Green councillor, Melanie Main heralds a step up for people-controlled budgets
This weekend South Centra£ Decides takes place at the Methodist Church on Nicolson Square. Councillor Main and all the members of the Green Group on Edinburgh Council really want you to come along, take part in the voting and have a bit of a party!
Councillor Main told The Edinburgh Reporter: “As Convenor of the South Central Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnership, and with the support of my Green colleague, Steve Burgess, I have delivered the City’s largest single Participatory Budgeting event called South Centra£ Decides .
“Totalling £214K, the culmination is on Saturday 30 April at the Methodist Church, Nicolson Square.
“All residents of Southside/Newington and Meadows/Morningside wards are encouraged to come and vote on 44 projects put forward by the community including grants for local organisations, roads & footway repairs and environmental projects.
“The recent people’s survey for Edinburgh showed there is a continuing decline in the numbers of residents who feel able to have a say on local issues and services – down from half in 2011 to a third last year. So we need more meaningful engagement with residents and events like ‘South Centra£ Decides, Voice Your Choice’ do just that.
Community choice
“At the Local Neighbourhood Partnership, I won backing to take three budgets totalling over £200,000 out for public decision: the largest community engagement so far in the city.
“South Centra£ Decides gives the community the choice. Individuals and groups are putting forward 44 different inspired ideas from making their streets safer to open community gardens to funding youth projects. Everyone who lives in South Central from the age of 8 years upwards can vote on Saturday, choosing which the community projects should be funded over the next year.
“Community choice is a real chance to bring communities to life. It’s a forum for supporting local ideas and projects, building new friendships and making connections between public, volunteers and groups. Each group will be present to punt their idea and chat to the public. It’s also a chance to breaking down barriers between council staff and public. Council Officers who are working to put community ideas into plans on paper will be on hand to explain how ideas can be taken forward.
“I’d urge everyone to come and support those with ideas to make our community a better place – come and join the party!”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
Everyone should walk or cycle there to qualify their Green credentials Otherwise the invitation is hypocrisy.?
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