Council elections 2017 – Drum Brae/Gyle

Councillor Ron Cairns has indicated that he is  resigning from local government this year.

The ward will remain a three member ward and the candidates are :

ALDRIDGE, Robert Christopher (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

BRIDGMAN, Claire (Scottish National Party (SNP))

BROWN, Mark (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

KEIL, Karen Ann (Scottish Labour Party)

MEYER, Phyl (Scottish Green Party)

Robert Aldridge Liberal Democrats

Councillor Aldridge lives locally in the ward in Barntongate and combines his council work with work as CEO of a homelessness charity.

Robert has a long record of service and action for and with the local community and he has a strong reputation for getting things done.

• He campaigned successfully with local residents for the Drum Brae Leisure Centre and for the Drum Brae Library Hub, which have both been hugely successful.
• He has chaired the Neighbourhood Partnership’s Environment Committee leading to improvements in parks across the Drum Brae Gyle area and targeted anti litter campaigns.
• He has championed more local decision making – especially in promoting the Youth Decides initiative locally, where young people recommend local projects for funding.
• He championed the new gym hall at East Craigs Primary school which has recently been officially opened, as well as development of the new Buttercup Farm Park.

For all his time as a Councillor Robert has fought to protect the Green Belt from development. He opposed the new Local Development Plan which foresees thousands of houses at Cammo and West Craigs.

Robert said: Our Green Belt is essential for our health and wellbeing. There are already problems with overcrowded schools and traffic congestion. Such enormous housing developments will only lead to these problems getting worse.’

Robert is currently campaigning for:

• Improvements to the refuse collection service
• Better street cleaning;
• Better street lighting in some areas which have new LED lights;
• Changes to the grass cutting service;
• Changes to the timetabling at South Gyle to make the service more regular
• He is also campaigning to ensure that changes at Edinburgh Airport don’t lead to increased noise and air pollution locally.

Claire Bridgman SNP

Claire was born and brought in the ward having attended Craigmount High School.  She has lived in Clermiston for 20 years and owns a local business that helps people improve their career prospects. Claire has a particularly interest in protecting the area’s amenities and ensuring her community’s voice is heard.

Claire’s husband is a councillor and is standing in the Portobello/Craigmillar Ward.

Mark Brown Conservative Party

Mark Brown has been re-selected by local Conservatives to fight the Council Ward of Drum Brae / Gyle. Mark, who stood as the Scottish Conservative candidate in 2012, lives in Edinburgh and manages a portfolio of SME’s for a global independent Invoice Financier in the city’s Southside.

Outside the office, Mark is a volunteer at Spartans Football Club where he is their media manager and he also enjoys a passion for photography. (and he writes for The Edinburgh Reporter!)

Mark is looking forward to meeting as many local residents as possible between now and the election to find out what the real issues are on the doorsteps throughout the ward.

He said, “This is a ward that plays an integral role in shaping Edinburgh’s economy, through it being home to many of the key players in the financial industry and the iconic Gyle Shopping Centre. Protecting our open, green spaces – of which the ward has several – is key because in a city like Edinburgh, public places are social safety valves, mixing the people of this city in common enjoyment.”

“I believe that it is time for change and for real leadership in the Council. I will be someone who will put local people first, someone who will understand their problems and fight for their interests. My number one priority is to help people make the best of their lives. We must always work towards a bigger and better Edinburgh and whilst maintaining core political principles, I am more than willing to work with others in the multi-member Ward to deliver a blueprint to help shape Edinburgh’s future.”

Karen Keil Labour

Karen was elected in 2012.

She was born and raised in Edinburgh, and graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a BD in 1982.

Keil worked for the Church of Scotland Counselling Service at Simpson House in Queen Street as an administrator and counsellor and then subsequently worked for development charity Christian Aid for nearly 20 years.

Karen is married to Church of Scotland minister Rev. Alistair Keil, parish minister in Clermiston since 1989.

Phyl Meyer Green Party

Phyl Meyer is a department manager within a national disabled people’s organisation, running several projects aimed at addressing the exclusion of disabled people with politics, public life and employment. He has previously worked in volunteering management and student development and representation.

He is a father of two young children and was born in Edinburgh and has lived here most of his life. He joined the Greens because of a belief in people working to help each other achieve their potential, sustainability and equality and these are the principles he would seek to bring to elected office.