No tie required

 arms-length company won’t be resurrected for trams inquiry

trams mess

The City of Edinburgh Council has today written to the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry to state that, while it will continue to participate fully in the process, it will not revive the dormant company formerly known as tie Ltd.

The Inquiry has asked the Council to consider whether tie, which operated from 2002 until 2011 as an arm’s length company and is ultimately owned by the Council, should be a core participant in the Inquiry.

However, the revival of the company would involve appointing new officials who would require legal representation at the Inquiry, leading to significant additional cost, which the Council does not believe to be in the public interest.

The Council has committed to full participation in the Inquiry, and to providing information to the Inquiry in relation to the role of tie, which was under its ownership.

Council Leader, Andrew Burns, said: “The Council continues to support the Inquiry, as it has done throughout, and to be fully open and accountable. By applying to be a core participant we have committed to playing our part in the proceedings and co-operating fully with the Inquiry.

“However, we do not believe that the considerable cost of reviving (tie) for the sake of the Inquiry is a justifiable expense; one which would ultimately be borne by the Edinburgh tax payer.

“The Council is the ultimate parent body of tie, and we have communicated our willingness to provide information about its role to the Inquiry.”

The Council will make independent legal advice available to current and former Council employees and elected members, should they wish it, when giving their written statements to the Inquiry.

Former tie employees will be able to give evidence about the role of tie to the Inquiry, if they are called on by the Inquiry to do so. However, the Council will not be funding legal advice to these individuals, although they will of course be free to appoint their own lawyers.

The Council’s participation in the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry will be detailed in a report to Council next Thursday (20 August).

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry, chaired by Lord Hardie, was commissioned by Scottish Ministers and has been ongoing since June last year.

The Inquiry aims to establish why the Edinburgh Trams project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than projected. The official terms of reference for the Inquiry are to:

  • Inquire into the delivery of the Edinburgh Trams project, from proposals for the project emerging to its completion, including the procurement and contract preparation, its governance, project management and delivery structures, and oversight of the relevant contracts, in order to establish why the project incurred delays, cost considerably more than originally budgeted for and delivered significantly less than was projected through reductions in scope.
  • Examine the consequences of the failure to deliver the project in the time, within the budget and to the extent projected.
  • Review the circumstances surrounding the project as necessary, in order to report to the Scottish Ministers making recommendations as to how major tram and light rail infrastructure projects of a similar nature might avoid such failures in future.

 

Love to learn: adult education programme launched

Programme offers something for everyone 

edinburgh image

Drawing for Graphic Novels, Wall Building, Decluttering your Home, Paint a Scene at the Lyceum Theatre and Criminology are just some of the new courses being offered in the City of Edinburgh Council’s Adult Education Programme.

With hundreds of day, evening and weekend courses available for adults aged 16 and over, the programme really has something for everyone.

So if you’re looking to learn something new, brush up on your skills, meet new people or improve your job prospects then check out the courses which can be booked NOW! Booking on line is the best way to secure a place on your chosen course.

Among the numerous classes being offered are art, crafts, creative writing history, computing, cookery, health and fitness, languages, music, drama, walks and talks and much more.

Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Vice-Convener for Education, Children and Families, said: “The amount of classes and subject matter on offer this year is absolutely fantastic. It’s a really varied and interesting programme which has been designed by our adult education team to meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities.

“Learning should always be enjoyable, and we hope these courses will inspire people to learn something new or more in-depth. Taking up a class can help people develop confidence and keep mentally and physically active as well as acquiring new skills.

“Research shows that people who are in lifelong learning are more likely to be employed, to remain in work and to be involved in their communities. It truly is about learning for life and it’s never too late to start.

“Plenty of flexibility is built into the programme as to where and when people can study, with opportunities to take classes at different schools and community centres across the city and they can also be a stepping stone on to further education or indeed into a new career.”

A full list of Adult Education Programme classes are available online or by phoning 0131 556 7978 to get a brochure or pick one up from your local library, community centre or GP surgery.  Classes can still be booked by post, phone or in person as well as online.

Also on offer are Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) courses at Higher and Unit levels, run by Edinburgh College. Many other classes are held all over Edinburgh in schools and community centres.

You can find full details at www.joininedinburgh.org/enrol/

Anyone for tennis in Trinity?

Partnership serves up new free sports facilities

Victoria Park 1T

Councillor Lesley Hinds opened new tennis courts and a basketball court in Victoria Park yesterday. The Environment Convener was joined by Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn and Culture & Sport Convener Councillor Richard Lewis to open the new sports facilities, which came about following a consultation organised by Trinity Community Council.

Cllr Lesley Hinds said: “We have many wonderful parks and green spaces throughout the city and Victoria Park is a fantastic example of an excellent outdoor space that is enjoyed by the whole community.

“The consultation showed us that there is demand for free local sports facilities so the opening of these new tennis and basketball courts is great news. I hope it will encourage even more people to make the most of this beautiful park.”

The new courts are thanks to a £95,000 investment jointly funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Sportscotland via the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.

A community consultation found that some local residents were discouraged from using local sports facilities due to financial barriers and that there was a lack of quality free sports provision in the area. The results of the consultation led to the development of the courts, which will also benefit the three schools located nearby, Trinity Academy, Trinity Primary and Holy Cross Primary.

Culture and Sport Convener, Cllr Richard Lewis, said: “I am delighted that these new facilities are now open and the fact that they are free and accessible to everyone makes them an excellent resource for the community.

“A key priority for the Council is to provide more opportunities for people to get active and encourage greater participation in sports as part of healthy lifestyle. The new courts will help us to achieve this and will be a real asset for local people of all ages.”

Victoria Park was first awarded a Green Flag in 2011 and forms part of the North Edinburgh Cycle Network, National Cycle Network and North Sea Route.