Letters: No closer to getting the tram project back on track

Edinburgh's councillors have reached new levels of fiscal bumbling in relation to the tram project and the appointments of Richard Jeffrey of TIE, and Ian Craig of Lothian Buses, to the TEL board. The spectacle might have been entertaining, were its implications not so serious.

All the political groups at Thursday's council meeting, except the Lib Dems, expressed the need for greater detail to be produced in the business case (costs, patronage estimates and so on) and all voiced their commitment to Lothian Buses.

Each group then tabled their own amendment to achieve this result and duly voted for only their respective group's amendment. The SNP, Conservatives, Greens and Labour could not, just for one morning, put aside political posturing and co- operate to ensure a detailed business case would be presented to ensure Lothian Buses' financial wellbeing would be secured.

The result is (a) in December, a "refreshed business case" will be forthcoming but this will be for the eyes of only each political group leader and transport spokesperson (some of whom are TIE board members); and (b) the appointments to the TEL Board were approved thus bringing Lothian Buses under the direct control of Messrs Mackay and Jeffrey, whose performance at TIE has been so very underwhelming.

Having today lost our right to financial transparency I am sure the public will find comfort in the financial and technical expertise and previous sound business judgement around eight councillors will bring to the scrutiny of the December business case. However, for those who fear that they simply lack sufficient competence to protect Lothian Buses from the financial impact of the loss-making trams, then the public has a fight on its hands to keep Lothian Buses independent.

Ron Hastie, Silverknowes Neuk, Edinburgh

Promises are not always honoured

DURING the election campaign, the Lib Dem candidate for Edinburgh West made great play about his opposition to tuition fees, and subsequently signed the NUS pledge to oppose any increase.

Now he is in Parliament he is supporting Lord Browne's proposal to remove the fee cap, demonstrating they stand for nothing and will promise anything to get elected. We should treat with caution any promises made by him and his party.

Stewart Geddes, Silverknowes Crescent, Edinburgh

Council airport would take off

IF BAA has to sell off Edinburgh Airport as a result of the Competition Commission's ruling (News, October 14), this would be the perfect time for Edinburgh City Council to buy it.Municipal ownership and operation of the airport (combined in a holistic manner with that of the trams and buses that serve it) could lead to considerable benefits accruing to Edinburgh's citizens.

At the very least, there would be only one body to complain to about any perceived deficiencies in operation.

John Eoin Douglas, Spey Terrace, Edinburgh

Support allows teachers to teach

HELEN Martin's article "Budget cuts help us trim excess luxuries" (News, September 27) is at best misinformed.

Administrative support for teachers is not a luxury. It is essential for the smooth running of our schools and most importantly it allows teachers to do what they do best - teach.

Indeed, school bursars have been in Edinburgh's schools since at least the 1960s. Their title was changed in the 70s to administrative assistants and then back to bursars in the 1990s, while librarians and IT support staff are essential in a modern learning environment, and without them education would suffer.

The Lib Dem/SNP council's glossy publications and Pravda-style newspaper are a waste of cash, and should be cut. But funding our schools should be at the top of the council's priority list. Unfortunately, repeated cuts by this Lib Dem/SNP administration show that it is not.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Labour spokesperson for education, City Chambers