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 4 February 2021 – submitted for approval as a correct record

The City of Edinburgh Council of 18 February 2021 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Leader’s report

If any

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

Annual Treasury Management Strategy 2021/22 - referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

Sustainable Capital Strategy 2021-31 - Annual Report - referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Whyte - Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion

Council

1)         Notes with concern that the Scottish Government has withdrawn the funding promised in 2018 to provide a replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh;

2)         Notes that the current building is over 50 years old and has been deemed “not fit for purpose” by NHS Lothian and that this has implications for the care received by patients in Edinburgh and the Lothians;

3)         Understands that waiting times for routine treatments, such as for glaucoma, and removal of cataracts can be extremely long and notes that NHS Lothian has been consistently underfunded by the NRAC funding model over many years;

4)         Agrees that the Council should work with our partners in NHS Lothian to restore the promised funding to retain these vital services in Scotland’s capital giving access and equity to residents in Edinburgh and across all the Lothians rather than see them “dispersed” to West Lothian.

5)         Instructs the Council Leader to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health demanding reinstatement of this cut in infrastructure funding for NHS Lothian and seeking that our partner NHS Board is fully and fairly funded in future.”

By Councillor Cameron – Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion

“Council notes:

Since opening in 1969, the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion (PAEP) has delivered eye health care and treatment services to countless patients, of all ages, from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and South East Scotland; and is a world-renowned centre of excellence in this field.

The facility was deemed ‘unfit for purpose’ in 2015, and in 2018, the Scottish Government committed to fund a new eye hospital to replace the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion to continue the high standard of ophthalmology services to people from Edinburgh, the Lothians and South East Scotland;

The widespread and growing public concern about the loss of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion from Edinburgh; and the lack of available, affordable and fully accessible travel options which provide timeous access to services, currently provided by the PAEP, in facilities located out with Edinburgh. Notes recent comments by the Cabinet Secretary on this issue.

Council therefore calls for the Council Leader to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport requesting an urgent meeting on the replacement of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion; so as to ensure the people of Edinburgh, Lothians and South East Scotland can continue to have access to eye healthcare, hospital and treatment services in a facility located within Edinburgh.”

By Councillor Cameron - United Nations Anti-Racism Day #worldagainstracism Day of Action - Saturday 20th March 2021

“Council notes:

That Saturday 20 March 2021 is the UN Day Against Racism, with events taking place in cities, communities and countries via online rallies around the world.

That people will come together across the globe, united against racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism and fascism; and stand in solidarity with our residents, and people across the world to convey a powerful, global message of zero tolerance to racism.

The City of Edinburgh Council confirms support for the UN Day Against Racism 2021 and its aims and reaffirms that this reflects the will of Council, from June 2020 and agrees to fly the UN flag on March 20^th 2021.”

By Councillor Watt - Uber - UK Supreme Court Decision

“Welcomes the recent Supreme Court Decision confirming that Uber drivers are workers and should be paid the minimum wage and receive holiday pay.

Notes the potential impact of this decision for workers in sectors within the Capital.

Requests a report within three cycles to the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee to further explore and update members on any impacts of the Court’s decision in relation to fair work.”

By Councillor Jim Campbell – Mobility as a Service

“Council:

Recognises the role Edinburgh plays as a centre of data driven innovation and the existing strengths and ambitions the City has in data analytics and human behaviour.

Notes that innovation will be vital to the success of Edinburgh and the Scottish economy as we move out of the acute phase of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Notes that Mobility as a Service could be a significant disrupting force in the near future; albeit it is reliant on some underlying emerging technologies coming to maturity, such as the electrification of transport, the development of intelligent streets and the emergence of automatic and autonomous vehicle control. Recognises the value of public transport to Edinburgh but accepts that mass transport solutions may see a reduction in the level of public patronage on which they depend.

Agrees that, in light of recent announcements from HM Treasury, the Executive Director of Place should explore with all Edinburgh City Region Deal Partners the appetite for undertaking a feasibility study to investigate the use of emerging transport technologies within a defined city network to facilitate Mobility as a Service solutions for individuals or small groups at an affordable price. 

The study would:

·                  consider how data for intelligent streets could improve efficiency and reduce the impact of movements around the city;

·                  examine the opportunities and challenges that electrification and autonomous vehicle technology (augmented by intelligent streets) might create for public transport;

·                  Set out the legal, operational, data and power requirements necessary to support such a system;

·                  Gauge the appetite of commercial partners to see Edinburgh as a useful location to undertake such innovative development;

·                  detail the full economic and social case for such a system in a city of Edinburgh’s size.

The Executive Director is asked to report on the interest in undertaking such a feasibility study amongst City Region Deal Partners within four cycles.”

By the Lord Provost - Retirement of Ella Simpson, Director of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC)

“Council notes that:

a)         Ella Simpson has been a leading contributor to the City’s community fabric, with 45 years of volunteering, and 30 years of employment with several leading charities.

b)         Ella’s career began with Edinvar in 1991, demonstrating a commitment to truly person-centred care, and in 2002 she became Director of Edinburgh Young Carers’ Project working to integrate carers into mainstream services.

c)         In 2003, Ella became Chief Executive Officer at The Rock Trust, and focussed upon embedding a culture of improvement and consistent advocacy for young people across Edinburgh.

d)         In September 2009, Ella became Director of EVOC, working to; (i) steer the organisation through a period of substantial change, (ii) grow involvement of the City’s third sector in partnership, cross-sector and strategic working, (iii) advocating the benefits of working with city charities, (iv) achieving tangible change for our most vulnerable citizens, and (v) celebrating 150 years of EVOC and its extraordinary impact across our communities of interest and place.

e)         Ella leaves her Director’s post with EVOC and her place on our strategic partnerships with a strong legacy of a vibrant third sector, cooperative working, and the continuing need to focus upon addressing inequalities in our city. Key partnerships and initiatives that have benefitted from Ella’s input, include; Edinburgh Partnership, Compact Partnership, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Edinburgh Thrive and Edinburgh 2050 City Vision.

f)        Throughout her volunteering and career, and in particular 12 years with EVOC, Ella has been a robust and honest and independent voice for the social and economic importance of the third sector in Edinburgh, helping to raise the profile of the sector in the City and beyond, and in working to help communities-in-need at local, national and international settings.

g)         Ella will enjoy her well-deserved retirement with her family and the wider community in East Lothian.

In acknowledging the long-standing and substantial contribution of Ella Simpson to the social, community and charitable fabric of Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council is asked to congratulate Ella Simpson on her achievements and invites the Lord Provost to mark her contribution in an appropriate way.”

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

By Councillor Lang - Roads and Footways Capital Investment – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Lang - Garden Waste Collection Charge – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

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

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

By Councillor Rose - South Suburban Railway - Passenger Services – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Plan to Build 20,000 Affordable Homes by 2021 – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Mitchell - Spaces for People - Queensferry Road/A90 Comments – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Webber - City Wide Road Repair Issues – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Webber - Spaces for People (Street Schemes) Consultation – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Corbett - Additional Funding from the Scottish Government – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Webber - Sites of "Historical Racial Injustice" Dossier – for answer by the Leader of the Council

By Councillor Staniforth - Walking/Cycling Route along the Old Powderhall Railway – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

By Councillor Johnston - Tram Extension to Newhaven – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Whyte - Formal Annual Appraisal Process – for answer by the Leader of the Council