The Culture and Communities Committee was scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including forward planning, business matters, firework control zones, park management rules, the physical activity and sport strategy, public art, community football, disc golf, public toilets, sustainable culture, police report and busking management.

Firework Control Zones

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on Firework Control Zones (FCZ) and proposals for their implementation between 31 October and 9 November 2025, to coincide with Police Scotland's dispersal zones during the bonfire period.

The committee was to note an update on actions being progressed to minimise the impact of fireworks, and to consider a proposal for FCZs to be in place from 31 October to 9 November 2025, aligning with Police dispersal zone arrangements. Approval was sought to proceed with four FCZs (Niddrie, Balerno, Calton Hill and Seafield) for the next two years, with timings aligned to Police Scotland Dispersal Zones for Bonfire Night, and to proceed with five local FCZs in Corstorphine, Moredun, Gracemount, Longstone and Sighthill for the same period. A report on the outcome of the FCZs in 2025 and plans for 2026 was scheduled to be prepared for the committee in February 2026.

The report noted that the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 gave local authorities discretionary powers to designate FCZs, and that the Scottish Government had published Firework Control Zones Guidance for Local Authorities.

The report also detailed preparatory activities planned by the Citywide Bonfire Strategic Planning Community Improvement Partnership (CIP) in the lead up to Bonfire Night, and that Lothian Association of Youth Clubs (LAYC) would again offer small grant funding for organisations to provide diversionary activities for young people.

The report summarised the consultation responses received, noting overwhelming support for the implementation of localised zones.

Management Rules for Parks, Beaches and Green Space

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on the updated draft of the Management Rules for Parks, Beaches, and Green Space, following feedback from a public consultation.

The report sought approval for the updated draft of the Management Rules, and to proceed to publishing the draft Rules for Public Notice for one calendar month. It was noted that any objections received would need to be heard by the Committee before a final version of the management rules could be approved.

The report also detailed that the committee would uphold the previous decision by the Council's Recreation Committee to designate all of Montgomery Street Park as a children's play area and that it remains dog free, and that further work would be undertaken to develop zones on beaches and in parks and green space that reflects the consultation feedback on appropriate locations for the exercising of dogs.

The report summarised that an initial public consultation ran from 25 February to 11 April 2025, with 4,445 respondents participating. The consultation had two sections that focussed primarily on dog control and busking, both areas of concern raised by elected members, and that overall, 32% of respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied, 22% were either very dissatisfied or dissatisfied, and 32% were neither satisfied or dissatisfied with the management rules in relation to promoting responsible use and appropriate standards of behaviour.

Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Edinburgh 2024-2034 – Draft Action Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval for the Physical Activity and Sport Strategy 2024-2034 draft Action Plan, which had been developed by the Physical Activity and Sport Strategy Partnership.

The report recommended that the committee approve the draft Action Plan, and agree to receive regular progress updates on the actions, and note the key performance indicators to measure the success of the strategy.

The Physical Activity and Sport Strategy sets out the vision, mission statement, priorities and high-level actions for the strategic development of physical activity and sport for Edinburgh over the next ten years, and promotes the following five strategic delivery outcomes: Active Partnerships; Active People; Active Places and Spaces; Active Places of Learning; and Active Promotions.

The report detailed that a workshop was held on 29 April 2025 with Council service areas and key partners from NHS, sportscotland, Edinburgh Leisure, Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh College to review each priority area within the strategy and populate the key areas of work with detail on the delivery actions, milestones, performance indicators and associated timescales which partners will address over the next two years.

Public Art Update

The committee was scheduled to consider a report seeking 'in principle' approval for proposals for three new public art commissions, and to note progress made on implementing the Public Art Policy approved in February 2025.

The report detailed that the three public art projects were a memorial to Dame Muriel Spark in East Princes Street Gardens, a statue to The Royal Regiment of Scotland in West Princes Street Gardens, and a memorial sculpture to remember those impacted by the Infected Blood Scandal, with the location to be confirmed dependent on final design.

The report noted that a Public Art Register had been completed and approved, along with a Public Art Inspection and Process Schedule, a Visual Inspection Form/Survey, and resources allocated to carry out annual visual inspections, and that the first meeting of the Public Art Panel took place on Monday 7 July, with a recruitment process resulting in the appointment of an Edinburgh-based artist to the panel, Cath Keay.

Salvesen Community Football Club – Motion by Councillor Rust

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing an update on progress to secure Salvesen Community Football Club (CFC) a Home Pitch and to deliver an upgrade of the existing 2G pitch at Forrester High School (HS)/ St Augustine's RC HS campus.

The report recommended that the committee note the update on progress, the proposed alternative options to a long-term lease requirement, and that Edinburgh Leisure currently manage sporting lets across all High School estates through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). It was also recommended that the committee approve the progression of discussions with Salvesen CFC on the detail of a management agreement for the operation of the pitch, with the draft terms reported to the committee for approval at the appropriate time, and note that, if approved, the management agreement with Salvesen CFC would require a change to the MOU with Edinburgh Leisure and therefore would need to be considered by their Board. Finally, it was recommended that the committee agree to proceed with development of a pitch license as an initial interim measure to support the upgrade of the 2G pitch at Forrester HS / St Augustine's RC HS campus to a 3G surface, noting that this would be submitted to Finance and Resources Committee for approval.

The report detailed that alternative pitch locations for the Salvesen CFC project that were previously reviewed across the west of the city included Gyle Park, Sighthill Park and Campbell Park, but that a pitch project to upgrade the existing 2G pitch at the Forrester HS / St Augustine's RC HS campus did not require planning permission or public consultation, and has supporting infrastructure in place.

Installation of a Disc Golf Course at Hailes Quarry Park

The committee was scheduled to consider a report asking them to approve the installation of an 11 hole Disc Golf course on the site of Hailes Quarry Park.

The report detailed that Disc Golf is a sport where you throw a frisbee style disc towards a target using rules similar to golf, and that the Edinburgh Disc Golf Community (EDGC) had approached the City of Edinburgh Council seeking assistance to find a location within Edinburgh that they could use to install a new disc golf course.

The report noted that the EDGC carried out consultation on the proposal with the local community including ward councillors, Friends of Hailes Quarry Park and Longstone Community Council, and that the feedback received was positive and no concerns were raised about the installation of Disc Golf within the park.

Portobello Toilets – motion by Councillor Campbell

The committee was scheduled to consider a report prepared in response to a motion by Councillor Campbell, which was approved by the Council on 8 May 2025. The report recommended engaging with local stakeholders to help inform design and cost implications for new public toilets to replace the existing facilities in Pipe Lane, Portobello.

The report recommended that the committee approve proceeding with the activities outlined in paragraph 4.4, with details of design and cost estimates to be presented to Committee by the end of 2026, and note that grant funding opportunities would be explored alongside development of a proposal for investment through the Edinburgh Visitor Levy to meet the cost of permanent facilities

The report noted that there was a high demand for public toilets at Portobello Promenade, and an opportunity to increase inclusive permanent toilet provision on the Promenade, and that the existing toilets at Pipe Lane are outdated, have no Changing Places¹ or shower provision and could be considered to be in a sub-optimal location.

Eurocities Call to Action on Sustainable Culture

The committee was scheduled to consider a report recommending that Edinburgh become a signatory to the Eurocities Call to Action on Sustainable Culture, and detailing how the council would support this.

The report detailed that the Eurocities Call to Action on Sustainable Culture is a public commitment from cities to develop more inclusive culture and low carbon initiatives, and is structured around 16 priorities, categorised into two pillars: the ecological transition of local cultural policies and events; and inclusion in culture and through culture.

The report noted that by signing the Call, Edinburgh would make a public, European-wide commitment to its residents and cultural sector that it prioritises low carbon and sustainable culture, and that the Call requests examples of initiatives that support the Call to be provided each year, to be submitted to Eurocities for inclusion in their annual report and for sharing as examples of best practice across their member cities.

Police Scotland – Edinburgh City Division Scrutiny Report – April 2024 to March 2025

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing an update from Police Scotland on the Edinburgh City Division for the period April 2024 to March 2025.

The report recommended that the committee note the update from the Divisional Commander.

The report detailed that it contained an overview and summary by the Divisional Commander, a summary of local policing priorities, crime statistics and progress made around Police Scotland's strategic outcomes – Public Safety and Wellbeing; Needs of Local Community; Confidence in Policing; and Positive Working Environment.

Busking Management – motion by Councillor Thornley

The committee was scheduled to consider a report providing an update on the data collected in 2024 on busking management in the city, and setting out the recommendations received following engagement with the busking community on actions which the Council could take to support the community. The report also provided an update on the development of Management Rules for Parks, Beach and Green space, which also included questions on busking.

The report recommended that the committee note the update on busking management and the next steps which are being progressed.

The report detailed that following a survey on the Council's Consultation and Engagement Hub in 2023, some of the funding allocated to busking management in 2024 was used to commission Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (EFFS) to carry out a survey of the busking community, and that the 2024 survey focused on understanding busking activities, the perspective of buskers and involved different types of performers.

The report highlighted the importance of maintaining free access to busking as a priority, and welcoming community liaison from the Council to provide support and guidance as well as working with the community, and that one key element of the feedback highlighted that amplification is important for some performers and that restricting amplification may impact performers with naturally quieter voices, which in turn might affect female performers more significantly.

The report noted that alongside the report, the committee were also considering a report on Management Rules for Parks, Beaches and Green space, and that further engagement would be undertaken, including representations from the busking community, to refine the management rules around busking within the Management Rules for Parks, Beaches, and Green space, and consideration would be given on how such arrangements could be managed and potentially applied to other areas of the city if possible.

Tour de France – Host Local Authority Agreement

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding the Tour de France – Host Local Authority Agreement. In terms of Standing Order 4.4, this report required to be ruled urgent by the Convener to be considered at the meeting.