Council will pause to reflect on business

Published on 27/06/2012 01:10

A COUNCIL is replacing prayers before meetings with ten-minute sessions to “pause for reflection”.

Group leaders from each political party on City of Edinburgh Council and the Lord Provost have unanimously agreed to the move.

The sessions will be delivered by representatives from a variety of civic and community interests such as faith and belief groups, civic institutions and community and voluntary sector organisations.

The sessions, to be held in the main council chamber ten minutes before the monthly Thursday full meeting of the local authority, create the opportunity for reflection to all staff, councillors and visitors.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson said: “Scotland’s capital is a place of tolerance, fairness and diversity and I am more than proud to stand as first citizen in such a forward-looking city. As a council, we have a duty to respect the beliefs, opinions and interests of all our residents, which is why this review of the current prayers at full council meetings seems entirely appropriate.

“These pause for reflection sessions will be genuinely inclusive.”