The council has taken swift action following the publication of the report on Mortonhall Crematorium yesterday A multi-agency working group will now produce an action plan for the council run Mortonhall Crematorium.
The Capital Coalition motion, which was unanimously approved at this morning’s City of Edinburgh Council meeting, calls for a multi-agency working group to be set up following the publication of the report.
The group is likely to consist of representatives from the Council, Scottish Government, NHS Lothian, SANDS Lothian and other appropriate organisations.
Its remit will be to consider the recommendations in Dame Elish Angiolini’s report, devise an action plan and report back to a special meeting of the Council on 26 June 2014.
Council Leader Andrew Burns said: “On behalf of the Council, I want to offer profound apologies to parents for the distress and pain caused by the previous practices at Mortonhall. I also want to thank Dame Elish Angiolini and her team for their work on this investigation and all parents and witnesses who have contributed to the report.
“I have asked the Chief Executive to put together a multi-agency working group, including parents’ groups and other relevant agencies, to consider the report’s recommendations.
“The group will be tasked with a detailed action plan for consideration at next month’s special meeting of council. We must act on the recommendations to ensure that the highest possible standards are adhered to at Mortonhall and that nothing like this can happen again.”
Sue Bruce will be responsible for chairing and facilitating both the operation of the working group and the delivery of its remit.
Capital Coalition Motion
- Offers a profound apology to parents for the distress and pain caused by the previous practices at Mortonhall
- Thanks Dame Elish Angiolini and her team for their work on this investigation and all parents and witnesses who have contributed to the report, and notes receipt of the report
- Acknowledges the recommendations made in respect of Council practices and agrees that a report from the Chief Executive outlining the Council’s response to these recommendations will be brought back to a special meeting of The City of Edinburgh Council on Thursday, 26 June at 10.00am
- Notes the report makes recommendations for the Council as well as other organisations and that these recommendations will have implications for Edinburgh and also other parts of Scotland and the UK
- Agrees to establish and lead a multi-agency working group, chaired by the Chief Executive, with the membership and remit as per the attached appendix to be reported back to a special meeting of The City of Edinburgh Council on Thursday, 26 June at 10.00
- Agrees that at the 26 June special meeting, the Lord Provost will allow questioning of relevant officers and allow deputations by affected parents and other interested parties.
Membership and Remit
- The Chief Executive of The City of Edinburgh Council will be responsible for chairing and facilitating both the operation of the working group and the delivery of its remit.
- In addition to officers of the Council, invitations to join the Group will be extended to those organisations referenced in the report including the Scottish Government and NHS Lothian and also to SANDS Lothian and any other organisations considered to be appropriate.
- The remit of the Group will be to:
- Consider the recommendations in Dame Elish Angiolini’s report
- Devise an action plan in response to the recommendations with indicative timescales for completion; and
- Produce a report on the outcomes of its work to be received in time for consideration at a special meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council to be held at 10.00 on Thursday 26 June.
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