Tonight I took part in a lively panel debate at the West Edinburgh Community Safety Panel 'Policing & Community Safety Evening' at the Capital Hotel in Clermiston.
The event was very useful indeed, with the opportunity to meet with safety panel members, local police, neighbourhood watch members, the local community safety team; community organisations and the local community more generally.
The evening kicked-off with a presentation by Lothian & Borders Police Community Safety Team and the Neighbourhood Watch.
Then the main event of the evening! The panel discussion including Q&A on community safety; policing (in particular the proposed single police force for Scotland) and other local related issues with questions coming from a healthy sized audience.
Alongside me on the panel were SNP City of Edinburgh Council for Forth Ward Cllr Elaine Morris; Lib Dem CEC Cllr Robert Aldridge; Labour CEC candidate for Corstorphine & Murrayfield Tom McInally; with Chief Inspector Murray Dykes representing L&B police. The panel Chair was BBC Sports Commentator & Broadcaster Paul Mitchell.
There were a wide range of topics on the go, including Cold Calling Zones which are proving to be a blight in the West of the City as a whole.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
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.
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.
Friday, 1 July 2011
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 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!)
Trams - Common Sense Please!
On Thursday 30th June, Council Administration took the enormous decision to complete the tram project to St Andrew's Square at a cost of £770 million.
Council officials have now been given two months to try to fill the gap of over £200 million before everything is finalised. The truly shocking part of this decision though is the childish way in which the ruling Lib Dem / SNP administration has bickered with each other, whilst on their watch this project has crumbled.
Since the trams were first given the green light, the Conservatives have consistently called for decisive leadership from the administration who have been found wanting. To make matters worse, the SNP have been behaving as if they opposed the trams when in fact they have voted for the business case and project 13 times.
If that wasn't bad enough, the SNP's call for a referendum was not thought through and if enacted, would have likely seen the contractor take the Council to court, no doubt costing the city even more money.
At the meeting, the only sensible option was proposed by Conservative Councillors, who called for more information on the costs before any final decision was made. Ridiculously, no justification for the cost has been given to the public, as figures are deemed to be 'commercially sensitive'.
To not give us any figures is just a farce. If the Lib Dems are going to take such an enormous decision with such a huge amount of public money, then we need to be open and transparent about all the options before a decision is made.
This was a project that was started by the Labour Party, badly managed by the SNP and the Lib Dems and not once have any of the people responsible apologised to the people of Edinburgh for the mess that has been made.
Council officials have now been given two months to try to fill the gap of over £200 million before everything is finalised. The truly shocking part of this decision though is the childish way in which the ruling Lib Dem / SNP administration has bickered with each other, whilst on their watch this project has crumbled.
Since the trams were first given the green light, the Conservatives have consistently called for decisive leadership from the administration who have been found wanting. To make matters worse, the SNP have been behaving as if they opposed the trams when in fact they have voted for the business case and project 13 times.
If that wasn't bad enough, the SNP's call for a referendum was not thought through and if enacted, would have likely seen the contractor take the Council to court, no doubt costing the city even more money.
At the meeting, the only sensible option was proposed by Conservative Councillors, who called for more information on the costs before any final decision was made. Ridiculously, no justification for the cost has been given to the public, as figures are deemed to be 'commercially sensitive'.
To not give us any figures is just a farce. If the Lib Dems are going to take such an enormous decision with such a huge amount of public money, then we need to be open and transparent about all the options before a decision is made.
This was a project that was started by the Labour Party, badly managed by the SNP and the Lib Dems and not once have any of the people responsible apologised to the people of Edinburgh for the mess that has been made.
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
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
Thursday, 30 June 2011
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
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
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