Top & Timely
The party has now completed selections and internal elections, and although I am grateful to have been returned as the top candidate for what will now be ‘Edinburgh and Lothians East’ Region, I have not been returned as one of the party co-leaders.
This will allow me to have more time to campaign in-region and to work on local campaigns and projects. I am excited to be standing with other top candidates Kate Nevens and Q Manivannan.
Media & Chamber
Parliament has been in recess for the summer.
Regional & Campaigns
The interim committee for the new Friends of Holyrood Park Organisation has prepared a draft constitution for the group and is preparing to organise the first AGM to constitute the group. This will bring together all the stakeholder groups and interested parties in Holyrood Park in one place, with the intention of being able to work more effectively with HES, Police Scotland and the other bodies responsible for the park.
In addition to this, I have made some initial proposals to HES about the proposed members bill to update the Holyrood Park legislation, based party on the updated legislation for the Royal Parks in London. I will get into this in more detail once Parliament is dissolved next April.
I have met with local bike shops who are interested in developing an apprenticeship for bike mechanics, and have contacted Skills Development Scotland on their behalf. This would be an exciting development for Scottish Skills and I look forward to seeing how we can make it happen.
Committee & Portfolio
The Community Wealth Building bill will be brought at stage one this autumn, so I have been meeting with stakeholders such as STUC, DTA Scotland, and West Calder & Harburn Community Development Trust, to develop amendments to the bill with the intention of improving community involvement and making the bill more effective.