An Update From Councillor Kayleigh O'Neill

I’m very happy and grateful for having the opportunity to write in this month’s edition of Trinity Spotlight. December and the holiday season is inevitably a time for reflection so I wanted my first piece to cover what I’m looking back on and what I’m looking forward to in the new year.

After being elected in May I remember feeling a great deal of pressure in that I am my party’s first Councillor for the ward and I am the youngest councillor in this session’s cohort – I’ve also found out that I am the second youngest of all time!

Feelings of pressure and imposter syndrome had to be dealt with quickly because soon I was waist deep in committee papers, training, casework and ward research. As well as this I had issues with accessibility. I expected to have some issues as a wheelchair user coming to work in City Chambers but the most difficult barrier has been the accepted culture of politics being for people that are a certain age, gender, look and ability.

In every committee, meeting and setting I find myself in, I’m very proud to share my lived experience as a disabled person and ergo representing a group of people that is often overlooked. I am also careful not to talk over others’ experience and I spend most weekends visiting people and places that can help me understand how even more people can be helped and represented in council.

I’ll now share a bit of what I’m up to in December and what’s coming next from your Green councillor.

I have been working closely with the Place Directorate about the development and roll-out of the Warm & Welcoming Spaces initiative. Sadly, many this Winter will be struggling to heat their homes and this will have a detrimental impact on physical and mental health. I pushed for these spaces to be accessible, welcoming to all and importantly spread out across the ward so wherever you live you can access support.

I’m also keen on working with Transport and Place teams to look at the incoming pavement parking ban, dropped kerb programme and the scourge of potholes and wonky pavements that you’ll see on a daily basis. If you have questions or comments on the above I’d be very grateful for your input.

As a councillor with access needs I am still in the process of setting up surgery dates. In the meantime if you need to speak to me please feel free to contact me at cllr.kayleigh.oneill@edinburgh.gov.uk or on 07514 318633.

Take care all.

‘Unlock’ – A new way to sell your home

The ESPC and a group of solicitor estate agents including ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan have launched ‘Unlock’ which is a new way to market properties for sale.

Many people would like to move home but are worried that they will sell their home but it won’t give them time to find their next perfect home. They are put off by the possibility of having to move to a temporary rental property or buying the wrong property because they are in a hurry to buy something before their sale date. Unlock allows your solicitor estate agent to market your property for sale but with the added assurance that you will have time to find your next home. This is done by adding a clause to the missives that gives you the option to withdraw from the sale if you can’t find a new home that you love and meets your needs and requirements. The home buyer will be given a long date of entry, typically six months, which should give you time to find the right home. This option allows you to fully progress with the sale of your home and secure a committed buyer, whilst also having the security that you can withdraw from the sale if you need to. Unlock is only available through ESPC’s network of solicitor estate agents and provides a creative solution to those sellers who want to find a property first before selling. It’s never too early to talk to us about Unlock, it could be the answer to your home move.

Unlock for home sellers

Unlock allows homeowners to market and accept an offer on their home, subject to criteria they set related to their next property purchase. The advantages of Unlock to home sellers are highlighted as: 1. You get a longer date of entry to allow you time to find a new home. 2. You will be in a stronger buyer position having already agreed on a sale for your home. 3. You will know exactly how much you can afford, meaning you can really target the right home for you. If you are considering selling a property and believe Unlock may be the right option for you but would like to find out more, please get in touch with our property team. We can answer all your questions and help you decide if you want to market your property with Unlock.

Unlock for home buyers

What does Unlock mean for home buyers? The main benefit to home buyers is that some new exciting properties may appear on the market as sellers feel safer selling with Unlock. To secure this property, you will likely have to face a longer entry date but this will give you time to prepare for your move. The Missives will be concluded which means that you have purchased the property and you won’t lose out to a higher bidder several months later. However, there will be additional clauses added to the Missives to protect the seller. They will most likely state that they can withdraw from the sale if they can’t find a new home. They may offer compensation if this happens. Your solicitor will explain all Unlock clauses before you sign the Missives. You can read more about Unlock for home buyers on the ESPC website or contact one of our conveyancing solicitors at ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan who will be able to explain it in detail. You don’t need to worry about Unlock unless the property you would like to buy has been marked as an Unlock property on the ESPC.

Unlock and ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan

We are one of the solicitor estate agents that has signed up to Unlock with the ESPC. Our team of property solicitors and estate agents has been fully trained in the process. We can answer all your questions which will help you decide if selling your home with Unlock is the right process for you.