Effective Communication and Reporting
There should be effective communication and reporting at all stages of the project, including accurate progress reports to councillors and stakeholders, with clear escalation procedures for issues that may affect cost, programme or scope.
- The Council committee report (16 November 2023) stated that the Council agreed to support any future readiness review or audit to ensure clear understanding of progress and reporting (City of Edinburgh Council Committee Report, 16 November 2023).
- No published formal framework for mandatory progress reporting and escalation procedures in major publicly funded projects has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
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.
While this Recommendation is for third parties who may undertake a readiness review or audit of a publicly funded project in future, it is recommended that the Council agrees to support any such review or audit to ensure that there is a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities. 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).