Extract of Minute

[After contribution from a 'Save Meadowbank' deputation (not minuted) and significant ammendments; see below for Labour-group motion and SNP and Lib Dem ammendments]

Full Meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council

26 April 2007

       Meadowbank Sports Centre -- Motion by Councillor Ewan Aitken

Decision

1)      The Council, sportScotland and the National Governing Bodies of Sport remain committed to providing modern sports facilities of national and regional significance in the city.  The Council has committed to making Edinburgh Europe's most physically active city by 2020 by investing in national, regional and local facilities, sporting programmes and supporting initiatives and events that encourage people of all ages and abilities to become and remain active.

2)      In 2004, the Council unanimously agreed to update and enhance the range of national and regional facilities currently available through the building of a new sports complex at Sighthill and the refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.  The Council re-affirmed this position in 2005 and in 2007 and stands by that commitment.

3)      Recognising that Meadowbank Sports Centre was much used by the community living in the surrounding area, it was also agreed that a new community sports centre would be built in the Meadowbank area.  The Council reaffirmed the planning brief recommendation that the new community sports centre be built on the current Meadowbank site.

4)      Since 2004, the Council had continued to respond to the concerns expressed by some residents in East Edinburgh about the loss of sporting facilities on the east side of the city.  Consequently, Council agrees to set up a Working Group, with an independent convener, to review the facilities to be provided in the east side of the city.  The Group should consist of representatives from a range of appropriate sporting organisations, as well as representatives from the South East Sports Facilities Project Group, the local Community Councils from East Edinburgh and Leith, Edinburgh Leisure and the City's Equality Forum, all the Ward Councillors for Craigentinny/Duddingston and the relevant spokespersons for all the main political groups on the Council.

5)           The Group would consider the following:

a)      The range of facilities that should be included in a new local community sports centre in East Edinburgh.

b)      The different options for providing these facilities on the Meadowbank site.

c)      The refurbishment of Meadowbank Stadium to meet 21^st century demands and the aspirations of encouraging sport for all ages, including the retention of the athletics track.

d)      The development opportunities and capital receipt potential for any remaining part of the Meadowbank site.

6)      To empower the Group to re-open and examine the principle of the sale of the Meadowbank site either in whole or in part.

7)      Not to set parameters within which the Group must confine its deliberations and to authorise the Group to make recommendations covering the whole issue of what was currently provided by Meadowbank Stadium and what should be provided in future on that site, including the retention of an athletics track.

8)      To agree that the Chief Executive provide officer support to the Working Group to assist, as requested, with the gathering of information from both the Council and the relevant outside bodies that would assist the group's deliberations.

9)      To agree that the Group would convene over the coming weeks with the objective of preparing an interim report for the Chief Executive to be presented to the Council meeting on 28 June 2007.

MEADOWBANK LABOUR GROUP MOTION - FULL MEETING OF COUNCIL, 26 APRIL

"The Council, Sportscotland and the National Governing Bodies of Sport
remain committed to providing modern sports facilities of national and
regional significance in the city.  The Council has committed to making
Edinburgh Europe's most physically active city by 2020 by investing in
national, regional and local facilities, sporting programmes and
supporting initiatives and events that encourage people of all ages and
abilities to become and remain active.

In 2004, the Council unanimously agreed to update and enhance the range
of national and regional facilities currently available through the
building of a new sports complex at Sighthill and the refurbishment of
the Royal Commonwealth Pool.  The Council re-affirmed this position in
2005 and in 2007 and stands by that commitment.

Recognising that Meadowbank Sports Centre is much used by the community
living in the surrounding area, it was also agreed that a new community
sports centre will be built in the Meadowbank area.  Council reaffirms
the planning brief recommendation that the new community sports centre
be built on the current Meadowbank site.

Since 2004, the Council has continued to respond to the concerns
expressed by some residents in East Edinburgh about the loss of sporting
facilities on the east side of the city.  Consequently the Council
agrees to set up a working group, with an independent convener, to
review the facilities to be provided in the east side of the city.  The
Group should consist of representatives from a range of appropriate
sporting organisations, as well as representatives from the South East
Sports Facilities Project Group, the Local Community Councils from East
Edinburgh and Leith, Edinburgh Leisure and the City's Equality Forum and
a Councillor from East Edinburgh,

The Group would consider the following:

1.        the range of facilities that should be included in a new local
community sports centre in East Edinburgh

2.        The different options for providing these facilities on the
Meadowbank site

The Council also agrees to the Chief Executive providing officer support
to the Working Group to assist, as requested, with the gathering of
information from both the Council and the relevant outside bodies that
will assist the group's deliberations.

The Group will convene over the coming weeks with the objective of
preparing an interim report for the Chief Executive.  This report will
be presented to the Council meeting on the 28 June 2007."

CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL

1 FEBRUARY 2007 [?]

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT ADDENDUM

Item 10.5       Meadowbank Sports Centre

To approve the motion, subject to:

• In the 4^th paragraph, to add all the Ward councillors for Craigentinny/Duddingston and the relevant spokespersons for all the main political groups on the Council to the Working Group

• In the 5^th paragraph, to add:

3.  The refurbishment of Meadowbank Stadium, to meet 21^st century demands and the aspirations of encouraging sport for all ages, including the retention of the athletics track; and

4.  the development opportunities and capital receipt potential for any remaining part of the Meadowbank site

Proposed       Councillor Marjorie Thomas

Amend/09-07/MT/MJ