Charity checking

I have already had conversations with the city council and the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association regarding the facilitation of an event for charities to showcase their works in Edinburgh. I have been overwhelmed by the extent of public support for the views I have expressed.

The views expressed by Mr Findlay and his experience of face-to-face collecting in Edinburgh would appear not to reflect public opinion as expressed there. I have spoken with the chief executive of the regulatory association who acknowledged that there are times when the face-to-face collecting methods of some charities falls below the Institute of Fundraising's code of practice.

He now believes there may be a problem in Edinburgh which needs addressed, and will be in discussion with me and the council shortly to consider the implementation of a site management agreement for face-to-face collecting in the city centre.

While this is widely used in England by local authorities and business improvement districts, this would be a flagship agreement for the capital, being the first for any Scottish city.

I would like to dispel any misunderstanding of the role or effectiveness of Essential Edinburgh, representing 600 businesses which contribute 100 million in business rates each year.

Our information ambassadors have worked successfully over the past year to identify antisocial behaviour and assist in the detection of crime in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police.

I am proud of my company's record of working to improve the city centre environment for visitors, shoppers, workers and residents and we will continue to do that without shirking from sensitive issues such as criticising how charities collect in the city centre.

TOM CAMPBELL

Chief executive, Essential Edinburgh

Regent Road, Edinburgh