Scottish cities need more devolved powers - Jane Meagher
The role of leader of the council has taken me to places that I never imagined when I took up this job. Last week I attended the sixth meeting of the UN Forum of Mayors in Geneva where I spent two days with city leaders from all over the world.
We discussed the challenges that we all face and shared some of the solutions that are being trialled and implemented. The remarkable thing was the number of problems in common we have.
While the specifics changed from place to place, we are all struggling to provide adequate affordable housing, safe and sustainable public transport fit for future population growth, combat rising inequality and reduce our climate emissions.
I met some truly inspiring city leaders - the Mayor of Dunkirk, who is leading the development of a network of cities who are taking a stand against extremism of all kinds.
Our host the Mayor of Geneva, who shared some of the challenges her city has which are remarkably similar to what we face in Edinburgh.
And the Mayor of Turbat in Pakistan, who told me that his city faced sustained temperatures of over 50C this summer. His message was simple - climate change is here and his city is at the frontline.
I also met a member of the council from the city of Ramallah in the West Bank who told me about the struggle that he and his colleagues face trying to deliver public services while under occupation. His stories were particularly humbling and puts some of our problems in Edinburgh into perspective.
The rest of the week was spent in Sheffield at a meeting of the Core Cities network. This is attended by leaders from 12 cities across the UK and is an excellent place to exchange ideas and give a shared voice to some of Britain’s largest cities.
It is interesting to hear from some of the leaders of cities in England, particularly about the improved services they are able to deliver for their residents because of their increased powers.
I have long advocated for similar powers to be devolved to regions in Scotland and I worry that without devolution from Holyrood to local or regional authorities that Scottish cities will be left behind.