Sean Moffat is the ADF Scotland candidate standing in the Edinburgh Council by-election for the Newington and Southside ward. Based in Edinburgh, Sean brings a strong record of community engagement and a commitment to practical, accountable local representation.

He campaigns with a clear focus on community safety, housing stability, and improving local services to make everyday life better for residents across the ward. To top it all off, Sean will not be shy about naming and shaming those who try to avoid accountability. In his own no-nonsense way, no civil servant, institution, or business of any kind will be able to hide from scrutiny or control what he says and does.

My Voting and Signing Record

I will set up and personally maintain a simple public website that lists every planning application, motion, and key decision that I sign or vote on, how I voted, and a short plain-English explanation of why.
It will be updated within 72 hours. No spin, no hiding, just the record, so you can keep an eye on me.

Local Councillor Priorities

1. Homes for Locals, Not Just More Student Flats

Southside and Newington already have more than enough purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). I will automatically call in, or support community call-ins of, every new PBSA application so that it goes before the full Planning Committee.
I will work with residents and community councils to push back against further over-concentration and demand that major sites prioritise genuine homes for local people and families. Overcrowding and transient student developments place real pressure on local GP capacity and community wellbeing. I will insist that these health impacts are properly assessed and not ignored.

2. Streets That Work for Residents and Local Shops

I will demand proper reviews of schemes on Ratcliffe Terrace, Minto Street, Dalkeith Road, and similar streets, with genuine input from residents and traders, not just council officers.
I will challenge parking and cycling measures that harm local businesses, require impact assessments of existing bollards and street layouts, and push for temporary trials so that we can see the real effects before anything becomes permanent.

3. Make Developers Deliver What They Promise

I will scrutinise Section 75 agreements and publicly pursue any outstanding infrastructure, landscaping, or community contributions within the ward.
Incomplete developments will be raised at committee meetings and in formal correspondence with senior officers. Residents living alongside unfinished developments will have their concerns turned into formal council action, and I will call for stronger and quicker enforcement when developers drag their feet.
I will also apply rigorous scrutiny to terms and conditions during procurement processes, including opposing unauthorised weekend working carried out at the public's expense.

4. Get the Basics Right

I will run regular Ward Walks and Fix-It Fridays, where residents can report potholes, broken pavements, overflowing bins, and fly-tipping directly to me.
I will publish a simple monthly scorecard showing what has and has not been fixed, prioritise the worst-affected streets and parks through casework, and ensure that community clean-ups are followed by proper council maintenance.
I will also treat poor housing conditions and overcrowding as the public health issues they are, pushing for faster home adaptations, better support for older and vulnerable residents, and joined-up action so that people are not left struggling at home or stuck in hospital unnecessarily.

5. Support Local High Streets and Independent Businesses

I will meet regularly with traders and act as their voice on parking, access, and loading issues.
I will oppose any new traffic or parking measures that traders believe will damage their businesses and will insist on thorough business impact assessments.
I will help local shops navigate licensing, planning, and roadworks, while publicly championing practical improvements that make our high streets work better for the people who use them every day.

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Additional Commitments

•Fortnightly or monthly open councillor surgeries and walkabouts in different parts of the ward.
•A simple monthly email or short video update outlining what I have achieved and what remains outstanding.
•A strong working relationship with Southside, Grange/Prestonfield, and other community councils, so that organised residents have a direct line to me.
Standing for Newington and Southside
Sean is standing in the by-election to ensure that local voices are heard at council level. He understands the distinct needs of Newington and Southside, from student and tenant concerns to the pressures facing long-term residents, and will press for council action that reflects those neighbourhood priorities.
As the ADF Scotland candidate, Sean will be a visible and accessible councillor focused on delivering tangible improvements.

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Local Priorities: Safety, Housing and Services

Community safety is central to Sean's platform. He will lobby for better co-ordination between Police Scotland and council services, improved street lighting, and targeted support in areas vulnerable to antisocial behaviour.
On housing, Sean champions stability for renters and measures to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes, coupled with stronger enforcement of landlord responsibilities.
He will also push for higher standards in local services, including reliable waste collection, well-maintained parks, and responsive council-run amenities, so that residents receive the day-to-day support they expect.
Community Organising That Delivers
Sean's background in community organising underpins a practical approach to representation. He has convened residents' groups, negotiated with local agencies, and delivered community-led solutions, demonstrating an ability to translate grassroots concerns into policy and action.
That experience drives his emphasis on accountability through regular surgeries, clear reporting on progress, and direct channels for constituents to raise issues and track outcomes.

Get Involved and Hold Sean to Account

Sean welcomes conversations with residents and local groups across Newington and Southside. Whether you have concerns about housing, safety, or local services, you can engage with the campaign to help shape priorities and monitor delivery.

Electing Sean Moffat means choosing a councillor who combines community-rooted experience with a practical, results-focused approach on behalf of ADF Scotland.

Campaign Priorities for Southside and Newington

Practical, Transparent, Community-Led Action
ADF Scotland proudly supports Sean's campaign to tackle the issues that residents raise most often.
The campaign is focused on reducing antisocial behaviour through stronger partnership working with Police Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council, targeted youth diversion programmes, improved street lighting, and focused CCTV deployment in hotspot areas.

Sean will prioritise regular joint tasking meetings with policing and housing partners to ensure problems are identified quickly and resolved through visible, practical measures that restore confidence in neighbourhood safety.
Securing affordable housing and improving transport links are also core priorities. The campaign will press the council and housing associations to accelerate the delivery of genuinely affordable homes by identifying and repurposing underused land, supporting modest development in appropriate locations, and advocating for dedicated affordable housing allocations within new developments.

On transport, Sean will work with bus operators, ScotRail, and regional transport partners to improve services, increase frequency at key times, enhance punctuality, and promote park-and-ride facilities and active travel routes that connect residential areas with schools, employment hubs, and the city centre.
Strengthening community services and maintaining transparent decision-making underpin the campaign's approach. Sean and ADF Scotland will protect and promote community hubs, local health and mental health services, and adult education resources, while developing clear delivery plans with measurable milestones.
Resident engagement is central to the campaign. Regular surgeries, street meetings, published minutes, and an independent community oversight panel will ensure accountability and clarity on progress.
The emphasis is on practical delivery: quick-win projects, pilot initiatives with evaluated outcomes, and sustained partnership working to secure better, lasting results for the people of Southside and Newington.