Capital Coalition – Page 3 – The NEN

End of the road for Just Eat Cycles

An announcement from Just Eat Cycles:

It is with great sadness that we announce today that Edinburgh Cycle Hire will close on 17 September 2021. We know how disappointing this announcement is for our many regular users.

Unfortunately, the contract to provide a cycle hire service to the City has come to an end, so we are unable to continue. The scheme will continue to operate until midnight on 17 September 2021, at which point the service will stop.

All annual and extended period passes which have been purchased and have a remainder of time left on them will be refunded automatically with any balance after 17 September 2021.

Over the coming days we will share more information about the closure, including when certain stations will close.

The scheme has run under a three-year agreement between Serco and Transport for Edinburgh, and in that time has made a great impact on Edinburgh’s sustainable transport network, with hundreds of thousands of trips made on our bikes since 2018.

Since then 70,000 unique users have cycled over 450,000 trips, replacing millions of miles of combustion engine transport with a green travel alternative.

Council Leaders have expressed disappointment at the end of the contract between Transport for Edinburgh and Serco to run the city’s cycle hire scheme.

The Council is investigating alternative options to replace the popular scheme.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “We are very disappointed that Serco have opted to walk away from the popular shared bike hire scheme in Edinburgh. When the bike hire scheme was first introduced the commitment was to operate it with no public funding and it is highly regrettable that Serco will not continue the scheme on that basis.

“We recognise that the bike hire scheme has helped more people get access to bikes, enjoying the benefits of fast, reliable, healthier journeys around town. The withdrawal of Serco will come as a frustrating shock to many regular users of the bike hire scheme.

“It sends absolutely the wrong message at a time when so many of us are deeply concerned about the climate emergency and what we can each do to combat the effects of human activity. Choosing to travel by bike is one of the easiest changes many of us can make.

“We’re now working on a replacement bike hire scheme for the Capital. We are actively pursuing options to ensure that a replacement scheme is in place as quickly as possible.”

Depute Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Over the past few years it’s been a welcome sight to see residents, students and visitors making journeys from A to B across Edinburgh by hire bike and they’ve become a key part of our sustainable transport infrastructure in the city. It’s a huge disappointment the scheme’s coming to an end.

“The city will share our huge disappointment that the scheme is coming to an end and that Serco have walked away form a key part of the city’s active travel plans. We will now engage with the cycling community to look at alternative innovative scheme to get people back on the bikes.”

‘Walked away’? Not at all, say Serco. The Serco absolutely refute the council leaders’ claims, and maintain it is the COUNCIL ITSELF that is to blame for the ditching of the scheme.

Serco’s micromobility director Sam Jones, said: “We’re disappointed that we have been unable to find a way to continue the Edinburgh bike scheme.

“We have explored every route possible to find extension options beyond our original three-year contract which expires on 17 September 2021. Those efforts continued through to last week when the council advised us that they were not able to extend the current contract.

“Serco has been running the scheme since September 2018 under a three-year concession. Despite the scheme making a loss over that time we have not walked away and we have stood by our commitments and continued to make a success of the scheme for the city’s people and visitors.

“As was reported in May 2021, funding options were being explored which would have enabled the scheme to carry on – however we were informed two weeks ago that City of Edinburgh Council has been unable to confirm those plans.”

More than half a million journeys were made by over 70,000 users during the life of the bike hire project. During 2020, when the Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme was the fastest growing scheme in Britain, there were with 234,500 trips made.

In 2020 the scheme also won the award for Cycling, Walking and Public Realm at the Scottish Transport Awards.

Controversial Spaces for People initiative’s now Travelling Safely!

Council’s Capital Coalition to outline next steps for Spaces for People Travelling Safely programme

The city council’s Transport and Environment Committee will hear an update on the future of measures introduced to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely during the COVID pandemic on Thursday (19 August).

Under the Travelling Safely programme (formerly Spaces for People) steps are being taken to retain some schemes on an experimental basis, to remove others post-pandemic and to engage further with communities on options for a handful of measures – and those proposals have come in for plenty of stick, too.

Following approval by full Council to extend the lifespan of many interventions, officers are carrying out a ‘technical review’ of the changes. This involves detailed scheme reviews and considering comments received during public consultation and, where appropriate, improving designs. Engagement and design sessions will then be carried out with key stakeholders including the emergency services, public transport operators and access groups.

As agreed by Council, a number of schemes – Lanark Road, Comiston Road, Braid Road and Drum Brae North – will be subject to more detailed consideration and engagement with local communities to develop options for their retention or modification. A report on these will be brought to committee in October.

In line with a motion to Council in June, future plans for George IV Bridge have been considered.

Three options have been put forward – retaining the current scheme; revisions to the design, including moving segregation closer to the kerb and adding kerbside loading areas; or removing the scheme entirely.

Removing the scheme and reinstating the original road layout has been recommended to improve access for public transport and local businesses’ deliveries.

Permanent, long-term changes are planned under the Meadows to George Street project.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Over the last year and a half the Spaces for People programme has helped people to travel safely by bike while restrictions were in place on public transport, given room for parents to drop their children at school while physically distancing and provided much-needed space for exercise during the depths of lockdown, amongst other benefits.

“Now, as restrictions are lifted, we’re looking to the future of these changes, and how they can support people to make journeys by foot, bike or wheel. Right now, officers are working hard to review and improve those schemes being retained longer term, to engage with community members on those where further development is needed and carefully plan for the removal of measures that we agreed to wind down.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Thanks to feedback to the major consultation carried out earlier this year we’ve been able to carefully assess the schemes we’re planning to keep on an experimental basis for any changes that could be made.

“We’re also continuing to listen to residents, businesses and public transport operators. As a result we’re planning to make some immediate amendments to schemes to make sure they work for everyone, particularly as traffic levels return to normal.”

It is proposed that measures approved for removal, primarily in town centres, should be taken out after the festival, in line with Scottish Government guidance.

This will involve careful planning and communication with stakeholders, in particular organisations like the RNIB and Guide Dogs Scotland. Some immediate changes are recommended, such as the removal of the widened footpath on St John’s Road, due to the likely impact on bus services.

While schemes introduced around schools, such as motor traffic restrictions, have been largely set aside over the summer, the majority will be reinstated around term start dates in August. Over the coming months the Road Safety team will undertake a review of measures around schools to consider retaining them by appropriate traffic orders.

Read the full report – Active Travel Measures – Travelling Safely (Formerly Spaces for People) – on the Council website.

You can watch members of the Transport and Environment Committee discuss the report live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 19 August.

Plans to reform Edinburgh’s public transport companies

Recommendations for the reform of Edinburgh’s Transport Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs) would deliver a more efficient, better integrated public transport offering while retaining the identities of the Capital’s much-loved transport companies, according to a new report.

Reform of Transport Arm’s Length External Organisations, to be considered by the council’s Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday (19 August), proposes reconstituting the Lothian Buses legal entity to allow the management of all Council-owned public transport modes in the city, while retaining the brands and operational services of each of the transport companies.

While the changes wouldn’t result in any immediate changes for passengers or front-line staff, they would lead to improvements through easier ticket purchasing, integrated routes and customer services plus better collaboration and less competition between companies, as well as efficiencies for the business.

Proposals have been informed by a working group formed of Council officers and Non-Executive Director representatives from each of the Transport ALEOs (Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and Transport for Edinburgh).

They’ve been working to a set of guiding and transition principles, which include creating a customer focused unified public transport approach through service integration, route optimisation and fare ticketing optimisation.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The reform of our Transport ALEOs offers the chance to significantly enhance and streamline our public transport offering to the benefit of the public. These changes would result in integrated ticketing and routing and the opportunity to expand into new transport modes , amongst other improvements.

“Of course, we know how important the Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams brands are to the people of Edinburgh, demonstrated by their consistently high customer satisfaction ratings, and we’ve no plans to change that. Any restructuring behind-the-scenes will only lead to a better experience when using the services we all know and love.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “The last year and a half has been extremely challenging for our public transport providers. Our plans for their future aim to support their continued recovery, delivering efficiency savings which can be reinvested in the services.

“We really value the public transport staff who’ve made every effort during this time to serve the city too, and we would be working closely with boards, management and trade unions to support a smooth transition to a new structure.”

A report to Policy and Sustainability Committee in July 2020 set out arrangements for the management of the Council’s Transport ALEOs, highlighting challenges and setting out objectives for future public transport provision.

As well as supporting public transport integration, a reformed structure could respond to new opportunities as they arise and facilitate mobility across the city and region. ALEO reform also aligns with Edinburgh’s City Mobility Plan, which outlines greater integration in areas like pricing, ticketing and routing, as well as expansion of the rapid transit system and a bus network review.

In addition, the commercial sustainability of any new arrangement is considered crucial, particularly given the likely recovery period for public transport in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Efficiency savings as a result of reform are particularly important.

If the proposed Transport ALEO is approved, the Council would maintain formal political oversight through the existing committee structure.

Read the full report, Reform of Transport Arm’s Length External Organisations, on the Council website.

You can watch discussion of the report by Transport and Environment Committee live from 10am on Thursday, 19 August via webcast.

I remember there has been opposition to this in the past. Back in 2016 concerns were raised that Lothian Buses profits would be used to plug the black hole that was Edinburgh Trams finances, to the detriment of the popular and efficient bus company. Changed days? We’ll see how the Capital Coalition ‘fares’ next week – Ed.

‘Devastating’: Care workers launch campaign to save Edinburgh’s council care homes

UNISON, the trade union for social care, has launched a campaign with care staff to save care council run care homes in Edinburgh.

The campaign follows proposals put forward by Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board to close Clovenstone, Ferrylee, Ford’s Road and Jewel House Care Homes. Furthermore, Drumbrae will also close as a care home and switch to hospital-based complex clinical care.

The proposals mean large scale disruption for care residents and 270 care home posts will be deleted and a further 160 care home jobs put at risk.

Care staff are in the process of writing to Edinburgh City Council leader councillor Adam McVey as part of UNISON’s on-going campaign to step in and save these council run care homes.

UNISON are also running an online petition to show councillors the depth of feelings of residents, staff, and those in the wider community. Over 100 people signed the petition in one day. Further campaign action and demonstrations are planned.

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Tom Connolly UNISON City of Edinburgh branch secretary said: “Closing four care homes, and changing the role of another, without proper and meaningful consultation is wrong.

“It is devastating for care home’s residents. Its also insensitive to staff who have put the health and wellbeing of care residents before themselves and their families throughout this pandemic. Caring for our vulnerable elderly is a vital job, care homes are essential and care staff deserve support from all of us.”

Greig Kelbie, regional organiser said: “We need the support of the Scottish Government to start planning and financing the next generation of modern fit-for-purpose care homes and Edinburgh councillors should stand up for council run care homes.

“Making these decisions without a fully costed plan on how community care and care at home would be an adequate replacement is a dangerous precedent to set.

Scotland’s care system already relies too heavily on for-profit care homes. Edinburgh can buck that trend by supporting council-run care homes that focus on providing quality care not making of money. I urge everyone to back UNISON’s campaign to Save Our Care Homes, and sign, and leave a message, on our online petition.”

David Harrold, UNISON’S Service Conditions Convenor, met with staff from Ford’s Road Care Home yesterday and said afterwards: “Staff are united in their opposition to closures, they see no sense or long-term value in the proposals put forward by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board to close Clovenstone, Ferrylee, Ford’s Road and Jewel House Care Homes when it is clear there is no alternative services that can take on the responsibilities and workloads in their absence”.

The meeting at Ford’s Road Care Home was well attended with staff expressing their frustration at their employer’s attitude.

One attendee asked how he can receive the £500 government bonus last month, then be told the following that his future employment is in doubt! Another asked why councillors who have praised them throughout the pandemic and lockdown should now be so silent.

Despite this frustration their dedication to those in their care remains. UNISON ask that the public acknowledge this, by sending a clear message to both the Council and IJB that care home staff deserve better and that Edinburgh needs a viable care home system not just for today’s residents for the future generations.

UNISON’s online Edinburgh City Save our Care homes petition here:

Edinburgh City – Save Our Care Homes | Megaphone UK Edinburgh City – Save Our Care Homes | Megaphone UK

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Comments on why people have signed the online petition include:

“Our elderly should be looked after not thrown aside where are they going to put the residents” – Tracey M.
“My mother receives care in an Edinburgh council care home. The place and staff as fantastic. I know the confusion that is caused by moving long term residents.” – Stewart D.
“Need council run care homes not everyone can afford private care” – Sharon S.

City council leaders urge caution as COVID cases continue to climb

Council Leaders have urged people to take care and carry out regular testing as COVID cases remain high in the Capital.

The appeal follows yesterday’s announcement by the First Minister, in which she called for “renewed care and vigilance” at this critical moment. This week, Edinburgh and the Lothians recorded the highest number of COVID cases in Scotland.

In response to the high numbers, several community test centres have opened around the city over recent weeks. Free COVID tests are on offer for people who don’t display any symptoms, aiming to break the chain of transmission by catching asymptomatic cases which could still be infectious.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “The city is beginning to open up, returning a sense of normality to our daily lives, but we really must continue to take care by continuing to wash hands and using sanitiser regularly and physical distancing when out enjoying all our city and its businesses has to offer.

“With the weather still getting better, continuing to meet up with friends and family outdoors where possible can help drive the numbers down and keep the freedoms we’re starting to enjoy again.

“Regular testing is vital too if we are to catch and isolate cases, and I would urge everyone to make use of community test centres and order your free home testing kits to check if you could have COVID even if you don’t have symptoms.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Over the last 15 months we’ve all worked really hard to minimise the impact of the COVID virus, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience during this time.

“That’s why it’s crucial that we don’t let our guard down now so I would encourage everyone to take up their vaccination when offered. We need to keep following the rules put in place for good reason, as well as getting tested when possible, to reduce the rising case rate and to ensure we can enjoy a more ‘normal’ summer.”

Community test centres are open for people with no COVID-19 symptoms:

Walk-up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, until Sunday, 11 July
Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the east stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place until Sunday, 11 July
McDonald Road Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
Wester Hailes Library until Saturday, 3 July – test pick-up available
Fountainbridge Library from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available
Drumbrae Library Hub from Monday, 5 July to Saturday, 10 July – test pick-up available

Find out more about Council services during the pandemic on the Council website.

Read more about the daily COVID vaccination uptake online.

Serious Concerns: Disability campaigners urge councillors to reconsider making Spaces for People changes permanent

Disability campaigning groups have written to the city council’s Transport and Environment Committee to express concerns over controversial proposals to make changes to the capital’s streets permanent.

The Committee meets today to consider the findings of its recent ‘Retaining Spaces for People’ consultation, a review of how the Council has implemented the Scottish Government’s push during lockdown to reduce the number of cars and vehicles by creating more cycle-lanes and pedestrianised areas.

But the campaigners’ letter warns that measures put in place too hastily and without adequate consultation could inadvertently make going outdoors more hazardous for wheelchair users and pedestrians with other disabilities.

The letter, jointly signed by members of Edinburgh Access Panel and the sight loss charities RNIB Scotland and Guide Dogs Scotland, says: “We want to reiterate our concerns about the implications of making temporary Spaces for People measures permanent.

“Any decisions taken will have serious and long-term implications for the citizens of Edinburgh in terms of how they access their city and its amenities.”

An online petition to ‘Stop Edinburgh council making dangerous road changes, cycle lanes & parking cuts permanent’ has attracted more than 16,800 signatures.

Guide-dog owner Ian Drysdale of Corstorphine said “The changes have taken away my independence and mobility. Before the Spaces for People changes, I had no problem getting out and about. But now the areas I feel safe in are getting smaller and smaller.”

Catriona Burness of RNIB Scotland said: “We are concerned that momentous decisions about changing the way we walk, wheel and cycle are being made before any of us know what the future, post-Covid, Edinburgh will look like.”

The safety of pedestrians, particularly those who are more vulnerable, must be the deciding factor when determining changes, the letter emphasises. “The current wave of temporary measures show a greater regard for the interests of cyclists than those of pedestrians,” says Anne-Marie Barry of Guide Dogs Scotland.

The campaigners are concerned that some of the measures introduced have made things more challenging and potentially dangerous for blind and partially sighted people and wheelchair users. For example, poorly designed ‘pop-up ‘cycle lanes which incorporate ‘floating’ bus-stops do not take account of disabled people getting on and off buses.

RNIB Scotland and Guide Dogs Scotland are urging the Transport and Environment Committee to postpone making any decisions this week and to support having an independent, third-party national review of the Spaces for People initiative.

You can watch the Transport and Environment Committee live via webcast, from 10am this morning.

Drivers: Git Oot o’ Toon!

City Centre Low Emission Zone proposed for Edinburgh

A preferred Low Emission Zone (LEZ) scheme for Edinburgh will be put to Transport and Environment Committee members for decision on Thursday (17 June), ahead of a public consultation.

A City Centre LEZ, broadly following the boundary first proposed for consultation in 2019 and applying to all motor vehicles except motorcycles and mopeds, has been recommended for approval.

This has been appraised against two other options – a City Centre LEZ with a revised boundary and a scheme incorporating both City Centre and Extended Urban Area (formerly known as Citywide) LEZs.

An evidence-led approach was taken when appraising the schemes, adhering to the National Low Emission Framework and based on detailed traffic and air quality modelling and data. Each option was assessed against a series of principles and objectives including the reduction of harmful NO2 and greenhouse gas emissions and minimising the displacement of traffic as a result of the LEZ.

If approved, a 12-week public consultation would be carried out seeking views on the preferred scheme. This would inform a report back to committee in autumn before the statutory process to introduce the LEZ begins, with the aim of implementing the scheme in spring 2022.

Once the LEZ is in place, vehicles must meet a minimum emissions standard to enter a zone freely, and those that don’t will be considered non-compliant and subject to penalties. Penalty charges are set nationally at £60 for non-compliant vehicles (though halved if paid within 30 days), with the penalty rate roughly doubling for subsequent contraventions within a 90-day period.

However, there will be a proposed two-year grace period for Edinburgh’s LEZ, meaning enforcement will begin in spring 2024.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “As we approach Clean Air Day, which aims to tackle air pollution and its harmful effects on our health and wellbeing, it’s fitting that we’re progressing our own plans to significantly improve air quality in the city.

“A great deal of analysis and monitoring has gone into the latest proposals for a Low Emission Zone in Edinburgh. This takes into account the urgent need to lower emissions for the good of our health, while remaining aware of the impact on local businesses, residents and on traffic patterns.

“We know from our consultation in 2019 that lowering air pollution matters to everyone, so I look forward to hearing from the public on the preferred option, if approved by committee.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “We have committed to introducing a Low Emission Zone, both under the national drive to implement LEZs across the country but also through the City Mobility Plan, as part of our plans to deliver a more sustainable, environmentally friendly transport future in Edinburgh.

“We will continue to work closely with residents, businesses and stakeholders as we move a step closer to its introduction, ensuring everyone is well prepared for the changes.”

Work to introduce an LEZ in Edinburgh began in 2018 in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment to implement LEZs in Scotland’s four largest cities – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee – to tackle air pollution and protect public health.

It was originally intended that LEZs would be in place by 2020 but, due to the COVID pandemic, this date has been pushed back to 2022.

In 2019 the council carried out a public consultation on initial LEZ proposals for a City Centre LEZ applying to all vehicle types, introduced with a one-year grace period, addressing the worst concentrations of air pollution in the densely populated area.

In addition, the Extended Urban Area boundary was put forward to apply to all commercial vehicles – buses, coaches, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), vans, taxis, and private hire cars – with a longer time to prepare (three years).

Responses to the consultation showed that cleaner air is important to everyone but demonstrated mixed views on the suitability of the proposed LEZ. Since then the council has worked with stakeholders including SEStran, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to develop the current proposal.

Officers appraised the options using the National Modelling Framework (NMF) developed by SEPA, along with other modelling and data analysis and feedback from the 2019 consultation. As a result, the City Centre LEZ alone has been recommended over the alternative City Centre LEZ and the Extended Urban Area LEZ.

This is due to various factors including the expected limited impact of the Extended Urban Area zone, with commercial fleet already improving in emissions standards, and predictions that the alternative City Centre zone would have a more negative impact on air quality at its boundary than that of the proposed City Centre LEZ.

While it is not expected that air pollution will get worse elsewhere in the city due to diversions around the boundary, and with cleaner vehicles expected to use the surrounding area, a Network Management Strategy is being developed to mitigate any impacts. This is likely to include junction reconfigurations, improvements to signage and optimised signalling, amongst other measures.

Read the full report, Low Emission Zone – Preferred Scheme for Consultation, on the Council website and watch the committee discussion via webcast, from 10am on Thursday, 17 June.

Find out more about Clean Air Day, which takes place on 17 June.

Council ‘makes positive progress’ despite pressures of Covid

New performance and benchmarking reports have revealed that the City of Edinburgh Council continues to make good progress, despite the significant impact of Covid on the hundreds of services it provides.

The latest Annual Performance Report for the last financial year, which was considered by the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday, provides a detailed analysis of Council performance during a year in which the Council had to make big changes to how it delivered services to residents due to Covid19.

It sets out a holistic picture of performance for 2020/21, showing where improvements were made, where service delivery performance was maintained or where progress was slowed due to the need to focus service capacity on keeping residents safe and businesses supported.

Also set discussed at Thursday’s Committee meeting, the latest Local Government Benchmarking Framework report covering 2019/20 reveals that Edinburgh saw an overall improvement over the period and compares favourably to the other Scottish cities.

Edinburgh compares favourably when considering overall rankings to those of the three most comparable urban cities, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. The Capital shows the highest number of indicators in the top two quartiles and the fewest in the bottom quartile of the four cities.

Finally, a report covering financial year 2020/21shows that of the Coalition’s 52 Commitments, which the Council has committed to deliver by the end of 2022, 47 have now been achieved or partially achieved.

The 14 Coalition Commitments recorded as ‘fully achieved’ include delivering the City Region Deal, increasing the number of classroom assistants and support staff for children with additional needs and planting an additional 1,000 trees in communities (since 2017, 39,966 trees have been planted, significantly surpassing this commitment).

Meanwhile, good progress continues to be made on the Trams to Newhaven project, despite changes to the programme necessitated by the temporary shut-down of construction sites during the first lockdown in 2020.

And construction is due to complete on the new Meadowbank Sports Centre later this year, meaning the commitment to build a new sports centre at Meadowbank by 2021 is on course to be fully achieved.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “It’s been a year like no other and Council services have been tested like never before as we’ve grappled with the impact of the pandemic on our lives and on the city.

“We’ve needed to make massive changes to the way we deliver hundreds of lifeline services to residents to make sure we keep the city going and ensure our most vulnerable are supported.

“While dealing with the immediate public health needs of the City, it’s inevitable progress has slipped in some areas but we’ve managed to improve and maintain progress in many more areas, which is testament to the sheer dedication and commitment of our workforce. Major important projects like taking trams to Newhaven and the new Meadowbank continue to progress at pace.

“The number of children receiving 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare continues to grow, we’ve successfully reduced our carbon emissions and our performance in areas like building warrant applications has improved despite the need to allocate resources elsewhere. Meanwhile vital services such as bin collections continued thanks to early actions taken to ensure our colleagues could work safely.

“Crucially, we’ve been able to keep progressing our core Business Plan priorities of reducing poverty and inequality, tackling climate change and improving wellbeing for everyone in the city – these continue to be the central pillar of our programme for the Capital.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “The global pandemic means that, as a Council, we’ve had to adapt in unexpected ways to maintain lifeline services and to quickly set up additional support measures – and throughout this our primary focus, rightly, has been on those who need our help the most.

“It’s really welcome, then, that we’ve been able to achieve so much despite the enormous challenges of the crisis. In a time of huge uncertainty, we’ve still made positive progress against our commitments, and where improvement plans have rightly had to be put on hold to let us focus capacity on keeping residents safe and businesses supported, we’ll set out how we plan to get back on track.

“In many areas, we’ve already delivered what we promised to do and are on schedule for delivering many others. More and more Edinburgh region employers are accredited as Living Wage Foundation employers, we’re making good progress on Trams to Newhaven and two more of our parks have netted Green Flag awards, taking our tally to 34, the highest amount of any Scottish local authority.

“Throughout the crisis, the End Poverty Edinburgh citizens group has continued its vital work helping us towards our goal of eradicating poverty in Edinburgh by 2030 and our agreement as a Council to invest £600,000 in additional revenue monies towards prevention services and community engagement will further support this work.”

Key areas of progress covered in the three Committee reports include:

the number of employers in the Edinburgh region accredited as Living Wage Foundation employers has increased year on year (545 in 2020/21, up from 416 in 2018/19)
75% of early years settings are providing 1140 hours’ early learning and childcare (surpassing our 51% target)
100% of emergency road defects were made safe within 24 hours in 2020/21
Total Council emissions of all greenhouse gases fell to 74 MtCO2e in 2019/20 from 151 All MtCO2e in 2017/18
At number 14 out of 32 Scottish local authorities, the latest Local Government Benchmarking Framework shows Edinburgh has risen to its best road condition ranking for unclassified roads in 9 years
good progress is being made on the City Region Deal, drawing down capital funding of £165m from the UK and Scottish Government grant of £600m. Projects worth 61% of the full Deal have had business cases approved
continued investment in school buildings with construction commencing on a further 2 schools in 2020/21
significant investment is being made in transport across the city for both active travel improvements and roads infrastructure
work has been able to continue on the new tram line to Newhaven during the COVID-19 pandemic and passenger services are scheduled to begin by the revised timescale of spring 2023
recruitment of Pupil Support Assistants (PSA) has continued throughout the school session in mainstream and Special Schools and the number of FTE pupil support assistants employed has continued to increase
the roll-out of Three Conversations approach is in its second year, and it has helped reduced the time people wait to see a care worker to 2.5 days
two new parks in the city have been awarded Green Flag status and a significant level of future investment has been agreed for future improvement work

Council allocates additional cash

City councillors have agreed options for investing around £21m in one-off additional funding.

In February, the Council set a balanced budget for 2021/22, addressing and shaped by the key priorities of the Council Business Plan – tackling poverty, promoting sustainability and enhancing residents’ wellbeing.

Following confirmation by the Scottish Government of additional funding for local authorities and, after making provision for the anticipated on-going financial impacts of the pandemic over the next two years, Council officers identified up to £21m which could be made available to address budget pressures, anticipated shortfalls in savings delivery and other member priorities in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Full Council, political groups on the Council put forward and debated motions outlining their proposals for directing these monies. The motion by the SNP-Labour ‘Capital Coalition’ was carried, meaning the £21m will be invested as below.

Councillor Rob Munn, Finance and Resources Convener, said: “When our Council budget was agreed in February, the final local government settlement was not known in full. At the time we set a prudent Budget in the knowledge that we would have other decisions to make following clarification of the final settlement.

“That final settlement was more than we had anticipated and I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to agree these investments in Council today, helping us to meet our commitments and to ensure that we address poverty, well-being and the climate challenge.”

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Finance and Resources Vice Convener, said: “The Covid19 pandemic has had a very significant impact on local government budgets so it’s very welcome to be able to invest more money now towards our core priorities for Edinburgh.

“The proposals now approved will give a real boost to our work to achieve our core ambitions for the Capital – tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing for everyone who calls the city home.

“I particularly welcome our decision to invest £250,000 in a fund to support carers after the extremely challenging time they’ve faced during the pandemic, as well as our £600,000 investment in prevention services and community engagement to support residents at risk of poverty.”

AGREED INVESTMENT OPTIONS:

Roads and Pavements Infrastructure – recognising the impact of prolonged winter weather the Council will invest an additional £2m extra in repairs to the roads and pavements network including local residential areas and an extra £4m to improve surface condition for all users – those walking, wheeling, cycling, using public transport and motorists.

Street Cleaning and gritting – we will invest £300k to improve both street cleansing operations and winter gritting making our streets cleaner and safer.

Communal Bins – £1.1 million in this programme to improve organisation and capacity in communal bins across the city, bringing forward investment to improve the service and address the funding shortfall in delivering the programme in full.

Public Conveniences – the £450,000 Council has already approved to invest will ensure a temporary network of public conveniences at key locations, meeting accessibility needs in premier parks and other locations where people need facilities.

Estate Energy Reduction – a further £500,000 to improve Council estate carbon performance to meet the climate challenge by identifying shovel-ready projects.

Carbon net zero engagement – £700,000 to take forward citizen communication and engagement to bring about behaviour change assisting the city in reaching carbon net zero target.

EV Infrastructure – £250,000 to expand EV charging infrastructure for the Council’s own fleet, ensuring that the Council leads by example by making our vehicle fleet carbon zero.

Up Recycling – £200,000 to improve the Council’s recycling performance.

20-minute neighbourhoods – £500,000 to drive forward the delivery of 20-minute neighbourhoods, making it easier for people to get to and access the services they need in their community.

Food Growing – £130,000 to be invested, recognising the increase in demand for local food growing opportunities. This is investment to expand provision.

Looked after Children – recognising the pressures of out of authority placement, the Council will invest £1.5m to improve the service and help ensure vulnerable children are accommodated in authority wherever possible.

Children & Families Development officers – £124,000 to provide service for disabled children in terms of holiday provision and positive destinations.

Carers’ Recovery Fund – recognising the extra challenge for carers during the pandemic, the Council will invest £250k in a fund providing additional support to carers

Edinburgh Summer Festivals – £300,000 to support resumption of festivals this summer including support for local community festivals

Books for libraries – £50,000 increase in this year’s allocation for new books in our libraries, improving choice and service to Edinburgh residents

Embedding Prevention and Community Engagement – £600,000 investment to improve delivery of prevention services through empowering frontline staff to co-produce service redesign across departments, reform current practice, and create a preventative service and community engagement model and develop a plan for wider roll out.

Diversity and inclusion – £100,000 to accelerate and embed the Council’s diversity and inclusion strategy, including training and development training

Taxi and Licence enforcement – £160,000 to meet demand and ensure robust enforcement.

Edinburgh Integration Joint Board – £2.5m funding to EIJB to address base budget pressures for social care.

Independent inquiries – £400,000 funding for these inquiries to bring them to their conclusion.

Place fees and charges reduced income – £559,000 to address issues with reduced income due to the Covid-19 pandemic changing behaviours and the impact on fees and charges.

Home to School Travel Demand – £600,000 to meet demand in this service while working to reshape and achieve savings.

Development and Business Services Loss of Income – invest £187,000 to cover loss of Planning, Building Services and Regulatory Services income.

Early Years Deferral – The Council will allocate up to £270,000 over the full academic year (two financial years) to offer the 40 nursery children who applied for deferral and were not among the 66 approved through application of appeal a funded place for another year due to lost time through COVID-related nursery closures.

All Ability Bike – Work is ongoing to find a solution to ensure the service is still available and the Council is investing £71,000 to help facilitate this and ensure transport is inclusive.

In addition to these investments, further funding has been set aside to address the following:

Edinburgh Bike Hire Scheme – the approved Coalition motion states: “We recognise the popularity of the current scheme and seek to continue with a cost-effective and robust scheme fit for the future.”

Trams Concessionary travel – the approved Coalition motion states: “Trams contribute to Edinburgh’s clean air and net zero strategy and will continue to press the Scottish Government to recognise this in its concessionary travel funding. We will continue dialogue with the Scottish Government on delivering free tram journeys for young people on the same terms as bus travel as we feel an integrated public transport system is key to Edinburgh’s future. If this is unfunded at a national level, we will look into the possibility of expanding free provision to young people in Edinburgh subject to affordability.”

Homelessness – the approved Coalition motion states: “We recognise the pressure on the service in the past year due to Covid and that pressures are expected to exceed the additional £10m allocated in February’s budget. We also recognise that should legislative protections change as restrictions ease, there may be a requirement for even further resources to improve outcomes for temporary homeless accommodation. We will continue to make the case for additional resources equivalent to those allocated to other local authorities for homelessness support from IBJ budgets. Following that process and depending on in-year position due to service demand, we will agree that left over monies can be used to meet the required supply to get the outcomes right for people finding themselves at risk of homelessness.”

Employability for disabled people – the approved Coalition motion states: “to plug the gap left by the loss of the European Social Fund due to Brexit and the lack of a direct replacement fund from the UK government”

Rebel, rebel: Munro disciplined

Cllr Gordon Munro has had the Labour group whip removed following his abstention on the Council budget vote.

The Leith councillor believes the SNP, Labour’s partners in the sc-called Capital Coalition, is not standing up for Edinburgh.

Gordon Munro said: “I stand by my decision to abstain in the budget vote. Edinburgh needs full and fair funding. It needs to prosecute its case forcefully which it commits to do in the coalition agreement.

“I accept the decision taken by Edinburgh Labour.’’

Labour Group leader Cllr Cammy Day said: “As part of our Labour Party rules, and by not supporting the budget proposals, an internal disciplinary process from Edinburgh Labour has agreed that the Labour Whip will be removed from Cllr Gordon Munro until return of Summer recess 2021.

“Gordon is a long standing, hard working councillor and a valued member of the Labour Group.”

Despite losing the Labour whip Councillor Munro, who also abstained in last year’s Budget vote, will still be expected to support the Capital Coalition in any forthcoming votes.