Tonight the deal between the SNP who have more councillors than any other political group on the council and the Labour Group, whose political ideals are most in tune with them, has been agreed.

This is to  some degree an extension of the deal under which the two groups have run the council for the last five years, with the difference being that the SNP is the dominant partner in the agreement.

Despite protestations about the Scottish Labour Executive intimated to The Edinburgh Reporter only this morning, reports are that the two groups have formed a new coalition to run the City of Edinburgh Council today, pledging to deliver improved services for residents and communities over the next five years.
The parties today agreed to work together to lead the Council following the Local Government Elections on 4 May.
Following detailed negotiations, the coalition partners have committed to working closely with other groups to achieve the best possible outcomes for Edinburgh residents.
Group leaders Councillor Adam McVey (SNP) and Cammy Day (Labour) will sign a coalition agreement tomorrow focusing on several key areas, including the construction of 20,000 affordable new homes, investment in transport infrastructure, improving waste services and roads maintenance and the delivery of a City Region Deal.
Cllr McVey was the Depute Convener of Transport and Environment in the last administration and Councillor Day was first of all responsible for Housing and latterly for Education.
The coalition will also target educational attainment, building two new secondary schools and 10 new primaries by 2021.
Adam McVey, SNP Group leader, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to reach this agreement, which will provide stable leadership for the Council moving forward. This administration will implement a progressive policy agenda which will have as our top priority the improvement of our core public services and dealing with the key issues that face the people of our Capital.
“As the city’s youngest ever Council leader, I’m keen to bring a new vision to our exciting and vibrant Capital. The SNP and Labour teams are ready to get to work for the city bringing an energetic, determined approach to address Edinburgh’s needs.”
Cammy Day, Labour group leader, (pictured above at this morning’s Bike Breakfast) added: “Labour and the SNP can offer the strong partnership required to lead the Council, and we look forward to working together and putting Edinburgh first.
“Our vision has always been to progress projects and policies which benefit the citizens of Edinburgh and we will continue this throughout our term of office, working with our trade union colleagues and devolving decision-making to local communities as far as possible. I call on the Greens to join and support our vision of how we can unleash our city’s potential.”
Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new leaders of the City of Edinburgh Council. I look forward to working with them over the next five years to achieve the best for the people of Edinburgh, and to achieve our vision for the Capital as a city of the future.”
Committee conveners will be appointed at a meeting of Council next Thursday, 22 June.
Members of the Council’s planning and regulatory committees, boards and joint boards were appointed at a meeting of Council on 25 May.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.