city council – Page 31 – The NEN

New Ukraine Welcome Hub and Aid Warehouse opened

A new Welcome Hub for assisting Ukrainians in Edinburgh and an adjacent warehouse for aid and donations was officially opened yesterday by Council Leader Cammy Day.

The Council Leader was joined by Chief Executive Andrew Kerr, Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack, Chair of the Associations of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh Branch, Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC), Bridie Ashrowan, Chief Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh, Paul Wilson, and other key stakeholders.

The Hub is at the Vega Building in Flassches Yard to the west of the city, and was previously based at the NatWest Group’s Gogarburn House. The Hub is the primary entry point for direct arrivals into Scotland of which there have been over 11,000 since February 2022. Volunteers have contributed over 7,000 hours of welcoming work at Edinburgh Airport during this period.

The main Council support team for is now based at the Hub, for the approximately 3,000 Ukrainians (representing up to 900 households), currently in Edinburgh. Over 350 children and young people are in our education system.

This support now represents the shift in focus from triaging new arrivals to offering longer term help and support. From accessing advice on housing, education, employment, and other key service areas to meeting new people and developing social ties, this facility is key.

The Local Employability Partnership is made up of 12 key organisations whose collective efforts have directly supported over 1,200 individuals and helped 75% of displaced Ukrainians move into employment. The main focus is now on upskilling, development and closing the wage gap between qualifications and experience in Ukraine and Scotland.

The aid warehouse is also an integral component of the city’s response. Not only does this allow vital supplies to be delivered to Ukraine but it also provides essentials for the Ukrainian population in Edinburgh.

More information on support for Ukrainians in Edinburgh can be found on our website.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Since the first days of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, Edinburgh has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and that solidarity and support remains undiminished.

I”t was fantastic to show the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, around our new Welcome Hub and aid warehouse. It was particularly fitting to do so alongside some of the key members of the Edinburgh partnership who have integral to the city’s monumental response to supporting Ukrainians into the Capital. The work that has been undertaken during this period has been nothing short of excellent.

“As we shift our focus from welcoming our Ukrainian guests to helping with settling into their new lives here in Edinburgh, this strength of partnership is as important as ever. I’d like to wholeheartedly thank all our partners and the people of Edinburgh for all their efforts. We’re also very grateful to NatWest Group for allowing us to use Gogarburn House as the first Hub location and for their continued support.

“To our Ukrainian friends currently residing in Edinburgh, I’d like to repeat my message that this city is your home for as long as you require it. We’re continuing to identify long-term housing opportunities for all our residents and will continue to work with the Scottish Government going forward to identify funding opportunities.

“We pride ourselves on being a diverse, welcoming, and cosmopolitan city and our Ukrainian neighbours add much to Edinburgh’s social and cultural fabric.”

Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack said: “It was a huge pleasure today to meet representatives of Edinburgh’s Ukrainian community, third sector and local authority partners.

“This demonstrates the strength of partnership in Edinburgh to support Ukrainians. The Edinburgh welcome hub and aid warehouse is a fantastic initiative, offering support to Ukrainians fleeing the war, supporting Ukrainians to settle here in the longer term, as well as delivering aid to those in Ukraine.

“It is a great example of the voluntary and community sector working in partnership with Edinburgh City Council. The UK Government’s support for our friends in Ukraine is absolute, and I am very pleased that we have been able to offer refuge in Scotland to so many Ukrainians.”

Chair of the Associations of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh Branch, Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, said: “Over the last 20 months, our community has grown to over 3,000 people who have sought safety in Edinburgh.

“With the support of partners, volunteers, and external agencies, we’ve been able to expand our work at the Ukrainian Community Centre to provide ongoing support and a safe social space for the community.

“Today was a great opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State to express our gratitude for the support of the UK Government and to press for further support particularly around providing certainty on routes to longer term resettlement which is one of the biggest concerns for our community. We look forward to an ongoing, and open, dialogue with the UK Government.

Bridie Ashrowan, Chief Executive of EVOC said: “Today was a great opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State to highlight the vital work of Edinburgh’s voluntary and community sector, and the ongoing partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council to support Ukrainians seeking safe refuge in the city.

“Since the start of the war in February 2022, Edinburgh’s community, and voluntary sector – with the support of EVOC and Volunteer Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council, and all public partners – have worked closely to mobilise partners.

“This has delivered a range of support services including food provision, mental health services, employability support and cultural experiences. The impact has resulted people getting jobs, learning English, having early mental health support and importantly, experiences of friendship that are incredibly moving to hear about and key to life in a new country after fleeing war.

“Looking ahead, it is essential that community and voluntary sector organisations in Edinburgh are effectively resourced so that they can continue to play a key role in the long term, sustainable integration of the Ukrainian community in Edinburgh – for as long as Ukrainians require to seek safety.

Sight Loss charities slam City of Edinburgh Council for ‘blindly ignoring deathtrap junction’

LOCAL BLACKHALL JUNCTION POSES ‘MAJOR RISK’

Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, have slammed a busy Edinburgh junction describing it as hazardous and inaccessible for blind and partially sighted people.

The junction between Telford Road, Hillhouse Road and Strachan Road is one of the busiest in the capital, but the pedestrian crossing facilities are not fit for purpose.

Representatives from both sight loss charities recently met with the city of Edinburgh Council to discuss this junction and were astonished to find out that it had been REMOVED (demoted) from the Council’s list of upgrades.

Caroline Hedley, a Rehabilitation and Mobility Worker with Sight Scotland, explains: “This junction poses a major risk to anybody with visual impairment, and we are extremely worried that it will take a serious accident before any action is taken.

“Due to the complicated layout of the crossings, the poor pedestrian crossing facilities and the heavy fast-moving traffic, it is dangerous and inaccessible to most blind and partially sighted people.

“The pedestrian crossings do not have audible signals or revolving cones, and some are in need of basic repair. Also, there are few protective barriers at this junction which makes me as a sighted person feel very vulnerable, so I can’t imagine how someone with vision impairment would feel. Strachan Road simply has no pedestrian crossing facility at all.

“As part of my job, I help blind and partially sighted people with their mobility, both indoor and out. We help them plan routes when going out, looking at hazards, and trying to ensure they know how to navigate the safest way to go if they have a medial appointment, for example, or just want to go to the shops.

“The biggest priority with a mobility assessment is safety. I have clients living close to this junction and I need to explain to them that the safest way to cross these roads is with sighted assistance, and this is absolutely essential for people who cannot see the red and green man.

“What makes matters worse is that Blackhall Medical Centre is located on the Hillhouse Road side of the junction.”

Craig Spalding, Chief Executive of Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, adds: “We are calling on the city of Edinburgh Council to upgrade this junction now before a serious accident occurs.

“How this junction has been taken off the upgrades list is beyond me; it is highly dangerous if not impossible for blind and partially sighted people to cross these roads independently.

“Poor crossing facilities like these could mean a person is more likely to stay at home, reducing their opportunity to move around in their home area. When a person’s mobility is impacted in this way, there is a knock-on effect both physically and mentally.”

Local Inverleith Councillor Hal Osler comments: “When designing public spaces we need to think about the safety and accessibility for those most at risk; if we do this, it benefits us all.

“Unfortunately in Edinburgh we have too many junctions and crossings where the safety and accessibility of pedestrians was not considered as a design priority. It’s utterly shameful that this junction was removed from the list of upgrades and as a councillor I am appalled at the lack of thought for our most vulnerable pedestrians.

“If we truly believe in the importance of safe active travel, and that pedestrians are top of the transport hierarchy, this needs to change.”

Sight Scotland, and Sight Scotland Veterans, are asking people to join their campaign to get the city of Edinburgh Council to upgrade the crossing at Strachan Road, Hillhouse Road and Telford Road in Edinburgh.

Please follow this link to write to your local Councillor calling for the junction to be upgraded urgently: https://sightscotland.eaction.org.uk/Fix-Deathtrap-Junction

Council tenants urged to give their views on new rent proposals

The City of Edinburgh Council is once again asking tenants to give their feedback on rent proposals and the financial pressures they face.

This year’s consultation closes on 17 December, and tenants across the capital are being reminded to share views on the rates rent could be set at next year and how this money should be invested to create more and better housing.

The full scale of the city’s housing challenge was highlighted earlier this month when the council officially declared a Housing Emergency in Edinburgh. This followed news that up to 5,000 households a night are now living in temporary accommodation due to homelessness and a shortage of affordable housing.

A budget strategy report published last month also reveals the gap between the amount of funding Edinburgh needs to improve housing and the budget available to achieve this, which is primarily funded by tenants paying rent and government grants.

By raising rent levels, the council could ensure homes meet statutory energy efficiency standards set by the Scottish Government, build hundreds of new affordable homes to help people who are currently homeless and improve the landlord service it provides.

Up to 80% of tenants in Edinburgh receive assistance with their rent, with costs covered by housing benefits or Universal Credit. The council intends to extend its Tenant Hardship Fund to support households who aren’t entitled to this support to access funding if they struggle to afford an increase in rent.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: Providing a better service to our tenants, improving their homes, and building more places for people to live is at heart of our housing budget strategy.

“We recognise that this year will be particularly challenging for all residents with rising inflation, spiralling prices, and the wider cost-of-living crisis.

“These price hikes are affecting us too and we’re seeing the cost of running our housing services increase, at a time when we desperately need to invest in new and better homes and tackle rising homelessness. That’s why we have declared a Housing Emergency, so we can work with partners to help everyone who needs a safe place to call home.

“In our last consultation tenants told us they want us to invest in homes to make them more energy efficient and that they need more affordable homes. So, we are looking forward to hearing from our tenants again and hope this consultation allows them the opportunity to have their voices heard.”

Alongside charging a higher rent for newly built homes and newly modernised homes, the council is considering three possible rent increase options:

4.1% increase each year for the next five years to deliver the council’s existing plan. This would help to deliver 2,000 new social rented homes and upgrade 5,200 existing homes to modern and high energy efficiency standards in the next ten years. The average weekly rent would increase by £4.31.
5.0% increase each year for the next five years to be in line with inflation. It would help to deliver 2,300 new social rented homes and upgrade 5,600 existing homes to modern and high energy efficiency standards in the next ten years. The average weekly rent would increase by £5.25.
8.4% increase each year for the next five years to deliver the council’s pre-Covid investment plan. It would help to deliver 3,560 new social rented homes and upgrade 12,400 existing homes to modern and high energy efficient standards in the next ten years. The average weekly rent would increase by £8.83.

No decisions on rents or how the council spends the Housing Revenue Account in the next financial year will be made until February 2024, when the council sets a housing revenue budget as part of a wider budget setting process.

Find our more and share views here at the consultation hub.

Council set to award environmentally friendly heat network contract for Granton Waterfront regeneration

The creation of a £1.3bn well-connected, sustainable new coastal town at Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh has reached yet another major milestone.

A contract for pre-development work to refine and finalise the design of a sewer source low carbon heat network solution to serve thousands of homes, local facilities and the many other commercial and social enterprise businesses planned for Granton Waterfront is set to be awarded by the City of Edinburgh Council in the coming weeks.

Following a competitive procurement process Vattenfall Heat UK Ltd is being proposed as the preferred bidder and the Finance and Resources Committee will consider a report on the award of this contract at its meeting on Tuesday next week. It is anticipated the contract will be signed by both parties in the coming weeks.

The energy company, known for its work supporting many areas throughout the UK find net zero solutions, will work with the Council to finalise the plans for this heat network.

The aim, subject to future further approval from the Finance and Resources Committee, is for an agreement for the company to build, operate, finance, manage and maintain the network over the following 40 years.

This is a significant milestone for the Council and the Granton Waterfront area to help Edinburgh reach net zero by 2030.

As well as supporting the Council’s commitment to build new affordable homes over the next 10 years, the Granton Waterfront £1.3bn regeneration project has exemplar urban design which will also champion low carbon transport and active travel.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “It is fantastic to see work continuing at pace at Granton Waterfront, the largest sustainable regeneration project of its kind in Scotland.

“As well as helping the Capital reach net zero by 2030, awarding this contract is the next step towards finalising the right heat network solution for our tenants and others moving into the area to provide them with a cost competitive low carbon heating source.

“The homes being delivered in the area are being designed to be well insulated and energy efficient which will also be a huge benefit to everyone living there, particularly those facing fuel poverty.

“Work is also continuing to transform the iconic gasholder in the area into a place for the wider community and visitors to play and relax. Arts and social enterprise charity WASPS has moved into the eye catching former Granton Station building now refurbished and taking pride of place at the heart of the community, with a spacious attractive public square. And we’re currently building hundreds of energy efficient affordable homes which will be ready for tenants to move into next year.”

Eoghan Maguire, Director of Heat Networks – Scotland at Vattenfall Heat UK said: “Granton Waterfront is an ambitious long-term project that will act as a blueprint in urban development and regeneration in Scotland. District heating will enable the Granton Waterfront development to deliver on its pioneering and climate conscious ambitions for its residents.

“Vattenfall has responded to the low carbon district heating proposals for Granton Waterfront and is proud that these have been recommended for approval by the City of Edinburgh Council. We are excited to work with the City of Edinburgh and its partners to help deliver on the city’s net zero by 2030 targets.

“The Granton Waterfront heat network aims to capture heat that would otherwise be wasted from the sewer system and could serve the community of 3,000 new homes, as well as existing buildings. The network will adopt a future proofed design, meaning expansion to the northwest of Edinburgh would be possible.”

GAZA CRISIS: An Open Letter from Edinburgh Councillors

EDINBURGH COUNCILLORS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE

We are horrified by the situation unfolding in Gaza, and are calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade of Gaza to allow urgent and unconditional food, water, fuel and medical supplies to enter the area.

Under international law collective punishment is illegal, as is blockading food, medicine and fuel supplies to the civilian population, and we therefore recognise the actions of the Israeli Government to be war crimes.

We condemn the killing and hostage taking of Israeli civilians by Hamas; the ongoing
blockade of Gaza and occupation of the West Bank by Israel, deemed illegal by the United Nations; and the killing of Palestinians by the current Israeli blockade, bombardment, and ground offensive into Gaza.

We call for the immediate release of all hostages, and safe passage for Palestinians and others seeking to leave Gaza and the West Bank, with a commitment that they will be able to return.

We recognise Israel’s actions towards Palestine as apartheid, in line with human rights experts such as Amnesty International and call for an end to the occupation of Palestine.

We assert that all forms of racism, including anti-Palestinian racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia have no place in our city and condemn any attacks on Palestinian, Jewish or Muslim people.

We welcome the demonstrations of support for an end to violence and freedom for
Palestinians which we have seen across the city, the UK and the world.

As councillors in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, we recognise the power our collective voices can have, and support calls for immediate action to secure a lasting and just peace for Palestinians and Israelis, with freedom and security for all, based on international law.

Signed:

Alys Mumford Scottish Green Party
Ben Parker Scottish Green Party
Susan Rae Scottish Green Party
Claire Miller Scottish Green Party
Alex Staniforth Scottish Green Party
Jule Bandel Scottish Green Party
Kayleigh O’Neill Scottish Green Party
Steve Burgess Scottish Green Party
Chas Booth Scottish Green Party
Dan Heap Scottish Green Party
Ross McKenzie Independent
Katrina Faccenda Scottish Labour
Margaret Graham Labour and Co-operative Party
Amy McNeese-Mechan Scottish National Party
Norman Work Scottish National Party
Lesley Macinnes Scottish National Part

Capital’s pavement parking controls to be introduced in New Year

Preparations are underway to begin enforcement against pavement parking in Edinburgh, following the introduction of new powers by the Scottish Government.

A report to Transport and Environment Committee sets out a proposed approach and timescales for enforcing against pavement parking as part of new parking prohibitions being introduced. National regulations are expected to come into force on 11 December and it is proposed that Edinburgh’s enforcement begins in January 2024.

Parking on pavements, at dropped kerbs and double parking can inconvenience all road users, significantly impacting people with mobility issues, parents with pushchairs and older people.

The Council has always supported a ban on pavement parking and has collaborated closely with Living Streets and Guide Dogs Scotland to lobby for the introduction of controls in Scotland. This will help ensure Edinburgh’s roads and footways are accessible for all, which is central to our vision of an equal, accessible and sustainable city as part of the City Mobility Plan.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Implementing these new parking restrictions is part of our commitment to ensure Edinburgh’s roads and pavements are accessible for all.

“Making sure our footways are kept clear will deliver real benefits for pedestrians and road users, particularly those who are disproportionately affected such as parents with pushchairs, older people and wheelchair users.

“We would expect everyone to adhere to the new prohibitions when the final regulations come into force to guarantee our streets are safer and more user-friendly.”

Stuart Hay, Director, Living Streets Scotland, said: “Edinburgh is taking the right approach to the enforcement of pavement parking, recognising that footways are for people, not parking spaces for cars.

“Exemptions should only be applied in exceptional cases based on evidence, which can only be collected via careful monitoring and consultation. This is the best way to ensure those most affected by blocked pavements, including disabled people, have safe access to our streets.”

Niall Foley, Lead External Affairs Manager at Guide Dogs Scotland, said: “Parking on pavements is a nuisance for everyone, but potentially dangerous if you are a wheelchair user forced onto the road, pushing a buggy, or have sight loss and can’t see traffic coming towards you.

“When cars block the way, it undermines the confidence of people with a vision impairment to get out and about independently.

“We welcome the parking measures being introduced and look forward to working with Edinburgh Council to ensure the pavement parking prohibitions are a success.”

Preparations include the assessment of 5,217 roads by officers as part of the footway parking assessment project. This has helped to identify a small number of streets where significant pavement parking may require mitigation measures to minimise potential negative impacts on the wider road network.

Despite the prohibitions featuring in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, the necessary regulations required to support the enforcement and appeals procedures have only recently been finalised by Transport Scotland and are expected to come into effect on 11 December.

Work to complete the necessary changes in Edinburgh will commence as soon as it is confirmed that the new regulations have come into force.

An awareness campaign, currently being designed by Transport Scotland, is hoped to drive a change in behaviour over the festive period in advance of enforcement beginning. A further Council-run campaign aligned with the national approach is intended once the new prohibitions take effect.

Read the full report, Implementing of new parking prohibitions.

Watch Transport and Environment Committee from 10am on Thursday, 16 November via webcast.

Non-sport lets for community access to city council secondary schools transferring to Edinburgh Leisure

Non-Sport Lets for Community Access to City of Edinburgh Council Secondary Schools Transferring to Edinburgh Leisure

The management of community access to secondary schools for non-sport lets is being transferred from the City of Edinburgh Council to Edinburgh Leisure.

A phased transfer, with nine schools initially identified, will mean that organisations and individuals looking to book and hire classroom space during community time for classes and workshops, will now book through Edinburgh Leisure, rather than the City of Edinburgh Council.

Core community times are Monday to Friday, 18:00 – 21:45hrs and Saturday, 09:30 – 15:15hrs whilst during school holiday periods around the opening times.

The schools available to book through Edinburgh Leisure are:

Balerno High School.
Broughton High School.
Craigroyston High School.
Forrester High School / St Augustine’s R.C. High School.
Gracemount High School.
Leith Academy.
James Gillespie’s High School.
Portobello High School.

Since 2017, Edinburgh Leisure has managed community access to secondary school sports facilities and through this period have developed a robust booking process and operational infrastructure that has seen usage and net income grow each year.

The investment made by the Council in its school estate over the last 15 years has resulted in fantastic facilities and the ambition for the transfer is to improve access arrangements and increase use from all sections of the community by utilising Edinburgh Leisure’s experience and expertise in this field.

Jimmy Livingstone, Schools Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We have been working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and with our expertise in the field of facility management and community access to the schools, we are the logical partner to manage the non-sport lets in secondary schools, to support the Council in improving access, increasing usage and maximising revenue.”

Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Having Edinburgh Leisure manage the non-sport lets in our secondary schools is a really positive move given their experience and expertise in managing community access across the city.

“It will further develop our partnership and improve access to the fantastic facilities we have available in our secondary school estate.”

All current lets at the above schools have been advised of the new booking arrangements. The booking process for schools not transferring to Edinburgh Leisure in phase one will remain the same.

The booking system will go live from 13th November 2023 for bookings starting from January 2024.

Any organisations wishing to book rooms in community time from January 2024, should email exlets@edinburghleisure.co.uk.

For further information, visit: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/classroom-hire

Five city projects shortlisted for public service awards

Edinburgh is a five-time nominee for this year’s Scottish Public Service Awards. Now in their tenth year, the awards are run by Holyrood Communications in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament to help celebrate the contribution of public servants.

Capital-based nominees include Edinburgh’s Warm Scots Welcome, a community and voluntary sector partnership which has helped welcome more than 11,000 Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion early last year.

The initiative, which was organised in collaboration between the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) and Volunteer Edinburgh (VE), is in the running for the Voluntary Sector Partnership Award.

Also nominated is the Edinburgh Ukrainian Welcome Hub, a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and the Royal Bank of Scotland which has supported Ukrainians arriving in Scotland by providing property and facilities management, opening bank accounts, raising aid, distributing donations, volunteering, running events, giving specialist expertise, and offering women and girls tech training and employment. The project is in the running for the Commercial Partnerships Award.

The City of Edinburgh Council-led Granton Waterfront Regeneration has also been shortlisted for this year’s Sustainability Award.

Led by the council, the plan involves working with partners to deliver a new and sustainable 20 minute neighbourhood community for Edinburgh. The regeneration is already underway and once complete, will feature around 3,500 new net zero carbon homes and business start- up space.

This is all within what will become Europe’s largest coastal park – with new and enhanced green spaces and opportunities for the creative arts, culture, and leisure, connected to the rest of the city by sustainable transport routes.

Welcoming the news Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We’ve been putting a huge amount of work and ambition into creating a better, greener, fairer future for residents so recognition like this – for how the Council and city partners are trailblazing in many areas of Scottish public service – is very welcome.

“For instance, the huge amount of change we’re seeing in Granton is creating an exciting and sustainable place to live, work, travel and have fun. It is fantastic to see it shortlisted for a sustainability award.

“It is also positive to see our efforts with partners to help those from Ukraine being recognised. These projects have allowed people to not only move to Scotland but put down roots. Our work with NatWest to help those fleeing war into work and study is one of three employability projects supported by the council to be nominated for an award.

“We face big decisions about how we address our housing and climate emergencies, and one of our biggest priorities is make sure those in our communities feel supported and welcome. All of these projects are successfully working towards that aim. I’d like to wish everyone involved in the very best of luck.”

Other council supported nominees include the Whole Family Equality Project, supported by the Capital City Partnership, which supports families from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Edinburgh to reach financial resilience, improved health and wellbeing, and positive participation in school life.

Delivered by Children 1st and CHAI and funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Government and Robertson Trust, the project empowers people to take leading roles in decision made about the project’s design and delivery and is nominated for the Championing Diversity and Inclusion Award.

The Integrated Regional Employability and Skills Programme (IRES) as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal programme, is also in the running for the Project and Programme Management Award.

The programme seeks to evolve regional labour market policy and practice to drive inclusive growth, promising to deliver deliver an additional 14,700 skill improvements across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region and help 5,300 people into employment.

The finalists will be announced on Wednesday 6 December.

Council responds Tram Inquiry

LESSONS LEARNED (of course) …

A report to Transport and Environment Committee has set out the Council’s understanding of the failures identified by Lord Hardie in delivery of the first phase of the tram project, and how lessons learned can ensure future delivery of major infrastructure projects can avoid similar issues.

This includes consideration of Lord Hardie’s recommendations relating to the Council, and an assessment of the consequences of the project’s failings, such as additional costs, disruption and impact on the Council’s reputation.

The report is accompanied by three other appendices covering: the financial cost and reporting of the tram project; whether any action is to be taken with employees as a result of the Inquiry’s findings and assurance of arrangements in place for Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEO) and contractors; and an update on any possible legal action (the final to be considered in private).

These three reports will be considered by Governance Risk and Best Value Committee (GRBV) on 28 November and, along with the report to Transport and Environment Committee, will be referred to December’s Full Council for consideration.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Since the start of the Tram Inquiry we’ve completed the line to Newhaven and launched passenger services, the success of which was down to the hard work of the in-house project team and partners. It’s also thanks to lessons learned from the first project, and our own improvements to project management and governance, communication and independent oversight.

“It’s worth noting too that in the nine years since the line between Edinburgh Airport and York Place was built, the service has flourished to become a hugely successful transport route for thousands of residents and visitors each day.

“While we broadly agree with Lord Hardie’s recommendations, prior to the inquiry’s announcement we had already introduced processes and strategies to help avoid some of the problems experienced in the original tram project. Not only have we applied this in the construction of the line to Newhaven, but these lessons are hugely beneficial to other major infrastructure projects.

“Of course, scrutiny of the Inquiry’s findings has allowed us to provide further, robust assurance that we understand the factors that contributed to the difficulties in the first phase of tram delivery, and to build confidence in future infrastructure delivery. We want to make sure we continue learning and improving.

“We know that serious mistakes were made in the construction of the original tram line, which caused a great deal of disruption and concern for residents and businesses, as well as impacting the Council’s reputation. Once again, I want to apologise for this.

“Ultimately, creating a better connected, environmentally friendly transport system is essential for a modern, successful city and we need to transform the way people move around if we are to achieve our net zero goals.”

The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry report was published in September and provides an account of the original Edinburgh Tram project’s progress, identifying factors that contributed to difficulties in its delivery.

The independent inquiry was commissioned by the Scottish Government following the completion of the section of tram line between the airport and York Place in 2014. Its remit was to establish why the project was delivered years late, massively over budget and did not produce the promised ‘network’ – only part of one of the originally-promised lines was eventually delivered.

The Council’s response examines and acknowledges the findings made by the Inquiry, including those around governance, the need for independent legal advice and reporting practices. It also considers the implications for future project management.

While the report broadly agrees with Lord Hardie’s recommendation, it highlights that, since the original tram project, several processes and strategies have been put in place which have helped to avoid some of the problems experienced. It’s thanks to this approach, along with lessons learned from the original project, that we have successfully delivered the Trams to Newhaven line.

LESSONS LEARNED, BUT AT A TRULY MASSIVE COST TO EDINBURGH’S BUSINESSES AND THE HARD-PRESSED TAXPAYERS WHO FOOT THE BILL FOR FAILURE – Ed.

Read the full report and appendices, Response to the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry. Watch Transport and Environment Committee discuss the report live from 10am on Thursday, 16 November.

Platforms for Creative Excellence: Edinburgh festivals receive £633,396

Recognised the world over as platforms of creative excellence, festivals in Edinburgh have received a total of £633,396 of additional funding from the Scottish Government through Creative Scotland to support continued strategic development activity.

Launched in 2018 and ending in December 2023, the Platforms for Creative Excellence (PlaCE) was developed in partnership with the Scottish Government, City of Edinburgh Council and Festivals Edinburgh and was designed to help festivals to:

diversify their year-round partnerships with the culture sector across the city and Scotland
drive transformation and creative innovation through long-term programming approaches
increase career and skills development capacity for creatives and young people
build new and lasting relationships with less engaged communities.

An independent evaluation report from BOP Consulting has found that PlaCE funding played a significant role in festival resilience through the pandemic and 97% of community partners reported high levels of satisfaction from engagement with the festivals.

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “The Scottish Government’s commitment to investing in arts and culture remains strong, which is why we have continued to provide support, through Creative Scotland, to Edinburgh’s festivals.

“Communities right across the city will benefit from almost £640,000 in PLaCE funding. We hope this will allow Festivals to continue their development and deliver more fantastic work in our schools and with our local communities.”

This additional funding on top of the transformative PlaCE programme will allow festivals in Edinburgh to continue delivery of this strategic development activity into the next year and beyond.

The following festivals have received this funding:

Festival	Funding amount
Edinburgh Art Festival	£50,000
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society	£75,000
Edinburgh International Book Festival	£53,450
Edinburgh International Festival	£75,000
Edinburgh International Film Festival	£75,000
Edinburgh International Science Festival	£60,000
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival	£75,000
Festivals Edinburgh	£19,946
Imaginate	£75,000
Scottish International Storytelling Festival	£75,000
TOTAL	£633,396