Councillors snub meeting

ORGANISERS of a public meeting to discuss plans to privatise council services say only one councillor has so far accepted their invitation to take part.

Residents in Willowbrae and Northfield called the meeting to quiz their local representatives on the proposals, which involve contracting out a wide range of functions from cleaning to personnel to bin collection.

So far, Labour's Cammy Day is the only one who has confirmed he will attend, substituting for his colleague Ewan Aitken. Lorna Frost, one of the meeting organisers, said they had not heard from the other Craigentinny/Duddingston councillors - the SNP's Stefan Tymkewycz and Liberal Democrat Gary Peacock. Peter Hunter of public service union Unison will also be there.

Ms Frost said all city residents were welcome to attend. She said: "It's important that local people should be consulted about these changes."

The meeting is in the Thistle Room at Meadowbank Sports Centre tomorrow at 7pm.