New Portobello High School - PPAG Judicial Review

[Makaveli]

I thought the same about who the members are and who will be responsible for finding the funds?

Where can this info be found?

[rmolehusband]

I thought the same about who the members are and who will be responsible for finding the funds?
Where can this info be found?

This would be why PPAG started a 'formal membership' after their last AGM - joint and several liability I'd guess. Glad my name's not on that list. I doubt they need to make the actual list public though.

I do have a copy of PPAGs consitution somewhere, I'll have a look and see what it says on the subject.

[joeshmoe]

Someone (person or persons) will have brought the legal action (appeal) so assume they'd be the ones who'd be pursued for costs

[Bob Jefferson]

We now have 645 signatures on the petition. I'm truly stunned by the response. I was asked yesterday how many people I thought would turn up for the demo and I said I would be delighted if we got 100. I think we might get a few more than that.

[Bob Jefferson]

http://www.scotsman.com/news/schools-le ... -1-2206266

Council statement at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/articl ... ourt_costs

Council to pursue protest group for court costs

Published Friday 30 March 2012

The City of Edinburgh Council is to pursue Portobello Park Action Group (PPAG) for the costs incurred in their recent legal case against the Council.

PPAG had petitioned the Court of Session, claiming the Council had no right to appropriate Portobello Park to build the new Portobello High School. Three weeks ago Lady Dorrian dismissed PPAG's petition on the grounds of Mora (delay) saying any court action should have been taken no later than March 2010. Lady Dorrian also upheld the Council's position that the Council didn't need to seek court permission to appropriate the land to build the school on Portobello Park.

Earlier this week, the Council was informed that PPAG intend to appeal this decision.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Convener of Education, Children and Families said: "There is no doubt that Portobello High School urgently needs replaced and there is huge local support for this. PPAG's actions to date have already delayed the opening of the new school and despite Lady Dorrian's judgment clearly supporting the council's position, they continue to further delay the plans for the new school".

Phil Wheeler, Convener of Finance and Resources added: "Enough is enough. The Council has incurred significant legal expenses to date, in excess of £75,000, and the Appeal will incur considerable additional costs. We have a duty to Edinburgh's taxpayers to ensure their money is not wasted and we intend to pursue PPAG for their costs to date. We will also use all measures available to us to protect the council taxpayer from further expense arising from the ongoing legal proceedings".

[Bob Jefferson]

Among those listed on the legal papers as petitioners were PPAG’s Ron Sylvester, Ian Ross, Elizabeth Manshouri and Ros Sutherland. It is understood they would all be liable for the legal costs that the council is now pursuing.

[Makaveli]

Hope they have deep pockets!!! Says there that the total could double from 75,000 to 150,000 pounds!!!

[wangi]

May sound like a daft question; who are PPAG?

The group had to formailise in order to bring the court action, Does anyone know who how many and who the named indivduals are?

Portobello Park Action Group Association's constitution attached.

R Sutherland; D Cairns; G Gowans.

[joeshmoe]

Well done Bob

Your efforts are truly appreciated by everyone

[storky]

Despite the council pursuing legal costs, I wonder if PPAG will still maintain their appeal? They have enough lunatics in their group to do this!

[joeshmoe]

Despite the council pursuing legal costs, I wonder if PPAG will still maintain their appeal? They have enough lunatics in their group to do this!

If the costs for the initial appeal end up costing them over 100k, costs for the next one will be even more. They surely do not have the funds

What they are more likely to do is take this as far as they can and then pull out, and to be honest i dont know how long that might be? Does anyone know. Is their some sort of cutoff date? Would it take the Council past the Contractors tender?

[wangi]

A good turn out at the Park - well done all.

[Porty]

Despite the council pursuing legal costs, I wonder if PPAG will still maintain their appeal? They have enough lunatics in their group to do this!

How many lunatics are enough?- I'd say two. I reckon they have three.

In my opinion, two of those are sick zealots, who are unlikely to desist. The other is ideally placed to get some forthright legal advice regarding the council's intended legal action.

Here's a prediction; when it comes to the crunch, DC will be the last one standing and will no longer wish to associate with her former allies, now turncoats- its her modus operandi. Ask anyone who crossed her during any of the other campaigns she has been involved with.

[Porty]

A good turn out at the Park - well done all.

That's great at such short notice.
Any pics Wangi? (He said, asking perhaps the daftest question ever posed on TP)

[Maria]

Marilyne MacLaren spoke at today's demo in the park. Interestingly, not only are the council suing for costs, they will also ask the court to ensure that PPAG put up a bond, in advance of their appeal.

[Bob Jefferson]

A good turn out at the Park - well done all.

That's great at such short notice.
Any pics Wangi? (He said, asking perhaps the daftest question ever posed on TP)

Some pics already on the FB page. And some great video to follow if I can find that mini HDMI cable.

[joeshmoe]

A good turn out at the Park - well done all.

Yes, was a brilliant turnout, we're the press there?

[joeshmoe]

Marilyne MacLaren spoke at today's demo in the park. Interestingly, not only are the council suing for costs, they will also ask the court to ensure that PPAG put up a bond, in advance of their appeal.

Didn't hear that, the news gets better!

[Porty]

Marilyne MacLaren spoke at today's demo in the park. Interestingly, not only are the council suing for costs, they will also ask the court to ensure that PPAG put up a bond, in advance of their appeal.

Hardball- just what's needed. PPAG have crossed the line.

[wangi]

A good turn out at the Park - well done all.

That's great at such short notice.
Any pics Wangi? (He said, asking perhaps the daftest question ever posed on TP)

You'd think. But I was without camera. Here are a couple from the phone:
https://twitter.com/#!/talkporty/status ... 0000400384


That was at the start - it got significantly busier.

Max, you able to share some photos?

[wangi]

Reminder to sign the petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/dea ... ppeal.html

Currently 691 signatures.

[Bob Jefferson]

Anyone got a number for Max Blinkhorn? I need to contact him urgently. BBC want photos.

[wangi]

Bob, see contact info on http://www.getshot.biz

[Pal of Porty]

The Council are only playing by the rules asking for a lodgement and suing for costs and it would be rather incredulous to suggest that the key personnel in PPAG did not know what they were getting into when they went to court.

PPAG, even at this late stage, is still spouting the same old factually incorrect garbage and has disagreed with everybody from the initial firm of Consultants to Judge Dorian and all else inbetween. Their track record to date suggests they are unlikely to produce an objective focus on the strength of their appeal so a withdrawal will be the furthest thing on their one track minds and would only ever be done as a last, last, last resort. They do not care about the wants of most Portobello citizens and don't even have the sense to withdraw and claim a 'moral' victory by saying that the big nasty Council bullied them into withdrawing because the Council had a lot more money.

I hope the Council, whom in my opinion have been outstanding at every juncture throughout this very lengthy process, squeeze the lot of them until the pips squeak!

[Porty]

Then shoot 'em?

[Pal of Porty]

Then shoot 'em?

No - It's my job to shoot them.

[Chas]

Then shoot 'em?

No - It's my job to shoot them.

Form an orderly queue now....

[Betty Windsor]

So not content with attempting to silence the PPAG, we then had the character assassinations. Now you want to ruin them financially. And this because they have dared to stand up for what they believe in.

[Doris]

Hello Betty - we've missed you

[Makaveli]

What they believe in? Now Gillian don't try this again - we all know this has nothing to do with green space and everything to do with nimbyism.

[Bob Jefferson]

[joeshmoe]

So not content with attempting to silence the PPAG, we then had the character assassinations. Now you want to ruin them financially. And this because they have dared to stand up for what they believe in.

If you take someone to court and lose you pay costs? PPAG knew this before this started so how is anyone trying to ruin them financially? The Council is quite right to insist they pay TAXPAYERS money and to ask for a bond to lodge yet another futile appeal which is only about trying to delay the school build costing yet more taxpayers money

What do they believe in? Lack of green space? Do you seriously believe that and expect everyone else to ?

[Bob Jefferson]

You'll like this one Gillian:

[seashell]

A very sensible decision by the Council. It's hard to conceive that PPAG would not have been made aware of this possibility.
Super turnout for the rally - sorry I couldn't be there, but I had to work.
thanks for posting the photos and videos.

[Porty]

So not content with attempting to silence the PPAG, we then had the character assassinations. Now you want to ruin them financially. And this because they have dared to stand up for what they believe in.

The characters in PPAG have ruined their reputation in the community no need for assasination.

Gillian I don't quite follow your bankruptcy angle. Do you mean to tell us that PPAG embarked on court action without the funds to pay for it?