Happy Coincidence


Edinburgh City Council last week discovered a £2 million surplus in its budget - which has now been earmarked for various 'good works' - such as helping disadvantaged children and elderly people.

Now call me cynical if you like.

But I can't help noticing that this money has suddenly come to light - just a few months ahead of  the local council elections - which will be held in May 2012.

After years of complaining the council was strapped for cash - it turns out that things weren't quite so bad after all.

The £2 million that has happily fallen into the council's lap - will now be spent on a long list of  local projects:  

£500,000 for repairing potholes
£650,000 for street cleansing
£250,000 for road safety
£100,000 for care services
£100,000 on specialist equipment for elderly people
£100,000 for open for business programmes
£35,000 on marketing Edinburgh
£100,000 on sport and outdoor centres
£100,000 for a youth music and arts fund
£30,000 to expand internet security workshops
£10,000 on protecting and preserving the City Archives
£25,000 on the Edinburgh Design Initiative

So the motto of the story is councils always complain that they're strapped for cash - it goes with the territory.

But they can always find extra funds when push comes to shove - especially when there's an election in the offing.

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