80 days of coalition administration

7.08.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 18th Aug 2007

Text of Leader's Report after 80 days in power in Edinburgh

As Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council I am determined that the Council provides people-friendly public services worthy of Edinburgh residents. The Leader's Report is a useful means of informing individuals, community interests, businesses and partner agencies of our progress. It had, however, become too triumphalist with the Council taking credit for every success in the city, even those in which we had played no part, and glossing over difficulties and challenges for which we had direct responsibility. I intend my Leader's Reports to be a more honest and less arrogant assessment of our city and our Council.

In just over 100 days since the election and just over 80 days since a Liberal Democrat and SNP coalition began running the Council, a huge amount has been done to govern Scotland's capital city more effectively.

The system of governance that we inherited militated against inclusive, open discussion and consensual decision-making. By introducing a streamlined, cross-party system of committees we are enabling members to obtain specialist knowledge and facilitating more informed debate.

By creating a dedicated Economic Development Committee we are demonstrating our commitment to the city's economic well-being. This important committee will be chaired by Councillor Tom Buchanan of the SNP, with whom I am already working very closely. This is proof positive of the coalition working in practice and the importance that both Administration parties place on growing the economic prosperity and quality of life of Edinburgh residents. We are also moving to swiftly to fill the post of Head of Economic Development - a post that has been left unfilled for too long and which exposed the previous Administration's lack of desire to promote sustained economic growth within the city. I intend to continue to play a leading role, along with Tom Buchanan, in forging and retaining the partnerships with other stakeholders that are essential for the economic and social prosperity of the city and the wider city region.

Edinburgh needs genuine and effective partnerships to grow the economy and deliver socially progressive services. The new Administration has been finding its feet on the major issues and challenges for the city and has been engaged in a series of meetings to build better relations with local communities, public and private sector partners, environmental interests, developers, sporting organisations, academia, the arts, faith groups, trade unions and the voluntary sector. These have provided us with a fuller appreciation of the wide range of activities in the city and are sparking ideas which will benefit Edinburgh residents, such as: exploring affordable housing pilot projects; improving the refuse collection service; and developing the city centre.

The scale of the challenges that we have been left to pick up is staggering. The financial position which we have inherited is so grave that the Director of Finance has taken the unprecedented step of formally warning that serious action is required as a matter of urgency to bring expenditure within budget. The new Administration will, however, secure maximum value for taxpayers' money. We are acting decisively to bring spending into line and to get the Council's finances on to a sound footing this year. This will allow us in future years to progress our vision for creating a prosperous, enriching and sustainable future for Edinburgh.

We have also inherited some challenges which should, in the best interests of Edinburgh residents, have been confronted sooner, rather than delayed until after the election. The Liberal Democrat/SNP Administration will not shirk its responsibilities. We are launching consultation on improving children's education by making better use of our school estate and will also consider the independent working group's report on the review of Meadowbank and the future of sports provision in the city. It is important that we confront these issues on behalf of the people of Edinburgh and that we do not hide from the challenges for fear of political fall-out.

Edinburgh is a great place to live, a fine city in which to work and a fantastic locality to visit. The success of Edinburgh is critical to Scotland's well-being. In our short time in office, the new Administration has strongly promoted Edinburgh's interests to Government. This helped ensure that the Scottish Parliament gave Edinburgh the go-ahead for trams and work has begun to deliver a high quality, modern, integrated transport system befitting an international capital city. I have also raised directly with Government issues such as: the Cities Growth Fund; Festivals; including Edinburgh Park Station stops in the Edinburgh-Glasgow main line timetable; EU migration; the Area Waste Strategy; affordable housing; planning pressures; regeneration funding; the Scottish Housing Quality Standard; sports facilities; and social work issues.

Maximising participation in local democracy is paramount. We have held to our promise of proper consultation, most recently in agreeing that there had been inadequate stake-holder involvement in developing plans for the renovation of the Assembly Rooms. Consultation under the new Administration will be genuine and meaningful. We also seek to maximise local involvement and power in shaping and delivering local services and decisions for the benefit of their communities.

The new Council Administration also intends to be an excellent employer. I have undertaken a series of visits to Council workplaces which have encouraged me enormously in demonstrating the enthusiasm, professionalism and goodwill that exists in all Council departments. Frank meetings with Trade Union representatives have left me in no doubt of the challenges of modernising pay structures that lie ahead but I hope that I have been able to impress them of our desire to be open and honest in our consultation.

The people of Edinburgh come before the respective political parties of the new Administration. Our job is to bring residents fully into the decision-making process to ensure that our range of services, and performance in delivering these, meets their needs and aspirations. That is not easy. Providing a safer, greener, cleaner capital city where the most vulnerable citizens are well cared for and where there are flexible, accessible, good quality services for all and where each individual has the opportunity to develop their full potential is, however, a challenge that we will not shirk.

Councillor Jenny Dawe

Leader - The City of Edinburgh Council