EDIN BVRG H THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL Committee Minutes The City of Edinburgh Council Year 200812009 Meeting 5 - Thursday 18 September 2008 Edinburgh, 18 September 2008 - At a meeting of The City of Edinburgh Council. Present:- LORD PROVOST The Right Honourable George Grubb COUNCILLORS Elaine Aitken Alison Johnstone Ewan Aitken Colin Keir Robert C Aldridge Louise Lang Jeremy R Balfour Jim Lowrie Eric Barry Gordon Mackenzie David Beckett Kate MacKenzie Angela Blacklock Marilyne A MacLaren Mike Bridgman Mark Mclnnes Deidre Brock Stuart Roy Mclvor Gordon Buchan Tim McKay Tom Buchanan Eric Milligan Steve Burgess Elaine Morris Andrew Burns Joanna Mowat Ronald Cairns Rob Munn Steve Cardownie Gordon J Munro Maggie Chapman Ian Murray Maureen M Child Alastair Paisley Joanna Coleman Gary Peacock Jennifer A Dawe Ian Perry Charles Dundas Cameron Rose Paul G Edie Jason G Rust Nick Elliott-Cannon Conor Snowden Paul Godzik Marjorie Thomas Norma Hart Stefan Tymkewycz Stephen Hawkins Phil Wheeler Ricky Henderson lain Whyte Lesley Hinds Donald Wilson Allan G Jackson Norrie Work 2 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 I Councillor Elizabeth Maginnis The Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Elizabeth Maginnis who had died on 7 September 2008. The Lord Provost, Councillor Dawe, Councillor Cardownie, Councillor Milligan, Councillor Jackson and Councillor Johnstone paid tribute to her 22 years of service to the city, her constituents and the city’s education service as a member of the former Lothian Regional Council and the City of Edinburgh, Council. 2 Questions Questions put by members to this meeting, written answers and supplementary questions and answers are contained in the Appendix to this minute. 3 Minutes Decision To approve the minute of the meeting of the Council of 21 August 2008, as submitted, as a correct record. 4 Education, Children and Families Committee - Appointment of Religious Representative The Council was advised of a change in the Roman Catholic Church nominee on the Education, Children and Families Committee and associated Sub- committees following the resignation of Cathy Clark. Decision 1) To note the nomination by the Roman Catholic Church of Ted Brack and to appoint him formally to the Education, Children and Families Committee. 2) To appoint Ted Brack to the Sub-Committees on Standards for Children and Families (East) and (North) and to the core group of members of the Head Teacher Appointments Committee. (References - Act of Council No 6 of 1 May 2008; report no CEC/078/08-09/CS by the Director of Corporate Services, submitted). 3 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 5 Appointments The Lord Provost ruled that the following item, notice of which had been given at the start of the meeting, be considered as a matter of urgency in order that it be considered timeously. The Council was invited to fill vacancies on Council Committees and outside bodies. Decision 1) To appoint: (a) Councillor Child to the Education, Children and Families Committee. (b) Councillor Blacklock to the Economic Development Committee. 2) To nominate: (a) Councillor Hinds to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. (b) Councillor Blacklock to the Waterfront Development Partnership Board. (Reference - report‘ no CEC/080/08-09/CS by the Director of Corporate Services, submitted). 6 Leader’s Report The Leader presented her report to the Council. She commented on the success of the Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival which had been omitted from the section of her report on Edinburgh’s Summer Festivals. The Leader announced that the Council had won the Beautiful Scotland City Category 2008 Silver Gilt Award. The Leader presented the award to David Jamieson, Parks & Greenspace Manager, and his team. The following issues were raised on the Leader’s report: Councillor Burns - Tribute to Councillor Elizabeth Maginnis - HBOS and Lloyds TSB merger - City Region Conference - Lothian Buses’ service revisions Councillor Whyte - Tribute to Councillor Elizabeth Maginnis - HBOS and Lloyds TSB merger 4 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 Councillor Hart - Fairer Scotland Fund Councillor Ewan Aitken No 12 bus service Councillor Johnstone - Coaching facilities at local sports venues Councillor Paisley - Right of way on Water of Leith at Kinleith Mill - petition for reopening Councillor Hinds - Edinburgh Outlook going local Councillor Cardownie - Motions and amendments at Council meetings Councillor Buchan - Lothian Buses - night bus services Councillor Barry - Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service - new training centre Councillor Burgess - Leith Docks development - zero carbon status (Reference - report no CEC/079/08-09/L by the Leader, submitted). 7 Revenue Outturn 2007-2008 - Unaudited The Finance and Resources Committee had referred to the Council recommendations arising from the unaudited Revenue Outturn for 2007/08. Decision 1) To approve the carry forward of underspends in the Departments of Corporate Services, Finance and Services for Communities together with the write off of the overspends in the Departments of Children and Families and Health and Social Care under the budget flexibility scheme. 2) To draw down an additional f4.083m from the Capital Fund to assist in managing the overspends in the Departments of Children and Families and Health and Social Care. 5 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 4) To agree that from 2009/10 overspends should be repaid by the Departments concerned through the budget flexibility scheme as a key measure to improve financial performance. (Reference - report no CEC/075/08-09/F&R by the Finance and Resources Committee, submitted). 8 Review of Common Good in Edinburgh - Alterations to Standing Orders and the Scheme of Delegation to Officers The Finance and Resources Committee had referred to the Council proposed changes to Standing Orders and the Scheme of Delegation to Officers in relation to its obligations for the management of property held on behalf of the Common Good. Decision To amend the Council’s Standing Orders and Scheme of Delegation to Officers as follows: 1) Standing Orders Schedule 1 - Committee Functions and Illustrative Remits: 5. Finance and Resources Committee Add under “Illustrative remit”: Common Good Fund 2) Scheme of Delegation to Officers (a) Section 2 - General Delegation to Officers Amend paragraph 2.15 (b) Miscellaneous - Use of Land and Buildings to read: Approving, subject to compliance with any approved scheme of charges, the use, by appropriate organisations and bodies, of any land or premises owned by the Council or managed on behalf of the Common Good and under their sole operational control. 6 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 (b) Section 4 - Director of City Development Insert new paragraph 4.1 54: 4.154 For property held on behalf of the Common Good, the Director can do the following: (1) Negotiate the grant of “minutes of waiver” (2) Sign on behalf of the Council, as manager, to let properties where: a. The length of the lease is between one month and 5 years and the exclusive rent of no more than f50’000per year, or b. The length of the lease is no more than one month. (3) Negotiate to renew or extend leases where it is uneconomic or unsuitable to advertise these p ropert ies . (c) Section 8 - Director of Finance Add to paragraph 8.10 To perform any function on behalf of the pension funds, Common Good Fund, charitable endowments . (Reference - report no CEC/076/08-09/F&R by the Finance and Resources Committee, submitted). 9 Shared Service Source to Pay (Pathfinder Procurement) Project - Contribution from Renewal and Repairs Fund The Finance and Resources Committee had referred to the Council a recommendation for a contribution to the Pathfinder Procurement Project from the Renewal and Repairs Fund. This would be used to defray the costs of repairs and maintenance and would allow funds earmarked for repairs in 2008/09 revenue budget to assist with the project’s implementation. Decision To approve the contribution of €0.61Om to the Pathfinder Procurement Project from the Renewal and Repairs Fund. (Reference - report no CEC/077/08-09/F&R by the Finance and Resources CommitteeI submitted). 7 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 10 Capital City Supplement Approval was sought for the Council’s response to the Scottish Government’s announcement of the creation of a “Capital City Supplement” in acknowledgement of the additional expenditure incurred by the Council in discharging its role as a national capital city. Decision 1) To approve the submission, as detailed in the Appendix to the report by the Chief Executive, to the Scottish Government in support of the case for a Capital City Supplement for Edinburgh. 2) To welcome the fact that “all-party support” for the submission was made clear in the Executive Summary. 3) To commend the officers involved in producing the submission. 4) To commend the significant contribution of Margo MacDonald MSP in the 2008/09 Scottish Parliament budget debate on this issue and the support of other local MSPs. 5) To recognise that this Council workstream began in 2004 with cross party support. (References - Act of Council No 11 of 29 April 2004; report no CEC/068/08- 09/CE by the Chief Executive, submitted). I1 Usher Hall Phase II - Budget Implications Details were provided of the budget implications of action approved by the Culture and Leisure Committee on the Phase II refurbishment of the Usher Hall. Decision To note: 1) The report by the Director of Corporate Services and the management action taken to date. 2) That vigorous efforts to reduce the overspend were ongoing. 8 The City of Edinburgh Council 18 September 2008 3) That a progress report on the Usher Hall Phase II capital works would be provided early in 2009. (References - Act of Council No 29 of 26 June 2008; report no CEC/069/08- 09/CS by the Director of Corporate Services, submitted).