Labour councillor speaks out

No mealy-mouth rhetoric from Munro

Councillor Gordon Munro is Labour councillor for Leith. He is vocal at the best of times but when it comes to local government funding he is particularly eloquent.

He was one of two of the 63 councillors who did not vote for the council budget, despite the fact that he is part of the coalition who run the council.

He explained his reasons : “Edinburgh needs full and fair funding. The fact is that this council receives the lowest per head of population settlement of Scotland’s major cities with Edinburgh receiving £1,376 per head compared to Glasgow’s £2,056.

“I have been critical and have been loyal to date but enough is enough. I cannot support a budget which makes cuts that will impact in every ward in the City.

You will see real cuts on our schools, leisure centres , libraries , council services . Jobs will go facilities will close .

“But worse than that we will not be able to do what needs to be done. We need to build homes , new schools ; tackle the demographics of a growing city and its growing needs and demands.

“Shelter Scotland recently criticised Edinburgh and its approach to tackle homelessness. “The Minister criticised this Council and Westminster was blamed. Yet the Minister could help Edinburgh by increasing its funding. This Councils Strategic Housing Investment Plan pointed out that we need a 44% increase in funding from Scottish Government to achieve its targets. We need to press the case , Holyrood needs to use its powers and its vast resources to help Edinburgh rather than take the easy option of shifting the blame.”