Agenda and minutes

Including any notices of motion and any other items of business submitted as urgent for consideration at the meeting.

Members should declare any financial and non-financial interests they have in the items of business for consideration, identifying the relevant agenda item and the nature of their interest.

If any

Minute of Policy and Sustainability Committee of 28 May 2020 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Decision

The approve the minute of the XXXX Committee of XXXX as a correct record.

Policy and Sustainability Committee – Work Programme

Policy and Sustainability Committee – Rolling Actions Log

Motion by Councillor Day - Living Wage for Health & Social Care Staff

“Committee welcomes the Scottish Government announcement to increase the Scottish Living Wage including a 3.3% uplift for all care workers delivering adult social care services in Scotland.

Committee notes the briefing of 18 May “Contractual Uplifts 20/21” issued by the CFO of EIJB which shows this will mean a £6.5m increase in money paid to carers in the Capital.

Also notes the ongoing discussions through COSLA to deliver the 3.3% increase in full and agrees to support the efforts of the EIJB, COSLA and the Scottish Government in reaching a positive conclusion as quickly as possible”

Motion by Councillor Day - Black Lives Matter

“Committee reaffirms Edinburgh Council’s commitment to leadership of Scotland’s capital city anchored in equality, inclusion, fairness, tolerance and diversity. 

Notes Police Scotland’s commitment to Fairness, integrity and respect as core values of policing and the ongoing work with partners, including the Council, to stamp out racism in our City and across Scotland.

As our citizens, Council and the city, move out of, and beyond the Coronavirus pandemic, Council shall continue to nurture and enhance Edinburgh’s globally renowned reputation as a safe, welcoming, inclusive city for anyone, from anywhere, to live, work, study, and visit.

Committee affirms there is no place for racism, prejudice, discrimination, intolerance and hate in Edinburgh; and that there should be no place for it anywhere against anyone.

Committee condemns the recent murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, USA.

Committee agrees that Black Lives Matter and supports the Black Lives Matter campaign.”

Motion by Councillor Day - Drylaw Rainbow Club Day Centre 35th Anniversary

“Committee notes the high quality of care and support provided by the Drylaw Rainbow Club Day Centre.

Committee notes that on June 2020, they will celebrate 35 years of service to clients and their families across North West Edinburgh, and their continued sterling efforts during the current Covid 19 pandemic providing food, shopping and support to many older and vulnerable people.

Committee agrees that the Lord Provost recognises this anniversary in an appropriate way.”

Motion by Councillor Watt - Funding of Temporary Accommodation for Homeless People

“That Committee

• Notes the ongoing work of the Homelessness Task Force and the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee which has included extending the PSL contract and the ongoing extension of a private rented framework, both of which seek to further increase the supply of temporary flats.

• Recognises the development of a Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) for Edinburgh, which sets out the options for improving prevention of homelessness and increasing the supply of permanent, affordable accommodation with the aim of ending the use of temporary accommodation.

• Notes the previously approved decision to invest in 5 properties for home-share.

• Calls for a report to be submitted to the Policy & Sustainability Committee, which lists the current temporary accommodation that has been contracted for since the CV-19 pandemic: giving the type of accommodation, the number of families and single people accommodated and the current end date of the contracts.

• The report should set out the work to date on an exit strategy and transition post lock down to find positive solutions for people moving on from accommodation provided as a public health response to the Covid 19 pandemic. This should include an update report on the work to increase the number of PSL properties available to use as temporary accommodation.

• The report should also make recommendations as to what types of accommodation could be purchased or leased long-term (including – but not restricted to – properties that were previously being used for ‘air bnb’ style short-term lets). It should also consider work with third sector partners and how contracting could be used to secure further accommodation so that we are examining all options to ensure that suitable accommodation is available for people when their current accommodation ceases to be available.”

Motion by Councillor Cook - Support for Local Business Campaign

“Committee

Welcomes the unprecedented packages of financial support provided by the UK and Scottish Government to Edinburgh businesses.

Recognises that local traders and high streets face a particularly challenging economic environment for the foreseeable future as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Agrees that the Council must do all in it's power to foster a positive trading environment, working alongside local Traders' Associations and directly with traders wherever possible.

Agrees that a report is brought forward in three cycles with options available to institute a 'Support for Local Business' campaign in aid of traders in local town centres and high streets such as, but not limited to Morningside, Bruntsfield, Stockbridge and Corstorphine, as we go through the various stages of re-opening under the Scottish Government's route map.

The report should include options on actions such as local digital and print advertising initiatives and local signage and aesthetic improvements to local high streets.”

Motion by Councillor Mowat - City's Greenspaces

“Committee

Council notes that entering Phase 1 out of Lockdown has seen large numbers using the City’s parks and greenspaces (to be understood as areas not formally designated as parks but under the Council’s management)  to enjoy time together, whilst the majority of people have enjoyed these spaces in a responsible manner there has been an increase in litter and overflowing bins reported; barbecues scorching grass and anti-social behaviour have also been reported which negatively impacts on those using the parks and greenspaces appropriately and the close neighbours of these areas; the Council is proud of the improved quality of its parks as measured by the increase in Green Flags awarded and the parks and greenspaces are much needed to provide access to green space for those without gardens so it is important that they can be used by all, many of our parks have Friends Groups who cannot currently meet in person but who have worked with the Council to enhance the management;

Council calls for a report in 1 cycle:

1.    detailing how officers have responded to this after the weekend of 30/31st May,

2.    What engagement there has been with Friends groups to understand the issues of particular parks;

3.    whether staff currently not able to access normal place of employment could assist with increased litter clearance or park patrols to enforce appropriate behaviour in the parks, and

4.    the feasibility of improved, large format signage encouraging responsible behaviour being displayed in parks and greenspaces, particularly during busy periods.”

Motion by Councillor Laidlaw - Public Lavatories

“Committee

Motion on provision of public toilet facilities

Committee notes that public toilets remain closed despite the easing of lockdown resulting in significant numbers of people socialising outdoors in our parks and greenspaces where these normally provide lavatory facilities.

Committee notes in the absence of public toilets being open, members of the public are choosing to relieve themselves outdoors and in the vicinity of people’s homes causing a significant health hazard.

Committee recognises the challenges of reopening the toilets as stated by officers below, but notes that limited public toilet opening has been achieved by other UK local authorities in response to particular pressures in high-volume outdoor areas like major parks and beaches.

Committee asks officers to report to the next meeting of the P&S Committee with a plan for limited reopening of public toilets in key pressure point areas such as parks and the seafront, for Phase 2 of the lockdown easing to include assessment of the following:

A)   Assessments of the layout of each property to establish social distancing e.g. cubicle use only, maximum capacity

B)   Ensuring queue control consistent with social distancing advice outside of the property.

C)   Enhanced cleaning methods, storage and disposal of waste material.

D)    Provision of sanitising materials within facilities e.g. seat cleaner

E)   Risk assessments and Safe working practices

Committee requests that in the short-term Council communications is used to notify people that public toilets are not open and to take this into consideration when going out, as well as the £50 on-the-spot fines that police can issue for relieving oneself outdoors.”

Motion by Councillor Staniforth - Prioritising Marriages with Visa Requirements

“Committee notes:

That a spousal Visa can require that an unmarried couple marry within 6 months of the Visa applicant coming to the UK.

That a Visa given specifically in order for a couple to marry has a six month deadline.

That as part of lockdown registrars have closed down and will not be opening until phase 2 of lockdown relaxation.

Therefore committee mandates:

That people who need to be married to a deadline owing to Visa requirements be given top priority by Edinburgh city’s registrar, over and above any other marriages due to take place.

That the council leader write to the Home Secretary requesting a blanket extension to all visas for the purpose of marriage and to spousal visas’ deadline for marriage after entrance into the UK.”

Motion by Councillor Miller - Pay and display parking charges

“Committee:

1.    Welcomes the phased easing of the Covid-19 lockdown

2.    Notes the associated increases in movement by car around Edinburgh and the requirement to manage parking demand, as one of a number of ways to incentivise only essential travel and avoid congestion

3.    Additionally, notes the significant contribution of parking revenue to Council income at a time when council budgets are under significant pressure

4.    Agrees to reintroduce pay & display parking charges in central, peripheral and extended areas, for vehicles not displaying a resident parking permit, at the earliest opportunity and no later than Phase 2 of the Scottish Government Route Map”