Latest news with #BenParker
The National
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Edinburgh councillors vote in favour of arms firms using public parks for testing
Green councillor Ben Parker tabled the motion, which aimed at banning the practice following a public backlash last year over the arms firm Leonardo testing its equipment in the Braid Hills area of the capital. Leonardo, which employs around 1800 people at its site near Crewe Toll, was given a licence to test communications equipment in Braid Hills in December last year. On Thursday, Edinburgh councillors voted 5-6 against introducing the ban, with SNP and Greens voting in favour and Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Tories voting against it. READ MORE: 'Israel herding Palestinians into concentration camps,' says Gaza aid chief Cllr Parker said he was 'obviously disappointed' at the outcome but said his party will continue to stand up to companies who 'profit from war'. He said: 'Today, Councillors had a chance to stand up for peace and instead chose inaction. 'Despite community objections and a clear moral imperative, the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have voted to continue to allow arms manufacturers to test their equipment in our beautiful, publicly owned, green spaces. 'I'm obviously disappointed in the decision made today, but Green Councillors will continue to push for Edinburgh to be a city which stands up for justice and doesn't bend to the whims of companies who profit from war.' In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said it is 'unbearable' to watch the genocide unfold in Gaza by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and tested on the Braid Hills. She said: 'As chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh green spaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals. 'It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions, seeing children maimed and orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills.' She added: 'The new park management rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh's beautiful green spaces, which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.' The City of Edinburgh Council has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Public fury sparks vote to ban arms testing in Edinburgh's public parks
COUNCILLORS in Edinburgh will be taking a vote today on whether arms manufacturers should be allowed to use public parks in the city to test their equipment. The motion, brought by Green councillor Ben Parker aiming to prohibit the practice, was prompted by backlash last year over arms firm Leonardo testing equipment in the city's Braid Hills. Leonardo, which employs around 1800 people at its site near Crewe Toll, was given a licence to test communications equipment in the Braid Hills in December last year. Parker is now calling for such testing to be stopped – and calling for the council to "stand against the arms trade". READ MORE: David Pratt: Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb was remarkable by any standards Speaking about his motion, Parker said: 'The council has taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment. "At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way. "When news of testing in the Braid Hills emerged last year, the local community were clear in their opposition, and I hope councillors from all parties will see sense and make sure this kind of thing can never happen again in Edinburgh.' In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the Chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said: 'As chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the Council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh Greenspaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals. "It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions seeing children maimed and orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills. "This testing includes using the Braid Hills as a 6km line of sight from the Leonardo lab in Crewe Toll for its targeting systems.' She added: 'The new Park Management Rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh's beautiful Greenspaces which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.'
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish councillors to vote on arms testing in public parks today
The motion, brought by Green councillor Ben Parker aiming to prohibit the practice, was prompted by backlash last year over arms firm Leonardo testing equipment in the city's Braid Hills. Leonardo, which employs around 1800 people at its site near Crewe Toll, was given a licence to test communications equipment in the Braid Hills in December last year. Parker is now calling for such testing to be stopped – and calling for the council to "stand against the arms trade". READ MORE: David Pratt: Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb was remarkable by any standards Speaking about his motion, Parker said: 'The council has taken a strong stance on opposing advertising and sponsorship from arms manufacturers, and it is completely hypocritical to then allow these same companies to use our beautiful public space to test their equipment. "At a time when we are witnessing the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, we should not be supporting companies who profit from arms sales to the Israeli Government in any way. "When news of testing in the Braid Hills emerged last year, the local community were clear in their opposition, and I hope councillors from all parties will see sense and make sure this kind of thing can never happen again in Edinburgh.' In a written deputation submitted in advance of the committee meeting, the Chair of the Friends of the Braid Hills Group, Elaine Le Geyt-Anderson, said: 'As chair of Friends of the Braid Hills I have stated clearly to the Council, as stakeholders, that we strongly oppose the use of Edinburgh Greenspaces, gifted to the people of Edinburgh, to be used in this way by a company which manufactures components which kill children and bomb hospitals. "It is unbearable to watch news on our televisions seeing children maimed and orphaned by equipment manufactured in Edinburgh and now tested on the Braid Hills. "This testing includes using the Braid Hills as a 6km line of sight from the Leonardo lab in Crewe Toll for its targeting systems.' She added: 'The new Park Management Rules must reflect a clear decision never to give permission to any arms manufacturer for the testing of components or equipment on the Braid Hills or any other of Edinburgh's beautiful Greenspaces which were gifted to the city for our enjoyment and wellbeing.'
Powys County Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Parker proud of players despite Twickenham defeat
Smiths Rugby head coach Ben Parker admitted his side's 33-19 defeat to Old Elthamians in the Men's Counties 2 Championship final was just beyond his side's limits. The Cheltenham-based side gave a valiant account of themselves at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, but despite tries from Jack Davies, skipper Ben Hawker and John Bryant, could never fully take control of the encounter. Speaking at full time, Parker could not fault the effort of his players and spoke of his immense pride that his team reached the final. 'I am feeling mixed,' he said. 'Gutted of course because it is a big day for the club, but we have had a lot of big games this season. 'It just felt like one game too many for us today. We did not quite have the energy. 'We definitely tried our hardest, so even though I am really disappointed, I am also immensely proud of what we have done today.' Old Elthamians' Reis Norman broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes as the No. 8 burst over the tryline off the back of a scrum. Smiths responded midway through the first 40 minutes as Davies was found in acres of space on the left wing and made no mistake when he dotted down. Old Elthamians retook the lead soon after however, when Matthew Chick went over from close-range to give his team the lead at half time. Luca Petrozzi's quick tap-and-go allowed him to extend Old Elthamians' advantage two minutes into the second period, with fly half Joe Leigh making it a hat-trick of successful conversions. Smiths reduced their arrears through captain Hawker's converted effort to leave the score 21-14 with approximately half an hour left to play. But tries from Cam Hancock and Ben Adamson put the game beyond doubt, with Bryant's score late on little more than a consolation for Smiths. Parker hopes this year's cup run can act as a springboard for next season but wants his players to enjoy a well-earned rest before that .'I want to go and lie down for a bit and regroup,' he smiled. 'It has been a tough season, and we have had a very good cup campaign. 'We need to let everyone switch off from rugby over the summer, and then hopefully this puts us on the map, and we keep rising up through the ranks.'
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Edinburgh City Council to buy 17 properties at risk from concrete
Officials have found 72 current and former council flats used RAAC roof panels Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh Council is planning to buy 17 homes and flats in the city in order to tackle issues with a dangerous type of concrete in ceiling panels. Officers have confirmed that in five buildings where the council owns homes, RAAC roof panels were used, which risk collapsing in on the structures they are a part of. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad RAAC, or reinforced autoclaved air-entrained concrete, was a building material often used in the construction of publicly-owned buildings in the UK up to the 1990s. It was popular for its low cost, low weight and fire resistance, but it can fail if it comes into contact with water for extended periods of time. Several council primary and secondary schools are affected by RAAC, as well as the Blackhall Library, which closed temporarily until fixes could be implemented last year. After conducting a survey, council officers found that 72 current and former council flats in the city used a certain type of RAAC roof panels, with the council still owning 44. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Blackhall Library in Edinburgh | LDR Private tenants at the affected properties will now be offered the option of being bought out by the council at market rate and becoming tenants, which a report by officers said would offer good value for money due to the impact the RAAC would have on their home values. Green councillor Ben Parker asked council officer Jackie Timmons: 'An obvious one, really, or a common sense question. From a safety point of view, how likely are we to see any risk come through before repairs are completed on these buildings?' Timmons replied: 'All the surveys that have been done now, there's no critical risks. There's been no propping, no evacuation of any residents. 'High risk on some panels' 'There's high risks on some panels, and the structural engineer is quite comfortable that the work is done as soon as possible. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We can see the panels, it's not like they're hidden – we can see any changes and things. The work will start quite quickly, hoping by the end of summer we're on site.' She also said that there would need to be some further surveys into RAAC in the affected buildings, including in common areas. The five affected buildings include three terraced rows of six houses, and two low-rise apartment blocks. During the works, both council and private residents of the buildings will need to be temporarily moved out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If the council is unable to buy out the private owners in the buildings, or reach an agreement with them on works, it could use emergency powers to force them out and remediate the RAAC in their homes.
