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 14 December 2023 – submitted for approval as a correct record

Leader’s report

Rolling Actions Log – May 2015 to December 2024

By Councillor Parker - Support and Advice for the Student Community

“Council:

1)         Celebrates Edinburgh’s history as a University city, noting that there are c.80,000 students in the city from a number of universities and colleges.

2)         Notes that whilst students are not eligible to receive support from all aspects of Council services, there are some which they are eligible for support from, and some which are especially relevant to them – for example, applying for a Council Tax discount.

3)         Notes that the Council does not currently produce any specific materials for the student community, despite the fact that students make up a significant percentage of the population.

Therefore, Council:

4)         Agrees that Council officers should engage with Student Associations / Student Unions to co-produce targeted materials for its website, welcoming students to the city, outlining what support the Council can offer to them, addressing FAQs students might have about Council services, providing guidance about what rights students have (for example, in terms of employment or housing), and signposting to other relevant organisations.

5)         Agrees that these materials will be cognisant of the needs of mature students, international students, student carers, student parents and disabled students in their focus and scope, and also include ideas about how students can be involved in their local community, including work and volunteering opportunities.”

By Councillor Kumar - Connected Communities - Impact of Funding Allocations

“1)        Notes the decision taken at Education, Children, and Families Committee on 18^th December 2023 to allocate funding for ‘Connected Communities’.

2)         Regrets that decisions were made without appropriate understanding of the impact on organisations and resulting continuity of services.

3)         Regrets that full committee papers were not available for public scrutiny and transparency due to conflicting advice.

Agrees to:

4)         Complete an analysis of the impact of the above allocation including geographical and locality impact of the funding; impact on services due to the introduction of new strands; impact on new eligibility criteria.

5)         Include a detailed explanation about what is / isn’t confidential information to help increase transparency, accountability, and consistency of council and committee decisions.

6)         Include a detailed explanation of what advice was given to council officers and the convener in relation to why the item was ‘B Agenda’, and why this was applied to this Connected Committees Grant report but hasn’t been applied to any other third party grants reports including one at the Housing Homelessness and Fair Work committee two weeks earlier on 5^th December.

7)         Agrees to publish the full list of funded and non-funded organisations including how much was applied for and how much was awarded for each organisation.

8)         Agrees to publish a geographical analysis of how much funding was received, as a percentage and as a cash figure:

·       By ward

·       By SIMD decile

9)         Agrees to publish the explanation as to why both EVOC and LAYC did not have the same criteria applied to their funding awards as all other organisations.”

By Councillor Davidson - Edinburgh Eye Hospital

Council Notes:

1)         The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion was designated as “Not Fit for Purpose” in 2014.

2)         A replacement building was approved in 2018 which was then cancelled by the Scottish Government in 2020.

3)         That despite the clear urgency of the situation no funding was provided for a new Edinburgh Eye Hospital in the recent Scottish Government budget.

4)         The Scottish Government have informed health boards that no capital funding for new projects will be provided in the next two years.

Council believes:

5)         That the failure to provide a new facility is having a severely detrimental effect on patients including increased cancellation of appointments and a severe shortage of outpatient facilities.

6)         Edinburgh deserves a state-of-the-art Eye Hospital which is in an accessible location for patients travelling from across the City.

7)         The decision by the Scottish Government to withhold capital funding for new projects not only endangers the Eye Hospital project but also brings into question plans for a new Cancer Centre at the Western General and an elective centre at St John’s Hospital.

Therefore, council requests:

8)         That the Council leader urgently writes to the Scottish Government requesting that funding is identified for a new Eye Hospital for Edinburgh and asking for clarity as to the status of other major NHS Lothian Capital Projects.”

By Councillor McKenzie - Safe Consumption Room and Community Drug Checking Facilities

“Council –

Commends the work of Cllr Davidson and Cllr McFarlane in bringing forward these urgent issues in 2022. 

Is reminded that there were 113 drug-related deaths in Edinburgh in 2022.

Notes that Council:

- agreed on 22 June 2022 “to work with partners in health and criminal justice to provide a report to the Policy & Sustainability Committee into the feasibility of supporting an official Overdose Prevention Centre trial in the City”

- requested on 15 December 2022 “a report to Policy & Sustainability Committee on the publication of findings from the study exploring the implementation of an Edinburgh Drug Checking Service at the earliest possibility”.

- agreed on 28 September 2023 “to reaffirm the Council’s commitment in June 2022 to support the principle of a safe consumption room and community drug checking facilities for Edinburgh” and “to commit to support rapid action on the feasibility study”.

Regrets that rapid action has not been taken, and that the timeline for receipt of the feasibility study has been repeatedly extended.

Regrets that on the eventual completion of the feasibility study, it was not presented to the Policy & Sustainability Committee as agreed.

Agrees:

1)         The feasibility study will be published in full on the Council’s website by the end of 9 February 2024.

2)         A report containing the feasibility study and next steps will come to the next meeting of the Policy & Sustainability Committee on 12 March, allowing for public discussion and scrutiny.

3)         The Council Leader will request an urgent meeting with the Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy to discuss the feasibility study and to identify funding sources.

4)         The outcome of this meeting will be included in the report to the Policy & Sustainability Committee on 12 March.”

By Councillor Lang - Scottish Government Funding

“Council

1)         Notes the analysis undertaken by council finance officers showing a £1.4 million shortfall arising from the failure of the Scottish Government to properly fund a 5% council tax freeze in Edinburgh.

2)         Notes that same analysis has concluded Edinburgh’s revenue grant from the Scottish Government is declining by £10 million.

3)         Notes the announcement of the UK Government on 24 January of an additional £600 million for councils in England which the Scottish Parliament Information Centre has concluded will generate an additional £45 million to the Scottish Government in Barnett consequentials.

4)         Endorses the position of COSLA that it is essential for the Scottish Government to pass all this additional funding to Scottish councils without any conditions on direction on how this money should be spent.

5)         Agrees that the Council Leader should write to the First Minister to set out the position of the Council and seek urgent confirmation of the position of the Scottish Government before the Council meets to set its budget on 22 February.”

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - Edinburgh as a Fair Trade City

“Council notes:

Edinburgh has held Fair Trade City Status since 2004, officially promoting and supporting fair trade and helping the city to work towards fair trade goals, including Fairtrade Fortnight, held annually.

Fair Trade is a movement to better prices, fair terms of trade and improved working conditions to farmers, producers, and workers in the developing world. 

Fair Trade communities play a key role in raising awareness of the link between trade and poverty.  Engaging with Fairtrade Fortnight helps protect people and planet, and buying Fairtrade products makes trade fairer for those in lower income countries.

Fair Trade supports trade justice and contributes towards climate justice. 

Fairtrade Standards encourage producers to protect the environment by improving soil, planting trees, conserving water, and avoiding pesticides, whilst Fair Trade’s climate academies help farmers share best practices and learn the latest agricultural methods to adapt to conditions.

Fair Trade Fortnight 2024 will take place from Monday 9^th September – Sunday 22^nd September, and marks the 30^th birthday of the FAIRTRADE mark in the UK.

Council further notes that:

The Edinburgh City Fair Trade Steering Group and Scottish Fair Trade Forum are bidding to bring a global Fair Trade Conference to Edinburgh in August 2025. 

The conference theme is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of Fair Trade as a central element in achieving many of these goals.

The conference will also highlight the importance of Edinburgh, where the International Fair Trade Charter was launched, as a Fair Trade City and Scotland as a Fair Trade Nation. 

Council agrees:

To endorse and meaningfully support the bid to host the Global Fair Trade conference in Edinburgh in 2025, subject to an update in the business bulletin to highlight any costs that would be incurred;

To promote and participate in Fair Trade Fortnight 2024; and

Asks the Lord Provost to mark the 20^th anniversary of Edinburgh achieving Fairtrade City Status in an appropriate manner.”

By Councillor Younie - Data Literacy Rollout

“Council

1)         Welcomes the upcoming rollout of data literacy training to CEC staff members and recognises the enormous benefit for the Council as a whole.

2)         Commends the rollout due to the importance of offering additional training opportunities, especially in data literacy, to staff in the organisation.

3)         Identifies the benefits which this could also bring to young people in education if they are offered the opportunity.

4)         Requests:

a)         Officers, while conducting the rollout to staff, take stock of what modules and learning could be provided to high school pupils.

b)         Identifies what additional support high schools may need to provide these learning opportunities.

c)         Identify whether it would be possible to offer this learning even more widely, in future, to the public.

d)         Requests updates to Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee business bulletin on the progress of, and learning from, the rollout.”

By Councillor Mitchell - Bin Hubs Noise Mitigation

“Council:

1)         Regrets the detrimental impact on residents’ amenity caused by the bin hubs, and

Council therefore agrees:

2)         adjustments and/or interventions should be urgently considered to mitigate against the noise generated by glass recycling bins,

3)         noise mitigations for all bin lids should be considered as well,

4)         and an update shall be provided to Transport and Environment Committee within two cycles via the Business Bulletin or as part of a Communal Bin Review report.”

By Councillor Burgess – Closure of Radical Road, Holyrood Park

“Council:

1)         Notes the closure of the Radical Road, a Public Right of Way, in Holyrood Park by Historic Environment Scotland since 2018 stating health and safety reasons;

2)         Notes that concerned residents have contacted councillors, a public meeting held and almost 4,000 signatures on a public petition gathered in a matter of weeks, calling for urgent re-opening;

3)         Notes that ScotWays, Ramblers Scotland, The Edinburgh Geological Society, Mountaineering Scotland and The Cockburn Association support the re-opening;

4)         Therefore requests that the Transport and Local Access Forum considers this matter at the earliest opportunity, including whether access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 apply to Holyrood Park and what actions the Council and Scottish Government could take on the matter, and that it reports its findings to the Council’s Transport Environment Committee.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey - Forth Green Freeport - Non-Domestic Rates Relief Funds

“Notes the projected additional income to CEC from the retention of the uplift of Non-Domestic Rate associated with the Forth Green Freeport (FGFP).

Recognises that these are projections, and the projected level of income is not guaranteed, nonetheless agrees that any income should be spent on projects with a lasting value to the city.

Recognises that the Outline Business Case (OBC) states that the expectation is that the FGFP will create 50k jobs and notes that there is a skills shortage in Edinburgh, which has been exacerbated by the housing emergency.

Recognises that additional housing will be needed to provide homes for additional workers, and that acceleration of housing development at Granton Waterfront is a key aspiration for the city and therefore a significant proportion of the additional resources should be used to support delivery of more social housing across the waterfront.

Further recognises that providing sustainable transport links will be crucial to unlocking the full development potential at Granton Waterfront.

Therefore agrees that Full Business Case (FBC) for the FGFP should prioritise using the retained non domestic rates to support a business case for an extension of the Tram to Granton and accelerate the completion of the full northern loop (line 1C), linking between the Newhaven and Granton termini providing sustainable transport into the Freeport area. This should be aligned with investment in affordable housing to accelerate development of Granton Waterfront.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey - Transient Visitor Levy (Tourist Tax) Community Work

“1)        Notes the TVL legislative process continues to progress with an expectation of implementation and revenue generation by 2026.

2)         Notes the Council’s latest consultation on the details of Edinburgh’s plans has now closed and a report with the findings will be presented in due course.

3)         Notes there are a number of proposals in the consultation which are about managing tourism in the city better, investing in infrastructure, culture and supporting industry to meet better standards of works conditions alongside other improvements for the benefit of the city.

4)         However, Council also notes the importance of ensuring the revenue delivers for tangible benefits for residents across entire city.

5)         Council therefore agrees that when the consultation responses are reported to committee, this includes developed proposals to allocate significant resource, with broad parameters for spending across communities and established governance principles and procedures for doing so. These options should include but not be limited to:

a)         a minimum of percentage of the total revenue each year from the TVL to be ring-fenced and shared across every Council-run school’s Parent Council. This would allocate budgets for local projects and initiatives to allow Parent Councils to invest in facilities within and outwith the school and take measures to close the attainment gap. This funding would be given to each Parent Council with distribution weighted towards schools with higher catchment of SIMD 1-4 and highest levels of free school meal entitlements.

b)         a minimum of percentage of the total revenue each year from the TVL to be ring-fenced and shared across the entire City to increase budgets for Community Grants funds to allow communities to invest in their local priorities. This funding would be allocated across every locality and neighbourhood, with allocations weighted towards neighbourhoods with the highest levels of SIMD 1-4.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey - Water of Leith Basins Water Quality

“1)        Council notes ongoing concerns around water quality in the Water of Leith, River Almond, and Figgate Burn basins.

2)         Council calls on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and on Environmental Standards Scotland to carry out monitoring of water quality and report this data to the Council.

3)         Council requests a report within 3 cycles including any information obtained through environmental agencies or obtainable by the Council’s own services to test for sewage bacteria in the Water of Leith, River Almond, and Figgate Burn basins.

            This report should outline:

a)         the outcome of bacterial testing in the Water of Leith, River Almond, and Figgate Burn basins, with current contamination levels

b)         whether the sewage-contaminated silt constitutes illegal deposition of sewage solids under Scottish Water's CAR licence.

c)         how a timeline can be established for ongoing water quality monitoring and testing for CSO discharges.

d)         what enforcement action can be taken against Scottish Water if they are found to have failed to comply with the CAR licence terms.

Further agrees the report includes information on the Council’s complaints process regarding statutory nuisance using legal frameworks proactively to address community concerns and the investigatory process following complaints from the community.”

By Councillor Nols-McVey - Building Risk at Anchorfield

“1)        Council notes with concern that residents were forced to Leave their homes at Anchorfield following safety fears for the building.

2)         Council notes with disappointment that despite initial notification of the issues to the Council on 3^rd December and with the Council writing to all residents on 13^th December advising them that the Council would engage a Framework Contractor in order to make safe the building, Residents were instructed to leave their properties with one hour’s notice on 22^nd January.

3)         Further notes the ongoing perimeter of the building has resulted in road closures and traffic chaos, just months after the road reopened following construction works.

4)         Council notes that tram works may be a contributory cause of the building’s condition but at this time this remains uncertain.

5)         Requests a report within one cycle to the Finance and Resources Committee, which will be referred to the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee outlining:

            a)         All information held on the extent of damage to the building.

b)         All information held on the potential causes of damage to the building.

c)         All information held on engagement with Trams to Newhaven in order to identify if the construction of the tram line has resulted in the building becoming unstable.

d)         The end-to-end timeline which identified the damage including all communication with residents and business.

e)         An expected date for residents and businesses having full use of their properties and plans for traffic management during any works.

6)         Further requests that this report includes details of insurance cover of the tram project, all cases settled and all cases outstanding awaiting settlement of residents’ claims against the Council/Tram project for damage done to property.”

By Councillor Fullerton - 150th Anniversary of the Heart of Midlothian Football Club

“Council notes that 2024 is the 150^th Anniversary of the Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

Hearts took their name from the Old Tolbooth (tax house) of Edinburgh that stood just across the road from the City Chambers here in the High Street which was known as the very heart of Midlothian.  The Club’s history is fascinating - from when 16 players took off their boots to join McCrae’s Battalion in1914 to1922 when the Club’s War Memorial at Haymarket was unveiled before a crowd of 35,000.  Today the Club, along with their Charity Big Hearts, reach out to over 9.000 people each year.  They help combat social isolation, boost physical and mental health and bring community resources together to offer children and adults free opportunities to help them live a safe and fulfilling life. ‘The Kinship Care’ programme provides valuable advice and peer support to children and their carers as does the ‘Football and Edinburgh Memories’ which tackles dementia amongst older people.  That’s just a taste of how Hearts can change lives.

Council asks that the Lord Provost mark this significant 150^th Anniversary in an appropriate way.”

By Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron - Centenary of the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society

“Council notes that the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society is celebrating its Centenary this year.  Celebrations include the hosting of a Centenary Ceilidh with the Edinburgh Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society at the Laurieston Hall on Saturday 24^th February.

Founded in December 1924 as an appreciation society, the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society (EDGAS) began annual public performances in 1946.  EDGAS also perform concerts ranging from orchestral singalongs of the operas to smaller concert party visits to a variety of venues, such as churches and nursing homes.

For more than 20 years EDGAS has been invited by Seafarers UK Scotland to sing in its annual Usher Hall concert with the Band of HM Royal Marines.

Council congratulates EDGAS on its Centenary year and asks the Lord Provost to mark this important milestone in an appropriate way.”

By Councillor Dalgleish - McDonald Road Library

“Council:

Notes that 19^th January 2024 was the 120^th Anniversary of the opening of McDonald Road Library.

Understands that McDonald Road Library is a vital asset for the residents of Leith, offering numerous amounts of services catering to all ages and backgrounds.

Extends its congratulations to the staff, past and present, of McDonald Road Library who has provided a high level of commitment and service to the community of Leith for 120 years.

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

By Councillor Walker - Edinburgh's Hogmanay

“Council

1)         Celebrates the 30^th anniversary of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay tradition and the successful four-day programme of live music, world-famous Street Party, fireworks, and free family events which together hosted 95,000 people.

2)         Welcomes the much-anticipated return of the Torchlight Procession after a 4-year absence, with 20,000 attendees creating a ‘river of fire’ through the Old Town.

3)         Commends the £57,500 in donations raised from ticket and torch sales at the Torchlight Procession which will go towards projects tackling homelessness in Edinburgh.

4)         Appreciates the curated approach to utilising venues across the city, especially council-owned venues such as the Assembly Rooms and Ross Bandstand, to present a flexible programme of free events across a range of genres, the First Footing events, which attracted over 18,000 people on 1^st January, being a particular highlight.

5)         Hopes that further Council venues can open their doors for next year’s programme, including venues across the city.

6)         Thanks Council officers and staff, the organisers, the talented performers, the emergency services and all the partners, contractors and suppliers for their energy, time, and commitment which resulted in an outstanding four-day programme.

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

By Councillor Cowdy - Boroughmuir Rugby Football Club Under 18s

“Council notes the impressive win by Boroughmuir Rugby Football Club, U18, Boys team against Stirling County at the National Youth Cup Final held at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield on 17^th December and that the 36-17 victory won the club its 4^th consecutive U18 National Youth Cup.

Council further notes the club also won the conference for all ages, U15 -18, so were recently declared Scottish National 1 Club Champions for 2023/24.

Council recognises the beneficial impact of team sports within communities across Edinburgh and that the efforts of Boroughmuir Rugby Football Club in promoting its “one club, one culture, one community” ethos are a great asset to the city.

Council therefore asks the Lord Provost to convey congratulations to the U18 team for their Cup win, and to all the teams for their wonderful achievement in Conference, and appreciation to the club for consistently providing a positive environment in which team sports can thrive.”

By Councillor Miller - Picardy Place – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor McFarlane - Network of Cleanliness Champions – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor McFarlane - Manholes and Utility Covers Defects – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

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

By Councillor McFarlane - 107-115 Fountainbridge – for answer by the Convener of the Planning Committee

By Councillor McKenzie - Historic Child Abuse Claims – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor McKenzie - Abuse Allegations in Edinburgh’s Council’s Secure Units – for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor McKenzie - Alleged Abuse by Sean Bell - Compensation and Redress - for answer by the Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee

By Councillor McKenzie - Allegations of Abuse or Safeguarding Failures Relating to Children – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Parker - HRA Land Nature and Thriving Greenspace – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Parker - Neighbourhood Environment Programme – for answer by the Convener or the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Rae – Voids – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Rae - Housing Emergency Workshops – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Dobbin – Voids – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Thornley - Pedestrian Crossing on Clermiston Road – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Aston - Jet Washing – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Aston - Bin Collections – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Mumford - Council Catering – for answer by the Leader of the Council

By Councillor Aston - Greenside Lane – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Thornley - Speed Limit Reductions in West Edinburgh – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Caldwell - Cuts to the Fuel Insecurity Fund and Cost of Living Payments – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Kumar - Braidburn Pool – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Kumar - Education Welfare Officers – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Kumar - Budget Consultation – for answer by the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Kumar - Connected Communities – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Rust - Costs of ETRO Process – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Rust - Lanark Road Resurfacing and Scheme Reinstatement – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Rust - Legal Process for Painting and Enforcing Double Yellow Lines – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Rust - M365 Learning and Teaching Directories and Privacy Notices – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Rust - M365 Learning and Teaching Directories and PCG Scheme Membership – for answer by the Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee

By Councillor Rust - Travelling Safely Schemes – for answer by the Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee

By Councillor Whyte - Temporary Accommodation – for answer by the Convener of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee

By Councillor Mitchell – Dropped Kerbs at Bni Hubs – 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 Paragraphs 6, 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

Proposed Acquisition of Completed Homes Across Edinburgh - referral from the Finance and Resources Committee

Contract Award - Social Care Operating System - referral from the Finance and Resources Committee