Edinburgh campaigners are concerned about the way the Council is operating during the Covid crisis. So far there has been no action to set up accessible virtual meetings of the Council – and Edinburgh East Save Our Services argues that people want an immediate return to a more transparent decision-making process.
“Since mid-March the city council has changed its way of operating,” said Lorna Frost of Edinburgh East Save our Services. “Other organisations have already formulated guidelines for meetings and it is timely for our Council to rethink the way it proceeds during the Covid crisis.
“Our community group wanted to take these issues up with the Council but our attempt to ‘talk about it’ has been rebuffed. In addition, our councillors, who are our elected representatives, have been told any issues they raise with a council officer must be virus-related, but we think the current crises across our city – in care homes, schools, Lothian Buses and regarding poverty and mental health – are all virus-related.
“It is crucial that the Council re-engages fully with the people of Edinburgh, their elected representatives, and voluntary groups immediately.
“Community councils should also be reactivated in a secure way. We need to work together to tackle the severe issues of poverty and inequality arising from the Covid-crisis.”
Edinburgh East Save Our Services emailed council leader Adam McVey on Wednesday:
Dear Convener McVey
We would appreciate clarification on governance concerns, particularly on the following matter.
We have read the minutes of the April EDC LAP meeting and our understanding of: ‘To note that the Chief Executive would report to the first meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee in May 2020 on potential options for holding meetings of Full Council‘ is that accessible/transparent meetings of the Council and its committees may or may not go ahead depending on the report of the Chief Executive tomorrow.
Our opinion is that it is very important that the affairs of the city are conducted in an open way, particularly in this time of crisis, and we want to let the Council know this.From our reading of the minutes it seems this decision has not already been taken, but that it will be taken tomorrow, and that is why we wanted to influence this decision.
You are responsible for and entrusted with the wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh and we are disappointed with your response and also the lack of any additional explanation.
It seems very difficult for residents to interact with their local authority in a meaningful way, if at all.
Regards
Lorna Frost (for Edinburgh East Save our Services)
The campaigners also sent the following questions by email:
EESOS submission to EDC PSC 14/5/20
Edinburgh East Save our Services submits the following questions to the meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Thursday 14th May 2020 at 10am.
The questions relate to the Council’s Interim Political Management Arrangements for 2020 (item 4 Minute of the LAP 23/4/20)
Why have no measures been taken to set up accessible virtual meetings of the Council and its committees since mid-March ?
How long does the Council intend to continue proceeding in this way? ( The Scottish government has already formulated guidelines for meetings.)
Why have restrictions (namely that any issues should be virus- related) been put on our councillors (our elected representatives) raising issues with a council officer?
What exactly are the criteria which define virus-related?
Aren’t the current crises across Edinburgh, in care homes, schools, Lothian Buses, poverty, and mental health virus-related?
Lorna said: “In reply we were told that the council refused to accept our submission. Convener Mcvey says it does not meet the requirements of a deputation as it relates to a decision that was taken in April.
“This is an astonishing response since the decision was not taken through the council’s normal democratic processes.”
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