New Portobello High School - hold a local referendum

[AndyB]

Why can't there be a local referendum? Let's confirm that the majority of the community actually want the school built on the park. Well we already know it but lets make it offical. I asked the question to Andy Whiteman on his blog on the matter and his reply was:

It is high time we knew what the people of Portobello actually feel about this. If a referendum were organised and approval was given to building on the Park this would strengthen the case for a Private Parliamentary.

http://www.andywightman.com/?p=1562#comment-26956

How would we even go about getting a local referendum setup? Does anyone know? Surely this has to be one of the better options unless someone can tell me otherwise.

[BeachBum]

Any form of referendum that would stand up to scrutiny is bound to be expensive!

[Sceptic]

Who would run it? The Community Council?
Can you imagine Rentagob and co running it?
Who would be allowed to vote? Those within Portobello Community only?
The school catchment area takes in a lot of other "communities"
Would it be parents of children of school age or everyone?
Sorry, my friend, a nice idea, but, in reality a non starter.

[wangi]

Any referendum would have to be run by the City of Edinburgh Council, similar to the one it done for congestion changing, or Aberdeen done recently for UTG.

The franchise would have to be residents within the school catchment at a minimum; but perhaps city-wide or relevant local partnership areas.