Face to face with…Jenni Martin

The City Centre Neighbourhood Partnership is supported by the City Centre Team, Services for Communities, the City of Edinburgh Council. Jenni Martin is team manager.

Tell us a bit about yourself...

I’m Jenni Martin and I’ve worked with the Council in Edinburgh for 28 years.

Tell us a bit about your job...

As neighbourhood manager for the city centre, I’m responsible for a range of locally delivered services including community safety, Environmental Wardens, housing, parks, street cleaning and roads maintenance as well as being responsible to the Neighbourhood Partnership for the delivery of services within Ward 11.

What’s your biggest challenge?

The general appearance of the city centre. The volume of visitors to the area both day and night means that the pressure on services and, in particular, street cleaning is particularly high. We need to balance the needs of this 24-hour economy with the needs of local residents.

Any successes you are particularly proud of?

The Neighbourhood Partnership has just approved the Community Plan and Action Plan for the area, ensuring that services delivered by the Council and its partners reflect the priorities such as the project to upgrade the Playfair Steps.

What common problems are you able to help people with?

Staff deal with a full range of services for our customers, whether they are complaints about the condition of the roads and pavements or assistance to fill in applications for housing.

Any interesting stories?

Our office is at 1 Cockburn St and our customer advisers are often asked for directions to tourist attractions. An elderly tourist had become separated from her group and could not find the tour bus. Staff were able to help her out.

The office is based in what was the ‘Cockburn Hotel’ and we still get enquiries for bed and breakfast!