.

Mark, 38, has lived in Edinburgh all his life and is married to Laura. Mark works as a client services manager providing cash flow solutions for small businesses. Outside the office, Mark enjoys playing Cricket for the Woodcutters CC & Holy Cross CC and was President of Broughton Rugby Club from 2006-2011.

Mark is looking forward to meeting as many local residents as possible between now and the election to find out what the real issues are on the doorsteps throughout the ward.

He said, “I am proud to have been selected as the Conservative candidate in the Drum Brae / Gyle ward. This is a ward that plays an integral role in shaping Edinburgh’s economy, through it being home to many of the key players in the financial industry and the iconic Gyle Shopping Centre. It’s also a great part of Edinburgh in terms of its recreational facilities and green spaces.

My message is a simple one. I believe that it is time for change and a time for real leadership in the Council. This will only come from understanding the needs and aspirations of the people that politicians are here to serve. Politicians must stop seeing themselves as a special breed, destined to the ‘statesmen’.

I will be someone who will put local people first, someone who will understand their problems and represent and fight for their interests. My number one priority is to help people make the best of their lives. We must always work towards a bigger and better Edinburgh and whilst maintaining core political principles, I am more than willing to work with others in the multi-member Ward to deliver a blueprint to help shape Edinburgh’s future.”

You can contact Mark through the office, email him direct at mark.brown@scottishconservatives.com