Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting - via Microsoft Teams

Contact: Gavin King 

Media

Items
No. Item

1. Order of Business

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1.1

Order of Business

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

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2. Declaration of Interests

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2.1

Declaration of interests

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.

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3. Deputations

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3.1

Deputations

If any

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4. Minutes

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4.1

Minutes pdf icon PDF 882 KB

The City of Edinburgh Council of 17 September 2020 – submitted for approval as a correct record

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5. Questions

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5.1

By Councillor Miller - Resident Parking Permit Provision pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Miller - Resident Parking Permit Provision – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.2

By Councillor Miller - Cycle Network pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Miller - Cycle Network – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.3

By Councillor Lang - Small Business Champion Networks pdf icon PDF 54 KB

By Councillor Lang - Small Business Champion Networks – for answer by the Leader of the Council

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5.4

By Councillor Lang - Silverknowes Quiet Cycle Route pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Lang - Silverknowes Quiet Cycle Route – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.5

By Councillor Lang - Rosshill Terrace Speed Table pdf icon PDF 56 KB

By Councillor Lang - Rosshill Terrace Speed Table – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.6

By Councillor Booth - New Accessible Council Housing pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Booth - New Accessible Council Housing – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

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5.7

By Councillor Booth - Accessible Buildings - Planning and Building Standards pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Booth - Accessible Buildings - Planning and Building Standards – for answer by the Convener of the Planning Committee

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5.8

By Councillor Neil Ross - Disabled Parking pdf icon PDF 51 KB

By Councillor Neil Ross - Disabled Parking – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.9

By Councillor Neil Ross - Traffic Volumes pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Neil Ross - Traffic Volumes – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.10

By Councillor Howie - Street Furniture pdf icon PDF 12 KB

By Councillor Howie - Street Furniture – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.11

By Councillor Howie - Edinburgh Bike Hire Scheme pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Howie - Edinburgh Bike Hire Scheme – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.12

By Councillor Webber - Scottish Government Computers for Edinburgh School Students pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Webber - Scottish Government Computers for Edinburgh School Students – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

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5.13

By Councillor Douglas - Safe Travel to Schools pdf icon PDF 47 KB

By Councillor Douglas - Safe Travel to Schools – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

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5.14

By Councillor Mowat - Arrangements for Loading and Unloading on George IV Bridge pdf icon PDF 13 KB

By Councillor Mowat - Arrangements for Loading and Unloading on George IV Bridge – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.15

By Councillor Rust - Spaces for People pdf icon PDF 51 KB

By Councillor Rust - Spaces for People – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.16

By Councillor Miller - Low Traffic Neighbourhoods pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Miller - Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.17

By Councillor Cook - Pay and Display Parking Charges pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Cook - Pay and Display Parking Charges – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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5.18

By Councillor Burgess - Gaelic Medium Education pdf icon PDF 11 KB

By Councillor Burgess - Gaelic Medium Education – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

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6. Leader's Report

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6.1

Leader's Report pdf icon PDF 182 KB

Leader’s report

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7. Appointments

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7.1

Appointments

If any

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8. Reports

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8.1

Supplementary Agreement to Minute of Agreement for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Region Joint Committee pdf icon PDF 261 KB

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8.2

The Scheme of Delegation pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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8.3

Lothian Pension Fund Audited Annual Report (and Financial Statements) 2020 – referral from the Pensions Committee pdf icon PDF 17 MB

Lothian Pension Fund Audited Annual Report (and Financial Statements) 2020 – referral from the Pensions Committee

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8.4

Edinburgh Leisure – Request for Additional Funding Support, 2020/21 – referral from the Finance and Resources Committee pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Edinburgh Leisure – Request for Additional Funding Support, 2020/21 – referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

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8.5

Spaces for People – East Craigs Low Traffic Neighbourhood - referral from the Transport and Environment Committee pdf icon PDF 8 MB

Spaces for People – East Craigs Low Traffic Neighbourhood - referral from the Transport and Environment Committee

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8.6

Adaptation and Renewal Programme Update - referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Adaptation and Renewal Programme Update – referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee

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8.7

Re-opening of Public Conveniences - referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee pdf icon PDF 303 KB

Re-opening of Public Conveniences – referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee

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8.8

West Edinburgh Update - referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee pdf icon PDF 19 MB

West Edinburgh Update – referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee

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8.9

Response to Council Motion on Whistleblowing Culture - referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee pdf icon PDF 302 KB

Response to Council Motion on Whistleblowing Culture - referral from the Policy and Sustainability Committee

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9. Motions

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9.1

By Councillor Dickie - Child Protection

By Cllr Dickie - Child Protection

“Council:

Welcomes the introduction of the Scottish Government’s landmark ‘UNCRC Incorporation (Scotland) Bill to incorporate the UNCRC into Scots law.

Notes, in particular, Article 19 and the right for children and young people to be protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and mistreatment.

Notes, the section on child protection in the Annual Performance Report to Full Council on 25th August, specifically,

‘There has been a steady reduction in the number of children on the Child Protection Register over the last 12 months which is now at historical lows. End of year figures also show reductions over the last four years from 288 in 2016 to 121 in 2019.’

Recognises, the impact of lockdown on children and families, and on normal engagement with them, and that a spike in child protection concerns is possible as children reconnect with trusted adults in school.

Notes that two elected members (Cllr Alison Dickie for child protection and Cllr Ricky Henderson for adult protection) were invited onto the Chief Officers Group for Public Protection last year to promote best practice and an open dialogue about the service provision and processes for ensuring child (and public) protection.

Further notes, the self-evaluation discussion at the COG on Public Protection on 18 June 2019, about the need to provide elected members with sufficient and appropriate information to help them feel fully assured about the protection of children (and the public) in our city, in line with Scottish Government child protection guidance which states that we all have a role to play in keeping children and young people safe.

Acknowledges, the improved information available to support this assurance, particularly the ‘Children’s and Adult’s Dataset Returns Report’ from the Scottish Government, which provides benchmarks on child protection across local authorities and an analysis of trends.

Further acknowledges, the decision to submit the Child Protection Committee’s Annual Report to the Education, Children and Families Committee to further support accountability and scrutiny.

Council therefore requests,

That the Council, as a whole, reaffirms its commitment to the protection of children in our city, and elected members to actively seeking assurance about their protection.

That the Annual Child Protection Committee Report be submitted to Full Council, in one cycle, to ensure the widest commitment to open dialogue and the protection of children – and every year thereafter.

That the ‘Scottish Government and SOLACE Weekly Dataset on Vulnerable Children’ and ‘Children and Adult’s Dataset Returns Report’ be regularly sent to elected members on the COG for Public Protection, and all elected members on the Education, Children and Families Committee.

The Chief Social Worker and Head of Safer and Stronger Communities (and Chair of Edinburgh’s Child Protection Committee) reports to Education, Children and Families Committee in two cycles, referred onto full Council, on any increase in child protection issues that have been reported since the return to school in August.

Recognising that appropriate information for elected members acting on behalf of constituents is essential in child protection case  ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.1

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9.2

By Councillor McVey - TSB Branch Closures

By Councillor McVey - TSB Branch Closures

“Council regrets the decision of TSB to close branches in Pilton, Gorgie and Corstorphine.

Notes for many digitally excluded residents and customers, this will have a negative impact on their ability to carry out essential banking.

Agrees that the Council Leader write to TSB in the strongest possible terms to urge a reversal of this decision and request a meeting with senior TSB management to discuss this issue further, inviting local Councillors, MPs and MSPs in affected areas of the City.”

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9.3

By the Lord Provost - Edinburgh International Activity

By the Lord Provost – Edinburgh International Activity

“Council notes;

That the Edinburgh International Activity Report was passed by Policy and Sustainability on the 6th August 2019.

That Recommendation 1.3 in the above report was “to work with partners to establish a new International Edinburgh Group as a collaborative way of working”.

Instructs the Chief Executive to report, in one cycle, on progress to establish this group and on the detail of any meetings which have taken place.”

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9.4

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - Public Safety Improvements at Junction of Liberton Brae, Kirk Brae, Mayfield Road and Braefoot Terrace

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - Public Safety Improvements at Junction of Liberton Brae, Kirk Brae, Mayfield Road and Braefoot Terrace

“Council notes constituent concerns and representations to Liberton and Gilmerton Ward Councillors and the Liberton and District Community Council, regarding public safety at the major road junction where Liberton Brae, Kirk Brae, Mayfield Road and Liberton Road converge, caused by increasing traffic flows into, and from, this part of South Edinburgh.

Council calls for an assessment of conditions for pedestrians and cyclists to be made at this junction; and a report thereon to be submitted to the Transport and Environment Committee within 3 cycles, outlining what steps can be taken to promote, protect and improve public safety at this major junction, and to encourage more people to adopt and embrace Active Travel choices in this part of South Edinburgh.

The report to include indicative costs and timescales.”

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9.5

By Councillor Staniforth - University Response to Covid Crisis

By Councillor Staniforth - University Response to Covid Crisis

“Council:

1)       Notes that Edinburgh is a university city, with 3 major universities within the city and one further just outside; as well as Edinburgh College.

2)       Notes that the city’s 80,000 students make up a huge part of the city’s population, economy and social fabric.

3)       Acknowledges the huge challenge faced by higher education institutions in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.

4)       Recognises widespread concern among the student population about the way that the beginning of the 20-21 term has been managed: such concerns including arrangements for and fees for halls of residence; access to food and other support; support for student wellbeing; inconsistent messaging on student movement; and access to testing.

5)       Therefore agrees that the council leader shall write to the main higher education institutions and to Universities Scotland on behalf of the council seeking assurances that concerns about the welfare of students are addressed and identifying ways in which the council, partners and the higher education sector can work more effectively together to support students through this period.”

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9.6

By Councillor Laidlaw - Community Factoring

By Councillor Laidlaw - Community Factoring

“Council

1)       Recognises the economic challenges the coronavirus pandemic has wrought and the likelihood of redundancies and increased unemployment as part of the economic recession;

2)       Notes that factoring of new developments, especially those in mixed tenure, has often been challenging to enforce and there has been a lack of clarity as to whom holds responsibility for certain actions between Council and factors.

3)       Recognises the challenges that Council Parks and Greenspaces teams face in maintaining verges and borders in traditional social housing schemes.

4)       Notes the opportunity to outsource some maintenance work to community-led social enterprise factoring schemes.

5)       Recognises the interest expressed in such an initiative by the Craigmillar Neighbourhood Alliance, and the offer of a pilot scheme at no cost to the Council.

6)       Agrees a report is produced by the Directorate of Place Management for the next meeting of the Finance and Resources committee to examine how Council procurement could support the development and implementation of a community factoring scheme and what steps local groups would need to undertake to be able to tender.”

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9.7

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Emissions Profile of Scotrail's Inter7City Fleet

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Emissions Profile of Scotrail's Inter7City Fleet

“Council:

Notes the low numbers of passengers currently traveling by all modes of public transport, including intercity train.  Recognises this has substantially increase the emissions and the costs of public transport, when expressed in terms of passenger kilometres.

Wishes to understand the environmental impact of Scotrail’s Inter7City fleet, which are anticipated to be a significant source of diesel emissions in the Waverley Valley and therefore Instructs the Executive Director of Place to write to the Engineering Director of Scotrail to request:

a)         Information on the emissions standards these engines conform to; and

b)         The projected engine emissions in the Waverley Valley of the Inter7City fleet of trains running a full timetable, in terms of CO2, NOx and Particulate matter.

Should this not be forthcoming to Council by the end of 2020, suggests the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee to pursue this matter with Scotrail and, if necessary, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity.”

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9.8

By Councillor Webber - A Fab Currie, Mr Hugh Thomson

By Councillor Webber - A Fab Currie, Mr Hugh Thomson

“Council

Recognises the heroic efforts of one man in Currie, Mr Hugh Thomson, an ex-employee of the City of Edinburgh Council, who has mobilised an elite group of crack commandoes. 

Notes, if you have a problem with weeds, overgrown hedges, sorry looking parks, pavements or public spaces, if the council can’t help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire... the A-Fab-Currie Team

As a special thanks, asks that Lord Provost invites Mr Hugh Thomson to share a socially distanced cool beverage at a local establishment, which is the way Hugh likes to relax after a hard day grafting across the community.”

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9.9

By Councillor Webber - Pavements Clear of Signs

By Councillor Webber - Pavements Clear of Signs

“Council:

Understands the need for temporary signs to inform road users of changes and limitations to the road network.

Notes that in many locations, it is highly undesirable for these temporary signs to be placed in the roadway or on the pavement.

Therefore, instructs the Executive Director of Place to seek to explore the barriers to displaying these signs at a high level, making use of lampposts or other Council infrastructure, so that messages are clear to drivers but do not restrict the pavement or the roadway.  This should include sounding out other Local Roads Authorities, Local Government associations, levels of Government and Government Agencies.

Asks the Executive Director to report his findings to the Transport and Environment Committee within six cycles.”

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9.10

By Councillor Webber - Seasonal Maintenance - Spaces for People

By Councillor Webber - Seasonal Maintenance - Spaces for People

“Council:

Notes that autumn and winter bring seasonal challenges in maintaining our roads and pavements with leaves collecting in road gutters and pavements, making surfaces slippy for all and can block and obstruct gullies with other consequences, for example localised flooding. 

Notes that as we plan for winter the role of our gritters gaining access to keep roads clear is key to ensuring the city stays connected across all the communities.

Requests a report for next Transport and Environment Committee, on the impact of the active and planned Spaces for People schemes on the ability to carry out winter maintenance and preparedness including but not limited to street sweeping, gully cleaning and road and footpath maintenance.  That will also include any operational adaptations needed and their financial impact to the directorate.”

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9.11

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Leadership Pure and Simple?

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Leadership Pure and Simple?

“Council:

Agrees that the Leader and Depute Leader write to the Aberdeen City Council to congratulate it on its recent achievement in being named UK Local Authority of the Year at the prestigious Municipal Journal Achievement Awards.

Recognises the judges’ comments that, “The council has an impressive story to tell in terms of its changing economic context and the bold steps it is taking to deliver an unprecedented transformation of the city through a pioneering capital programme and significant investments in the social and cultural future of its communities.”

Suggests the Leader and Depute Leader enquire what qualities the Co-Leaders of Aberdeen City Council have demonstrated to help their organisation win this award.”

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9.12

By Councillor Mowat - Re-Prioritise within the Spaces for People Programme

By Councillor Mowat - Re-Prioritise within the Spaces for People Programme

“Council:

Notes many other Local Authorities have had to modify their proposals and schemes brought forward without proper planning and scrutiny in the immediate aftermath of the Coronavirus Pandemic and associated Public Health Emergency.

Further notes the significant objections that have been raised by different communities in Edinburgh to some of the Spaces for People schemes in this Authority; not least from groups representing disabled people; from businesses and from residents directly impacted by schemes in their local area.

Is concerned that the implementation of the Spaces for People programme is undermining public confidence in Local Government amongst significant sections of our City at a time of great shared risk.

Nonetheless, recognises the intention of Spaces for People to provide safe, distanced space and encourage active travel.

Therefore, in order to re-build public confidence, and deliver on elements that are likely to command widespread support, instructs the Executive Director of Place to immediately re-prioritise the Spaces for People programme in this Council towards:

1)       Bringing forward “Safe Transport to Schools” proposals for every school in Edinburgh

2)       Clear all overgrowing vegetation from the Council’s off-road path network, including a clear verge of 400mm where this is possible, so that users can freely travel the full width of these paths irrespective of the permitted mode.

3)       Commence the process of serving Statutory Notices where vegetation is overgrowing pavements, restricting the available width by more than 100mm.

4)       Accelerate the removal of railings on Pavements, in line with agreed Council policy.”

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9.13

By Councillor Rust - Bonaly Scout Centre - Possible Provision of Outdoor Adventure Days for Edinburgh's School Children, Spring 2021

By Councillor Rust - Bonaly Scout Centre - Possible Provision of Outdoor Adventure Days for Edinburgh's School Children, Spring 2021

“Council:

1)       Is aware that during the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, outdoor education and activity centres through Scotland are substantially closed down, particularly those more remote centres which rely on residential stays by children and adults, with trained activity instructors out of work.

2)       Regrets that Bonaly Scout Centre and Campsite has been severely impacted, with staff made redundant, accommodation lying idle and with no instructors, activities being limited to a few visits from Scouting and the forest nursery, therefore meaning loss of revenue and diminishing funds.  As a result, Bonaly Scout Centre has the space to host adventure days for children (and adults).

3)       Notes schools are cancelling their planned residential adventure weeks for certain school years.

4)       Further notes an offer by the Centre to provide every child across Edinburgh (and West, Mid and East Lothian) who would normally be offered a residential outdoor adventure week during the current school session (at least) 1 adventure day to remember at Bonaly Scout Centre.

5)       Therefore commits the Education, Children and Families department and appropriate Council officers to work with Bonaly Scout Centre’s staff (and volunteers where appropriate) to explore possible opportunities for outdoor adventure days for young people to be provided in 2021, bringing the young people, facilities and funding together to provide a memorable and revitalising adventure experience during challenging times.”

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