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 11 March 2021 – submitted for approval as a correct record

The City of Edinburgh Council of 16 April 2021 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Leader’s report

Future Provision of Public Conveniences - referral from the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Watt - Women's Safety in Public Places

“Council deeply regrets that it has taken the murder of Sarah Everard, Bennylyn Burke & Wenjing Lin to bring women’s safety in public spaces to mainstream attention across the country.

Council notes the need for structural change across society and its institutions ought not to be used as a reason for doing nothing in response to this problem.

Council agrees to bring a report to Policy & Sustainability within two cycles, detailing any actions to improve women’s safety, including embedding considerations within risk assessments, placemaking and any other organisational changes to positively impact safety of women in Edinburgh.

This report should identify options for a consultation around the public places and spaces in Edinburgh where women feel safe, where they feel less safe and what can be done to improve their safety. With actions being reported back to the appropriate committee.”

By Councillor Rust - Garden Waste Collection

“Council:

1)         Notes that the Garden waste collection service operates using fixed registration windows and once the registration closes the Council is not able to accept additional registrations.

2)         Understands that in the absence of registration the lawful options are essentially (a) to compost the garden waste; (b) to take it to the nearest recycling centre; or (c) to arrange for private collection.

3)         Recognises that circumstances can arise where a householder omits to register within the registration period because for example, they (a) die, or become incapacitated or unwell and otherwise unable to deal with certain matters timeously; (b) move from a property outwith Edinburgh or move from a property without garden; or (c) through family bereavement or other pressures, not least during the pandemic genuinely forget.

4)         Appreciates that the other options above are in many cases not practical for householders affected or in the case of the deceased for their estate.

5)         Therefore, calls for a report in two cycles which:

(a)        details the number of requests made to the Council outwith the registration windows since the system was launched and where recorded the reasons given for the failure to register to better understand the extent of this issue;

(b)        considers the potential for extended registration periods and “manual” registration and “stickers” in exceptional circumstances which can be reconciled at year end;

(c)        further explores the issue of support and system development for registration outwith the fixed periods with the IT provider;

(d)        better informs regarding how the weight of garden waste impacts through small changes to household registrations and what level of built-in flexibility there is in collection routes; and

(e)        generally advises as to any ways in which the process can be made more flexible for residents with minimum impact on the service being delivered.”

By Councillor Osler - City Parks

“Council thanks and appreciates the dedication of many Council staff in their efforts in trying to keep the City’s many parks to an acceptable standard during the last year.  The easing of lockdown will bring the much anticipated re-opening of outdoor hospitality and the resumption of the sale of alcohol from licensed premises until 10pm. If similar circumstances to those in Summer 2020 are repeated, open spaces in the city may experience increased massing of groups, as well as anti-social behaviour resulting from a lack of available public conveniences.

Council calls for a report to Policy and Sustainability within one cycle, indicating with costings what additional waste clearing and environmental resources, including public conveniences in respect of Parks, will be necessary and should be provided, to address the consequences of increased massing and anti-social behaviour, for:

·                  Council Parks

·                  Local Town centres and

·                  the City Centre.”

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Local Member Oversight

“Council:

Warmly notes the evolution of “Click to Report” on the Council website, which has proved to be an invaluable way for service users to inform us of issues that require Council action during the pandemic.  Understand the attraction of this web-based solution available via many, many, devices, and which including mapping, location, image and reporting options for residents.  Further notes the efficient solution this should offer, with reports logged through the Verint platform, passing automatically to Services back-office management systems.

Requests a report within 2 cycles to the Policy and Sustainability Committee setting out proposals for “Click to Report” so that Members and Officers supporting Members can lodge reports on behalf of constituents, view the details of reports made by constituents directly and gain real time performance reporting by Ward.”

By Councillor Webber - Public Confidence

“Council:

Welcomes the substantial response to the recent Street Scheme Survey promoted on the Consultation Hub

Subject to below, welcomes the opportunity to review and receive the full, complete feedback from those residents that chose to take part.

Notes with concern significant public disquiet with this exercise, not least given a strategic piece of work which impacts on wards across the entire city and with potentially permanent outcomes where there continues to be:

a)         Public opposition of many Community Councils and Local Residents Associations

b)         Extensive negative coverage in local and national media

c)         Significant concerns raised by consultative bodies representing less able citizens and users of public transport

d)         Significant concerns raised by public transport bodies

e)         The apparent failure of Council Officers to always give full and complete answers in public meetings

f)          A disputed legal basis for the lawful promotion of some schemes

g)         The leading nature of the attempted consultation

h)         An absence of valid information to permit informed feedback

i)          Absence of timely consistent data from the Cities network of cycle counters

j)          A shortened timescale notwithstanding it being extended which still fell short of other less complex single-issue consultations

In order to address any bureaucratic overreach and in an attempt to restore public confidence in the Council, The Executive Director is instructed to:

1)         Arrange round table workshops with himself, his senior team leading on Spaces for People, any elected Member with an interest, and the Edinburgh Access Panel, Public transport providers, emergency services, businesses and local groups formed to represent residents.

2)         Structure his forthcoming report to the Transport and Environment Committee on 17^th June 2021 to include the output of point 1 (above) and to arrange all the SfP schemes into discrete contiguous routes for separate consideration and discussion, in each case detailing the feedback received from people residing on the streets, local businesses, etc, and including discrete Integrated Impact Assessments and legal justification to ensure fastidious application of the following applicable policies all approved at Policy and Sustainability Committee on 20^th April 2021:

i)          Equality and Diversity Framework 2021-2025 P & S Committee Report 20.4.21

ii)         COVID19 engagement and consultation approach from 1^st July 2021.”

By Councillor Bird - Scottish Youth Parliament Election

“Council:

Warmly welcomes the role of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) in platforming the voices of Scotland’s young people, championing youth led community engagement, and empowering young people to express their views freely and have their opinions listened to in all matters affecting them, in line with Article 12 of the UNCRC.

Notes that the next SYP election will take place in November 2021 and that nominations for expressions of interest to be a candidate are now open until June 30^th.

Recognises SYP’s commitment to be truly inclusive and ensure diversity across its membership and the need for wide participation to achieve that aim.

Acknowledges the responsibility of elected members from across the political spectrum to promote and support the SYP election and its place in our city’s democratic calendar by, for example, sharing information on social media and with youth and community organisations in their local area.

Recognises the work of previous and existing MSYPs in championing the issues that are most important to young people and campaigning to affect the change they want to see.

Encourages Edinburgh’s young people aged between 14 and 25 to visit SYP’s social media platforms to find out more about the upcoming election and to consider standing to hold local and national government to account on the policies they care about most.”

By Councillor Hutchison - Sewage Discharges into the River Almond

“Council:

1)         Notes great concern at reports that Scottish Water plants discharged raw sewage into the River Almond over 500 times in 2019.

2)         Joins West Lothian Council in calling on Scottish Water to urgently bring forward an action plan to end such discharges.

3)         Notes that in addition to having a potentially negative impact on local wildlife this also affects the quality of life of residents and the attractiveness of hospitality businesses operating along the river, including those within the City of Edinburgh Council area.

4)         Understands that landowners have a responsibility to maintain the cleanliness of any watercourses running through their land.  Further understands that the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), as the regulator of Scottish Water, is responsible for investigating any unlicensed discharges of sewage, and requests that members of the public report any such discharges via the SEPA website without delay.

5)         Instructs the Council Leader to write to the relevant Scottish Minister when a new Scottish Government is formed, requesting an acceleration in the capital programme to mitigate risks of unlicensed discharges into the River Almond, and all other waterways that flow with the City of Edinburgh, with the aim of completing this programme by the original deadline or sooner.”

By Councillor McNeese-Mechan - Commemorate Joan Davidson of the Edinburgh Science Festival

“The City of Edinburgh recently lost a true champion of science and education in Joan Davidson, who was Head of Learning at Edinburgh Science, the charitable organisation behind the annual Edinburgh Science Festival. Joan was a dedicated figure who devoted her career to inspiring young people to explore, study and develop a lifelong love of science and technology. She was instrumental in organising events and experiences which reached more than half a million young people.

A dedicated champion of environmental causes in her youth, Joan was a science educator who came to the Edinburgh International Science Festival in 2008, where her first role was that of Generation Science manager, running a touring programme of educational science workshops in primary schools across Scotland. She oversaw its expansion to the point at which it was reaching 60,000 pupils a year, as the largest science-based touring programme of its kind in the UK. 

Joan was also instrumental in developing the Careers Hive, offering workshops and advice from industry professionals on studying for and entering STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers.

Joan was a highly motivated, respected and well-loved educator with ambitious ideas, who inspired so many to make their own ideas happen through the example of her own drive and determination.

Her family and friends have set up a page with links to two charities which Joan had supported and which are true to her values and principles of equality for all when it comes to young people and science. Donations will be distributed to EQUATE Scotlandand ScienceGrrl

EQUATE Scotland is the national expert in gender equality throughout STEM sectors, making tangible and sustainable change, enabling women studying and working in these key sectors to develop by supporting their recruitment, retention and progression.

ScienceGrrl Glasgow is a grassroots organisation, led by volunteers from an amalgamation of backgrounds with a vested interest in science. Their mission is to increase equality in STEM and show that science is truly for everybody.

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/Honouring-Joan-Davidson.”

By Councillor Dickie - International Care Experienced Day of Remembrance

“Council:

Welcomes, the first ever International Care Experienced Day of Remembrance on 30^th April as part of this Care Experienced History Month where people and organisations are encouraged to link in a call for a global recognition of care experienced history using the hashtags #CareExperiencedHistoryMonth and #CEHM2021.

Recognises and celebrates the contributions of care experienced people from our planet’s history including figures such as Sir Issac Newton and his advancement of humanity, Nelson Mandela the revolutionary, and Eleanor Roosevelt – but that many stories remain untold.

Recognises the systemic barriers that have existed for care experienced people and the need for all care experienced children to be remembered - and their legacy honoured.

Celebrates, in particular, the fantastic care experienced people of Edinburgh, past and present, and their valuable contributions to the life of our city.

And further recognises the work of Edinburgh’s Champions’ Board, who ensure the voice of care experienced young people is heard and drives the much needed change, working together with Corporate Parents to deliver our Corporate Parenting Action Plan and embed The Promise across all practice and decisions.

Council requests:

The Council observe International Care Experienced Day of Remembrance.

The Lord Provost celebrates care experienced people in Edinburgh in an appropriate way on April 30^th.

That officers work with schools to share and develop educational resources on care experienced history to bridge the divide in understanding the history, and present day stories, of care experienced people.”

By Councillor Whyte - Protect Transport for Edinburgh

“Council:

Deplores the recent attacks on Lothian Buses.  Is gravely concerned by the risks such attacks pose to the safety of bus drivers and passengers.  Notes Edinburgh Trams have also been subject to attack.  Further notes the unsustainable level of damage to Edinburgh Cycle Hire (branded “Just Eat Cycles”) and docking stations.  Regrets the enormous inconvenience that has been imposed on Transport for Edinburgh (TfE) service users as a result.

Observes that the spatial pattern of these attacks is not random and seems linked to social media activities of certain groups of anti-social individuals.

Condemns all such dangerous, illegal and anti-social behaviour unreservedly and trusts that the individuals responsible will find their way into our justice system in due course.  Is grateful for all the work of local Police Scotland officers in support of TfE to date.

Nonetheless, notes with concern that Police Officer numbers have dropped over the last year, and each Edinburgh local Police Officer is now statistically split between protecting 460 citizens: 124 more citizens than the equivalent figure for Greater Glasgow.  Regrets the lack of progress in Edinburgh receiving a fair settlement in terms of Local Police numbers.  Calls on Police Scotland to do more to protect the customers, employees and assets of TfE and to return to a locally based problem-solving approach based on an ethos of prevention.   

Calls on the Chief Executive to provide an urgent report indicating actions that can be taken to:

·                  lobby Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to address the low number of local Police officers in our Capital and the ensure Edinburgh gets its fair share of policing resources;

·                  ensure that those officers are fully accountable through local mechanisms so that we can return to the partnership and prevention approach that was highly successful under the former Lothian and Borders Police;

·                  and to consider what actions the Council could take to contribute to that partnership approach to support and inspire young people who might be at risk of following a misguided path towards anti-social behaviour, risk assessing such positive outcomes against any coronavirus restrictions.”

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - World Summit Awards 2021 WelcoMe by Neatebox

“Council notes:

The World Summit Awards (www.wsa-global.org) provides an international platform for cutting edge examples of how technology companies are impacting society in a positive way through local digital innovation; and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals agenda.

At the WSA Global Congress 2021, “Connect4Impact – Digital Solutions for the UN Sustainability Development Goals”, 9 social technology start-ups, whose solutions not only drive the achievement of UN SDGs, but demonstrate how digital creativity is making a positive impact on society, were awarded the title of WSA Global Champion.

Council congratulates Neatebox, an Edinburgh based company on being one of the 9 companies, from 600 applications worldwide, to be awarded the title of WSA Global Champion, in recognition of its development of WelcoMe, a low-cost web-based service which enables any person with a disability to forewarn participating businesses of their visit and special needs, ensuring awareness, ease of customer experience, meaningful inclusion and citizen empowerment.

Council asks the Lord Provost to convey its congratulations to the Neatebox team on this success.”

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - Debora Kayembe - Rector of The University of Edinburgh

“Welcomes and congratulates Ms Debora Kayembe on her recent election as Rector of the University of Edinburgh. Ms Kayembe is the third woman to be elected as Rector.

Recognises the wealth of experience Debora Kayembe has including at the Congolese Bar Association, the language services of the office of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA), as a Board Member of the Scottish Refugee Council, the Royal Society of Edinburgh/Young Academy of Scotland representing refugee minorities and is an expert lawyer to the RSE Working Group for Africa.

Further recognises Debora’s ongoing work with Full Options, a charity which tackles social isolation, campaigns for human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation; promotes religious and racial harmony; works towards the relief of poverty and the advancement of health and education for all, the Freedom Walk campaign – a civil rights movement which campaigns on behalf of citizens by promoting social reforms, racial justice and community harmony and work promoting and anti-racist approach to education in Scotland.

Council welcomes Ms Kayembe to the role of Rector of the University of Edinburgh and wishes her every success during her tenure.”

By Councillor Day - North Edinburgh Covid 19 Respond and Recovery Group

“Council congratulates the North Edinburgh Covid 19 Respond and Recovery Group on their recent award for Inspiring Partnership Award from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce 2021 Awards.

“The partnership between, FreshStart, Spartans, NEA, PCHP, Scran Academy, LIFT, Granton Community Gardener’s, Granton Information Centre, Community Renewal – supported by local activists, local Councillors and the MP and MSP has shown how the our amazing local projects can pull together, create innovation and deliver immediate support to those that need it most in times of crisis.”

The pandemic response demonstrated the speed and agility that third sector organisations can bring to a crisis response at a community level. It highlighted the impact which can be made on the ground when statutory services work closely with third sector partners to tap into and harness that local understanding, commitment and experience and use existing channels to ensure support is responsive to local needs.

Council requests the Lord Provost celebrates this great achievement in an appropriate manner.”

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

By Councillor Rust – Sustrans – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Webber - Spaces for People - Design and Safety Audit Update – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Webber - Spaces for People - Personal Injury/Accident Claims – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Laidlaw - Public Toilets - Parks and Green Spaces – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

By Councillor Neil Ross – Gullies – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Neil Ross - Public Conveniences – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Osler - Guardrails at the Blackhall Dip – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Students Exempt from Wearing Face Coverings – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Jim Campbell - Those Responsible for Designing Spaces for People Schemes – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Lang - Path Network Lighting – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

By Councillor Louise Young - Garden Waste Permit Renewals – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Rust - SNP 2021 Manifesto - Holyrood Elections – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Mowat - Supporting Business – for answer by the Leader of the Council

By Councillor Mowat - Traffic - West End – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Barrie - Walking Tours - Business Recovery – for answer by the Convener of the Regulatory Committee