Minutes Item No 4.1
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Minutes Item No 4.1 The City of Edinburgh Council Edinburgh, Thursday 24 November 2016 Present:- LORD PROVOST The Right Honourable Donald Wilson COUNCILLORS Elaine Aitken Lesley Hinds Robert C Aldridge Sandy Howat Norma Austin-Hart Allan G Jackson Nigel Bagshaw Karen Keil Jeremy Balfour David Key Gavin Barrie Richard Lewis Angela Blacklock Alex Lunn Chas Booth Melanie Main Mike Bridgman Mark McInnes Steve Burgess Adam McVey Andrew Burns Eric Milligan Ronald Cairns Joanna Mowat Steve Cardownie Gordon J Munro Maureen M Child Jim Orr Bill Cook Lindsay Paterson Nick Cook Ian Perry Gavin Corbett Alasdair Rankin Cammy Day Vicki Redpath Denis C Dixon Lewis Ritchie Marion Donaldson Keith Robson Karen Doran Cameron Rose Paul G Edie Frank Ross Catherine Fullerton Jason G Rust Nick Gardner Alastair Shields Paul Godzik Stefan Tymkewycz Joan Griffiths David Walker Bill Henderson Iain Whyte Ricky Henderson Norman Work Dominic R C Heslop 1. Queensferry High School a) Deputation by Kirkliston Community Council and Kirkliston Primary School PTA The deputation felt that the current school provision at Queensferry High was not fit for purpose. They expressed concerns that the feasibility study had not been thorough enough and that the projected increase in numbers of children who would attend the new school had been understated. The deputation stated that it was imperative that the new school should be in place by 2023. They asked the Council to note their concerns that the proposal for the new build was not included in the Second Local Development Plan, an actual site location for the proposed development had not been identified and there was no funding secured for the project. b) Report by the Acting Executive Director of Communities and Families The Council had agreed to the replacement of Queensferry High School subject to a successful funding bid to the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future Programme and that a feasibility study to develop the scope for replacement be progressed when it had been confirmed that the Schools for the Future Programme was continuing. Details were provided on the outcome of the feasibility study together with an update on the project. Decision 1) To approve that a New Project Request (NPR) for a 1200 capacity replacement Queensferry High School be submitted to hub South East Scotland Limited and the affordability cap set for the project was aligned to the Scottish Futures Trust metric for a school of this size. 2) To agree a follow up report detailing the full cost implications to the Council resulting from the Scottish Government’s revenue based funding model (which was now a requirement of the Schools for the Future Programme) would be submitted to the Finance and Resources Committee prior to financial close of the contract to deliver the new school. The City of Edinburgh Council – 24 November 2016 Page 2 of 121 3) To note that the long term success of the new Queensferry High School, in terms of it being able to operate within its design capacity, was dependent on the delivery of a new High School in west Edinburgh by 2023 as outlined in the Local Development Plan Action Programme and that the funding implications of this requirement would be reported to the Finance and Resources Committee as part of the regular Action Programme updates. 4) To note that a future catchment review for Queensferry High School to match available capacity was expected to be required in due course and the necessary proposals for statutory consultations would be presented to the Education, Children and Families Committee when required. 5) To request an interim update report within two cycles to Education, Children and Families Committee with regular future updates in respect of the building and funding of a "Kirkliston High School" or West Edinburgh High School in terms of this report, such report to include indicative timescales and reference to any potential opportunities in relation to co- operation with West Lothian Council on catchment or other relevant matters. (References: Act of Council No 9 of 25 September 2014; report by the Acting Executive Director of Children and Families, submitted) 2. Treasury Management Mid-Term Report 2016-17 – referral from the Finance and Resources Committee a) Deputation by UNITE City of Edinburgh Council Branch The deputation commended the Council for its treasury management strategy and in particular highlighted the work being undertaken to reduce the amount of debt and the interest paid on debt. The deputation referred to UNITE’s Drop the Debt Campaign which called for an amnesty on all pre-devolution Council debts owed to the UK Treasury. The deputation welcomed the work being done by Council finance officers towards reducing debt, taking into account the recent reduction in interest repayment rates on borrowing by the Public Works Loan Board. They highlighted that no borrowing had taken place during the first half of the financial year and that the Council continued to fund capital expenditure temporarily from cash deposits. This approach The City of Edinburgh Council – 24 November 2016 Page 3 of 121 generated significant short-term savings in loan charges for the Council. b) Report by the Finance and Resources Committee The Finance and Resources Committee had referred a report which provided an update on Treasury Management Activity in 2016/17, to the Council, for approval of the Treasury Management Strategy. Decision 1) To approve the Treasury Management Strategy. 2) To refer the report to the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee for scrutiny. (References: Finance and Resources Committee 3 November 2016 (item 13); referral from the Finance and Resources Comittee, submitted) 3 Minutes Decision To approve the minute of the Council of 27 October 2016 as a correct record. 4. Questions The questions put by members to this meeting, written answers and supplementary questions and answers are contained in Appendix 1 to this minute. 5 Leader’s Report The Leader presented his report to the Council. The Leader commented on: Budget Consultation City Vision ongoing dialogue and consultation Relevant Vibrancy The following questions/comments were made: Councillor Rose - City Region Deal – progress of negotiations - Special measures in place to respond to winter weather issues The City of Edinburgh Council – 24 November 2016 Page 4 of 121 Councillor Burgess - Scottish public services finance – further cuts to Council funding Councillor Aldridge - Libraries and Community Learning and Development - future Councillor Barrie - Tourist residents and hotels achieving top awards - Edinburgh - Entrepreneurial City of the Year Award Councillor Cardownie - Ken Buchanan – nomination for Edinburgh Award – proposal for handprint in stone at the City Chambers Councillor Munro - EICC Performance – appreciation of hard work Councillor Bill Henderson - Pentland Hills Regional Park 10 year anniversary Councillor Day - Concerns about reforms in education in Scotland - Lorne Street – retention of affordable homes– congratulations to all involved Councillor Lewis - Scottish Book Week - Cosla award to the Library Service for services to visually impaired people Councillor Walker - Rail Services – additional carriages to borders rail service Councillor Rust - Shared drive system for logging case work from constituents at capacity 6 Revised Polling Arrangements as a Consequence of the City of Edinburgh (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016 The Council had noted the new electoral arrangement for the City of Edinburgh Council area defined in the City of Edinburgh (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016. Details were provided on the revised arrangement of polling districts and places following consultation with elected members. Decision 1) To note that the City of Edinburgh (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016 changed the boundaries of all 17 Wards of the City of Edinburgh Council. The City of Edinburgh Council – 24 November 2016 Page 5 of 121 2) To note that a review of polling districts and places had been undertaken to ensure that polling facilities continued to support participation in the democratic process, with polling places being appropriately sited and accessible to all electors, including those with disabilities. 3) To note that elected members and the public had been consulted on revised arrangements for polling districts and places. 4) To approve the set of polling districts and polling places detailed in the Appendices to the report by the Chief Executive. (References – Act of Council No 7 of 27 October 2016; report by the Chief Executive, submitted.) 7. Boundary Commission for Scotland 2018 Review of UK Parliamentary Constituencies Details were provided on the initial proposals by the Boundary Commission for Scotland for the reduction in the number of UK Parliament constituencies and the implications for Edinburgh constituencies. The consultation process on the proposals was open until 11 January 2017. Decision To note the Boundary Commission for Scotland consultation on the new UK Parliamentary Constituencies for 2018 (Reference – report by the Chief Executive, submitted.) 8 Chief Officer Appointments As part of the Council’s transformation process a number of permanent Chief Officer level vacancies had arisen. Details were provided on the Recruitment Committee’s recommendations for appointments to the various Chief Officer roles. Decision That, subject to the appropriate pre-employment checks, to appoint: - Laurence Rockey as Head of Strategy and Insight; - Simon Higgins as Head of Communication Services; - Bruce Strang as Head of Information Technology; The City of Edinburgh Council – 24 November 2016 Page 6 of 121 - Nick Smith as Head of Legal and Risk; - Peter Watton as Head of Property and Facilities Management; and - Nicola Harvey as Head of Customer Services (Reference – reports (2) by the Acting Executive Director of Resources, submitted.) 9. Council Diary 2016/17 - Adjustments Details were provided on proposed changes to the Council’s meetings schedule for the Licensing Sub-Committee of the Regulatory Committee and the Council budget meeting for 2017. Decision 1) To agree to hold meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committees on alternate Fridays in place of the current meetings schedule.