Councillor Mike Bridgman

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Jun 2007, 22:00

You may recall that we elected 3 local councillors - Maureen Child, Stephen Hawkins and Mike Bridgman. You may also recall that we are now part of the Portobello/Craigmillar ward. Ipso facto, you may be interested in the following:

Children trapped in poverty miss out on basics

Admin: posts in this thread have been edited / deleted to remove personal references to the appearance of councillors. Off topic posts also removed to another thread and this one moved to the "Portobello Matters" forum.

Post by **wangi** » 19 Jun 2007, 23:20

Prey tell, what's the relationship with the subject line?

New SNP councillor for Craigmillar and Portobello Mike Bridgeman said: "There are a lot of good people in Craigmillar and I would hope that new neighbourhood partnerships will allow them to make more of an impact."

And? This is an article about Craigmillar and social problems, in which one of our local councillors happens to make a fair comment...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Jun 2007, 23:36

Well, I suppose I could be flippant and say that is has nothing to do with my 'subject line' since I referred to 'Mike Bridgman' and the EN incorrectly refer to 'Mike Bridgeman'.

I suppose my point is that Porty people, in general, probably have little interest in what happens in Craigmillar, that the Portobello/Craigmillar ward is an artificial construct, that very few people who voted for Mike Bridgman know anything about the man, and that Mike has, as yet, not appeared at a Portobello Community Council meeting. I highlight this article since it is, to my knowledge, the first public proclamation of one of our elected members.

Post by **wangi** » 19 Jun 2007, 23:47

Again you're reflecting your ignorance onto everyone on Portobello - please don't. I thought we'd already been through that on the election thread?

The community council isn't a statutory body, it's completely advisory. Sounds like Craigmillar needs all the help it can get... So what's the problem? I'm sure Councillor Bridgman will deal with any issues you have in a professional manner.

Splitting off "middle class" Portobello from "lower class" Craigmillar isn't productive in anyway and just serves to reinforce existing prejudices and disadvantages.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Jun 2007, 05:59

wangi wrote:The community council isn't a statutory body, it's completely advisory.

From the Association of Scottish Community Councils:

Community Councils in Scotland are unique. They are statutory bodies, with rights and powers granted under the Local Govt Act 1973, The Race Relations Act 2000, The Local Govt Act 2003 and laws & regulations of the European Parliament. They are not a tier of local government, nor are they simple voluntary or community bodies.

The SNP election manifesto promised to:

review the role of community councils to make them more responsive, dynamic and representative. Devolving greater responsibilities to community councils will be a central consideration of this review.

ali · Post by **ali** » 20 Jun 2007, 08:18

I thought you'd given up your ugly little vendetta, Bob.

It appears to me as if you, for one, have no intention of giving anyone outside the local Labour Party clique the benefit of some bedding-in time.

Local voters made their choices and sore losers are not going to gain sympathy by whinging about those voter's democratic decision.
Get over it.
cheers
ali

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 20 Jun 2007, 09:10

The largest degree of irrelevance I have ever seen between a Thread Title and a first Post.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Jun 2007, 09:16

ali wrote:ugly little vendetta

Vendetta? I thought I was doing him a favour by linking to a story in which he is quoted.

I see that Mike has been appointed to the interim Executive with responsibility for Corporate Health and Safety.

Admin: edited

ali · Post by **ali** » 20 Jun 2007, 10:41

Bob Jefferson wrote: *censored by flippancy censor*

Bob Jefferson wrote:I suppose my point is that Porty people, in general, probably have little interest in what happens in Craigmillar,

outrageously insular and pettily arrogant statement number 1

Bob Jefferson wrote:that the Portobello/Craigmillar ward is an artificial construct,

the new electoral boundaries were adopted by your party as part of the sordid little deal they did with the Lib Dems in the last parliament ie the boundaries were "artificially constructed" by an administration for which you at the time had a slavish devotion.

Bob Jefferson wrote:*that very few people who voted for Mike Bridgman know anything about the man,

and

outrageously arrogant speak-for-yourself statement number 2 (or maybe you have adopted your pal DC Cairns's mantle of official spokesperson for the community of Portobello - have you told her yet?? Ooooooh - she won't be pleased when she finds out............

)

Bob Jefferson wrote:*that Mike has, as yet, not appeared at a Portobello Community Council meeting.

Bob, how many meetings have the Community Council had since Mike Bridgman was elected?? And how many of these has he missed?
I suspect the answer is "one".
Given that the man is a newly elected councillor, even by your standards this does seem a little harsh.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 20 Jun 2007, 15:12

I'd like to make it clear I care about what happens in the Craigmillar area not just because I have freinds and family there but what happens there also affects us down in Portobello. ie if Castlebrae school is to close where will the pupils go, no road from Greendykes through to ERI means longer or more uncomfortable journey to hospital, housing etc etc.

As a matter of intrest how many Craigmillar community council meeting have Mr Hawkin and Maureen Childs attended since being elected

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 23 Nov 2007, 22:47

ali wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote:Mike has, as yet, not appeared at a Portobello Community Council meeting.
Bob, how many meetings have the Community Council had since Mike Bridgman was elected?? And how many of these has he missed?
I suspect the answer is "one". Given that the man is a newly elected councillor, even by your standards this does seem a little harsh.

ali, you are absolutely right about this. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Since Mike was elected Portobello Community Council has met on 5 occasions. Mike, to my knowledge, has never attended. I hope that this is of intetest to those of you who helped to elect him.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 23 Nov 2007, 23:57

oh well there is always 2011 to change things again. (or later, if they decide to change the date of the Council Elections, so they don't happen on the same day as Parliament Elections).

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Dec 2007, 11:54

I would have thought availablity to constituents rather then attendance at communtity council meetings would be a test of a councillors commitment to the ward.
I note that Maureen Child and Stephen Hawkins only have surgeries in Portobello where as Mike Brigman has surgeries in Bingham, Craigmillar and Portobello.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 05 Dec 2007, 12:22

I must say that it would appear to be slightly disappointing that Mike Bridgeman has attended any Porty CC meetings. As a constituent of his ward I would like to think that all Local authority Councillors for my area would take advantage of attending CC meetings.

When I was a Community Councillor in the Borders, the local authority members were automatically ex-offico members of the Community Council (this was reflected in our constitution). Is this the case for Porty too? If so then the Chair should be having a word with Mr Bridgman about his lack of attendence. And if it is the case that he is an ex-officio member then he should be submitting his apologies too.

It could even be that the last thursday of the month (i think thats when Porty CC meets) clashes with another once a month meeting he has, such as Craigmillar CC meeting, or a Edinburgh Council meeting?

Though, perhaps even if he was able attend part of Porty CC meeting that would be a start.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 05 Dec 2007, 12:25

Ive just emailed Councillor B as a curious member of his ward about his non attendance at CC meetings. See what the reply is! lol

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 05 Dec 2007, 15:43

SoupDragon wrote: I note that Maureen Child and Stephen Hawkins only have surgeries in Portobello where as Mike Brigman has surgeries in Bingham, Craigmillar and Portobello.

Are you sure Soupdragon?

According to the Council website Cllr Child holds a surgery in Castleview Community Centre every Monday before her Portobello surgery.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 05 Dec 2007, 15:46

michael_traill wrote:.

It could even be that the last thursday of the month (i think thats when Porty CC meets) clashes with another once a month meeting he has, such as Craigmillar CC meeting, or a Edinburgh Council meeting?

Though, perhaps even if he was able attend part of Porty CC meeting that would be a start.

Meetings are held on the last Monday of the month Michael. Councillors Child and Hawkins always attend as did Lawrence Marshall when he was a councillor.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Dec 2007, 20:10

I stand ( or sit ) corrected Marya

I remember looking for a local councillor for my ma in law and having difficulty, it was probably in the summer, perhaps everyone was on holiday
Maureen Child doesnt mention her Craigmillar surgery in the Portobello Reporter.

To be honest I bet a lot of people find it confusing to have 3 councillors in a ward

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 05 Dec 2007, 23:17

SoupDragon wrote:Maureen Child doesnt mention her Craigmillar surgery in the Portobello Reporter.

I noticed that too Soupdragon.

To be honest I bet a lot of people find it confusing to have 3 councillors in a ward

Most definitely!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 06 Dec 2007, 18:28

From the minutes of the November CC meeting:

Stephen Hawkins pointed out that although our third local City Councillor, Michael Bridgeman, hadn’t been to any of our meetings, he was working hard for the local Partnership area in other ways.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Feb 2008, 20:59

There was some debate last night as to whether or not Mike Bridgman has in fact attended a Portobello CC meeting since being elected. Most could not recall such an occasion, but at least one member seemed to remember Mike being at the Xmas meeting.

Peter McColl, who represents PEDAL, suggested that the secretary should write formally, inviting him to attend future meetings. Others felt that this was unnecessary since meetings are held at regular intervals and that Mike, as a local councillor, should be aware of the dates.

Mike, along with Stephen Hawkins, has been invited to submit a monthly report for publication on Portobello Online, where Maureen Child's newsletter is a regular feature.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 26 Feb 2008, 22:38

Think it was the November AGM that was mentioned, Bob. Cllr Bridgman doesn't appear as being ' in attendance' in the minutes of that meeting, but perhaps he put in an appearance after the meeting was closed and we moved onto the 'social' aspect. If he did it must have been after I left. I do remember Kenny MacAskill being there.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Feb 2008, 22:57

Yes, of course you are right - there is no meeting in December. Didn't someone recall him eating a sausage roll?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Mar 2008, 20:50

Mike made the EN today in a piece about mileage claims by councillors:

Other councillors to run-up expensive bills include the SNP's Michael Bridgman

Cllr Bridgman, who represents the Portobello/Craigmillar area and has claimed £546 since being elected, added: "I was conscious of my mileage claims, but I was told I had to submit the forms.

"I do use my car to get around, rather than the bus service, because driving gives me the freedom and I can get right to the (location]. I never use taxis."

Interestingly,

The highest spender on taxis since the election is Labour's Paul Godzik, who spent £365 – below many of the mileage claims.

Full story

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Mar 2008, 20:52

Bob Jefferson wrote:Mike, along with Stephen Hawkins, has been invited to submit a monthly report for publication on Portobello Online, where Maureen Child's newsletter is a regular feature.

In case you were wondering, no reply to date from Mike.

Post by **wangi** » 14 Mar 2008, 00:25

Bob Jefferson wrote:In case you were wondering, no reply to date from Mike.

Still wondering about the fixation. However since you did mention this, what's the response from Stephen Hawkins?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 14 Mar 2008, 08:59

What fixation? I'm just linking to a local news story about a local councillor. If I can obtain details for travelling expenses claimed by Maureen and Stephen I will be happy to report on that as well. Presumably, the EN didn't consider their claims to be newsworthy.

Stephen has told me that he does intend to submit his monthly report for publication on Portobello Online.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Mar 2008, 13:49

Mike takes the credit for keeping the creches open in today's EN:

SNP councillors were ‘unhappy’ over first crèche closures plan

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 28 Oct 2008, 10:10

Bob Jefferson wrote: Mike has, as yet, not appeared at a Portobello Community Council meeting.

Mike was at last night's Community Council meeting ( as were Councillors Child and Hawkins and our local MSP Kenny MacAskill).

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Oct 2008, 22:17

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 21 Nov 2008, 17:06

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 4718127.jp

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 21 Nov 2008, 17:13

Porty wrote:http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 4718127.jp

Soppy sap

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 21 Nov 2008, 22:13

Porty wrote:http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 4718127.jp

Just had a quick re-read of the story.

He managed to get himself back together enough to vote for the closure of two other primary schools shortly after his display of emotion.

Should he be considering an acting career? Very small print: I am in no way suggesting that the Councillor was acting or playing up his emotions.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 22 Nov 2008, 01:36

michael_traill wrote:

Just had a quick re-read of the story.

He managed to get himself back together enough to vote for the closure of two other primary schools shortly after his display of emotion.

Should he be considering an acting career? Very small print: I am in no way suggesting that the Councillor was acting or playing up his emotions.

I've only been in his presence 2 or 3 times and I don't think acting is up there on his list of must do's

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Nov 2008, 08:24

So, come the moment, come the man. Wasn't the fact that Mike opposed the closure of Lismore the very reason that many people voted for him? When he had his opportunity, Lawrence Marshall defied the party whip and voted with his conscience and against closure, but the best Bridgman can manage is to abstain.

Perhaps they were tears of shame?