Governance Structure
The governance structure for the delivery of a major project such as a light rail scheme should follow published guidance and ensure clarity regarding the respective roles of various bodies and individuals. The chairman of the company responsible for procurement and management should not also be its chief executive.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedCouncil Leader Cammy Day stated: 'We know that serious mistakes were made in the construction of the original tram line.' The Council broadly agrees with Lord Hardie's recommendations but notes improvements were already implemented for the successful Trams to Newhaven project. The Council has not published a formal detailed response to individual recommendations. Source: Council news release, 2 November 2023.
The Inquiry Report describes difficulties in the governance of the first phase of tram delivery as a result of complexity in the governance structure and also due to a lack of understanding by individuals and bodies as to their roles and responsibilities. It is agreed that in future the Council should ensure that the governance structure follows up to date guidance and importantly clearly sets out the roles and responsibilities of bodies and individuals. The Council should also seek assurance that the roles and responsibilities are clearly understood and a mechanism for this is set out at Recommendation 18. It is recommended that the Council should adopt this Recommendation. Source: Chief Executive's report to Transport and Environment Committee, 16 November 2023. Note: City of Edinburgh Council statuses are drawn from the Chief Executive's report to the Transport and Environment Committee (16 November 2023), referred to the full Council on 14 December 2023. This report appears to have been formally adopted but independent confirmation has not been obtained.
Progress Timeline
Initial status based on Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council responses to the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Report (September 2023).