Sir Geoff Palmer

The findings and recommendations of the review, commissioned in 2020 and led by Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, will be considered by city councillors next Tuesday.

The council’s policy and sustainability committee will be updated on the background and milestones of the work undertaken by the group and consider the ten recommendations and proposed outline action plan for implementation.

The review has recommended that statues, monuments, buildings and street names associated with slavery and colonialism in Edinburgh are retained, but re-presented in accordance with a new, dedicated interpretation strategy which explains the nature and consequences of that involvement.

Universities and research bodies have been encouraged to fund, develop and publish studies into the many under-researched aspects of Edinburgh’s connections with slavery and colonialism, prioritising the objectives of the new interpretation strategy.

Other recommendations include:

• City-wide observance of the annual, UNESCO-designated International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition every August 23 is introduced and resourced.
• Teaching and learning materials are developed and delivered to fill the gap in respect of Scotland’s and Edinburgh’s role in slavery and colonialism
• Friendship agreements are initiated with cities in countries most impacted by Edinburgh’s historic involvement with slavery and colonialism.
• A significant public artwork is commissioned acknowledging Edinburgh’s links with slavery and colonialism. This initiates the development of a city-wide strategy for public art that fairly represents the diversity of the city and its histories, and capitalises on the creative potential of a multi-cultural city.
• A positive programme of cultural commissions is established, empowering and resourcing emerging Black and Minority Ethnic creatives in Edinburgh to participate in and shape existing festivals, arts and heritage programmes.
• The Council endorses the work of the Empire, Slavery and Scotland’s Museums steering group (ESSM) established by the Scottish Government, and commits to exploring how the capital can contribute to the creation of a dedicated space addressing Scotland’s role in this history.
• An independent legacy stakeholder group is established, supported by the Council, to ensure approved recommendations are actioned, resourced and monitored, and progress is reported annually

Council leader Cammy Day said: “We commissioned this independent review because we felt it was an important and useful starting point for a wide-ranging public discussion about the modern-day impact of this legacy, and to acknowledge that race-based discrimination has deep roots in our capital. It still shapes the life experiences of black and minority ethnic residents today, and that is unacceptable.

“Racism must be talked about, and action to end it must be supported if it is to be stamped out and we are to be the inclusive and welcoming city that the vast majority of its residents wants and expects it to be.

“Thanks to the work of the group we have 10 recommendations to consider that reflect the opinions and preferences of our residents about this subject. I would like to thank the group and chair Sir Geoff Palmer for their time and commitment to undertaking this review. I look forward to the discussion next week and consideration of how the recommendations can be taken forward.”

Sir Geoff said: “On behalf of the review group, I would like to thank The City of Edinburgh Council for its innovative decision to commission an independent review of the City’s links with Slavery and Colonialism. It was a great honour to chair these groups.

“Having spent over 50 years in scientific research I am delighted that the recommendations of this review are based on sound methodology and that this project has attracted positive attention from different parts of the world. In general, the recommendations indicate that the racism and discrimination that exist in our society can be changed for the better using education and public engagement.”

If approved the action plan will be taken forward. Whilst some will be implemented quickly, proposals for how medium and long-term recommendations will be brought back to committee once they have been further developed.