Agenda

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 2 November 2023 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Leader’s report

Committee Best Practice Guidance - referral from the Governance Risk and Best Value Committee

Revenue Monitoring 2023/24 – Month Five Report - referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

Treasury Management:-  Mid-Term Report 2023/24 – referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

Fleet Asset Management Plan 2023-2029 - referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Lang - Protecting Edinburgh Police Numbers

“Council

1)       Recognises the vital importance of local policing as part of the council’s strategic objectives of empowering communities and keeping people safe.

2)       Notes the November 2023 report, submitted by Police Scotland to the Scottish Police Authority Board, setting out the urgent need for additional revenue and capital funding for policing.

3)       Notes with concern the conclusions of Police Scotland finance officers that, unless budgets are increased, the organisation will be forced to consider cutting police officer numbers by almost 1,500 nationwide, which the organisation has admitted would involve “a reduction in visible policing” as well as “delays in attending calls for service”.

4)       Notes how any reduction in police numbers would come on top of the 5% fall in police officers numbers in the Lothian and Borders division which has already occurred over the last three years.

5)       Agrees that the Council Leader should write to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice & Home Affairs to express the council’s support for a proper funding settlement for Police Scotland which would prevent further reductions in police numbers and local service levels, emphasising the particular policing needs of Edinburgh as Scotland’s capital city.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey - Israel and Palestine Conflict - Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

“Council notes and supports the Scottish Parliament motion passed on November 21st on The Situation in the Middle East.

Council further notes temporary “truces” have taken place.

Council notes the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with hundreds of thousands of people displaced, and hundreds of thousands more civilians trapped in the war zone, prevented from leaving causes further deaths of thousands of children, women and men in the conflict. Council calls on aid channels to be fully opened to Gaza and all civilians trying to leave to be allowed to do so respecting their right to do so under Article 13.2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights- of which the United Kingdom and Israel are both signatories.

Council joins the calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and adds Edinburgh’s voice as the Capital City of Scotland for an immediate ceasefire to begin building a lasting peaceful settlement for Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Council reiterates its solidarity with Edinburgh’s Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities and condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred or targeting of any our residents.

Council agrees the Lord Provost writes to the Prime Minister to state Edinburgh’s position and ask the UK Government to adopt this as its diplomatic policy position.”

By Councillor Lang - Regulating Short Term Lets

“Council

1)       Notes the decision of the Planning Committee on 23 February 2022 to designate the whole of the City of Edinburgh as a short term let (STL) control area, and the decision of 19 April 2023 to amend non-statutory guidance on STLs.

2)       Notes that both committee decisions were unanimous, reflecting the strong cross-party consensus on the need to control the numbers of short term lets (STLs) in Edinburgh.

3)       Notes the Opinion issued by Lord Braid on 1 December 2023 with respect to the regulation of STLs and his finding; that the Scottish Parliament did not intend that Section 26B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997 should have retrospective effect by requiring planning permission to be applied for where a secondary STL was in operation prior to the coming into force of the Short Term Lets Control Area.

4)       Recognises how this judgment has significant implications for the ability of the Council to deliver on its long-standing commitment to control STLs numbers.

5)       Therefore, agrees that the Leader of the Council should urgently write to the Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning to:

a)       seek clarity of the position of the Scottish Government on the principle of retrospectively requiring planning permission for STLs within a control area and,

b)       call for an emergency Bill to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament to address the legislative deficiencies in Section 26B, so Edinburgh Council can continue with its originally intended approach, as agreed cross-party.”

By Councillor Dalgleish – Short Term Let Judicial Review

“Council:

Notes the outcome of the STL (Planning) Judicial Review received on Friday 1 December 2023 and that the Council’s Planning service will consider implications of the ruling in detail, including considering an appeal. 

Notes the motion passed at Planning Committee in November requesting a full update on STL Planning Policy implementation and the interrelationship between Planning and Licensing departments and that Regulatory committee will review Licensing Short Term Let policies within a year of implementation.

Requests:

That a report come to Planning Committee in one cycle detailing the Judicial Review and what outcomes this will have on Short Term Let Planning Policy and the assessment of Short Term Let Planning applications, and what implication this may have for the Council’s Short Term Let Licensing Scheme. This report should also be sent to the Regulatory Committee and the Short Term Lets Working Group for information.”

By Councillor Heap - Unclaimed Social Security Entitlements

“Council notes:

1)       The significant underclaiming of social security (local, Scottish and UK) entitlements in the city.

2)       This was estimated around £70m in 2019, based on UK figures from 2017/18, but that this exercise has not been repeated since.

3)       That increasing social security take-up is vital to its aim to end poverty by 2030.

4)       The work done by officers and partners in helping people to apply for their entitlements.

5)       That it is challenging to improve social security take-up without having estimates of the level of underclaiming in the city.

Council therefore requests:

6)       From 2024/5 onwards, a report is made yearly, at an appropriate time each year, to Policy and Sustainability Committee, covering:

a)       A summary of the Council’s work to help people claim their unclaimed social security entitlements.

b)       Subject to the availability of the necessary data, an estimate of the level of unclaimed social security payments in the city.

c)       Recommendations for further action, with an indication of the necessary resources, where appropriate.”

By Councillor Mumford – The City of Edinburgh Council’s Links with Apartheid

“Council:

1)       Reaffirms its commitment to be a voice for global justice, as illustrated by our support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal invasion, and our historic solidarity with the fight against South African apartheid;

2)       Notes that Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN Special Rapporteuron the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967 have all recognised the actions of the Israeli Government towards Palestinian people as apartheid;

3)       Further notes that the Israeli Government have openly spoken of undertaking activities including cutting off power and food supplies to civilians which are violations of international humanitarian law;

4)       Recognises that the City of Edinburgh Council has power and responsibility as a voice representing Scotland’s capital city, as Edinburgh’s largest employer, and as a purchaser and commissioner of goods and services;

5)       Notes the Legal Opinion provided to Amnesty International in 2020 on the ‘Matter Of Excluding Tenderers, For Public Contracts, That Conduct Business With Israeli Settlements In The Occupied Palestinian Territories’ and how this is relevant to our own decisions around procurement and purchasing;

Therefore Council:

6)       Requests officers prepare a report within 2 cycles setting out any current financial links between CEC and companies operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including but not limited to:

·       IT services

·       Arms manufacture and distribution

·       Security services

·       Catering

·       Pensions and investments

including any contract end dates where relevant, and legal opinion about the ability of the Council to set a roadmap to extricate itself from these relationship in line with relevant legal guidance;

7)       Bans all Israeli Government-supported arts and cultural events and performances in Edinburgh Council-owned venues and encourage other venues in the City to do the same, as we did with respect to Russian Government supported arts events and performances in 2022.”

By Councillor Parker - Transient Visitor Levy and the Housing Emergency

“Council:

1)       Welcomes visitors to Edinburgh and recognises a wide range of benefits to the city from business and leisure tourism.

2)       Believes that, in any economy, a functional housing system is critical as this is a basic need and right of the workforce on whom the economy is built.

3)       Notes that the Council declared a Housing Emergency on 2^nd November 2023 in recognition of the fact that the current housing system in Edinburgh is not meeting the needs of the city, and notes that papers considered at the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee on 5^th December show that there is a significant funding gap to deliver the homes needed to tackle the emergency.

4)       Regrets the severe limitations on Local Authorities to raise revenue, but notes the opportunity presented in the forthcoming Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill to do this

5)       Therefore, in recognition of the clear dependency relationship between the visitor economy and the need to provide homes for workers, requests that the Council Leader writes to the relevant minister in the Scottish Government to ask that consideration be given to amending the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill to clearly set out the ability for Local Authorities to apportion funds to social housing, should Councils desire. This letter should be copied to members of the Joint Working Group on Sources of Local Government Funding and Council Tax Reform.

6)       Further requests that the Chief Executive and Council Leader use their roles representing the Council on COSLA to continue to make the case for local authorities to have maximum flexibility in spending the TVL, including changing legislation to explicitly allow for housing spend to be included.

7)       Finally, requests that updates on these actions are included in the Business Bulletin at future Policy and Sustainability meetings.”

By Councillor Mumford – Freeport Outline Business Case Scrutiny

“Council:

1)       Notes that the Outline Business Case for the Forth ‘Green’ Freeport was not made available for scrutiny by members in any Council Committee, as a result of the 17^th November submission deadline which was deemed unadvisable to miss;

2)       Further notes that, in fact, due to technical issues Edinburgh CEC was subsequently offered a seven-day extension to the submission of the OBC, meaning that there could have been an opportunity for it to be scrutinised by the Finance and Resources Committee;

3)       Regrets that there was no opportunity for Councillors to scrutinise the Outline Business Case in a Council Committee with public webcasting;

4)       Therefore requests a note be circulated to all Councillors setting out all future dates relating to submission of reports or key milestones for the Freeport, and which Committee Meeting will be given the opportunity to scrutinise them.”

By Councillor Miller - Melville Monument Reparative Plaque

“Council:

1)       Reiterates its belief that reparative action which contributes to our ongoing decolonisation work are important ways in which we create a safe, welcoming and inclusive city.

2)       Repeats its thanks to Edinburgh World Heritage, Prof Geoffrey Palmer and the University of Edinburgh for their joint work on the wording for the new Melville Monument plaque which was agreed in 2020.

3)       Expresses dismay at the theft of the plaque and thanks council officers and Essential Edinburgh for investigating, and shock that the perpetrator has openly admitted to the crime but does not yet seem to be facing arrest or charge.

4)       Calls for an update on the prosecution process to be provided to elected members in December and included in the following Policy & Sustainability Committee Business Bulletin.

5)       Additionally calls for a replacement plaque to be installed within 1 month, so that the original decision of Council will continue to be honoured, and for officers to seek recovery of the original plaque.”

By Councillor Nicolson - Carer Grants

“Council:

1)         Understands that Carers Organisations were compelled to write a letter of concern to the Chair of EIJB and board members because Carers Act funds have not been ringfenced by the Health and Social Care Partnership as they have been in previous years.

2)         Notes that there is a proposal to use underspend from the Carers Act funds this year to meet wider budget overspends in the Health and Social Care Partnership.

3)         Further notes that there has been a delay to rolling out Adult Carer Support Plans and therefore issuing the accompanying Carer Payments to the city’s unpaid carers.

4)         Understands that Scottish Government’s Winter Preparedness Plan makes clear unpaid carers have a critical role as part of a ‘whole system’ approach and that, despite being equal partners in care, City of Edinburgh Council has not currently allocated funding to carers to support them over the winter.

5)         Acknowledges that Edinburgh Carer Survey returns show that many carers are near burn out, emotionally, physically and financially.  Carers will face even more pressure over the winter months with 82% say their mental health is impacted, nearly 20% need to borrow money due to their caring role, 32% use their own money to pay for care and 65% have given up work or reduced hours.

6)         Understands that Edinburgh carer organisations Fair Advice, EDG, The Action Group and VOCAL have drafted a proposal to distribute £365,000 of Carers Act underspend directly to carers and young carers in the city, this would utilise a number of delivery partners and community groups, and could ensure 1,400+ carers and young carers benefit from much needed financial support, and are provided with the resources to enable them to continue caring.”

7)         Therefore, requests a report to the appropriate committee in two cycles that will:

a)         Assess the feasibility of the aforementioned proposal and how the council could implement it.

b)         Breakdown how much funding is paid to Edinburgh’s Health and Social Care Partnership from the Scottish Government in Carers Act funds and how much, if any, have been distributed to unpaid carers in the last financial year.

c)         Explore the option of committing to ringfencing the funds now and for future years as has happened in the past.

d)         Set out the purpose of the Carers’ Act and the attached funding, the outcomes, the intended recipients and whether there is any guidance on funding being used for recurring budgets while noting that the funding is not ringfenced.

e)         Detail the decision-making process that led to these funds being allocated away from unpaid carers towards the EIJB overspend.”

By Councillor Macinnes – Budget Consultation

“1)      Council notes the Lessons Learned report (budget setting process) presented to the Finance and Resources Committee in June 2023 there was a commitment to improve the budget building process with a number of measures proposed, including a clear commitment to starting the process earlier.

2)       Council regrets that again this year there will be no consultation with the public or trade unions as highlighted in the June report.

3)       Further notes group finance spokespeople have not received specific budget proposals from directorates, as in previous years and as set out in the June report.

4)       Council agrees points 2 and 3 means the public will again be excluded from the budget setting process and groups preparing budget proposals for early February will also be made more challenging.

5)       Council agrees to launch a 4 week budget consultation as soon as practicable prior to the Council’s budget setting meeting to seek residents’ views on a council tax freeze, and options of council tax increases, and any other financial decisions contained in the budget that officers include to achieve input from the public on how their money is spent.”

By Councillor Jones - £6 Million cut to City of Edinburgh’s Early Years Budget

“Council notes:

·        In 2022/23 the Scottish Government changed their funding methodology for the 1,140 hours Early Years programme and reduced overall funding available to Local Authorities for funded childcare.

·        While funding specifically for City of Edinburgh Council has reduced from almost £46.5Mil in 2021/22 to £40.5Mil in 2023/23, some other councils now receive increased funding levels.

·        The change of methodology relates to the introduction of rurality (5%) and deprivation (20%) elements in the funding formula that particularly disadvantages Edinburgh.

·        The difference in funding levels between Local Authorities has widened considerably. For example, East Renfrewshire receive £5,787.73 per 3 and 4-year-old, Dundee £5,195.65, East Lothian £4,997.84, but Edinburgh only £4,316.77.

·        Special factors which affect Edinburgh have not been taken into consideration including the:

a)     High proportion of Private Voluntary and Independent operators in the city who need sustainable funding, particularly to ensure they can afford to pay the Minimum Wage.

b)     Increased cost of providing facilities by virtue of high property values.

c)     Additional £2Mil cost of funding the large number of deferral decisions made by parents.

Council regrets:

·        Officers were not made aware of plans by Scottish Government to make cuts so could not take them into account when planning their budget requirements.

·        Officers were not made aware of plans by Scottish Government to change the methodology so were unable to make representations to explain why this unfairly disadvantages children living in Edinburgh.

Council, therefore, requests the Council Leader writes to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to:

a)       Highlight the lack of consultation and engagement from Scottish Government over the decisions to make cuts to the budget.

b)       Seek comfort that future budget discussions will include consultation and engagement with Local Authorities.

c)       Arrange a meeting with Scottish Government and Council Officers to discuss the special factors which apply to Edinburgh.

d)       Request reimbursement to Edinburgh of the £6mil of budgetary cuts applied over 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.”

By Councillor Mitchell - Telford and Hillhouse Junction

“Council:

1)       Notes the ‘Major Junctions Review Update’ report at Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday, 20th April 2023.

2)       Expresses concern that this did not include the junction on Queensferry Road at Hillhouse Road-Telford Road-Strachan Road.

3)       Understands that a ‘Major Junctions Review Update’ report may be going to the Transport and Environment Committee’s meeting in January 2024.

4)       Further notes the work underway by the Inverleith Neighbourhood Network at House O’Hill Road’s junction with Telford Road and Drylaw Crescent.

5)       Asks officials that the next update being received by the Transport and Environment Committee in relation to the ‘Major Junctions Review’ includes this junction with a view to urgently improve;

a)       Pedestrian safety and movements across and around the junction,

b)       Accessibility for those with reduced mobility and/or a visual impairment,

c)       Improvements for cyclists travelling through the junction.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey - UK Government Austerity

“1)        Notes the comments of the First Minister of Wales on 22nd Nov 2023 that: “our budget goes down year after year. It’s gone down year after year in real terms as a result of the austerity policies of the UK Government.”

2)       Further notes the comments of the Chair of local government association (England and Wales) on 26th Nov 2023 that: “Any suggestion of any further cuts on top of the current deficit we face and we’ll see the number of councils set to go bankrupt rise from one in 10 to a significantly higher number.”

3)       Council acknowledges that the UK Government’s financial settlement for 22/23 represented a 4.4% real-terms cut in the Scottish budget and that once the full year’s inflation for 23/24 is calculated this year’s and next year’s budgets are both expected to represent another real-terms cut in public sector funding.

4)       Council notes that every local authority in Scotland remains financially solvent, in contrast to Councils in England where many have declared themselves bankrupt and incapable of meeting even statutory service delivery.

5)       While Council acknowledges that the Scottish Government has delivered a better funding settlement than that given to English Councils, this has meant the Scottish Government has had to release savings elsewhere in public services or use additional raised resources to give this additional al financial support.

6)       Council therefore recognises the source of constrained public sector budgets in Scotland is the 13 year austerity programme of the UK Government and further recognises if this continues the risk to Councils in Scotland suffering the same financial fate as English Authorities will increase year-on-year.

7)       Council calls for an end to austerity and requests the Council Leader writes to the Prime Minister and Leader of the opposition at Westminster asking for a firm pledge to improve funding for local government in England and increased budgets of the devolved administrations with an above-inflation to begin to reverse austerity.”

By Councillor Graham - Edinburgh Football Cup

“Notes the huge success of this year’s Edinburgh Football Cup, which attracted over 10,000 attendees, with teams from around the world, including the United States, Norway, and India.

To request officers work in partnership with the Edinburgh Football Cup on their initiative to train 14-16-year-olds, both boys and girls, as referees. This would be in collaboration with the Scottish Football Association's referees with the aim of providing referee training as well as enhancing other skills, including communication, decision-making, confidence, empathy, patience, and leadership.

Further requests that the Lord Provost celebrate this achievement in an appropriate manner.”

By Councillor Booth - Short-term Lets Judicial Review Judgement

“Council:

1)         Notes the judgement delivered on 1 December 2023 in the judicial review against the council's planning “guidance for businesses” in relation to short-term lets (STLs);

2)         Notes that the judgement could have significant implications for the council's approach to effective regulation of STLs;

3)         Notes the decision of Regulatory Committee on 2 October 2023 in relation to STL enforcement, and notes the decision of Planning Committee on 15 November 2023 to request a report within 2 cycles updating on STLs in relation to enforcement, the relationship between licensing and planning regimes and practice, and other matters;

4)         Notes that sections 7(3) to 7(7) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order 2022 allows the council to suspend consideration of an STL licence application where it would constitute a breach of planning control, while schedule 2, part 2, paragraph 8 of the same order gives powers of preliminary refusal for a breach of planning control;

5)         Notes that the judgement reduces the whole of the amendment to the ‘Guidance for Businesses’ agreed by Planning Committee on 19 April 2023, including several changes which were outside the specific scope of the judicial review, and therefore agrees to receive a report to the next meeting of Planning Committee with suggested amendments to this guidance which comply with the judgement;

6)         Requests that officers prepare a confidential briefing for licensing and planning leads and group leaders as soon as practical on the implications of the judicial review judgement; on grounds for appealing the judgement (if any) and on the immediate steps needed to respond to the judgement;

7)         Agrees to reconvene the STL working group as soon as possible to consider the next steps for effective regulation of the STL sector in Edinburgh following the judgement, and on the practical implications of powers under the 2022 order in respect of potential breaches of planning control;

8)         Agrees to receive reports to the next meetings of the Planning Committee and Regulatory Committee covering the implications of the judicial review judgement for planning and licensing respectively.”

By Councillor Rae – Short Term Lets Register - Publication of Applicants' Names

“Council:

1)         Notes that the council does not currently publish the names of applicants for STL licences on the STL register unless the applicant is a company or partnership;

2)         Notes that under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets Order) 2022, the council is required to publish an STL register, which must include the name of the applicant where the application is made by or on behalf of a person other than a natural person, but that it is optional to publish the name of the applicant otherwise;

3)         Notes that applicants for an STL licence are required to display a site notice which includes the name of the applicant, and further notes that, where a planning application or certificate of lawful use application is made, the applicant's name would be published on the planning portal;

4)         Notes the significance of the issue of short-term lets to the public interest, further notes that part of the licence application is determination of whether the applicant is a 'fit and proper person', but that unless someone is able to view the site notice or find the details on the planning portal, they would not currently know who the applicant was (except where the council is required to publish the name in the STL register);

5)         Therefore agrees that, in the interests of openness and transparency, and in addition to the existing requirement to publish the name of the applicant when it is not a natural person, agrees that the name of the applicant should be published on the STL register where the licence applied for is for STL secondary letting (but not where the application is for home sharing or home letting or for both of these), and that this change will come into effect within one calendar month of this decision.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey – UK Government Migration Rules

“1)      Council expresses concern regarding the UK Government’s proposed rule changes to Visas, which would raise the salary threshold of acceptance to £38,700. Council is further concerned that this further dehumanises migrants, denying them a family life by preventing dependents being able to join them through sponsored Visas.

2)       Council unambiguously believes that our city has been made socially and culturally richer by those who have chosen to make Edinburgh their home.

3)       Council also recognises this approach is a significant threat to Edinburgh’s economy, where businesses across sectors are already experiencing skills shortages.

4)       Council expresses particular concern regarding the impact these changes will have on those who could help meet staffing shortages in social care and the NHS, where every single medical and care entry-level role is below the minimum salary threshold now set by the UK Government.

5)       More fundamentally, Council regrets the language, approach and policy aims of successive UK Governments which, instead of recognising new residents and the enormous contribution they make to the success of our capital city and the whole of Scotland, sadly is designed to seeds of division.

6)       Council agrees that the Council Leader will write to the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Westminster before the end of the year, setting out the economic damage of their approach to immigration and asking for a firm pledge from both that they will reverse their approach, and if not, that they will devolve immigration law to the Scottish Parliament to allow policies to be pursued which better meet Edinburgh’s needs.”

By Councillor Nicolson - Citizen and Carer Representatives Edinburgh Integration Joint Board

“1)      Council notes that on the 12 December 2023, three of the four representatives appointed to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, Christine Farquhar, Grant MacRae and Ruth Hendery will be stepping down after serving the city by bringing valuable professional and personal experience to the Board.

2)       Recognises that Carer Representative, Christine Farquhar, attended the inaugural Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) meeting as a carer representative on 12 June 2015, and has given voice to Edinburgh’s unpaid carers since.  Christine’s colleagues, Carer Representative Ruth Hendery and Service User Representative Grant MacRae, joined later and have also represented the thousands of individuals who are unpaid carers and who use Health and Social Care services in Edinburgh.

3)       Further notes that the EIJB, which is responsible for the strategic planning and commissioning of Health and Social Care services in Edinburgh and for issuing directions to the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian for the delivery of these services, has depended on the contribution of people who have lived experience of being unpaid carers and using services since its inception.

4)       Acknowledges this huge contribution from these individuals asks that the Lord Provost thanks Christine Farquhar, Ruth Hendery and Grant MacRae for their support, dedication and contributions to the Board and to the lives of carers across the City of Edinburgh.”

By Councillor Meagher - LAR Housing Trust

“Council:

Extends its congratulations to the LAR Housing Trust on winning the Inside Housings’ ‘Partnership of the Year Award’.

Notes their commitment to excellence and detail; acknowledging the difference that can be made for communities when the right: people, experience and partners are available to work with.

Recognises that this is an important step forward in tackling the pressures on accessible housing in Edinburgh.

Asks the Lord Provost to recognise this achievement in an appropriate manner.”

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - 40th Anniversary of SPIFOX - The Scottish Property Industry Festival of Christmas

“Notes that Spifox (Scottish Property Industry Festival of Christmas), launched in 1983 by property and construction professionals organising its first Christmas Carol Concert and Charity Lunch event. 

Gathers the inaugural event was held in the Assembly Rooms and raised £3000 for the RSPCC.  It has since grown in size and popularity and for many years now, the charity lunch is held at the EICC, following the Christmas Carol Concert at St Cuthbert’s Church.

Understands that Spifox runs other annual fundraising events in addition to its Christmas Carol Concert and Lunch; and continues to be run by a dedicated group of voluntary Trustees with all net proceeds distributed to charities large and small across Scotland which support children and young people.  

Notes that 40 years on from the first event, Spifox has raised and donated approaching £5.3 million to enabling countless charities to purchase equipment and/or provide facilities to increase/extend/better perform their services.

Requests the Lord Provost to convey its congratulations and appreciation of Spifox Trustees past and present on their 40^th anniversary, and to mark this achievement in a befitting manner.”

By Councillor McFarlane - Repairs to Manhole Covers – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

By Councillor Lang - Queensferry High Street – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Lang - New Bridge over the Bughtlin Burn – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Lang - Davidson's Mains Roundabout – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Flannery - Occupation of Road Space by Developers – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Dobbin - Void Council Homes – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Key - Number of Occupied Council Homes – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Cowdy - Learning and Teaching Systems and Devices – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Mitchell - Permit Zone 5, CBR Phase 4 – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Mitchell - Permit Zone 5A, CBR Phase 4- for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Mitchell - Permit Zone 6, CBR Phase 4 – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Mowat - Public Toilets – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Caldwell - Communal Bin Review - Location Reviews – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Thornley - Maybury Junction – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Aston - Winter Readiness – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Campbell – Contract Spend on Mental Health Services of Children and Young People – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Nicolson - Sexual Health Services and Astley Ainslie – for answer by the Vice Chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board

By Councillor Macinnes - 2023-24 Budget Monitoring – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Macinnes - 2024-25 Budget – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor Dijkstra-Downie - EV Charging Points – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

The Sub-Committee, is requested under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

Monitoring Officer – B Agenda Report – Report by the Council Deputy Monitoring Officer