Issue - meetings

(i)            to note the outcome of the market testing exercise instructed by this Committee on 29 August 2017;

(ii)           to instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets to openly market the site in accordance with Aberdeen City Council’s aspirations  and report back with the outcome to a future and appropriate Committee in due course;

(iii)         to note the outcome of the further dialogue with the Council’s Economic Development Service regards potential demand for business incubator units in the Triangle Site note and that this option will not progress any further at this stage;

(iv)         to note the outcome of the further dialogue with Education and Children’s Services in relation to potential demand for land in the Middlefield area for Early Learning, Childcare provision and staff training facility and note that this option will not progress any further;

(v)           to congratulate residents of Middlefield and partners for their work in improving Middlefield, work that has seen the area recognised in the top 3 of Scotland most improved place;

(vi)         to welcome the SNP Councillors support of the Labour, Conservative and Independent Alliance administration’s policy for the relocation of tenants from the Middlefield triangle affected by the re-aligned road; and

(vii)       instructs the interim Director of Communities Housing and Infrastructure to write to Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing requesting full compensation for the relocation of tenants in the Middlefield Triangle site and demolition of the Housing caused by Transport Scotland’s re-routing of this road.

The Committee had before it a report by the Interim Director of Communities, Housing and Infrastructure which made recommendations on the future development of the Middlefield Triangle Site, including the outcomes of the recent market testing exercise.

The report recommended:-

That the Committee –

(a)          Note the outcome of the market testing exercise instructed by this Committee on 29 August 2017;

(b)          Instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets to openly market the site in accordance with Aberdeen City Council’s aspirations  and report back with the outcome to a future and appropriate Committee in due course;

(c)          Note the outcome of the further dialogue with the Council’s Economic Development Service regards potential demand for business incubator units in the Triangle Site note and that this option will not progress any further at this stage; and

(d)          Note the outcome of the further dialogue with Education and Children’s Services in relation to potential demand for land in the Middlefield area for Early Learning, Childcare provision and staff training facility and note that this option will not progress any further.

Councillor Graham moved, seconded by the Convener:-

That the Committee:-

(1)       Agree the recommendations; and

(2)       Congratulates residents of Middlefield and partners for their work in improving Middlefield, work that has seen the area recognised in the top 3 of Scotland most improved place;

(3)       Welcomes the SNP Councillors support of the Labour, Conservative and Independent Alliance administration’s policy for the relocation of tenants from the Middlefield triangle affected by the re-aligned road; and

(4)       Instructs the interim Director of Communities Housing and Infrastructure to write to Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing requesting full compensation for the relocation of tenants in the Middlefield Triangle site and demolition of the Housing caused by Transport Scotland’s re-routing of this road.

Councillor Jackie Dunbar moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor McRae:-

That the Committee:-

1.         Agree recommendations (a), (c) and (d);

2.            Instruct the Head of Land and Property Assets to openly market the site in accordance with Middlefield Community’s aspirations which is Retail and Greenspace and report back as soon as possible with the outcome; and

3.            Regrets that despite this issue being live for a number of years, consecutive administrations have failed to establish a concrete plan for the area. Instructs the interim Director of Communities Housing and Infrastructure to write to Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Local Government and Housing requesting full discussions in relation to funds to relocate tenants, should point 2 above be agreed.

On a division, there voted:-

For the motion (9) – The Convener, Vice Convener Bell and Councillors Donnelly, Duncan, Graham, Imrie, Lumsden, Macdonald and Jennifer Stewart.

For the amendment (8) – Councillors Copland, Cormie, Delaney, Jackie Dunbar, Flynn, Hutchison, McRae and Nicol.

The Committee resolved:-

To approve the motion.