Councillor Ruth brings new youthful vigour to Labour ranks

Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. There are six splendid women there already, but all will agree, that like me, they are past the first flush of youth. Councillor Elliott will bring a new energy and fresh perspective, not least her experience of surviving in a city as expensive as Edinburgh. I still remember my first day as a new councillor, back in 1992. At 35 I was a decade older than Ruth. As I entered the City Chambers, a man in uniform greeted me with a 'Good morning ma'am' which I found both hilarious and weirdly intimidating. 'Call me Susan,' I stuttered. 'Thank you Councillor,' he replied, and for the next seven years, he and his fellow City Officers always addressed me as 'councillor'. Never Susan, but also never ma'am. I have don't have much advice for the new councillor for Southside and Newington. My civic duty ended in 1999 and things have changed quite significantly since then, so I doubt if I have much of value to offer, but here are three things I would say to her. One, learn as much as you can about local government finance, as quickly as you can. It may seem daunting at first, but knowing how councils are funded, the constraints they are under, and how to read and monitor the annual revenue and capital budgets is crucial to everything you will do. Follow the money. Make friends and where appropriate, common cause with councillors from other political parties. They may be the opposition, but they are not the enemy. Some of them will have good ideas. Even more of them will be good fun. Lastly, take time off. Some folk think councillors have a cushy job, but if you are doing it properly, as I am sure you will, it is hard work and can take over your life. Carve out one day a week for you, with no council reports to read and no community meetings to attend. I know you will have to hit the campaign trail again soon for next year's elections, but your free time is precious.