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

The City of Edinburgh Council of 10 December 2020 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Leader’s report

If any

Rolling Actions Log - May 2015 to December 2020

By Councillor Kate Campbell - Allocation Policy

“Notes that a report on Allocations policy is due to the next Housing Homelessness and Fair work committee and agrees the report will include:

1)           An analysis of the Scottish Housing Regulator requirements on allocations and our compliance with those policies.

2)           A detailed appraisal of how homes are allocated to people with specific housing needs and particularly how accessible homes are allocated to ensure that they are allocated to those who have accessibility requirements.

3)           An analysis of our policies around exceptional need and how we are meeting the housing needs of exceptionally vulnerable groups, including but not limited to how we meet our own policies on housing for people who have experienced domestic abuse and care experienced young people.

4)           Identify areas where vulnerable people may be experiencing additional barriers to access to housing or where processes could be improved to ensure outcomes are met.

5)           Identify additional actions that we could take to ensure that those barriers are reduced and that there are pathways for people who are at risk, including processes around management transfers.

6)           Requests officers examine the case for a robust escalation route for cases of exceptional need, including multi-agency and interdepartmental working to ensure that checks and balances are in place, and that we remain transparent and fair in our allocations policy, but that where there is urgent need because of risk of harm we have a process for ensuring that housing needs are met.”

By Councillor Dickie - Year of Childhood

“Council:

Welcomes, the Children’s Parliament ‘Year of Childhood 2021’ to celebrate the forthcoming United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child into Scots law, and their own 25^th birthday.

Commends, the work of the Children’s Parliament to progress the rights of children, recognising them as citizens in their own right, and working to ensure their human rights and voice are embedded across all aspects of our society.

Further commends, their ‘What Kind of Edinburgh?’ partnership work in 2019 to influence children’s services, and acknowledges how it has now shaped the 3Bs of our new Children’s Services Plan.

Celebrates the Scottish Parliament’s unanimous agreement to the general principles of the UNCRC Bill at Stage One, and notes the Deputy First Minister’s expectation that readiness for commencement of the Bill should be a priority for all public authorities.

Recognises, the ongoing hard work and increasingly collaborative approach of our own services and partners to deliver for children, including our new Corporate Parenting Plan, Children’s Services Plan and our second Child Poverty Action Plan.

Further recognises, the outcomes of last year’s governance review of Children’s Services, particularly the importance of a whole system approach to the involvement and participation of children, and the creation of an independent ‘One Edinburgh’, children and young people’s board.

Council therefore,

Acknowledges 2021 as a year to maximise on the right and participation of children, and our delivery with and for them.

Agrees that this needs holistic commitment by Council and partner organisations.

Requests that the Chief Executive works with all Council Directors to establish how the impact of children’s rights, particularly the rights of care experienced children as Corporate Parents, and children experiencing poverty are considered in relevant decisions as the Council drives its agenda forward of reducing poverty, becoming more sustainable and improving wellbeing for all citizens.

Agrees that the Chief Executive report to Full Council in two cycles on the readiness of the Council for the commencement of the UNCRC Bill; progress with ‘One Edinburgh’; and, building on ‘What Kind of Edinburgh?’ work, the assigning of children Ambassadors across all Council services.

Agrees that a further report comes to the first Full Council in 2022, highlighting the impact of the UNCRC on Council wide services delivering for children in Edinburgh.”

By Councillor Miller – Winter Weather Response

“Council:

1)       Thanks the dedication and hard work of all officers and volunteers who contributed to the gritting and de-icing of roads, pavements and cycle paths during the recent wintery weather;

2)       Notes that with higher than usual levels of walking, wheeling and cycling there was increased focus on the need to prioritise pavements and cycle paths for treatment, a view long held by the Greens on the basis of equalities;

3)       On behalf of residents who have contacted the Green group with reports of slips, falls and injuries, and those prevented from leaving home completely until the thaw, calls for the upcoming review of winter weather surface treatment at the Transport and Environment Committee to:

a)       Identify ways to prioritise the treatment of infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, in line with the transport hierarchy and with a focus on equalities

b)       Evaluate innovations in technology that would increase coverage and efficiency of treatment for pavements and cycle paths, including but not limited to the types of de-icer suitable for pavements and cycle paths, vehicles and equipment, and grit bin sensors

c)       Review the network of snow wardens and consider how best to support neighbourhood communication.”

By Councillor Doran – Thank You James Carlyle

“Council notes that James Carlyle, the Inch Plant Nursery Manager retired in December 2020.

Jim began work with Edinburgh Council at the age of 16 in 1976 and has served 10 Lord Provosts.

Council notes with many thanks the enormous contribution Jim has made to the City’s green spaces, the famous Princes Street clock and the many other events held by the Lord Provosts and the Council.

Council asks the Lord Provost to write to Jim to thank him from all of us for his huge contribution to the City.”

By Councillor  Laidlaw - Head Teacher Interview Questions – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Communal Bin Uplifts – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

By Councillor Webber - Working from Home: Staff, Assessments and their Workstation Suitability – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Webber - Non-Essential Housing Repairs – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Lang - Grit Bins – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Lang - Parking on Almondhill Road – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Staniforth - Impact of Brexit on the Economy of Edinburgh – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Main - Edinburgh Drug Deaths and Funding – for answer by the Vice-Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board