Councillor Marie-Clair Munro has been working hard for his local residents in Morningside. Read below to hear some of the work she has been focused on recently.
Protecting the education of seriously ill childern:
Marie-Clair became involved after concerns were raised by local parents and schools about the unfair arrangement in hospital education for seriously ill children.
Parents of children at independent schools were being threatened with charges for their education while their children remained in the sick kids’ unit.
Together with Conservative colleague, Cllr Cowdy, Cllr Munro challenged the arrangement on the Education Committee. Other political groups supported the change, and the outcome is that neither parents nor schools will be charged for education provided while children are receiving hospital treatment.
Councillor Munro said “I am delighted with this result. No parent should have to spend such an anxious time in their child’s life, worrying if a large invoice awaits them at the end. I will keep standing up for parents and families across the ward.”
The Future of the Gillis Centre:
The future of the Gillis Centre on Strathearn Road is, understandably, of large interest locally.
The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh contacted Marie-Clair when the property was formally placed on the market and Cllr Munro has remained in contact and kept residents informed as information has become available.
She will continue to keep residents informed when things become available to public knowledge and is determined that local people help shape the future of this development.
Getting our Pavements Clear of Hire Bikes:
Marie-Clair has been inundated with pleas from residents over unsafe hire bike deposits across the ward. Hire bikes left in unsuitable locations are obstructing pavements, particularly affecting wheelchair users, people with sight impairments, older residents and parents with prams.
Marie-Clair met the Council officer responsible for Voi bike locations and walked through problem areas with they discussed the number of bikes at individual locations and how parking areas could be made clearer.
Improvements including clearer parking locations, markings and signage are being progressed. Get in touch with Marie-Clair if there are areas you want to see hire bikes moved from.
Road Safety around St Peter's and Canaan Lane:
Road safety around schools in Morningside remain a concern, particularly during busy morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods.
Cllr Munro has lobbied in the council for additional funding for greater parking-warden presence at the beginning and end of the school day as part of efforts to tackle unsafe and inconsiderate parking.
Cllr Munro has also taken practical action locally. After concerns about cyclists on the path used by children travelling to Canaan Lane Primary, Marie-Clair met the Council’s Transport Officer and walked the route with him. New signs have since been installed reminding cyclists to give way to pedestrians.
Marie-Clair Munro will continue to take up specific safety concerns around our schools when parents
Weeds, Weeds, Weeds:
Across the whole of Edinburgh, the weeds issue has become one of the most noticeable and frequent complaints from our residents.
Last year the Council, led by the Green group, moved to stop the routine glyphosate use, which removed all the weeds on pavements and roads. However this decision has left our local streets looking unkempt and messy. Especially during the summer Fringe months Cllr Munro has repeatedly reported badly affected locations and raised residents concerns.
The Edinburgh Conservative Group have consistently called for greater priority to street cleansing and weed removal, and the motion
What else has Marie-Clair Munro been up to?
- Judged the Annual Dog Show at Braidburn Duck Race.
- Visited the Midmar Allotment Open Day.
- Raised concerns about shoplifting, antisocial behaviour and intimidation toward Bruntsfield and Morningside traders.
- Successfully challenged an unsuitable phone-mast proposal on Comiston Road.
- Helped clear up and challenge fly-tipping issues in Marchmont, Comiston Drive, Springvalley and Balcarres Street.
- Installed a newer, safer, gate on Cluny Gardens.
- Discussed with Police Scotland on how best to enforce illegal e-bike confiscation in the ward.
