ACT NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
David Sterratt writes: There are a couple of consultations Spurtle readers may be interested in responding to - but be quick as the deadline is TODAY.
The first is on Budget Proposals for 2016, and is asking us how volunteers and communities could be involved in running libraries and sports facilities, as well as how the council could improve online services. It also suggests trialing "Open+", i.e. swipe access to libraries out of hours, which could be used to extend opening hours or reduce staff hours. Co-location of services is also on the cards.
My thoughts in a nutshell:
- I'm sure volunteers and communities can enhance library facilities, but if they are used to replace paid staff, there is going to be a decline in the quality of the service.
- According to this article in Public Libraries News, open access libraries aparently do work in some places, but there are lots of potential problems. Save Barnet Libraries have produced a video highlighting what could go wrong: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXmk6I8DdPM&feature=youtu.be&app=deskto…]
- I don't see Open+ working well in McDonald Road.
- Co-location of facilities could work in the right place - I'd prefer to have a staffed co-located library than an unstaffed library.
- Apart from the dire planning portal, I've not found reporting issues by the council website difficult. But getting a timely response (e.g. to an overflowing bin) is another matter. Web reporting is great for me, but there still needs to be good support by phone to avoid disempowering people who don't or can't use the internet.
- It's not clear how much volunteers could replaced trained, safety critical personnel in sports facilities, e.g. lifeguards at public swimming sessions, but helping clubs to hire facilities would be a good thing.
All-in-all, I'd prefer to pay more Council tax for high-quality services, but this isn't an option in this survey.
However, if you go to the Edinburgh City Vision 2050 consultation, this is an option: after logging in, choose "General Ideas"->"More Power to City and Region". There are many other ideas too, ranging from an Edinburgh Zero Energy District (EdZED) (4 votes, av. rating 4/5) making factors compulsory to tenements (10 votes, av. rating 3.9/5) to encouraging residential boating (3 votes, av. rating 5/5), and resurfacing roads (16 votes, av. rating 4.3/5).
Some of these ideas were referred to in Cliff Hague's address to the Cockburn Association. As he implied, if resurfacing the roads gets so much attention, this indicates how much Edinburgh needs to do to regain its civic pride. If you've 15 minutes or so, play your part HERE.