Drum Brae / Gyle ward
Drum Brae/Gyle ward covers the communities of Barntongate, Bughtlin, Clermiston, Clerwood, Drum Brae, East Craigs, Forrester Park, North Gyle, Parkgrove, South Gyle and West Craigs.
Working as a team with Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP and Christine Jardine MP, local councillors Robert Aldridge and Ed Thornley are strong voices for the area and fight hard to get things done locally.
You can contact them at:
cllr.robert.aldridge@edinburgh.gov.uk / 0131 529 4992
cllr.edward.thornley@edinburgh.gov.uk / 0131 529 4152
Latest news
Council Budget 2023 - Drum Brae/Gyle
The Council has now set it's budget for the coming financial year.
All parties proposed a budget with the SNP/Green opting to present a shared budget. After three rounds of voting, the Liberal Democrat budget was passed, securing the highest number of votes across the chamber.
Local Lib Dem councillor Ed Thornley said, “I am delighted the Liberal Democrat budget was passed. The Council faces over £70m of cuts due to continued underfunding from the SNP/Green Scottish Government, so it is more important than ever that we listen to the priorities of residents and try to spend money wisely.
"In the budget we have managed to stop £5m of education cuts, invest £11m extra into tackling broken roads, paths and pavements, invest £3m more into our parks and greenspaces and invest a much-needed £2m in flood prevention measures.
"I'm really excited that we have been able to secure this extra funding for this year. Our crumbling roads, paths and pavements desperately need this investment, and with extreme weather events rising we need the flood protections all the more too.
"It has been clear from our conversations with residents that they want us to focus on protecting our childrens’ education and invest in the basics of the City. That is what we have done.”
Councillor Robert Aldridge
Robert has been a councillor for Drum Brae/Gyle for over 30 years and he lives locally in Barntongate.
Robert was unanimously elected as Edinburgh's Lord Provost, meaning he chairs meetings of the Council and is also the civic head of the city and the ex-officio Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh.
Robert has a long record of service and action for and with the local community and he has a strong reputation for getting things done.
- He campaigned successfully with local residents for the Drum Brae Leisure Centre and for the Drum Brae Library Hub, which have both been hugely successful.
- He chaired the Neighbourhood Partnership’s Environment Committee leading to improvements in parks across the Drum Brae/Gyle area and targeted anti-litter campaigns.
- He has championed more local decision making – especially in promoting the Youth Decides initiative locally, where young people recommend local projects for funding.
- He championed the new gym hall at East Craigs Primary school and the development of the new Buttercup Farm Park.
For all his time as a councillor, Robert has fought to protect local green spaces from development. Most recently he opposed the recently rejected development proposals for yet more housing on greenbelt at Cammo.
Councillor Ed Thornley
Ed believes in ensuring our communities across Drum Brae / Gyle ward receive the best possible Council services. A well-known face on the doorstep, Ed has been standing up for West Edinburgh and has helped ensure local people are listened to at all levels of government.
Together with Councillor Robert Aldridge, he is campaigning for:
- Action to tackle the terrible state of local roads, paths and pavements
- More investment in our parks and green spaces
- Better lighting in green spaces so people can feel safe when walking
- A lights-controlled crossing at the junction of Drum Brae North and Drum Brae Drive
- Improvements to the reliability of the 31 bus
He sits on the Culture and Communities and Governance, Risk and Best Value Committees.
