Ross quits after Roseburn bid fails
ward councillor since 2012 has resigned.
The news of the immediate departure of the former Lord Provost was revealed after the December council meeting, although Mr Ross told The Edinburgh Reporter that some four days after intimating his resignation to the council’s Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, he had not yet received a formal response. He also confirmed that he remains a member of the SNP.
In his final appearance, Cllr Ross spoke in support of a proposed financial package to be offered to traders in Roseburn adversely affected by major roadworks.
The SNP were not alone in supporting a package of compensation for the traders (some of whom have campaigned against the need for safer cycling infrastructure for almost a decade), as the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats also demanded compensation for the small businesses.
POLITICS AND NUMBERS
It came down to politics and numbers. When the Labour group supported the Greens the possibility of any payments for loss of business being made was again lost. In March 2022 the SNP (then part of the administration) did not agree to the traders’ who claimed losses of up to 70%. In December the party changed its stance in a dizzying U-turn, largely driven by Cllr Ross trying to fulfil his commitment to the businesses in his ward, but the SNP move
was defeated.
Cllr Ross said he was delighted that council officers had found a potential source of funding that would not negatively impact other council projects. He also pointed out that a proven way of working used for paying Leith Walk traders during the tram scheme meant there was already a team within the council with the expertise to deal with any applications for such compensation.
But after voting the SNP’s own addendum fell. The group then abstained rather than voting in favour of the LibDem and Conservative position - which was in essence the same as its own except for a few split hairs. There will be a by-election in the Corstorphine/Murrayfield ward which is now represented by Cllrs Alan Beal and Euan Davidson, both LibDems.