Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would circulate the estimated costs for the different phases of the project to Members outwith the meeting;

(ii)       to note that due to the timing of the report, it had not been possible to consult with Local Members but that officers had provided assurance that this would not happen in future;

(iii)      to agree that the principles of the Denburn Restoration project would improve biodiversity and increase people’s connection to nature via active travel, and in turn this would improve health and wellbeing for people, whilst taking steps to towards tackling twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change;

(iv)      to approve the continuation of the Denburn Restoration project subject to external funding being obtained to deliver the project; and

(v)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services, to explore opportunities for external funding to cover the costs of delivering the project and report back to committee on 7 March on next steps.

The Committee had before it a report by the Director of Commissioning which sought approval to explore funding for the continuation of the Denburn Restoration project.  The report advised that a Denburn Restoration feasibility study had been undertaken in 2018, prior to the work being put on hold as a result of COVID-19.  It was proposed that the feasibility study be progressed to obtain revised costings; to prioritise and re-evaluate the scope of the works to minimise maintenance and delivery costs; and to deliver the Denburn restoration.  Funding for the full capital costs of the project was to be obtained using external sources.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee –

(a)      agree that the principles of the Denburn Restoration project would improve biodiversity and increase people’s connection to nature via active travel, and in turn this would improve health and wellbeing for people, whilst taking steps to towards tackling twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change;

(b)      approve the continuation of the Denburn Restoration project subject to external funding being obtained to deliver the project; and

(c)      instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning, following consultation with the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services, to explore opportunities for external funding to cover the costs of delivering the project and report back to committee on 7 March on next steps.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)       to note that officers would circulate the estimated costs for the different phases of the project to Members outwith the meeting;

(ii)       to note that due to the timing of the report, it had not been possible to consult with Local Members but that officers had provided assurance that this would not happen in future; and

(iii)      to otherwise approve the recommendations.