Edinburgh Council have been accused of "cherry picking" after releasing a detailed response in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Christmas Markets and Hogmanay celebrations.
The council have sought to "clarify some of the issues that have arisen in the press and on social media" ahead of a public consultation that will seek residents' views on how the capital should celebrate Christmas and Hogmanay.
Organisers behind the winter festivals, Underbelly, have faced fierce criticism after it was revealed that the Christmas market did not have planning permission to operate, with calls for Edinburgh Council to rip up their contracts.
Addressing the Christmas Markets, the council said that the layout had to change due to works at the National Gallery, which led to a retrospective planning application being submitted.
However, they insist that the temporary structures, which were slammed online after photos of the scaffolding led to grave safety fears, had been approved by structural engineers and the council’s engineers prior to the market opening.
Residents have also been left furious at the state of East Princes Gardens, which has been turned into a mudlfat after the Christmas Markets left town. The council hope to have the space reopened by Easter, with Underbelly set to foot the bill.
In addition, Underbelly were also criticised for telling residents who live on streets closed for the Hogmanay street party that they will need to wear wristbands to enter and leave their own homes and ticketing the Loony Dook in South Queensferry.
The council have said that residents and guests "will never be prevented" from accessing their own homes during Hogmanay and that the measures have been in place in previous years.
Meanwhile, the Loony Dook is said to be ticketed for safety reasons, with the price originally set by the previous contractor Unique Events, in 2016. The council adds that Underbelly operates the event at a loss to itself of over £7,000.
Adam McVey took to Twitter to share the information but one resident accused the council of "cherry picking" facts.
Allasan Sheòras Buc said: "Calling these facts when it is a cherry picking of what happened, missing major parts of story from meetings, emails and actual fiscal figures the public and most of CEC is not privy to, is a form of trying to set parameters of narrative before any real enquiry. So disappointed."
Another said: "An extreme attempt at supressing any conversation! Doesn't sound like there is any intention to bridge the gulf with local communities and groups like @thecockburn @kevin_lang @CllrNormanWork Classic Council."
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