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City leaders gather to debate Edinburgh's future

Leaders from all sectors will gather on Saturday 3 December for a City Conference, organised by the City of Edinburgh Council, to consider the priority actions identified by local people for the capital city's future.

The actions were identified in response to the following question - "Bearing in mind the financial situation, what actions can we take to maintain, develop and improve services in Edinburgh?" - posed at six local meetings and through the Council newspaper and online.

At the event key figures from the public, voluntary and private sectors will have the opportunity to contribute to making the right decisions for the city over the next five years to ensure that Edinburgh retains its competitive edge.

Council Leader, Jenny Dawe, said: "The Conference will help delegates to better understand the challenges faced by the public sector. It will also be an opportunity for key figures in the city to discuss the key actions identified by Edinburgh residents.

"The interest in this event, and the wider engagement and consultation process, reinforces the need for concerted joint action to successfully deliver the massive change we have ahead of us."

All of the feedback from the City Conference, the local meetings and other engagement will help to inform the Council's budget decision making process. There are no public places left for Saturday's meeting.

Delegates will attend from a wide range of sectors including the business and religious communities and the voluntary, education and tourism sectors.

Top six actions identified:

1 How can we raise more money?
2 How can we do things better?
3 How can we create and use partnerships better?
4 Asking people what they want or need - how do we do it more effectively?
5 Prevention is better than cure - how do we invest where it makes a difference?
6 Other

Top table

Tom Halpin - Chair - Chief Executive, SACRO

Sue Bruce, Chief Executive, the City of Edinburgh Council

Brian Lister, Principal and Chief Executive, Stevenson College

Graham Birse, Director of Policy and Communications, Chamber of Commerce

Gillian Imrie, Chief Superintendent , Lothian and Borders Police

Alex Clark , Acting Chief Fire Offier, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service

Ella Simpson, Director, EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations' Council)

Peter Gabbitas, Representing NHS Lothian

This entry was posted by Media Team on 02/12/2011.

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