City Council

Without any irony, council leader Adam McVey has welcomed the Scottish Government’s intervention to sort out ongoing problems in Edinburgh’s building standards department.

To my knowledge, Philadelphia soul band The O’Jays never attended a meeting of the Edinburgh SNP but their 1972 hit might seem rather familiar to Councillor Gavin Barrie.

Save Meadowbank campaigners were out in force for their public meeting last week and us councillors, put up on the stage for the inevitable coconut shy, were left in no doubt about the depth of feeling as the decision about the new sports centre plans comes closer.

OUSTED housing and economy chief Gavin Barrie has lifted the lid on his resignation and his “total dismay” in SNP leader Adam McVey.

And another one bites the dust! Councillor Gavin Barrie’s resignation from the city council’s SNP group may not have been that surprising.

Let’s start with some great news for the city: the council has managed to purchase the former National Grid site in Granton – opening the door to fantastic opportunities for much-needed new housing.

TOP brass at a Capital armed forces club will take home up to £30k each – after sharing in a £1.65 million windfall when the club was sold off.

What a happy bunch our council administration colleagues seem to be. To borrow from the old cliché, the opposition is in front of you but the enemies are behind.

On a short break to Seville last weekend, who should tap my shoulder as I walked past the City Hall, but our very own planning convener Neil Gardiner. Both on holiday under our own steam, not junketing in Andalusia, I hasten to add.

DOPEY developers have left locals dazed and confused – after putting in a hedge of look-a-alike marijuana leaves next to a school.

With passions beginning to run high about the plans for the new Meadowbank sports centre, there has been speculation about its suitability or otherwise for semi-professional football.

The new World Heritage Site management plan agreed between the city council and the World Heritage Trust could face a stiff test much earlier than expected and it could put the artistic community at odds with each other.

PRESSURE is building on the City of Edinburgh Council to acknowledge that too much tourism in such a small, compact city as ours, is intolerable.

Council’s disdain for tax-payers is highlighted by ‘compost tax’ and poor recycling record, among other issues, says Tory leader Iain Whyte.

HUNDREDS of “Friends-style” city centre flats moved a step closer today as plans were submitted to the city council.

A DISTRAUGHT mother-of-three has told how her passport was abandoned in the street and other personal documents went missing after a botched delivery.

It’s hard to fathom this week’s excitement caused by plans to cut private car use in the city centre, given the administration’s intentions were obvious when the Central Edinburgh Transformation project was first outlined in October following an SNP motion passed in June.

We are assured the £165m tram completion to Newhaven is not a done deal, but is anyone really betting against the scheme going ahead?

I took the opportunity to have a chat with Lord Provost Councillor Frank Ross about his recent trip to China on an invitation issued by the Fujian Chamber of Commerce.