'Ambassador' parking wardens move

Donald Anderson will quit as council leader next year

Edinburgh's parking attendants could become "civic ambassadors" with greatly expanded powers, under new plans.

Donald Anderson, Edinburgh City Council's leader, said they could report littering, fly-tipping and community safety problems.

He said "value added" attendants should also monitor other environmental concerns such as abandoned vehicles.

Mr Anderson made the proposals in his final monthly report after 20 years on the local authority.

The 43-year-old Labour councillor for Kaimes recently said he would not be seeking re-election to the post of leader next year.

Looking forward

In his report, he also said that Edinburgh was now the best city in Britain, with its people and children having greater opportunities than at any time in its 1,000-year history.

Mr Anderson, argued that Edinburgh's strong economy and low unemployment rate helped its residents to enjoy a higher quality of life.

He will have completed two four-year terms as leader by the time of the next city council elections in May 2007.

Edinburgh is the best city in Britain Donald Anderson

Mr Anderson said he planned to stand as Labour candidate for Edinburgh South in the Scottish Parliamentary elections next year.

The seat is currently held by Liberal Democrat Mike Pringle, who won it from Labour's former finance minister Angus MacKay by just 158 votes in 2003.

Mr Anderson said he was looking forward to the "challenge" ahead. He added: "Edinburgh is the best city in Britain because not only is it stunningly beautiful but it is big enough to have all the things it should have and is small enough to be easily accessible to everything."

Management of the capital's parking control system is to be switched to a new company later this year.