This is the text of the emergency motion laid before the Council today at the meeting of the full council.
“The City of Edinburgh Council – 18 November 2010
Liberal Democrat Emergency Motion
Council notes that:
(i) the Chief Executive wrote to the Managing Director of Bilfinger Berger Civil UK Limited on 16 November to offer a meeting with Council officers;
(ii) the Council Leader and Chief Executive later that day met the Cabinet-Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth at which they discussed the possibility of mediation as a means of progressing the tram project;
(iii) the Council Leader will take all appropriate steps to facilitate mediation and asked the Chief Executive to take forward a mediation proposal;
(iv) the Chief Executive subsequently discussed with the Chief Executive of tie the potential for using mediation or any other form of dispute resolution; and
(v) the Tram Project Board on 17 November agreed to support an independent mediation process.
Council instructs the Chief Executive to continue to make preparations with tie and BSC for mediation or other dispute resolution processes.
Council requests that the Chief Executive report back on progress in these matters.”
This was subsequently carried.
Cllr Jenny Dawe said: “We want to end this dispute and get on with building a tram line for Edinburgh. tie have kept councillors and officials informed of their strategy throughout this process and we have supported their position. However now, as recommendations are being prepared for Council to bring matters to a conclusion, it is appropriate for the Chief Executive to engage with the contractor in a final attempt to secure the best deal for the city.”
Richard Jeffrey, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Trams, said: “We are working hard to bring the differences to a conclusion and have kept Council fully appraised of the issues and how we are dealing with them. With the endorsement of our Board we have invited the BSC consortium to explore mediation to reach a conclusive and decisive solution. So that I don’t inhibit that process I am not in a position to say more about our invitation.
“We are now in a critical stage for making a decision to move forward and we are in full agreement with the Council on the steps being taken to find a resolution.”
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