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 Culture and Communities Committee of 29 February 2024 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Decision

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

Business Bulletin

The XXXX Committee Business Bulletin for XXXX was presented.

Women's Safety in Public Places - Action Update - Referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee

Internal Audit Update Report: Quarter 4 2023/24 - Referral from the Governance Risk and Best Value Committee

Motion by Councillor Walker - Dogs in Cemeteries

“Committee

·       Notes the continuing public interest and concern over the behaviour of dogs in cemeteries.

·       Notes that two petitions have been circulated on this matter, one proposing the reinstatement of the “No Dogs in Cemeteries Rule”, and a counter-petition in opposition to this.

·       Asks officers to update the Committee in one cycle on compliance and enforcement of the current rules.

·       Requests that the two groups organising the petitions be notified of the date and procedure.”

Motion by Councillor Osler - WASPS Patriothall

“Committee:

1)    Knows the important role that culture and creativity play in making Edinburgh a successful city.

2)    Understands the struggles that many within the cultural and creative sectors of Edinburgh are still experiencing, due to massively increased costs and earnings which are still depressed.

3)    Understands the limited availability of artists studios across the city and that demand exceeds supply.

4)    Understands that an issue has developed for the tenants at WASPS Patriothall with greatly increased rental costs, which for many of them jeopardises their ability to afford to continue leasing studio space.

5)    Understands that the Convener of Culture and Communities Committee, having been made aware of the situation, has agreed to make contact with WASPS to understand what has occurred.

6)    Agrees that officers should seek to meet with the Management Board, or senior representatives, of WASPS, to understand the circumstances surrounding reported rent increases, with a view to understanding what further steps should be taken to ensure continued viable and equitable use of artist spaces in Patriothall.

7)    Agrees to receive a briefing on the above to the members of the Culture and Communities Committee and Inverleith Ward members, to include consideration of appropriate next steps to address ongoing concerns.”

Motion by Councillor Heap - WASPS Patriothall Studios

“Committee notes

1.     The letter sent to some Committee members from tenants of the WASPS Patriothall Studios regarding significant rent rises

2.     That this decision is likely to have relevance for the Council as it has a relationship with WASPS and because of the potential consequences of rent rises for access to culture in Edinburgh.

Committee therefore requests

3.     Officers contact WASPS and the resident artists to ascertain an overview of the current issues at the studios.

4.     A report to the next Culture and Communities Committee summarising the current issues and highlighting any potential relevance for the Council”

Motion by Councillor Heap – Firework Control Zones

“Developments since last meeting
Committee notes with gratitude:

1)    The excellent work being done by officers to establish one or more Firework Control Zones (FCZs) in Edinburgh, including the launch of the Community Request Process on 6 May

2)    A letter from the Blue Cross pet charity expressing support for the most comprehensive FCZ possible.

Committee further notes that:

1)    The Community Request Process does not callow residents/organisations to suggest that a city-wide FCZ is implemented, despite there being no restrictions on such a zone in the legislation (“The Act does not set out any minimum or maximum geographic size or area that can be covered by a firework control zone, or the cumulative area that a local authority may designate as a firework control zone(s) within its boundaries”: 2. Firework Control Zones - Overview - Firework control zones: guidance for local authorities - gov.scot (www.gov.scot))

2)    Officers have advised that residents can still e-mail a request for consideration of a city-wide Zone to be implemented, sending their request to fireworkscontrolzone@edinburgh.gov.uk

 Importance of controls on Sale and Purchase

Committee notes additionally that:

1)    FCZs are an important way of ensuring fireworks are used safely in the city, but, ultimately, the best method is to place stricter controls on the purchase and sale of fireworks using powers contained in Part 2 of the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022

2)    Part 2 of the Act has not yet been commenced

Actions

Committee requests:

Evidence

1)       Bearing in mind that proposals must be clearly evidenced, officers gather evidence for

a.    A city-wide zone

b.    Individual zones

Process

2) Any requests of the sort described in Committee Further Notes (2) are considered on an equal basis to all other requests

3)     The Council’s FCZ webpage and other public-facing communications make it clearer that a city-wide FCZ can be requested and explains how to do this.

4. Proposals are presented to it in time for implementation in November, covering

a.    The City of Edinburgh Council area

b.    Any other area(s) suggested by residents through the Community Request Process

5. It will make the final decision on the proposed FCZ(s) to be implemented.

6.It should be presented with the draft guidance that will be used by officers making decisions on FCZ applications.

Funding

7. It should be consulted on how the £25,000 per FCZ to be provided by the Scottish Government should be spent.
­­­

Sale and Purchase Controls

1. The Convenor and Leader write a joint letter to the Scottish Government asking for part 2 of the Act to be commenced as soon as possible and asking the Scottish Government to provide an indicative timescale for this”

Motion by Councillor McKenzie - Pansy Walk

“Committee -

Notes that Pansy Walk is a well-used active travel route and green space which connects Balgreen Road with the Water of Leith Walkway and with Westfield Avenue via a pedestrian bridge.

Regrets the increasing presence of parked cars on Pansy Walk, and notes that these parked cars are damaging grass verges on either side of the path.

Thanks officers for their engagement with ward councillors who have raised this issue on behalf of constituents in recent months, and for their suggestion that strategic tree planting on the grass verges could be a first step to resolving the issue.

Requests:

1. That the necessary resources are provided to ensure that strategic tree planting takes place early in the next planting season. 

2. That a report is brought to the next Culture and Communities Committee with further options for preventing parking on Pansy Walk, and with options to improve the public realm on Pansy Walk more broadly, including, but not limited to:

a. Including Pansy Walk in Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders for events taking place at Tynecastle Park and Murrayfield Stadium.

b. Including the above issues in discussions around a future lease for Balgreen Croquet and Bowling Club, with a view to limiting vehicular access to the Club.

c. Working with Balgreen Primary School to reduce vehicular access to Pansy Walk during school drop-off and collection times.

d. Working with contractors using the compound space that runs parallel to Pansy Walk to improve the public realm at the entrance to that site.

e. The introduction of bollards to prevent cars from entering the full length of Pansy Walk.

f. The introduction of bollards to protect the grass verges.

g. Options for future investment in Pansy Walk.”