city council – Page 93 – The NEN

Rabbie’s back on Bernard Street!

Leith’s iconic Burns statue returned to its home on Bernard Street as Scotland prepared to celebrate the national bard.

The 19th century bronze sculpture was put into storage in December 2019 to make way for Trams to Newhaven construction. It has since undergone specialist conservation work before its reinstatement at Bernard Street’s junction with Constitution Street.

Yesterday, on the morning of Burns Night (Tuesday, 25 January), Council leaders, tram project officers and contractors were joined by conservationists and former Edinburgh Makar Alan Spence to unveil the monument.

They also marked the placement of a new time capsule underneath the statue, alongside an original capsule discovered in 2019, which contained relics from both the late 19th century and the 1960s.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I’m delighted to see this much-loved Robert Burns statue returned to its home in Leith – and spruced up thanks to specialist conservation work – just in time for Burns night.

It’s fantastic that so many members of the community have been able to contribute to the new time capsule placed underneath the statue. Thanks to their input we’ll be able to share an insight into Leith today with future generations, just like our 19th century forebears did when they buried the original time capsule.

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “What better way to celebrate Scotland’s national bard than the unveiling of this newly-restored statue?

Its return also marks progress being made on the Trams to Newhaven project, as the area begins to take shape. I’m excited to see what the coming months will bring as ongoing improvements are delivered.”

In November last year the Trams to Newhaven project reached its two-year point and, despite challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, including a 13-week site shutdown, remains on track for opening for revenue service in Spring 2023.

The next main phase of construction between Coatfield Lane and Queen Charlotte Street began this week, while it is hoped the current stage of work on Picardy Place, which has resulted in some changes to traffic management, will be complete by spring. The entire section from York Place to London Road is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022.

On Tuesday, Alan Spence read out a specially written poem, which has been added to the 2021 time capsule created for the statue’s reinstatement. The capsule also contains poems and stories by Victoria Primary School pupils, a letter from the Edinburgh Burns Club, coins from 2021 and a face mask, amongst other artefacts.

This has been placed in a purpose-carved socket in the plinth underneath the monument along with the original time capsule, which originates from when the statue was first erected in 1898.

This was opened when the statue was moved in December 2019 and its contents include newspapers, coins and a letter from the Leith Burns Club. From 1961, there were newspapers and a letter from the people who had opened the original time capsule.

Meanwhile, Lord Hardie’s Edinburgh Tram Inquiry trundles on … EIGHT YEARS AND COUNTING … I wonder what Rabbie would have said about that!

Find out more about the Trams to Newhaven project online.

City Centre bus diversions

From today (Wednesday 26 January), Lothian Buses are implementing a temporary diversion to stabilise our network and improve reliability for customers around the east side (York Place/Leith Walk/London Road) area of the city until further notice.

As we look to introduce our Monday to Friday timetables from Monday (31 January), we want to ensure operational network integrity, restore customer confidence and give certainty to our already pressured driving teams.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers and continue to work with the City of Edinburgh Council and the Trams to Newhaven project to mitigate the impact of delays on our services.

Information about diverted services can be found below. If you need any assistance, please reach out on our social media channels – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – or phone bus information on 0131 555 6363.

Services 1 10 11 16 22 – Eastbound
Princes Street, George Street, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, East London Street, Annandale Street (Services 10/11) or Annandale Street, Elm Row, and London Road (Services 1/16/22).

Services 4 25 34 – Eastbound
Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, Easter Road (Service 25) or Montrose Terrace (Services 4/34).

Services 5 49 – Northbound
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, South St. David Street, Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, Easter Road (Service 49) or Montrose Terrace (Service 5).

Services 7 14 – Northbound
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, East London Street, Annandale Street, Elm Row, and London Road.

Service 8 – Both Directions
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, Dundas Street, Great King Street, Drummond Place, London Street, and Bellevue.

Services 10 11 16 – Southbound
Leith Walk, Picardy Place, Leith Street, and Princes Street.

Services 19 26 44 – Both Directions
Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, and Montrose Terrace.

Services 3 29 30 31 33 37 X29 X31 X33 X37 – Northbound
Nicolson Street, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, Frederick Street to Princes Street (or Services 29/X29 to Howe Street).

Service 45
Eastbound: George IV Bridge, The Mound, Hanover Street, George Street, South St David Street, Princes Street, Waterloo Place, Regent Road, and Montrose Terrace.
Westbound: Montrose Terrace, Regent Road, and Waterloo Place.

City council to progress introduction of LEZ this week

The next stage in the plan to introduce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Edinburgh is expected to be approved by committee this week.

A finalised scheme was brought to October’s Transport and Environment Committee, when it was agreed that further analysis would be carried out on the LEZ’s role in reducing greenhouse gases, in particular carbon emissions, before final approval.

On Thursday (27 January) committee members will consider a report outlining analysis by SEPA via the National Modelling Framework. This notes that, while the LEZ will take significant steps towards tackling poor air quality caused by harmful NO2 and PM emissions, there are limits to how much the fossil-fuelled vehicles that are allowed within the zone will reduce carbon emissions.

Instead, the wider objectives of the LEZ scheme will help facilitate the Council’s actions toward achieving a net zero city. These include decarbonising transport and encouraging a shift away from private car use towards more sustainable choices of public transport or walking, wheeling and cycling.

It is recommended to proceed with the scheme with no changes to the boundary or grace period, meaning an LEZ would be introduced in the city centre this spring, with enforcement to begin in 2024.

A separate Air Quality Annual Progress report to committee shows a continued decline in air pollution across the city. As a result, one of Edinburgh’s five Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) declared for breaches of national NO2 objectives – Inverleith Row – is set to be revoked, after three consecutive years of compliance, which is a sign of progress.

There are, however, still areas of concern, especially the Central AQMA, though modelling predicts that actions such as introducing an LEZ will have a positive impact.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The LEZ put forward for approval in October followed several years of planning, modelling and analysis, in line with national frameworks, as well as consideration of feedback received through a major public consultation.

“Additional work carried out since then to assess the scheme’s impact on carbon emissions, as well as the proposed boundaries and grace period, demonstrates that these proposals are appropriate for the city.

“The LEZ, alongside a range of ambitious projects to improve air quality, will encourage cleaner transport and support active travel, and is key to achieving cleaner air for everyone.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “It’s really encouraging to see a consistent fall in harmful air pollutants across the city, so much so that we’ll soon be able to revoke the Inverleith Row AQMA.

“Of course, there’s still work to be done and we’re confident that the LEZ, paired with companies committing to cleaner fleets, improved signalling and modal shift away from private car journeys, amongst other measures, will see the picture improve even further.”

Edinburgh’s city centre LEZ would apply to all motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds, and with a two-year grace period.

An evidence-led approach was taken when developing the LEZ, adhering to the National Low Emission Framework and based on detailed traffic and air quality modelling and data. October’s proposals followed a major, 12-week consultation with the public.

The city centre boundary was selected based on various factors, including the expected limited impact of a larger zone and predictions that an alternative city centre zone would have longer lasting negative impacts on air quality at its boundary.

Once the LEZ is in place, vehicles must meet a minimum emissions standard to enter the 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 to a maximum level depending on the vehicle.

Read the full reports, Low Emission Zone – Carbon Impact and 2021 Air Quality Annual Progress Report, on the Council website.

Watch the discussions live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 27 January.

You can also find out more about the LEZ on CEC’s dedicated web pages.

Roll out of digital devices for city pupils is underway

The roll out of personal digital devices for every school pupil from P6 to S6 in the Capital, part of the city council’s ‘ambitious and inclusive’ education strategy Edinburgh Learns for Life, is underway.

The programme, being carried out in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council’s strategic technology partner, CGI, will see 27,500 new iPads being issued to pupils/teachers, refreshed iPads for up to 12,000 pupils/teachers and expanding connectivity by providing additional wireless access points in schools.

As well as the personal distribution to pupils, additional iPads will be handed out to P1 to P5 year groups so they can be shared for learning. Staff in early years will be getting 250 new iPads and having 900 iPads migrated.

The roll out for the Empowered Learning programme, which has been funded thanks to a £17.6m investment from the Council’s budget, is due to be completed by the end of this year and also includes a comprehensive programme of professional learning for teachers.

Benefits of the project include: providing equal access to education, personalising learning, improving teacher feedback, preparing students for future working, collaborative on and off-line working and, critically, supporting efforts to raise attainment.

This week, from Monday 24 January, pupils at St Augustine’s RC and Gracemount High Schools will be receiving their devices.

Leith Academy is one of the schools where digital devices have already been distributed. Council leader Cllr Adam McVey and deputy Lord Provost Joan Griffiths visited the school last week.

Head teacher Mike Irving said: “The roll out of digital devices to all P6-S6 young people and staff across Edinburgh’s schools is a significant, positive and exciting development for learning.

“Young people will discover new and innovative ways to engage by using many of the features available through the applications and technology available at their fingertips.

“Digital devices are not there to replace teaching and learning, but to enhance it further so youngsters can engage in learning that is relevant, fun and most importantly impactful.

“Young people know when they are being invested in, and this step from the Council is a significant and sustained investment in the future learning, outcomes and achievements of Edinburgh’s children and young people.”

Shlok Godiyal, S3 pupil at Leith Academy, said: “I think having the iPad will give me greater flexibility in how and when I can work on tasks, topics and assignments. There will be times when I need to log onto Teams sessions or complete work at home, the iPad helps me with this ability to work anytime, anywhere.

“I also think the iPad will open opportunities in learning by using features such as video recording, use of 3D imaging and it will help me with my independent learning and study as I progress into S4, S5 and S6. As young people today we are used to technology in our lives, so this is a good addition to our learning.”

Councillor Ian Perry, Education Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great to see the roll out getting underway as the Empowered Learning programme is about both investing in our children and young people and our teachers to maximise the exciting learning opportunities in Scotland’s Capital city.

“We’ve committed £17.5m from our budget so pupils from P6 to S6 can have their own devices and have equal access to learning. This programme opens up the opportunity for pupils to learn in new and exciting ways, brings with it a raft of wider benefits including extra support and professional development opportunities for teachers and is expanding wifi to provide fast and reliable internet access in every school.”

Councillor Alison Dickie, Education Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The roll out meets a key element of our Council business plan which is increasing attainment for everyone and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap.

“Ensuring pupils have their own device means they have personal access to digital learning whether with their teacher in school or at home. “

We want every young person to achieve their fullest potential and the Empowered Learning programme is another tool in the educational toolbox to equip our pupils with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a future that is becoming increasingly digital.”

Tara McGeehan, President, CGI in the UK and Australia said: “CGI is delighted to be working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council to deliver Empowered Learning to pupils and teachers in the capital.

“Empowered Learning provides a learning environment that’s engaging and inspirational. It directly tackles the attainment gap and recognises the key role of educators in delivering a digital classroom.

“Through Empowered Learning, educators can create and tailor lessons to personalise learning, and access new ways of bringing learning to life. Above all, Empowered Learning delivers learning that is rich and rewarding for both pupils and for their parents, as well as providing the highest level of security and safety standards.

“The roll out meets a key element of one of the 15 outcomes and actions from the Council’s three year business plan ‘Our Future Council, Our Future City’: ‘increasing attainment for all and reducing the poverty-related attainment gap’.”

The 1:1 programme reinforces our commitment to becoming one of the world’s ‘smartest cities’ – in 2020 Edinburgh approved a new digital strategy to push forward its ambitions for becoming a sustainable Smart City.

Local adult learning consultation

Learning new things: where and how would you want to do it?

If you were looking to learn something new – whether it’s to get a job, for a hobby or just because you fancy it – where would you want to do it? At home? In a local school or community centre? With a local employer or community group? Online?

We’re working with our Granton Waterfront regeneration partners to find out what people living in the area think about learning – why is learning important to you?

How does it affect you and your life? What you would like to learn about? How do you learn best? What things help you learn? What things make it harder to learn?

Please give us your answers on our online questionnaire:

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/grantonlearning

Deadline: 31 January 2022

Scottish Parliament approves short-term lets legislation

Local authorities to set up licensing schemes

All short-term let properties will require a licence to ensure they are safe and the people providing them are suitable, under legislation approved by the Scottish Parliament.

Local authorities will be required to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme by 1 October 2022, and existing hosts and operators will have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence.

The legislation was developed in response to concerns raised by residents and communities about the impact of short-term let properties on their local communities, including noise, antisocial behaviour and the impact on the supply of housing in some areas.

Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “This legislation is a significant milestone on our path to bringing in an effective system of regulating short-term lets.

“Our licensing scheme will allow local authorities and communities to take action to manage issues more effectively, without unduly curtailing the many benefits of short-term lets to hosts, visitors and the economy.

“We have already introduced legislation allowing councils to establish short-term let control areas and manage numbers of short-term lets. This is the next step to delivering a licensing scheme that will ensure short-term lets are safe and that allowing them to continue to make a positive impact on Scotland’s tourism industry and local economies while meeting the needs of local communities.

“This legislation covers the whole of Scotland, including island and rural communities, and offers flexibility to local authorities in how it is implemented based on local needs and concerns.

“We appreciate the input from tourism bodies, local government, community organisations, residents and others in reaching this point.”

Welcoming the announcement, city council leader Adam McVey said: “This is fantastic news for residents. After our call for this legislative change we worked with the Scottish Government as they consulted on this issue and how the details of a licensing scheme would work.

“I’m really pleased all short term lets will now need a licence making them much easier to control not only in terms of overall impact on our housing supply but also help us deal with any anti-social behaviour and noise issues.

“It’ll mean whole properties being let out as short term lets will need to have ‘change of use’ planning permission before they can be granted a licence. This will help to stop homes being taken out of residential use or being let out when they are unsuitable or unsafe.

“In addition to this, councillors will consider a report next month on whether we should apply to the Scottish Government for Edinburgh to become a ‘short term let control area’. Enforcement of planning legislation is a costly and lengthy process. If approved, many properties being used as short term lets would automatically require to have planning permission in place.”

All short-term let properties will require a licence by July 2024.

Council stops cutting the grass …

… but only to support our wildlife, of course!

Changes to the management of grassy areas in Edinburgh are helping butterflies cope with the impacts of climate change …

As the climate warms, more species are able to move north into new areas that were previously too cold for them, but they still need the right habitat to survive.

For three species – the Small Skipper, Wall Brown and Speckled Wood butterflies – areas of long grass are just what they need. Caterpillars of all three species feed on these grasses, but they are easily wiped out if the grass is cut too often.

Initiatives from the City of Edinburgh Council and other partners in the Edinburgh Living Landscape programme, which is led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, have helped these species move into the city, and have even given them a stepping stone into south Fife where all three are now being seen for the first time.

The Council has helped by naturalising 264 acres of amenity grassland, which only get cut at the end of summer, through Edinburgh Living Landscape’s Nature in your Neighbourhood project and by sowing wildflower meadows. These are changes which boost populations of bees and other pollinators. With more insects around, animals like birds and bats will also benefit from the changes.

One of the most striking examples has been at Silverknowes Park on Muirhouse Parkway, which is now home to 14 different species of butterfly.

This tiny park has been worked on by Council staff and volunteers from Butterfly Conservation through the Helping Hands for Butterflies Project for a few years now, and the list of species there keeps growing.

The most recent finds were of Small Skippers (above), a species that only arrived in Edinburgh four years ago. This species only lays its eggs on the flower stems of tall grasses, so the habitat at the park is perfect for them now.

Projects to create and maintain wildflower meadows throughout the city have helped encourage the spread of these butterflies.

At the nearby National Museums Collections Centre in Granton, staff have brought about changes to the management of the site that have seen numbers of butterflies and moths increase dramatically in just two years.

Further along the coast, work through the Edinburgh Shoreline project is helping to create yet more coastal grassland.

All of these projects work to create a series of stepping-stones that help butterflies and other insects move through our urban landscape and on into new areas in the countryside. This was demonstrated by the fact that the first sightings of the Small Skipper and Speckled Wood in south Fife were around North Queensferry, and Wall Brown butterflies have been seen near Dalgety Bay.

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to nature and connecting habitats is more important than ever to allow wildlife to respond to changing temperatures.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities Convener Donald Wilson said: “We’re very proud of our parks and greenspaces and our Biodiversity Action Plan is designed to help us enhance their quality and natural heritage.

“Under the strategy we’ve undertaken many projects to open up our environment to nature and provide a welcoming habitat for a wide variety of plants, birds and insects, including encouraging native wildlife to urban settings and allowing the public to reap the benefits and get involved.

“It’s a sign of success that these areas are now home to these new species of butterflies. These beautiful insects are not only an indicator of the health of our environment in the Capital, they are essential as pollinators and food for other species.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener and Thriving Greenspaces Champion Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “This is a fantastic new approach which ensures that these beautiful insects are at home in the Capital.

“Working collaboratively with partners like Butterfly Conservation through the Helping Hands for Butterflies Project and community involvement are key components of our strategy.

“Together we will work to raise awareness of the rich biodiversity in Edinburgh, enable others to take positive action to protect and enhance our natural environment, and influence other plans, policies and strategies relating to Edinburgh’s open spaces.”

Anthony McCluskey, Project Officer with Butterfly Conservation said: “Some butterfly species move quickly in response to climate change, so the spread of so many new species in Scotland shows us how much change there has been already.

“Initiatives like this to provide more land for them to breed can help populations move through the landscape, helping to secure their long-term future.

Dr Cathleen Thomas, Living Landscapes Programme Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “It’s really encouraging to see how quickly these butterflies have colonised the city thanks to the new habitat that Edinburgh Living Landscape partners have created.

“This is a great example of how creating new green networks in Edinburgh can help tackle the climate and nature crisis by helping wildlife adapt to change.”

Go-ahead for pioneering net zero Waterfront housing development

Proposals for a ground-breaking ‘net zero’ housing development, as part of the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project in north west Edinburgh, were granted approval by city planners yesterday.

The Granton D1 project is the first Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) pilot which will see the construction of 75 net zero carbon homes and three retail units in Granton. The project is led by the City of Edinburgh Council with support from construction and academic partners and is part of the Council ambitions to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with CCG (Scotland) Ltd to test this new business model for building affordable, net zero homes. A large proportion of the construction will be carried out off site in a factory setting reducing the overall time it takes to build the homes. The homes will also include zero emissions heating. This will help to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and support the city’s 2030 net zero target.

The pilot is also supported by a team from Napier University that will analyse the energy performance to validate and inform the net zero carbon strategy for future EHD projects. The EHD project aims to deliver 1,000 affordable net zero carbon homes across the six council areas in the City Region Deal.

With an ambitious target to become a ‘net zero’ city by 2030, both of these developments, alongside the 444-home Western Villages development, will act as a blueprint for future sustainable development and help Scotland to transition towards a greener economy.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Convener for the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, said: “Making homes more sustainable will help us to meet our net zero targets, but the most important thing is that our tenants will benefit. With the cost of living rising sharply, making the running costs of homes more affordable will help tenants on low incomes, preventing fuel poverty.

“This pilot, and the learning we hope to take from it, is a really important step for us on our journey to making all of our housing stock more energy efficient, and better for tenants to live in. We have incredibly ambitious plans which form the bedrock of our housing strategy over the next ten years.

“There is a critical need for more affordable homes in Edinburgh and we are responding to that through our commitment to deliver 20,000 social and affordable homes by 2027.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Vice Convener for the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee, said: “The Granton D1 development will provide affordable places to live for everyone with over 60% being for social rent.

“The development is part of the wider Granton Waterfront regeneration – which includes the creation of one of Europe’ s largest new coastal city parks.

“We hope to provide residents and visitors with the chance to reconnect with the city’s waterfront and taken advantage of the new leisure and outdoor experiences that will be on offer – altogether fostering an environment that will benefit everyone’s health, community spirit and wellbeing.”

Councillor Neil Gardiner, Convener for the Planning Committee, said: “This sustainable development is a great addition to our major regeneration of Granton Waterfront to create a coastal town with lots of green and open space.

“It was good to see the committee unanimously backing the project which will provide the area with much needed affordable net zero homes as well retail units providing businesses opportunities and employment locally.”

Calum Murray, CCG (Scotland) Director and Edinburgh Climate Commissioner, said: “The approval of Granton D1 is another important milestone for the City of Edinburgh Council and CCG.

“By working collaboratively alongside our partners, we are pioneering the delivery of affordable, net zero homes in Scotland and the Council is to be congratulated for taking these necessary first steps in delivery of our country’s net zero carbon ambitions.

“CCG is delighted to be leading the design and build of Granton D1 where we will provide a cutting-edge demonstration in the use of fabric first design and construction technology. We look forward to advancing works on-site in the very near future.”

Construction of Granton D1 is expected to begin in Spring 2022.

The wider Granton Waterfront regeneration project which also includes the refurbishment of the Granton Station building and the Granton Gasholder restoration project which is currently lighting up the skyline in a joint project with Edinburgh College.

The wider proposals will bring over 3000 additional homes and create one of Europe’ s largest coastal city parks linking Granton Harbour to Cramond and Lauriston Castle, reconnecting the city with its waterfront and provide the opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy spectacular views across the Forth while experiencing enhanced leisure

Green light for Haymarket Yards student development

A planning application for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) at Haymarket Yards was granted (subject to conditions), by City of Edinburgh Council Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday.

This regenerates a 0.16-hectare brownfield site that has lain derelict for many years and is being undertaken by Ladybank Developments – a Joint Venture between GSS Developments and London & Scottish Property Investment Management.

The high-quality development will provide 153 studio apartments with extensive internal and external amenities including study spaces, gym, cinema, private dining facility, roof terrace and shared gardens. It will be managed 24/7 by a dedicated on-site team.

As a zero-car parking development, it will boast cycle parking for 154 bikes (over 100% storage). With Haymarket Station and its associated tram and bus-stops nearby, and near to key college and university campuses, it is in a highly accessible location. Furthermore, no fossil fuels are to be used to operate this building, supporting the Council’s move to net zero carbon by 2030.

A spokesperson for Ladybank Developments, said: “We are thrilled to see this exciting project given the green light by the committee. This regenerates an urban brownfield site that has sat vacant for many years to create a high- quality sustainable accommodation for students, meeting the growing demand in the city.

“The location is near to neighbouring Haymarket Station and its associated tram and bus stops and is highly accessible to the city’s universities and colleges.

“We look forward to starting this exciting development immediately and continuing to work with the council and the local community to deliver it in a considerate manner.”

Council Leaders: “There’s so much to be hopeful about”

Capital Coalition leaders Adam McVey and Cammy Day look back on achievements made over the last year – and wish the city the best for 2022

As we say farewell to 2021, we want to take this opportunity to recognise the many people who have protected, served and inspired us during this year. From the NHS and our care workers to refuse collectors, supermarket staff to community volunteers. Thank you so much for everything you do.

Thanks also to the businesses who have strived to adapt and survive and, of course, all of you who have made so many personal sacrifices to limit the spread of this virus.

As a city, we’ve shown real grit, community spirit and resilience through everything the pandemic has thrown at us – and I have no doubt that we’ll continue this into the new year.

As we look back on the year, there’s a lot more to be proud of. In November we supported Glasgow to host one of the biggest events the country has ever seen – the COP26 climate conference.

Not only did we help our neighbours stage this global event, but we took our own strides to tackle the climate emergency. Last month we approved our 2030 Climate Strategy, which sets out a greener, fairer, climate ready future for the Capital, achieving our ambitious net zero 2030 goals.

We’re already making headway – in November we became the only city in Scotland to be awarded with the highest rating for climate action by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), recognising the steps we’re taking to manage the Capital’s environmental impacts.

There’s still a great deal of work to be done, but we’re ready to take the bull by the horns.

In September we unveiled bold proposals for our next local development plan, City Plan 2030. If approved by the Scottish Government, it will be a game-changer for the way we develop the city and the associated carbon footprint, not to mention boosts to wellbeing, affordable housing and jobs.

The City Mobility Plan, approved in February, sets out a plan for delivering a better connected, net zero transport system. With road traffic a major contributor to harmful greenhouse gases, it’s essential that we rethink the way we move around the city. We’re already making great progress with a range of exciting projects to do this, including Trams to Newhaven, City Centre West to East link, and plans to transform George Street.

The changing climate is not the only challenge we face. Sadly, poverty continues to affect many of our residents, despite our strong economy. We’re committed to helping everyone to share in the city’s success – we really want to end poverty, once and for all. Amongst the actions we’re taking, we’re really focusing on making sure everyone has a comfortable place to live.

Access to a home is a basic right and, thankfully, through our work with third sector partners, we’ve seen the number of people rough sleeping in the city drop. Throughout the pandemic our Homelessness and Advice Service showed exceptional dedication, delivering vital support to the most vulnerable people in the city and finding secure places for households to stay.

Providing quality, affordable homes is essential to tackling the housing crisis, and we’re still on track to build 20,000 affordable homes by 2027. Major projects like the regeneration of Powderhall, New Fountainbridge and the transformation of Granton waterfront – our £1.3bn project to create one of the most sustainable, vibrant new coastal towns in Scotland – will significantly boost our housing stock.

We want to create a truly equal city for future generations, which is why we’re proud to have been awarded Living Wage City status, meaning fair pay, fair hours and respect at work. This year, the Edinburgh Guarantee also marked a milestone, celebrating ten years of helping young people, and now expanding to support all ages and backgrounds access fair work, training and employment opportunities.

It goes without saying that the staff working in our schools have gone above and beyond over the past year, and all our pupils and their families deserve special thanks for their ongoing resilience. I’d also like to send a thank you to all of those other teams supporting schools, children and families. We’ve had a greater focus on outdoor learning and our EPIC days in June saw over 3,000 pupils enjoy an outdoor adventure experience at Bonaly.

Next year we have new or replacement schools due to open at Castlebrae, St Crispins, Victoria Primary, Canaan Lane and major works at Darroch and Boroughmuir – all part of our financial commitment as part of our ambitious new school building programme which will see more than £500m planned investment over the next decade.

While recent years have meant we haven’t been able to enjoy our festivals and attractions in the same way we’re used to, we know they’ll be back. We were all disappointed at the cancellation of Hogmanay festivities, but it was absolutely for the right reasons – the public’s wellbeing is our number one priority.

It was fantastic that we were able to enjoy our summer festivals once again this year, albeit on a reduced basis. Our teams worked tirelessly with partners to make sure the programme could go ahead safely and in line with Scottish Government guidance and I want to pay tribute to the Team Edinburgh approach that’s allowed this to happen.

We’re confident our vibrant network of independent businesses and hospitality venues, too, will be back to full capacity before long. They’ve experienced some of their toughest periods during 2020 and 2021 and we’ve been doing everything we can to support them – and will continue to do so over the difficult months ahead.

We know that this isn’t the Christmas and New Year many of us would have wished for. But what we’ve shown over the last year is that we’re an incredibly resilient, adaptable city, with so much to be hopeful about. Let’s stick with it, Edinburgh.

Wishing you all the very best for 2022.

Local Government Elections take place on 5th May 2022