Letters: Paper trail from 'Scamnesty' is lacking green credentials

I READ about the council's "Scamnesty" initiative (News, 2 February) and, once again, it would appear that the organisation's left hand doesn't know what its right hand is doing.

The council wants everyone to deposit mail and e-mail scams in special bins in neighbourhood offices, so in the case of an e-mail, you will have to use paper, ink, electricity, and transport to get your e-mail to one of these bins, which is hardly environmentally friendly.

Given the budget deficit faced by the council, before it employs the services of expensive consultants to help them "think outside the box", can I offer this free-of-charge suggestion? Why doesn't the council set up an e-mail address, [email protected], for people to forward their scam e-mails to?

Then, as happens with everyone else's e-mail addresses, it should start to receive its own scam e-mails, although I'd keep them away from the Director of Finance, as I'm sure he could use $67,000,000 from the former private secretary to the Ugandan President!

Keith J Bell, Sighthill Rise, Edinburgh

Children the losers as cuts are made

SCHOOLS in Edinburgh have been told to make cuts in learning support. I have been advised that my son's audited hours will most likely be reduced as he does not meet the criteria for "exceptional circumstances", i.e borderline specialist school requirements.

This means the little additional support he receives will be reduced to the detriment of his learning.

I was involved in the consultation process, and at the public meetings we were told additional resources would be put in place to ensure the children from both schools would continue to be well supported – and in fact the services at the receiving schools would be improved in the long term due to alleged savings!

Director of Children and Families Gillian Tee wrote to me and said: "If your child is assessed as requiring a learning assistant they will receive one. The council has NOT reduced the funding for learning support."

If this is the case why are schools being pressurised to cut audited hours? My child's needs have not changed, yet next year it is very likely he will receive very little support, with the onus being on the class teacher to provide his additional support needs.

Not acceptable, really, and I am sure many parents in Edinburgh are in a similar position.

We have been lied to and the councillors have got away with it as no-one is willing to challenge them.

Michelle Melrose, Clermiston Parent

Reward our heroes, not greedy bankers

I READ with interest the story of Liz Bisset (News, 1 February) who has been involved in Guiding in Edinburgh for almost 60 years with 40 years spent as a Brownie leader.

Miss Bisset has given her time selflessly to her local community and has brought happiness to many, many girls in her neighbourhood.

It is local heroes like Liz who should be honoured for their lifetime's dedication to their community rather than the greedy, incompetent bankers and MPs who receive awards as wholly undeserved perks.

Let's hear it for the hundreds of unpaid volunteers who work tirelessly to enhance our lives.

Derek Penman, Drum Brae Drive, Edinburgh

Junction and trams are separate issues

I WRITE in relation to the article "Lost dispute doubles cost of replacing roundabout" (News, 1 February 1), in which you imply the overruns at the Seafield Road junction will have an impact upon the Edinburgh Trams project.

I would like to make it absolutely clear that the Seafield Road works are a totally unrelated piece of work and confirm that the financial outcome of these works will have no bearing on the funding for the Edinburgh tram project.

The spokesperson from Edinburgh City Council confirmed that funding would not be affected in their statement that the additional cost of Seafield Road would be subject to a "re-profiling" under the transport department's capital investment programme.

Mandy Haeburn-Little, director of customer services and communications, Edinburgh Trams

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