Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly eMagazine.

It’s been a seismic few weeks in politics with the historic vote to leave the European Union and the resignation of the Prime Minister. I have received hundreds of emails from constituents who are concerned about the referendum vote and its many implications. I have written an extensive blog on the referendum which attempts to address all the legal and constitutional questions that arise from the vote for Brexit. I will be updating constituents regularly on these issues as they unfold so please contact me and I will add your name to the mailing list. I will also put together an EU eMagazine special over the summer as the position becomes clearer and we know more about what Brexit means.

This month has also been a time of remembrance. Firstly for my colleague Jo Cox who was tragically murdered whilst meeting with her constituents, and secondly for the million men and women who laid down their lives during the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago. 

Lastly, I have taken on your views about how to improve the eMagazine and will be working on developing the technology in the coming months, especially a clickable contents page which is, at the moment, not technically possible.

As usual, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feel I can help you in any way. Enjoy!

  
                                                                
                                      

A selection of my recent votes in Parliament:

• Voted against the Government’s White Paper on BBC Charter renewal
• Voted for several Labour amendments to the Police and Crime Bill
• Voted for several Labour amendments to the Finance Bill to implement a tighter tax avoidance regime. 
• Voted for right to remain for EU nationals currently living in the UK

These are just some of the issues I have voted on. For a complete breakdown visit the public whip website. You can also contact me at any time on the above details to share your views of a piece of legislation, or Government policy more generally. It is increasingly apparent on social media that some seek to misinterpret or deliberately mislead on my voting record so please get in touch if you have any queries or, indeed, look at the Public Whip website or the independent They Work For You website. 

There have been some technical issues on the planning portal this month resulting in the site being down for maintenance for significant periods of time. In light of this the deadlines for making objections may be extended by the Council.

Liberton Tower Mains (16/02762/FUL)

Liberton residents will be familiar with this application as it was withdrawn previously following numerous local objections. I objected strongly last time round and have again made representations to the Council for this new application. 

Liberton residents have set up a petition you can sign which already has over 500 signatures:https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/object-to-development-at-liberton-tower-mains.html

McDonald’s- Cameron Toll (Late Licence Application)

Many local residents have contacted me about the late licence application submitted by McDonald’s for the restaurant currently being built at Cameron Toll shopping centre. This will mean the McDonald’s could be open for 22 hours per day. I have made objections to the Licencing Department and would urge residents to attend the committee hearing when a date has been scheduled.  

LDP2

The reporters have now completed their examination into the unresolved issues raised in representations to the above plan and the report has been submitted to the council.

The report of the examination which includes the reporters’ recommendations for each issues is now available on the DPEA website at:

http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?id=115816

On entering the website, click on the tab “Examination Report” in the middle of the page and then under the “Document Name” tab, click on the blue highlighted “Report” document.  The report will then download and you then click “open” to read the report.

The Council are due to formally adopt the Development Plan, as amended in October or November 2016.

Update from Chief Inspector Mark Rennie on Policing and crime issues affecting south east Edinburgh. 

Read the full update here.

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CommonwealthFirst

The first phase of recruitment for CommonwealthFirst was formally launched at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth, and addressed by Moya Greene, CEO of Royal Mail plc. You can read more here.

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Edinburgh Airport Consultation

Edinburgh Airport are running a consultation on the proposed changes to flight paths. You can read more about the consultation and participate here.

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Choir aims to show how singing in harmony is key to mental health

Liesbeth Tip, Research Assistant/PhD student Clinical Psychology writes on how singing can be beneficial to good mental health. You can read more about the project here.

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