Edinburgh Playing OutPublic Meeting

7.30pm Tuesday 9 February 2016City Chambers, Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Introduction Claire Wheeler, Edinburgh Playing Out 7.30pm

Our Vision Louise Drumm, Edinburgh Playing Out 7.40pm

Memories of Outdoor Play Margaret Wilson and friend 7.45pm

Why We Like to Play Outdoors Lucy and Katie Topley 7.50pm

Where We Are Now and Stumbling Blocks

Edinburgh Playing Out Caroline Phipps-Urch 8.00pm

Scottish Government’s Position Deborah Gallagher 8.05pm

Playing Out – the Way Forward Thomas Lynch, Edinburgh Playing Out 8.10pm

Plans for Playing Out Weekend 9/10 April and How to Achieve Your Street Closure

Thomas Lynch, Edinburgh Playing Out 8.15pm

Question and Answer Claire Wheeler, and Edinburgh Playing Out 8.25pm

Thanks and Finish 8.45pm

Written question lodged at the Scottish Parliament by Alison Johnstone (MSP) on 8th February 2016

• ‘To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to allow children to be able to regularly play out on the streets where they live.’

• ‘To ask the Scottish Government if it has plans to publish guidance for local authorities who may seek to make repeated road closures to allow for repeated playing out on streets.’

City of Edinburgh Council 19 November 2015Motion by Green Group, Title: Playing OutThis Council:Welcomes the initiative ‘Playing Out’ to temporarily close individual roads to traffic in residential areas on a recurring basis to allow children’s play and notes the success of this initiative South of the border; Notes the contribution that this initiative is reported to have in facilitating contact between neighbours and building community cohesion; Recognises the significant interest from different groups of parents in various areas of Edinburgh in playing out; However, notes the regulatory hurdles encountered in obtaining permission, the prohibitive cost and the practicalities of closing roads for more than a one-off occasion; Understands that dialogue with the Scottish Government to clarify guidance around the law relating to playing out may be useful in taking the intiative forward in Scotland; and therefore Supports the Transport Convenor Cllr Lesley Hinds and the Play Champion Cllr keith Robson in their ongoing efforts to find a way to facilitate playing out in Edinburgh.

Moved by Steve Burgess Seconded by Melanie Main

“We want Scotland to be the best place to grow up. A nation which values play as a life-enhancing daily experience for all our children and young people; in their homes, early learning and childcare settings, schools and communities.”

Scottish Government Play StrategyAileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People (2013)

United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child

In 2013, General Comment 17 on Article 31 of the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) clarified governments’ obligations to:

‘promote, protect and fulfil’ children’s right to play by means of appropriate ‘legislation, planning and budgets’

(Governments..) “need to create time and space for children to engage in spontaneous play, recreation and creativity, and to promote societal attitudes that support and encourage such activity.” UNCRC General Comment 17

Galas And Events Affecting Public Roads - Guidance To Organisers (2005) Scottish Government • “Public Notification of the proposed closure will normally be given by publication of

a notice in at least one local paper.”• “Roads Traffic Regulation (Special Events) Act 1994 s.16B (6) restricts orders to 1 per

calendar year for any section of road unless the order has been made by the Scottish Executive or is made with the consent of the Scottish Executive.”

• “There are also costs associated with traffic management which may include the placing of advance information signs, placing of cones and barriers, signing of alternative routes”

• “It is for each local authority to determine if and under what circumstances they will either recharge or waive all or part of these costs. Typical circumstances for reducing or waiving costs may be where the event is either community led, is non profit making…”

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2005/07/14155315/53182

Road Traffic Regulation Act 198416B Restrictions on orders under s. 16A.

(6)Where an order has been made under section 16A of this Act in any calendar year, no further order may be made under that section in that year so as to affect any length of road affected by the previous order, unless the further order—(a)is made by the Secretary of State as the traffic authority for the road concerned; or(b)is made with his consent.

Roads (Scotland) Act 198462 Temporary prohibition or restriction of traffic etc. on roads for reasons of public safety or convenience.

(1)Where, as regards any road, an order [F1 can be made under neither section 14 nor section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (temporary prohibition or restriction of traffic and foot passage on roads in certain circumstances and in connection with certain events)] but in the opinion of the roads authority considerations of public safety or convenience require, or make it desirable that there should be, a temporary restriction on, or temporary prohibition of, traffic or foot passage on the road, the authority may make an order imposing such restriction or prohibition and (where practicable) specifying an alternative route or alternative routes.

Over to you• Have you signed our sign-up sheet?• Talk to your neighbours and hold a Playing Out afternoon on the

weekend of 9/10 April• Take photographs and share on our Facebook Page• Let us know you are doing it• Can you help the Edinburgh Playing Out campaign? Join our group• Contact your councillor and MSP – let them know you want regular

Playing Out sessions that are free of charge to communities

Let’s get Edinburgh Playing Out in 2016

Contact usBlog Edinburgh Playing OutFacebook: Edinburgh Playing Out (Facebook)Twitter: @EdinPlayingOut Email: edinburghplayingout@gmail.com