Margo Macdonald is to be congratulated for using her influence in the budget vote to force a further commitment for funding for the capital City. I hear the sum being talked of is £12m and whilst there are already whispers going around that she has sold herself cheaply, there is no doubt in my mind that she has set an important precedent of getting a Capital city Budget line in the national accounts.The trouble is, there is no plan to take that huge opportunity forward. this is not just a debate about cash for the City Council, infact that is peripheral to the whole idea of the role of the Capital City; important in practical terms., but peripheral in real terms.
All over the world cities develop as Capitals through a co-ordinated effort of all the people
whose lives make their particular city the Capital City. Everybody from the government who are guests of the capital, to diplomatic services to seats of learning, to those who manage the welcome to the nation, to those who nurture the story and the creativity of the nation and much more.If that line Margo has prised into the national accounts is to mean anything then the cheque is only the start and the Council has to facilitate something much more significant than managing that money to react to the demands the nation places on its Capital city
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2 comments:
and margo got it all on her lonesome despite the votes of for fowlkes sake and that well paid representative from central edinburgh in your party.
good on margo - labour again trying to screw my city.
Hi angry, thanks for your comment. If however, you read Scottish labour Manifesto you will find we had already committed to recognition of Edinburgh's Capital city status and had we been in power it would have featured in this budget but also would have been set in the context of the wider plan that I outlined during the election. Margo has done brilliantly but she will be left out on her own if we just think this is about cash.
Ewan
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